Celebrating the Power of Imagination at a D23 Expo Special Storytelling Event

ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A special event this Friday at 1 p.m. at the D23 Expo in the Anaheim Convention Center celebrates the power of imagination and the magic of Disney storytelling. Disney will donate $500,000 and 8 million Disney Publishing Worldwide books to First Book, a national nonprofit organization that provides new books to children in need. Disney's enduring commitment to kids, families and communities will be front and center at the event, as Disney Publishing Worldwide and Disney Junior highlight the emotional connection that generations of kids and families have to Disney's iconic stories and beloved characters.

The event features Disney Publishing Worldwide authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson reading excerpts from their new book, The Bridge to Never Land. The duo will be joined by David Arquette and Corey Burton from Disney Junior's No. 1 series, Jake and the Never Land Pirates. The Never Land Pirate Band will also perform.

"We are pleased that our donation will help millions of kids and families discover the wonder of reading and explore Disney's unparalleled storytelling legacy," said Bob Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.

Since its founding in 1992, First Book has distributed more than 85 million new books to children from low-income families in thousands of communities throughout the United States and Canada.  First Book now distributes an average of more than 25,000 books per day.  Disney Publishing Worldwide has worked with First Book since 1999, helping to get books into the hands of kids and their families. Last year, First Book distributed a total of 7.5 million books; the donation of 8 million Disney books—including titles for the youngest readers up through teen series—will help First Book double this number.  

Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson have fueled the imaginations of countless readers with their series of Starcatchers books, all prequels to Peter Pan. The Bridge to Never Land, their most recent collaboration, which hit stores August 9, takes readers on a new, contemporary quest involving Peter, Wendy and the Starcatchers. Helping to bring the story to life at Friday's event will be David Arquette, who voices the role of Skully the lookout parrot on Disney Junior's Jake and the Never Land Pirates, and Corey Burton, the voice of Captain Hook. As part of its ongoing commitment to kids and families, Disney Junior is collaborating with Radio Disney to help with upcoming First Book distribution events in communities around the country.

We invite our D23 Expo guests to take part in a fantastic journey into the Disney Story Vault, be  captivated by the latest re-imagining of Peter Pan's adventures, and celebrate this special donation with First Book President Kyle Zimmer. Audience members will receive a free book to help bring home the magic of Disney storytelling.

Tickets to the D23 EXPO are available at http://www.D23Expo.com. Admission includes access to all experiences and entertainment at the D23 EXPO and can be purchased for single days or for the full three days of festivities. Admission is $42 for a one-day adult ticket and $32 for children 3-12. Three-day passes are $121 for adults and $91 for children. Members of D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will receive a discount for up to four admissions, as well as early entry to each day of the D23 EXPO for themselves and their guests.

About D23 Expo 2011

The D23 Expo—The Ultimate Disney Fan Event—brings the entire world of Disney under one roof, providing attendees with unprecedented access to Disney films, television and theme parks. For schedules, live updates, interactive features and tools, polls and much more, check out the D23 Expo mobile app at www.D23mobile.com! To be part of the D23 Expo conversation, make sure to follow @DisneyD23 and tag your tweets with #D23Expo. For questions during the D23 Expo, get answers by sending tweets to @D23Expo.

About D23

The name "D23" pays homage to the exciting journey that began in 1923, when Walt Disney opened his fledgling studio in Hollywood. D23 is the first official club for fans in Disney's 88-year history. D23 gives its members a greater connection to the entire world of Disney by placing them in the middle of the magic through its quarterly publication Disney twenty-three; a rich website at www.disney.com/D23; a new collectibles line, the Walt Disney Archives Collection; and special events for D23 Members throughout the year, highlighted by the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California, August 19-21, 2011.

Contacts:
Diane Dray
Disney Corporate Citizenship
818-567-5384

Jennifer Levine
Disney Publishing Worldwide
914-288-4222

Dana Green
Disney Channel
818-955-7446

David Ward
First Book
202-639-0142

Lisa Scalzo
The Walt Disney Company
818-560-3117

SOURCE Disney D23