Sitcom Star Debuts Comic Kid's Show to Promote Love of Reading

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After nearly two years in development, www.MrsP.com, a free children’s entertainment and educational website celebrating books and reading, officially launched today. In a nod to “Cinderella,” the site debuted at the stroke of midnight, featuring 15 classic fairy tales read by Mrs. P from her “Magic Library.” The technologically-innovative site features actress Kathy Kinney, who played Mimi on the hit sitcom, “The Drew Carey Show,” as Mrs. P, a globe-trotting, redheaded Irishwoman who brings classic children’s stories to life with her own brand of quirky humor.

“We are trying to do something that’s never been done before in a children’s website”

Studies show that what individual families do to support reading in the home is more important to student success than both family income and education. Mrs. P’s creators agree that children who are consistently exposed to books and stories, especially as part of a family unit, are better prepared for kindergarten and beyond. They developed the site to encourage a lifetime love of reading, while also giving children a safe and secure environment for fun.

“We are proud to pioneer a new socially-conscious, Internet business model, with absolutely no advertisements or subscription fees,” says co-founder Dana Plautz, a former executive with Hanna-Barbera Studios.

Endorsed by the Association of American Publishers as a positive site for children, MrsP.com offers multi-layered humor that, like the popular movie, “Shrek,” has something for all ages. While the stories are illustrated with original artwork, the focus is on the storytelling. “We’re not trying to compete with special effects movies or epic video games. Our goal is to offer kids -- and their parents -- a fun place where they can use their imaginations,” says co-creator Clay Graham, who was head writer and an executive producer of “The Drew Carey Show.”

Readers can select from a list of popular children's stories for Mrs. P to read. Stories currently offered in the Magic Library, which is regularly updated with new titles, include “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “The Tale of Peter Rabbit,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and more. A secret “Scary Story Room” will hold classic horror stories, such as “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Because of its video-heavy content, MrsP.com requires cutting-edge delivery technology and services to support its mood of “effortless magic.” Its creators selected CDNetworks to provide their global-network infrastructure, state-of-the-art CDN technologies, and implementation of HD Adobe Flash Media Server 3.

“We are trying to do something that’s never been done before in a children’s website,” notes Graham. “Many companies we approached said what we wanted was technologically impossible, but CDNetworks knew just what to do.”

Parents and children can access the site directly by going to www.MrsP.com. In a special collaboration with Powell’s Books, the largest independent bookseller in the world, visitors will also find a special MrsP.com book aisle at www.powells.com on the “kids' books” page.

“If Mrs. P has one message, it’s that ‘reading is cool,’” said Kinney.

About Mrs. P Enterprises, LLC.

Mrs. P Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 2008 by Hollywood team Clay Graham, Kathy Kinney and Dana Plautz. After having built successful careers in television and New Media, the three creators of MrsP.com were brought together by a love of reading and a desire to help spark that same passion in young people everywhere. The company endeavors to expose young people to great books and stories through a celebrity storyteller and to spark their imaginations and creativity with on-line games and writing contests. Its production offices are located in Portland, Oregon and Los Angeles, California.