Reading Rainbow Features Author Lisa Manzione in New Educational App in Time for Back-To-School

BOCA RATON, FL, August 02, 2012

Award-winning author, Lisa Manzione will launch the first six books in her educational children's travel series, The Adventures of Bella and Harry, on the Reading Rainbow App late this fall.

Similar to the beloved PBS children's television series, featuring actor LeVar Burton, the Reading Rainbow app encourages children to read and connect to the world they live in. The app offers a trusted library of books with recommendations customized to a child's age, interests and reading habits. In addition, children can watch new and classic video field trips, enjoy activities and earn rewards for reading. Designed for children ages 3 to 9 the app has been topping charts in the Apple store since its release in June.

Reading Rainbow and Lisa Manzione will now bring hi-tech life to the two spunky pups, Bella and Harry. Children will learn about new places as Bella and Harry 'em-bark' on global adventures enhanced with interactive animations, activities and audio storytelling by Grammy-Award winner LeVar Burton , host of the popular Reading Rainbow television series.

"In today's increasing technological society, we have to look into all outlets to educate children," says author Lisa Manzione, "Reading Rainbow has been one of the most trusted educational brands, and I could not feel more honored for The Adventures of Bella and Harry to be included in their App with so many other award-winning titles."

By the end of the year, ten books from The Adventures of Bella and Harry series will be available within the App, which can be downloaded via the iTunes App Store. Once the app is downloaded, parents and children can unravel a world of travel with the globetrotting pets, Bella and Harry, as they visit exotic locales with their human owners. By introducing children to foreign customs, history, landmarks and languages at an early age, the interactive digital book series will stimulate children's imaginations and encourage a thirst for an understanding of the world in which they live.

The book series includes a wide range of exciting adventures with Bella and Harry including the pups visiting the Olympic hub, London. "Reading Rainbow is proud to be partnering with Lisa Manzione as we expand our library of quality children's literature. Our mission is to inspire children's love of reading and by including the award-winning Bella & Harry series in our app, we are excited to bring children everywhere these charming characters and fascinating places" noted Sangita Patel, President of Digital Publishing at Reading Rainbow.

For more information about Reading Rainbow's new app, visit http://www.rrkidz.com. Visit the official website of The Adventures of Bella and Harry at http://www.bellaandharry.com for more information on this entertaining and educational series.

About Lisa Manzione
First-time author Lisa Manzione has spent years traveling the world, gathering unique experiences to share in her award-winning children's book series, The Adventures of Bella & Harry. The daughter of a single parent who worked for a major airline, Lisa's enchantment with travel began at an early age. Later in life, as Lisa's own children grew up, she rekindled her passion for travel and the idea for the Bella and Harry series was born. Through the comedic and informative worldwide adventures of Bella and Harry, Lisa hopes to stimulate children's imaginations and inspire them to embrace the world in which they live. Lisa is currently a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). To learn more about Lisa, visit http://www.LisaManzione.com.

About Reading Rainbow
Reminding children of the next generation that they too CAN GO ANYWHERE, LeVar Burton's RRKidz is the kid's digital multimedia company behind the relaunch of his beloved Reading Rainbow brand. Co-founded with business partner and veteran entertainment producer Mark Wolfe, RRKidz expands on the mission that through the exploration of quality books, videos and games, kids can safely and enjoyably grow up in the digital age. Headquartered in Los Angeles and with offices in San Francisco, RRKidz holds the global rights to the Reading Rainbow brand through a partnership with series creator WNED-TV, a leading PBS station based in Buffalo, New York. The first product for RRKidz is the Reading Rainbow App, a reading adventure app now available on the iTunes store. RRKidz also holds rights from several other quality children's brands and will be releasing several new projects throughout 2012 and beyond.

For more information or to request a media interview, please contact Amber Clark at The Gab Group, 561-750-3500 or email amber@thegabgroup.com.