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Borders, Toyota and Parenting Join to Host 'Reading 2000'

29 February 2000

Borders, Toyota and Parenting Join to Host 'Reading 2000'

    ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 29 --  Toyota Motor Sales and
PARENTING magazine have once again joined with Borders Books and Music stores
to present PARENTING "Reading 2000," a program focused on enhancing family
literacy.
    The event will feature over 170 Borders stores across the country hosting
simultaneous "Reading 2000" family story time events Saturday, March 4 at
11 a.m.:

    "Reading 2000" Events at Borders - Saturday, March 4 at 11 a.m.:

    Borders in San Juan, Puerto Rico:  Join Clifford The Big Red Dog for a
fun-filled, day-long celebration in conjunction with the store's grand opening
that will include local storytellers, a Harry Potter dramatic reading and
trivia challenge, and an hour of hilarious comedy and clowning by Payaso Remi,
the best-loved Puerto Rican children's performer.

    Borders in New York City (Kips Bay):  Television journalist Mary Alice
Williams will make a special appearance at the Borders in Kips Bay.  She'll be
reading Curious George -- the classic kids' book about everybody's favorite
mischief-maker!  Even Curious George himself is attending this event.
Centerseat, the digital media company, will be filming the event, to be
featured on Borders.com.

    Borders in Torrance, California:  A day of celebration at the Borders in
Torrance, the home of Toyota Motor Sales, will include English and Japanese
storytimes, special appearances by Maisy Mouse and the Borders Explorer
costumed character.  The store will also hold a fun and informative "open mic"
night where local middle school children can read stories to their parents.

    Borders in Raleigh, North Carolina:  Children will learn the meaning of
sharing during the reading of "It's Mine! A Book About Sharing."  Clowns and
face-painters will also be on-hand to decorate the children's faces.

    In addition, celebrity storytellers, singers, face-paintes, and clowns
will be reading and performing at Borders stores in Tulsa, Okla., Richfield,
Minn., North Canton, Ohio, and Plano, Texas, just to name a few.
    All "Reading 2000" events are free and open to all families.  Those who
participate will receive a surprise-filled family bonus bag (while supplies
last), be able to enter a raffle to win a $50 Borders electronic gift card,
and maybe even meet a costumed character from their favorite children's
stories.  Parents can also learn about the why's and how-to's of reading aloud
to children.
    This is the third year that Toyota Motor Sales, PARENTING and Borders have
partnered to promote literacy among America's families.  Toyota Motor Sales is
a long-term partner of the National Center for Family Literacy, and The
Parenting Group spearheads numerous literacy initiatives on an annual basis.
Borders supports literacy and education through partnerships, children's
programming and in-store events.
    For more information on Reading 2000, visit http://www.borders.com,
http://www.parenting.com or http://www.toyota.com .  To find a participating Borders store
near you call 1-888-81-BOOKS or visit http://www.bordersstores.com .
    Established in 1957, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc., is the U.S. sales
and marketing arm of Toyota Motor Corporation, with responsibility for the
distribution and sale of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in the United States.  With
more than 1.4 million vehicles sold in 1999 and more than 60 percent of those
built in North America, Toyota is the fourth-largest car company in the U.S.
    PARENTING, the flagship title of The Parenting Group, a division of Time
Inc., known for its contemporary voice in reaching today's parents, is the
leading information source for families.  The Parenting Group (TPG) is the
nation's largest family media company, publishers of Healthy Pregnancy,
Babytalk, PARENTING, and Family Life, and developer of online and television
products for families.  A part of Time Warner, TPG's mission is to provide
parents and expectant parents with the most comprehensive information for
making family life as rewarding and successful as possible.  The Parenting
Group is based in New York City.
    To learn more about Borders, a leading global retailer of books, music,
video and other information and entertainment items with stores in the United
States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, visit
http://www.bordersgroupinc.com .  For information on the 290 Borders stores
across the country, visit http://www.bordersstores.com .  For the ultimate
online book, music and video shopping experience, with access to nearly
700,000 titles and 10 million books, music and video items in stock and ready
to ship, explore http://www.borders.com .