Golden Books To Publish Books Based on Bob Carlisle Hit Song

Posted on July 24, 1997

Golden Books Children's Publishing Group, a division of Golden Books Family Entertainment (NASDAQ: GBFE), announced today that it plans to partner with McSpadden-Smith Music to publish a book based on the chart-topping song, "Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. The book will be offered in three formats, a Little Golden Book, a Little Golden Storybook, and an audio book. All books will be available in November.

In the past year, Golden Books Family Entertainment has begun to unlock the Golden Books library, which includes a large array of classic Christian titles. In applying this new initiative, Golden Books plans to reissue these traditional classics while also expanding on this rich resource with new books that will become as treasured as the original Little Golden Books in years to come.

"Butterfly Kisses" is in keeping with the Golden Books plan in that, as a song, it already represents timeless childhood memories. Carlisle wrote the song as a gift for his 16-year-old daughter Brooke, a tribute to the relationship between fathers and daughters. He recorded the song on his current album, "Butterfly Kisses" (Shades of Grace), which has sold over two million copies and is the first album in contemporary Christian music to hit the number one position on the Billboard 200 album chart. In early July, the album was certified double platinum by the Record Industry Association of America.

"With this collaboration, we demonstrate our ability to get to market quickly with Golden Books products that reflect current popular trends - in this case a song that has proved to be a phenomenal success," said Patty Sullivan, Publisher, Golden Books Children's Publishing Group. "We are pleased to participate in advancing the wonderful concept of Bob Carlisle's 'Butterfly Kisses' through mass distribution of Golden Books."

"I remember reading Golden Books' stories to Brooke and Evan when they were young. The fact that Golden Books is publishing a book based on my song will allow this to reach children around the world," said Carlisle.