Reader's Digest Children's Publishing Announces the Launch of an Interactive Storybook and Viewer Based on the Shrek the Third Release

Reader's Digest Children's Publishing Announces the Launch of an Interactive Storybook and Viewer Based on the Shrek the Third Release

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Reader's Digest Children's Publishing announced today that it has signed a licensing agreement with DreamWorks Animation SKG (NYSE:DWA) for their film, Shrek the Third.

The agreement gives Reader's Digest Children's Publishing the rights to bring Shrek-themed products to retail in conjunction with the theatrical release of Shrek the Third. Under the license, Reader's Digest Children's Publishing will produce the Shrek the Third Storybook & Viewer.

The Shrek the Third Storybook will come with a viewer in the shape of Shrek's head, picture disks containing 40 images and classic Shrek sound effects. As children read the story and follow the exploits of Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Puss In Boots, and a humorous host of friends, they can peer through their viewer and see exciting scenes from the new movie. Shrek the Third will also be published in the popular Book & Magnetic Playset format in Fall 2007.

Distributed by Simon & Schuster and available for purchase through retail and online bookstores nationally, the Storybook will be marketed to children ages four through eight in the United States, Canada and the U.K., available now, at a price of $24.99. Reader's Digest Children's Publishing will follow up with an additional title to tie into the DVD release of the film late in 2007.

Reader's Digest Movie Theater Storybooks have sold over 4 million copies worldwide.

"We are very excited about adding Shrek the Third to our best-selling line of Movie Interactive Storybooks," says Harold Clarke, President & Publisher, Trade Publishing for The Reader's Digest Association. "DreamWorks most popular and recognizable characters, for children and adults alike, afford us the wonderful opportunity to create unique and distinctive interactive books."

"We have had a lot of fun working with Reader's Digest to customize their terrific Movie Theater Storybook to fit the Shrek sensibility," said Kristy Cox, head of Worldwide Publishing for DreamWorks Consumer Products.

About Reader's Digest Publishing

Reader's Digest Children's Publishing has trade distribution in the United States, Canada and the UK, and produces co-editions in over 35 languages and 41 countries. The Reader's Digest Association, Inc. is a global publisher and direct marketer of products that inform, entertain and inspire people of all ages and cultures around the world. Global headquarters are located at Pleasantville, NY. The company's main website is at http://www.rd.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: stephanie_kiluk@readersdigest.com

Source: Reader's Digest Association, Inc.

CONTACT: Ellen Morgenstern, of Reader's Digest Association, Inc.,
+1-914-244-7582, Ellen_Morgenstern@rd.com

Web site:

http://www.rd.com/

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