VIAB Viacom Inc

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickelodeon brings in the holiday cheer with the release of SpongeBob SquarePants Don't Be a Jerk It's Christmas!, a digital e-book, available now, and limited-edition hard cover print edition available exclusively on NickShop.com.  This brand-new holiday book takes readers on a festive romp through Bikini Bottom, set to the lyrics of the hit song, "Don't Be A Jerk – It's Christmas," co-written by Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob) and Andy Paley (Blondie, Brian Wilson, The Ramones). Inspired by the half-hour stop-motion It's A SpongeBob Christmas! special airing on Nickelodeon, Dec. 6 at 8p.m., with illustrations by Heather Martinez, the e-book is now available on iTunes, Nook and Kindle.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121120/NY17152 )

"We are thrilled to release this classic e-book for SpongeBob SquarePants," said Paula K. Allen, Senior Vice President, Nickelodeon Global Publishing. "SpongeBob is such a positive and cheery character and the Don't Be a Jerk It's Christmas! e-book will bring joy and the holiday spirit to fans year after year."

In the stop-motion special, inspired by the Rankin/Bass specials (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town), Plankton turns everyone in Bikini Bottom from nice to naughty by feeding them his special jerktonium-laced fruitcake – all in an effort to get his Christmas wish, the Krabby Patty formula. 

SpongeBob SquarePants is executive produced by creator Stephen Hillenburg, who previously worked as a writer, director and creative director on Nickelodeon's animated series Rocko's Modern Life.  Hillenburg graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a master's degree in experimental animation and studied marine biology and art as an undergraduate. 

Paul Tibbitt served as a director and writer on SpongeBob SquarePants for its first three seasons and is currently executive producer.  He wrote some of the show's most memorable episodes such as "Ripped Pants" and "Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy."  Tibbitt was one of the co-writers and storyboard artists on The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie.  SpongeBob SquarePants is a Nicktoons Production and is produced at the Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, Calif.

Nickelodeon, now in its 33rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 17 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).

SOURCE Nickelodeon