LOS ANGELES, CA, Oct. 2, 2000 – Babies…they’re tiny and adorable, bring lots of joy to parents and kids alike, and smell great (most of the time!).  Now, to celebrate the launch of Playmates Toys’ Amazing Babies, a line of technologically advanced dolls that behave and respond just like real babies, the company, along with Amazing Kids!, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring excellence in children, is inviting kids to put into words what makes a baby they know amazing.  From Oct. 2 through Nov. 1, 2000, boys and girls between the ages of five and ten can log onto the Amazing Kids! Web site at www.amazing-kids.org/babiescontest.htm. to enter the "Who Is The Most Amazing Baby You Know?" essay extravaganza. 

     Open to children worldwide, the "write-in" will ask kids to e-mail or standard mail a short essay explaining what makes a baby they know amazing.  For example, their smile and how they have the most fun time just taking a bath, or how they let you know they’re hungry or tired with a gurgle or cry.  This baby can be a brother or sister, cousin, friend’s sibling, neighbor, etc., and a parent/guardian can assist kids who might need a helping hand in writing an essay.  Along with their essays, kids are encouraged to send in a photo of their amazing baby, as winning entries and photos will be posted on the Amazing Kids! Web site. 

     The Grand Prize winner will receive a $500 savings bond from Playmates Toys along with a set of Amazing Babies of their own; six runners-up (broken down by age category) will each get an Amazing Baby doll.  All essays will be reviewed by a distinguished panel of judges, all of whom have an interest in inspiring kids.  This includes actress Ami Dolenz, star of movies including "Can’t Buy Me Love" and "She’s Out of Control" and daughter of Micky; Karen Lindell, writer for LA Parent and Orange County Parenting magazines; Alyse Rome, founder & president, Amazing Kids!; and Lori Farbanish, VP of Girls Marketing, Playmates Toys.  Winners will be announced on Wednesday, November 15th, on the Amazing Kids! Web site.

     "The Amazing Babies line represents all of the wonderful things that truly make babies amazing," said Farbanish.  "We support the efforts of Amazing Kids! and see this essay extravaganza as a way to help children appreciate just how amazing the babies they know really are." 

     Added Rome, "As adults, we all have heartwarming stories about the amazing babies in our lives.  These essays give kids a chance to tell the world about the love they have for a special baby in their own lives.  We are delighted to have Playmates Toys as the sponsor of our latest Amazing Kids! essay write-in." 

     The Amazing Babies line, which will be available in stores beginning fall 2000, follows the success of Playmates Toys top-selling Amazing Ally.  Amazing Babies come in nine varieties – of various ethnicities – and each combine cutting-edge technology with the real needs and responses of a baby to create a true-to-life mommy experience for little girls.  Like actual babies, these Babies learn to talk over time and move their heads in response to a real voice or that of another Amazing Baby.  Amazing Babies are recommended for ages four and up, and have a suggested retail price of $49.99 - $59.99.