Licensing Hotline: October 1 By Karen Raugust - 10/01/2009
David Biedrzycki's Ace Lacewing: Bug Detective is ready to generate buzz through a new representation deal between Charlesbridge and The ThinkTank Emporium, marking the first time Charlesbridge has signed with an outside agent to develop one of its book franchises. See more licensing stories, including news of Golden’s Iron Man: Armored Adventures titles, and Parragon teaming with MGA Entertainment on a new doll line for tween girls.More
Movie Alert: Where the Wild Things Are By John A. Sellers - 10/01/2009
One of the most anticipated movies of 2009—Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved picture book Where the Wild Things Are—is finally approaching its release date, after a long and tumultuous road to production. With a screenplay co-written by Jonze and author Dave Eggers, the film arrives in theaters October 16; plans to bring Sendak’s picture book to the big screen have been underway for more than a decade.
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Licensing Hotline: August 20 By Karen Raugust - 08/20/2009
Scholastic has acquired the license for Angel Cat Sugar, a Japanese property from the mind of Hello Kitty creator Yuko Shimizu. Two books for girls 4–8 will launch in the school market this fall, followed by two more in the trade starting in January 2010. See more licensing stories, including news of a new Nickelodeon series, Richard Scarry’s Busytown characters on TV, and a new Angelina Ballerina show on PBS.More
Movie Alert: 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' By John A. Sellers - 08/13/2009
Based on Judi and Ron Barrett’s picture book of the same name, an animated film adaptation of 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' hits theaters September 18. The story is set in the town of Chewandswallow (renamed Swallow Falls in the film), which is plagued by food and beverages that rain down from the sky on a daily basis. The film features the voices of Anna Faris and Bill Hader in the lead roles of weathergirl Sam Sparks and luckless inventor Flint Lockwood.
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Gauging the Power of Reality Stars in Print 07/06/2009
With the broadcast and cable networks teeming with reality shows, the publishing industry has produced enough titles by the “stars” of these programs that reality publishing could be considered a subgenre. Parenting guides, weight loss tales, dating tips, career advice—they're selling it all.
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Putnam to Publish Tale of Pachyderm and Pooch Pals By Sally Lodge - 06/25/2009
An animal odd couple that has captivated the mainstream media and has become a YouTube sensation will soon star in a picture book. In September, Putnam will publish Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends by Carol Buckley, documenting the friendship between an elephant and a stray dog at the Elephant Sanctuary in Hohenwald, Tenn.
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DK Plans Out-of-This-World LEGO Star Wars Event By Karen Raugust - 06/18/2009
DK Publishing, along with Lucasfilm and LEGO, is planning a one-day in-store launch event for its October release LEGO Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary by Simon Beecroft. The book is based on LEGO’s 10-year-old line of toys tied to George Lucas’s Star Wars saga; DK is offering participating stores an activity kit with game and trivia contests; giveaways and raffle prizes; and appearances from members of a volunteer group of Star Wars costume enthusiasts.
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