Contact: Tara Powers, 616-233-0500, tpowers@lambert-edwards.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Oct. 21, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- Leading Christian publisher Zondervan has established a publishing partnership with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Under the agreement, Zondervan will release three Christian titles, including a children's book inspired by President Carter, as well as a trade book title and a Bible title that will both be authored by the nation's 39th President.

"We are honored to be working with President Carter," said Zondervan president and CEO Scott Macdonald. "President Carter is known for being a man of strong faith and he has collected a great deal of wisdom and insight to share based on his experiences, his personal journey and his walk with Christ. These three very different titles are intended to reach different readers through the voice of one of our nation's most respected and successful leaders.  My prayer is that these titles accomplish just that, to God's glory."

Through the Year with Jimmy Carter: 366 Daily Meditations from the 39th President (ISBN: 0310416779) will release in January 2012. In it, Carter shares the personal stories and life lessons God has taught him over three decades of practical Bible teaching delivered to his Sunday school classes in Plains, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. The devotional format is designed to encourage readers to meditate on a new passage everyday for one year.

Published by Zonderkidz and authored by Elizabeth Raum, Gift of Peace: The Jimmy Carter Story (ISBN: 031072756) is a biography of Carter's life written for children. The book recently released and is available in bookstores and at all major online retailers.

NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter (ISBN: 0310950813) will hit stores in March 2012. The Bible will feature the entire text of the bestselling NIV translation and will be filled throughout with Carter's personalized experiences, reflections, observations, and insights, including life lessons he's learned throughout his walk with God and how he has applied the Word to his daily life.

"I chose to partner with Zondervan on these three projects due to their established track record and reputation as a capable publisher that operates with integrity. It has been a pleasure working with their team," said President Carter. "I'm excited to introduce these new titles, and my prayer is that God will use them to touch the hearts and minds of readers."

About Zondervan
Zondervan is the world's leading Christian publisher of books whose authors are noted for their excellence in the craft of writing as well as their worthy contribution to the ongoing global evangelical conversation. The works published by Zondervan not only confirm readers' faith and understanding, they also challenge and stretch readers' thinking. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general, ministry, and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., Zondervan publishes bestselling resources that are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan Books at www.zondervan.com/books.