Preschoolers Get Ready to Learn with PLAYSKOOL's T.J. BEARYTALES Line

Feb. 9, 2006-- T.J. BEARYTALES, a new animated plush bear from Hasbro's PLAYSKOOL division available this summer, will help preschoolers get ready to learn through storytelling, music and play-along activities. The T.J. BEARYTALES character uses story time and a collection of 13 original tales to teach young listeners social and emotional skills that get them ready for school such as helping others, following directions and overcoming fears, along with more traditional school-readiness skills like colors, shapes and numbers.

Through the use of Hasbro's award-winning animatronic technology, the T.J. BEARYTALES bear is fully-animated and moves his mouth, eyes, ears, nose, head and arms to expressively tell his stories, ask questions, play guessing games with children, and sing songs, including his own version of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." To further engage kids, T.J. BEARYTALES comes with a 24-page, photo-illustrated story book so his young friends can follow along with his stories. This book and additional ones detail the adventures of T.J. BEARYTALES, where each of his exploits becomes an opportunity for him and his listeners to learn an important life lesson, such as learning to get along with siblings and being away from mom and dad for the first time. Each book also includes activities for parents and preschoolers to do together to extend the play and learning experience.

"Play and story-telling leads to a deeper, more meaningful kind of learning for kids that engages their whole selves--bodies, senses, imagination and their developing intelligence," said Dr. Lawrence Cohen, a Boston-area psychologist specializing in children's play and a consultant to PLAYSKOOL. "Pre-literacy play and basic concepts like cause-and-effect precede reading and math skills."

"Playtime is the way kids learn about themselves and their world, and we believe that when play comes first, learning comes naturally," said Lorrie Browning, general manager of Hasbro's preschool division. "Today's parents wrestle with the seemingly opposing pressures of preparing kids for school and just letting them act like kids. We believe parents can accomplish both through fun, engaging products like the T.J. BEARYTALES line."

Set for launch this summer, the T.J. BEARYTALES line is recommended for kids ages 3 to 6 and will retail for approximately $49.99. The 24-page storybook is included. Eight additional story books and cartridges and four deluxe books with accessories will be available this fall and retail for approximately $9.99 and $14.99 each, respectively.

SOURCE HASBRO, Inc.