Mrs Wordsmith

Mrs Wordsmith is an educational technology company that develops game-based learning solutions, books, and apps to improve literacy and vocabulary for children aged 4-13. The company was founded in 2015 by Sofia Fenichell, a writer and mother who sought to make educational content as engaging as mainstream entertainment. She partnered with artists, including the character designer from the film 'Madagascar', to create highly illustrated and animated content based on learning science.

The company's pedagogy is rooted in data science, gamification, and spaced repetition, developed with advice from literacy experts who have designed phonics curricula in the US and UK. Initially, Mrs Wordsmith focused on a direct-to-consumer subscription model, selling physical products like illustrated dictionaries, flashcards, and workbooks. A significant portion of its early revenue was generated in the U.S. market. The product lineup has since expanded to include digital offerings, most notably the video game "Word Tag," which helps children learn up to 1,000 new words a year through gameplay. The company also created "Readiculous," a game focused on teaching phonics.

In March 2021, the company underwent a bankruptcy and reorganization process. It was subsequently acquired by an investment vehicle led by Pierre Lagrange, co-founder of GLG Partners, who became the Executive Chairman in 2021. Following the acquisition, the company has focused on expanding its digital footprint and partnerships. In 2021, a global licensing deal was signed with publisher DK to bring Mrs Wordsmith's materials to retail. By July 2024, Mrs Wordsmith announced an integration with Clever, a digital learning platform used by 77% of U.S. schools, making its "Word Tag" game accessible to over 20 million students.

Keywords: educational technology, literacy, vocabulary, game-based learning, children's education, phonics, reading comprehension, edtech, gamification, learning apps, illustrated books, digital learning, educational games, Sofia Fenichell, Word Tag, Readiculous, vocabulary building, K-12 education, language learning, parenting tools