Mercer Mayer and Little Critter "Get Caught Reading" for the First Time in The Association of American Publishers' Annual National May Campaign

SAN DIEGO, May 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Beloved author Mercer Mayer and Little Critter—the character he first introduced over 35 years ago and who has been featured in over 200 books—are participating for the first time this year in the Association of American Publisher's (AAP) national "Get Caught Reading" celebrity poster campaign in May. To celebrate, Silver Dolphin books is reducing the price of its award-winning The Trip – Little Critter Reading Adventure app from $3.99 to $0.99 during Children's Book Week* from May 13–19, 2013.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130501/PH04958)

As part of the "Get Caught Reading" campaign, which was created to inspire a love of reading in people of all ages, Mercer Mayer appears in a poster together with Little Critter as they are "caught reading" an original copy of the book, Little Critter's The Trip, celebrating the print edition's transition into Silver Dolphin Books' fun and engaging app, The Trip – Little Critter Reading Adventure. The app was recently awarded The National Parenting Center's 2013 coveted Seal of Approval. Posters are made available to teachers and parents for use in classrooms, libraries and other locations throughout the country.

"I am so pleased to be invited to participate in the AAP's 'Get Caught Reading' campaign and to help bring awareness to this outstanding initiative and its mission," said Mercer Mayer. "I also want to celebrate how today's technology is providing even more options to engage children in the joy of learning to read, and acknowledge the wonderful job that Silver Dolphin Books and app developer John R. Sansevere have done in creating an extraordinary and multi-dimensional digital experience of my original book, Little Critter's The Trip."

"The AAP is honored to have such a beloved children's book author/illustrator as Mercer Mayer join our 'Get Caught Reading' celebrity poster campaign," said Tina Jordan, Vice President of the AAP. "We are pleased to provide a forum for Little Critter to join other 'Get Caught Reading' characters on the walls of elementary schools and libraries across the country. Promotion of reading and literacy remains among the AAP's highest priorities, and the support provided by celebrated authors like Mr. Mayer is integral to the success of the campaign."

"It's wonderful that Mercer Mayer has joined the AAP's 'Get Caught Reading' campaign this year to celebrate the love of reading—both physical and digital books," added Jon I. Rosenberg, VP and Publisher of Silver Dolphin Books. "We are taking this opportunity to celebrate Mr. Mayer's participation, and our recent 2013 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center for The Trip – Little Critter Reading Adventure, by reducing the price from $3.99 to $0.99 during Children's Book Week, May 13–19."

To further celebrate, Silver Dolphin Books is launching its "Get Caught Reading Contest" that provides three lucky winners the opportunity to win a gift basket valued at over $200, including the all NEW Little Critter plush from MerryMakers Inc.; The Trip – Little Critter Reading Adventure and GamePak apps; and lots of fun reading and activity books! One Grand Prize winner will win an all-new iPad Mini.

According to the AAP, the trade association representing the premier U.S. publishing companies, research indicates that early language experience actually stimulates a child's brain to grow and that reading to children gives them a huge advantage when they start school. To that end, the members of the association hope to encourage people of all ages to enjoy books and magazines and to share that pleasure with the young children in their lives.

Mercer Mayer's Little Critter has captured the hearts of children and their parents the world over since his debut in 1975. Young readers identify with the character's thoughts, feelings, ideas and inspirations as he navigates the experiences of childhood and growing up, and learn that it's all right to try and fail and try again until you get it right and uncover the biggest secret of all—it's OK to have fun and laugh in the process!

In The Trip – Little Critter Reading Adventure app, children are invited to travel along with Little Critter and his family on an action-packed road trip.  Kids can help Little Critter choose the route the family will take to explore the countryside, the city, the beach and more; fix the car when it breaks down; move a horse stuck in the middle of the road; feed the seagulls; and even find time to grab a hot dog. All this while playing lots of games with Little Sister along the way to pass the time!   

Recommended for ages three to seven, the app emphasizes basic pre-school and early elementary curriculum and incorporates an inventory collection and selection feature designed to build critical problem-solving skills; alphabet flashcards hidden on every screen teach and reinforce letter recognition; and successful completion of six puzzles—including sequence and matching games—unlock six collectible gems used to play an arcade-style game. Other features include text highlighting, visual interactive item clues and professional audio narration and dramatization, which all help to keep non-readers engaged with the story. 

A complementary app, The Trip - Little Critter GamePak, includes over 50 fun and engaging activities featuring Little Critter and introduces the Company's new Digistix™—interactive, animated stickers with fun sound effects. Appy Award-winner John R. Sansevere (Little Critter: Where is My Frog) is the producer of both apps.

Pricing and Availability:

The Trip - Little Critter Reading Adventure 1.0.1 and The Trip - Little Critter GamePak 1.0.0 are both priced at $3.99 USD (or equivalent in other currencies) and available worldwide through iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and Google Play. During Children's Book Week, May 13–19, The Trip - Little Critter Reading Adventure 1.0.1 will be available at the discounted price of $0.99 in all stores.

*Children's Book Week is administered by Every Child A Reader, a 501(c)(3) literacy organization dedicated to instilling a lifelong love of reading in children. The Children's Book Council, the national non-profit trade association for children's book publishers, is an anchor sponsor.

® Mercer Mayer's Little Critter and Mercer Mayer's Little Critter logo are registered trademarks of Orchard House Licensing Company.

™Digistix is a trademark of Dancing Penguins LLC.

About Silver Dolphin Books

Silver Dolphin Books, an imprint of Baker & Taylor Publishing Group, publishes activity, novelty, and educational nonfiction books for preschoolers to 12-year-olds. Silver Dolphin Books are designed to enlighten and entertain children of all ages. Silver Dolphin Books has acquired non-exclusive app publishing rights for iconic children's brands Little Critter and Richard Scarry.  The company plans to release a total of six new innovative apps this year for Little Critter, Richard Scarry and an all-new IP, Astro B-1.

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SOURCE Silver Dolphin Books