RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS SEEKS THE 2011 MAGIC TREE HOUSE EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Exciting New Prize Package Will Be Awarded to an Exemplary Educator Who Best Incorporates the Magic Tree House Series into Classroom Curriculums

(December 20, 2010, New York, NY)—Random House Children’s Books (www.randomhouse.com/kids) is pleased to announce the 7th annual Magic Tree House Educator of the Year Award. The coveted award is presented to an educator of grades 1–4 who enhances lesson plans by incorporating Magic Tree House books (both the fiction titles and nonfiction research guides) into the curriculum in an outstanding way. For nearly 20 years, Mary Pope Osborne’s bestselling and internationally beloved series about a brother and sister who travel through time has been trusted by educators for its ability to educate and entertain young readers.

This year’s grand-prize winner will receive numerous prizes, including a trip to the International Reading Association Conference in Orlando, Florida, May 8th–11th, to meet authors Mary Pope Osborne and Natalie Pope Boyce, and receive the award from them in an exclusive ceremony. The prize also includes two autographed sets of the entire Magic Tree House series—one for the winner’s classroom, and one for the school’s library, $500 worth of books from Random House Children’s Books, a $500 gift card for classroom supplies, and a Skype school visit with Osborne and Boyce.

Three runners-up will receive an autographed set of the entire Magic Tree House series and a $250 gift card for classroom supplies.

To be considered for the award, educators are asked to describe in 500 words or less how they meet objectives across the curriculum by incorporating the Magic Tree House books into their lesson plans. Random House Children’s Books also welcomes additional classroom materials such as lesson plans, photos, and videos that set the educator apart from other applicants.

Educators are eligible to enter until January 14, 2011. The official entry form can be found online at the series’ all-new comprehensive website, http://www.magictreehouse.com/ which was launched in November 2010. With exciting games, trivia, lesson plans, parent-child activity ideas and more, the extensive website offers an array of resources to audiences of all ages.

“What a great opportunity for teachers to share resources and strategies!” said Becci Curry, recipient of the 2010 Magic Tree House Educator of the Year Award. “Winning the Magic Tree House Educator of the Year Award was the single most incredible experience of my professional life,” said Paula Henson, the 2007 winner.

About Magic Tree House

Mary Pope Osborne’s celebrated Magic Tree House series has sold 70 million copies in North America and has been translated into 28 different languages in 31 countries. First published in 1992, the series continues to be widely regarded among children, teachers, and parents alike for its power to instill a passion for reading. With the recent launch of the entire Magic Tree House series in e-book form (June 2010), the series is available in the now-customary three platforms—print, audio, and digital. For more information about Mary Pope Osborne and the series, visit http://www.magictreehouse.com/.

Random House Children’s Books is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and e-books, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. The company’s Web site, Kids @ Random (www.randomhouse.com/kids) offers an array of activities, games, and resources for children, teens, parents, and educators. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Random House, Inc., whose parent company is Bertelsmann AG, a leading international media company.

I recently reviewed the latest Magic Tree House book and wanted to share this incredible offer with any teachers who use her books in their curriculum. Give it a shot - you may win a wonderful prize for use in your classroom!