Contact:
Lindsey Rodarmer, (616) 698-3332, lindsey.rodarmer@zondervan.com
New Faith-Based Titles for Fall Include Hardcover Christmas Book
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 6, 2009—Zonderkidz™, the children’s division of Zondervan, is releasing five new titles in the popular Berenstain Bears® Living Lights™ series with a focus on faith. The first four titles in the series authored by Jan and Michael Berenstain together sold more than 100,000 copies in just six weeks after releasing in Fall 2008. As of June 2009, the first four Living Lights titles have sold more than 320,000 copies combined.
The next titles in the series will release in May and August 2009 with The Berenstain Bears® Play a Good Game (May 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71252-7), The Berenstain Bears® Love Their Neighbors (May 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71249-7), The Berenstain Bears® Give Thanks (August 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71251-0), and The Berenstain Bears®: Faithful Friends (August 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71253-4). All four softcover titles will retail for $3.99.
Zonderkidz is also releasing a faith-based Christmas title just in time for the holiday season in October 2009 with The Berenstain Bears’® Christmas Tree (ISBN: 978-0-310-71940-3, $12.99, Hardcover) by Stan and Jan Berenstain with Michael Berenstain. The larger format, hardcover book tells a tale of the Bear Family’s search or the perfect Christmas tree for their Tree House. They learn a lesson in kindness and respect of others and their belongings.
Michael Berenstain, son of Stan and Jan Berenstain, is going on tour in November 2009 to promote the Living Lights books. His tour will include stops in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Lexington, KY, and Charlotte, NC at bookstores and more. Please contact Lindsey Rodarmer at lindsey.rodarmer@zondervan.com or (616) 698-3332 for more information or to arrange media interviews during the tour.
Zonderkidz signed a contract in 2007 to publish faith-based
Berenstain Bears® books, authored by Jan and Michael Berenstain. The soft cover picture books focus on a range of inspirational topics such as doing the right thing, saying your prayers, going to Sunday school, and more.
“My mother, Jan, and I are thrilled by the overwhelming response to our new Berenstain Bears® Living Lights™ books from Zonderkidz. The instant bestseller status of the first four titles and the many warm and supportive e-mails and letters we've received confirm just how important faith-based books are for children and parents, alike,” says Michael Berenstain. “Over the years, my parents and I often heard from Christian families how much they appreciate the values-based themes of our books. By dealing with religion through the fun and laughter of the Berenstain Bears®, we hope to nurture these families in their goal of raising children secure in their faith.”
“Zonderkidz is delighted to receive constant positive feedback from families and retailers about these new Berenstain Bears® books,” says Alicia Mey, Vice President of Marketing for Zonderkidz. “We are proud to partner with Michael Berenstain on these new books that are inspiring young readers and teaching them in such a fun, familiar way that they are very special children of God.”
Zondervan’s parent company, HarperCollins, will continue to publish Berenstain Bears® books for the general market. The general market books have sold more than 260 million copies since the series inception.
About the Berenstain’s:
Stan and Jan Berenstain published their first book about a bear family who lived “deep in Bear Country” in 1962 under the editorial oversight of Dr. Seuss. In 1974, they started their own line of books about everyday family experiences published by Random House. In 2003, the Berenstain’s began publishing with HarperCollins and in 2005 began an exclusive relationship with them. Their youngest son, Michael, joined his parents many years ago writing several books and becoming the exclusive designer and illustrator of a series of large picture books. Since Stan Berenstain’s death in 2005, Michael and Jan work as an author/illustrator team for their general market books. Michael is married to Andrea, and they have three children. They live in Pennsylvania, in an area that looks a lot like Bear Country.
Praise for the new faith-based books:
“A classic in children’s literature for nearly half a century, The Berenstain Bears® are back with four all-new books that teach children how God wants them to live. These picture books focus on doing the right thing, saying prayers and going to Sunday school-all through the silly antics and delightful humor of the bear family.” —Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr.
“Fans of the series will feel right at home with the familiar story structure and cheery illustrations.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Preschoolers will love exploring classic Bear Country with the familiar Berenstain Bears in their newly released faith-based series” —Children’s Ministry
“Michael’s enthusiasm about his work is contagious. He is not only committed to creating sound, edifying instructional literature for young children, but he is energized by his continuing opportunity to challenge children and their parents to think seriously about significant life issues and practices such as giving thanks, loving near-and-far neighbors, applying the rules of good sportsmanship and nurturing relationships with each other and with God.” —Homecoming
What readers are saying about the Living Lights books:
“The Berenstain Bears® and the Golden Rule is a winner in my opinion and a shelf keeper for every family… What a wonderful experience spending time with The Berenstain Bears® is, I cannot wait for more!”
“I loved how The Berenstain Bears® and the Golden Rule reinforced the idea of treating others the way you want to be treated. Berenstain used a great example which will be easy for children to relate to, and therein the idea will hopefully be even more likely to stick. It's a lesson every child (parents too) can use to be reminded of.”
“In The Berenstain Bears®: God Loves You, children will be reminded to try their best, but to not be too upset if they don't always get what they want. Sometimes an even better offer comes that we weren't expecting, and if we'd have gotten what we wanted initially we'd have missed out one this greater opportunity. Through this book children will learn to be more appreciative of all they have and how much God does for them.”
The first nine titles in the Living Lights™ series are:
- The Berenstain Bears® and the Golden Rule (October 2008, ISBN: 978-0-310-71247-5, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears® Go to Sunday School (October 2008, ISBN: 978-0-310-71248-3, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears® Say Their Prayers (October 2008, ISBN: 978-0-310-71246-7, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears®: God Loves You! (October 2008, ISBN: 978-0-310-71250-5, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears® Play a Good Game (May 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71252-7, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears® Love Their Neighbors (May 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71249-7, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears® Give Thanks (August 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71251-0, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears®: Faithful Friends (August 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71253-4, $3.99, Softcover)
- The Berenstain Bears’® Christmas Tree (October 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71940-3, $12.99, Hardcover)
Visit www.zonderkidz.com for more information about the Living Lights books. For more information about The Berenstain Bears® and Bear Country, please visit the official Web site at www.berenstainbears.com.
Zondervan, a
HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling
Bibles,
books,
audio,
video,
curriculum,
software, and
digital products through its
Zondervan,
eZondervan,
Zonderkidz,
Youth Specialties,
Editorial Vida, and
National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by
Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at
www.zondervan.com (mobile site:
zvan.mobi).
Zonderkidz™, a division of
Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning
Bibles,
books,
board books,
graphic novels,
audio,
video, and
digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the
NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the
NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at
www.zonderkidz.com.
