New York, NY (February 8, 2006) -- Scholastic Media (SM), a leader in children’s entertainment, announced today the addition of a colorful new property, Kim Parker Kids, to its extensive library of established children’s brands.  The new property is based upon the critically acclaimed, visually stunning Counting In the Garden children’s counting book from talented artist and world-renowned textile designer, Kim Parker. Originally published by Scholastic in April 2005, SM will act as licensor for the property, seeking partners in children’s apparel, stationery, wall art, school accessories and educational toys.  SideKicks will kick-off the line with an original collection of vivid plush toys.
 
“We are delighted to broaden our publishing deal with Kim Parker and bring her amazing artwork to life with new plush toys from SideKicks and additional products to roll-out in the near future,” stated Leslye Schaefer, SVP of Marketing and Consumer Products for Scholastic Media.  “Kim Parker’s book Counting In the Garden has been incredibly well-received by children and their parents and has been widely praised in the media. This new licensing agreement will make Kim Parker and her beautiful work even more widely known.”
 
Kim Parker added, "I feel there is an endless landscape of joy to be created with Scholastic Media for the Kim Parker Kids label. My new children's brand is yet another magical canvas for me, a kind of garden wonderland, where I can bring my love for painting flowers, animals, and healing colors into the precious world of a child." 
 
Kim Parker has a passion for working with rich colors and exuberant floral designs. Her Designer collections, which are distributed under the Kim Parker Home label, include high-end designer rugs, bedding, bath products, fabrics, pillows, handbags, wall art and stationery. Her unique talents were extended to children's publishing with her first children's book, Counting In the Garden.
 
Counting In the Garden has received outstanding reviews and endorsements from respected media outlets PBS.org, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, the Kirkus Review and others. Publishers Weekly hailed the book as, “dispensing with conventional garden reference points such as earth, sun and sky, (Kim) turns her spreads into two-dimensional bouquets, strewing blossoms, branches and vines of no fixed residence against crisp white space; the casual but firm elegance of the array would make Martha Stewart proud.”  Additionally, Counting In the Garden, is listed as a recommended book for teaching children concepts and math at PBS.org/Teachersource, which also includes prestigious titles such as, Eric Carle's bestselling 10 Little Rubber Ducks and Lois Ehlert's Chicka Chicka 123. 
 
More information on Kim Parker and Kim Parker Kids can be found on her website, www.kimparker.tv
 
About Kim Parker Kids®--Launching February 2006--Based on her first children's book Counting In the Garden (Scholastic), Kim Parker Kids® is an exciting new children's brand which will feature apparel, bedding, wall art, stationery, school accessories and educational toys.
 
About Scholastic Media
Scholastic Media (SM) is the entertainment and media division of Scholastic Inc, the global children's publishing and media company. A proven leader and innovator in the children's entertainment landscape and award-winning licensor and marketer of children's properties worldwide, SM ranks as one of the foremost producers of quality, family-oriented content for all platforms including television programming, feature films, home entertainment, interactive, and the Internet.
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

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