Todd Wagner, Pierce Brosnan, Keely Shaye Smith and the Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) 2006 Huggable Heroes(R) to Be Honored at First Star's Annual Celebration of Children's Rights on June 3rd

First Star, America's leading charity supporting abused andneglected children, will present its annual benefit on June 3rdhonoring heroes in the fight to protect children. This year's event,entitled "Come Be A Kid Again," will be hosted by co-host of ABC's TheView Star Jones Reynolds and will take place at the Barker Hangar atSanta Monica Air Center.

First Star will present Todd Wagner, CEO of 2929 Entertainment,and founder of the Todd Wagner Foundation, with its Visionary Award.His foundation is not only dedicated to improving the lives of at-riskchildren, but also encourages inner-city entrepreneurialism. ActorPierce Brosnan and his wife, Keely Shaye Smith, leading activists forsocial issues, will also be honored at this year's Gala.

Lost's Malcolm David Kelley, First Star's Youth Ambassador, willpresent the Community Award to the Huggable Heroes(R), 12 children andteens chosen by Build-A-Bear Workshop(R), the celebration's host andmain sponsor, for their uplifting contributions to their individualcommunities. The Huggable Heroes program, now in its third year, isdesigned to encourage and empower kids to be young leaders in theircommunities. Thanks to the sponsorship by Build-A-Bear Workshop, 100%percent of event proceeds go directly to First Star.

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offersan interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainmentexperience. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, the company currentlyoperates more than 240 stores in the United States, Canada and theUnited Kingdom. The addition of franchise stores in Europe, Asia andAustralia make Build-A-Bear Workshop the leader in interactive retail.In November 2004, the company expanded the make-your-own concept fromstuffed animals to dolls with the opening of its first friends 2Bmade(R) stores, where Guests can make their own doll friends. In April2006, Build-A-Bear Workshop acquired The Bear Factory, a U.K.-basedstuffed animal retailer, and Amsbra, Ltd., the company's franchisee inthe U.K., adding company-owned stores in the United Kingdom andIreland. Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE:BBW) posted total revenue of$362 million in fiscal 2005. For more information, call 888-560-BEAR(2327) or visit the company's award-winning Web sites atwww.buildabear.com and www.friends2Bmade.com.

First Star is a national 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated toimproving the lives of America's abused and neglected children. Itsmission is to serve as a catalyst for meaningful reform of the childwelfare system through communication, education and legislation.

For more information on First Star, please call 202-293-3703 orvisit their website at www.firststar.org. For tickets and informationon the "Come Be A Kid Again" Gala, please contact Levy, Pazanti &Associates at 310-201-5033.