Children’s Publisher Partners with St. Paul Public School District for Hmong and Somali Interactive Books

Minneapolis, MN, April 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Minnesota children’s book publisher Capstone Publishers has partnered with the St. Paul Public Schools district to develop bilingual Hmong/English and Somali/English interactive books. The publisher worked with the district’s English Language Learner (ELL) Department to translate four titles in its popular and award-winning book series A Visit To. The series, published under its imprint Capstone Press, shows young readers familiar places in their community and was selected for translation because of its universal kid appeal.

“Our student population at St. Paul Public Schools is rich in diversity, so in addition to reaching out to our own students, we have the opportunity to provide multilingual education to other schools, programs, and communities throughout Minnesota, helping us all better understand the world in which we live,” said Heidi Bernal, director of Saint Paul's English Language Learner programs. “We were so excited Capstone Publishers approached us with this project. It will be a helpful resource in ELL instruction in our district, as well as in schools nationwide with Hmong and Somali populations.”

The bilingual interactive titles allow users to switch from English to Hmong and Somali, highlighting words as they are read aloud in the story. The engaging format develops students’ reading skills and increases their reading confidence and motivation while supporting classroom curriculum.

“We are fortunate to live in such a diverse state as Minnesota where our community of Hmong and Somali is among the largest in the nation,” said Matt Keller, President of Capstone Publishers’ nonfiction division. “We were given a wonderful opportunity to partner with St. Paul Public Schools’ translation services to create these interactive books which will provide bilingual and ELL students with important dual language experiences. Our high-kid-appeal books build readers’ confidence and skills.”

The books are part of the Capstone Interactive LibraryTM, which includes nearly 200 titles. They are available to schools and libraries in a site-based network version or in a CD-Rom format. Order by calling 888-740-8907.

About Capstone Publishers
Capstone Publishers is the leading publisher of children’s books for school and public libraries, offering nonfiction, fiction, picture books, interactive and audio books, and literacy programs for students from preK to high school. With an emphasis on high-kid-appeal and innovation, our companies include Capstone Press, Compass Point Books, Picture Window Books, Stone Arch Books, Red Brick Learning, and Heinemann-Raintree.

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