Caring Corners(TM) Talking Dollhouse Encourages Caring and Sharing as Children Play

Caring Corners(TM) Talking Dollhouse Encourages Caring and Sharing as Children
Play
Learning Curve Brands' innovative dollhouse hits store shelves, wins award.

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Caring Corners(TM)
Mrs. Goodbee(TM) dollhouse from Learning Curve Brands
(http://www.learningcurve.com), a wholly-owned subsidiary of RC2 Corporation
(Nasdaq: RCRC), hits the shelves of retailers nationwide this month. Recently
recognized as a "2008 Outstanding Product Winner" from iParenting Media, the
award-winning Caring Corners Mrs. Goodbee Talking Dollhouse is the first
dollhouse that comes to life to encourage caring and sharing through play.
When children ring Mrs. Goodbee's doorbell, her eyes pop open and her lips
light up as she begins to talk and sing. With 12 big rooms, she offers the
most expansive play space of any dollhouse in her category. Mrs. Goodbee's
activities instill caring and sharing all around her house with more than 400
activities, songs, words and sounds that bring her to life and guide children
through play. The unique tri-fold design (Patent Pending) unfolds to six
rooms on each side -- perfect for two children to share. In addition to the
dollhouse, children can build and imagine an entire world of caring and
sharing with a wide assortment of family, friends, pets, furniture and
accessories.
According to Jerry Perez, General Manager of Learning Curve Brands West,
"In extensive research with moms, we discovered they had a very strong
interest in helping their children develop social and emotional skills. This
was even more important to them than learning academic skills. Helping parents
teach their children values like empathy, compassion and 'emotional
intelligence' became the Caring Corners mission -- and is at the heart of our
vision for encouraging 'caring, sharing and preparing for responsibility' as
children play."
Designed by Experts -- Moms and Dr. Michele Borba
To help make the Caring Corners mission a reality, Learning Curve enlisted
the help of child development expert Dr. Michele Borba. Noted author of 22
books including Building Moral Intelligence, and parent expert on NBC's Today,
Dr. Borba helped build in features to encourage imaginative play and
interaction with the Mrs. Goodbee character. The result is a fun, kid-friendly
dollhouse that also reinforces positive social behaviors and learning to be
responsible around the house. There are 8 interactive "hot spots" that
encourage caring and sharing through natural play. For example, if a child
hears a crying baby and then puts the baby doll into the cradle and rocks it,
a soothing lullaby will play and Mrs. Goodbee will compliment the child.
"Compassion, empathy and fairness can come naturally to children, but
these qualities need to be nurtured or they may be lost as children mature,"
says Dr. Borba. "The best way to help encourage learning these skills is
through play. The Mrs. Goodbee Dollhouse provides these social and emotional
building blocks in play patterns that are fun for children and helpful for
parents."
Extending the Social Play -- into the Real World and on CaringCorners.com
Inside every dollhouse box, there's a "Raising a Caring Corners Kid"
Parent Guide. This helpful booklet, created in conjunction with Dr. Borba,
provides parents with "real world" examples of caring, sharing and preparing
for responsibility.
In addition the CaringCorners.com Web site takes parents and children
beyond Mrs. Goodbee's Dollhouse with an engaging online experience. This "safe
haven" Web destination provides age-appropriate games and fun online
activities for children. For parents, there are helpful articles from Dr.
Borba -- and "Recipes" for Caring, Sharing and Preparing children for
responsibility.
Parents can log onto CaringCorners.com to see a 360-degree product demo
and learn more about the Caring Corners story.
About Learning Curve Brands, Inc.
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. (http://www.learningcurve.com) is a wholly
owned subsidiary of RC2 Corporation (NASDAQ: RCRC, http://www.rc2.com) and is
a leading designer, producer and marketer of innovative, high-quality toys,
collectibles, and infant and toddler products. Learning Curve Brands, Inc.
markets its infant, toddler and preschool products under its Learning Curve(R)
family of brands which includes The First Years(R) by Learning Curve and
Lamaze brands as well as popular and classic licensed properties such as
Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Winnie the Pooh, John Deere, Nickelodeon
and Sesame Street. The Company's youth and adult products are marketed under
the Johnny Lightning(R) (http://www.johnnylightning.com) and Ertl(R),
(http://www.ertl.com) brands. Learning Curve Brands, Inc. reaches its target
consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than
25,000 retail outlets throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia
Pacific.
About Dr. Michele Borba
Michele Borba, Ed.D. is an internationally renowned educator who is
recognized for her practical, solution-based strategies to strengthen child's
behavior, self-esteem, character, and social development. Dr. Borba is the
award-winning author of 22 books including Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates
Me!; No More Misbehavin': 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them; Don't
Give Me That Attitude!; 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know; Building Moral
Intelligence, cited by Publishers' Weekly as "among the most noteworthy of
2001"; and Parents Do Make A Difference, selected by Child Magazine as
"Outstanding Parenting Book of 1999." Her numerous awards include the National
Educator Award, and Outstanding Contribution to the Educational Profession,
presented by the Bureau of Education and Research. She is a contributor to
iVillage, advisory board member for Parents magazine, and guest expert on CNN
Headlines News, Fox Headline News, The View, and The Early Show. She has
spoken to over one million parents and educators on four continents and
appears regularly as a parent expert on NBC's Today show.
SOURCE RC2 Corporation

Lisa Rigney of Salmon Borre Group, +1-847-582-1610, lisa@salmonborre.com, for
RC2 Corporation