Adult gag birthday gift

Lifestyle Editors/Feature Editors

FEATURE...Gift Guide III

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2003

Premier Seller of Books and Original Artwork

from Children's Volumes Creates Gift Baskets

in Southern California, Now Available Nationwide Online

Is there a child in your life that you want to encourage to read? Or even an infant whom you want to develop a lifelong appreciation of books by giving mom or dad something to inspire the imagination?

This holiday season you can captivate a child with a Book Bushel from STORYOPOLIS, the nation's premier seller of children's books and original art or limited edition illustrations from those books. Better yet, the beautifully appointed Book Bushel can be personalized to match the youngster's interests! Do you know a child who loves trains, animals or dinosaurs? STORYOPOLIS' personal shoppers will put together the perfect combination of items, along with a toy or plush character.

Or you can order one of the store's themed gift collections. Among them are, Curious George, Maisy, Princess, Cars and Trucks and Things that Go -- and certainly Dr. Seuss, sure to be the rage this season after The Cat and The Hat comes to movie screens.

Also available are STORYOPOLIS' popular standard Book Bushels: Baby Boy, Baby Girl, General Baby, Picture Books age 3-6, and Middle Readers. There are also specialty baskets that can be created for adults who still celebrate their inner child and for Spanish speaking children.

Some of STORYOPOLIS' most ardent customers who order Book Bushels include many celebrities. The list of actors, producers and musicians include: Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, Steven Spielberg, Robin Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones, The Osbournes, Sting, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver, Sean and Robin Penn, Brendan Fraser, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe, Danny Devito, Quincy Jones and Ben Stiller. Celebrity kids who have received STORYOPOLIS Book Bushels include the offspring of Madonna, Warren Beatty and Annette Bening, Renee Russo, Jack Nicholson, Robert DeNiro, as well as Demi Moore and Bruce Willis.

STORYOPOLIS Book Bushels generally range from $75 to $200 and come delightfully gift wrapped in a variety of fanciful options, including the company's inspired Tower Wrap, featuring stacked books surrounded by colorful cellophane and bright ribbons. Sample Book Bushels in three price ranges include:

$75 Boy Bushel

Best for children 3 years and younger, they include 8-9 items, one library-building picture book, 6-7 board books (great for infants) and a small toy, such as a plush ball or dinosaur.

$100 Girl Bushel

Great for children ages 3-6, they typically contain 10-12 items -- two library-building picture books, 7-8 board books and one large toy.

$125-$150 School Age

STORYOPOLIS $125 - $150 baskets are excellent for middle readers. School-age baskets -- ages 6 and up -- contain library-building books, games and activities that are sure to entertain. If for a younger recipient, the Book Bushel may also have large plush toys, fine imported wooden toys, and a vast selection of classics and new books.

$150 Adult Age Bushel

Adult baskets may contain art books, cult classics, retro games and toys, as well as fun and quirky gag gifts.

These samples are minimums for what creates the most appropriate basket for each age group. However don't let price limit your creativity in developing the perfect gift. There are a variety of options that can be incorporated to fit each wallet. Consider adding a framed print or original illustration into a basket order.

To order at STORYOPOLIS Book Bushel, it is helpful to provide the following information: age, gender, whether the child has siblings, family hobbies or child's special interest, whether you prefer new books or classics, if you want to include a toy or plush critter and if there is a themed basket that holds a special appeal for the child. You may also choose to add additional toys, music or video (CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, audio cassettes), signed books, rare vintage books, limited edition or original artwork.

STORYOPOLIS Book Bushels are also perfect for birthdays, newborns, get-wells, baby showers, Easter, Passover and other special occasions. To stimulate a child's enthusiasm for reading well after the holidays, Book Bushels can be a great way to inaugurate registration for the STORYOPOLIS Children's Book-of-the-Month Club.

Serving a unique market niche as the premier children's art gallery and bookstore, STORYOPOLIS represents the very best in the world of stories and illustration. The colorful setting of the STORYOPOLIS book store and art gallery is a valuable showcase for the most distinctive collection of classic and contemporary storybooks, juvenile readers and antique books. Housing the finest collection of children's illustrators in the world, STORYOPOLIS is an ideal space in which to personally introduce children and adults to some of the top authors and artists, while allowing them to take advantage of the skyrocketing increases in value of collectible children's art and books. Bringing stories to life, STORYOPOLIS hosts regular readings with dedicated authors, illustrators, celebrities and royalty, including most recently Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. STORYOPOLIS will also create unique one-of-a-kind birthday celebrations in its store around book themes.

For ordering Book Bushels or to secure more information on STORYOPOLIS, go to: www.STORYOPOLIS.com or call 800-95-TALES.

Editors Note: Downloadable art is available at http://www.storyopolis.com/media.asp