NEW YORK Having spun gold with David Kirk’s last creation, the Miss Spider book series, New York-based book packager/marketer Callaway Editions is expecting great things from the author/illustrator’s new title, Nova’s Ark.
That’s why Callaway and publishing partner Scholastic Inc., New York City, are staging more promotions than are usually devoted to an illustrated children’s book – in hardcover, no less.
Graphics from the book were first unveiled as unidentified artwork (only Kirk’s name was mentioned) in the Dec. 6 issue of The New York Times Book Review, which got a buzz going among the literati, says Callaway president Nicholas Callaway. Next came still photos that ran before trailers on movie screens in Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis. The ads ran before family features like A Bug’s Life, Rugrats, and The Prince of Egypt.
In mid-December, a Web site (www.novasark.com) with a slide show and soundtrack was launched. The online strategy will expand to include a teaser campaign building up to the book’s March release date and advertising on electronic curriculum service Scholastic Network.
Efforts continue next month with a six-city author tour in which Kirk will be accompanied by a 15-foot inflatable version of Nova, the youthful robot that serves as the book’s protagonist. In-store support includes pre-publication counter displays offering autographed copies, and floorstands in all 500 Barnes & Noble as well as other outlets, says Callaway.
Nova’s Ark , which was produced with computer-generated 3-D imagery in conjunction with Ames, IA-based Engineering Animation, Inc., was “conceived as a multi-cross-platform property,” says Callaway, adding that toy, film, and other licensing deals are in the works.
The 5 books in the Miss Spider series have produced more than two million copies in print for Scholastic. The property has generated licenses for plush toys, puzzles, costumes, backpacks, and a new Hallmark card line.
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