October 6, 2004 -- Build-A-Bear Workshop:

WHO: Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) and Sesame Workshop

WHAT: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Where Best Friends Are Made(R), is teaming up with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street(R), to offer their Guests an opportunity to create their first ever, very own plush Elmo.

WHERE: Make-your-own plush Elmo will be available in all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores in the U.S. and Canada and on the company's website at www.buildabear.com

WHEN: Make-your-own Elmo arrives on Friday, October 8, 2004

WHY: For over 35 years, Sesame Workshop has been educating and engaging children and families. And as a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street products, including the special Elmo plush at Build-A-Bear Workshop, right back into its educational projects for children at home and around the world. Elmo is planned to be the first of several Sesame Street characters available at all Build-A-Bear Workshop locations in the U.S. and Canada and on the company's website.

About Build-A-Bear Workshop(R)

Build-A-Bear Workshop is an interactive, entertainment, mall-based retailer that invites Guests of all ages to create their own customized stuffed animals through an exciting bear-making process. The first store opened in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1997, and the company now operates over 170 locations in the USA with four stores in Canada. Build-A-Bear Workshop opened its first international store in Sheffield, England in the fall of 2003, added additional international stores in Japan, Korea, Denmark and Australia in 2004 and plans to open stores in France and Taiwan in 2005 making it the global leader in the teddy bear business. Based on a survey compiled by Shopping Centers Today, a publication of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Build-A-Bear Workshop was one of six retailers chosen and presented with the ICSC "2004 Hot Retailer Award". For more information on the company and its products call (877) 789-BEAR (2327) or visit the company's award-winning web site at www.buildabear.com.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is a nonprofit educational organization making a meaningful difference in children's lives around the world. Founded in 1968, the Workshop changed television forever with the legendary Sesame Street(R). Today, the Workshop continues to innovate on behalf of children in 120 countries, using its proprietary research methodology to ensure its programs and products are engaging and enriching. Sesame Workshop is behind award-winning programs like Dragon Tales and Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat and ground breaking multi-media productions in South Africa, Egypt and Russia. These are among many Workshop endeavors recognized for their deep understanding of children's developmental needs and the most effective ways to address them. As a nonprofit, Sesame Workshop puts the proceeds it receives from sales of Sesame Street, Dragon Tales and Sagwa products right back into its educational projects for children around the world. Find the Workshop online at www.sesameworkshop.org.