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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