IT’S PURSE FOR BOOKS AT BUILD-A-BEAR AS THE BRAND CELEBRATES NATIONAL TEDDY BEAR DAY AND ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN’S LITERACY
Build-A-Bear announces a three-way partnership with the Build-A-Bear Foundation, First Book and Busload Of Books Tour, to provide 150,000 free books to communities in need across the country
ST. LOUIS, September 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) is celebrating her favorite day of the year today, National Teddy Bear Daywith the launch of her new furry friend, Read Teddy, to support its ongoing efforts in children’s literacy and to encourage a love of reading in children. This classic brown bear has super soft fur with an irresistibly cute smile and can be teamed with fun clothes and accessories, including the new “My weekend is booked” t-shirt and book wrist. Proceeds from each purchase will go to support the Build-A-Bear Foundation and its partnership with First Book. Build-A-Bear Foundation also donates 20,000 teddy to Title 1 schools in the First Book Network to provide reading companions to children in disadvantaged communities to help them develop their self-confidence and love of reading. Children’s literacy is one of the main giving areas of the Build-A-Bear Foundation, which announced its partnership with First Book earlier this year in honor of the 25e anniversary.
first book is the largest online community of educators serving children living in poverty, building a path out of poverty through equity in education. In a three-way partnership between First Book, Build-A-Bear Foundation and the Busload of Books Tour, the organizations will provide 150,000 free books to students and educators in needy communities across the country.
Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, the author/illustrator duo behind popular picture books and mid-level graphic novels such as The Cookie Chronicles series and Everywhere Wonder, will spend the 2022-2023 school year on the Book Bus Tour. This ultimate road trip will visit Title I schools in all 50 states and distribute free books to students and teachers who otherwise would not have access to them. They will be joined on this adventure by their four children, the family dog and their very own Read Teddy. Watch Robbi and Matthewwith their children, make the very first Read Teddy that will accompany them on their journey over the next year.
Follow them as they recount their adventures on their Instagram Channel
“Education and reading are so critical to a young child’s life trajectory. Knowing that access to education and reading is a key indicator of a child’s success in high school and beyond. beyond that, which is why we’ve made it a central pillar of our Foundation’s efforts,” said Voin Todorovic, president of the Build-A-Bear Foundation. “We are thrilled that Build-A-Bear Workshop is supporting our literacy efforts with the launch of Read Teddy and the partnership with First Book and the Busload of Books Tour.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate National Teddy Bear Day with a focus on reading and literacy. Septem-BEAR is the perfect time to launch Read Teddy to support our brand’s literacy efforts , children starting a new school year. Research shows that reading to a stuffed animal can boost children’s confidence and also be a therapeutic tool, and we hope that Read Teddy will now encourage our youngest guests to snuggle up against their four-legged friend and read their favorite story,” said Sharon PriceJean, President and CEO of Build-A-Bear. “By partnering with First Book and supporting our Foundation’s efforts, we can work together to ensure that even more children have access to a beloved book and bear.”
“Our goal at First Book is to provide children in disadvantaged communities with the books and resources they need to learn and thrive,” said Dana Bond, Senior Vice President, Strategic Alliances for First Book. “We are so grateful for our magical partnership with Build-A-Bear, which goes one step further by providing a comfortable and reassuring reading companion to encourage children to engage in reading.”
ABOUT THE BUILD-A-BEAR FOUNDATION
The Build-A-Bear Foundation adds a little more heart to life by sharing hugs, inspiring creativity and supporting those in need. As a 501(c)3 organization, the primary purpose of the Build-A-Bear Foundation is to support children’s literacy programs as a pathway to social and educational equity. The Build-A-Bear Foundation also provides financial and furry friend donations to organizations that support children’s health and well-being, disaster relief, and families in need of essential supplies. Since 1997, Build-A-Bear has donated over $22 million and 1.5 million furry friends to charitable causes worldwide. For more information, please visit www.buildabearfoundation.org.
ABOUT BUILDING A BEAR®
Build-A-Bear is a global, multi-generational brand focused on its mission to “add a little more heart to life”, appealing to a wide range of consumer groups who value self-expression by creating their own “furry friends “to celebrate and commemorate life’s moments. Nearly 500 interactive brick-and-mortar outlets operated in a variety of formats provide customers of all ages with a hands-on entertainment experience, which often fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection. The company also offers engaging e-commerce/digital shopping experiences on buildabear.com including his online “Bear-Builder”, the animation “Bear Builder Workshop 3D“and its age-restricted adult focus”bear caveAdditionally, extending its brand power beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging content for kids. and adults which fulfills the company’s mission, while the company also offers products in wholesale and non-plush consumer categories through licensing agreements with major manufacturers. $411.5 million in fiscal year 2021. For more information, visit the Investor Relations Section from buildabear.com
ABOUT THE BOOK BUS TOUR
Author/illustrator duo Mathew Swanson and Robbi Behr will spend the 2020-2023 school year traveling the country in a small home school bus, visiting Title I elementary schools in all 50 states, giving presentations on creative empowerment, donating 25,000 books, and facilitating the first-ever large-scale study on the impact of author/illustrator visits on literacy and creativity among elementary school students.
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