USBORNE BOOKS AT HOME Review and Profile

USBORNE BOOKS AT HOME no longer appears to be active as a direct sales company.

Original Npros business profile for USBORNE BOOKS AT HOME, preserved below for archival purposes:

Usborne Books & More, often abbreviated UBAM, was the U.S. direct-selling channel for children's books and educational products sold by Educational Development Corporation. The direct-sales division began in 1989 and became known for selling Usborne children's books through home parties, school and library book fairs, online parties, fundraisers, and independent consultants. In 2023, Usborne Books & More rebranded as PaperPie to reflect a broader product mix that included Usborne Publishing books, Kane Miller Books, SmartLab Toys, and Learning Wrap-Ups. Educational Development Corporation has described the company as the exclusive U.S. MLM distributor of Usborne Publishing children's books and the owner or publisher of Kane Miller, Learning Wrap-Ups, and SmartLab Toys.

PaperPie continues to operate as Educational Development Corporation's direct-sales division. Brand Partners sell children's books, educational toys, games, manipulatives, activity books, flashcards, chapter books, internet-linked books, and related learning products through home shows, social media party platforms, book fairs, fundraisers, and personalized websites. The company reported approximately 4,300 active Brand Partners as of February 28, 2026, down from 7,800 a year earlier, and average active PaperPie Brand Partners declined from 12,300 in fiscal 2025 to 5,800 in fiscal 2026. PaperPie net revenue was $19.3 million in fiscal 2026, compared with $29.9 million in fiscal 2025.

The compensation structure remains MLM-style. Brand Partners earn weekly commissions on their own sales, may qualify for monthly sales bonuses and other "Level Perks," and can advance through ranks including Team Leader, Advanced Leader, Senior Leader, Executive Leader, Senior Executive Leader, Director, and Senior Director. Team Leaders and above may receive override payments based on sales made by their Central Group and downline organization. Educational Development Corporation's filings state that active Brand Partners are primarily responsible for recruiting new Brand Partners and that the division uses a multilevel direct-selling organizational structure.

Regulatory history includes a 2024 DSSRC inquiry involving 11 earnings claims made by PaperPie / Usborne Books & More salesforce members. The claims included references to financial freedom, unlimited earning potential, six-figure income, sole income, and similar opportunity claims. PaperPie removed four of the 11 posts, contacted active and inactive Brand Partners, added earnings-claim guidance to weekly communications, and said it would continue enforcement actions, including possible termination of active Brand Partner accounts when needed. DSSRC recommended further steps to remove or modify remaining claims, including platform takedown requests and additional enforcement measures for active salesforce members.