New Softcover Edition of Mr Peabody Apples to be donated to Us Schools
New York, November 11, 2003.
Scholastic Inc., Penguin Group (USA), Sappi Fine Paper, and Callaway Arts & Entertainment are pleased to join with Madonna, the author of Mr. Peabody’s Apples, in creating a special soft-cover Teacher’s Edition of the book that will be donated to 100,000 schoolteachers and principals throughout the United States via Scholastic’s nationwide network of school book fairs and book clubs.
The announcement of this donation was made today by Barbara Marcus, president of Scholastic Books, as part of Madonna’s first public reading of the book before an audience of 500 schoolchildren at the Montclair Kimberley Academy in Montclair, New Jersey.
“We are deeply grateful that these two giants of children’s book publishing, as well as the world’s pre-eminent manufacturer of fine paper, have joined us to honor teachers for their inestimable importance in the lives of our children,” says Nicholas Callaway, president of Callaway Arts & Entertainment, the originating publisher of Madonna’s children’s books.
Barbara Marcus, president of Scholastic Books, the world?s largest children’s book publisher and distributor said, “Because Scholastic’s mission is to ensure that all children have access to wonderful books, we are thrilled to be able to help get Mr. Peabody’s Apples into the hands of teachers, librarians, and principals through our school book fairs and book clubs.”
Scholastic distributes Madonna‘s children’s books through its international network of school book fairs and book clubs. In addition, Scholastic is the U.S. Spanish language and the Canadian French co-publisher of these books.
Doug Whiteman, president of Penguin Books for Young Readers in the U.S., says, “The Penguin Group’s parent company, Pearson, is the world?s largest educational publisher. It is very important to Pearson to be in touch with teachers and classrooms. Nothing is more in keeping with our mission than to take a wonderful book like Mr. Peabody’s Apples and put it in the hands of teachers.”
In the United States, Penguin Group (USA) is the distributor of Madonna’s children’s books. In all other English language markets, they are published by Puffin, the children’s imprint of Penguin Group (UK).
“Sappi is delighted to support this program that so wonderfully celebrates the joy of reading and the inspirational power of teachers. Teachers instill in children a love of reading that lasts a lifetime, and we are proud to be their partner in this important work”, says Kathy Walters, president and C.E.O. of Sappi Fine Paper.
Sappi is the exclusive supplier of paper for Madonna’s children’s books in the United States and internationally.
Madonna dedicates Mr. Peabody’s Apples to teachers everywhere. The book, for readers aged six and up, is about the power of words and how we must choose them carefully. It was released in 37 languages and 110 countries on November 10. Her first book, The English Roses, was an instant global bestseller and has become the biggest and fastest-selling book by a first-time children’s author in publishing history.
Mr. Peabody’s Apples, illustrated by Loren Long, takes place in 1949 in Happville, U.S.A. Mr. Peabody, the beloved elementary school teacher and baseball coach, one day finds himself ostracized when rumors about him spread through the small town. Mr. Peabody silences the gossip with an unforgettable and poignant lesson about not judging others.
Both the illustrator and the author are foregoing all proceeds from this special Teacher’s Edition. Madonna’s proceeds from all five books will be donated to children’s charities.