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BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Children’s Hospital Boston announced today that it will partner with Atheneum Books For Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, to publish Zebrafish, a hardcover middle-grade visual novel created by local educational media developer FableVision and its co-founder Peter H. Reynolds. Written by Sharon Emerson and illustrated by Renée Kurilla, Zebrafish is an extension of an online animated series by the same name that FableVision and Reynolds developed for Children’s Hospital Boston’s Generation Cures (Gen C) philanthropic movement. Gen C teaches tweens and families the power of compassion, giving, science and medicine through online webisodes, free games, video, music and more. Caitlyn Dlouhy, Atheneum Editorial Director, negotiated the deal, which includes audio rights and a second title to be published in May 2011.

A unique book format, the Zebrafish visual novels team a traditional prose novel with four-color graphic novel panels, making it extremely accessible for middle graders. Zebrafish— named after the small, yet powerful, transparent fish used for studying disease—tells the story of friends who form a rock band of the same name. Band members Vita, Walt, Jay and Plinko wonder why their bandmate, Tanya, keeps missing rehearsals. When they learn Tanya has leukemia, the kids realize that even though they can’t cure her illness or make her treatments any less painful, they can use their music to make a difference. Their first performance becomes a fundraiser to purchase research equipment for the hospital that treats Tanya.

“Zebrafish is an innovative story about a tween garage band that encourages kids everywhere to change the world, and Simon & Schuster is thrilled to partner with Children’s Hospital Boston, FableVision and Peter H. Reynolds on this book,” said Justin Chanda, VP Publisher, Atheneum. “The most exciting aspect of this collaboration is that kids who enjoy this book will have the opportunity to experience Zebrafish across multiple platforms, including webisodes, downloadable songs, games, and more.”

“The tale of the band’s unlikely success is sure to strike a chord with kids looking to make their world a better place,” says Janet Cady, Children’s Hospital’s Chief Philanthropy Officer. “Today’s tweens are looking for ways to give back. Zebrafish shows them that they don’t have to be an adult to make a difference, and that their good work can mobilize family and friends to help sick children worldwide.”

A portion of the proceeds for Zebrafish will go to Children’s Hospital Boston.

Additionally, this spring, teens will bring the Zebrafish story to life. Boston-based teen band Yellowcake will host “Notes for the Cure,” their first annual Battle of the Bands to help fund research at Children’s Hospital Boston. Leading lady vocalist Kaela Carlin and band mates Austin Lang, Jacob Hertz, and Shane Sager will issue the call to other New England high school bands to sign up their bands and create a song to “make it better.” Bands that participate will also raise money to support Children’s Hospital. The competition will culminate with a Battle of the Bands concert on April 29th, 2010. Children’s Hospital will also launch a national Battle of the Bands competition in the fall. Visit www.zebrafish.com to learn more about the book and the Battle of the Bands competitions.

Celebrities, including Forest and Keisha Whitaker, Jennie Garth, JoJo Levesque, Mayim Bialik and Neal McDonough support Generation Cures.

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: http://www.twitter.com/generationcures and www.facebook.com/generationcures.

View videos on our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/generationcures.

Zebrafish songs are available to download on iTunes. Go to iTunes and search “zebrafish.”

ABOUT SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING

Simon & Schuster, a part of 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.simonandschuster.com.

Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, one of the leading children’s book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Beach Lane Books, Libros para niños, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations™, 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™, Henry & Mudge®, The Hardy Boys®, Nancy Drew®, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Jon Scieszka’s Trucktown, Nickelodeon’s® Dora the Explorer®, Wonderpets® and SpongeBob SquarePants®, and coloring & activity books for Universal’s Curious George®. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, visit our website at http://www.simonandschuster.com.

ABOUT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL BOSTON (www.childrenshospital.org)

Children’s Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School’s primary pediatric teaching hospital, is a leading source of life-saving treatments, groundbreaking research and compassionate care for children in New England and worldwide. In its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” issue, U.S. News and World Report has rated Children’s Hospital Boston one of the top two children’s hospitals for 19 consecutive years. Children’s Hospital Boston has the largest and most active research program at a children’s medical center. Become a fan of Children’s Hospital on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChildrensHospitalBoston or on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/childrensboston.

ABOUT GENERATION CURES (www.generationcures.org)

Generation Cures is a philanthropic movement that teaches tweens to use their powers for good. The Generation Cures website offers free games, videos, music, webisodes and creativity challenges that inspire kids to care about others and want to make a difference in the world. Tweens can then turn their inspiration into action to help cure other kids through online and offline family fundraising initiatives that support Children’s Hospital Boston’s life-saving pediatric care and world-changing research. Since launching in late 2008, Generation Cures has won more than 20 national awards for creativity, education and family fun and Seals of Approval from Good Housekeeping and Kidzui. Celebrities, including Forest and Keisha Whitaker, Jennie Garth, JoJo Levesque, Mayim Bialik and Neal McDonough support the initiative. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: http://www.twitter.com/generationcures and www.facebook.com/generationcures.

ABOUT FABLEVISION/PETER H. REYNOLDS

Peter H. Reynolds is the founder of FableVision, a media company committed to telling “stories that matter, stories that move.” He is the best-selling author-illustrator of The Dot and Ish and is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestseller Someday, and the bestselling Little Boy and Judy Moody books.

Source:  Copied from YourStory.org

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