Sharon Osbourne Releases First Children's Book for Disney Publishing, MAMA HOOK KNOWS BEST

Sharon Osbourne, one of pop culture's most famous "mums," will share her swashbuckling adventures as Mama Hook in Mama Hook Knows Best: A Pirate Parent's Favorite Fables, a new children's book to be published by Disney Publishing Worldwide. An extension of Osbourne's character from the hit Disney Junior series "Jake and the Never Land Pirates," the book will be available in stores in fall 2013, and will come with an audio CD featuring original narration by Osbourne, and will also be available as an e-book.

Mama Hook Knows Best: A Pirate Parent's Favorite Fables is set in the animated series' world of pirate playfulness, and follows Mama Hook as she reminisces about her great adventures sailing the Never Sea and the stories she told her son Captain Hook when he was a young boy.

"I have such a wonderful time playing Mama Hook on 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates,'" said Osbourne. "To be able to take that role to the book world and share Mama Hook's stories with families around the world is an honor. I hope kids enjoy reading Mama Hook's pirate tales and continue to fall in love with her, just as I have."

"Sharon is an international icon and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work with her," said Jeanne Mosure, senior vice president, global publisher, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "We are excited to share her stories with young readers and give them another way to connect with Mama Hook and 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates'."

Sharon Osbourne is a television host, author, music manager, businesswoman and promoter as well as the wife of rock legend, Ozzy Osbourne. She came into public prominence after appearing in The Osbournes, a reality television show that followed her family's daily life. Osbourne later became a judge on the talent shows The X Factor (U.K.) and America's Got Talent. She currently lives in California and is one of five co-hosts of the daytime series, The Talk, where she discusses controversial topics and contemporary issues.

About Disney Publishing Worldwide

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. DPW's digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.