Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Cranium Put Their Heads Together to Give Kids Chance to Shine

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Cranium Put Their Heads Together to Give Kids Chance to Shine

Joint Publishing Partnership Launches with The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun, To Hit Bookshelves in September 2005

NEW YORK, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Cranium, creators of the award-winning, platinum-selling Cranium games for all ages, have announced a joint publishing venture that will bring the contagious fun and spirit of the popular Cranium games to an innovative line of books for children. The program will launch in September 2005 with the release of The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun.

"We are thrilled to be working with Cranium," said David Ford, Publisher, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. "For years Cranium games have given children and adults so many opportunities to laugh, connect with one another, and shine. We couldn't be more excited to join Cranium in their transition into the world of publishing."

"This is the first time we've taken the Cranium brand beyond the game aisle, so it was very important to us to select a partner with the same pioneering spirit that launched our company and still fuels the business today," said Richard Tait, Cranium's CEO and Grand Poo Bah. "The people at Little, Brown share our passion for innovation and creativity, and they weren't afraid to try something that had never been done before. The result of our first collaboration is an incredible fusion of two mediums for an outrageously fun 'book-in-a-game-in-a-book' experience. I'm thrilled that The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun is going to give kids so many opportunities to shine."

The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun (Little, Brown; September 2005; $19.99; Ages 7 and up) is packed with activities that celebrate the talents in every kid, with more than 40 write on/wipe off activity pages brimming with fun stuff to do:

* What smells? "Hold the Mold" invites kids to check out the grossest
stuff in their fridge and make scientific observations.

* What can you do in a minute? Can you jiggle all the doorknobs in your
house? Count to 100? How about counting to 100 backwards? This
activity encourages kids to discover what they can do in less than a
minute.

* Ever look out the window and make up stories about what you see? "Out
the Window" inspires the artist in every kid to draw the world around
them, create their own stories-and imagine worlds of their own.



The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun also includes a totally new mini- Cranium Conga guessing game complete with pull-out game board, a super sign in book to discover fun facts about family and friends, plus cool Cranium game pieces-purple Cranium clay, 100 mini game cards, a sand timer, erasable marker, and much, much more.

The publishing program will continue in 2006 with eight new Cranium titles and new book projects each season thereafter.

The Cranium Big Book of Outrageous Fun is also the lead title in Little, Brown's new imprint, LB Kids, which will feature interactive novelty books.

About Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

For over 160 years, Little, Brown has produced many children's classics including Jerry Spinelli's Newbery Medal winner Maniac Magee and the Newbery- Honor book Mr. Poppers Penguins as well as Marc Brown's best-selling Arthur Adventure series. In addition, Little, Brown has published such favorites as Where's Waldo, Look-Alikes, I Love You Like Crazy Cakes, Todd Parr's It's Okay to be Different, Holly Hobbie's Toot & Puddle books as well as the Matt Christopher series, the top selling sports series for kids. Most recently Little, Brown has brought to the market The New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series and the Megan Tingley Books imprint had two National Book Award Finalists with Luna by Julie Anne Peters and Harlem Stomp! by Laban Carrick Hill. This spring, Little, Brown will publish the young reader debuts of notable adult authors James Patterson, Walter Mosley and David Baldacci.

About Cranium(R), Inc.

From the simple desire to give everyone the chance to shine came the original game Cranium, which quickly became the fastest-selling independent board game in history. Today Cranium, Inc. fuels a worldwide phenomenon celebrated by millions of Craniacs in more than 20 countries and 10 languages, with 13 outrageously fun experiences for kids and grown-ups of all ages. Since the company's inception, Cranium has been giving kids in challenging circumstances a chance to shine through the Cranium Fund charitable donations program. Founded in 1998, Cranium is widely recognized for its innovation. The company's accomplishments include more than 11 million games sold and more than 60 industry awards. Cranium is the only company ever to receive three consecutive Toy Industry Association "Game of the Year" awards. From the five- year-old shouting "I did it!" to the in-laws high-fiving, to old and new friends laughing together, Cranium brings fun moments and memories to life, giving everyone the chance to shine. For more information, visit us at http://www.cranium.com/.


Source: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

CONTACT: Elizabeth Eulberg of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers,
+1-212-522-7908, elizabeth.eulberg@twbg.com; or Kimberley Pierce of Cranium,
+1-206-832-4788, Kimberley@cranium.com

Web site: http://www.twbookmark.com/


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