Fiesta Fun Maya

NEW YORK, August 15, 2005 - Toy Play LLC, a division of The Betesh Group, is thrilled to announce the retail launch of Maya & Miguel toys. Now, fans of Scholastic Entertainment's hit show can bring their favorite characters to life with nine innovative dolls, play environments and collectibles certain to win the hearts of all little girls.

The exciting line of toys geared for children ages 4-8 is based on the hit animated series Maya & Miguel which is entering its second year on PBS KIDS GO!. The never-a-dull-moment show revolves around Maya's well intended meddling in her family and friends' lives. Sprinkled throughout this hilarious series are values of friendship, family and a positive, rich portrayal of a Latino family and their friends. Toy Play has translated the adventure and fun of the series into the imaginative play of its products.

The toy collection represents Toy Play's commitment to serve the country's growing and diversifying population with products that meet its specific needs. Kids everywhere will embrace this truly distinctive toy line. Said Jonathan Breiter, Senior Vice President of The Betesh Group, "We are thrilled that little girls can now bring Maya & Miguel into their homes and hearts with our dolls. Our products will enable children to have fun and play imaginatively with some of their favorite television friends. Kids from all backgrounds will appreciate the universal appeal of Maya's fun-loving personality."

¡Eso Es! Maya

¡Eso Es! Maya, the feature doll in the collection, is the essence of the Maya character. Press her heart locket to hear Maya say 10 phrases in English and Spanish as her signature ponytail spins and hair ornaments illuminate. The 14" poseable doll with a suggested retail price of $24.99, includes fashionable interchangeable outfits and shoes, as well as a hairbrush and accessories for hours of interactive play and fun.

Other exciting toys in the collection include:

• Maya & Friends Collectibles - a collectible set of 2" colorful characters. SRP $5.99
• Maya with Twinkling Bobbles - squeeze her hand and this 12" soft and cuddly plush Maya doll's hair ornaments light up. SRP $9.99
• Skateboard Sensation - Ready to skateboard, this 6.5" poseable Maya doll comes wearing a work out suit and includes additional clothing and accessories for hours of fashion, sport and role play fun. SRP $9.99
• Rock Star Fantasy - Decked out in a cool outfit with a guitar, this 6.5" poseable Maya doll is ready to rock n' roll! Additional clothing and accessories are included for a rocking good time. Comes with a heart locket for little girls to wear. SRP $9.99
• Maya's Messenger Bag & Doll Carry Case - Wearing her signature outfit, this 6.5" poseable Maya Doll includes additional clothing, accessories and pet parrot Paco on his perch! A groovy Maya messenger bag is included so Maya fans can carry everything in style! Comes with a hair accessory for little girls to wear. SRP $14.99
• Soccer Fun - 6.5" poseable Maya doll comes wearing a soccer outfit along with her brother Miguel. Press a button on Miguel's back to see his leg kick! Additional clothing and accessories included. SRP $14.99
• Fiesta Fun - Wearing a festive dress in a party time play environment, this 6.5" poseable Maya doll comes with all the fun accessories for a fabulous fiesta. Press the button on Maya's radio to hear three tunes play! SRP $14.99
• Siesta Fun - 6.5" poseable Maya doll comes wearing pajamas in her groovy bedroom environment. Press the button on Maya's night table to see her lamp light up and alarm clock ring! Fun bedroom furniture and d�cor accessories are included. SRP $14.99

Maya & Miguel toys, which will be promoted in part by a TV media campaign premiering at the end of August, are available at stores nationwide including Toys R Us, K-Mart and Wal-Mart.

About The Betesh Group
The Betesh Group, in business for 30 years, is family owned global consumer products company with six distinct and growing divisions. Since its inception in 1974, the dynamic organization has grown to a stellar $ 250 million business which includes: Mitzi International (Ladies Handbags and Accessories), Generation Company (Backpacks, Sports and Travel Related Accessories), Motion Systems (Computer, Audio and Video Accessories), Baby Boom (Diaper Bags, Infant Bedding and Room D�cor) Funhouse Consumer Products (Toddler Bedding and Toddler/Tween/Teen Room D�cor, Furniture, Slumber Bags, Storage Items, Bed Tents and Play Tents), and Toy Play (Toys, Arts and Crafts and Scrapbooking for all ages). Headquartered in New York, The Betesh Group operates eight offices in four countries with over 800 employees worldwide

Baby Boom, Funhouse Consumer Products and Toy Play are considered leaders in the Infant, Toddler and Kids markets, continually striving to make better products for buyers, babies, kids, and all consumers. Constantly developing and strengthening partnerships with leaders across all children's industries, the companies are committed to world-class retail and licensing service.

About Maya & Miguel
Maya & Miguel made a stellar debut in fall 2004, quickly becoming the # 1 new show on PBS KIDS GO! and establishing an immediate and powerful connection with its audience. Based on an original concept by Scholastic Entertainment President Deborah Forte, the series is designed to present culture and language learning as fun, relevant, and rewarding for all children, with a special emphasis on the Latino population. The goals of the series are: (1) to promote the value of a culturally diverse society; and (2) to support English language learners through the presentation of language in a natural context with a special emphasis on vocabulary.

About Scholastic Entertainment
Scholastic Entertainment (SE) is the entertainment and media division of Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company. A proven leader in the children's entertainment landscape, SE ranks as one of the foremost producers of quality, family-oriented television programming, feature films, videos, and web sites, and an award-winning licensor and marketer of children's properties worldwide. In addition to Maya & Miguel™, SE's production credits include such popular television series as the top-rated Clifford The Big Red Dog® (PBS KIDS); the Emmy award-winning spin-off of this hit TV series, Clifford's Puppy Days™ (PBS KIDS); the Emmy award-winning series I SPY (HBO Family) and The Magic School Bus™ (TLC); as well as Dear America, The Royal Diaries™, Animorphs ™ and Goosebumps™. In the feature film arena, SE has produced the critically-acclaimed movies Clifford's Really Big Movie, The Baby-sitters Club, The Indian in the Cupboard, Tuck Everlasting and The Mighty and is currently adapting the best-selling Philip Pullman trilogy, His Dark Materials, for the big screen with New Line Cinema. Additionally, SE serves as the exclusive licensing, merchandising and promotional representative for such prominent franchises as Home Movies™.

About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.