Monday 10 September 2012

The Boxcar Children® Mysteries




 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tracey Daniels, Media Masters

828-859-9456 (office)

828-808-2581 (cell)


 

 

 

 

 

 

Albert Whitman & Company celebrates the

70th Anniversary of Boxcar Children with a prequel from Newbery Medal–winning author Patricia MacLachlan

 

(June 1, 2012) For seventy years, young readers and families have followed the adventures of the Alden children in The Boxcar Children® Mysteries written by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Spanning more than one-hundred titles and with over fifty million copies in print, the series is one of the most popular and beloved series of all times. This September, The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm, by Newbery Medal—winning author Patricia MacLachlan, transports readers to the “beginning before the beginning.”

 

Since the release of Warner’s first children’s novel in 1942, millions of readers have wondered what came before. Why were four children out traveling alone at night? What happened to their parents? Wendy McClure, Senior Editor at Albert Whitman & Company, provides context, “Readers have always wondered about who the Boxcar Children were before the boxcar. I think kids will find a satisfying story reminding them that family has always been important to who the Aldens are.”

 

Flawlessly capturing the spirit and the origins of the Alden children and the impetus of their boxcar adventures, Patricia MacLachlan’s simple, clear, and direct style is a natural fit for the prequel. Readable for younger audiences and interesting for older readers,

Patricia’s text innately reflects the quality of Gertrude’s characters and the time period. 

 

“Patricia understands that every great story has ‘the beginning before the beginning’ and she set out to find out exactly what that was for the Boxcar Children,” said McClure. “It’s sort of like detective work—as she came to know Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny, she thought about what could have shaped their personalities and their dreams.”

 

MacLachlan lovingly tells the adventure behind the adventures, the story behind the stories, and reminds us all why the Boxcar Children novels are so enduring. “[The Aldens] are independent, intelligent, inventive, kind, and caring toward each other—the true qualities that makes their little family work,” says MacLachlan in her afterword. “I admire the strengths and bravery that they developed from being all on their own.”

 

With a national author tour set for the fall, seventieth anniversary celebrations scheduled across the country, and a social media campaign including almost 28,000 Facebook fans —The Boxcar Children Beginning: The Aldens of Fair Meadow Farm is poised to be the must-read of fall 2012. 

 

To interview author Patricia MacLachlan or editor Wendy McClure, please contact Tracey Daniels at tracey@mmpublicity.com.

 

About the Author:  Patricia MacLachlan is the celebrated author of many timeless books for young readers, including Sarah Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. She lives with her husband and two border terriers in Williamsburg, Massachusetts.

 

About the Illustrator:  Tim Jessell is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including The Secrets of the Droon.  He is the new illustrator for The Boxcar Children Mysteries. He lives in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

 

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN® BEGINNING: THE ALDENS OF FAIR MEADOW FARM

By Patricia MacLachlan; cover art by Tim Jessell

ISBN: 978-0-8075-6616-9

Jacketed Hardcover; $16.99

Ages 7–10; Grades 2–5

September 2012

 

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN® MYSTERIES

By Gertrude Chandler Warner; cover art by Tim Jessell

Ages 7–10/Grades 2–5

Paperback
 
 
ALBERT WHITMAN, CHILDREN’S BOOK PUBLISHER, CELEBRATES  70TH ANNIVERSARY The Boxcar Children® Mysteries  WITH NATIONAL CONTEST
 
Win a Voice Part in the Animated Boxcar Children Film!
(August 16, 2012) For seventy years, young readers and families have followed the adventures of the Alden children in The Boxcar Children® Mysteries written by Gertrude Chandler Warner. Spanning more than one-hundred titles and with over fifty million copies in print, the series is one of the most popular and beloved series of all times. Release of an animated film, developed by Hammerhead Productions, is scheduled for 2013.
 
Award-winning children’s book publisher Albert Whitman & Company and award-winning animation studio Hammerhead Productions celebrate this auspicious and important anniversary and upcoming film release with a nation-wide contest.  Young fans (ages 5-14) are encouraged to enter for a chance to win a small voice part in the animated DVD version of The Boxcar Children. 
Contest submissions will be accepted between August 15th and October 31st, 2012 at 11:59 pm (central times).  One winner will be selected at random from all complete entries.
The Boxcar Children Mysteries is one of the longest-running, most popular children’s series published today.  Join the hundreds of thousands of young reader fans and help spread the word about this amazing, fun opportunity.
 
IT’S EASY TO ENTER:
 
Detailed contest instruction, additional rules, eligibility  and conditions can be found at the following link:  http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/265482/rules
 
Contest Instructions:
1. Fill out the registration form, including a one line (25 words or less) answer to the question, “What is your favorite scene from The Boxcar Children?”
 
2. Contest submissions will be accepted starting August 15, 2012 through October 31, 2012 at 11:59pm Central Time.
3. One winner will be selected at random from all complete entries.
 
4. Entry form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian of the participating child. There is a limit of one entry per child participant.
5. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.  Contest registration is free.
 
6. The winner’s role will be taped in late Fall 2012 to Spring 2013 and will be within driving distance of the winner’s home.
 
PRIZE ELIGIBILTY:
Only persons residing in the United States may enter. Entry form must be completed by the parent or legal guardian of the child participant.
 
SELECTION OF THE WINNER:
 
Contest submissions will be accepted between August 15th and October 31st, 2012 at 11:59 pm (central times).  One winner will be selected at random from all complete entries.
 
OPERATORS:
This Contest is operated by Albert Whitman & Company and Hammerhead Productions LLC. To contact the Operators, write to Albert Whitman & Company, 250 South Northwest Highway, Suite 320, Park Ridge, IL 60068; mail@albertwhitman.com
 

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