Scholastic and the National Audubon Society Form Major Publishing Partnership, Beginning with Launch of "National Audubon Society First Field Guides Series".

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 1997--Spring 1998 marks the beginning of a major partnership between Scholastic, the leading publisher and distributor of educational materials for children, and the National Audubon Society, the premier organization for nature study.

Beginning with the publication of the "National Audubon Society First Field Guides" -- the only true field guides available for children -- the agreement presents the opportunity for unlimited spin-offs.

From the same people who produce the best-selling field guides in America, the "National Audubon Society First Field Guides Series" is designed specifically for beginning naturalists. Adapting the world renowned National Audubon Society system of identification for children, these unique and modern field guides include beautiful, true-to-life, Audubon photography, stimulating graphics and lively fact-filled descriptions, as well as a special spotter's guide for quick reference. Additionally, the size of the guides and the vinyl, easy-to-clean covers, make them perfectly practical for use out in the field.

Scholastic will launch the following four titles in April, 1998: "National Audubon Society First Field Guides: Birds," "National Audubon Society First Field Guides: Rocks and Minerals," "National Audubon Society First Field Guides: Insects," and "National Audubon Society First Field Guides: Wildflowers." Four additional guides will be published.

"We are thrilled to be working with the National Audubon Society and to be publishing such an exciting, unique and important series," says Wendy Barish, Editorial Director, Scholastic Reference & Gallimard Publishing Scholastic Books. "The 'National Audubon Society First Field Guides Series' promises not only to help children quickly and easily identify species in the field, but also to educate them to respect and preserve the environment, a mission Scholastic shares with the National Audubon Society."

"Children are wonderfully inquisitive about the world around them, and 'National Audubon Society First Field Guides' will help in their exploration of the environment," said Katherine Santone, Director of Audubon Publishing. "The First Field Guides project reflects common ground between Scholastic and Audubon; we share a vision that educating children about the planet and its inhabitants will make them better stewards of the environment, now and when they become adults."

The decision to publish these guides took into consideration the facts that over 60 million people enjoy birding and that, last year alone, 16 million families took part in wildlife and environmental activities. The "National Audubon Society First Field Guides Series" will enable young nature enthusiasts to easily identify and distinguish bird species such as the Great Blue Heron, the Horned Puffin and the Cattle Egret; rocks and minerals including Sandstone, Pyrite, and Emerald; species of insects such as the Praying Mantis, the Giant Waterbug and the American Snout Butterfly; and wildflowers including Blackfoot Daisies, Rattlesnake Weed, and Cow Parsnip just to name a few. The lively, colorful design and easy to use format results in a field guide that is visually stimulating and chock-full of facts.

Andrew Stewart of Chanticleer Press and Jeff Stone of Blue Sky Enterprises are producing the series with the guidance of Scholastic and the National Audubon Society.

The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. The National Audubon Society is supported by 550,000 members in 518 Chapters throughout North America.

Scholastic Inc., founded in 1920 and headquartered in New York City, is the leading publisher and distributor of children's books and educational materials. The company also publishes computer software and produces video and television programming. Scholastic operates in the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Mexico and France.

CONTACT: Scholastic

Kris Moran, 212/343-4454

or

National Audubon Society

John Bianchi, 212/979-3026