Tyco Preschool Steps Out This Holiday Season With ItsNewest Sesame Street Sensations.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 11, 1998--

Walk & Talk Pals Set to Follow in Footsteps of

Tickle Me Elmo and Sing & Snore Ernie

As the 1998 holiday shopping season begins, Tyco Preschool reports that its newest Sesame Street sensations -- The Walk & Talk Pals -- are

Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird are set to follow in the footsteps of Tyco Preschool's Tickle Me Elmo and Sing & Snore Ernie, the most sought-after toys of the past two holiday seasons.

As the Emmy-award-winning Sesame Street celebrates 30 years of quality educational programming this fall, toy experts report that consumers continue to look to the Sesame Street brand for the same high standards in innovative and creative toys.

"Tyco Preschool has brought the Sesame Street brand to a new level with its magical touch. The merchandising phenomenon that began with Tickle Me Elmo and continued with Sing & Snore Ernie, is well on its way to creating yet another hot toy for this holiday season with the new Walk & Talk Pals," says Chris Byrne, editor of Playthings Marketwatch. "The company has a real in-depth understanding of how its core audience develops and plays."

This year Tyco Preschool combines the magic of walking and children's favorite characters to create the Walk & Talk Pals.

Toddlers are absolutely amazed as these three huggable, lovable plush Sesame Street characters take their first steps. With just a press of their sneakers, Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster start to walk and talk. Each character says three different phrases exclaiming their excitement as they take each step. And when everyone's all tired out from strolling, kids can take off the characters' shoes and cuddle up with their cozy plush companions, each dressed in adorable outfits with colorful T-shirts and bright white socks. Parents will appreciate the 15-second auto shut-off, too.

"Walking toys have always been a hit with young children, as they mimic their own real-life actions. The Walk & Talk Pals not only recreate the excitement of those first few steps, but add a new dimension as the first `walkers' to be featured in soft, cuddly plush," explains Neil Friedman, president of Tyco Preschool.

The Sesame Street Walk & Talk Pals have been cited as award winners in the FamilyFun Toy of the Year Awards, the National Association of Parenting Publication Awards and Sesame Street Parents Magazine's Top Toys.

Tyco Preschool is supporting the launch with a multi-million dollar advertising campaign, which began airing in October. Created by Young & Rubicam, the commercial, featuring Sesame Street's Ernie muppet, captures the wonderful response toddlers have to the product.

Recommended for children 1 1/2 years and up and retailing for about $29.99 each, the Walk & Talk Pals are now available at major toy stores everywhere.