News releases

(Ottawa, ON) – Today, Canada Post will be issuing four new stamps featuring one of Canada’s most beloved storybook characters, Franklin. To encourage kids and parents alike to discover the world of stamps, a new app, Stamps Alive is also being launched, offering the first 3-D augmented reality game from a stamp product.

The creation of author Paulette Bourgeois and illustrator Brenda Clark, the Franklin the Turtle series of books published by Corus Entertainment’s Kids Can Press (KCP) has sold 65 million copies in 30 different languages over the past 26 years, inspired the immensely popular TV series, and continues to charm children around the world. The four stamps are part of a new children’s literature series and feature classic illustrations of Franklin with his friends. Along with the stamps are a number of related products including a souvenir sheet, Official First Day Cover and invitation cards for little ones’ birthdays.

“My late father was an avid stamp collector, so this new stamp series was a delightful surprise for us,” says Paulette Bourgeois. KCP and Brenda Clark worked closely with q30’s designer Karen Henricks and art director Peter Scott to select images from thousands of illustrations to feature on the stamps.

“We are delighted that Canada Post is celebrating our country’s rich tradition of storytelling with a new stamp series dedicated to the wonderfully imaginative characters that inhabit Canadian children’s literature, and that they have chosen Franklin to launch the series,” says Lisa Lyons, president of Kids Can Press.

Canada Post is also offering for the first time a new app, called Stamp Alive creating a way to connect smartphone and tablet gaming with the product. The Franklin game showcases a 3-D Franklin character trying to make his way through a maze. The Stamps Alive app is available free of charge on smartphones and tablets via their respective app store.

“We hope this new app brings the fun of stamps to a medium children will enjoy. Parents can know their kids are having fun and learning about Canada and Canadian literature at the same time,” says Jim Phillips, director of Stamps Services at Canada Post.

About the stamps
The new children literature series featuring Franklin the Turtle includes four PERMANENT™ stamps, postage paid cards, a souvenir sheet, an Official First Day Cover and a set of invitation cards. Each stamp features a scene highlighting the special relationship Franklin has with Beaver, Snail, Bear and his little sister Harriet. The postcards and invitations feature enlarged images of the stamp art. The collection is available at post offices across the country starting May 11, 2012 or online at canadapost.ca/shop.