"MIFFY AT THE LIBRARY" TOUR PROVING TO BE EFFECTIVE LITERACY VEHICLE, DRAMATICALLY INCREASING LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP AMONG KIDS Dallas, St. Louis, Tulsa, Kansas City, and San Diego Are Next Stops on National Tour New York, NY, April 6, 2005 - "Miffy at the Library," an interactive art and word experience designed to promote literacy, is proving to be popular among preschool teachers and parents for its programming and a successful vehicle in getting kids to sign up for a library card. Nearly 7,000 children have participated in Miffy arts and reading related programming and thousands more have viewed the art exhibition. During its one-month tenure at each host library, children and their parents are also encouraged to sign up for a library card--the first 200 kids to do so receive a complimentary Miffy book. The campaign has succeeded in boosting library card sign-up among kids by an average of 240% for the month. "We are delighted that so many children have visited the exhibit and joined their local libraries as a result of participating in the "Miffy at the Library" programming," said Marja Kerkhof, Managing Director of Mercis bv, the publishing company founded by Dick Bruna and sole sponsor of the library tour. "The purposeful combination of artwork and storytelling-related activities, makes this exhibit a compelling and fun format for introducing preschoolers to the world of reading," "Miffy at the Library" has reached the halfway mark on its ten-city tour having already made stops in Washington DC; Detroit, MI; Atlanta, GA; New Orleans, LA, and Memphis, TN. Future tour cities and approximate dates include: Dallas, TX - April/May St. Louis, MO - June Tulsa, OK - July/August Kansas City, MO - August/September San Diego, CA - September/October "Miffy at the Library" features 20 limited edition prints of Dick Bruna's artwork featuring the classic children's book character, Miffy. The artwork serves as an inspirational backdrop for programming such as story time, arts and craft sessions. In this inspired setting, preschool children learn to appreciate the balance of art and words, as well as to develop their own imagination. Geared towards preschoolers, their parents, teachers and caregivers, "Miffy at the Library" is available free of charge to public libraries across the country. Doris Jackson, Youth Services Coordinator, for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library says, "'Miffy at the Library' is a wonderful, museum quality exhibit that captured the imagination of our young patrons. It is very rare that you find an exhibit of this caliber geared to young children." Libraries have always been important to Dick Bruna. As a boy, he often visited his local library in Holland to gaze at art books and read stories, mostly about animals. Based on his experience, he believes libraries are a vital conduit to learning. He exhibits his art in places accessible to children - preferring libraries over traditional galleries. ABOUT MIFFY: Miffy ( www.miffy.com ) is an adorable white rabbit whose simple stories offer tiny lessons for everyday adventures and experiences. Written and illustrated by Dutch artist, Dick Bruna, the MIFFY and FRIENDS books have been guiding and enchanting young children for 50 years.   The books have been translated into more than 40 languages and have sold nearly 85 million copies worldwide.   NOGGIN, the commercial-free, educational network for kids 2 to 5, brings Miffy's tales to life every morning in Miffy's own stop-motion, animated television series called Miffy and Friends . #           #           # CONTACT: Virginia Anagnos                       Goodman Media International                       212-576-2700