wfn.org | ELCA and Scholastic Initiate Agreement

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

July 27, 2004

ELCA and Scholastic Initiate Agreement
04-136-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
and Scholastic have entered into a new agreement this summer in an effort
to bring "Davey and Goliath" to a new generation of children.  Scholastic
is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books.
     Davey and Goliath is a classic stop-motion animated television series
starring Davey Hansen and his talking dog, Goliath.  Aired on commercial
television in the 1960s and 1970s, Davey and Goliath is a property of the
ELCA.  The church's mission with Davey and Goliath is to bring "moral and
religious faith-based values to a new generation of children in lively and
engaging ways."
     "The ELCA's agreement with Scholastic is another step in our renewed
effort to bring Davey and Goliath's message of God's love for children to
21st-century children and families.  We are excited that Davey and
Goliath's first major publishing agreement is with such a premier
children's publishing company as Scholastic," said the Rev. Eric C.
Shafer, director, ELCA Department for Communication.
     Scholastic is a "wonderful partner, and with their commitment to
quality, family-friendly content, they share our vision and will play a
significant role in the current re-launch plans for the ELCA's Davey and
Goliath property," said Mark Bannon, president and CEO, Animation Content,
LLC., East Granby, Conn.  Earlier this year the ELCA and Animation Content
entered into an agreement to garner more visibility for Davey and Goliath
and help secure its return to television.
     "We are delighted with this development in conjunction with several
other initiatives that are currently under way for the re-release of the
classic animated episodes, and the release of the new modern-day Davey and
Goliath animated holiday special, 'Davey and Goliath's Snowboard
Christmas.' These important developments, along with other licensing and
merchandising efforts, will help ensure that children and families today
have the opportunity to be exposed to these lovable characters and
timeless value-based messages," Bannon said.
     "Scholastic is thrilled to be bringing Davey and Goliath storybooks
and color/activity books to a new generation of young readers," said Craig
Walker, vice president and editorial director, Scholastic Children's
Books, New York.  "The stories and themes of the television shows are very
positive and the emphasis on good family and community values makes them
perfect for Scholastic," Walker said.
     Scholastic is working to publish two storybooks and two
coloring/activity books, said Walker.  "The storybooks are what we call
'paper-over-board' books, which means hardcover without jackets.  The
coloring/activity books have line-drawing coloring pages, each with an
additional bound-in feature.  Right now we are thinking that one coloring
book will have an iron-on image for use on T-shirts and more.  Another
will have either four-color stickers or a decorative magnet," Walker said.
     News and information about Davey and Goliath are available on the
Internet at http://www.daveyandgoliath.org -- the official Davey and
Goliath Web site maintained by the ELCA.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news