Barnes & Noble Invites Customers to January Children’s Storytime Events Where Children Explore Their Imaginations and Discover a Love of Reading

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the nation’s largest retail bookseller and the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today announced its January 2015 lineup of free Storytime events for children and families, all designed to celebrate the joy of reading. At each event, the stories may be read on the new Samsung Galaxy Tab® 4 NOOK®, a full-featured Android tablet that combines Samsung’s leading technology and NOOK’s extraordinary content and reading experience.

The month kicks off with the Please, Mr. Panda Storytime on Saturday, January 10, at 11 a.m. Barnes & Noble’s first Picture Book of the Month Storytime, this witty picture book from author/illustrator Steve Antony focuses on the importance of manners. In this new favorite tale, Mr. Panda patiently and politely offers a variety of animals he comes across if they would like a doughnut. All respond with “yes,” but Mr. Panda goes on his way, until he meets a ring-tailed lemur who's aware of the power of politeness. This fun read delivers a creative way to encourage children to say, “Please” and “Thank you.” Activities will round out the fun. During the Storytime, customers are encouraged to take photographs of their child with the Please, Mr. Panda standee and share them on their social media venues using the hashtags #Pleasemrpanda and #BNStorytime.

In New York City, Steve Antony will appear for a Storytime and illustration demonstration at the Barnes & Noble store located at 97 Warren Street (Tribeca) on Saturday, January 10, at 11 a.m. Antony is flying all the way from the United Kingdom for this event, which is his first in the United States promoting his new book.

Hug Machine Storytime–On Saturday, January 17, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores nationwide will host a Storytime featuring Hug Machine, written by Scott Campbell. Who have you hugged today? Open your arms to this delightfully tender, goofy and sweet tale. Whether you are big or small, or square or long, or spiky or soft, no one can resist the Hug Machine’s unbelievable hugs. The endearing story encourages a warm, caring and buoyantly affectionate approach to life. Participants will also enjoy crafts and activities.

Customers are encouraged to take photographs of their child at the Storytime and share them on their social media venues using the hashtags #HugMachine and #BNStorytime.

I Love You Night and Day Storytime– On Saturday, January 24, at 11 a.m., Barnes & Noble stores will celebrate unconditional love with a free Storytime featuring author Smriti Prasadam-Halls’ heartwarming tale, I Love You Night and Day. When you love someone, you want the whole world to know. Through good times and bad, rain or shine, love is unconditional. “I love you wild, I love you loud, I shout it out and I feel proud.” The lyrical text from Smriti Prasadam-Halls is beautifully paired with illustrations from Alison Brown. Attendees will enjoy fun activities, and photographs from the Storytime may be shared on social media venues using the hashtag #BNStorytime.

From December 26 to February 17, while supplies last, customers who want to bring the fun home can buy I Love You Night and Day for only $7.99 (regularly priced $16.99) with the purchase of any children’s book.

Barnes & Noble Storytimes are free and open to the public. Customers should visit the Barnes & Noble Store Locator for more information about events at their local store.

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is a Fortune 500 company, the nation’s largest retail bookseller and the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 658 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s largest e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). Its NOOK Media LLC subsidiary is a leader in the emerging digital reading and digital education markets. The NOOK digital business offers award-winning NOOK® products and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store® (www.nook.com), while Barnes & Noble College Booksellers LLC operates 714 bookstores serving over five million students and faculty members at colleges and universities across the United States. General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company's corporate website: www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

Barnes & Noble®, Barnes & Noble Booksellers® and Barnes & Noble.com® are trademarks of Barnes & Noble, Inc. or its affiliates.

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