NEW YORK, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
announced today simultaneous media and educational textbook rights sales for
JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN. Media rights went to Chorion and education rights to
Pearson School publishers for its Reading Street elementary grades curriculum.
JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN includes more than fifty books in a variety of
formats, to be published by the following Simon & Schuster imprints: Simon &
Schuster Books for Young Readers (hardcover), Aladdin Paperbacks (Ready-to-
Read original paperbacks), Little Simon (novelty), and Simon Scribbles
(coloring & activity). The program launched in early January 2008 with the
first title Smash! Crash!, which debuted at #3 on the New York Times best
seller list, and is currently a national bestseller on New York Times,
Publishers Weekly, and SCIBA lists. A former elementary school teacher, Jon
Scieszka is one of the most beloved and best selling children's book authors
working today. Best known for The Stinky Cheese Man and The True Story of the
3 Little Pigs, both illustrated by Lane Smith, Jon Scieszka was also recently
honored as the first National Ambassador of Young People's Literature by the
Library of Congress.
"To have partnerships in place with a revered educational publisher and a
major media company mere weeks after the first book hits the stores...wow,"
said Justin Chanda, Vice President, Associate Publisher of S&S Books for Young
Readers. "That's not only unprecedented, it's proof positive of the strength
of the TRUCKTOWN program and the force that is Ambassador Scieszka."
Chorion is developing an online virtual TRUCKTOWN world, beginning with an
immersive website launching in June 2008, to be followed by a range of toys
that will tie in with the website to enhance the interactive experience. In
addition to worldwide merchandising rights, Chorion also holds television and
feature film options. Jeff Norton, Chorion's Sr. Vice President of Brand
Development who brought TRUCKTOWN to Chorion, said, "We are delighted that Jon
Scieszka has joined the Chorion family, and we are revved up to work with him
closely to bring the world of TRUCKTOWN to life, particularly in the digital
arena."
The TRUCKTOWN series will become part of the pre-K and kindergarten
curriculum of Pearson's Reading Street program. Reading Street, created by
Pearson's Scott Foresman publishing team, will offer the TRUCKTOWN titles in
book form, as well as audio and CD formats in both English and Spanish.
Pearson's Senior Vice President for Reading, Dean Brown, said, "Jon Scieszka
has taken us down a new road to engage young children, and boys especially, in
a love of reading. Now children all across the country will have the
opportunity to read his popular TRUCKTOWN stories every day as part of their
basic curriculum. We are thrilled that Jon chose Reading Street as his partner
to bring his books into America's schools, and we are especially fortunate to
have him joining the Reading Street author team." The partnership also
provides Pearson the rights to distribute JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN series to
other education-related organizations, including libraries, after-school
programs, public and private schools, hospitals, community centers, etc.
About Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book
publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin
Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Libros para ninos, Little
Simon(R), Little Simon Inspirations(TM), Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon &
Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon
Spotlight(R). While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the
division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of
all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award
winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as
Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy(TM), Henry & Mudge(R), The Hardy Boys(R),
Nancy Drew(R), The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts(R),
Nickelodeon's(R) Dora the Explorer(R), Blue's Clues(R) and SpongeBob
SquarePants(R), and Mirage Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TM). For more
information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at
http://www.SimonSaysKids.com.
Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the
field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in
fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed,
electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult
Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio,
Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada,
and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at
www.simonsays.com
About Chorion
Chorion is a leading provider of quality family entertainment for the
global marketplace. Chorion brings a unique combination of brand management
savvy and creative vision to the development of classic literary copyrights
across all media. Chorion's portfolio includes classic children's brands such
as Mr. Men and Little Miss, Noddy, OLIVIA and The World of Eric Carle as well
as the literary works of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler and Georges
Simenon, amongst others. Chorion's slate of new productions include The Mr.
Men Show, airing on Cartoon Network in the US and Five in the UK beginning in
February 2008; Famous Five: On the Case co-produced with Marathon Media;
OLIVIA, destined for Nick Jr. in the US. Chorion's Noddy animated series airs
on leading broadcasters around the world. Perennial favorite drama series
Marple and Agatha Christie's Poirot were co-produced with ITV in the UK and
PBS in the US. Chorion has offices in London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney.
About Pearson
Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson is the global leader in
educational publishing, providing quality print and digital content,
assessment tools, and educational services to help students of all ages learn
at their own pace and in their own way. Pearson (NYSE: PSO) is an
international media company; in addition to education, Pearson's primary
operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.
SOURCE Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Paul Crichton, Director of Publicity, Simon & Schuster, +1-212-698-2809; Alan
Winnikoff (Sayles Winnikoff) of Chorion, +1-212-725-5200 ext. 111; or Kate
Miller, Vice President, Communications, Pearson, +1-800-745-8489
