FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   Hillary Brodsky 617.202.4109 hillary.brodsky@newmancom.com

THE BAMBOO DANCE  

Written by Cress Sia

Illustrated by Lisa Butler

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou

This quote was the business inspiration for Hartlyn Kids co-founders, Aisha Greene and Christine Mills. Hartlyn Kids is dedicated to bringing the diverse cultures of the world to children and their families through stories that engage and inspire. Each of the books describes the day in the life of a child from different parts of the globe and is written by local authors native to the countries represented.

Readers can start their travels with the Philippines with the first book in the collection, THE BAMBOO DANCE (Hartlyn Kids; ISBN: 978-061548-984-1; September 2011), written by Cress Sia and illustrated by Lisa Butler. In this book you will meet Paco and Diego, two Filipino boys, as they learn to dance the tinikling, the national dance of the Philippines. Along the way, they will learn that practice makes perfect, especially when you have the encouragement of your friend!

Journey with Paco and Diego and all the other special friends you will meet as you travel the globe...one book at a time.  And don’t forget your passport, where children can keep track of where they have “traveled” with the passport stickers available in each book and with our unique passport available for purchase only at Hartlynkids.com!

About Hartlyn Kids

Hartlyn Kids Media, LLC is an independent children’s book publishing company dedicated to exposing children and their parents to the diversity of cultures around the world. “The name Hartlyn comes from the two locations that each of the creators is from—Hartford and Brooklyn—and it also means full and joyous,” says co-founder Christine Mills.

Hartlyn Kids books are designed to give a true and authentic snapshot of the day in the life of a child from various regions around the globe. “The books are not only representations of the culture of the region but also each one is written by local authors who have immediate access to knowledge of the area. Each of the books is written with the global child of ANY age in mind,” say co-founder, Aisha Greene.

In each book, readers will learn about the richness and diversity of world cultures, while at the same time learning that we are not so different after all. With each book, the readers will have an interactive and intriguing experience of traveling the globe...one book at a time. Start with THE BAMBOO DANCE and travel to the Philippines today, and this fall, head to India with ADVENTURES THAT LEAD TO HOME.

About the Author and Illustrator

Cress Sia is the author of the Hartlyn Kids first book in the series, which is the Philippines story, THE BAMBOO DANCE. Cress grew up in the Philippines but spent a few years in the United States for some high school and college education. She is a pharmacist by day and a creative writer by night. She lives with her family in Cebu, Philippines.

Lisa Butler grew up in a small town in Connecticut and studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. She works in mixed media, and often incorporates found objects and materials into her illustrations. Lisa has traveled to France, The Netherlands, Haiti, and Anguilla, and loves the chance to learn about other cultures. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators of New York and Los Angeles. You can visit her website at www.lmbutler.com.

The Bamboo Dance

Written By Cress Sia and Illustrated by Lisa Butler

Hartlyn Kids Media, LLC; September 2011; $12.99; Hardcover

ISBN: 978-061548-984-1