Hallmark's Jingle the Husky Pup

Hallmark's Christmas Creations, Bell and Jingle Interactive Story Buddies

A tight budget this Christmas calls for smart shopping that can unearth gifts that you love to give and kids adore to receive.

Hallmarks' range of Interactive Story Buddies™ are two gifts for the price of one - a beautifully illustrated hard cover story book along with the story's key character brought to life in an adorable plush toy featuring the latest voice recognition technology.

"Christmas is a fun time of year but it is also an expensive time of year; and as a parent it's easy to get carried away with gift purchases for kids on the shopping list," says Hallmark spokesperson Catherine Hansen.

"Retailing at just $34.99, Hallmark's Interactive Story Buddies are a great 'value for money' gift idea that won't break the budget this Christmas."

Hallmark's Interactive Story Buddies provide a fun, multi-sensory experience that encourages interaction and helps children to develop a lifelong love for books and warm memories of story time. Key phrases prompt the plush character to interact with comments and sounds that change with each reading.

"Just in time for Christmas, Jingle the Husky Pup is getting a new friend - Bell," says Catherine.

Bell's Big Move is a story about a darling little pup who finds herself in a brand new world. Bell loves having her paws neatly manicured, her fur perfectly combed and just isn't herself with her favourite hair bow.

Bell and her best friend Sofia are all about experiencing new things, like learning about snow and their new hometown, Pineville. Here they befriend Jingle and Andrew. Together, they become good friends and quickly realise that home is where the heart is.

Hallmark's Bell and Jingle the Husky Pup™ Interactive Story Buddies are available this Christmas from leading retailers, newsagents and selected gift stores nationally or online at www.hallmarkcards.com.au

Light up your child's imagination this festive season and experience the magic of story time with Hallmark.

Bell and Jingle Interactive Story Buddies come with a free read-along CD and coordinating online mobile games that can be downloaded from the App store in iTunes and used with any iphone, iPod or iPad applications.

Hallmark's tips to making story time magical with your child:
- Find a quiet and comfortable place to read.
- Make reading together fun and memorable by encouraging your child to point out objects, repeat words and talk about the story.
- As your child learns to read, take turns reading to each other.
- Set goals and reward your child's reading by adding to titles in the Hallmark Interactive Story Buddy series.
- Let your child see you read as they will be encouraged if they see it's something you like to do in your spare time.

Bell the Husky Pup™ Interactive Story Buddy™
This 2012 holiday season, Jingle the Husky Pup is getting a new friend - Bell! Join Bell as she leaves her home in the big city to move with her family to Jingle's hometown of Pineville.
Titles in the Bell series include: Bell's Big Move and Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star.
Other new Bell products include the Bell Mini Snow Globe, Bell Plush Ornament, and the Bell XX-Large Plush.

Jingle the Husky Pup™ Interactive Story Buddy™ - Hallmark's first Interactive Story Buddy - returns for the 2012 holiday season full of surprises! The playful pup is ready for more adventures with new technology that lets him respond to even more fun formats.
Titles in the Jingle Storybook series include: Jingle All the Way; A Snow Day for Jingle and Jingle and Bell's Christmas Star.
Jingle products include the Jingle Plush Ornament.

Abigail™ the Bunny Interactive Story Buddy™ - Meet Abigail, the chatty acrobatic bunny who just can't wait to grow up. Kids will love watching her come to life as you read key words aloud from her books.
Titles in the Abigail series include: Abigail and the Balance Beam; Abigail and the Tea Party and Abigail and the Lost Purse.

Cooper™ the Bear Interactive Story Buddy™ - Meet Cooper, the sweet young bear with a big heart-and so much to say. Kids will love watching him come to life as you read key words aloud from his books.
Titles in the Cooper series include: Cooper's Big Bear Hug; Cooper's Rainy Day and Cooper's Bedtime.

www.hallmarkcards.com.au

Story time fact:
20 minutes a day reading aloud with young children strengthens relationships, encourages listening and language skills, promotes attention and curiosity, and establishes a strong reading foundation. (Source: The Children's Reading Foundation)