When guests choose Elmo, they go through the same eight steps that Build-A-Bear Workshop offers to create a unique, personalized experience. Children will be able to pick a special heart for Elmo and he will be stuffed, stitched and fluffed right before their own eyes. The 18-inch Elmo plush will be available for $20 in the US and $30 in Canada. In addition, an exclusive 4-message Elmo sound chip can be added for $5 in the U.S. and for $8 in Canada.

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. "We are delighted to be working with Build-A-Bear Workshop. Sesame Workshop is thrilled to offer Elmo in a personalized, activity-rich environment where children use their imaginations to create their very own friend," said June M. Archer, Sesame Workshop's Vice President of Licensing.

As part of the product launch, Build-A-Bear Workshop will host walkaround Elmo appearances at both the Build-A-Bear Workshop store at Navy Pier in Chicago and at Tyson's Corner Center in Virginia. "We are very excited to be hosting this event and to offer the first ever create-your-own Elmo for our Guests. Elmo is a beloved Sesame Street character and we know our Guests will be thrilled to meet him in our stores," said Maxine Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Bear of 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 globally with over 160 locations in the USA, four stores in Canada, and stores in Sheffield, England, Japan, Korea and Denmark. The company is on track to open more international stores later this year including its first store in France and Australia, 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 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.

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.