Stone Arch Books and DC Comics Collaborate on New Super Hero Series Books Inspire Hero-Themed Writing Contest, Winner to Star as Character in Super Hero Series
Stone Arch Books is sponsoring FIND A HERO!, a writing contest for students in grades 3-6. The first place winner will receive a once in a lifetime opportunity to star in one of the upcoming DC SUPER HEROES books alongside a DC Comics super hero.

MANKATO, MN, February 12, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Stone Arch Books, children's book publisher of fiction graphic novels and chapter books, has partnered with DC Comics to publish DC SUPER HEROES, a new book series based around DC Comics' iconic characters BATMAN and SUPERMAN.

Debuting this month with 12 titles, DC SUPER HEROES pairs new stories by Stone Arch Books authors with original art by DC Comics illustrators. The full-color chapter books feature contemporary adventure and crime fighting tales with appropriate language and content for students in elementary grades. The series will include a total of 48 titles published over a two-year span. Chapter books based on DC's WONDER WOMAN character will be introduced in Spring 2010.

"The new, thrilling stories with familiar characters like BATMAN and SUPERMAN will spark an interest and engage striving and reluctant readers," said Joan Berge, President of Capstone Publishers' fiction division. "These books are unlike any other books in the market. Our DC SUPER HEROES series features new stories and original art in a chapter book format, helping readers transition from picture books and beginning readers to short paragraphs and chapters with lots of action."

Inspired by this new series, Stone Arch Books is sponsoring FIND A HERO!, a writing contest for students in grades 3-6. Students nationwide are invited to write about a real hero at their school, describing what makes the person a hero in their eyes. Does their hero have "superpowers"? Students are encouraged to be creative with their stories.

The first place winner will receive a once in a lifetime opportunity to star in one of the upcoming DC SUPER HEROES books alongside a DC Comics super hero. The winning student along with his/her hero, school, and principal will be incorporated into the storyline.

The top 50 entrants will receive two free Stone Arch DC SUPER HEROES chapter books, one for the student and one for the school library. The contest runs through Feb. 28, 2009. Entry forms are available at www.CapstonePub.com/DCHeroes. Entries become the property of Stone Arch Books and will not be returned. Winning entrants will be notified by March 15, 2009. Students enrolled in public or private schools are eligible to enter.

For a sneak peek inside DC SUPER HEROES, go to www.StoneArchBooks.com/Heroes. The series is available in hardcover ($25.32 (List)/$18.99 (School/Library) and paperback ($5.95) formats. Backmatter includes writing prompts and discussion questions to further extend the story. Order online at www.StoneArchBooks.com or by calling 800-421-7731.

DC Super Heroes
56 pages each
Copyright Ó2009
Hardcover Price $18.99 (S/L) / $25.32 (List)
Paperback Price $5.95
Interest Level: Ages 8-12
Reading Level: Ages 7-8

About Stone Arch Books
Stone Arch Books publishes funny, scary, mysterious and adventurous novels and SAFE graphic novels that kids from elementary through junior high school find irresistible. Offers kids exciting choices that meet their interests, Stone Arch Books transforms reluctant readers into reading enthusiasts. Stone Arch Books is part of Capstone Publishers, a family-owned group of children's book publishers supporting the reading needs of preK to high school students through nonfiction, fiction, picture books, interactive and audiobooks, and literacy programs. For more information on Stone Arch Books, visit www.StoneArchBooks.com.

About DC Comics
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, and the SANDMAN. These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. Visit DC Comics' website at www.DCComics.com for more information.

Press Release Contact Information:

Jennifer Glidden
Capstone Publishers
Publicity
151 Good Counsel Drive
Mankato, MN
USA 56001
Voice: 952.224.0594
Fax: 952.933.2410
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