V.Smile Baby(TM) Infant Development System and V.Flash Edutainment System(TM) Named 2006 All Stars by Toy Wishes Magazine

V.Smile Baby(TM) Infant Development System and V.Flash Edutainment System(TM) Named 2006 All Stars by Toy Wishes Magazine

VTech's Innovative Products Continue to Receive Awards and Accolades

CHICAGO, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holiday shopping season quickly approaches, the Toy Wishes editorial board today announced toys and entertainment products expected to be at the top of holiday wish lists at its annual Toy Wishes Holiday Preview in New York City. Following in the footsteps of previous award-winning VTech educational learning products, both V.Smile Baby and V.Flash were named a "Toy Wishes 2006 All Star" - selected by the Toy Wishes editorial board as the brightest, most innovative toys in more than 20 different categories.

V.Smile Baby provides fun and enriching ways for parents to connect with their baby or toddler through an interactive new approach to learning. While V.Flash breaks new ground providing a new video gaming system for tweens that packs all the video game action kids want with creative, educational content parents approve of.

"V.Smile Baby takes a step beyond developmental videos and traditional toys to provide an activity parents and babies can enjoy together," said Jim Silver, editor-in-chief of Toy Wishes. "VTech continues to prove its drive for educational and cutting-edge products with the V.Smile family line, and V.Smile Baby continues this legacy."

"V.Flash provides kids with that entertaining, fast-paced video gaming experience they crave, while seamlessly blending in challenging educational activities," said Chris Byrne, a.k.a., The Toy Guy(R) and a contributing editor and member of the Toy Wishes editorial board. "And for parents, V.Flash provides a great, safe option without the violence and inappropriate content some video games contain."

Award Winning Accolades

In addition to being named a "Toy Wishes 2006 All Star," V.Smile Baby and V.Flash have already won many of the year's most prestigious awards and accolades.

V.Smile Baby:
* The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
Identifies the finest toys for children and signifies to parents that
their peers have acknowledged a product's quality and desirability.
* The National Parenting Publications Infant/Toddler Honors Award (NAPPA)
The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) program evaluates
products' lasting value and fundamental benefit to children.
* Child magazine "Best Toys of the Year"
Top picks for fun, educational, safe, and imaginative playthings
guaranteed to receive rave reviews for the holidays.
* The Toy Book/Redbook's Toy Insider "HOT 20 Toys for the Holidays"
The Toy Insider offers nearly 100 expert-selected toy and gift
recommendations by age category, including 0-2 years old, 3-5 years
old, 6-8 years old and 9 and older.
* CreativeChild magazine "Toy of the Year" Award
Highlights the best products to nurture children's creativity and
provide appropriate play toys for different interests and play styles.
* Toys "R" Us "Hot Toy List"
Includes toys predicted to be on the top of children's wish lists this
holiday season.
* eToys 2006 "Hot Holiday Toy List"
Recognizes top products, ranging from the most wanted to the most
family friendly, to provide a simple shopping experience for parents.

V.Flash:
* Wal-Mart's "Top 12 Toys" List
Recognizes products that are predicted to be the most in demand once
the holiday buying season begins.
* eToys 2006 "Hot Holiday Toy List"
Recognizes top products, ranging from the most wanted to the most
family friendly, to provide a simple shopping experience for parents.

The Journey to Learning Begins Young

V.Smile Baby works with age-appropriate Baby Smartridges(TM) that each includes three "grow with me" play modes, allowing baby to grow in learning from 9-36 months. The Play Time mode encourages baby to explore and play with the colorful, easy-to-press shaped buttons while hearing fun sounds and early learning phrases. The Watch & Learn mode is designed for babies to watch and interact with educational, engaging videos to introduce babies to colors, shapes, music and baby sign language elements. The Learn & Explore mode grows with toddlers as they get older and understand cause and effect actions, allowing baby to direct the play on the TV screen by choosing the subjects they want to explore.

"Through working with Drs. Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn, co-authors of Baby Signing: How to Talk to With Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk, VTech was able to incorporate a baby-sign language component unique to any other product like this on out the market," said Julia Fitzgerald, VTech Electronics North America. "Baby-sign language has proven to help babies communicate better with others and be more adept at speaking once they begin to acquire language."

V.Smile Baby, available now at mass retailers (ERP $39.99) includes the Explore & Learn Home Baby Smartridge program. Five additional Baby Smartridges will be available (ERP $14.99).

V.Flash Packs a Punch with Multiple Game Options

V. Flash's exclusive V. Disc software has three playing modes - SmartPlay Game Zone, Creative Workshop and Knowledge World - that make for hours of exciting edutainment. The V.Discs combine interactive game play and core educational curricula with well-loved characters, including The Incredibles, Cars, Spider-Man, SpongeBob Squarepants, Scooby-Doo and more. Each V.Disc is permanently encased in a protective shield that promotes safe, scratch-proof and easy play. Kids can skillfully navigate through each V.Disc using a sleek joystick designed for right- or left-handed players.

V.Flash, available now at mass retailers (ERP $99.99) will come bundled with the Jumping Bean Island V.Disc. Six additional V.Discs will be available for $29.99 each.

ABOUT VTECH

VTech, the creator of the Electronic Learning Products (ELP) Category, is a world leader of age-appropriate learning toys. Since 1976, VTech has been developing high-quality, innovative educational products for children from birth to preteen that deliver "smart play" through the combination of entertaining electronic formats and engaging, age-appropriate content that help children learn while having fun.

VTech Electronics, the ELP division, maintains North American headquarters in Arlington Heights, Illinois. VTech Industries, Inc. is based in Hong Kong and is a pioneer in the establishment of China-based manufacturing facilities, selling its products via a strong brand platform supported by a well- established distribution network in North America, Europe and Asia.

For more information on V.Smile Baby, V.Flash and VTech's additional product lines, visit http://www.vtechkids.com/.

Contact: Ashley Fullman
(w) 312-233-1217
(c) 773-454-3320
ashley.fullman@edelman.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: VTech

CONTACT: Ashley Fullman for VTech, (w), +1-312-233-1217, or
(c), +1-773-454-3320, or ashley.fullman@edelman.com

Web Site: http://www.vtechkids.com/

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