(clockwise from front left) Bob Whitaker Jr., Robert S. Komisar (Smart Kidz sales and marketing), Ron Berry, John Whitaker (Anchor Distributors Vice President), Christine Whitaker (Whitaker Corp. Production Manager).

(NEW KENSINGTON, PA) Whitaker Corporation has acquired Smart Kidz Books from Smart Kidz Media, Inc. Details were finalized by representatives of both companies in a recent meeting at Whitaker corporate headquarters in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“We’re very excited for the opportunity to partner with Ron Berry in taking the reins of this innovative line of children’s books,” Whitaker said. “It’s a privilege to be able to offer these books which include a number of award-winning bestsellers that have educated and inspired millions of young readers children.”

Ron Berry, founder and president of Smart Kidz Media, Inc., was likewise pleased to find “a good home” for the Smart Kidz book division.

“This partnership is a good fit. I’m delighted to entrust Smart Kidz Books into the care of Bob and John Whitaker and their expert staff in publishing, marketing, and distributing these titles for a new generation,” Berry said.

Berry expressed thanks for the ease of the acquisition and speed with which the transition is taking place.

“Anchor’s on-site warehouse, distribution and fulfillment services, IT, and data management, systems are efficient and capable of filling large bricks ‘n mortar stores,” Berry said. “I’m grateful many of the Smart Kidz books will be available soon!”

Smart Kidz books includes titles for children from infancy through age eight. Bestsellers include It’s Potty Time, You’re My Little Love Bug, Love from My Heart, and It’s Time to Call 911, each of which sold millions worldwide, Berry said.

Other favorites include inspirational board books that have a song chip embedded into the back book cover. The best-selling Let Your Light Shine is a pre-school board book that plays the song “This Little Light of Mine” when the “lighthouse” button is pushed. Holiday books are popular as well with books like Silent Night relaying the Christmas story as the beloved carol plays.

“Smart Kidz books are known for their high quality sound,” Berry said. “The books feature proprietary sound chip technology, called Clear Sound XL—a sound and speaker system that produces audio quality unmatched in the children’s book industry.”

Popular series created and produced by Smart Kidz include My Animal Family, Best Loved Bible Stories, Baby Signs, and How I Feel. All of the series were created to teach living skills, character building, and important values.

Berry will continue to lead Smart Kidz Media. “With a bright future in place for Smart Kidz Books, I plan to follow my passion to create and develop multi-media educational products that help children grow into their full potential,” he said.

Whitaker Corporation, founded in 1970, is dedicated to sharing the gospel through books and products through Whitaker House, its publishing arm, and Anchor Distributors.

The Smart Kidz Books website will go live in the coming week: www.SmartKidzBooks.com.

Follow Whitaker House and Anchor Distributors social media for news and updates as new titles are added:

• Whitaker House Facebook: www.facebook.com/whitakerhouse
• Anchor Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnchorDistributors/
  
• Twitter: @WhitakerHouse

Contact: Cathy Hickling, 724-334-7000 x283, chickling@whitakerhouse.com

Uhrichsville, OH—Barbour Publishing is pleased to announce the official premiere of Stolen, the brand-new musical adapted from Wanda E. Brunstetter’s bestselling Daughters of Lancaster County series. Created by Blue Gate Musicals, the show is scheduled to make its debut on June 29, 2018 at the Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana, Indiana, and will also appear at the Ohio Star Theater in Sugarcreek, Ohio, beginning in September.

In Stolen, a small Pennsylvania community is shaken when the infant son of a prominent Amish family is kidnapped. As accusations fly and everyone comes under suspicion, a quirky, bumbling detective takes on the case. With no real leads and frustrations mounting, the case goes cold. Twenty years later the town is thrown into turmoil again when Naomi decides to reopen the case and finally discover who kidnapped her little brother.

Blue Gate Musicals uses their signature blend of the comedic and dramatic to bring their newest full-length musical to the stage. Stolen, a unique mystery full of intrigue and humor, will captivate audiences from the opening curtain to the final bow.

To coincide with the debut of the musical, Barbour will be releasing an omnibus edition of The Daughters of Lancaster County series featuring matching cover art from Stolen’s promotional poster. This three-in-one collection will release in August 2018.

To learn more about Stolen, visit BlueGateMusicals.com.

Media Contact: Shalyn Sattler  ssattler@barbourbooks.com  740.922.6045 X 109

Paraclete Press, an ecumenical publisher, announces the launch of San Damiano Books: a new series/imprint focused exclusively on Franciscan spirituality. It will publish books for children as well as adults, fiction and nonfiction, spirituality and practical theology, books by vowed Franciscans and laypeople/writers—all with a passion for the spirit of Saints Francis and Clare.

Two books will be published in Fall 2018:

St. Francis and the Animals: A Mother Bird’s Story by Phil Gallery, illustrated by Sibyl MacKenzie
Format: 8.5 x 11, 32 pp., Hardcover with jacket
ISBN: 978-1-61261-973-6 / Retail: $16.99
Ship Date: 8/14/2018 / On-sale Date: 9/4/2018

Francis of Assisi In His Own Words: The Essential Writings, 2nd edition by Jon M. Sweeney
Format: 5 x 7.5, 160 pp., French flaps paperback
ISBN: 978-1-64060-019-5 / Retail: $16.99
Ship Date: 10/2/18 / On-sale Date: 10/23/18

Authors under contract for 2019 include two more books for children; Wendy Murray with a new biography of St. Clare; and multi-platinum recording artist John Michael Talbot reflecting on Francis of Assisi’s “Sermon on the Mount” by looking at one of the saint’s lesser-known writings called “The Admonitions.”

For more information contact: Laura McKendree, Director of Marketing, lauram@paracletepress.com. 

Find spiritual refreshment in the midst of your caregiving journey

BIRMINGHAM: New Hope Publishers announces the release of 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents by author Kathy Howard (New Hope/June 4, 2018/ ISBN: 978-1-62591-543-6/$9.99). Data shows that approximately 43.5 million caregivers have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last twelve months. [National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.] With an ever increasing numbers of adults becoming caregivers to their aging parents, this devotional is a timely and much needed encouragement. Many caregivers find themselves burned out—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Kathy shares that she has been most surprised by the spiritual impact her caregiving has had on her life.

In this much needed thirty-day devotional, author and fellow caregiver Kathy Howard offers the encouragement needed as you strive to care for your parents in a way that pleases God and shows them honor and respect while maintaining their dignity. Through Scripture passages, prayer prompts, and Kathy’s personal stories, be strengthened in the knowledge that the giver of all wisdom will empower you in the daily moments when you are caught between being your parents’ child and their caregiver.

Learn more about Kathy Howard and 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents at
www.kathyhoward.org/blog/.

Advance Praise

“Kathy Howard’s 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents is a heartening companion for anyone from early to later stages of caregiving for parents. With tenderness, grace, and honesty, she comes alongside the caregiver with understanding and insight in these daily devotions. The questions for reflection are both practical and poignant.”
—Cynthia Ruchti, author of more than twenty books, including As My Parents Age

“Finally! A book I can recommend for caregivers and the book I wish I had while caregiving for my mother-in-law! 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents by Kathy Howard is a unique gift that instills hope, reminds caregivers that they’re not alone, and inspires joy in the trenches of the caregiving journey.”
— Stephanie Shott, national Bible teacher, author, and president of The MOM Initiative

About the Author
Kathy Howard encourages believers to live an unshakeable faith for life by standing firm on our rock-solid God. The author of nearly ten books and a former “cultural Christian,” Kathy has a master’s degree in Christian education. Kathy and her husband have three married children and four grandsons. For more information and free discipleship tools and leader helps, visit www.kathyhoward.org.  Keep up with Kathy’s speaking schedule, read her blog, and more by visiting
www.kathyhoward.org/blog/

To request a review copy of 30 Days of Hope When Caring for Aging Parents, to schedule an interview with Kathy, or for more information, please contact Meredith Dunn, Meredith@NewHopePublishers.com.

Uhrichsville, OH—Barbour Publishing is pleased to announce that it will be hosting its first-ever Benefit Book and Yard Sale in support of local charity, The Good Neighbor Project.

The Benefit Book and Yard Sale will be held on Friday, June 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. outside of Barbour’s Uhrichsville office and will feature a variety of items for sale including a selection of Barbour products, miscellaneous yard sale items donated by Barbour employees, and bake sale goods. The entirety of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to Andrew Wilsterman’s The Good Neighbor Project, headquartered in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Monetary donations will also be accepted for those who do not wish to shop.

The Good Neighbor Project was formed last summer when Wilsterman decided to mow 100 lawns free of charge for residents of Tuscarawas County and invited others to follow his journey on Facebook. After receiving overwhelming support from the community, Wilsterman felt called to form an official nonprofit and is looking to expand his organization to include not only lawn mowing, but also leaf pick-up and snow removal services (all free of charge). To learn more about The Good Neighbor Project and to inquire about how to get involved, visit them on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheGoodNeighborProject.

Media Contact: Shalyn Sattler ssattler@barbourbooks.com 740.922.6045 X 109

Christian Card and Gift Company Signs Agreement with Best-Selling Author and Actor

SILOAM SPRINGS, Arkansas—May 4, 2018—DaySpring Cards, Inc., a Northwest Arkansas-based company specializing in Christian cards and specialty products, announces a new multi-year licensing partnership with actor, New York Times Best-Selling author, Emmy nominee, producer, philanthropist, wife and mother, Candace Cameron Bure (Netflix’s “Fuller House”).

“Candace has a huge presence in the faith and family marketplace and touches so many hearts with her acting, writing and speaking,” said James Barnett, president of DaySpring. “We are thrilled to have her on board and to work with her in developing products to further share her message, especially with the modern Christian woman. We feel strongly that our alignment with Candace gives us a powerful voice to make those connections with our consumers, while bringing them quality products and tools to express their faith.”

“My faith is a cornerstone of my life,” said Candace. “As I continue to grow as an actor, producer and author, I have always wanted to be able to reach out to a broader community to share with them tools and platforms that support and expand our objective of celebrating those messages in today’s ever challenging world.”

The product line with DaySpring—dayspring.com/candace–will include multi-category, faith based product formats focused on providing consumers with products that will help them live and express their faith, as well as represent their interest in the strong family values Candace shares with them.

Principals of Candace’s management company, Redrock Entertainment, Jeffery Brooks and Ford Englerth, in conjunction with industry veteran Harold Weitzberg, developed and coordinated the agreement with the DaySpring executive licensing team.

DaySpring, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, has served the Christian marketplace for 47 years, creating greeting cards, gifts, home décor, clothing, accessories, journals, devotional books and Bible. Supported by key retail placements and digital promotion, DaySpring plans to have a limited selection of products available by late this month to coincide with the release of Candace’s new book from Zondervan, Kind Is the New Classy. Additional product programs are being introduced for the fourth quarter of 2018 and 2019.

About Candace Cameron Bure:
Candace Camerson Bure lights up the entertainment industry as a role model to women of all ages, reaching millions of fans. She is an award-winning actress and producer, New York Times Best- Selling Author, wife, and mother of three.  Viewers watched Candace grow up as ‘D.J. Tanner’ in the beloved television series “Full House.” Today, Candace performs as the lead in the soon to be released fourth season of Netflix’s original comedy series “Fuller House,” where she reprises her role as D. J. Tanner.  Candace handled co-host duties for two seasons on ABC Network’s long-time running talk show “The View.” Candace and her co-hosts were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award and the show itself also received yet another nomination for Outstanding Talk Show.  Candace executive produces and stars in her highly successful, hit mystery movie series AURORA TEAGARDEN on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. The series is based on the books by New York Times Best-Selling Author Charlaine Harris.
Candace is currently anticipating the April release of her fifth book, Kind is the New Classy: The Power of Living Graciously. In November of 2017, she released her fourth book, Staying Stylish: Cultivating a Confident Look, Style, and Attitude.Candace and her husband, former NHL star Valeri Bure, have been happily married for 22 years and together with their three children, Natasha, Lev and Maksim, they split their time between Los Angeles and Napa Valley, California, which is home to their highly rated boutique wine label, Bure Family Wines.

About Redrock Entertainment:
Redrock Entertainment Services is a multi-purpose end-to-end entertainment management and production company made up of award winning creatives and event project producers with over 25 years of experience managing iconic artist talent, creating unique brand content and producing large-scale, global live events. For additional information, visit www.redrockla.com.

About DaySpring:
DaySpring®, the world’s largest Christian-message product provider, was founded in 1971 with a single Christmas card. Today DaySpring offers more than 6,000 products—from greeting cards to home décor, specialty gifts to devotional books. In 1999, DaySpring was acquired by Hallmark Cards, Inc. DaySpring products are sold in Christian retail outlets, mass retail stores, card and gift shops and other outlets in the United States and 60 foreign countries. DaySpring is based in Siloam Springs, Ark., and employs a staff of more than 280 people. Visit www.dayspring.com for more information about the company, to find a local retailer, and to send a free e-card.

For information:  Brenda Turner 1-800-944-3430 ext. 6571  bturner@dayspring.com

Award-winning author Kristy Cambron creates new series to unpack scripture in a simple, accessible format

(Nashville, Tenn.) May 8, 2018—Realizing the interconnectedness of scripture throughout the Bible requires a level of research and resource that many Bible readers feel they are lacking.  The assumption is this level of in-depth biblical knowledge falls to the academy, pastor, or theologian.  Award-winning author, Kristy Cambron, has set out to break the mold in a new verse mapping curriculum study series, released through Thomas Nelson.

Verse mapping helps unpack the context of scripture more simplistically to help readers have a deeper understanding of God’s Word.  The first two studies in the series, “Luke: Gathering the Goodness of God’s Word” and “Acts: Feasting on the Abundance of God’s Word”  will empower individuals to go beyond simply reading the Bible to researching and uncovering how to apply the Word in everyday life.  Cambron focuses on a five-step process to improve your study time with God through verse mapping:

1.  Verse: Select a verse to map
2.  Design: Write your verse in several translations and identify key words or  phrases
3.  Develop: Look up key words and discover any underlying meanings
4.  Actions: Research and document the people, places and context referenced
5.  Outcome: Write a one- to two-sentence summary of what you learned and anchor the verse to your life

“We are so excited to partner with Kristy Cambron on verse mapping,” said John Raymond, vice president and publisher of Trade Curriculum for HarperCollins Christian Publishing.   “This creative new approach to Bible study will bring scripture alive for so many people and it will help HarperCollins Christian Publishing accomplish our mission of meeting the needs of people by publishing resources that promote biblical principles.”

In both studies, Cambron provides step-by-step instructions on what readers need and how to get started in verse mapping. Designed for independent study, all sizes of groups, and all age-ranges, verse mapping is for people who want more depth when studying God’s Word. Consisting of six video sessions each, both “Luke: Gathering the Goodness of God’s Word” and “Acts: Feasting on the Abundance of God’s Word” guide the reader through verse mapping a small section of scripture. The accompanying Bible study guide includes diagrams for verse mapping, discussion questions and group activity prompts.

“If you’re not a seminary-trained theologian by education, don’t worry—Verse mapping is for anyone with a heart to know the Word of God more,” writes Cambron. “What matters is not how much knowledge you have before you begin, but where the journey takes you. The goal is to experience a deeper, more personal walk with Jesus, with the Bible as the field manual on your story road with Him.”

For more information on verse mapping visit versemapping.com.

About Thomas Nelson: Thomas Nelson is a world leading publisher and provider of Christian content and has been providing readers with quality inspirational product for more than 200 years. As part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., the publishing group provides multiple formats of award-winning Bibles, books, gift books, cookbooks, curriculum and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information visit www.thomasnelson.com.

Media Contact:  Caren Wolfe, marketing director, ChurchSource, StudyGateway, Curriculum
tel: 615-902-2139  email: Caren.Wolfe@harpercollins.com

On May 3, three representatives from SIL International presented Zondervan Academic with a plaque to thank them for providing some of the world’s top biblical resources to support efficient and accurate Bible translation work around the world.

SIL also presented a copy of their newest translation of the New Testament, in the “Salasaca Quichua” language, which is spoken by a population of about 14,300 in Ecuador.

The text of the plaque reads: “With sincere gratitude to Zondervan Academic for their generosity and commitment in contributing Scripture and study resources. These are invaluable to increasing the pace and quality of Bible translation around the world. SIL International.”

In March, SIL International and Zondervan Academic announced their partnership in working together to aid global Bible translation efforts.

From left to right in the above photo:
Stephen Quakenbush (Director of Strategic Initiatives for International Language Services, SIL International)
Paul O’Rear (Associate International Translation Coordinator, SIL International)
Doug Lockhart (SVP, Bible Marketing and Outreach, Zondervan)
Stan Gundry (SVP and publisher, Zondervan)
James Roberts (Associate Executive Director, SIL International)

Win Marks 13^th ECPA Award for Chuck Swindoll

CAROL STREAM, ILL. (May 9, 2018) –Tyndale House Publishers (@tyndalehouse) is pleased to announce that The Swindoll Study Bible NLT has been recognized as the Evangelical Christian Publishing Association (ECPA) 2018 Christian Book Award winner in the Bibles category. The win marks the 13^th time that Chuck Swindoll, senior pastor at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, and founder of Insight for Living, has captured an ECPA Christian Book Award. The announcement was made at the ECPA Awards Celebration, which was held on May 1 at the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC during the ECPA Leadership Summit.

“We are thrilled to congratulate Pastor Swindoll on winning the Christian Book Award for The Swindoll Study Bible. It really is a testament to his faithfulness and lifelong commitment to providing biblical insight for living,” said Kevin O’Brien, Study Bible and Reference Brand Manager.

When informed of the win, Chuck responded, “How wonderful! I am amazed and grateful for this award and truly delighted to think they felt the study Bible was worthy.”

A third printing of The Swindoll Study Bible is underway, with new LeatherLike editions and a large print edition releasing this fall.

The Swindoll Study Bible, which released in October 2017, brings the best of Chuck Swindoll’s wit, charm, pastoral insight, and wise biblical study directly to you as you study God’s Word. Chuck’s warm, personal style comes across on every page, and his informed, practical insights get straight to the heart of the Bible’s message for the world today. It will both encourage readers’ faith and draw them deeper into the study of God’s Word.

In Chuck’s own words: “This study Bible was designed with you in mind. As you read the Scriptures, imagine my sitting beside you and sharing personal stories, important insights, and hard-earned lessons that will encourage you to walk more closely with Jesus Christ. You’ll discover the who, what, where, when, why, and how of the Bible: Who wrote it and when? What does it mean, and where did its events occur? Why should I trust it? And most importantly, how can I apply it today?

“It’s that last question more than any other that has fed my passion to publish this Bible. My primary focus in ministry has been teaching biblical insight for living . . . for genuine life change. After all, that’s why God has communicated His Word to us—so that we may become like His Son, Jesus Christ, the central figure of this Book.”

The Christian Book Award program has recognized the absolute highest quality in Christian books since 1978. Based on excellence in content, literary quality, design, and impact, the Christian Book Award program is the oldest and among the most prestigious awards in the religious publishing industry. ChristianBookAwards.com  @CBAwards #ChristianBookAwards

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org  ECPA.org  @ECPA

Tyndale House Publishers, founded in 1962, is the world’s largest privately held Christian publisher of books, Bibles, and digital media. Tyndale has published many New York Times bestsellers. The largest portion of its profit goes to the nonprofit Tyndale House Foundation, which makes grants to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people around the world. Tyndale was founded to publish Living Letters, which later comprised part of The Living Bible, a contemporary paraphrase of the Bible that became a global publishing phenomenon. Tyndale now publishes the Holy Bible, New Living Translation (NLT), the translation of choice for millions of people.