MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2006--JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) announced today a worldwide licensing agreement with HIT Entertainment to market and distribute JAKKS Pacific's new TeleStory(TM) interactive books based on HIT's popular Thomas & Friends, Barney, The Wiggles® and Bob the Builder properties. The TeleStory(TM) system connects directly into a standard TV using Plug & Read(TM) technology and serves as a fun, introductory reading guide for preschool-aged children.

The TeleStory(TM) product creates an engaging, interactive reading and learning experience that will help in the fundamental reading development of young children, while showing them how much fun reading can be. TeleStory(TM) interactive books take what children love -- the TV -- and use it to introduce children to the world of reading. The TeleStory(TM) system is book-shaped, plugs directly into the A/V jacks of any standard TV, and no DVD players are needed.

Individual "mini-book" cartridges based on popular children's books are inserted into the TeleStory(TM) system, so that children can build their own TeleStory(TM) libraries and collect their favorite books as they grow and master reading. By pressing the large, colored buttons on each TeleStory(TM) unit, kids can interact with the story and make the characters come alive on their TV screen, while also giving them the option to read at their own pace or with assistance.

"The core concept of TeleStory(TM) interactive books is simple," explains Jennifer Richmond, senior vice president of licensing and media, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "The unit plugs directly into any standard TV. Just pop in batteries and turn it on to initiate an interactive reading experience through the use of various action buttons. We know that Thomas the Tank, Barney, Bob the Builder and The Wiggles will help provide hours of entertainment for children. The TeleStory(TM) system teaches them the fundamentals of reading, helps build vocabulary, encourages their reading confidence and nurtures a life-long appreciation of reading."

JAKKS(TM) plans to launch the TeleStory(TM) product line based on the HIT properties starting in Summer 2006 with the Thomas the Tank TeleStory title at mass and specialty retailers nationwide. The suggested retail price for the TeleStory(TM) unit will be approximately $35, with each 2-pack of 'mini-book' cartridges retailing for under $15.

About HIT Entertainment:

HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes internationally renowned children's properties, such as Bob the Builder(TM), Barney(TM), Thomas & Friends(TM) and Angelina Ballerina(TM). Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production (including studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events. With a catalog of over 1,000 hours of young children's programming, HIT sells its shows to over 200 territories globally and has operations in the UK, US, Japan and Canada. In 2005, the Company joined Comcast Corporation, PBS and Sesame Workshop to launch PBS KIDS Sprout, a 24-hour digital cable channel and VOD service for preschoolers. For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®, JPI(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM). JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS' business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of JAKKS' future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

CONTACT: JAKKS Pacific, Inc. Genna Rosenberg, 310-455-6235 or Integrated Corporate Relations John Mills, 310-395-2215 SOURCE: JAKKS Pacific, Inc.