The Jim Henson Company Partners With Penguin Young Readers Group To Launch "The Dark Crystal" Author Quest

The world of The Dark Crystal began with the classic fantasy film, widely regarded as groundbreaking for its technological achievements in animatronics and puppetry. Released in 1982, the film, directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz and based on the designs of artist Brian Froud, is set in the world of Thra where the last two survivors of the Gelfling tribe embark on a dangerous journey with evil and mysterious creatures at every turn. The new novel series will be a prequel storyline, taking place before the time of the classic fantasy film, during the Gelfling Gathering in the early Age of Division.

ABOUT THE DARK CRYSTAL
Travel back in time to the fantasy world of Thra. Jen and Kira, surviving members of the Gelfling tribe, set out to find the crystal's missing shard and begin a dangerous journey that will bring them face to face with evil Skeksis and mysterious creatures. Jim Henson's Creature Shop worked to build both animatronics and soft puppets for this film, marking it as the first ever all-puppet full length feature. Directors Jim Henson and Frank Oz created a masterpiece of fantasy based on the designs of artist Brian Froud that has earned its place in cinematic history as one of the must-see classics of its genre.

Since its premiere in 1982, Jim Henson's visionary fantasy classic has been celebrated at screenings, on DVD and online, and in collections of comics, manga, figurines, sculptures, and plush. The new www.darkcrystal.com website will aggregate all the narratives of The Dark Crystal universe and include artwork and behind the scenes archives.

ABOUT PENGUIN YOUNG READERS GROUP
Penguin Young Readers Group is one of the leading children's book publishers in the United States. The company owns a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Dial Books, Dutton, Grosset & Dunlap, Philomel, Puffin, Speak, Firebird, G. P. Putnam's Sons, Viking, Razorbill, and Frederick Warne. These imprints are home to such award-winning, New York Times- bestselling authors as, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jay Asher, Judy Blume, Jan Brett, Eric Carle, Roald Dahl, Tomie dePaola, Sarah Dessen, Anna Dewdney, John Green, Anthony Horowitz, John Flanagan, Mike Lupica, Richelle Mead, Richard Peck, Patricia Polacco, and dozens of other popular authors. Penguin Young Readers Group is also the proud publisher of perennial brand franchises such as The Little Engine That Could, the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series, Peter Rabbit, Spot, the Classic Winnie the Pooh, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Strega Nona, Madeline, Mad Libs, Alex Rider, the Rangers Apprentice, Skippyjon Jones, Flower Fairies, and Pippi Longstocking, among many others. Penguin Young Readers Group is a division of Penguin Group (USA), the U.S. member of the internationally renowned Penguin Group, one of the largest English-language trade book publishers in the world. The Penguin Group is owned by Pearson plc, the international media group.