BIC CBMC Codes

As a marketing aid for booksellers, each title in the Usborne catalogue is allocated a BIC CBMC (Children's Book Marketing Category) code. The codes will be added to the online catalogue by the end of 2010.

The BIC code for each book is made up of five letters and digits, one for each of the following characteristics:

1. INTEREST LEVEL – indicating the age range for which the book is intended.
2. BROAD SUBJECT – indicating the broad subject area of the book.
3. TYPE / FORMAT – indicating the physical format or special features of the book.
4. CHARACTER – indicating whether the book features an established children’s character.
5. TIE-IN – indicating whether the book is a film or TV tie-in edition.

For example, the BIC CBMC code for Stories from Shakespeare is C1H79.

INTEREST LEVEL

Category	Code
0 - 5 years	A
5 - 7 years	B
7 - 9 years	C
9 - 11 years	D
12+ years	E

BROAD SUBJECT

Category	Code
Poetry and plays / Songs and music	1
Home / Early learning	2
Fiction	3
Reference	4
Non-fiction	5

TYPE / FORMAT

Category	Code
Electronic format	F
Annual	G
Treasury / Gift anthology	H
Novelty book	J
Board / Bath / Rag book	K
Activity book	L
Picture book	M
Ordinary printed book format	N
Stationery and other merchandise	P

CHARACTER

Category	Code
Character	6
Non-character	7

TIE-IN

Category	Code
TV / Film tie-in	8
Non tie-in	9

For more information about BIC CBMC codes, see the User Notes (pdf) on the BIC website

Illustration from Lots of Things to Draw.
The BIC CBMC code for this book is B2L79.