Random House Children's Publishing Launches Kids@Random: Web Site for Young Readers

Business Wire, Dec 11, 1997

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 1997--Random House Children's Publishing today launched Kids@Random (http://www.kidsatrandom.com), a web site dedicated to young readers. Featuring internet games, book reviews, author information and much more, the site will be a comprehensive place to visit, play and interact with other young readers as well as a destination for parents looking for information on books.

Features on the kids@random site include:

-- What's New - announcements on new products including a full description of the book, video or CD-Rom; author bio information; contests; special offers and links to author web sites.

-- Kids Post - will feature book reviews by kids. The section will be divided into two areas -- one area will be a write in section where kids can post reviews on any book they have read (from any publisher) and the other area will enable kids to read all the reviews. Future plans for this area include the ability to send in art, poetry, stories and creative works with a chance to have them published on-line. Kids will have the opportunity to have their own work posted and see what other kids are doing around the world.

-- Hot Picks - is a monthly feature where editors submit their choices for great books.

-- Jesse's Word of the Day - similar to the popular feature on Books@Random, this section will have a new word including definition, usage and history each day.

-- Find A Book - is a searchable catalog where kids and parents can search for books by author, title, subject matter, age-level or award-winning titles.

"We have created a destination site which we think will be a home for active readers and we hope, will spark the interest of reluctant readers," said Mark Dazzo, director of marketing and market development. "We believe this site will be a place to have fun, be entertained and help build the foundation for a life-long love of reading," he added.

The site will also be a tool for parents looking for book suggestions for gifts, information for book reports and suggested reading for all grade levels. There will be sections featuring many of the Random House brand characters and series such as Arthur, Dr. Seuss and the Berenstain Bears as well as award-winning series like: Magic Treehouse books, Junie B. Jones books and Stepping Stones(tm). Parents looking for activities, can visit the site with their children and play on-line games that tie into books.

Random House Children's Publishing is one of Americas foremost publishers of quality literature for children of all ages. It is comprised of Children's Publishing, (including the hardcover imprints Random House, Crown, and Knopf Books for Young Readers, and the paperback imprints, Dragonfly Books, and Knopf Paperbacks); Children's Media; and Random House Entertainment.

CONTACT: Random House Children's Publishing

Kelly Grunther, 212/940-7723

kgrunther@randomhouse.com