Contact:

Sheila Marie Everett
Publicity Manager, Scholastic
severett@scholastic.com
(212) 389-3786

Tracy van Straaten
VP, Publicity, Scholastic
tvanstraaten@scholastic.com
(212) 389-3782

Baseball-Themed Series Written with Wife Krystle Howard To Be Released in Spring 2015

NEW YORK, NY—May 20, 2014—Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, has acquired worldwide rights to publish a new baseball-themed book series by Major League Baseball first baseman Ryan Howard and his wife Krystle Howard, a former elementary school teacher. The first book in the Little Rhino chapter book series aimed at readers ages 7 to 10 will be released in Spring 2015. The deal was negotiated by CAA, and Debra Dorfman, VP and Publisher, Scholastic.

Ryan and Krystle Howard said, “Partnering with Scholastic on our Little Rhino book series has been a wonderful experience. We have a passion for education and understand the importance of engaging children to read. In this series, we’re bringing to life the excitement of baseball and pairing it with the challenges and life lessons our children face on a daily basis. We are truly excited for the readers to go with us, on this amazing journey, as they get to know and love Little Rhino.”

“We are truly excited about publishing the Little Rhino series with Ryan and Krystle Howard. They both deeply share Scholastic’s mission to get every child to not only learn to read but to love reading,” said Debra Dorfman. “Ryan and Krystle are role models who believe education is a priority in a child’s life, and it’s clear how dedicated they are to improving the lives of children.”

About Ryan and Krystle Howard

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Ryan Howard is the All-Star first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies. Nicknamed the Big Piece, he was the 2006 National League Most Valuable Player, the 2005 NL Rookie of the Year and reached 250 home runs faster than any player in Major League Baseball history. Ryan helped lead the team to a World Series championship in 2008, and a repeat as NLCS champions in 2009.

Krystle Howard is a Westchester University graduate, and as a former second-grade teacher, active in efforts to promote literacy. Together Ryan and Krystle Howard have formed The Ryan Howard Big Piece Foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children by promoting academic and athletic development and with the goal to engage students in the essential area of literacy, leading them on a path to a brighter future.