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LITTLE, BROWN BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS AND HASBRO TEAM UP TO LAUNCH PUBLISHING PROGRAMS BASED ON ICONIC MY LITTLE PONY AND TRANSFORMERS BRANDS

Official Guide to the "MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC" Animated Series, Created by Hasbro Studios, and an Original MY LITTLE PONY Picture Book Dash into Bookstores in Spring 2013

TRANSFORMERS: THE ULTIMATE POP-UP UNIVERSE by Bestselling Pop-Up Engineer Matthew Reinhart and "TRANSFORMERS: RESCUE BOTS" Animated Series Tie-ins Scheduled for Release in 2013

[New York, N.Y. and Pawtucket, R.I.]; November 19, 2012 - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers has reached an agreement in principal for print and electronic rights in the United States and Canada, under license from Hasbro, Inc., for the blockbuster MY LITTLE PONY brand, and will extend its existing license for TRANSFORMERS into 2013, it was announced today by Andrew Smith, the division’s Vice President and Deputy Publisher and Michael Kelly, Director of Hasbro's Global Publishing.

The standout titles in this deal, which was made by Erin Stein, Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, would include an Official Guide to the "MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC" animated television series, which releases in Spring 2013, and a TRANSFORMERS Pop-Up Book by master paper engineer, Matthew Reinhart, scheduled for Fall 2013. Additional books based on the "MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC" animated series include 8 x 8s, readers, chapter books and other companion and novelty formats, as well as an original MY LITTLE PONY picture book by award-winning illustrator Mary Jane Begin, which will release in April 2013. For the youngest fans of TRANSFORMERS, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers plans to release books starting in May 2013 based on the "TRANSFORMERS: RESCUE BOTS" animated television series.

"We’re thrilled to expand our relationship with Hasbro to include the launch of a publishing program based on the phenomenal pop culture brand, MY LITTLE PONY, as we continue to publish exciting new formats for TRANSFORMERS," said Andrew Smith at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. "We look forward to expanding on the great stories featured in both animated series, as well as to creating new reading experiences for the millions of lifelong devotees around the world and new readers, with collectible and innovative formats for fans of every age."

"We are extremely pleased to see our relationship with Little, Brown Books for Young Readers growing with the addition of these new projects," said Michael Kelly at Hasbro. "The enthusiasm and creative energy the whole team brings to each book promises exciting opportunities for fans to interact with our characters and brands."




Featuring the beloved ponies from the popular "MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC" animated series, created by Hasbro Studios and currently airing on The HUB TV Network in the United States, Little Brown Books for Young Readers will extend the series’ message of friendship to several new books releasing in April 2013. There's a pony for everyone, and a book to delight every Pony fan in Little Brown Books for Readers’ MY LITTLE PONY publishing program:



- In MEET THE PONIES OF PONYVILLE, a Level 1 Reader (part of Little, Brown Books for Young Readers’ leveled reading program, Passport to Reading), the youngest of pony readers can read all about their favorite characters ($3.99 / Ages 4-8).



- WELCOME TO EQUESTRIA is a four-color illustrated storybook that explores all of Equestria, from Ponyville to Canterlot ($3.99 / Ages 4-8).



- TWILIGHT SPARKLE AND THE CRYSTAL HEART SPELL is the first book in a brand new chapter book series. Each book will feature a different pony character and an original story that ties in with events in the MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC, animated television series. Books will be released every three months and will feature bonus activity pages ($5.99 / Ages 6-9).

- And perhaps one of the most anticipated releases for Pony fans of all ages is MY LITTLE PONY: THE ELEMENTS OF HARMONY ("THE FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC" OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK), which includes extensive character bios, a complete episode guide and a map of Equestria, which will appear in print for the first time. Don't miss the complete lyrics to all the songs, a guide to the friendship lessons TWILIGHT SPARKLE and her friends have learned, and get Pony Words of Wisdom - so you can live your life in harmony with all other creatures ($16.99 / Ages 12 & up).



In addition to titles based on the "MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC," animated series, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers plans to publish a full-color original picture book in April 2013, entitled UNDER THE SPARKLING SEA. Celebrated artist Mary Jane Begin introduces fans to a brand-new land in the world of MY LITTLE PONY - the underwater city of Aquastria, ruled by KING LEO. When TWILIGHT SPARKLE receives an invitation to visit the underwater world, she invites all her pony friends and SPIKE to travel with her. Together, they learn of the long-held rivalry between the seaponies and the mermares, and must navigate the oceanic world, confront danger, make new friends, and race to the finish in this adventure that takes place in a shimmering new MY LITTLE PONY world that has never been seen before!




In Fall 2013, prepare to see the TRANSFORMERS, one of the most successful entertainment franchises of the 21st century, change before your eyes as never before in Little, Brown Books for Young Readers TRANSFORMERS: THE ULTIMATE POP-UP UNIVERSE, a momentous pop-up exploration by bestselling paper engineer, Matthew Reinhart. With vibrant illustrations, exciting facts, and an eye-catching design, this pop-up masterpiece featuring the AUTOBOTS and the DECEPTICONS, the world famous robots in disguise, will be an absolute must-have for TRANSFORMERS fans of all ages! The awesome conversions of TRANSFORMERS characters from massive robots into cool vehicles was made for the interactive world of pop-up! See the characters shift from robot to vehicle form before your eyes ($36.00 / Ages 3 & up)!



And for the youngest fans of TRANSFORMERS, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers plans to launch two Level 1 Passport to Reading titles (one in May 2013, followed by another in June 2013) based on the animated television series "TRANSFORMERS: RESCUE BOTS," which premiered in the United States in early 2012 on The HUB TV Network. Both leveled readers feature stills from the show:



- OPTIMUS PRIME has selected a special team of TRANSFORMERS characters to work side-by-side with the people of Earth - they are called the RESCUE BOTS! In MEET CHASE THE POLICE-BOT, readers are introduced to CHASE THE POLICE-BOT, who partners up with Chief Charlie Burns to save the day! ($3.99 / Ages 3-6).



- In MEET HEATWAVE THE FIRE-BOT, readers learn about HEATWAVE, who switches into a fire engine and is partnered with Kade Burns. Together they're unstoppable ($3.99 / Ages 3-6).


About Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is a division of Hachette Book Group, a leading trade publisher based in New York and a division of Hachette Livre, the second-largest publisher in the world. HBG publishes under the divisions of Little, Brown and Company, Grand Central Publishing, FaithWords, Center Street, Orbit, and Hachette Digital.

About Hasbro
Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a widerange of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative, well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for markets around the world. The Hub TV Network is part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), in the U.S. Through the company's deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the "World’s Most Ethical Companies" and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s "100 Best Corporate Citizens." Learn more at http://www.hasbro.com

© 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.






(Image of author Matthew Reinhart from Library of Congress website)


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NOTE FROM SEIBERTRON.COM ... if you haven't seen Matthew Reinhart's extremely impressive Star Wars pop-up books, before, you should check them out at Amazon.com. He does some insanely amazing work. You'll never think of pop-up books the same way again after you've seen one of Matthew's books.

[Rodimus Prime]

Yes. Get them started early.

[Bumblevivisector]

The only thing I don't like about this is TFPrime Bumblebee with a G1-ish head. I know multiple universes with multiple Bumblebees would be too confusing for little kids just getting into TF, so this may well be the most viable option, but these sorts of compromises end up producing individual TFs that are technically not accurate to anything outside the book, and just look sloppy.

Still giving it a look though. Just sayin'.

And yes, I'm suddenly a tad jealous since there were no TF pop-up books when I was a kid.

[Sabrblade]

The only thing I don't like about this is TFPrime Bumblebee with a G1-ish head. I know multiple universes with multiple Bumblebees would be too confusing for little kids just getting into TF, so this may well be the most viable option, but these sorts of compromises end up producing individual TFs that are technically not accurate to anything outside the book, and just look sloppy.

The first thing I thought of when I saw that image was this.



However, if there turns out to be any canonicity in this pop-up book to the Aligned Coninuity, maybe these forms of Optimus and Bumblebee could be like their pre-TF: Prime, post-WFC/FOC Earth bodies, helping to better illustrate the transition from Bumblebee's video game Cybertronian body to his cartoon Earth body. At least, it's possible.

[joevill]

Hey I know that guy. I'm totally buying that book and hope he signs it.

[Down_Shift]

Maybe I'm a little off topic here, but help me understand why there is my little pony on the front page of a transformers fan website, yet third party Transformers news is not.

Also, I tip my hat to whomever whipped up that prime and bumblebee on their smoke brake.

[Sabrblade]

Maybe I'm a little off topic here, but help me understand why there is my little pony on the front page of a transformers fan website, yet third party Transformers news is not.

It's part of the press release, which was posted here in full to maintain a professional appearance.

It's a dual press release designed for both properties.

[Sabrblade]

OH, SNAP!!!

I just realized that we've seen that Optimus Prime design before. It's from the Binder of Revelation!



Maybe Bumblebee's is too.

[El Duque]

Amazon has listed the Kindle Edition of Transformers: Rescue Bots: Meet Heatwave the Fire-Bot from Little, Brown Books. It's priced at $3.99 and scheduled to release on June 4th, 2013. The listing can be found at the link below:

Transformers: Rescue Bots: Meet Heatwave the Fire-Bot (Passport to Reading Level 1) [Kindle Edition]

Book Description
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Optimus Prime has selected a special team of Transformers to work side-by-side with the people of Earth--they are called the Rescue Bots! Heatwave the Fire-Bot changes into a fire engine and is partnered with Kade Burns. In this story, the Rescue Bots have to stop some runaway floating lobsters from ruining the town parade!

A Passport to Reading Level 1 book.

Product Details
Print Length: 32 pages
Publisher: LB Kids (June 4, 2013)
Language: English
ASIN: B00AFGKT4G
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Vastly more interested in the MLP books, to be honest.