Grandparents.com Announces Groundbreaking Partnership Connecting the Generations Through Reading

NEW YORK, June 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Grandparents.com GPCM and its benefits organization, the American Grandparents Association (AGA), announced today that it has officially joined forces with Peek-A-Boo Publishing Group (PABPG) to launch a significant partnership publishing books for children. This unique collaboration will produce a series of books transforming the way grandparents are portrayed in children's literature.

"Typically grandparents are shown in children's picture books as old, grey-haired women sporting a bun and glasses; or balding, stooped men with moth-eaten cardigans. That simply is not what grandparents look like in 2016," according to AGA Chairman and CEO Steve Leber. "There are 72 million grandparents in the U.S. and the average age of a first-time grandparent is 48. It is time we reflect the modern, boomer grandparent."

The 21^st century grandparent is part of the rapidly-growing and financially powerful 50+ demographic who buy books for their grandchildren as part of an overall annual spend of $60 billion across all children's categories. However, since the late 1980s, fewer and fewer published children's titles positively feature, or even include, grandparents in the story line.

"The AGA believes every grandparent deserves to be celebrated and portrayed in children's literature as vital, active and engaged," said Leber. "So many grandparents contact us every year to express their disappointment that they are not accurately represented—or not represented at all—in children's picture book stories today, so it's especially important that Peek-A-Boo Publishing Group agrees, and has taken the lead with us."

"Partnering with the AGA to create a book club makes total sense for Peek-A-Boo Publishing Group's mission," said Don Hoffman, founder and managing partner of PABPG. "Grandparents are a critical part of our everyday fabric, and more children's stories must be written that feature grandparents in situations where they are actively involved in the world around them. Grandparents must be reflected in stories as a part of grandchildren's lives!"

The AGA book club begins today with the introduction of a series of books AGA recommends. These titles will be made available on www.grandparents.com at a special AGA-only discount. On Grandparents Day, September 11, 2016, AGA will announce plans on publishing its first original title that will be available for sale both online and in-stores worldwide.

Another key objective of the newly formed book club is to provide a new creative opportunity by discovering and publishing boomer and senior authors. "As the publishing industry continues to shrink, boomer authors have found it nearly impossible to find a publisher that will give them, and their stories, a chance. We will give boomer authors that chance, as PABPG's titles are distributed exclusively through IPG and are available worldwide at big box stores and other booksellers," Hoffman added.

About Grandparents.com, Inc. 
Grandparents.com, Inc. GPCM is a digital media company that focuses on services for America's 72 million grandparents and their families, by providing information on topics that matter most to this demographic – health & wellness, money, family, travel and more. Through its membership association, The American Grandparents Association, Grandparents.com offers members access to special benefits including discounts and rebates on products, services, and certain insurance products. With approximately 10 million annual site visitors and 2 million registered users, the American Grandparents Association and its content site, Grandparents.com, is a leading resource for people 50+. Visit www.americangrandparentsassociation.com or www.grandparents.com

About Peek-A-Boo Publishing Group 
PABPG is an exciting new approach to quality children's literature, which curates its collection through an organic creative process, driven by authors. This process results in enduring tales that celebrity individuality and diversity. PABPG features three imprints, each focusing on diversity of all backgrounds. Titles are distributed by Independent Publisher's Group (IPG). In addition, PABPG's Brand Licensing creates educational activities and toys—including coloring books, stickers, plush toys and games—to inspire the imaginations of young readers.

Media Contact:
Deborah Burns
646-839-8830
dburns@grandparents.com

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SOURCE Grandparents.com, Inc.