CULVER CITY, Calif., Jan. 25, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, February 3, as families across the country go to their local libraries to celebrate Take Your Child to the Library Day, Peter Rabbit will be teaming up with local events across the country to make the day Blue Jacket Day.  Joining forces with Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), the largest non-profit children's literacy organization in the United States, Peter will help bring awareness to children's literacy and ignite a lifelong love of reading with a series of special events.  PETER RABBIT™ will be released in theaters nationwide on February 9.

James Corden, who voices Peter Rabbit in the new film, announced Blue Jacket Day this morning by reading to kindergarteners at a New York City school, where he also took in the fifth grade's musical performance.   

On Blue Jacket Day, participating libraries across the country will host special Peter Rabbit-themed events and activities.  Costumed characters will visit libraries and select regional events (for a schedule, go to www.PeterRabbit-Movie.com), and exhibitors will be hosting blue box book drives, in which families can donate books to RIF.  In addition, for every photo posted on social media that includes the hashtags #PeterRabbit #BlueJacket, a book will be donated to RIF. 

In addition, in select markets across the country, following the library visit, Peter Rabbit will be inviting families to attend a promotional screening of his new movie.  As the crowd arrives in their blue jackets (just like Peter's), they'll bring a book to donate to the cause.

In Los Angeles, at Caruso's award-winning retail, dining and lifestyle destination The Grove, the celebration of Blue Jacket Day will also incorporate the World Premiere of PETER RABBIT™.  Not only will the cast from the film hit the red carpet, but select moviegoers and fans will enjoy a day of Peter Rabbit-themed activities, photo opportunities, and social moments.

"Peter Rabbit is often one of the first literary heroes for young readers, as parents read Beatrix Potter's tales of the mischievous bunny to their children.  When those children grow up and become parents themselves, Peter's legacy is passed on," said Will Gluck, co-writer/director of the film.  "Now, as Peter takes on the starring role of the new movie, we're celebrating with a program that encourages a lifelong love of reading to be passed on as well."

"Reading ignites imaginations and opens a world of possibilities for children," says Beth Meyer, Chief Marketing Officer at Reading Is Fundamental. "By partnering with Sony Pictures on PETER RABBIT™, we can provide books to kids who need them most and extend the experience of this classic story with supplemental literacy resources to create engaged and confident readers."

Francesco Sedita, President and Publisher, Penguin Workshop and Publisher of the Peter Rabbit books said, "As the caretakers and keepers of Beatrix Potter's legacy, we are delighted to be joining Peter in celebrating Blue Jacket Day and Take Your Child to the Library Day."

PETER RABBIT™, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role of his own irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude. In the film, Peter's feud with Mr. McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Rose Byrne).  James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm, with Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley performing the voice roles of the triplets, Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail. Directed by Will Gluck from a screen story and screenplay by Rob Lieber and Will Gluck, based on the characters and tales of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, the film is produced by Will Gluck and Zareh Nalbandian, with Doug Belgrad, Jodi Hildebrand, Catherine Bishop, Susan Bolsover, Emma Topping, Rob Lieber, Jason Lust, and Jonathan Hludzinski serving as executive producers. 

About Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., which is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. SPE's Motion Picture Group includes film labels Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, and Sony Pictures Classics.  For additional information, visit http://www.sonypictures.com/corp/divisions.html.

About Reading Is Fundamental
Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is committed to a literate America by inspiring a passion for reading among all children, providing quality content to create impact, and engaging communities in the solution to give every child the fundamentals for success. As the nation's largest non profit organization for children's literacy, RIF has provided more than 413 million books to 40 million kids in all 50 states.

About The Grove
The Grove, developed by Caruso in 2002, is one of the country's most acclaimed shopping, dining and lifestyle destinations, attracting guests each year from Southern California and around the world. The Grove tops Shopping Center Today's list of top 10 shopping centers in the world based on sales per square foot. The Grove ranks #2 on Fortune's: 10 highest sales-generating shopping centers in the U.S. list and ranks #2 on CNBC's "The top 10 American malls" list based on sales per square foot. Blending an array of exciting, high-end retail choices with a community feel, The Grove is a gathering place where people can spend a whole day shopping, dining and spending time with family and friends. The Grove pulses with style, warmth and energy, which is why the world's leading brands and personalities come to The Grove to launch their latest ventures, including Elizabeth and James, from designers Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, which opened its first brick-and-mortar location and L.A. flagship, and why many of its stores including Nordstrom, Barneys New York, Diane von Furstenberg, American Girl Place, J.Crew, Apple, Vince, Nike, Shinola and Topshop Topman achieve among the highest sales volumes of any in their respective chains. Get the latest news and events for The Grove at www.TheGroveLA.com; on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheGroveLA; on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheGroveLA; on Instagram @TheGroveLA; or download the Caruso app in the Apple or Google app stores.

SOURCE Sony Pictures Entertainment

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