Maru® Wins Across the Board With Diamonds and Gold

MIAMI, Nov. 10 / -- Maru and Friends is pleased to announce the win of three prestigious toy industry awards! Taking home a gold medal in the Book with Merchandise category by the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards; a Diamond Award of Excellence in the Play Dolls category from DOLLS magazine; and an honors award in the Toys for Ages 5 and Up from the National Parenting Publication Awards. We are honored with the great praise from the industries top reviewers.

Moonbeam Medals are awarded to authors, publishers and illustrators from 32 U.S. states, 5 Canadian provinces and 7 different countries worldwide.

Presented by Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher, the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards make an effort to enhance recognition of exemplary children's books and their creators. Moonbeam's goal is to increase childhood literacy rates and encourage life-long reading among English speaking youths.

DOLLS magazine covers all facets of the collectible doll world ... from high-end artist works to popular manufacturer pieces, fashion dolls, ball-jointed dolls and more. Each year, the Diamond Awards are handed out to the industries top competitors.

The NAPPA awards compare children's toys and books from across North America and picks among the industries top choices. An expert panel of judges, comprised of children and parents, spends an entire summer poring over the year's best kids' products.

Other wins also include, two DOTY Industry Choice Awards, The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award, the iParenting Greatest Products Toys and Games award, the 2009 Toy of the Year Award in the Dolls with Storybook category, the The National Parenting Center and the Dad Seal of approval awards.

Maru and Friends® is a celebration of childhood fun with a beautifully crafted ethnic play doll. Made with love, the collection of three dolls serve as role models for many young girls growing up in today's challenging world.

Our box of sunshine comes with a beautiful 21-inch vinyl doll, and her hard cover story book, Forever Friends, which chronicles the story of young Maru®, a Hispanic immigrant, who comes to America leaving behind her parents to live with estranged relatives. The illustrated chapter book brings Maru's journey to life.

Our program encourages young girls from all cultures to enjoy the virtues of childhood fun, imagination and diversity while still focusing on the importance of reading. All of our dolls have unique child-like facial features representative of each of their cultures: Hispanic, Anglo-American and African American. Dolls were designed by award winning American doll artist, Dianna Effner.

As the Holiday season approaches, young girls can treasure the new Maru dolls, an educational yet entertaining play doll.