Julianna Margulies to Release Picture Book in May 2016

Random House Children's Books has acquired THREE MAGIC BALLOONS, a new picture book with Emmy-Award-Winning actress Julianna Margulies, it was announced today by Mallory Loehr, Vice President, Publishing Director of the Random House/Golden Books Young Readers Group. Editorial Director Maria Modugno will edit the book, which will be published in May 2016.

THREE MAGIC BALLOONS is Margulies' debut into publishing and was inspired by stories told to her and her sisters as children-by their father. Paul Margulies wrote other stories, essays, and plays, and was also an award-winning advertising executive and the creative genius behind the iconic ad campaign for Alka-Seltzer. Julianna discovered the manuscript while going through her father's papers following his death last autumn and worked closely with her editor Maria Modugno to adapt the story to picture book format.

Grant Shaffer, artist illustrator whose work has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times and Interview Magazine among others, will illustrate the book.

THREE MAGIC BALLOONS tells the story of three sisters who visit the zoo with their dad every Saturday -rain or shine, no matter the season. At the end of each visit, when their dad offers them an end-of-day treat, the girls decide instead to buy food for the animals. The balloon man notices their kindness and gives each girl a balloon; a blue one for Ariel, a red one for Miranda, and a yellow one for Jane. He tells them, "Tie these to your bed at night-and something quite wonderful will happen." So begins a magical adventure.

"My father had published two children's books, 'Gold Steps, Stone Steps' and 'What Julianna Could See', said Margulies. As children, my sisters and I loved all his stories, and there were many. Right after his death in October, Rachel, Alexandra and I found some of the stories he had written for us. We collectively decided that 'Three Magic Balloons' was worth sending out to publishers, if we could find the right illustrator. I sent the story to Grant Shaffer, who aside from being a brilliant illustrator, is also a dear friend. He immediately drew some pictures and within a very short time Random House said they would publish it. My sisters and I are so grateful to Random House and Grant Shaffer for feeling the same way we do about this very special book. My father always used to say to us, "Magic is everywhere, you just need to know where to look!" We think children will feel the same way after reading 'Three Magic Balloons'."

Julianna Margulies is a critically acclaimed actress and producer. She's currently the star of CBS' The Good Wife, for which she has won one Golden Globe and two Emmys. She has won eight SAG awards, making her the most awarded female within the organization. She lives in New York City with her husband and son. This is her first book.