FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Samantha Wolfert 212/343-6847 (ph) swolfert@scholastic.comNew York Times bestselling author Patrick Carman launches new children’s series based on hometown ParkElliot’s Park Book #1: Saving Mister Nibbles By Patrick CarmanWhat began as a simple walk in a beloved park is at the heart of a new chapter book series from Washington State author Patrick Carman, bestselling and critically acclaimed author of the Land of Elyon series. Elliot’s Park, Carman’s new series for readers ages 6-8 follows Elliot the squirrel and his friends as they go on exciting adventures and solve problems together. The Elliot’s Park series launches in March 2008 with Elliot’s Park Book#1: Saving Mr. Nibbles.”One of my daughters and I have long enjoyed walking in Pioneer Park in our hometown of Walla Walla, Washington,” explains Carman. “It’s a big, beautiful park filled with a lively bunch of squirrels. One day a pair of those squirrels darted past us, raced up the side of a tree, and stared down at us.” It was then that Mr. Carman’s nine year old daughter, Reece, looked up at her father and said: “You should write a story about this park and make all the characters squirrels.” Mr. Carman was instantly captivated by the idea, beginning the process of the Elliot’s Park series.”The map of Elliot’s Park in the book perfectly mirrors Pioneer Park in Walla Walla,” continues Mr. Carman. “That really makes it magical for me as a writer. When I need inspiration for a new story all I have to do is walk to the park, grab a seat, and watch what happens. It’s amazing how quickly stories start to appear.” The writing process is a departure for the traditional novelist, whose longer books are almost always a solitary pursuit. Reece Carman helps dig up the Elliot’s Park stories, and she’s the first to see outlines, first drafts, and polished submissions.”Reece has a good eye for detail and humor, says the author. “And she really cares about the characters. I couldn’t imagine a better collaborator for Elliot’s Park. We’re about to start our fourth story and are enjoying the process more than ever. We started when she was nine, now she’s ten. I hope we’re still writing Elliot’s Park stories when she’s twenty.”Mr. Carman also admits to being excited about someday walking under the trees of a familiar park with his grandkids, reading the stories he and his daughter have created. To find out more about Elliot’s Park and Pioneer Park in Walla Walla, Washington and for a guided squirrel tour and audio chapter, visit www.elliotspark.com.About the Author: Patrick Carman is the New York Times bestselling author of The Land of Elyon series, which includes The Dark Hills Divide, Beyond the Valley of Thorns, The Tenth City, and Into the Mist. He has visited more than 450 schools, presenting to groups of up to 1,000 students. Mr. Carman lives in Walla Walla, Washington with his wife and two daughters. Elliot’s Park Book 1: Saving Mister Nibbles By Patrick Carman Orchard Books/ Scholastic Publication Date: April 2008 ISBN-10: 0-545-01930-3; ISBN-13: 978-0-545-01930-9 $8.99 / Ages 6-8COMING SOON: Elliot’s Park #2: Haunted Hike August 2008

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