Press Release
Build-A-Bear Workshop® Continues Year-Long Teddy Bear Centennial™ Celebration With Launch of New Literacy Initiatives
Build-A-Bear Workshop has partnered with First Book to put books into the hands
of children who would otherwise not have them. Together, they have created a
special new furry friend-Read Teddy™-that goes on sale July 12. The new
Read Teddy will further the company's partnership with First Book through a
pledge of one dollar of every purchase of the new bear. First Book's mission
is to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own
their first new books. The donations from the purchases of Read Teddy will help
the organization purchase books that will be distributed through its local advisory
boards in communities across the country.
"The children served by First Book are the most difficult to reach," says Kyle Zimmer, President of the ten-year-old organization. Last year, First Book distributed seven million books to children in more than 700 communities across the country. "Build-A-Bear Workshop is an incredible corporate citizen. The partnership will help First Book reach even more of the many children still waiting for our help."
In addition to the new Read Teddy, Build-A-Bear Workshop is also creating Bearemy's Book Club which not only encourages all children to read, but will also give them a voice in reviewing and recommending books for children. Bearemy, the Build-A-Bear Workshop mascot, will have a place on www.buildabear.com where young readers and parents can submit reviews of recently read books. These reviews will be posted for other children to read.
"Books and bears have a lot in common," says Maxine Clark, founder and Chief Executive Bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "They both expand and enrich children's lives by taking them on wonderful adventures."
Each month two new books will be posted on the site, a picture book for younger readers and a chapter book for more advanced readers. The selections are being made by a panel of authorities including Joanne and Stephanie Oppenheim, child development experts, authors and founders of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio; Margaret Tice, Office of Children's Services at the New York Public Library; and Neera Ghosh with the New York City Department of Education.
"Guiding young readers and their parents to good literature has a long term and ripple effect," says Joanne Oppenheim. "Reading is a cornerstone to all learning and an activity that enhances the relationship between parent and child. We have selected the books for Bearemy's Book Club list very carefully to offer choices that are well written and illustrated, are age appropriate and send messages that will help children learn and grow."
In addition to new titles, the site will include recommended children's classics and best bear books. Bearemy's Book Club will offer a virtual library by archiving all the books recommended over the year.
"Adults have all kinds of help in selecting good literature," says Maxine Clark. "Our purpose is to provide that same level of informative guidance for parents and children to help them sort through all the choices out there."
As school begins in the fall, Build-A-Bear Workshop will be launching its first ever writing contest that will encourage children to write a teddy bear tale. Details of the contest will be available August 1 on the Build-A-Bear Workshop website at www.buildabear.com, in stores and in the August issue of Discovery Girls magazine.
Build-A-Bear Workshop® is an interactive, entertainment retailer that invites
Guests to create their own customized stuffed animals. The company is proud
to be a part of the Teddy Bear Centennial™. Build-A-Bear Workshop currently
operates over 85 stores nationwide and plans to have over 100 stores by the
end of 2002.