,,,,,,,LRNS Kaaboom! Forbes Names SmarterKids a 'Forbes Favorite' In Its
Winter 2001 'Best of the Web' Issue
MONTEREY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 19, 2001--SmarterKids, a division of Excelligence Learning Corporation, a
dba of LearningStar Corp., (NASDAQSC: LRNS), the leading online education store and resource for parents, has been
recognized in Forbes magazine's ``Best of the Web'' round-up as the ``Forbes Favorite'' in the toy category. Only one website
from each of the 22 categories is named a ``Forbes Favorite.'' The Forbes ``Best of The Web'' December 3, 2001 issue picks
the best sites to help readers do everything including cope with trauma, rescue their portfolio, or look for a new job.
The ``Best of the Web'' staff surfed thousands of websites in search of the ``best of the best,'' resulting in a list of 140 site
reviews. Forbes then narrowed down the field even further to pick their favorites.
According to SmarterKids CEO Ronald Elliott, ``Forbes recognized SmarterKids for offering customers both a unique
educational product selection and easily accessible technology to help parents make informed choices. For example, our new
boutiques featuring popular product collections, such as BioColor® and LEGO®, and `My Kid's Store,' offering a customized
store for each child, make shopping easier. All of our activities and resources are designed to help families participate in their
children's learning experience.''
Under ``The Best'' features of SmarterKids, the reviewers highlighted the site's specialty centers for homeschoolers,
grandparents, and children with special needs. The guidance provided by the Grade Expectations! Guide about
age-appropriate activities and the development of the Learning Style Survey to understand the toy recipient's play styles
illustrated to reviewers that kids aren't the only ones who can learn from the SmarterKids site. SmarterKids allows shoppers to
shop by age, brand, character, and theme. Forbes also recognized the fact the SmarterKids is more than an online shopping
site; ``staff and educators rate and review each product, and the site is teeming with news, activities, and advice.''
For the full story review on SmarterKids visit forbes.com. The Forbes special issue
of Forbes ASAP featuring ``Best of The Web'' will be on newsstands beginning Tuesday, November 20 and is currently
available on the Forbes.com website at www.forbes.com/bow.
About Excelligence Learning Corporation, a dba of LearningStar Corp.
Excelligence Learning Corporation, a dba of LearningStar Corp., is a leading developer, manufacturer, and retailer of
educational products to child care programs, preschools, schools, and consumers. The Company serves early childhood
professionals, educators, and parents by providing quality educational products and programs for children from infancy to 12
years of age. With scale, growth potential, proprietary product offerings, a multi-channel distribution strategy, and extensive
management expertise, Excelligence Learning Corporation, a dba of LearningStar Corp., helps to further children's education
and to reinforce the connection between schools and homes. The Company is composed of four business areas: Discount
School Supply (DSS), a developer and multi-channel distributor of educational products and supplies for preschools and child
care programs; Earlychildhood NEWS, an award-winning magazine offering information, curriculum and educational programs
to teachers and parents; Educational Products, Inc. (EPI), an innovative distributor of school supplies and educational products
to the elementary school market through school fundraising programs; and SmarterKids, a leading online education store and
resource for parents. Excelligence Learning Corporation, a dba of LearningStar Corp., is headquartered in Monterey,
California.
Contact: |
