Kohl's and The World of Eric Carle Helping Kids in the Community

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kohl’s Corporation (NYSE: KSS) is making the dog days of summer “bearable” with books from beloved author and illustrator Eric Carle. Through the Kohl’s Cares for Kids^® program, Kohl’s is offering an exclusive edition of Eric Carle’s popular bear book series – each of which retails between $8 - $17 at national bookstores and online outlets – for only $5 each. Exclusive coordinating plush bears are also available for $5 each.

Now through September at Kohl’s, each purchase of “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?,” “Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?,” “Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?” and “Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?” will benefit children’s health and education initiatives nationwide. Eric Carle’s collaboration with author Bill Martin Jr. resulted in a beloved picture book series that delights children and adults alike.

“The bouncy repetition and colorful artwork found in Eric Carle’s bear books makes them a perfect fit for our Kohl’s Cares for Kids program,” said Julie Gardner, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Kohl’s Department Stores. “At a time when people are looking for value, customers can affordably enjoy these classic books and plush bears while knowing that Kohl’s donates 100 percent of the net profits to help children in the community.”

Nationally, Kohl’s Cares for Kids^® benefits more than 150 hospitals. From the program’s inception in 2000, Kohl’s has turned $5 merchandise into more than $102 million for children’s initiatives nationwide while providing affordable and inspiring books for millions of eager readers, as well as loveable plush. Eric Carle’s bear book series and plush brown, baby, panda and polar bears are available in stores and online at www.kohls.com.

“This is a partnership that works on every level. It is truly heartening to know that Kohl’s Cares for Kids has directly touched the lives of so many children,” said Joan Blanski, SVP Global Brand Management, Chorion for The World of Eric Carle. “It’s perfectly in keeping with Eric Carle’s passion for enriching the lives of young children.”

In addition to the merchandise program, Kohl’s Cares for Kids features the Kohl’s Kids Who Care^® Scholarship Program, which will recognize young volunteers with more than $300,000 in scholarships and prizes this year; the A-Team Program, which encourages associate volunteerism and provides grants to youth-focused nonprofit organizations; and fundraising gift cards for schools and youth-serving organizations. For more information, visit www.kohlscorporation.com.

About Kohl’s

Based in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) is a family-focused, value-oriented specialty department store offering moderately priced, exclusive and national brand apparel, shoes, accessories, beauty and home products in an exciting shopping environment. Kohl’s operates 957 stores in 47 states and will celebrate the opening of its 1,000th store in the fall. A company committed to the communities it serves, Kohl’s has raised more than $102 million for children’s initiatives nationwide through its Kohl’s Cares for Kids^® philanthropic program. For a list of store locations and information, or for the added convenience of shopping online, visit www.kohls.com.

About Eric Carle

Eric Carle is the acclaimed and beloved creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. Since publication of The Very Hungry Caterpillar in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 75 million copies of his books have sold around the world. Carle believes “children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.” For more information about Eric Carle, visit: eric-carle.com. In 2002, Carle and his wife helped to found The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (www.picturebookart.org) in Amherst, MA, the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art, conceived and built with the aim of celebrating the art that we are first exposed to as children.

Kohl’s Corporation
Elizabeth DeLuca, 262.703.7759
elizabeth.deluca@kohls.com
or
Courtney Rogaczewski, 262.703.7568
courtney.rogaczewski@kohls.com