Bestselling OLIVIA Book Series Coming to Nickelodeon as Animated Preschool Series In 2009

NEW YORK (Map) - NEW YORK, May 28 /PRNewswire/ -- With over six million copies of Ian Falconer's beloved OLIVIA series books sold to date, and with just as many fans, Nickelodeon has partnered with media content company, Chorion, to bring the bestselling Simon & Schuster OLIVIA books to life in a new animated television series. The debut of this anticipated preschool series is planned for 2009.

Nickelodeon, the number-one US TV network for kids, plans to launch the new 3D CGI series which will include 26 half-hour episodes during the first quarter of 2009. Academy Award(R) nominated animation studio Brown Bag Films will be animating the project and Teri Weiss will be the executive in charge with Chorion's

"Early in the development process, Ian encouraged us to consider 3D CGI for the adaptation to television," said Chorion's Diana Manson. "It was a brilliant idea and it inspired us to find Brown Bag Films. They have been a wonderful partner as have the team at Nickelodeon."

In keeping with Olivia's stellar publishing history, books will be featured prominently in the upcoming consumer products roll out. The Simon Spotlight and Simon Scribbles imprints of Simon and Schuster will be developing a robust television tie-in program with a myriad of formats, from storybooks to novelty and coloring books set to launch in late 2009. Olivia's imagination leads the way in this new series which aims to foster the sense of make-believe and play that every preschooler has. The show will encourage children to be creative and to think beyond the scope of everyday parameters, instilling a sense that with a strong imagination, there are endless possibilities for any great idea. Mostly the show, like this character, celebrates a spunky, confident personality who is always wondering 'what if?'

With the popular book series already translated into more then 20 languages, OLIVIA has become a sensation both here in the US and also abroad. The most recent OLIVIA HELPS WITH CHRISTMAS was released this past fall to both major critical and popular fare and went on to become one of the top selling books in all of publishing this past holiday season. And to further the point of how beloved the New Yorker illustrator Ian Falconer is within the Children's Book community and among children, Ian Falconer was recently voted "Favorite Illustrator" by over 50 thousand children at the Children's Choice Book Awards. (http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/080514/nyw020.html?.v=101).

"OLIVIA is one of Simon & Schuster's most important franchise series and we are both excited and confident that the Chorion and Nickelodeon collaboration will result in a first class show that is on par with the level of excellence that readers and fans associate with OLIVIA," said Rick Richter, the President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

About Nickelodeon

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ET/PT). Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award- winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

Nickelodeon, now in its 29th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 96 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for more than 13 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

About Chorion

Chorion is a leading provider of quality family entertainment for the global marketplace. Chorion brings a combination of brand management savvy and creative vision to the development of classic literary copyrights across all media. Chorion's portfolio includes classic children's brands such as Mr. Men and Little Miss, Beatrix Potter, Paddington, Noddy, OLIVIA, and The World of Eric Carle well as art and lifestyle brands such as Country Diary and Rough Guides. Chorion also manages the literary works of Agatha Christie, Raymond Chandler and Georges Simenon, among others.

Chorion's new animated television productions include The Mr. Men Show, now airing on Cartoon Network (US), Five's Milkshake! (UK) and France 5; Famous Five: On the Case, co-produced with Marathon Media; and OLIVIA, destined for Nickelodeon (US) and Five's Milkshake! Spring 2009; Chorion's hit Noddy series continues to air on leading broadcasters around the world. Perennial favorite drama series Agatha Christie's Marple and Poirot were co-produced with ITV in the UK and PBS in the US.

Chorion acquired The Copyrights Group Ltd, a leading independent licensing business, in November 2007. Chorion has offices in London, New York, Tokyo and Sydney. www.chorion.co.uk.

About Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, one of the leading children's book publishers in the world, is comprised of the following imprints: Aladdin Paperbacks, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Libros para ninos, Little Simon(R), Little Simon Inspirations(TM), Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, Simon Scribbles, and Simon Spotlight(R). While maintaining an extensive award-winning backlist, the division continues to publish acclaimed and best-selling 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(TM), Henry & Mudge(R), The Hardy Boys(R), Nancy Drew(R), The Spiderwick Chronicles, Charles M. Schulz's Peanuts(R), Nickelodeon's(R) Dora the Explorer(R), Blue's Clues(R) and SpongeBob SquarePants(R), and Mirage studios' Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles(TM). For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at http://www.SimonSaysKids.com.

Simon & Schuster, a part of the 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.simonsays.com

SOURCE Simon & Schuster