Inside Out

In an attempt to encourage reading, Story Reader, the Publications International electronic, preschool story book, is sponsoring Family Reading Night. The nationwide initiative calls on all families to dedicate one evening per week to read with one another.

The program's mission is to counter the decline in reading rates among Americans by bringing early attention to childhood literacy. Families can start Family Reading Night in their home by setting aside time one evening per week avoiding the television, computer, video games and ringing telephones. A Family Reading Night “Parents' Guide” brochure is available on the Publications International Web site...RC2 Corporation has moved current executive vice president John Lee to an advisory role for the Oak Brook, Ill.-based manufacturer. The change, effective the first quarter of 2006, allows the Learning Curve veteran to expand his responsibilities as chairman of the Ready to Learn Partnership and president of The Learnning Box...Sesame Street moves into India this year with a cast of recently created characters, Chamki, Aanchoo, Googly and Boombah. The series, Sesame India, will launch in mid-2006 on the top two networks with Indian kids, Cartoon Network and POGO. The new show follows the recent broadcast debut in France of Rue Sésame, based on the American version of Sesame Street. Sesame Street is now broadcast in 120 countries...In other Sesame Street news, Cablevision's iO Digital Cable customers can now access Sesame Street games on demand through a monthly subscription purchase...Your Comics Online, Little Rock, Ark., launches a brand new Web site designed for comic book collectors by comic book collectors: YourComicsOnline.com. The site provides information, auctions, news and links of interest to collectors of comic books and comic-related merchandise...Douglas Company, Keene, N.H., will kick off its 50th anniversary with a “Fifty Years of Smiles Celebration” at the American International Toy Fair next month. Birthday cake and champagne will be served and special anniversary buttons will be handed out. A one-time-only show special will be revealed, as well. Douglas recently expanded their line to plush décor and accessory items like Sassy Pet Saks, Little Nugget Sassy Sak Pillows, Sleepy Cuddlers and Lil' Snugglers. The celebration will continue during the summer gift shows in Atlanta, Dallas, New York and San Francisco...Knowledge Adventure, Torrance, Calif.-based children's educational software company has launched a new online store, shop.knowledgeadventure.com, to help parents easily access information and purchase Knowledge Adventure software titles like the JumpStart and Math Blaster series...HIT Entertainment, Allen, Texas, is rolling out The All-New Barney Live! The Let's Go Tour, a live Barney performance of new songs and classic favorites that will stop in more than 60 cities throughout 2006...Telltale Games, San Rafael, Calif., has signed a multi-title agreement with online gaming company Big Fish Games to release Telltale's Bone: Out from Boneville, the first game title in the partnership, available on the Big Fish Web site for download.

The game, based on the Jeff Smith graphic novel series, Out from Boneville, is a story of three cousins, Fone Bone, Phoney Bone and Smiley Bone, who become separated in a desert and find their way into a deep, forested valley filled with creatures and mystery. Players can download a trial mode free of charge or get the full story for $19.99...McFarlane Toys, Tempe, Ariz., is producing a series of 3-inch Spawn Trading Figures, scheduled for release April 2006. The first series will include 12 figures, including Spawn, Redeemer, The Curse, Zombie Spawn, Gatekeeper and Mandarin Spawn.