Spiderwick books appearing in cereal boxes

Spiderwick Chronicles books will appear in specially marked boxes of Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Reese’s Puffs, Cookie Crisps and Honey Nut Cheerios in the US, from January 1 to March 1. Three different collectible books based on the second title in the Spiderwick series, The Seeing Stone, will appear in the boxes. This ties in to the launching of the Spiderwick film in February, but should encourage kids to pick up the books and read them.

The promotion is for 10-million boxes of cereal with books inside. Now that is some hefty book promotion!

Part of me winces at the books being paired with such sugary cereal. But part of me thinks–if it gets kids reading, isn’t it a good thing? I would have *loved* to have had a book as a “prize” inside a cereal box when I was a kid. Heck, I still would. (Anyone want to mail me one? )

I’m also betting that these books are smaller in size than the regular ones. There’s something about tiny-sized books that just appeals to me. It almost makes me want to go over the border, just to buy myself a box.

Thanks to Publishers Weekly Children’s book news for this.

January 23rd, 2008