KANSAS CITY, MO -- Apr 7, 2003 -- School's out for the summer -- what do you do? How about stepping back in time with your favorite American Girls characters and discovering games and activities that entertained girls during the long summer days of years past? Even better, how about earning beautiful American Girl pins while you're having fun? This summer, young girls can do just that by participating in The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark "Circle of Smiles" program -- a free and fun-filled program that provides engaging summer activities for girls to try alone, or complete with their moms, family members, or friends.
The "Circle of Smiles" activities are based on the lives and times of the eight characters in The American Girls Collection®, Pleasant Company's flagship line of historical books and dolls. The activities encourage girls to imagine what growing up might have been like long ago as they create some of the same summer fun enjoyed by the American Girls they know and love. Girls can bead a necklace similar to one Kaya might have made in the 1760s, read a Scandinavian story like Kirsten would have done on the Minnesota frontier, collect scrap metal like Molly and other patriotic American girls did during World War II, or learn a clapping game that Addy might have played with friends in 1865, to name just a few!
The program includes three activities for each character, and girls must complete two of the three activities in each section to finish the entire program. Girls who participate in the program will receive personalized certificates. For each "Circle of Smiles" activity section that girls complete between April and August, a free pin featuring an American Girls character will be awarded. And girls who complete the entire program by collecting all eight American Girl pins will receive a special reward -- an exclusive American Girl necklace created just for "Circle of Smiles" program participants.
Fun-filled weekend to kick off the program
Moms and daughters won't want to miss the "Circle of Smiles" program launch to be held at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores around the country April 12-13, 2003. Starting Saturday, April 12, girls and their moms will be able to stop by a local Hallmark Gold Crown® store to pick up a free "Circle of Smiles" Activity Booklet which describes the program, presents the activities for each character, and helps participants track their progress. Once a girl completes an activity section and has an adult sign the page, she can bring her booklet back to the Hallmark Gold Crown® store to receive a free pin.
Two other special promotions will be offered only during "Circle of Smiles" launch weekend. The "Circle of Smiles" Keep-in-Touch Kit -- which includes correspondence-related products from The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark that can be used to complete the activities or just to keep in touch with friends over the summer -- will be offered for just $9.95 ($20 retail value). And, moms can register to win the "Circle of Smiles" prize package. One winner per store will receive a set of seven American Girls Mini Dolls and the "Circle of Smiles" Keep-in-Touch Kit ($160 retail value).
"The 'Circle of Smiles' program is an excellent opportunity to teach girls about American history -- in a fun and rewarding way," says Peggy Bruce, product manager, Hallmark Licensing. "Just like The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark product line, the 'Circle of Smiles' program is designed to connect girls with the past and strengthen the bond they have with their mothers, family members, and friends."
Head back to school with the ultimate reward
"Circle of Smiles" fun lasts all summer long! The summer program culminates with a special "Back-to-School Event" to be held in August at participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. At this event, open to all, participating girls will receive personalized certificates. Girls who completed the entire "Circle of Smiles" program will be recognized and will receive, free, the unique American Girl necklace created especially for "Circle of Smiles" program participants.
ABOUT The American Girls Collection from Hallmark:
The collection of gifts for each American Girls character in The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark is based on people, places, and experiences important to each fictional heroine and the period in history in which she lives. Just as The American Girls Collection of fictional books stays authentic to historical events, The American Girls Collection ® from Hallmark products -- including gifts like stationery, pens, memory-keeping items, bookends, stickers, and card making kits -- reflect the story line and events in the books. The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark literally "brings the books to life" for girls today.
Hallmark and Pleasant Company announced the licensing agreement to create The American Girls Collection® from Hallmark in 2001. It allows Hallmark rights to produce a wide range of gift and personal expression products inspired by The American Girls Collection that are available at nearly 4,000 participating Hallmark Gold Crown® stores. American Girl dolls and accessories are available only through the American Girl catalogue, www.americangirl.com, and at American Girl Place in Chicago. This agreement represents Pleasant Company's first major licensing program with a nationally recognized company.
ABOUT HALLMARK:
Kansas City-based Hallmark is known throughout the world for its greeting cards, related personal expression products, and television's most honored and enduring dramatic series, the Hallmark Hall of Fame. The company's Hallmark Entertainment, Inc., subsidiary is the world's leading producer of movies and mini-series for television; its Binney & Smith subsidiary, maker of Crayola® crayons and markers, is the leading producer of art materials for children and students. Through licensing leadership and joint ventures, Hallmark continues to expand its product formats and distribution avenues. The company, which has wholly owned subsidiaries in 12 countries, publishes products in 30 languages and distributes them in more than 100 countries. In 2001, Hallmark reported consolidated net revenues of $4 billion.
ABOUT PLEASANT COMPANY:
For over 16 years, Pleasant Company -- a direct marketer, retailer, and children's publisher nationally known for the American Girl brand -- has provided beautifully made products for each stage of a girl's development, from her preschool days of fantasy play through her 'tween' years of self-expression and individuality. The American Girls Collection, Pleasant Company's flagship product line, has brought history alive for millions of children ages 7-12. Artfully weaving together education and entertainment, the American Girls books, dolls, and accessories have shown girls how growing up has changed in some ways and stayed the same in others throughout American history.
In addition to The American Girls Collection®, Pleasant Company is nationally known for the following brands: American Girl Today®, Bitty Baby®, Angelina Ballerina®, AG Mini*s®, and American Girl Place®. The company publishes best-selling fiction and nonfiction books, as well as the award-winning magazine, American Girl®. To date, more than 82 million American Girl books and 7 million dolls have been sold. Pleasant Company was founded in 1985 by Pleasant T. Rowland and was acquired by Mattel, Inc. in 1998.
