CHICAGO – January 15, 2013—Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, and Sourcebooks, a leading independent publisher and developer, announce the forthcoming addition of two Sesame Street books to Put Me In The Story, the innovative, personalized children’s book iPad app and website launched by Sourcebooks in November.  The beloved classic Elmo Loves You will be the first Sesame Street book to launch on the platform.
Put Me In The Story, as seen in the New York Times and Christian Science Monitor, takes nationally bestselling children’s picture books by celebrated and award-winning authors, and integrates personalization—creating personalized books that make your child the star of treasured children’s stories.  Elmo Loves You is one of Sesame Workshop’s bestselling children’s books, and is being made available for the first time in personalized form.
“We are always looking for meaningful ways to enhance parent-child engagement in the digital arena, so we are especially excited to partner with Sourcebooks to create our first personalized storybooks on an app platform. Put Me In The Story increases a child’s engagement and enjoyment by bringing children directly into the story, where they are part of the narrative alongside their favorite Sesame Street characters,” said Jennifer A. Perry, Vice President, Worldwide Publishing, Sesame Workshop. 
“We built Put Me In The Story to create greater bonding through and with books, and to change how kids grow with books.  Sesame Workshop’s mission of using the educational power of media to help children everywhere reach their highest potential is completely aligned with what we’re aiming to accomplish with Put Me In The Story,” says Dominique Raccah, CEO and publisher of Sourcebooks. “We are overjoyed to announce Sesame Workshop as our first publishing partner.”
The Put Me In The Story app on the iPad is available on the App Store for free.  Elmo Loves You will be available in February as an in-app purchase for $4.99.  Custom print book orders will be available at www.putmeinthestory.com, and are priced at $32.99.  Recently added to the app and website are My Name Is Not Isabella and My Name Is Not Alexander, the New York Times bestselling picture books by Jennifer Fosberry.
About Sesame Workshop
Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization that revolutionized children’s television programming with the landmark Sesame Street. The Workshop produces local Sesame Street programs, seen in over 150 countries, and other acclaimed shows including The Electric Company, to help bridge the literacy gap. Beyond television, the Workshop produces content for multiple media platforms on a wide range of issues including literacy, health and military deployment. Initiatives meet specific needs to help young children and families develop critical skills, acquire healthy habits and build emotional strength to prepare them for lifelong learning. Learn more at www.sesameworkshop.org.  
About Sourcebooks
Sourcebooks is creating the next evolution of a book publishing company. We are committed to innovative publishing, to exploring every platform and creating breakthrough models. We truly believe that books have the power to touch people and change lives. Sourcebooks is home to more than 90 enthusiastic book-loving employees who are dedicated to finding new ways to connect with authors, readers, and ideas. We publish over 300 new titles each year, and are honored to have 30 New York Times bestsellers. Sourcebooks is proud to be one of the largest woman-owned book publishers in the country. Visit www.sourcebooks.com for more information, and check out the Sourcebooks blog. 
CONTACTS:
Sourcebooks – Heather Moore, Senior Publicity Manager, 630.536.0553, heather.moore@sourcebooks.com 
Sesame Workshop – Jodi Lefkowitz, Manager, Corporate Communications, 212.875.6497, Jodi.Lefkowitz@sesame.org