Scripps National Spelling Bee Educates And Entertains With First Children's Book, "Feed Me Words"

News provided by

Sep 20, 2016, 09:00 ET

CINCINNATI, Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scripps National Spelling Bee is sharing its passion for words, spelling and vocabulary through its first venture into the world of children's books with "Feed Me Words." The book, written by Kris Hirschmann, illustrated by James K. Hindle and published by Roaring Brook Press, was developed in partnership with the Bee and includes stories, puzzles and activities that are perfect for sharing at snack time or around the dinner table.

Scripps National Spelling Bee has made its first venture into the world of children's books with "Feed Me Words," published by Roaring Brook Press.

Through dozens of word puzzles, spelling brain teasers and vocabulary-filled stories, readers can play with language, investigate sneaky silent letters and test their understanding of homonyms, synonyms and palindromes. Lessons through stories include colorful illustrations and information sidebars with tips, tricks, trivia and interactive exercises.

"Our purpose is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English language usage that will help them all their lives," said Paige Kimble, executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. "'Feed Me Words' helps us to reach beyond the millions involved in our program to touch young readers and their families and encourage them to play with language through stories, puzzles and colorful drawings. They'll be having so much fun, they won't realize how much they've learned in the process."

"What an incredible opportunity to join our passion for storytelling with the Bee's passion for words and language," said Simon Boughton, senior vice president and publishing director at Roaring Brook Press. "Our mission as publishers — to engage, entertain and inform kids with books and reading — and the Scripps National Spelling Bee's mission to expand kids' vocabulary make a great match and wonderful publishing partnership."

The 96-page hardcover book is for children ages 6-10. It retails for $17.99 and is available through many retail outlets including Amazon.

Author Kris Hirschmann has been a busy children's book author for more than 20 years. She spells many, many words each day — most of them correctly.

Previous work by illustrator James K. Hindle includes "The Mothman's Curse" by Christine Hayes. His other credits include illustrations for The New York Times, The Boston Globe, NYU Press and others.

"Feed Me Words" is the first of a four-book series with Roaring Brook Press. Future titles will include the geography-themed "Spell Across America" in May 2017, just in time for the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee, and next fall, a black-and-white paperback with tear-out pages with fun lessons for a vocabulary word — perfect for a lunchbox. The fourth book is in development.

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee:
The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation's largest and longest-running educational program. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all of their lives. Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company.

About Scripps:
The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, radio and digital media brands. Scripps is one of the nation's largest independent TV station owners, with 33 television stations in 24 markets and a reach of nearly one in five U.S. households. It also owns 34 radio stations in eight markets. Scripps also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses, including satire and humor video and web brand Cracked, podcast industry leader Midroll Media and over-the-top video news service Newsy. Scripps also produces television shows including "THE LIST" and "The Now" and runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way."

About Macmillan:
Macmillan is a global publisher of books, magazines, textbooks, scientific information, and digital content and services. In the U.S., the group includes Farrar, Straus & Giroux; Henry Holt; St. Martin's Press; Tor Books; Picador; Macmillan Audio; Bedford St. Martin's; W.H. Freeman; Worth Publishers; i-clicker; Hayden-McNeil; Palgrave Macmillan; Macmillan Children's Publishing Group; and Scientific American Magazine. Macmillan is a subsidiary of Verlagsgruppe Georg von Holtzbrinck, GMbH, a global media company based in Stuttgart, Germany.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160919/409423
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151020/278609LOGO

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company