Sourcebooks, which six weeks ago launched its Put Me in the Story book platform that allows parents to personalize interactive picture books for children on the iPad, announced today a partnership with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind the Sesame Street franchise. Beginning in early February, select Sesame Street books will be added to the Put Me In The Story app and Web site. The first Sesame Street book to launch on the platform will be Elmo Loves You! by Sarah Albee, illustrated by Maggie Swanson, one of the company’s bestselling Sesame Street titles since it was first released in 1997. Elmo Loves You! will be available in February as an in-app purchase for $4.99. Custom print books will be available for $32.99.
"There have been several formats it's been in. This is just the next step," Jody Lefkowitz, Sesame Workshop's manager of corporate communications said of Elmo Loves You!, which has never gone out of print since it was published 16 years ago and has been produced in e-book format and as a DVD.
The second Sesame Street title to be added to Put Me in the Story will be What Makes You Giggle? by P.J. Shaw, illustrated by Tom Brannon. Its launch date has not yet been determined.
To date, the Put Me in the Story app and Web site includes five Sourcebook releases.
