A Very Scarry Summer
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By Matia Burnett -- Publishers Weekly, 5/28/2009
In celebration of what would be Richard Scarry’s 90th birthday, Sterling Publishing will be honoring the life and work of the beloved author and illustrator—who wrote and illustrated more than 300 books, and sold more than 200 million copies worldwide—with a 90-day promotion. Through a newly launched publishing program in conjunction with Scarry’s estate, Sterling has already released eight of Scarry’s titles, with a Christmas book slotted for the fall, with at least seven additional Scarry books to come.
The books Sterling is publishing had all gone out of print, and rights had reverted to the Scarry estate. Four titles—Richard Scarry's Shapes & Opposites, Richard Scarry's Colors, Richard Scarry's From 1 to 10 and Richard Scarry's This Is Me—are being published as board books for the first time. Golden Books, Scarry's longtime publisher, continues to publish more than 25 backlist Scarry titles, including Cars & Trucks & Things That Go; Busy, Busy Town; and What Do People Do All Day?
Booksellers and librarians can visit Sterling’s Web site to get the scoop on coming Scarry attractions and read up on favorite Scarry characters like Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm. Starting June 1, a Story Time and Birthday Party Event Kit will be available for free download, with coloring sheets, a maze and other activities.
Additionally, Sterling will be conducting two Richard Scarry book giveaways, the first of which is aimed at librarians and booksellers. Those interested should e-mail their names and bookstore or library information to sterlingkids@sterlingpublishing.com. Participants are also encouraged to include a favorite Richard Scarry memory—about the author or his books—with their entries (many of the memories will be posted on Sterling’s Web site). Sterling will select four winners for each month of the sweepstakes (two librarians and two booksellers) and every winning bookseller or librarian will receive all eight of Sterling’s Richard Scarry books released to date.]. Ninety 
winners will be announced on Monday, June 8, and each will receive a free copy of a Scarry book published by Sterling.
The second giveaway, 90 Books for 90 Birthdays, will be a one-day sweepstakes held on Friday, June 5 (starting at 12 a.m. EDT and ending at 11:59 p.m. EDT), and is open to any Scarry fans. Those who wish to enter can submit their names and addresses to sterlingkids@sterlingpublishing.com.
