MattBrady
12-16-2007, 06:56 AM
<i>Press Release</i>
<blockquote>Diamond Book Distributors has been named the exclusive worldwide distributor for TOON Books, the new publishing venture of The New Yorker Art Editor, Francoise Mouly. Published by RAW Junior, the TOON Books from The Little Lit Library will be a line of hardcover comic storybooks aimed at beginning readers, written and illustrated by outstanding talent from the children’s book and comics fields. The exclusive agreement includes worldwide distribution rights with the exception of France.
“For today’s young children besieged by electronic media, comics can be the gateway to literacy. Many of us learned to love to read from comics, and we want to share that thrill with the next generation. Eons ago, teachers used to rip comics out of children’s hands, but our TOON books are great kids books, and everyone will be delighted to see young kids reading,” said Mouly.
“Diamond is very happy to be working with RAW Junior,” said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes. “We are excited to showcase a product that was created by such innovative cartoonists and renowned children's book artists. The line of TOON Books is a smart introduction to reading through the use of comics.”
The first TOON Book in the collection, Benny and Penny in Just Pretend by veteran children’s book artist Geoffrey Hayes in April 2008. May will see the release of Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons, by Agnès Rosenstiehl, and in June by Otto’s Orange Day, by Frank Cammuso and Jay Lynch. The Fall season will feature titles by comics stars Art Spiegelman and Dean Haspiel and new talent Eleanor Davis.
TOON Books are the first high-quality comics designed for children ages four and up. Each book in the collection is just right for reading to the youngest children but, most significantly, this is the first collection of comics ever designed to help newly-emerging readers learn to read themselves. Each TOON book has been evaluated by librarians and educators to ensure that the language and the content will nurture young minds. Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick plans to use the TOON Books as part of Maryland’s Comics in the Classroom Initiative, and Renaissance Learning will be including the TOON Books in their Accelerated Reader quiz program, available in over 60% of US schools.
RAW Junior is an offshoot of RAW Books & Graphics, a partnership by Mouly and her husband, acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Art Spiegelman. Founded in 1978, RAW Books published the now legendary RAW magazine and the RAW One-shots, introducing what became an all-star, award-winning, international line-up of contributors. The RAW Junior division has published the best-selling Little Lit hardcover anthologies. The new line of TOON Books expands the reach of this visionary publishing house to the youngest readers.</blockquote>
<blockquote>Diamond Book Distributors has been named the exclusive worldwide distributor for TOON Books, the new publishing venture of The New Yorker Art Editor, Francoise Mouly. Published by RAW Junior, the TOON Books from The Little Lit Library will be a line of hardcover comic storybooks aimed at beginning readers, written and illustrated by outstanding talent from the children’s book and comics fields. The exclusive agreement includes worldwide distribution rights with the exception of France.
“For today’s young children besieged by electronic media, comics can be the gateway to literacy. Many of us learned to love to read from comics, and we want to share that thrill with the next generation. Eons ago, teachers used to rip comics out of children’s hands, but our TOON books are great kids books, and everyone will be delighted to see young kids reading,” said Mouly.
“Diamond is very happy to be working with RAW Junior,” said Diamond Vice President of Purchasing Bill Schanes. “We are excited to showcase a product that was created by such innovative cartoonists and renowned children's book artists. The line of TOON Books is a smart introduction to reading through the use of comics.”
The first TOON Book in the collection, Benny and Penny in Just Pretend by veteran children’s book artist Geoffrey Hayes in April 2008. May will see the release of Silly Lilly and the Four Seasons, by Agnès Rosenstiehl, and in June by Otto’s Orange Day, by Frank Cammuso and Jay Lynch. The Fall season will feature titles by comics stars Art Spiegelman and Dean Haspiel and new talent Eleanor Davis.
TOON Books are the first high-quality comics designed for children ages four and up. Each book in the collection is just right for reading to the youngest children but, most significantly, this is the first collection of comics ever designed to help newly-emerging readers learn to read themselves. Each TOON book has been evaluated by librarians and educators to ensure that the language and the content will nurture young minds. Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick plans to use the TOON Books as part of Maryland’s Comics in the Classroom Initiative, and Renaissance Learning will be including the TOON Books in their Accelerated Reader quiz program, available in over 60% of US schools.
RAW Junior is an offshoot of RAW Books & Graphics, a partnership by Mouly and her husband, acclaimed author and Pulitzer Prize winner, Art Spiegelman. Founded in 1978, RAW Books published the now legendary RAW magazine and the RAW One-shots, introducing what became an all-star, award-winning, international line-up of contributors. The RAW Junior division has published the best-selling Little Lit hardcover anthologies. The new line of TOON Books expands the reach of this visionary publishing house to the youngest readers.</blockquote>