Award-winning ScareMeNots

Contact: Jennifer Fortney
773-529-7547
jfortney@cascadecomms.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2010

PRESS RELEASE
Editor's Note: High resolution images available upon request

AWARD-WINNING MONSTERS FEND OFF FRIGHTENING NIGHTTIME OFFENDERS
ScareMeNots^TM Make Bedtime Restful Again for Children and Parents

Westford, Mass. (March 2010) Nighttime anxieties are very common in young children, as most parents know. Typically their active imaginations create the idea of monsters, or other scary creatures, lurking in dark corners, making bedtime more of a nightmare than a peaceful period. One company is helping children and parents get more restful nights of sleep. Innovative Toys' ScareMeNot (www.ScareMeNot.com) plush monsters take the fear out of bedtime, giving children confidence and parents peace-of-mind.

For children, nighttime is the one time that they are all alone and may not feel entirely safe and secure. It is the most common of all childhood fears. According to Dr. Jay Reeve, a child specialist at Bradley Hospital in Rhode Island, children fear the unfamiliar and unknown. "They are just beginning to organize the world around them, monsters are still in their realm of possibility. They are not entirely sure of what exists and what does not, so their imagination can create incredible things." (www.Lifespan.com)

In 2008, Carl and Mildred Restivo encountered what all parents do, eventually - children who are afraid of the dark and, more importantly, those nocturnal creatures that secretly make their way into bedrooms. That's when the ScareMeNot monsters came to life.

"The key for us was to resolve our children's anxiety by building confidence. ScareMeNots became the perfect outlet and gave their young imaginations something positive to focus on," said Carl Restivo Founder of Innovative Toys.

Today, there are six ScareMeNots ($19.99) and they are very familiar with things that go bump in the night, wreaking havoc on little ones. They go through a rigorous training program at the ScareMeNot Academy^TM where they learn to see in the dark, hang from their tails, stay awake all night, communicate with children on their level, what kinds of monsters and creatures to fend off and how to best use their talents to fend off nighttime creatures. Each ScareMeNot has its own special tactic for keeping children safe at night, and that's why they've been employed by Innovative Toys.

Who Are the ScareMeNots?
Defender Dave^TM, the monster that never blinks! With eyes all the way around his head, Dave can watch the closet, the bookcase and under the bed... all at the same time! No bedtime "scaries" can escape Dave's super seeing powers. His monster secret is he says "Oops" a lot because he has a small habit of bumping into things.

Guardian Gus^TM is the guy who can spot monsters with one hand! With an eye on each palm, Gus can find bedtime "scaries" almost anywhere - hiding around corners or wedged in secret places that Mom and Dad can't see. His monster secret is that he loves ice cream, but can only eat it with his feet otherwise his eyes get cold.

Protector Patty^TM has 10 eyes!! When she's not bouncing on bedtime "scaries," Patty keeps an eye out for trouble while making sure her friends don't cause any. She really likes to scare nighttime monsters when they least expect it. Her monster secret is that she hopes to open a museum with buried treasure, like old toys and dirty socks, she finds hidden under beds.

Valiant Valerie^TM is arguably the cutest ScareMeNot in monster chasing and crawling into trouble is her specialty. She is so cute that bedtime "scaries" will want to adopt her. But don't be fooled, Valiant Valerie is a trained professional and will take down any nighttime monster before you can say "diaper change." Her monster secret is that Protector Patty is her mom and always there to help, even though Valerie prefers to hunt bedtime "scaries" all by herself.

Fearless Fred^TM is the only ScareMeNot who knows MONSTER ARTS. Trained at the ScareMeNot Academy to use his tail 99 different ways, Fred loves to battle bedtime "scaries" with his amazing monster moves. His monster secret is that he is the only ScareMeNot to receive a special crown for showing true bravery from the Academy. He is so proud of his crown that he never takes it off, not even when he takes a bath.

Watchdog Wally^TM is the best detective around and ready to track down clues with his enormous nose. Wally can smell bedtime "scaries" in the craziest places - under the blankets, behind the dresser or even in your sock drawer. His monster secret is that even though he looks like a dog, he's a monster just like his friends so kids shouldn't be surprised he can talk. The other ScareMeNots call him the "Watchdog" because he's the best monster chaser in town!

About Innovative Toys
Innovative Toys launched in 2008 with a commitment to create imaginative toys that empower children at every age. The company's inaugural product is the award-winning ScareMeNot^TM plush monsters, taking the scary out of nighttime with a "purpose to protect." The six graduates of the renowned ScareMeNot Academy^TM are ready to build a defense against nighttime fears as guardians, helping children feel safe against things that go bump in the night. ScareMeNots are available online and through various retailers across the country and for $19.99. The company is planning to launch a smaller travel version and developing the first ScareMeNot adventure storybook. For more information, to view the online pressroom and to request product for review, please visit www.ScareMeNot.com.

###