Barnes & Noble to Hold Special New York Event on February 19th to Raise Awareness about Down Syndrome

Business Wire, Feb 5, 2007

Event at Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble in Manhattan Will Feature Singer/Songwriter Rachel Fuller, Sesame Street's Bob McGrath, and Songwriter Melissa Riggio, Spotlighted in National Geographic Kids article, "I Have Down Syndrome"

500 Barnes & Noble Stores Nationwide To Hold Special Storytime Events on Down Syndrome in February

NEW YORK -- Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, announced today that the Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble store in New York City (1972 Broadway at 66th Street) will host a special event to raise awareness about Down syndrome at 11 A.M. on Monday, February 19th. The event will feature singer/songwriter Rachel Fuller and songwriter Melissa Riggio, spotlighted in the National Geographic Kids magazine article, "I Have Down Syndrome." Bob McGrath, one of the original hosts of Sesame Street, will emcee the program.

The Lincoln Triangle event will highlight the achievements of Melissa Riggio, the 18-year-old daughter of Steve Riggio, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. As she says in the article "I Have Down Syndrome" in National Geographic Kids, "It's true that I don't learn some things as fast as other people. But that won't stop me from trying. I just know that if I work really hard and be myself, I can do almost anything."

And Melissa has. British singer and songwriter Rachel Fuller (Cigarettes & Housework, Shine) was so moved by Melissa's poetry and story that she co-wrote and recorded two songs with her: The Ring and Love Is A Potion (available for free download at www.Riggio.net), produced by Pete Townshend of The Who. Both Melissa and Rachel will participate in the program, and Rachel will perform live during the event.

500 Barnes & Noble Stores Nationwide To Hold Special Storytime Events

In addition, approximately 500 Barnes & Noble stores across the country will hold special Storytime events in February for children six to eight years old. The events will raise awareness of Down syndrome and feature the achievements of Melissa Riggo. Her hope is that these events will demonstrate that the lives of people with Down syndrome are "a lot like yours." As she says in the article, "I read books and watch TV. I listen to music with my friends. I'm on the swim team and in the chorus at school. I think about the future, like who I'll marry. And I get along with my sisters."

To find the Barnes & Noble store nearest you that will host this special Storytime, click on "Find Your Local B&N Store" on Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com).

Rachel Fuller

Rachel Fuller's first CD, Cigarettes & Housework (Universal Records), released in 2004, is a contemporary album filled with original heartfelt songs laden with hooks and tender ballads, and includes musical contributions from Pete Townshend, Pino Palladino and Mark Brzezicki. Her song Wonderland is included in the soundtrack of the Richard Gere/Jennifer Lopez movie, Shall We Dance, released in 2004. Rachel's second CD, Shine (eelpie), was released in 2006 and features five new tracks, including Just Breathe, which was voted "indie" song of the year on the Independent Artists Web site. A classically trained pianist, Rachel's orchestral works have also been recorded by the London Chamber Orchestra. Rachel Fuller has been a pioneer in Web cast entertainment with her variety series, In the Attic (intheattic.tv). More information on Rachel can be found at www.myspace.com/rachelfuller30.

Bob McGrath

Bob McGrath just celebrated his 38th year on "Sesame Street." He was recently inducted into the 2002 Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He is the recipient of the American Eagle Award by the National Music Council and the Fame Award by the National Association of Music Educators for furthering the cause of music education. In addition to his role as music teacher on Sesame Street, Bob is a successful author, recording artist and concert performer.

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 801 bookstores in 50 states. For the fifth year in a row, the company is the nation's top retail brand for quality, according to the EquiTrend[R] Brand Study by Harris Interactive[R]. Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through Barnes & Noble.com (www.bn.com), one of the Web's largest e-commerce sites and the number one online bookseller for quality among e-commerce companies, according to the latest EquiTrend survey.

General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the Internet by visiting the company's corporate Web site: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com.

About The National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS)

The National Down Syndrome Society is a nonprofit organization with more than 200 affiliates nationwide, representing the more than 350,000 Americans who have this genetic condition. NDSS is committed to supporting and enhancing the quality of life, and realizing the potential of all people with Down syndrome. We demonstrate this commitment through our education, research and advocacy initiatives that benefit people with Down syndrome and their families. To learn more about NDSS, visit http://www.ndss.org.