AMERICAN GIRL® MAGAZINE TURNS 10 AND ANNOUNCES NATIONAL COVER CONTEST
—Nation’s Largest Magazine For Girls Celebrates 10 Years of Fun!—

Middleton, WI—January 2, 2003—Turning 10 is a big day in any girl’s life—and it’s equally monumental for the country’s most popular magazine dedicated exclusively to girls ages 8 and up! This January, American Girl®, an age-appropriate, advertising free alternative to teen magazines, celebrates 10 great years of inspiring, motivating, and encouraging girls to dream big dreams. “From the start, American Girl has always been about our readers,” says Kristi Thom, executive editor of American Girl. “We’re excited about turning ten, and look forward to a whole year full of birthday surprises for our readers!”

The January/February 2003 issue kicks off the magazine’s yearlong birthday celebration with a special Cover Contest where girls ages 8 to 13 can win a chance to appear on the cover of the November/December 2003 issue of American Girl. To enter, girls must choose one of the following words—caring, fun, creative, loyal, generous, inventive, and determined—that best describes who they are, and then show how in an essay, video, scrapbook, or any other creative project. One to three girls will be selected for the cover photo shoot on the basis of project creativity, originality, and sincerity. Finished entries must be postmarked by February 28, 2003 and sent to Cover Contest, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562.

In keeping with the birthday theme, the January/February issue also features fun party ideas like creative decoration and invitation tips, as well as great games and crafts for girls and their friends to enjoy. And, as a salute to the girls who have made the last 10 years so memorable, the magazine includes letters from readers who share how American Girl has impacted their lives, follow-ups to popular past stories, fun facts about the magazine’s all-time favorite features, and a “Then and Now” section that looks back at how girls’ lives have changed over the past decade. A special birthday story, written by Newbery award winner Polly Horvath, is another highlight of the issue.

In a culture that often pressures girls to grow up too quickly, American Girl remains committed to serving the developing interests of girls by affirming their self-esteem, celebrating their achievements, and fostering their creativity. And, with over 500,000 pieces of reader mail received since 1993, the magazine has proven itself a valued forum of advice and entertainment for its readers. As one former subscriber writes, “I started reading your magazine when I was eight years old; I’m fourteen now and still going strong! In the past, your magazine really helped me discover who I was and helped mold the person I am today. I am more confident and caring, considerate and helpful. Thanks, American Girl!

American Girl magazine is available nationally in retail bookstores and on newsstands, as well as by subscription through the American Girl catalogue. Call 1-800-234-1278 for subscription information.

ABOUT AMERICAN GIRL MAGAZINE
Created as an age-appropriate alternative to teen magazines, American Girl—an award-winning, bi-monthly publication—is rich with colorful illustrations and photography, award-winning fiction and nonfiction, games, crafts, and party ideas. In addition to articles about real girls and their achievements, the magazine includes regular departments like “Help!” and “Heart to Heart” that invite reader participation and allow girls to share advice and ideas about issues that concern them.

Since its launch in 1992, the magazine’s circulation has grown to more than 650,000 subscribers and is ranked among the top 10 children’s magazines in the nation and is the largest magazine dedicated exclusively to girls.

Pleasant Company, creator of the American Girl brand, was founded in 1985 by Pleasant T. Rowland and was acquired by Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) in 1998.