Penguin Young Readers Group and Smashing Ideas Bring The Little Engine That Could to the App Store

NEW YORK, Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Penguin Young Readers Group, one of the leading children's book publishers in the United States, in collaboration with Smashing Ideas, the leading digital media agency providing immersive and interactive entertainment, announces the release of The Little Engine That Could interactive children's book app on the App Store. The universal app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch is based on Watty Piper's beloved classic and features iconic 1950's artwork, sound effects and moveable objects, and can be set to either 'follow along' or 'read-aloud' mode.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101221/SF20458)

Don Weisberg, President, Penguin Young Readers Group, said, "'I think I can, I think I can.' These simple words have inspired generations of young readers to believe that with a little persistence and a positive attitude, anything is possible. For that reason, The Little Engine That Could was the perfect choice for our first interactive children's book title on the App Store. Now young children can experience this timeless tale in a whole new way."

Stephen Jackson, President and CEO of Smashing Ideas said, "It has truly been an honor to work with a timeless classic like The Little Engine That Could and bring its inspirational story to children and their families on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. We are excited to partner with Penguin to help create interactive, engaging and new innovative digital products."

The original version of The Little Engine That Could has sold more than 10 million copies in the English language. In it, a train of toys is stranded when its engine stalls. The train desperately needs another engine to take it over the mountain so that all of the children there will have toys to play with and good food to eat. But none of the big, important engines will help them. Luckily, the Little Blue Engine comes along. She is small, but she has confidence that she can do it — and she does!

The Little Engine That Could App is available for $6.99 from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore. A video demonstrating the app is available here: www.penguin.com/littleengineapp.

Note to the Press:

Penguin Young Readers Group is one of the leading children's book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Dial Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Philomel, Puffin, Speak, Firebird, G. P. Putnam's Sons, Viking, Razorbill, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times- bestselling authors as Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher, Judy Blume, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Roald Dahl, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, John Green, Eric Hill, Anthony Horowitz, Brian Jacques, Mike Lupica, Richelle Mead, Richard Peck, Patricia Polacco, and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, the Very Hungry Caterpillar, Strega Nona, Madeline, Mad Libs, Alex Rider, the Rangers Apprentice, Skippyjon Jones, Flower Fairies, and Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Group (USA), the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, one of the largest English-language trade book publishers in the world. The Penguin Group is owned by Pearson plc, the international media group.

Smashing Ideas, founded in 1996, has become one of the leading digital media agencies for the youth market by creating immersive, interactive content that transforms consumer-driven brand experiences in a digital world. Cartoon Network, Disney, GE, Hasbro, Nickelodeon, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, Verizon Wireless and more have called upon the Company to develop engaging, online, ITV and mobile experiences for their audiences. Smashing Ideas is based in Seattle, with offices in Portland and in the UK.

Penguin Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group.  Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam's Sons, The Penguin Press, Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books, Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset & Dunlap, Puffin, Razorbill and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (http://www.penguin.com) is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.

SOURCE Penguin Young Readers Group