For 10 days, eBay, the on-line marketplace with more than 46 million registered users, will host an auction of costumes and memorabilia from the SCI FI Channel miniseries, Frank Herbert?s "Children of Dune," which premieres on SCI FI on March 16. SCI FI will donate all proceeds from the auction, guaranteeing at least $25,000, to Reading Is Fundamental, the nation?s oldest children?s and family literacy organization.


Beginning March 13 through March 23, eBay will bring "Children of Dune"?s extraordinary collection of elaborate costumes to life by inviting participants to bid on designs created by Academy-Award costumer designer Theodor Pistek ("Amadeus") and son Jan Pistek. The dresses, wardrobe and headpieces were created and designed exclusively for Susan Sarandon, Alec Newman, Daniela Amavia and other key cast members of the much-anticipated saga. Additionally, eBay will be auctioning signed posters, books and "Dune" literary memorabilia.

Since its debut in 1965, Frank Herbert?s "Dune" has sold over 12 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling science fiction novel of all time. "Frank Herbert's 'Dune' saga is one of the greatest 20th Century contributions to literature," said Bonnie Hammer, President of SCI FI Channel. "Working with Reading Is Fundamental gives SCI FI the unique opportunity to help more children experience such imaginative novels, and we hope to be able to continue to work with this extraordinary institution for years to come."

Proceeds to RIF will be help to encourage reading by providing free books and reading resources to children and families across the country.

"When a child opens a book, they open a world of imagination," said Carol H. Rasco, President and CEO of Reading Is Fundamental. "We are thrilled that the SCI FI Channel recognizes this important connection and has generously supported RIF?s efforts through the 'Children of Dune' miniseries."

Reading Is Fundamental , founded in 1966, develops and delivers children?s and family literacy programs that help prepare young children for reading a motivate school-age children to read regularly. RIF?s highest priority is to serve the nation?s neediest children, from birth to age 11. Through a national, grassroots network of 435,000 community volunteers, RIF programs last year provided 16 million new, free books and other essential literacy resources to nearly 5 million children.