Feb 23, 2004/FW/ --- Jump at the Sun, an imprint of Hyperion Books for Children dedicated to the mission of creating high quality children's books that celebrate diversity, has entered into a multi-book publishing program with Whoopi Goldberg.

The announcement was made today by Lisa Holton, senior vice president and publisher, Hyperion Books for Children.

As part of the agreement, Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children will create a home for multiple children's books written by Whoopi Goldberg and reflecting her own unique style and humor.

The books will be in stores beginning in fall 2005.

"Whoopi Goldberg is one of the great talents of our time -- her brilliance transcends age and culture, and the memorable characters she has developed throughout her career have endured over time. We're confident that the new characters she will introduce in her children's books will be equally compelling," says Holton.

"As an avid collector of children's literature and an outspoken advocate of reading and literacy for young children through her work with organizations such as First Book, Whoopi Goldberg is a natural to bring her talent and passion to children's books."

Added Whoopi Goldberg: "Books and reading have always been an important part of my life. If I can give kids and their parents something that'll make them smile and maybe teaches them a little something about living with one another on our planet, it makes me a happy granny."

The agreement was negotiated by Jackie Carter, editorial director, Jump at the Sun, Tom Leonardis of Whoop, Inc., and Bill Sobel of Edelstein Laird & Sobel.

"Jump at the Sun has had tremendous critical success since its inception five years ago in achieving our mission of creating high quality books that celebrate the beauty of African American culture," said Carter.

"Whoopi Goldberg helps us welcome the future of Jump at the Sun, as we broaden our universe and add a diverse roster of books, with humor titles, novelty formats, early readers, and so much more. We welcome Whoopi's commitment to diversity and her irreverent spin on the world we live in. We know her books will bring out the kid in all of us."

Whoopi Goldberg is one of the few artists to win Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe Awards. She is equally well-known for her tireless humanitarian efforts on behalf of children, the homeless, human rights, education, substance abuse and the battle against AIDS, as well as many other causes and charities.

She currently executive produces and stars in her new NBC sitcom, Whoopi and can also be seen on Nick Jr.'s Whoopi's Littleburg, a series of half-hour TV specials set in "The Preschool Capital of the World," which she also produces.

Whoopi has been honored with multiple NAACP Image, People's Choice and Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.

She wrote the children's book, "Alice," and her "Book" made the New York Times Bestseller List and has been published around the world.

Jump at the Sun launched in fall 1998 with the mission of celebrating the African American experience and culture. The imprint takes its name from the advice given by Lucy Potts Hurston to her daughter, the Harlem Renaissance author Zora Neale Hurston. She urged young Zora to aim high in life -- to "jump at the sun."