From January to March 2003, the retailer will feature Sagwa, a spirited and curious young cat adapted from Amy Tan's book titled The Chinese Siamese Cat, on children's sportswear and accessories. The Sagwa shop will feature products such as bedding, clothing, plush and watches. A percentage of the proceeds of all Sagwa merchandise sold will support Sesame Workshop educational programs around the world. The Sagwa shop will feature products from Jerry Leigh (sportswear), Wormser (sleepwear), Berkshire (accessories), S. Goldberg (footwear), IMT (watches), Dan River (bedding), Franco (towels), and Panache Place (plush).

"Sagwa taps into a child's natural curiosity about the world around them," said Lisa Appleby, vice president of business development, Sesame Workshop. "We're especially proud to work with family-friendly companies like Mervyn's to enable children to experience Sagwa's special qualities beyond the show. The show's rich imagery, cultural content, and strong educational messages are truly reflected in the various aspects of the promotion."

"Mervyn's is delighted to bring Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, to our stores," said Mark Nawrocki, senior manager of events planning and licensing, Mervyn's. "We are continually looking for new and exciting merchandise for our guests, and with Sagwa's popularity, we expect that our guests will love the exclusive apparel."

In addition to in-store merchandise, Mervyn's guests can enter Sagwa's Chinese New Year Celebration sweepstakes. The national contest runs January 6 through March 31, 2003, and encourages families to send a Chinese New Year card to Sagwa, which will enter them into the contest. Prizes include a $25,000 college savings bond, family trips to Washington D.C., and Sagwa products. Families can enter online at www.sesameworkshop.org/sagwa, or on Scholastic's new Sagwa color and activity book shippers in stores nationwide.

About Sagwa

Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat, produced by CineGroupe in association with Sesame Workshop, is adapted from the book The Chinese Siamese Cat by renowned author Amy Tan and illustrated by Gretchen Schields. The series follows the escapades of a spirited and curious young cat as she explores the world amidst the time-honored storybook setting of China long ago. With the soaring imagination of an eight- year-old child, Sagwa sets out with friends and family to discover the world and her place in it, even when it involves taking risks.

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. 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. Find the Workshop online at www.sesameworkshop.org.

About Mervyn's

Mervyn's, headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, is a family- friendly neighborhood department store with 264 locations in 14 states. Known for its big brands at small prices, Mervyn's has a well-earned reputation for its extensive selection of national and owned-brand fashions and housewares. With hundreds of top national brands such as adidas®, Cuisinart®, Dockers®, Fieldcrest®, Gloria Vanderbilt, Haggar®, KitchenAid(TM), Lee®, Levi's®, Nike®, Nine & Company, Samsonite®, Sideout®, and Unionbay®, Mervyn's offers trend-right fashions for the entire family and the home. With a focus on improving the lives of children and families, Mervyn's together with parent company Target Corporation, annually contributes more than $2 million a week to communities where the company operates.

About CineGroupe

CineGroupe, a leader in state-of-the-art animation, CGI, 2-D/3-D backgrounds and special effects, boasts over 800 half-hours of animation and live-action family entertainment programs, and has received more than 40 People's Choice and International Jury Awards. Its quality programming is seen in 125 countries around the globe. CineGroupe is currently in production on its half-hour a live-action/3D background and effects series, Galidor: Defenders of the Outer Dimension. The company has recently completed the hit PBS series Sagwa, The Chinese Siamese Cat in association with Sesame Workshop. Find us on-line at www.cinegroupe.com.