PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Reader's Digest Children's Publishing today announced an agreement with HIT Entertainment to publish and distribute the ever-popular Thomas & Friends(TM) in its best- selling Movie Theater Storybook & Movie Projector(R) format. This new product will be available at retail in the US and Canada beginning Fall 2007.
The Thomas & Friends(TM) Movie Theater Storybook & Movie Projector(R) includes a removable movie projector shaped like Thomas the Tank Engine(TM) with 10 picture disks of some of Thomas' most beloved animated adventures. Children can project images onto their wall as they read five fun-filled stories featuring Thomas and his engine friends Percy, Edward, Toby and more.
"We welcome the opportunity to create new books based on the beloved Thomas & Friends," said Harold Clarke, President & Publisher, Trade Publishing for The Reader's Digest Association. "HIT Entertainment prides themselves on creating the highest quality toys and products, which fits in perfectly with Reader's Digest Children's Publishing's strategy of developing new formats driven by the best brands."
"Reader's Digest Children's Publishing is focused on bringing exciting and innovative books to children that will captivate their attention and encourage a love of reading," said Jamie Cygielman, Senior Vice President, HIT Entertainment. "For more than 60 years, Thomas & Friends books have brought stories of adventure on the railway alive for children, and this new format will be an exciting addition to Thomas' successful book series."
This all-new Thomas & Friends(TM) book will be distributed by Simon & Schuster and is available for purchase through retail and online bookstores nationally in the United States and Canada beginning October 2007 with a suggested retail price of $24.99.
Reader's Digest Movie Theater Storybooks have sold more than 4 million copies worldwide.
About Reader's Digest Children's Publishing
Reader's Digest Children's Publishing has trade distribution in the United States, Canada and the UK, and produces co-editions in over 35 language and 41 countries. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures around the world. Global headquarters are located at Pleasantville, NY. The company's main website is at http://www.rd.com/.
About Thomas & Friends
Created by a father for his son, Thomas & Friends, the #1 preschool toy property in the US (source: The NPD Group/Consumer Panel Tracking: YTD November 2006) invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. Today, families in more than 100 countries enjoy fun and adventure with their engine friends while experiencing timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation. Thomas & Friends is making tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS(R) and PBS KIDS SproutSM. For more information about the world of Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, please visit http://www.thomasandfriends.com/.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners since June 2005, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes internationally renowned children's properties, such as Bob the Builder(TM), Barney(TM), Thomas & Friends, Pingu(TM), Rubbadubbers(TM) and Angelina Ballerina(TM). HIT acts as a representative for The Wiggles(R) in the UK, US and Canada and as worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company's library of classic family brands, including Fraggle Rock(TM). HIT also owns the Guinness World Records(TM) publishing and television property and Fireman Sam(TM), a joint venture with S4C. Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production (including studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events. With a catalog of more than 1,000 hours of young children's programming, HIT sells its shows to more than 240 countries worldwide, in more than 40 different languages and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. In 2005, the Company joined Comcast Corporation, PBS and Sesame Workshop to launch PBS KIDS SproutSM, a 24-hour digital cable channel and VOD service for preschoolers. For more information, visit http://www.hitentertainment.com/.
© 2007 PR Newswire
