Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule Book App

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Zonderkidz™, the children's division of Zondervan, and its partner, Oceanhouse Media, today announced that its book app, The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule, is currently the number one iPhone app, as well as the top-grossing app, within the Books category of the iPhone App Store.  

The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule book app has held this position for more than a week.  There are currently 40,000 apps in the book category of the iPhone App Store, and 6,000 apps in the book category of the iPad App Store.

Ebooks continue to be one of the fastest-growing segments in publishing, and making waves within the industry are new Book Apps.  These enhanced ebooks include interactive features only available on iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch, such as professional narration, background audio and enlarged artwork for each scene.  

"The Berenstain Bears books teach children how wonderful God is and the purpose he has in their lives.  The book apps have successfully brought the words and lessons of these books to life like no other format," said Annette Bourland, senior vice president and publisher with Zonderkidz.  "We are delighted and encouraged by the success of our book apps, and we expect them to play a significant role in our publishing plans moving forward."

Positioned as an easy-to-navigate alternative to traditional ebooks, the innovative book apps, created by Oceanhouse Media, combine Michael and Jan Berenstain's original text and artwork with features that entertain and promote reading in young children.  

"As a child reads the story, individual words are highlighted. When they touch a picture, the app automatically zooms in on the words, building an association between the word and the image," said Michel Kripalani, president of Oceanhouse Media.  "We believe this is a revolutionary format for reading and comprehension."

The Berenstain Bears and the Golden Rule is currently one of three Book apps within the Berenstain Bears family.  Other apps include The Berenstain Bears Say Their Prayers and The Berenstain Bears Go to Sunday School.  Both are also popular book apps in the iPhone App Store currently ranked in the top 100.  All of the titles are available for download for $2.99 each.

Zonderkidz signed a contract in 2007 to publish 12 Berenstain Bears books, authored by Michael Berenstain, with the first titles released in Fall 2008. The softcover picture books focus on a range of inspirational topics such as doing the right thing, saying your prayers, and going to Sunday school.  Zondervan's parent company, HarperCollins, continues to publish Berenstain Bears books for the general market.

About the Berenstains

Stan and Jan Berenstain published their first book about a bear family who lived "deep in Bear Country" in 1962 under the editorial oversight of Dr. Seuss. In 1974, they started their own line of books about everyday family experiences by Random House. In 2003, the Berenstains began publishing with HarperCollins and in 2005 began an exclusive relationship with the publisher.

Their youngest son, Michael, joined his parents many years ago writing several books and becoming the exclusive designer and illustrator of a series of large picture books. Since Stan Berenstain's death in 2005, Michael and Jan work as an author/illustrator team for their general market books.

About Oceanhouse Media

Oceanhouse Media is a publisher of mobile apps that uplift, educate and inspire. The company is a significant player in the iPhone and iPad space with an offering of over 105 apps, numerous bestsellers and proprietary technology. Licensing relationships are in place with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Hay House Publishers and others.

About Zonderkidz

Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan, and Harper Collins, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video, and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.

SOURCE Zondervan