For Immediate Release, April 26, 2001 Contacts: Jana Muntsinger

Parable Blasts Off with 2001 Summer Reading Program

3^rd Annual Summer Reading Program Features Space Theme, Prizes

San Luis Obispo, California—Parable Christian Stores announces its third annual Summer Reading Program, called “Reading Rocket Ride.” Endorsed by the American Literacy Council, this reading program is designed to encourage young readers from pre-school through 8^th grade to read their way through the summer months. Grammy-Award-nominee and Dove-Award-winner Jaci Velasquez is the spokesperson for the 2001 program, and Tyndale Kids is the program’s major publishing sponsor.

Parable has chosen an outer space theme for this summer’s program, with a national grand prize of a trip for four to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Tyndale House Publishers is the major sponsor and its new juvenile fiction series, Mars Diaries by best-selling author Sigmund Brouwer, is the inspiration for the 2001 program. Mars Diaries (volumes #1-5 now available in stores) chronicles the adventures of 14-year-old Tyce Sanders as he lives in a space colony on the planet Mars. All of Parable’s 2001 summer kids’ promotions—including the Kids’ Catalog with a new Reading Insert and Kids’ Day 2001 POP—feature coordinating Mars Diaries space-themed artwork.

Parable and Tyndale Kids have added a new promotional element to the summer reading program for older readers. All 4^th through 8^th graders are eligible to enter a national writing contest sponsored by Tyndale Kids. Sigmund Brouwer, who tours the country teaching children the value and process of creative writing, has written the beginning of a space-themed story which kids are invited to complete as a contest entry. The winning entry, as judged by a panel of professional editors, will win a school visit from Brouwer, which includes a one-day writing workshop.

Start dates for the program vary according to local school schedules, although most programs will begin late May or early June Children will sign up for the program to receive a reading booklet containing a discount membership card, a sheet of coupons, a reading list and program rules. After every five books read, children can return to the store to get their reading records stamped, receive small prizes and enter their names in a larger prize drawing.

At the end of the summer, each participating Parable store will host a local “Reading Rocket Ride” award program to present each child with a certificate. A drawing will be held during the ceremony for additional giveaways, such as Jaci Velasquez CDs and Mars Diaries books.

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Parable’s 3^rd Annual Summer Reading Program, page two

Many Parable member stores will hold the award program during their annual Kids’ Day in August, entitled “Splashdown Celebration.” Each store will submit its top five readers for the national grand prize drawing–that grand prize winner will receive a trip for four to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

“We have literally had a blast putting together this promotion,” says Marilyn Largent, manager of Merchandising and Marketing for Parable. “We know our stores can increase store traffic and sales through creative marketing programs for children, and this year’s summer reading program hits the target!”

The Parable Group is providing participating member stores with an extensive merchandising kit, including a strategy guide, customizable copy of the kids’ reading booklet, coupon sheets, posters, bookmarks, balloons, a rocket-shaped stamp and inkpad. The merchandising kit also contains hundreds of prizes for in-store giveaway.

The Parable Group is a California-based marketing and retail services company representing over $400,000,000 in annual sales of Christian products to consumers. Parable Christian Stores consists of more than 300 independently owned Christian retail outlets located in North America. The Parable Group provides diverse marketing tools for its member stores such as e-commerce sites, in-store merchandising kits, exclusive products, weekly bestseller lists and catalogs. In 2000, Parable distributed more than 29.7 million catalogs, newspaper inserts, and other promotional mailings in 25 marketing campaigns.

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April 26, 2001