| Verizon Foundation Calls on New York Times' Bestselling Author/Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds as 2008 Thinkfinity Champion Reynolds invites kids and grown-up kids to 'make their mark' through reading, writing, and creativity BOSTON, MA - May 2008 - Internationally acclaimed author, illustrator, and educator Peter H. Reynolds is about to embark on a new vocation: literacy champion. Recently, Reynolds, who wrote The Dot, Ish and So Few of Me, and illustrated New York Times Bestseller Someday, was named Verizon Thinkfinity Champion for 2008. Reynolds joins past honorees including renowned vocalist Al Jarreau, Boston Red Sox Team Captain Jason Varitek, world-class athlete and advocate for the visually impaired Erik Weihenmayer, CBS television star Eric Close, and Oscar-nominated actor Sean Astin. Recognized by the Verizon Foundation, Verizon Thinkfinity Champions are heralded as locally and nationally prominent celebrities who volunteer time to raising community awareness, increasing funding, and garnering support for a diverse range of adult, child, and family literacy programs. "The Verizon Foundation is thrilled to have Peter H. Reynolds as an ambassador for our education program," says Foundation executive Lou Laste. "Peter has embraced the theme of lifelong learning and creativity in his many books and educational projects, and as a Thinkfinity Champion we know his passion and enthusiasm will be contagious." Reynolds shares his creative energy by serving key roles in Boston-based literacy organizations, including Everybody Wins! Metro Boston, Literary Lights for Children, Reach Out and Read, and ReadBoston. In November 2007, he helped Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino kick off ReadBoston's Early Words Campaign by designing a mural for the program in Boston's South End Settlements. Along with his creative and philanthropic pursuits, Reynolds co-founded, with his identical twin brother Paul, FableVision, Inc., an award-winning educational multimedia company dedicated to helping all learners discover their true potential. "Like the Verizon Foundation, FableVision is dedicated to engaging and empowering children and 'grown-up children,'" Reynolds says. "To me, this award represents a great partnership on behalf of a very important cause-instilling a 'can-do' creative spirit in millions of kids and adults." FableVision channels its ideals into an educational product library that combines a curriculum-based approach to reading and math skills with gaming fun. Literacy software titles include Stationery Studio, a writing program, and Get a Clue, a vocabulary-building program. FableVision's Educational Products Division is managed by Jane Reynolds, Executive Partner at FableVision and sister of Peter and Paul. Jane notes, "Our classroom products embrace the true meaning of 'literacy,' which includes not just reading but writing and critical thinking." Together, Peter and Paul established the Blue Bunny Book & Toy Shop in their hometown of Dedham, MA. The Blue Bunny's mission is to offer books and stories that nurture active, creative expression. "There's no 'single route' to delivering messages that inspire," Peter says. "In my career, I've discovered that the opportunities to impart positivity and hope are boundless." About FableVision, Inc. FableVision (www.fablevision.com) is on a 200-year mission to bring the world to a better place through media, storytelling, and technology. Headquartered at the Boston Children's Museum in Boston, with offices in Dedham, Massachusetts, Portland, Oregon, and London, FableVision enjoys an international reputation for its unique brand of innovative, technology-delivered storytelling and learning. FableVision, Inc. recently paired with Toon Boom to develop Animation-ish, basic animation software that lets children of all ages "make their marks...move." FableVision's other partners and clients include PBS, Jim Henson Company, Maryland Public Television, MIT Educational Arcade, Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, Nickelodeon/Noggin, the Research Institute for Learning Development, and Boston University. About the Verizon Foundation Part of Verizon Communications, the Verizon Foundation funds programs that address the heart of social issues such as literacy, technology education, and domestic violence. In 2007, they awarded more than $69.4 million in grants to charitable and nonprofit agencies serving the needs of diverse communities. Verizon employees donated more than 485,000 hours in 2007 as part of the Verizon Volunteer initiative, one of the largest employee-volunteer programs in the United States. For more information, visit www.verizon.com/foundation. About Peter H. Reynolds Peter H. Reynolds' creative journey began in his 7th grade math class, when his teacher pulled him aside for drawing during lessons. Rather than scolding, Reynolds' teacher gave him a project: combine art and storytelling to illuminate a math concept. Decades later, as author and illustrator of numerous bestsellers (The Dot, Ish, So Few of Me), creator of popular animated film shorts (The Blue Shoe, Living Forever, He Was Me), and co-founder of educational multimedia company FableVision, Reynolds has made it his mission to promote off-the-path learning and deliver "stories that matter." His cornerstone work, The North Star (FableVision), has inspired children and "grown-up children" around the world as a book, curriculum, and musical. Reynolds has illustrated the New York Times bestselling Judy Moody series (Candlewick Press), as well as the cover of Judy Blume's Fudge series (Dutton). In 2007, Reynolds' illustrations for Alison McGhee's Someday netted the storybook Amazon.com's Best Picture Book of 2007 award. |
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