BOSTON, Jan. 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Learning
company Houghton Mifflin
Harcourt (HMH) is introducing iconic globetrotting
super-thief Carmen Sandiego to a new generation, beginning
with the launch of a brand new animated series debuting
Jan. 18 on Netflix and produced by
HMH.
To celebrate Carmen's return, HMH partnered with Miami-Dade County Public Schools this week to
bring nearly 2,000 students together for a live event with
superstar Gina Rodriguez, the new
voice of Carmen. Thousands of students nationwide, from
Boston to Milwaukee to Chicagoland, joined the fun
virtually via live stream.
At the event, fifth and sixth graders from Miami competed in a Carmen-themed game show
while connecting with Gina and learning more about geography and
global exploration. Each student in attendance received the new
Who in the World is Carmen Sandiego? hardcover book, and HMH
is donating an additional 6,000 copies to classrooms across
Miami-Dade County.
"Carmen is a cultural touchstone who needs little
introduction—the star of multiple computer games, TV shows, and
educational resources used at school and at home, the mysterious
heroine in the red fedora was inescapable for those who grew up
with her," said HMH's Caroline
Fraser, head of HMH Productions. "We are thrilled to be
expanding her story and sharing her with kids today—and
reconnecting with their teachers and families as well!"
"Miami-Dade County Public
Schools is elated to partner with HMH to mark the return of Carmen
Sandiego, introducing this mastermind of mischief to a new
generation of students," said Superintendent of Schools
Alberto M. Carvalho. "An additional
resource for learning at school and at home, the Carmen Sandiego
series is replete with worldwide adventures that provide lessons in
geography, and the central character exhibits strength and
intelligence—all of which make watching and learning from the
series fun and exciting for students."
Carmen's return will include:
- Netflix Animated Series: In the 1990s, Carmen Sandiego
inspired millions of kids to learn and love geography, history and
culture. On Jan. 18, the new
Carmen Sandiego series, starring Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) as
Carmen and Finn Wolfhard
(Stranger Things) as her tech-whiz sidekick, Player, will
capture the hearts and minds of a new generation by bringing
viewers inside Carmen's world, revealing for the first time her
identity as a modern day Robin Hood
traveling the globe and stealing from V.I.L.E. and giving back to
its victims. Caroline Fraser, head
of HMH Productions, is Executive Producer of the series, and
Duane Capizzi, known for
Transformers Prime and The Batman, is the
showrunner.
- Book Series: HMH's Carmen Sandiego 2019 publishing
program will kick off with Who in the World Is Carmen
Sandiego? on Jan. 22. Available
in both Spanish and English and featuring a foreword by
Gina Rodriguez, this novelization
based on the Netflix series uncovers the story behind the enigmatic
thief. This summer, HMH will publish The Sticky Rice Caper,
a graphic novel, and Clue by Clue, an original middle grade
story. Four additional Carmen books in a range of formats will
follow later in 2019.
- Carmen in the Classroom: As one of the first-ever "ed
tech" brands, Carmen's legacy in the classroom is unmatched. This
week's announcement signifies Carmen's return to schools, including
a host of high-quality resources and opportunities to leverage
Carmen's global capers as teaching tools connected to her focus on
geography, history and culture. These include lesson plans mapped
to Carmen episodes, Google Earth and Google Expeditions games,
original digital content and Carmen-themed instructional videos
designed for classroom settings, a school-focused Carmen Sandiego
webpage with free resources, downloadable activities and more.
- Live-Action Movie: Netflix has announced a Carmen
Sandiego live-action feature film starring Gina Rodriguez, written by Mark Perez (Game Night), and produced by
Kevin Misher, Gina Rodriguez and Caroline Fraser of HMH. Release is slated for
2020.
"Carmen Sandiego has always inspired children to learn about,
respect and celebrate other cultures, and those values are core to
who we are as a learning company here at HMH," notes Amy Dunkin, Chief Marketing Officer, HMH.
"Carmen's adventures are an engaging complement to the classroom
experience for a new generation of students and their teachers. As
a whip-smart, creative and brave Latina heroine, Carmen is a
special role model for students who may not often see themselves
represented in books and on screen."
"As the voice of Carmen, I have the opportunity to portray the
type of fearless and empowered woman that I want to be," writes
Gina Rodriguez in her foreword to
Who in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? "Carmen stands up for
what she believes in. She gives opportunity to those who have none,
and that's why she is a role model to me."
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ: HMHC) is a global
learning company committed to delivering integrated solutions that
engage learners, empower educators and improve student outcomes. As
a leading provider of K–12 core curriculum, supplemental and
intervention solutions and professional learning services, HMH
partners with educators and school districts to uncover solutions
that unlock students' potential and extend teachers' capabilities.
HMH serves more than 50 million students and 3 million educators in
150 countries, while its award-winning children's books, novels,
non-fiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout
the world. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.
About HMH Productions
HMH Productions is a content
incubator, production company, and brand manager with expertise
across all media platforms. As part of the largest K-12 education
companies in the country and one of the oldest and most celebrated
publishers, HMH Productions is uniquely positioned to identify book
properties with media potential while building a pipeline of
original IP developed in-house. It produces TV, film, and
interactive media, from conception through launch, handling
marketing, product licensing, and promotions for HMH's major
franchises, which include Carmen Sandiego and The Oregon Trail.
Contact
Leah
Riviere
Senior Communications Manager
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
617-351-5020
leah.riviere@hmhco.com
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