NEW YORK (Jill Bernstein for Rayo/ www.HarperCollins.com) - Five-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter
Gloria Estefan will pen her first book, a story for children to be published in both English and Spanish in November 2005, it was jointly announced today by Rayo, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and Estefan Enterprises.
The book will center on the life and adventures of an intrepid bulldog named Noelle who doesn't feel like she fits into the new and mythical land she now calls home. Inspired by Estefan's beloved pet English Bulldog Noelle, the book will mirror the true story behind how Noelle came to be such an important part of Gloria's life. Already a celebrity in her own right, Noelle has appeared with Gloria on Oprah and Don Francisco Presenta, and has been featured in both People Magazine and Cristina la Revista.
The story will focus on Noelle's experience as a loveable, yet very unconventional looking dog, who must find her way through life in her new adopted home, feeling different and confronting a bevy of clustered animal cliques whose ultimate reluctance to include Noelle in their world is soon offset by Noelle's true, albeit hidden, beauty.
The book will help children who may feel alienated and ostracized understand that no matter what shape, size, or interests they may have, fitting in is internal and being yourself the ultimate way to make anyone think you're special. Also, the book has special resonance with the immigrant communities in the United States (primarily of Hispanic heritage) who may, like Noelle, feel they culturally do not, and will not, fit in with a culture so foreign from their own.
Equally exciting, Gloria will write and record a song based on Noelle's story, and the single CD will be packaged inside the respective editions of the new book.
"I don't think too much is known about the affinity that I feel for animals. I have a very real connection with them and although I've had many pets, especially dogs, I have found a new and very unique connection with my two year old English Bulldog, Noelle," says Gloria Estefan. "She came to be a part of our family quite by accident and has brought us unforgettable experiences that I hope to share with the readers of my book based on her real- life experiences. I hope Noelle will bring the readers as much joy and surprise as she has brought into the lives of everyone who has met her."
"We are thrilled to be publishing Gloria's first book - and to be launching her career as a published author," adds Rene Alegria, Publisher of Rayo. "We have adored her as a musician and entertainer - and now with Noelle's story, the world will bear witness to this long adored dedicated wife and mother as she sets off in a new and satisfying direction, building on her legendary career in helping to educate and entertain children throughout the world."
Known far and wide as the "Queen of Latin Pop," Gloria Estefan is one of the most recognized artists in the world. Billions have heard her, millions have seen her perform and with over 70 million of her albums sold worldwide, she is the single most successful crossover performer in Latin music history. A five-time GRAMMY Award-winning singer, actress, songwriter, philanthropist and humanitarian, this superstar's career is paved in platinum. Her latest CD "Unwrapped" was released in 2004 and was the centerpiece of her final concert tour this past summer.
The Rayo imprint, founded in 2000, publishes fiction and nonfiction books for and about Hispanics in the U.S. in both English and Spanish. In 2005, the imprint will publish more than 75 titles, including children's books, spiritual, self-help and general reference titles.
HarperCollins is one of the leading English-language publishers in the world and is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, the company has publishing groups in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australasia. Its publishing groups include the HarperCollins General Books Group, HarperCollins Children's Books Group, Zondervan, HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Australia/New Zealand and HarperCollins India.
You can visit HarperCollins Publishers on the Internet at https://www.harpercollins.com.
