"Olivia and the Fairy Princesses" by Ian Falconer to be Published by Atheneum in Fall 2012

NEW YORK, Nov. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, announced today plans to publish the latest Olivia title from Ian Falconer, Olivia and the Fairy Princesses. This is the seventh picture book in the Olivia series; as The New York Times has said, "(the) rambunctious, curly-tailed heroine is back." The agreement was negotiated by Jon Anderson, Executive Vice President and Publisher of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, and Conrad Rippy of Levine Plotkin & Menin, LLP and includes audio and all translation rights. The book is slated to be released in fall 2012 and will be edited by Atheneum Executive Editor Namrata Tripathi.

"Olivia has been a staple in children's books for over a decade now," said Jon Anderson. "With Olivia and the Fairy Princesses, Ian Falconer presents the perfect blend of classic Olivia coming together with the broadly appealing world of 'Fairy Princesses' in a wholly original way that is destined to become a classic. Once again Ian has shown why Olivia has remained so popular over the years."

Ian Falconer's six previous Olivia books have garnered as much critical acclaim as they have commercial success. Originally created as a gift for his niece Olivia, Falconer's children's book Olivia was first published in October 2000. An instant bestseller and children's classic, it received the prestigious Caldecott Honor from the American Library Association and the Book Sense Children's Illustrated Book of the Year award from the American Booksellers Association. More than six million of Falconer's classic Olivia books have been sold in 22 territories, and Olivia also debuted in 2009 on Nickelodeon as a top-rated and critically acclaimed television series.

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses follows Olivia on her quest for individuality; she wants to be the most original princess around. Olivia looks to different professions for ideas on how to be unlike everybody else until she concludes she already has the most original source of inspiration—herself!

In addition to designing sets and costumes for the New York City Ballet, San Francisco Opera, Royal Opera House in London, and most recently the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, Ian Falconer is known for his memorable New Yorker magazine covers and for his work with David Sedaris as an illustrator. Mr. Falconer lives in New York City.

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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 ninos, Little Simon®, Little Simon Inspirations™, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Simon Pulse, 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, Nickelodeon's® Dora the Explorer®, and SpongeBob SquarePants. For more information about Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, visit our website at http://kids.simonandschuster.com.

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SOURCE Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing