Scholastic Accused of Indoctrinating Kids on Global Warming

Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 8, 2007) – Scholastic, the venerable children’s publisher and the U.S. company behind Harry Potter, has published books for school children for generations. But the publishing company’s forthcoming book on global warming may have crossed the line from information into manipulation.

That’s the warning being issued by Eric M. Jackson, president of World Ahead Media, following the publication of an interview with Scholastic author Laurie David in Publishers Weekly last week. David, a Hollywood activist who produced Al Gore’s movie “An Inconvenient Truth,” is the co-author of a book entitled “The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming” that Scholastic is publishing next month.

“In her jaw-dropping interview, Laurie David makes it clear that her book has been written specifically to indoctrinate children,” asserts Jackson. Last week Publishers Weekly quoted David as saying, "Kids also are the number one influence on their parents, so if you want to reach the parents, go to the kids.”

The article also quoted David’s co-author, Cambria Gordon, as agreeing: “‘At times the adult world is getting burnt out,’ coping with existing crises and forecasts for disaster. But, Gordon continues, ‘children’s concern is for their adult life—they don’t have the cynicism adults have.’” She also added that classrooms and after-school programs would be targeted as likely users of the book.

Jackson condemned the plans by Scholastic and David to market their book directly to kids, and he contrasted them with his own company’s plans to market its book on the topic exclusively to parents. "The Sky’s Not Falling! Why It’s OK to Chill About Global Warming" (ISBN 0976726947, Kids Ahead, September 2007), written by Holly Fretwell, features a balanced look at the complicated issue of climate change. But, unlike Scholastic, Jackson says that his company will limit all of its marketing and publicity efforts to parents.

“Parents should decide how to present complex issues like this to their kids,” argues Jackson, “but Scholastic and David say they plan is to target children directly with their marketing efforts. In fact, Scholastic has already announced an ad campaign in ‘National Geographic for Kids,’ so evidently it has no problem with David’s willingness to bypass parental control in an effort to convince kids of her liberal activist viewpoint.”

Scholastic representatives declined to comment on the subject, according to a news article published today on WorldNetDaily.

Jackson adds that he has seen a preview copy of David’s book, and it conveys a radical environmental message. He said it states that global warming is undeniably caused by human industrial activities, and that children should take steps in their own lives in order to protect species from being killed by a changing climate. Among the activities suggested in the book are buying a hybrid car and compact fluorescent bulbs, two expensive options for families without Laurie David’s personal resources.

“My company isn’t willing to market a book on a controversial topic directly to kids,” Jackson adds. “We want parents to decide if ’The Sky’s Not Falling!’ is appropriate reading material for their family. I’d like to challenge Scholastic to follow suit by revisiting their plans for marketing Laurie David’s book.”

ABOUT WORLD AHEAD MEDIA:
World Ahead Media is the West Coast’s leading conservative publisher. Founded in 2004, the company is located in Los Angeles, CA. Our titles include the NYT bestseller "The Late Great U.S.A" the #1 Barnes & Noble.com seller "Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed" and the Conservative Book Club main selection "Religion of Peace?: Islam’s War Against the World" Visit www.worldahead.com to learn more.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
To interview Eric M. Jackson, contact Judy at (310) 961-4170 or marketing@worldahead.com.

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