Stone Arch Books has reached an agreement with DC Comics under which Stone Arch, during the next two years, will publish a series of 48 full color “chapter books” based on DC superhero characters.  The first 12 DC Super Heroes Books are available now.  The 56-page chapter books feature a page of text opposite a full page illustration and also include a “backmatter” section, which discusses the characters involved in the stories.

The reading level of the Stone Arch DC titles is grades 2-3, while the interest level is grades  3-6, which makes these volumes perfect for the “reluctant” reader.  The books are available in hardcover editions for schools and libraries for $18.99, and in a paperback format for the general public ($5.95).

The first twelve Stone Arch DC titles include six Superman books and six Batman titles.  Another dozen titles, which will include six more Superman and six additional Batman titles, are due for release in August and 24 more volumes will appear in two waves in 2010.  Additonal DC superheroes such as Wonder Woman will make their appearance in the Stone Arch line in the spring of 2010.

Stone Arch is sponsoring a contest for elementary school children who have to submit an essay or story about a “heroic” person at their school.  The winner of the contest, which is open to all kids grades 3-6 enrolled in public or private schools, will have their hero and their school included in an upcoming Stone Arch DC story.  The deadline for entries is February 28th.