DISNEY AND THE BABY EINSTEIN COMPANY LAUNCH NEW PRESCHOOL FRANCHISE—DISNEY'S LITTLE EINSTEINS™—WITH THE DEBUT OF OUR BIG HUGE ADVENTURE DVD

Preschoolers to "Blast Off" on an Exploration of Celebrated Music, Art and Nature

BURBANK, Calif. (August 23, 2005)—5...4...3...2...1...Blast Off! One of the most anticipated new pre-school properties of the year, Disney’s Little Einsteins™, rockets into stores today with the launch of “Our Big HUGE Adventure” direct-to-video/DVD. Created by The Baby Einstein Company and The Walt Disney Company, this “next generation” of animation and learning will spark the curiosity of children with fun new ways to enjoy, hear and see classical music, celebrated works of art, and the wonders of nature. The DVD is the first title in the Little Einsteins franchise, and is the lead-in for a new TV series slated to launch on Disney Channel during its learning-focused Playhouse Disney block in October 2005.

“Little Einsteins was created by a dream team of award-winning producers, animators, child development experts, musicians and researchers,” said Russell Hampton, Executive Vice President and General Manager, The Baby Einstein Company. “Our goal was to create the ‘ultimate field trip’—to show children real places in the world, provide interactive experiences with art and nature and encourage them to learn about, enjoy and make music everyday.”

Executive producer Eric Weiner, a co-creator of “Dora the Explorer” and “JoJo’s Circus,” Dr. Valeria Lovelace, a “Sesame Street” child development veteran, Emmy Award-winning creative director Olexa Hewryk, and head writer Jeff Borkin, are the masterminds behind the unique combination of visual, musical and interactive learning elements incorporated in the Little Einsteins storylines. Produced at Curious Pictures, the largest animation studio in New York, Little Einsteins introduces a first in preschool animation by setting animated 2D characters amid vibrant, real-world backgrounds. The Little Einsteins series allows kids to travel through great works of art like Van Gogh’s “Wheat Field of Cypress,” and visit famous real-world landmarks such as Niagara Falls and the United Nations.

Classical music takes an active role in all of the Little Einsteins missions, as young viewers and their parents/caregivers are invited to participate by rocking, patting, clapping, marching, conducting or singing along to the steady beat of the music. Studies show that the “steady beat” skill helps children learn and develop on multiple levels including learning to read, enhancing creativity, and fostering a sense of well-being. In addition to hearing compositions such as Beethoven's “Ode to Joy,” preschoolers will meet a caterpillar that “sings” to it and cows that “moo” to it.

“Little Einsteins has a look and storyline that is like no other,” Hampton continued. “We know it is exciting, engaging and inviting because at the end of every mission, our toughest critics—the viewers—are clapping for more.”

The Storyline

“Our Big Huge Adventure” DVD takes the Little Einsteins team on an exciting mission to help a little caterpillar on his quest to become a beautiful Monarch butterfly. The story is set to the dramatic music of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and features classic artwork including Van Gogh’s “Wheat Field of Cypress,” Claude Monet’s “Woman in a Garden,” Katsushika Hokusai’s “Under the Wave of Kanagawa” and Navajo woven art. Beyond an introduction to classical art and music, the DVD also introduces preschoolers to the magical metamorphosis of butterflies, takes them on a whirlwind adventure around the world as the Little Einsteins team rides over Niagara Falls, brings about butterfly world peace in a garden next to the United Nations, explores a spooky cave in Oklahoma, navigates through a herd of uncooperative cows in Texas, and ultimately ends up at the final migration destination, a beautiful, butterfly forest in Angangueo, Mexico.

The Characters

A loveable band of four spirited adventurers and their musical rocket, each of the Little Einsteins characters brings a special talent to this group. Six-year-old Leo is the charismatic “conductor” who guides his teammates through a range of challenges and encourages viewer participation. His fearless and carefree four-year-old sister Annie shines as the singer of the group and loves to make up songs on the spot. Five-year-old Quincy keeps the group in stitches and is an African-American musical instrument virtuoso. Six-year-old June is a graceful Asian-American girl who is a talented dancer and always game for a physical challenge. The fifth member of the team, Rocket, is a “Swiss Army Ship” and is always comfortingly nearby, offering cool gadgets and tools that the team may need on their missions.

Bonus Features

The “Our Big Huge Adventure” DVD is packed with exciting, educational bonus features, including a colorful, animated Navajo Maze Game; “Disneypedia” lessons about metamorphosis, butterfly migration, the forest habitat in Angangueo, Mexico, and classical music; an in-depth, interactive “meet the characters” feature; and a sneak peak of Episode One of the Little Einsteins TV series, which will debut on Disney Channel during the Playhouse Disney block in October. Additionally, the DVD package will include a “Little Einsteins Passport” with collectible stickers for future missions to exciting real-world destinations featured on the TV series.

“Our Big Huge Adventure” is available at major retailers nationwide for the suggested retail price of $19.99 for DVD or VHS.

About The Baby Einstein Company

The Baby Einstein Company, LLC, is the award-winning creator of the infant developmental media category. The company is famous for its best-selling Baby Einstein™ brand of videos, books, music CDs and toys specifically designed for babies and toddlers, from birth. Little Einsteins™, debuting in 2005, is the company’s newest venture, specifically created for the preschool market. Headquartered in Glendale, CA, The Baby Einstein Company is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. For more information, visit www.babyeinstein.com or www.littleeinsteins.com.

# # #

Disney’s Little Einsteins “Our Big Huge Adventure”
Street Date: August 23, 2005 Running
Time: 61 minutes DVD/VHS
Pricing: $19.99 SRP