Full library processing is available for all Weston Woods titles. Complete cataloguing and processing is based on the Dewey Classification System, Sears Subject Headings and AACR2 and USMARC Bibliographic Standards.

Catalog card kits and MARC records are available for $2.00 per kit/per title, with a minimum order of $15.00 per order. Catalog card kits and MARC records are mailed separately from the rest of an order. Processing takes four to eight weeks from the receipt of your order.

A Read-Along CD /Cassette (RAC) is a word-for-word recording of a favorite story from the Weston Woods collection. Side One has page-turning signals for beginning readers. The story is repeated on Side Two without signals; this can be used for listening only or as a read-along for more advanced readers. A read-along CD /cassette package consists of one read-along CD /cassette with either a paperback or hardcover book. Extra paperback books are available for purchase for $5.50 each as well as packages of one CD and 5 paperback books for $38.75 per multiple book package. Five paperback books and one cassette are on sale for $27.00 while supplies last. Please call customer service at 800-243-5020 for a complete list.

Elements in a book/CD or cassette package (book/CD or cassette/poly bag) are not collated. If you prefer to receive your packages collated or without the poly bags, please check that option on the PDF of the order form. Or indicate that on your on-line order.

Playaway® is the simplest way to listen to a book on the go. It comes with the audio content already on it and a battery to make it play. Simply plug in earphones and enjoy. NO CASSETTES, NO CDs, NO DOWNLOADS, JUST PLAY!

Each Playaway® weighs only two ounces and comes packaged with earbuds and a standard AAA battery to allow for immediate listening. Additionally, Playaway® has a universal headphone jack that works with almost any type of headphone or mobility accessory.

Each Weston Woods/Playaway® edition consists of several award-winning Weston Woods audio titles.

One of the first uses of motion pictures based on children's books was during the library "story hour". While librarians discovered that pictures projected on a large screen could hold the rapt attention of large groups of children, the inexorable pace of a motion picture made it impossible for even the most skilled storyteller to turn off the recorded sound and tell the story themselves. Our Sound Filmstrip Cassette (SFC) packages offer a filmstrip with a picture-cued text booklet and a narrated audiocassette recording with original music. Many educators find this technology, while considered "old", to be the most versatile of all, in allowing the presenter the highest degree of interaction. These are on sale and available while supplies last. See the title you are interested in on-line to see if this format is available. Or call customer service at 800-243-5020 for a complete list.

ICONOGRAPHIC: When Weston Woods founder, Morton Schindel, first started making motion pictures, he realized that it would take a special filming technique to faithfully transfer the artwork in picture books from page to screen. Since there was not a suitable method, he developed one. In the ICONOGRAPHIC technique the camera creates an "illusion of movement" by carefully panning and zooming over the actual illustrations from the book. Whenever possible the artist's original illustrations are used, although in most instances the illustrations must be adapted from copies of the book. This technique, first developed at Weston Woods, is now used by film producers everywhere. Among the better-known productions that have used this technique are the Ken Burns PBS series on THE CIVIL WAR, BASEBALL and JAZZ.

ANIMATION: In an animated film, the characters actually move on screen. The film itself is composed of a series of drawings, each one showing a different phase of movement, which are photographed one at a time. The original book illustrations are used only as a guide to the animator who creates the drawings for the film. Since an animated film requires twelve separate drawings for each second of screen time, the animator must be able to replicate the exact style of the original artist for practically thousands of drawings!

Today, with the availability of advanced computer technology, we have begun to animate some titles using computer animation, and in many cases, use limited animation imparting some movement to an otherwise iconographic rendition. As technologies continue to evolve, we anticipate increased convergence of these methods of production.

LIVE ACTION: With the success of our films based on picture books, Weston Woods experimented in comparable films for older children and produced several live action films: THE DOUGHNUTS (the first short live-action dramatic film based on a children's book ever to be produced in the United States), the CASE OF THE COSMIC COMIC and ZLATEH THE GOAT. In 1984 Weston Woods co-produced CORDUROY with Evergreen/Firehouse Productions to great critical acclaim.

Picture books which meet the rigorous standards set by Weston Woods are adapted in a variety of media using several production techniques. The graphic style and the medium used by the artist in the original book illustrations will usually determine which production technique will be more effective in turning that book into a film. Generally speaking, simpler, "cartoony" art styles, with distinct outlines and minimal texture in the coloring (pen and ink, watercolors, gouaches, flat paints such as cel vinyl, etc.) are easier to replicate for the thousands of drawings required for full animation. In contrast, illustrations with the rich detail and texture of fine art would have to be simplified in order to become manageable for animation, to the point where the visuals in a film simply wouldn't look like the original book illustrations; in these cases the iconographic technique is used.

The relationship between illustrations and text is the real key to whether a picture book can be successfully translated into the audiovisual medium. The illustrations and text must fully support each other; any important character, action, mood or object described in the text should be represented somewhere in the illustrations, and vice versa. In terms of balance, there should generally be at least one illustration for every 25-60 words of text. Ideally, there should be enough detail within each illustration to accommodate two or three separate "shots" on each illustration. In some cases where there are too few illustrations to support the text, a picture book can still be translated into film if the original illustrator is available and agrees to create additional pictures for the film adaptation.

Ultimately, a good picture book will not necessarily make a good film (and, conversely, some books come across better in the film medium than they do on the printed page!). The question of how an audience will perceive the film as a separate entity must always be kept in mind. A child cannot turn back a film the way he or she can turn back the pages of a book, so every moment must be entertaining, visually stimulating and instantly comprehensible.

A large number of titles have been translated into foreign languages. Our largest collection consists of SPANISH language titles, additionally we have titles available in FRENCH, MANDARIN CHINESE and JAPANESE. Use the SEARCH feature to find titles in the language you are interested in, or find a complete list of foreign language titles in our Resources Section under product guides. Call customer service at 800-243-5020 for more information.

Order Form (PDF) 106 KB

You may call, fax or mail in an order. To reach us by phone:

CALL: 1-800-243-5020 or 1-203-845-0197
or print out an order form from this web site and:
FAX: 1-203-845-0498
MAIL: Weston Woods, 143 Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06850

We currently have several independent sales representatives in key territories. To reach a sales representative, please fill out a request form and someone will contact you shortly. Our highly-trained, professional sales representatives can personally assist you to find the products most suitable to your needs and will have the most up-to-date information about new technologies and delivery methods (i.e video-streaming, DVD, etc.) as well as to discuss consortium purchases, duplication and large volume orders.
See list of sales representatives.

Your account will automatically be set upon placing your first order with Customer Service. Please make sure to include all information on your Purchase Order Form.
Mail to:
Weston Woods Studios
143 Main Street Norwalk, CT 06851
Or Fax to: 203-845-0498
Or call with any questions, 1-800-243-5020.