Jamaica to Star in New Beacon Street Girls Book

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - December 4, 2007 - The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and B*tween Productions have partnered to create the latest Beacon Street Girls® special adventure book, Katani’s Jamaican Holiday. Scheduled for release in May 2008, the fictional story, the latest in the successful book series, teaches tween girls to nurture their own family roots while they learn about Jamaica, its rich history, culture and lifestyle.

A Powerful Role Model

Set in Jamaica, the story targets a readership of tween girls aged 9 to 13, offering a powerful role model in one of its main characters, Katani, whose roots are Jamaican. Readers will be drawn into an authentic Jamaican experience as Katani explores the island. In search of a truly appropriate and knowledgeable author, the JTB and B*tween Productions sent out a call for submissions to children’s book authors throughout Jamaica. The author selected is Hazel D. Campbell from Kingston; Ms. Campbell has five published children’s books to her credit and has an intimate knowledge of Jamaica.

“We’re thrilled the Beacon Street Girls have chosen to make Jamaica a part of their world,” said Basil Smith, Jamaica’s Director of Tourism. “Jamaica offers a fascinating range of historic sites, including our forts, plantations and grand estates that all reflect the rich Jamaican heritage. The Beacon Street Girls team has gone to great lengths to present an accurate portrait of Jamaica today while immersing readers in our history, our traditions and our lifestyle. And the book is a smart way of addressing difficult issues that young girls face today.”

Chance to Win a Family Trip

A series of special in-store promotions, online and live book release events is planned to build excitement for Katani’s Jamaican Holiday. In the months leading up to the release, fans can enter an online sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Jamaica. The winners and their families will visit Jamaica together and sample the nation’s top family-friendly attractions. A special travel package is also being planned.

“The essence of a Beacon Street Girls book is to portray real-life experiences and issues through a rich, exciting story with realistic characters and authentic details,” said Addie Swartz, CEO of B*tween Productions. “Girls everywhere will be able to experience the real Jamaica through this story. As an added bonus, some lucky girls will have a chance to visit the destination.”