Former Harry Potter publisher now at Random House

(AP) A former publisher of the Harry Potter books is heading to the house of Dr. Seuss.

Barbara Marcus, who helped oversee the first six Potter stories at Scholastic Inc., has been named president and publisher of Random House Children's Books.

The publisher announced Wednesday that she is immediately succeeding longtime Random House executive Chip Gibson. In a letter sent to Random House employees, CEO and chairman Markus Dohle says Gibson achieved almost all his professional goals and wanted an "extended break."

Besides Dr. Seuss, Random House publishes such popular works as Christopher Paolini's "Inheritance" cycle and Mary Pope Osborne's "Magic Tree House" series.

Marcus worked more than 20 years at Scholastic before stepping down in 2005. She had served as a consultant in recent years.