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Classics Illustrated Graphic Novels Are Re-born Bringing To Life The Great Stories From Children's Literature

In WH Smith from 25th September
Classic Comic Store Ltd is launching two series of graphic novels – Classics Illustrated and Classics Illustrated Junior - based on the original works first published more than 60 years ago. Classics Illustrated bring to life the works of Dickens, Shakespeare, Verne, Wells and Louis Stevenson whilst the Junior series adapts the classical Fairy and Folk stories from legends such as Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm both in comic strip form.

W.H. Smith are taking both series, which will be on the shelves on 25th September, starting with The War of the Worlds for readers in the 8 to 14 age bracket and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs for younger readers in the 5 to 8 years range. They will also be available in selected Borders and other high street retailers and independent newsagents. The new series will also be distributed throughout Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland.

Classics Illustrated and Classics Junior are being launched in the UK by Classic Comic Store Ltd. Jeff Brooks, Managing Director is a collector and authority on classic comics and graphic novels. Classic Comic Store Ltd works under licence with Jack Lake Productions of Canada who hold the copyright on behalf of First Classics Inc. and has had the illustrations digitally enhanced to give a fresh feel both in colour and quality of graphics.

Brooks comments - "These timeless novels remind us of the great adventure stories from our youth and still impart their magic today. At a time when we see children reading less and our literacy rates are a great worry, the graphic novel has the potential to get reluctant readers engaged in these wonderful stories. We can see these being widely supported in Schools as well and we have added new material to stretch the reader with discussion topics and a timeline of what was happening in the world when the book was first published."

Classics Illustrated and Classics Illustrated Juniors are abridged versions of classic works in strip form and bring the books to a wide audience in a simple but engaging way. Adults with learning difficulties and immigrant groups keen to learn written English will also find them very useful.

Next in Classics Illustrated monthly series are Oliver Twist, Robin Hood, The Man in the Iron Mask, Romeo and Juliet and A Journey to the Centre of the Earth. The Junior titles will continue with The Ugly Duckling, Cinderella, The Pied Piper, The Sleeping Beauty, The 3 Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Brooks concludes – "These classic novels have introduced several generations of children to the greatest characters in literature – Oliver Twist, Long John Silver, d'Artagnan, Quasimodo and Hamlet, to name just a few – and have fuelled their desire to read the original works. Our hope is that they will enjoy them as much as we did!"

Classics Illustrated will retail at £2.99 and Classics Illustrated Junior at £2.50 Discounts will be given to schools. Subscriptions and individual copies will be available from the website from 1st September.

www.classicsillustrated.co.uk

Background

First published in America in 1941, the original series ran until 1971 with over 1 billion sold worldwide; it is estimated that some 3 million were printed per month in over two dozen languages. From 1943 they were distributed to American GIs via the Red Cross and over 5 million were sent to US soldiers across the world.

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Currently reading: The Tent The Bucket and Me by Emma Kennedy and Granny The Pag by Nina Bawden

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lovely treez · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject:

Ah, thank you for this, Anne. I might be able to drag Luke (

away from non fiction with these! Very reasonably priced too!
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Currently reading - The Italian Boy - Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - Sarah Wise

eightlegs · Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

They do sound good don't they, and as you say Treez, good prices.

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