FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RUN-DMC FOUNDING MEMBER DARRYL “DMC” McDANIELS TO PUBLISH DEBUT PICTURE BOOK WITH RANDOM HOUSE CHILDREN’S BOOKS
DARRYL’S DREAM to release on January 4, 2022
New York, November 4, 2021—Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books (RHCB), will publish a new picture book by hip-hop pioneer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels in partnership with Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS Consumer Products, it was announced today by Chris Angelilli, VP & Editor-in-Chief, Licensed Publishing. DARRYL’S DREAM will be published on January 4, 2022, as part of Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS Consumer Products’ recently announced cross-category consumer products program with McDaniels. Geof Smith, Random House Books for Young Readers Editorial Director, will edit the project.
A picture book about creativity, confidence, and finding your voice, DARRYL’S DREAM introduces readers ages 3 to 7 to a quiet third grader named Darryl. He has big dreams, loves writing, and wants to share his talents, but he’s shy, and the kids who make fun of his glasses only make things worse. Will the school talent show be his chance to shine?
Written by iconic performer Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, DARRYL’S DREAM is a story about finding courage, facing bullies, and celebrating individuality. A founding member of Run-DMC, McDaniels has extended his influence beyond the world of music in important ways. He is the co-founder of the Felix Organization, a nonprofit that works to provide inspiring opportunities and new experiences for children in the foster care system. McDaniels appeared before Congress and other state legislatures in support of adoptees and foster children and has worked with First Lady Michelle Obama on her Let’s Move! campaign.
DARRYL’S DREAM will also be released simultaneously as an ebook and audiobook on January 4, 2022, with narration of the Listening Library audiobook provided by Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
Said McDaniels, “Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to participate in school visits, where I share my story with kids and try to show them that they can also accomplish anything they set their minds to. Those visits inspired me in so many ways and motivated me to write this book, to reach as many kids as I can and encourage them to embrace who they are and believe the sky is the limit.”
Said Angelilli, “It is an incredible opportunity to work with a legend like Darryl McDaniels and our good publishing partners at ViacomCBS, and particularly exciting to collaborate on a project aimed toward empowering and inspiring kids, which is a long-standing commitment shared by RHCB, ViacomCBS, and Darryl. We can’t wait to see DARRYL’S DREAM start impacting young lives when it publishes in January.”
Said Lourdes Arocho, Senior Vice President, Paramount Pictures Licensing & Global Games and Publishing for ViacomCBS Consumer Products, “As we continue to grow our expansive publishing business, we are thrilled to collaborate with Random House Children’s Books, a leader in this space, and the incomparable Darryl McDaniels to offer kids and parents DARRYL’S DREAM, an authentic and inspiring new story that is sure to galvanize generations of young readers to come to aspire to the greatness they all have within.”
About Darryl “DMC” McDaniels:
Innovator, motivator, philanthropist, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels changed music and made history when he broke down cultural barriers with his legendary band Run-DMC. Forty million record sales later, he continues to inspire and impact the world. Darryl regularly talks with kids across the country about respect, responsibility, and self-awareness. He has appeared before Congress and various state legislatures in support of adoptees and foster children. In 2006, he co-founded the Felix Organization with Sheila Jaffe, a nonprofit that works to provide inspiring opportunities and new experiences for children in the foster care system.
Random House Children’s Books (rhcbooks.com) is the world’s largest English-language children’s trade book publisher. Creating books for toddlers through young adult readers, in all formats from board books to activity books to picture books, novels, and nonfiction, the imprints of Random House Children’s Books bring together award-winning authors and illustrators, world-famous franchise characters, and multimillion-copy series. Random House Children’s Books is a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
ViacomCBS Consumer Products (VCP) oversees all licensing and merchandising for ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, VCP’s portfolio includes a diverse slate of brands and content from BET, CBS (including CBS Television Studios and CBS Television Distribution), Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, and Showtime. With properties spanning animation, live-action, preschool, youth, and adult, VCP is committed to creating the highest-quality product for some of the world’s most beloved, iconic franchises. Additionally, VCP oversees the online direct-to-consumer business for CBS and Showtime programming merchandise, as well as stand-alone branded ecommerce websites for Star Trek, SpongeBob, South Park, and MTV.