NEW YORK (Callaway Arts & Entertainment press release) -
Madonna kicks off the release of her second children's book,
Mr. Peabody's Apples, with a joint promotion on
America Online, Audible, Inc., and the Apple iTunes
Music Store. The promotion will include two interviews and a teaser clip of Madonna's narration of Mr. Peabody's Apples on AOL; the full narration is available for download from Audible.com and the Apple iTunes
Music Store.
Mr. Peabody's Apples, which Madonna dedicates to teachers everywhere, is a story about the power of words and the importance of teachers. It takes place in 1949 in Happville, USA. Mr. Peabody, the beloved elementary school teacher and baseball coach, one day finds himself ostracized when rumors about him spread through the small town. Mr. Peabody silences the gossip with an unforgettable and poignant lesson about how we must choose our words carefully to avoid causing harm to others.
"This launch marks an unprecedented publishing and communications event," says Nicholas Callaway, president and publisher of Callaway Arts & Entertainment. "Three great companies' AOL, Apple and Audible demonstrate online, in print, and via audio what Madonna has said this book is about the power of words.'"
"By offering Madonna's new book on iTunes at the same time the print edition hits traditional retailers, we are giving consumers another great way to enjoy her latest children's story," said Rob Schoeben, Apple's vice president of Applications Marketing. "Consumers can now preview and purchase Madonna's audiobooks within iTunes and listen to them anywhere on their iPod."
"We are thrilled to offer AOL members a host of exclusive interviews and programming surrounding the launch of Madonna's second children's book, Mr. Peabody's Apples," said Malcolm Bird, Senior Vice President and General Manager Kids and Teens, America Online. "We are particularly excited about Madonna's interview on Radio KOL, our daily live online radio show just for kids. This is a great opportunity for kids on KOL to interact with Madonna and listen to her play fun games and activities on the show."
Starting Monday, November 10, fans can interact with Madonna on the AOL service through two interviews. Children on the KOL service, AOL's all-new service for kids, can listen to an interview with Madonna on Radio KOL, the daily live interactive radio show hosted by DJ Rick Adams. Madonna will answer kids' questions and participate in fun activities including the popular "Moo, Baa" game, where DJ Rick Adams shouts out the name of an animal breed and celebrity guests must guess whether it's a sheep or a cow by calling out either "moo" or "baa."
In addition, AOL members can go to AOL Keyword: CelebConnect and listen to Madonna answer their previously submitted questions. One member asked Madonna which books inspired her as a child. Madonna responded, "I would say that one of my favorite characters is The Little Prince, in children's literature, and I've always identified with him because the Little Prince wasn't satisfied with the answers grown-ups gave him and he was constantly asking questions about the world around him."
AOL members will be able to access selected artwork from the book by the illustrator Loren Long, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his preliminary sketches. AOL members can also listen to a free audio excerpt of Madonna reading from Mr. Peabody's Apples, beginning November 10.
Audible, Inc. is pleased to announce that Mr. Peabody's Apples, along with Madonna's first children's book, The English Roses, both read by the author herself, are available for download beginning today at Audible.com.
"Madonna's performance is inviting, nuanced and clearly comes from the heart," stated Beth Anderson, vice president and publisher, Audible, Inc. "Both kids and adults will enjoy downloading and listening to these audio books because they are fun yet thoughtful, and read by an author who has that special ability to bring a children's book to life."
