This Sunday, many fathers will settle in for a nice BBQ, go fishing with the kids or play with a new electronic gadget. For one dad, who works nights and weekends and stays home with the kids during the day, having his whole family home is the best gift he could hope for.

“It’s been a long road over the last eight months of just being at the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and having to stay somewhere else,” says Nich Pollak, 29, of Albion (Mich.). “Having my whole family home is wonderful.”

Nich and his wife Jennie Pollak, 25, had tried for a year to give their daughter Hailey, 4, a sibling. But after Jennie had surgery for endometriosis, the couple had been unable to conceive. The young family was stunned, however, when one month on a low-dose fertility drug led to Jennie becoming pregnant with quadruplets.

“We got really pregnant,” says Jennie Pollak. “The odds are so low with that dose, they were definitely meant to be!”

At 23 weeks, Jennie’s body was unable sustain the pregnancy. She went into labor and delivered the babies.

The babies struggled to survive despite the many efforts to keep them alive in the neonatal intensive care unit at the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, where she was sent from her hometown hospital, given the risk of her pregnancy.

Premature birth occurs in about one in every eight births and is a major cause of infant mortality in the United States. High-risk pregnancies are often referred to the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, where fetal diagnosis and treatment and neonatal programs have been ranked as among the best in the country.

Premature babies often experience challenges with their respiratory and digestive systems as well as with brain development, says Timothy Johnson, M.D., a perinatologist and Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Michigan Health System.

They might require the use of ventilators and have respiratory problems, chronic lung disease or asthma. In addition, their brains might not be well-developed, which leads to problems with bleeding into their brain tissue. They also often experience developmental delays.

“There’s a whole spectrum of problems for premature babies, especially the very premature babies that now survive in large numbers because there have been real advances in perinatal care and the neonatal intensive care unit,” Johnson says. “Babies who are born at 24, 25, 26 weeks have a very high burden of disease long-term.”

Developments in the care of premature babies have been vast at U-M. Some focus on lung function and include tests to evaluate lungs before babies are born. Drugs often administered to the mother and the newborn to prevent long-term brain damage and improve lung function have been developed or evaluated at U-M.

“On the prenatal side, the most exciting advances involve fetal surgery,” Johnson says. “We are identifying more babies who are candidates for an operation before they’re born or at the time of delivery, which allows them to improve survival.”

Twin babies run in Jennie Pollak’s family.

“We had a 12-percent chance of twins,” she says. “When we found out we were pregnant, we had a blood test and the hormone levels were off the charts. We got an ultrasound and sure enough, three sacks popped up and then they were going to check the third one’s heart beat and the forth one came. We were shocked.”

Brennan was born first, at 1 pound, 4 ounces. Landon was second at 1 pound, 7 ounces.  Katelyn was third at 1 pound, 5 ounces. Brooklyn was last at 1 pound, 3 ounces. Daughter Katelyn’s potassium blood level was extremely high and her heart wasn’t able to pump blood correctly. She also had breathing problems. She lived three days.

The boys had intestinal drains and Landon has hydrocephalus, which requires fluid to be drained from his brain.

“Their first month was really tough,” says Jennie Pollak. “At one point we had every preemie complication between all four of our kids and they’ve made it through. Now we’re working on feeding and growing and breathing. The scary days are behind us.”

For Nich Pollak, having all three babies home is an amazing present.

“This is the most special Father’s Day ever,” he says. “To actually have them home at the same time and spend time with them and see them grow. I’m in awe. It makes this Father’s Day amazing.”

U-M C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Women’s Hospital is nationally ranked in eight pediatric specialties in the U.S. News Media Group’s 2009 edition of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals.” A new 1.1 million square feet, $754 million state of the art facility for children and women will provide a new home for cutting-edge specialty services for newborns, children and women such as the pediatric liver transplant program, Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Program, Pediatric and Adolescent Home Ventilator Program, Craniofacial Anomalies Program, high-risk pregnancy services and specialty gynecological services. The new hospital will enhance the inpatient and outpatient services, the world-renowned Michigan Congenital Heart Center, the Birth Center and the Holden Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

In an effort to encourage children to spend more time outdoors and re-connect with nature, the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council are joining DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. today to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring characters from DreamWorks Animation’s beloved Shrek films. Hank Kashdan, Associate Chief of the Forest Service, will unveil the PSAs on June 11 at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science in coordination with National Get Outdoors Day (June 12). The ads will be distributed to media outlets nationwide this week.

Children in the U.S. spend fifty percent less time outdoors than they did twenty years ago, according to the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. As a result of this limited interaction with the outdoors, many children are unaware of the benefits that nature provides, including improving their physical and mental health and emotional well-being. Research shows that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future.

“I am very pleased that Shrek is joining the Forest Service team to encourage children to get outdoors and learn about all the neat things forests have to offer,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. “It’s important for parents and their children to enjoy the great outdoors. And let’s not forget, children are the future generations that will learn to love and protect these important lands.”

Launched in June 2009, the Re-connecting Kids with Nature campaign primarily aims to reach “tweens” (children aged 8-12) and their parents. The goal is to encourage children to get outside and experience nature first-hand, instilling a life-long love for nature by fostering a connection with urban and national forests. Created pro bono by DreamWorks Animation and Turbine Boost, the new television, radio, outdoor and Web PSAs feature Shrek interacting with children in the forest and encourage audiences to “get outside and explore nature” because “there are surprises everywhere.”Additionally, the Brigham Young University Ad Lab developed a second series of radio, outdoor and Web ads to further engage tweens in the message.

All of the PSAs direct parents and children to visit the campaign’s website, www.DiscoverTheForest.org, where they can find ideas for outdoor activities, as well as educational and conservation information. Additionally, families can access an interactive tool (now also available on mobile devices), powered by Nature Find™ and Google Maps, where they can search for nearby forests and parks. This week, the site will also include a “Book of Stuff to Do Outside” featuring characters from Shrek, which was developed with DreamWorks Animation’s partner Hewlett Packard.

“These new PSAs and campaign materials are a wonderful extension of our efforts with the U.S. Forest Service to motivate children to spend more time outdoors,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of the Ad Council. “We are grateful to DreamWorks Animation for developing these ads featuring Shrek and we believe this beloved character will continue to encourage children and families to discover the many benefits that nature and the forest provide.”

“At DreamWorks Animation we are proud to support the Ad Council’s ongoing efforts to encourage kids and families to get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer,” said Anne Globe, head of worldwide marketing for DreamWorks Animation. “Shrek – whose love of the outdoors makes for an authentic fit with the message of the Forest Service – serves as the inspiration for the creative concept behind this unique series of custom-animated public service announcements.”

The new PSAs will be promoted through an integrated social media program on Facebook and Twitter and through other online outreach. Visit the campaign’s online communities on www.facebook.com/discovertheforest and www.twitter.com/cheecker.

The new PSAs are being distributed to approximately 33,000 media outlets nationwide. Per the Ad Council’s model, all of the ads will air and run in advertising time and space donated by the media. Since last year, media outlets have donated more than $22 million in time and space for the campaign.

As an extension of the campaign, this fall the Ad Council and the Forest Service, in collaboration with JMH Education, will distribute a comprehensive school curriculum to elementary school teachers in an effort to educate children about the forest and encourage them to re-connect with nature.

In addition to the campaign website, www.DiscoverTheForest.org, parents and children can visit www.NationalGetOutdoorsDay.org for more information on the National Get Outdoors Day events nearest to them.

With a splash of fireworks, dazzling water-based special effects and a celebrity red carpet (actually a water-inspired blue carpet), the nighttime spectacular “World of Color” made its exciting world premiere Thursday before an audience filled with celebrities and VIPs, at Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure park.

This new dimension of Disney storytelling, brimming with water, color, music and animation, opens to guests at Disney California Adventure Friday, June 11.

Robert A. Iger, president and chief executive officer, The Walt Disney Company, joined Thomas O. Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and Mickey Mouse to welcome the special VIP premiere guests.

“‘World of Color’ is a testament to the creativity, passion, innovation and talent of people throughout our organization,” Iger said. “The combination of water, light, fire, and music makes ‘World of Color’ a truly magical event that showcases beloved Disney characters in an entirely new way.”

Added Staggs: “‘World of Color’ transforms the landscape of the Disneyland Resort and marks a major milestone in the expansion of Disney California Adventure. It’s a spectacular show that is distinctly Disney, and unlike any attraction we’ve created before. It will captivate our guests with an end-of-day experience that is exhilarating, emotional and highly memorable. We are excited to debut this great, new experience for our guests and extremely proud of the talented team that drove its creation.”

There has never been a show like “World of Color,” the mega-scale, after-dark celebration of Disney storytelling. “World of Color” brings animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create one of the world’s largest projected water screens. In just under 25 minutes, “World of Color” immerses audiences in technological wonder and the enchanting magic of beloved Disney and Disney-Pixar characters, combining nearly 1,200 versatile fountains, dazzling colors, Disney music and an all-new kaleidoscope of audio and visual effects, taking water-based entertainment to a new level of artistry.

The inspiration for the show came from Walt Disney himself and “World of Color” features characters and images that span the history of Disney and Disney-Pixar moviemaking.

“Our entire team – from every corner of the Walt Disney Company – is thrilled to finally share ‘World of Color’ with our guests,” said Steve Davison, show director and vice president, parades and spectaculars, for Walt Disney Imagineering. “It’s very exciting to take audiences on an emotional journey as they experience laughter, drama and beauty in this breathtaking extravaganza.”

Disney cast members and crews built nearly an acre of superstructure to support the complex production. Walt Disney Imagineering and Creative Entertainment installed the massive infrastructure and revolutionary technology that created the stage for “World of Color.” On this stage, the team directs a unique variety of water effects, larger-than-life projections, lasers, fog, flames, surround sound, and stunning images.

The sweeping story and stunning effects are created with:

Nearly 1,200 powerful and programmable fountains with heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet (50 feet higher than Mickey’s Fun Wheel). Each fountain has multiple points of control to direct the lighting, color intensity, water angle and height.

One of the world’s largest projected water screens – a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high, for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet.
Nearly 30 high-definition projectors – 14 of them submersible.
Synchronized flame projections, lasers and special effects that will flood the senses.

A soundtrack performed by more than 100 musicians.

“World of Color” has been some five years in the making, beginning with brainstorming by show director Davison and his creative crew. As the concept grew, the Disney team sought out new technologies and multi-media to support a vision in which water and light could dance, change character and move the audience, becoming, in effect, the “stars” of the show.

Helping to tie it all together is a musical score that combines both familiar and new melodies and introduces a newly arranged version of the 1960s television theme for “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color,” originally composed by Richard B. and Robert M. Sherman, the Oscar-winning composers of “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World.” The “World of Color” score was composed by Mark Hammond, and orchestrated and conducted by David Hamilton, both celebrated music industry professionals.

To see an interactive version of “World of Color,” guests can visit www.disneyland.com/worldofcolor

The Hershey Company and Hershey’s Chocolate World attraction announce the grand opening of their newest experience, Hershey’s Create Your Own Candy Bar, an interactive, hands-on attraction that immerses guests in the candy bar creation process. The family-fun attraction marks the first time Hershey will give consumers the ability to select their favorite candy bar ingredients, see authentic equipment in operation and design packaging for their custom chocolate candy bar.

“Hershey’s Chocolate World’s new Create Your Own Candy Bar attraction will allow each guest to play the role of a chocolate innovator,” says Amy Hahn, General Manager, The Hershey Experience. “Giving people a chance to create their own chocolate bar and see how authentic factory equipment operates is not common in the chocolate industry. It marks another reason to visit Hershey’s Chocolate World.”

Wearing authentic outfits, including factory aprons and hairnets, guests will become the newest member of the Hershey innovation team. Using similar equipment as Hershey factories, guests will create their custom candy bar by pulling a lever to activate the machinery and dispense ingredients. Guests can select up to three inclusions in each bar, choosing from ingredients such as graham crackers crumbs, crisped rice, blueberry fruit gels, chocolate cookie bits, vanilla chips and rainbow jimmies. After the inclusions are added, the candy bars are drenched in pure Hershey’s Milk Chocolate. Guests can even determine if they’d like to top their candy bar with Hershey’s Kisses-shaped sprinkles. After the bar cools, it is sealed, packaged and personalized with custom packaging that guests design at an interactive kiosk.

Unique to the chocolate industry, Create Your Own Candy Bar provides guests with the opportunity to track their customized bar in every step of the process, from start to finish, and watch as their name is transformed into its very own candy bar brand.

Create Your Own Candy Bar officially debuts to the general public at Hershey’s Chocolate World attraction on Saturday, June 12, 2010 and will have an admission price of $14.95 per person, which includes the 30-minute experience and custom bar. For more information, visit HersheysChocolateWorld.com.

To celebrate the highly anticipated theatrical release of “Toy Story 3,” Toys”R”Us® is helping kids worldwide reach “to infinity and beyond” by creating the ultimate “Toy Story 3” destination in all of its nearly 1,300 toy stores in 34 countries around the world. In the United States, kids can “Live the Adventure” in stores and online at Toysrus.com/ToyStory starting today when they visit dedicated “Toy Story 3” boutiques, filled with the largest assortment of “Toy Story”-inspired toys, including action figures, construction sets, role play accessories, musical instruments and electronic devices. At Toys”R”Us, kids can find everything they need to continue the movie adventure at home with Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang. Similar “Toy Story 3” boutiques will open in Toys”R”Us stores around the world, coinciding with the movie’s release in each respective country.

“For nearly 15 years, kids and kids at heart have imagined that the toys they find in Toys”R”Us stores can come alive and have their own adventures thanks to the magical storytelling of the “Toy Story“ films,” said Karen Dodge, Senior Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys”R”Us, Inc. “The powerful connection to toys evoked by the films match our brand perfectly, and to bring this playtime experience to a new generation of kids, Toys”R”Us stores are now showcasing a broad assortment of “Toy Story 3” merchandise, including dozens of items that can only be found in our stores.”

“Since 1995, Toys”R”Us has consistently offered “Toy Story” fans a place to find items based on their favorite characters, including Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Hamm, Rex and MR. POTATO HEAD,” said Vince Klaseus, senior vice president of global toys for Disney Consumer Products. “With the introduction of new characters like Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear and Twitch, as well as the addition of LEGO® construction sets and characters based on Barbie® doll and Ken®, kids will find more “Toy Story 3” items than Andy can fit into his bedroom when they visit Toys”R”Us stores.”

Toys”R”Us Stores in the United States Invite Kids To “Live the Adventure”

To kick off the celebration, “Toy Story 3” has received a dedicated space at the front of every Toys”R”Us store in the United States. Inviting kids to “Live the Adventure” of the newest Disney-Pixar film, each boutique features images of classic “Toy Story” characters, such as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Rex, Bullseye, Slinky Dog, the Aliens and more. Inside the boutiques, children will find an exciting assortment of interactive toys, games, trains, playsets, role play accessories, construction sets and everything else needed to help bring “Toy Story 3” to life. “Toy Story” fans should also note that Toys”R”Us stores nationwide will receive regular shipments of new “Toy Story 3“ merchandise throughout the year.

The company’s international flagship store, Toys”R”Us Times Square, is also featuring a dedicated boutique near the store’s main entrance on 44th Street and Broadway to showcase “Toy Story 3” products. Visitors can find out what it is like to become a “living toy” with a life-size, walk-in “Toy Story 3“-branded action figure package. Kids can also soar over the three-story toy store on the indoor, 60-foot Ferris Wheel which features Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie and the Aliens.

In the week leading up to the film’s June 18 theatrical release in the United States, customers who purchase $25 worth of “Toy Story” merchandise from Sunday, June 13 to Saturday, June 19 will receive a complimentary “Toy Story 3″ movie ticket, while supplies last. For more details, customers should check the company’s newspaper circulars. “Toy Story” fans will also be treated to additional special promotions at Toys”R”Us stores throughout the year.

“Toy Story” Travels To Babies”R”Us® Stores

As part of the “Toy Story” celebration, Babies”R”Us stores in the United States are now showcasing a carefully selected assortment of “Toy Story” merchandise geared toward younger children. Featured in “Toy Story” boutiques, the assortment focuses on room décor, with a large assortment of baby furniture, toddler beds, stepping stools and more featuring “Toy Story” characters. Additionally, the boutiques include “Toy Story” playthings for the tiniest tikes, such as the “Toy Story 3″ Imaginext® line from Fisher-Price®.

Telling Toy Stories Online and On-The-Go

To help prepare kids and collectors for the theatrical arrival of “Toy Story 3,” Toysrus.com/ToyStory has become a playroom for all things “Toy Story.”  Bringing together  a broad assortment of “Toy Story 3″ toys, the site also features content that fans crave, including downloadable coloring sheets and wallpaper for iPod touch and computers. As an added bonus, shoppers can also find videos highlighting the unique features of the hottest “Toy Story 3″ products.

And, since everyone knows the characters from “Toy Story” can’t be contained on the silver screen or the computer screen, they’ll even break loose on Toysrus.com when “Toy Story” Aliens begin to hide throughout the site from Sunday, June 13 through Sunday, June 27. Popping up throughout the site, visitors who find these fan-favorite, three-eyed characters will receive access to a variety of content including special deals on “Toy Story 3″ items and previews of fun “Toy Story” animation clips featuring the gang. Everyone who clicks on and captures an Alien will be rewarded.

Additionally, kids and parents can take the adventure onto their mobile devices beginning later this month with a downloadable “Toy Story 3″ Memory game available exclusively for iPod touch and iPhone.  Offering a new spin on the classic card matching game, players will be challenged to test their memorization skills by flipping over “Toy Story”-themed cards in an attempt to find a matching picture underneath. Customers interested in downloading the game will find a link to it at Toysrus.com/ToyStory.

To Infinity and Beyond – Toy Story line to launch in Toys”R”Us Stores Around the World

As “Toy Story 3″ opens in theaters internationally, Toys”R”Us stores around the world will also celebrate the film’s arrival with dedicated boutiques. These special shops in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Spain and additional countries will offer exclusive products, including U-COMMAND Buzz Lightyear, which is available only at Toys”R”Us stores worldwide.

Andy’s Favorites – Exclusive Products

In addition to the broadest assortment of toys based on the movie, kids will find dozens of unique “Toy Story 3″ items available exclusively at Toys”R”Us stores and online at Toysrus.com/ToyStory. Selected highlights of the differentiated “Toy Story 3″ product line include:

Disney-Pixar “Toy Story 3″ U-COMMAND Buzz Lightyear from Thinkway®

It’s “Buzz Lightyear to the rescue” with this fully programmable action figure. Children just take control of Buzz by using an infrared remote control to make him speak, spin around, move forward and back, move his arms and activate his laser. With 10 program buttons that can create over 1,000 action combos and the ability to control Buzz using a joystick controller, kids will think Buzz actually left Andy’s house en route to their own home. This global exclusive can only be found at Toys”R”Us stores around the world. 7 “AA” Batteries required (4 included). Ages 6 years and up.

Disney-Pixar “Toy Story 3″ Interactive Buddies Woody and Jessie from Thinkway®

Sheriff Woody and his pal Jessie the Yodeling Cowgirl are together again, and just like in the “Toy Story” movies, they banter and bicker with each other.  With this Toys”R”Us exclusive, kids can choose between three different interactive modes to hear these pals speak individually or converse with each other, using their actual voices from the movies. Between Woody and Jessie, the duo can say over 100 phrases, including lines from “Toy Story 2″ and “Toy Story 3,” along with additional buddy interactions.  3 “AA” batteries and 3 “AAA” batteries required (not included).  Ages 4 years and up.

Disney-Pixar “Toy Story 3“ Buddy Packs from Mattel®

Designed with little hands in mind, these chunky “Toy Story 3″ action figure sets each come with seven different characters. The Hero’s Gang set lets children easily collect Andy’s toys, including Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie, Bullseye, Hamm, Rex and Workout Barbie®. Kids who want to meet the new characters waiting for them in “Toy Story 3″ can check out the Lotso’s Gang set which comes with Lotso, Stretch, Big Baby, Twitch, Chunk, Sparks and Ken®.

No batteries required. Ages 3 and up.

Disney-Pixar “Toy Story 3″ GeoTrax™ Exploding Bridge RC Set from Fisher-Price®

Oh, no! A dastardly villain has booby trapped the bridge, and Buzz Lightyear’s train is headed for certain peril! Now it’s up to Woody and his trusty horse, Bullseye, to save the day in this constructible train set. Featuring a remote control train, a figure-8 loop of track, an “exploding” bridge that breaks away from the track, TNT, and three figures, kids will have plenty of pretend rescues with their favorite “Toy Story” characters. 6 “AAA” batteries required (not included). Ages 2 to 7 years.

POP-O-MATIC® TROUBLE Game®: Disney-Pixar “Toy Story 3″ Edition from Hasbro® Games

The classic race-ahead, bump-back game takes on a “Toy Story“ twist as players partner with their favorite characters. Kids can either play along with Buzz Lightyear (blue), Woody (yellow), Rex (green) or MR. POTATO HEAD (red) as they race around the board in an attempt to land at home base. As always, players use the POP-O-MATIC dice roller to determine their moves, but they better watch out because if an opponent lands on them, it’s back to the start of the board. No batteries required. Ages 5 and up.

Disney/Pixar “Toy Story 3″ Garbage Truck Getaway from LEGO Systems, Inc.

Kids can recreate a climactic scene from “Toy Story 3″ with this 402-piece construction set containing enough pieces to build a garbage truck and dumpster. Once the four included Minifigure versions of Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear and Twitch dive into the dumpster, the truck can lift it and automatically toss the contents into the back of the truck. No batteries required. Ages 7 to 14 years.

Hasbro, the world leader in family and adult games, remains committed to providing entertainment solutions for cost-conscious parents in search of family friendly activities. With more than sixty well-known game brands in the Hasbro portfolio, families have a range of choices including Monopoly, The Game of Life, Cranium, Sorry! and more. A recommended weekly Family Game Night will give families of all types and ages the opportunity to experience an inexpensive night of laughter and fun at home on a regular basis, and all will be rewarded with lasting memories as a result.

“Hasbro invites families to turn off electronic distractions, gather their favorite board game and reconnect with the people that matter most during a planned or spontaneous Family Game Night,” said Phillip Jackson, Group Executive of Games at Hasbro. “Families across the country have begun to host Family Game Night as a way to enjoy time together while remaining on a budget. Hasbro continues to encourage families everywhere to join in the fun and designate one evening for games and share in learning, laughter, and creating moments that matter.”

• Monopoly
• The Game of Life
• Cranium
• Sorry!

In 2010, Hasbro introduces a new selection of games to bring more excitement to Family Game Night. Choose how long you want to play in MONOPOLY U-BUILD, a new concept in Monopoly game play where you create a custom game track with snap-together property spaces that determine the length of play. For competitive players who appreciate the sweet taste of revenge, SORRY! SPIN – an updated version of the classic game – incorporates a rotating board that makes the game even more unpredictable and fun. The mystery-face guessing game of Guess Who? has also been given a modern update, and can now be played with up to four players. In GUESS WHO? MIX n’ MASH, players create their own GUESS WHO? face arrangements and try to uncover the type of character designed.

Enjoy out of your seat fun with Cranium this year. CRANIUM is getting an update with 600 new questions and an expandable game board that allows for varied lengths of play in CRANIUM 2.0. Also new to the world of CRANIUM is CRANIUM SCRIBBLISH, a hilarious game that combines drawing with the “telephone” game.

Last, the find it fast game of Pictureka! introduces PICTUREKA! 2nd Edition with all-new wacky doodle drawings. And PICTUREKA! DISNEY Edition recreates characters from the wide world of Disney into the silly drawings featured on the PICTUREKA! game tiles in this exciting licensed edition.

Highlights of new Hasbro family games in 2010 include:

MONOPOLY U-BUILD

(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up; Available: Fall 2010; Players: 2 to 6)

MONOPOLY is giving players the chance to choose how long they want to enjoy a game with MONOPOLY U-BUILD, a new concept in MONOPOLY game play. Using hexagonal property spaces that snap together, players build a game track that creates a custom game board and determines the length of play. Decide to use the Starter Track for a 30-minute game before dinner, or try the Classic Track for a 60-minute game during family game night for longer-lasting fun. Once you’ve perfected these tracks, move onto the Pro or Freestyle Tracks for the ultimate gaming challenge. In MONOPOLY U-BUILD you choose, you build, you play!

SORRY! SPIN

(Approximate Retail Price: $24.99; Recommended Age: 6 & up; Available: Fall 2010; Players: 2 to 4)

This Fall, SORRY! fans can experience the exhilarating game of sweet revenge with a wicked spin by sending opponents back to “START” with a quick turn of the SORRY! SPIN wheel. SORRY! SPIN, a new take on the classic game of SORRY!, features an innovative rotating game board that makes getting “HOME” more complicated and unpredictable than ever before as action cards and spin spaces can rotate pawns away from the “HOME” base just when you think you’ve secured the win. The unique dynamics involved in the game of SORRY! SPIN engage children and parents on every move, and create a level playing field that makes this anyone’s game to win.

GUESS WHO? MIX n’ MASH

(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up; Available: Fall 2010; Players: 2 to 4)

GUESS WHO? MIX n’ MASH puts a twist on the classic guessing game by allowing up to four players to create, and then guess, their wacky face arrangements. Align the three face parts – hair, eyes and mouth – but don’t look! Ask questions to gather clues about the identity of the mystery character, for instance “does my character wear glasses?” The opponent responds with a “yes” or “no” answer, helping to eliminate characters and face combinations. After figuring out the type of character that you have selected, read the description provided aloud to the group and prepare for lots of laughs! With a variety of faces ranging from animal to alien, the more than 3,000 combinations to mash together seem endless!

CRANIUM 2.0

(Approximate Retail Price: $24.99; Recommended Age: Adult; Available: Fall 2010; Players: 4 or more)

For the first time since the game was first introduced in 1998, CRANIUM is being refreshed with an innovative 3-in-1 game board that can collapse or expand depending on the group’s interest in a 20-minute, 2-hour, or an all night game. In CRANIUM 2.0, 600 question cards have been added, giving players new stars to mimic, updated words to spell backwards and even more interesting facts to uncover. With a game board that allows you to decide how long you want to play, and categories and questions that cater to any player’s strength, CRANIUM 2.0 brings friends and family together for a full night of fun.

CRANIUM SCRIBBLISH

(Approximate Retail Price: $19.99; Recommended Age: 8 & up; Available: Fall 2010; Players: 4 to 6)

Scribble your way to win in CRANIUM’s hilarious new game SCRIBBLISH, which combines drawing with the “telephone” game. During the game, players have 45 seconds to draw their best sketch that represents the phrase on the game card. The first player starts by drawing what they read on a statement and passes it to the next player who has to write a statement describing the drawing. The next person turns those words into images. The scrolled-story continues to be passed around the room until all players have a chance to draw. Players read the story created out loud to find out how “this” became “that”! Earn additional points by trying to guess what the other player has drawn or by drawing the funniest picture.

PICTUREKA! 2^nd Edition

(Approximate Retail Price: $16.99; Recommended Age: 6 and up; Available: Fall 2010; Players: 2 or more)

The wacky drawings on the PICTUREKA! tiles are being updated with more silly faces and objects in the PICTUREKA! 2^nd Edition. Game enthusiasts can add the 2^nd Edition tiles to the classic game for an even more unexpected experience. To play, select one of the three mission cards – all play, find it fast, or out bid – and try to find objects fast and first. The first person to spot a silly drawing matching the task on the card can yell “Pictureka!” or “I found it!”

PICTUREKA! Disney Edition

(Approximate Retail Price: $16.99; Recommended Age: 6 and up; Availability: Fall 2010; Players: 2 or more)

Your favorite Disney characters from Sleeping Beauty to Aladdin to Mickey Mouse have been drawn in the wacky doodle art style of PICTUREKA!. Find these iconic faces fast and first to be crowned the PICTUREKA! champ! This game can be played as a stand-alone game, or placed next to the original PICTUREKA! or PICTUREKA! 2^nd Edition tiles for even more family fun and laughs!