May 22, 2012 – New York, NY – Beginning this summer, young readers can find Finn the Human and Jake the Dog – stars of Adventure Time, Cartoon Network’s award-winning animated comedy series – playing out their latest adventures in the pages of new books from Penguin Young Readers Group. Whether it’s filling in the hilarious, non-sensical blanks in the Adventure Time Mad Libs® or doodling on and stickering up the It’s a Slamacowtastic Story Mix-Up activity book, young fans of Finn and Jake will find hours of fun in these first-of-their-kind books thanks to a partnership between Penguin and Cartoon Network Enterprises, the licensing and merchandising arm of the television network. Also included in the initial line of books are the 80-page, full-color Righteous Rules for Being Awesome sticker book and the 112-page Dude-It-Yourself Adventure Journal. Ranging in price from $3.99 and up, the first four titles in the line will debut this July at select retailers nationwide.
“A Lumpy Space Princess, a rainbow unicorn that only speaks Korean, and a belly full of dancing party bears? What more could a publisher ask for?” said Francesco Sedita, President and Publisher of Grosset & Dunlap. “Working with Cartoon Network is a dream come true and we are thrilled to introduce the zany brilliance of Adventure Time to bookshelves across the country.”
From creator Pendleton Ward and produced at Cartoon Network Studios in Burbank, the Adventure Time television series is the network’s breakout original comedy series that follows best buds Finn and Jake on their adventures throughout the Land of Ooo. The duo save princesses, battle the Ice King, party in Lumpy Space, befriend the fry-loving vampire queen Marceline and much more.
“Full of its cast of rich characters and vibrant fun-loving worlds where epic quests unravel, Adventure Time is a content-driven show that is ripe for a creative publishing program,” said Pete Yoder, vice president, consumer products North America, CNE. “This partnership with Penguin allows us to explore some of the publisher’s great formats like Mad Libs and adventure journals to deliver the fun and imagination that our fans love about the show.”
Since the start of the series’ fourth season, Adventure Time is the #1 program on Mondays on all television with kids 6-11 and has spawned a line of consumer products including toys, apparel, accessories, an interactive game and much more. New episodes can be seen on Cartoon Network on Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. (ET, PT) with numerous replays throughout the week.
About Cartoon Network Enterprises:
Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) is responsible for building consumer products and merchandising programs for a wide range of brands by securing and supporting long-term licensing partnerships across all categories. As the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, the division manages the consumer product programs for the networks’ award-winning original programming, brands and characters including Ben 10, Generator Rex, Chowder, The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack, Adventure Time, Adult Swim and more. CNE also serves as the exclusive global licensing agent for the full portfolio of brands from Spin Master Ltd., as well as Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master for the award-winning Bakugan brand and the PGA of America for the youth marketplace.
Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 99 million U.S. homes and 166 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s ad-supported cable service now available in HD offering the best in original, acquired and classic entertainment for youth and families. Nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. (ET, PT), Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animated and live-action series for young adults 18-34.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news; entertainment; animation and young adult; and sports media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world. Turner brands and businesses include CNN/U.S., CNN International, CNN.com and HLN; TBS, TNT, truTV and Turner Classic Movies; Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Adult Swim; and Turner Sports.
About Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children’s trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, Razorbill and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
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CONTACT:
Lauren McCabe Cartoon Network Enterprises (212) 275-6882 lauren.mccabe@turner.com
Elyse Marshall Penguin Young Readers Group (212) 414-3442 elyse.marshall@us.penguingroup.com