CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE KID’S AND PRETEEN SOUL BOOKS PARTNER WEBSITE DEBUTS THE ONLY ONLINE NEWSPAPER FOR PRETEENS, BY PRETEENS · PreteenPlanet. com provides forum for kids ages 9-13 to have work published
Costa Mesa, Calif., October 18, 2002 – PreteenPlanet. com, the partner website of the Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul and Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul books, has launched PlanetNews, an online newspaper with a uniquely original twist – all reporting for the publication is being done by kids ages 9-13.
(PRWEB) October 17, 2002
Costa Mesa, Calif., October 15, 2002 – PreteenPlanet. com, the partner website of the Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul and Chicken Soup for the Kid’s Soul books, has launched PlanetNews, an online newspaper with a uniquely original twist – all reporting for the publication is being done by kids ages 9-13.
“Everyone has a reporter in them, and this is an opportunity for preteens to be creative, empowered and in total control,” notes Patty Hansen, president of PreteenPlanet. com and co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Kid’s and Preteen Soul books. “PlanetNews serves as a forum to inspire, educate and cultivate the creative talents of kids ages 9-13.”
PlanetNews features original content provided solely by preteen reporters in the areas of local/world news, health, music, sports, fashion, opinion and more. The online publication also serves to educate kids on the researching, writing and reporting of the news, by enlisting the help of Washington Post reporter Liz Garone. GaroneÂ’s column, Liz the Word Wiz, offers instruction on proper AP style and diligent news reporting, as well as creative writing tips.
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PRETEENPLANET. COM DEBUTS PLANETNEWS
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“When researching and compiling our Chicken Soup books, we heard from more than 15,000 kids this age,” said Hansen. “The preteen years are truly the age of personal empowerment – these kids are old enough to move, shake and change the world, and too young to be caught up in the belief that it can’t be done. Through PlanetNews, PreteenPlanet. com harnesses and encourages that empowerment and optimism and gives kids a voice.”
Launched in 2001 by the co-authors of Chicken Soup for the KidÂ’s Soul and Preteen Soul to give kids ages 9 to 13 a voice both as individuals and as a distinct group, www. PreteenPlanet. com engages preteens in customized projects and activities that empower them to make a difference in their own lives. Concurrently, it offers content promoting volunteerism and entrepreneurship, with unique interactive games and entertainment, celebrity involvement, contests, peer advice columns, and links to other popular sites. PreteenPlanet. com also features PlanetNews, the only online newspaper to feature content provided by preteens. PlanetNews provides kid reporters with journalism instruction, as well as the opportunity to see their work published. The site is regularly monitored and COPPA compliant, with AOL clearance for 13 and under.
Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul was on the PublisherÂ’s Weekly ChildrenÂ’s Nonfiction Best Sellers List for 20 consecutive weeks, and reached #4 on the New York Times Best Sellers List for Children. Chicken Soup for the KidÂ’s Soul has sold more than three million copies and for four consecutive years has been one of four books each year nominated for the Nickelodeon KidÂ’s Choice Awards for Favorite Book of the Year, winning the award in 1999.
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