The Iowa Children's Museum MIFFY AND FRIENDS EXHIBIT TO OPEN AT THE IOWA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM Preschool Interactive Exhibit to Debut in Coralville on June 3, 2005 Coralville, Iowa (May 10, 2005) - Beloved characters of the popular children's book series and NOGGIN TV show, Miffy and Friends, come to The Iowa Children's Museum in Coralville in a new exhibit opening June 3, 2005.   Geared to stimulate the youngest of imaginations, the MIFFY AND FRIENDS exhibit is full of colorful and hands-on activities featuring interactive and educational elements based on the children's book classic character, Miffy. Highlights of the 600-square-foot MIFFY AND FRIENDS exhibit include: a child-size Miffy house and garden; a puppet theater, starring Miffy and Friends puppets; a school area with craft and reading tables, as well as computer kiosk featuring Miffy and Friends CD-ROM activities; a Miffy reading center; and an animal friends area focusing on texture, sorting, and matching--activities intended to enhance motor skills.   Iowa children will also have the opportunity to meet Miffy during scheduled appearances throughout the duration of the exhibit.   Each Wednesday morning at 10:30 am, beginning June 8 th ,   Miffy and her friends at The Iowa Children's Museum will present "Miffy Circle Time" filled with stories, crafts, and special time with Miffy.   Miffy is holding a Colossal Coloring Contest this summer just for kids!   Each child who completes Miffy's coloring sheet receives a special Miffy prize and gets to have their "work of art" hang in the Miffy Art Gallery at the children's museum.   Miffy Coloring Sheets are available free at the museum. The museum is also planning a big party to celebrate Miffy's 50 th birthday on June 21 st all day long!   Miffy will be on hand for photo opportunities, games, and prizes and is joined by local children's musician, BF Burt for a fun birthday sing-a-long at 2:00 pm. "Miffy provides a wonderful opportunity for parent and child to read together, draw together, and play together," says Deb Dunkhase, Executive Director of The Iowa Children's Museum.   " MIFFY AND FRIENDS creates the backdrop for early learning in a colorful, simplistic environment just right for toddlers and their adults."    Miffy 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.   Big Tent Entertainment is the publisher of Miffy and Friends in the United States and the licensing partner for the brand.   For more information, visit www.miffy.com . Miffy's stop-motion, animated television series, " Miffy and Friends ," is one of NOGGIN's most popular morning shows.   The half-hour preschool series airs every day.   " Miffy and Friends" weaves together simple animated tales with new interactive games in which Miffy introduces preschoolers to basic math concepts and helps them appreciate the relevance of mathematical relationships in our everyday world. NOGGIN is the commercial-free, educational network for preschoolers owned by Nickelodeon.   MIFFY AND FRIENDS runs through August 15, 2005.   The exhibit is being locally sponsored by several friends of The Iowa Children's Museum including: City of Coralville Coral Ridge Mall Russ & Ann Gerdin Iowa City Press Citizen Donation In Memory of Dorothy O'Brien Dave & Mindi Streb Family For more information, please visit    http://www.theicm.org . ### The Iowa Children's Museum houses 28,000 square feet of interactive galleries filled with hands-on, minds-on exhibits and activities for children. Build a race car and race down a 32' race track, broadcast the news and make your own video, and shop in the child-size grocery store. Come see why The Iowa Children's Museum is a leader in children's education where learning becomes serious fun! Hours of Operation for The Iowa Children's Museum:   Summer Hours extend June 13   through August 21                         Mondays- Thursdays               10am to 6pm                         Fridays                                     10 am to 8pm                         Saturdays                                 10 am to 6pm                         Sundays                                    11 am to 6pm                                     Museum Contact: Deb Dunkhase, The Iowa Children's Museum, (319) 625-6255, ext. 210.    Press Contact for Miffy: Beth Olsen, Goodman Media International, (212) 576-2700 ext. 243