The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Measles & Rubella Partnership (M&RP) launched “Ivy + Bean versus The Measles” today to reach thousands of children and parents across the United States through their pediatricians.

 

The campaign launches today at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition in San Diego.

The immensely popular characters from the Ivy + Bean book series star in the campaign to support measles immunization and convey support for childhood immunization as a simple, safe and effective measure.

Recognizing that parents and caregivers most often turn to their pediatricians to discuss immunization, the M&RP applauds the AAP’s effort to engage their members in this timely and important discussion on measles and childhood immunization.

 

“With measles cases in the United States hitting a 20-year high, reaching kids and their parents through pediatricians is a tremendous step towards stopping the spread of measles,” said Steve Cochi, Senior Advisor, Global Immunization Division of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Ivy and Bean are just the characters to reach those kids and parents. The dynamic duo have millions of fans who relish every twist and turn of their adventures. Their discovery of how easy measles vaccination can be, tells a positive and relatable message, “Measles spreads easily. Get vaccinated—easy peasy!”

 

The AAP National Conference and Exhibition held this year between October 11–14 is the world’s largest pediatric conference with more than 15,000 attendees and participants. AAP members will be able to sign up for “Ivy + Bean versus The Measles” awareness kits containing posters, activity cards for waiting rooms, stickers and temporary tattoos.

 

See more of Sophie’s work here.

 

More Information

 

Launched in 2001, the Measles & Rubella Partnership is a global partnership committed to ensuring no child dies from measles or is born with congenital rubella syndrome. It is led by the American Red Cross, United Nations Foundation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF and World Health Organization.

 

Ivy + Bean, written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, is an award winning series of books for children ages 6 to 9 published by Chronicle Books. More than three million copies of the bestselling series have been sold worldwide. Published in 2006, Ivy + Bean was named the best children’s book of the year by Kirkus Reviews. Since then, the series and the girls’ adventures have spanned 10 books with doomed ballet classes, dinosaur bones, babysitters, mysteries and numerous awards for both author and illustrator.

 

One of the most admired and respected publishing companies in the U.S., Chronicle Books was founded in 1967 and over the years has developed a reputation for award-winning, innovative books. Recognized as one of the 50 best small companies to work for in the U.S. (and the only

independent publisher to receive this award), the company continues to challenge conventional publishing wisdom, setting trends in both subject and format, maintaining a list that includes much admired illustrated books and gift products in design, art, architecture, photography, food, lifestyle, pop culture, and acclaimed children’s titles. Chronicle Books’ objective is to create and distribute exceptional publishing that’s instantly recognizable for its spirit, creativity, and value.

 

Sophie Blackall is a Brooklyn-based Australian artist who has illustrated more than twenty books for children, including Ruby’s Wish which won the Ezra Jack Keats aware in 2003. Other illustrated work include Meet Wild Boars which won a Founder’s Aware from the Society of Illustrators, Big Red Lollipop, which was a New York Times Top Ten Picture Book in 2010, and the bestselling series, Ivy + Bean. Her editorial illustrations have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and TIME. In 2011, the Metro Transit Authority of New York City commissioned Missed Connections for display throughout the city’s transit system. She has been working with the M&RP since 2012. Her first project with the M&RP was to the Democratic Republic of the Congo where she met families whose lives had been devastated by measles, healthcare workers who travel to remote areas to vaccinate children, and the many partners who support them. Since then, Sophie has produced whimsical drawings of children around world stopping measles which have become iconic symbols of the M&RP’s mission.

 

For more information:

Karen Mah

Communications Specialist, UNICEF

Measles & Rubella Partnership

kmah@unicef.org

(917) 412-6166