NEW YORK, (Feb. 13, 2008) /PRNewswire/ — Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing announced today simultaneous media and educational textbook rights sales for JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN. Media rights went to Chorion and education rights to Pearson School publishers for its Reading Street elementary grades curriculum. JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN includes more than fifty books in a variety of formats, to be published by the following Simon & Schuster imprints: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (hardcover), Aladdin Paperbacks (Ready-to- Read original paperbacks), Little Simon (novelty), and Simon Scribbles (coloring & activity). The program launched in early January 2008 with the first title Smash! Crash!, which debuted at #3 on the New York Times best seller list, and is currently a national bestseller on New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and SCIBA lists. A former elementary school teacher, Jon Scieszka is one of the most beloved and best selling children's book authors working today. Best known for The Stinky Cheese Man and The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs, both illustrated by Lane Smith, Jon Scieszka was also recently honored as the first National Ambassador of Young People's Literature by the Library of Congress.

"To have partnerships in place with a revered educational publisher and a major media company mere weeks after the first book hits the stores...wow," said Justin Chanda, Vice President, Associate Publisher of S&S Books for Young Readers. "That's not only unprecedented, it's proof positive of the strength of the TRUCKTOWN program and the force that is Ambassador Scieszka."

Chorion is developing an online virtual TRUCKTOWN world, beginning with an immersive website launching in June 2008, to be followed by a range of toys that will tie in with the website to enhance the interactive experience. In addition to worldwide merchandising rights, Chorion also holds television and feature film options. Jeff Norton, Chorion's Sr. Vice President of Brand Development who brought TRUCKTOWN to Chorion, said, "We are delighted that Jon Scieszka has joined the Chorion family, and we are revved up to work with him closely to bring the world of TRUCKTOWN to life, particularly in the digital arena."

The TRUCKTOWN series will become part of the pre-K and kindergarten curriculum of Pearson's Reading Street program. Reading Street, created by Pearson's Scott Foresman publishing team, will offer the TRUCKTOWN titles in book form, as well as audio and CD formats in both English and Spanish. Pearson's Senior Vice President for Reading, Dean Brown, said, "Jon Scieszka has taken us down a new road to engage young children, and boys especially, in a love of reading. Now children all across the country will have the opportunity to read his popular TRUCKTOWN stories every day as part of their basic curriculum. We are thrilled that Jon chose Reading Street as his partner to bring his books into America's schools, and we are especially fortunate to have him joining the Reading Street author team." The partnership also provides Pearson the rights to distribute JON SCIESZKA'S TRUCKTOWN series to other education-related organizations, including libraries, after-school programs, public and private schools, hospitals, community centers, etc.

About Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Libros para ninos, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations(TM), Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon Spotlight®. While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and bestselling books for children of all ages. In addition to numerous Caldecott, Newbery, and National Book Award winners, Simon & Schuster publishes such high-profile properties and series as Eloise, Olivia, Raggedy Ann & Andy(TM), Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts®, Nickelodeon's® Dora the Explorer®, Blue's Clues® and SpongeBob SquarePants®, and Mirage Studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TM). For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at http://www.SimonSaysKids.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the CBS Corporation, is a global leader in the field of general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for consumers of all ages, across all printed, electronic, and audio formats. Its divisions include Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, Simon & Schuster Audio, Simon & Schuster Digital, and international companies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit our website at www.simonsays.com

About Chorion

Chorion is a leading provider of quality family entertainment for the global marketplace. Chorion brings a unique combination of brand management savvy and creative vision to the development of classic literary copyrights across all media. Chorion's portfolio includes classic children's brands such as Mr. Men and Little Miss, Noddy, OLIVIA and The World of Eric Carle as well as the literary works of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler and Georges Simenon, amongst others. Chorion's slate of new productions include The Mr. Men Show, airing on Cartoon Network in the US and Five in the UK beginning in February 2008; Famous Five: On the Case co-produced with Marathon Media; OLIVIA, destined for Nick Jr. in the US. Chorion's Noddy animated series airs on leading broadcasters around the world. Perennial favorite drama series Marple and Agatha Christie's Poirot were co-produced with ITV in the UK and PBS in the US. Chorion has offices in London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney.

About Pearson

Educating 100 million people worldwide, Pearson is the global leader in educational publishing, providing quality print and digital content, assessment tools, and educational services to help students of all ages learn at their own pace and in their own way. Pearson (NYSE: PSO - News) is an international media company; in addition to education, Pearson's primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.