New York, NY—June 22, 2017—Scholastic (NASDAQ: SCHL), the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, has acquired world English rights to three children’s books by Super Bowl champion and literacy crusader Malcolm Mitchell. Scholastic will release a newly-illustrated edition of The Magician’s Hat, a picture book that celebrates the beauty of children and parents discovering books together. Originally self-published by Mitchell, The Magician’s Hat (ISBN: 978-1-338-11454-6.) will be published by Scholastic Press on May 1, 2018, with two more original books to follow.

"Malcolm Mitchell's vision for sharing the joy of reading aligns perfectly with Scholastic's mission,” said Andrea Davis Pinkney, Vice President, Executive Editor, Scholastic. “We’re excited to partner with him to put books into kids’ hands. Malcolm is a literacy evangelist who inspires kids to reach for their highest ideals (and he happens to be a great football player too!). Welcoming him to Team Scholastic is a win-win.”

Acclaimed artist Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, who will illustrate the new Scholastic edition of The Magician’s Hat, agreed, “I am excited to work on a picture book that celebrates the power of reading. I love the idea that, through reading, adventures and dreams can come to life for children."

"Every child—no matter what the circumstances are, or the challenges they face— should be given the opportunity to open a book and discover the true magic that reading offers,” said Malcolm Mitchell. “Reading has truly reshaped my life, and gifted me a love for writing. I am very excited about partnering with Scholastic! Teaming up with such an accomplished group allows me to not only begin a career in writing, but also provides a phenomenal platform to advocate my message, along with Scholastic’s that picking up a book and reading can change your life. We hope to share the magic of reading with so many more children, so they can accomplish whatever goals they set for themselves.”

About the Book
A picture book for ages 4-8, The Magician’s Hat is about the wit and whimsy of a magic man who shows up unexpectedly at the town library’s Family Fun Day, and—poof!—reveals the most awe-inspiring treasure from his incredible batch of tricks—books that make every kid’s dream come true. The Magician’s Hat shows kids that reading is a fun adventure.

About Malcolm Mitchell
Football fans know that Malcolm Mitchell, 23, helped the New England Patriots win the Super Bowl in his rookie season, also being named to the 2017 NFL All-Rookie Team. Mitchell was drafted by the Patriots after a standout career at the University of Georgia.

Mitchell is also an author and crusader for children’s literacy. Mitchell self- published a children’s book, The Magician’s Hat, about a boy who knows the magical power of books, which earned him Georgia Children's Author of the Year in 2016. Malcolm founded a youth literacy initiative called Read with Malcolm.

The organization has two primary goals: 1) to introduce book ownership to students in households where reading is not a priority and 2) to improve literacy in schools with below grade-level reading skills. In 2015, Read with Malcolm launched Share the Magic Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, to promote the long-term benefits of being an active reader to students served by Title I schools and underserved communities. Malcolm Mitchell’s book, The Magician’s Hat, has been distributed to more than 30,000 students in schools, children’s hospitals and community service organizations.

Mitchell currently serves as the New England Patriots “Summer Reading Ambassador”, to encourage students to read as much as possible during the critical summer months.

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(Photo credit: Patrick Heagney)

About Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
Joanne Lew-Vriethoff is the acclaimed illustrator of many picture books, including Beautiful by Stacy McAnulty, named among School Library Journal’s 2016 “Books with a Message.” She is a Mom's Choice Gold Award medal winner whose illustrations can be found in The Dancing Pancake by Eileen Spinelli and Peace, Baby! by Linda Ashman. Joanne also is the illustrator of the forthcoming “Hilde Cracks the Case” series by Hilde Lysiak. She lives in Amsterdam with her husband and two children.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of print and digital instructional materials for pre-K to grade 12, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates quality books and ebooks, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, classroom magazines and other products that, in combination, offer schools customized solutions to support children’s learning both at school and at home. The Company also makes quality, affordable books available to all children through school-based book clubs and book fairs. With a 96 year history of service to schools and families, Scholastic continues to carry out its commitment to “Open a World of Possible” for all children. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

Scholastic Media contact:
Lauren Donovan
Director of Publicity
212-389-3786
ldonovan@scholastic.com