Fox locks up classic kid tomes
DiNovi Prods. to adapt Cleary's Ramona book series
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Licensing deal between Fox 2000 and Harper Collins Children's Books, both of which are owned by News Corp., was inked after a proposal from Denise DiNovi Prods. for adapting the Ramona series, which Cleary began more than 50 years ago.
"So many kids have asked me, 'When's a Ramona movie coming out?' " Cleary said in a statement. "I'm so glad there's finally going to be one! I look forward to seeing it."
Susan Katz, prexy of HarperCollins kid division, said, "As Beverly Cleary turns 90, it's the ideal time to reintroduce Ramona Quimby -- and all of Mrs. Cleary's other memorable characters -- to a new generation of young people."
Cleary's first book, "Henry Huggins," was published in 1950.
The Ramona Quimby character first appeared as the little sister in 1955's "Beezus and Ramona," and soon emerged as Cleary's most popular creation, getting top billing in seven more titles.
Overseeing the adaptation for Fox 2000 are prexy Elizabeth Gabler and director of production Erin Lindsey.
News Corp. became Cleary's publishing home in 1999 when the conglom added the Hearst Book Group, including Avon and William Morrow & Co., to its HarperCollins publishing properties.
In honor of Cleary's 90th birthday April 12, HarperCollins plans to reissue all of the author's books, starting with the Ramona series, next summer. Publisher will also commerorate her birthday by partnering with the National Education Assn. on a Drop Everything and Read campaign.
