(Nashville, Tenn.) – Four-year-old Colton Burpo’s journey to heaven and back has reached over six million people in his story’s various formats. In addition to top rankings on several bestseller lists, the children’s book depicting Colton’s trip, Heaven Is for Real for Kids, has hit a new benchmark: #1 on the children’s picture books list of the New York Times Best Seller List.

“It is a simple and pure message from the experience of a four year old child: ‘Jesus really loves children. And He loves You!’ ” says Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President of Specialty Publishing at Thomas Nelson. “What a delight to see this message resonating with so many families.”

While the original trade book Heaven Is for Real was narrated by Colton’s father Todd, Heaven Is for Real for Kids (Tommy Nelson, ISBN 9781400318704, $14.99, November 2011) shows children what heaven is like through the eyes of young Colton Burpo. When he was nearly four years old, Colton experienced a burst appendix; it was during his emergency surgery that Colton visited heaven.  Aided by illustrator Wilson Ong, Colton vividly shows children what he saw in heaven and shares an important message: Jesus really, really loves children. The book features a letter to parents and a Q&A section that answers questions kids frequently have when they finish Colton’s story. In December 2011, the app Heaven Is for Real for Kids released on all Apple platforms.

The Burpo family is represented by Joel Kneedler of Alive Communications.

Heaven Is for Real for Kids is one of a trio of new products by the Burpo family released by Thomas Nelson. Heaven Is for Real deluxe edition is also available to provide a hardcover, gift-able version of the best-selling trade book. A Heaven is for Real DVD-based Conversation Kit features footage of the Burpo family talking about their experiences while offering discussion questions and suggestions for participants.

About the Authors:

Todd Burpo is pastor of Crossroads Wesleyan, a volunteer fireman, and works with a garage door company. His wife, Sonja, is a children’s minister, busy pastor’s wife, and mom. Colton, an active 12-year-old, has an older sister, Cassie, and a younger brother, Colby.

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Tommy Nelson, the children’s division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishes a wide variety of high quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while pointing them to a personal relationship with God. For more information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

Contact: Amy Kerr

Publicist

615-902-1722

akerr@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, TN)  How does an acclaimed Christian romance author top a major release, Smitten, co-authored with three best-selling authors and best friends?  She sets a new first by releasing a new solo work, “Bittersweet Surrender, “as Thomas Nelson Fiction’s first e-only novel.

After a holiday season in which sales of e-reading devices reached an all-time high, Thomas Nelson is pleased to be offering something special to e-readers. “The digital market allows for novels to be released sooner to readers in e-only or e-first editions. As readers experiment with different formats to read their novels in, we are doing so as well,” says Allen Arnold, Sr. VP and Publisher, Thomas Nelson Fiction.  “We’re excited to bring this novel to Diann’s readers and to introduce her to new readers through the various digital channels.”

Hunt also joined  Colleen Coble, Denise Hunter, and Kristin Billerbeck, to write “Smitten,” also now on sale in print and digital editions.  Representing a ground-breaking first-time collaboration for these four seasoned authors and friends, Smitten is the perfect Valentine’s Day read and is the focus of several retail promotions for the season.

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Thomas Nelson, Inc. is the world’s largest Christian publisher.  The Company provides multiple formats of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with distribution of its products in more than 100 countries. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is the nation’s leading producer of Christian live events.   Thomas Nelson is headquartered in Nashville, TN. For additional information, please visit www.thomasnelson.com

Devotional Sells More Than 2.5 Million Units Worldwide

(Nashville, TN)–Since its release in 2004, sales momentum for Jesus Calling continues to build. The devotional that has landed on countless retailer bestseller lists recently surpassed a milestone: Jesus Calling has now sold more than 2.5 million units worldwide.

In addition, the entire Jesus Calling brand of titles, including Jesus Calling for Kids and the Jesus Calling Devotional Bible, has sold more than 3.5 million units.

“After Jesus Calling was made available to the public, I was astonished to hear people say, time after time, each day’s reading seems to be written just for me,” recalls author Sarah Young as she reflects on the success of Jesus Calling.

“What an honor it is to watch God at work, drawing people closer to Him through the pages of this book,” says Laura Minchew, Senior Vice President of Specialty Publishing at Thomas Nelson. “I heard a recent story of a woman so touched by Jesus Calling that she purchased 23 copies to give to every member in her family.”

Young’s writing continues to impact lives throughout various media. Jesus Calling is now available in a large deluxe edition that features big, black print and Scriptures written out after each devotional entry. Jesus Calling was released as an app in 2011, giving on-the-go readers access to the full-text book with the ability to share quotations or gift the app to friends. More than 18,000 people have “liked” the Jesus Calling Facebook page; these followers receive daily inspirational messages, and they can post positive messages to encourage others in the Jesus Calling community.

Readers can look forward to the release of Young’s newest devotional Jesus Today: Experience Hope through His Presence, scheduled to release in Fall 2012.

After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to listen to God with pen in hand, writing down what she believed He was saying to her through Scripture. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her devotionals.  They are written from the perspective of Jesus speaking to the reader, thus the title Jesus Calling.  It is Sarah’s fervent prayer that our Savior may bless readers with His presence and His peace in ever increasing measure.

Publisher Laura Minchew is available for interviews.

About the Author:

Sarah Young is quietly leading millions of men and women worldwide on a journey of intimacy with Christ. Sarah and her husband have traveled extensively, planting churches and counseling.  They currently are ministering to a Japanese-speaking community in Perth, Australia.

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Thomas Nelson, Inc., headquartered in Nashville, TN, is one of the leading trade publishers in the United States. The Company is the world’s leading provider of Bibles, inspirational books and digital content, with product distribution in over 100 countries. Live Event Management, Inc., a Thomas Nelson company, is a national leading producer of live events. For more information, please visit http://www.thomasnelson.com.

For more information, please contact:

Amy Kerr

Publicist

615-902-1722

akerr@thomasnelson.com