Book Sense Stores to Join in Excitement of Zathura Opening

Matching the excitement of last year's release of the movie version of The Polar Express will be the November 11 release of the film version of Zathura, also based on a bestselling novel by Chris Van Allsburg. And to add to the opportunities for booksellers to cross promote with the film, Houghton Mifflin will be publishing a number of Zathura movie tie-ins in mid-October, including an early reader, a junior novel, a deluxe storybook, and more.

Zathura, like Van Allsburg's Jumanji, refers to a game that two children unwittingly begin to play, with dramatically unexpected results. The film's writers and director have been closely involved with such memorable fantasies as Jurassic Park, Spider-Man, Elf, and The Borrowers.

Beginning in late October, stores with Book Sense will be able to offer customers the chance to win $2,000 though participation in a sweepstakes promoting Zathura. Entries will be accepted by mail or online from October 23 to November 30.

Stores with Book Sense should be on the lookout for Zathura sweepstakes information, bookmarks, and easels in the October Red Box. Once the promotion begins, the official rules, prize details, and copies of the mail-in entry will be available at www.booksense.com.

Questions about the Zathura promotion and requests for materials should be addressed to Associate Book Sense Marketing Director Meg Smith at [email protected].