Document:

<Page>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.15

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of January 15,
1999 (the "Commencement Date") by and between DISCOVERY TOYS, INC., a California
corporation (the "Company"), and THOMAS C. ZIMMER ("Executive").

                                R E C I T A L S:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Stock Transfer Agreement, dated as of January
15, 1999, among the Company, Discovery Toys, L.L.C. (the "LLC") and Avon
Products, Inc. ("Avon"), Avon is transferring to the LLC a majority of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company (the "Stock Transfer
Agreement");

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January
15, 1999 (the "Stock Purchase Agreement") Executive is acquiring 24,570 shares
(the "Company Shares") of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the
Company (constituting on the date hereof 5% of the outstanding capital stock of
the Company), subject to certain surrender provisions contained in such Stock
Purchase Agreement;

         WHEREAS, the Company presently is involved in the business of the sale
and delivery of toys and books; and

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive and Executive is
desirous of and wishes to enter into this Agreement, on the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:

                                    SECTION 1

                                   DEFINITIONS

         As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth below:

         1.1 "AFFILIATE" shall mean a corporation that, directly or indirectly,
controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, and for
purposes hereof, "control" shall mean the ownership of 10% or more of the Voting
Stock of the corporation in question.

         1.2 "AVON EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning given such term
in Section 4.1.

         1.3 "AVON SALARY SUPPLEMENT" shall mean $82,500 per annum paid by Avon
to Executive under the Avon Employment Agreement.

         1.4 "BASIC SALARY" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 5.1 of this Agreement.
<Page>

         1.5 "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, as duly
constituted from time to time.

         1.6 "BUSINESS" shall mean the toy and book business to be conducted by
the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of any thereof, directly or
indirectly.

         1.7 "CAUSE" shall mean any of the following:

                  (a) If Executive engages in (i) fraud, or (ii) embezzlement,
or (iii) Executive is indicted for a felony and such indictment is not dismissed
within 180 days, or (iv) Executive engages in such conduct that results in
substantial damage to the reputation of the Company or a Subsidiary or
Affiliate; or

                  (b) The willful commission by Executive of a material breach
of the representation and warranty contained in Section 8; or

                  (c) The continuing willful failure of Executive to perform the
Duties to the Company or a Subsidiary (other than any such failure resulting
from Executive's incapacity due to Disability), or a material breach of the
written policies of the Company or Section 9, each after written notice thereof
(specifying the particulars thereof in reasonable detail) and a reasonable
opportunity to be heard and cure such failure are given to Executive by the
Board; or

                  (d) If Executive declines to follow any lawful and reasonable
instruction or policy formally adopted by the Board and formally communicated to
Executive.

         For purposes of this subparagraph, no act, or failure to act, on
Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be
done, by him not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or
omission was in the best interests of the Company or a Subsidiary. The
determination of whether Cause exists for purposes of Section 7.4 shall be made
by the Board, without Executive's participation as a director.

         1.8 "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the rules, regulations and interpretations issued thereunder.

         1.9 "COMMENCEMENT DATE" shall be the Closing Date (as defined in the
Stock Transfer Agreement).

         1.10 "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" shall include, without limitation by
reason of specification, any information, including without limitation trade
secrets, subscriber, advertiser, vendor and customer lists, pricing policies,
operational methods, methods of doing business, technical processes, formulae,
designs and design projects, inventions, research projects, strategic plans,
product information, manufacturing and advertising know-how, possible
acquisition information and other business affairs of the Company or its
Affiliates that (i) is or are designed to be used in, or are or may be useful in
connection with, the Business, or that, in the case of any

                                       2
<Page>

of these entities, results from any of the research or development activities of
any such entity, or (ii) is private or confidential in that it is not generally
known or available to the public, except as the result of unauthorized
disclosure by or information supplied by Executive, or (iii) gives the Company,
a Subsidiary or any Affiliate an opportunity or the possibility of obtaining an
advantage over competitors who may not know or use such information or who are
not lawfully permitted to use the same. Confidential Information shall not
include information which is generally available to the public (except by reason
of or as a consequence of a breach by Executive of his obligation under Section
9).

         1.11 "DISABILITY" shall mean the inability of Executive to perform
Executive's Duties for the Company or any Subsidiary, if employed by the Company
or a Subsidiary, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and the By-Laws of the
Company as hereinafter provided, because of physical or mental disability, where
such disability shall have existed for a period of more than ninety (90)
consecutive days or an aggregate of one hundred twenty (120) days in any 365-day
period. The existence of a Disability means that Executive's mental and/or
physical condition substantially interferes with Executive's performance of his
Duties for the Company and/or its Subsidiaries as specified in this Agreement.
The fact of whether or not a Disability exists hereunder shall be determined by
appropriate medical experts. The Board shall provide the names of three medical
experts to Executive. Executive or his designee shall choose one of the three
medical experts within thirty (30) days after such list is provided to
Executive. In the absence of a timely selection, the Board shall select the
medical expert.

         1.12 "DUTIES" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Section
2.1 of this Agreement.

         1.13 "EMPLOYMENT YEAR" shall mean each twelve-month period, or part
thereof, during which Executive is employed hereunder, commencing on the
Commencement Date and on the day immediately preceding the first anniversary of
the Commencement Date and the twelve-month period commencing on an anniversary
of the Commencement Date and ending on the day immediately preceding the next
anniversary of such earlier anniversary date.

         1.14 "PERSON" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship,
partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association,
corporation, limited liability company, institution, public benefit corporation,
entity or government (whether federal, state, county, city, municipal or
otherwise, including without limitation any instrumentality, division, agency,
body or department thereof).

         1.15 "RESTRICTED PERIOD" shall be the period during which Executive is
restricted by the Non-Competition Agreement among Executive, the Company and the
LLC.

         1.16 "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean a corporation of which more than fifty
percent (50%) of the Voting Stock is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company.

         1.17 "TERM" shall mean the term of employment of Executive under this
Agreement.

                                       3
<Page>

         1.18 "TERM DATE" shall have the meaning assigned to that term in
Section 3 of this Agreement, or any earlier date upon which this Agreement shall
terminate pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

         1.19 "VOTING STOCK" shall mean capital stock of a corporation that
gives the holder the right to vote in the election of directors for such
corporation in the ordinary course of business and not as the result of, or
contingent upon, the happening of any event.

         Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each word or phrase
stated in either the singular or the plural shall include the singular and the
plural, and each pronoun stated in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender
shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter.

                                    SECTION 2

                       EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE

         2.1 EMPLOYMENT; TITLE; DUTIES. The Company hereby employs Executive,
and Executive hereby accepts appointment, as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company. The duties of Executive shall be to perform those
services set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto and incorporated herein, to
pursue the objectives of the Business, to perform generally those
responsibilities assigned to him by the Board and the chief executive officer of
the Company, and to render services as are necessary and desirable to protect
and to advance the best interests of the Company and any Subsidiary
(collectively, the "Duties"), acting, in all instances, under the supervision of
and in accordance with the policies and instructions of the Board. Executive
shall report to and be under the supervision of the Board and the chief
executive officer of the Company. So long as Executive is employed by the
Company, the Company will support his election as a member of the Board.

         2.2 PERFORMANCE OF DUTIES. Executive shall devote such time as is
reasonably necessary to perform the Duties as an executive of the Company and
for the performance of such other duties as are assigned to him from
time-to-time by the Board and the Chief Executive Officer. During the Term,
Executive: (i) shall comply with all laws, statutes, ordinances, rules and
regulations relating to the Business; and (ii) shall not engage in or become
employed, directly or indirectly, in a business that competes with the Business
of the Company or any Subsidiary, without the prior written consent of the
Board, nor shall he act as a consultant to or provide any services to, whether
on a remunerative basis or otherwise, the commercial or professional business of
any other Person that competes with the Business, without such written consent,
which, in both instances, may be given or withheld by the Board in its absolute
discretion. Except for normal business travel, Executive shall not be required
to perform the Duties from a location other than Northern California.

                                    SECTION 3

                               TERM OF EMPLOYMENT

                                       4
<Page>

         The employment of Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall commence
as of the Commencement Date and shall end on January 16, 2002 unless sooner
terminated pursuant to Section 7.

                                    SECTION 4

                            COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

         4.1 The Company shall pay Executive, as compensation for all of the
services to be rendered by him hereunder during the Term, and in consideration
of the various restrictions imposed upon Executive during the Term, and
otherwise under this Agreement, the Basic Salary and other benefits as provided
for and determined pursuant to Sections 5 and 6, inclusive, of this Agreement;
provided, however, that no compensation shall be paid to Executive under this
Agreement for any period subsequent to the termination of employment of
Executive for any reason whatsoever, except as provided in Section 7. In
addition, Executive acknowledges that he is receiving compensation and benefits
from Avon in accordance with a letter from Avon to Executive dated January 11,
1999 (the "Avon Employment Agreement") in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

                                    SECTION 5

                               BASIC SALARY/BONUS

         5.1 BASIC SALARY. The Company shall pay Executive, as compensation for
all of the services to be rendered by him hereunder during each Employment Year,
a salary of One Hundred Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($165,000) per Employment
Year (the "Basic Salary"), payable in substantially equal monthly payments, less
such deductions or amounts as are required to be deducted or withheld by
applicable laws or regulations, deductions for employee contributions to welfare
benefits provided by the Company to Executive and such other deductions or
amounts, if any, as are authorized by Executive. The Basic Salary shall be
prorated for the month in which employment of Executive by the Company commences
or terminates, and for any Employment Year that is less than twelve (12) months
in duration. The Basic Salary shall be subject to an annual review by the Board,
and the Basic Salary may be increased by the Board but not reduced.

         5.2 BONUS. The Company shall pay Executive an annual cash bonus within
ninety (90) days of the end of each calendar year during the Term and the
Initial Term of up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) depending on Executive
and the Company meeting financial and non-financial goals, which goals will be
established annually within the first ninety (90) days of each calendar year
during the Term and the Initial Term by the Board after consultation with
Executive. Executive shall submit to the Board within forty-five (45) days after
the commencement of such calendar year a set of goals for such calendar year
("Executive Goal Statement"). If the Board shall not establish such goals after
receipt of the Executive Goal Statement and prior to the end of such ninety (90)
day period, Executive shall give prompt written notice of such failure to
establish such goals. If the Board does not establish such goals

                                       5
<Page>

within thirty (30) days after such notice to the Board, then Executive shall be
entitled to receive a Bonus equal to $25,000 for such calendar year.

                                    SECTION 6

               ADDITIONAL BENEFITS AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES

         6.1 ADDITIONAL BENEFITS. Executive acknowledges until June 30, 1999,
the Company will not provide any benefits to Executive. After June 30, 1999, the
Company will provide Executive with welfare benefits generally provided to other
executives of the Company, including but not limited to: (a) participation in
the Company's 401(k) plan, (b) four (4) weeks annual vacation, (c) $600
allowance for income tax preparation per Employment Year, (d) health insurance,
(e) lease allowance for an automobile with a manufacturer's suggested retail
price not to exceed $30,000, such lease to be for a term for three (3) years or
45,000 miles, whichever comes first, plus the use of a gasoline credit card in
connection with such automobile.

         6.2 REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. The Company shall pay or reimburse
Executive for all reasonable expenses actually incurred or paid by him during
the Term in the performance of his services under this Agreement. Expenses in
excess of $________ (exclusive of air fare) per business event must be approved
in advance in writing by the Board or the chief executive officer of the
Company. All expenses to be reimbursed must be consistent with the policies for
reimbursement adopted by the Board. In no event may Executive exceed budgeted
expenditures allowed for him which are set by the Board or the chief executive
officer of the Company without prior written approval of the Board or the chief
executive officer of the Company. In the event the Company requires Executive to
travel on business during the Term, Executive shall be reimbursed for any travel
expenses in accordance with this Section 6.2.

                                    SECTION 7

                            TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

         7.1 DEATH. If Executive dies during the Term, his employment under this
Agreement shall automatically terminate on the date of his death and no further
compensation shall be due hereunder to Executive or Executive's estate.

         7.2 DISABILITY. If, during the Term, Executive has a Disability, the
Company may, at any time after Executive has a Disability, terminate Executive's
employment by written notice to him. The date on which the Company sends written
notice of termination under this Section 7.2 shall be the Term Date hereunder.
In the event that Executive's employment is terminated as a result of a
Disability, Executive shall cease to receive any further compensation hereunder.

         7.3 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION. The Agreement may be terminated by Executive
at any time upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company. If
Executive terminates his employment with the Company, he shall be treated as if
he had been terminated by the Company for Cause, and shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 7.4 hereof.

                                       6
<Page>

         7.4 TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. The Company may terminate Executive's
employment hereunder for Cause at any time by written notice given to Executive
by the Board. The date on which the Company sends written notice of termination
under this Section 7.4 shall be the Term Date hereunder. If Executive's
employment is terminated for Cause, he shall be entitled to receive only the
portion of his Basic Salary accrued to the Term Date and not theretofore paid to
him and reimbursement for any expenses properly incurred by Executive and
supported by appropriate vouchers, which expenses have been incurred prior to
the Term Date and not theretofore reimbursed. Except as set forth in the
immediately preceding sentence, all of Executive's rights to compensation
hereunder shall be terminated, in the event of termination for Cause, as of the
Term Date.

         7.5 TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE. Executive acknowledges that his
employment by the Company is "at will" and thus the Company may terminate the
employment of Executive without Cause upon written notice to Executive. If
Executive is given notice of termination by the Company on or prior to June 30,
1999 without Cause, Executive shall be deemed terminated for Cause. If Executive
is given notice of termination by the Company after June 30, 1999, the Company
shall pay Executive his Basic Salary for fifteen (15) months after the date of
termination and expenses incurred prior to the date of termination which are
subject to reimbursement under Section 6.2 plus $103,125.

         7.6 NO DUTY TO MITIGATE OR SETOFF. Executive shall have no duty to
mitigate any payment to be made by the Company hereunder by seeking alternative
employment and the Company shall not setoff against any payment due Executive
hereunder resulting from any liability of Executive to the Company.

         7.7 SURRENDER OF COMPANY SHARES. The parties acknowledge that if, for
any reason, Executive's employment is terminated under any provision of this
Section 7 on or prior to June 30, 1999, Executive shall surrender the Company
Shares to the Company for cancellation and release the Company from any and all
obligations with respect thereto upon payment by the Company to Executive of any
federal and state income taxes paid by Executive with respect to the purchase of
the Company Shares from the LLC pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement.

                                    SECTION 8

                    REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTY BY EXECUTIVE

         Executive hereby represents and warrants to the Company, the same being
part of the essence of this Agreement that, as of the Commencement Date, he is
not a party to any agreement, contract or understanding, and that no facts or
circumstances exist, which would in any way restrict or prohibit him in any
material way from undertaking or performing any of his obligations under this
Agreement. The foregoing representation and warranty shall remain in effect
throughout the Term.

                                       7
<Page>

                                    SECTION 9

               CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND PROPRIETARY INTERESTS

         9.1 ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY. Executive understands and
acknowledges that he may obtain Confidential Information during the course of
his employment by the Company. Executive further acknowledges that the services
to be rendered by him are of a special, unique and extraordinary character and
that, in connection with such services, he will have access to Confidential
Information vital to the Business. Accordingly, Executive agrees that he shall
not during the Term or the Restricted Period (i) use or disclose any such
Confidential Information outside the Company and any Subsidiaries and
Affiliates; (ii) publish any works, speeches or articles with respect thereto;
or (iii) except as required in the proper performance of his services hereunder,
remove or aid in the removal of any Confidential Information or any property or
material relating thereto from the premises of the Company or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate.

         In the event Executive is required by law or a court order to disclose
any such Confidential Information, he shall promptly notify the Company of such
requirement and provide the Company with a copy of any court order or of any
law, which in his opinion requires such disclosure and, if the Company so
elects, to the extent that it is legally able, permit the Company an adequate
opportunity, at its own expense, to contest such law or court order.

         9.2 DELIVERY OF MATERIAL. Executive shall promptly, and without charge,
deliver to the Company on the termination of his employment hereunder, or at any
other time the Company may so request, all memoranda, notes, records, reports,
manuals, computer disks, videotapes, drawings, blueprints and other documents
(and all copies thereof) relating to the Business, and all property associated
therewith, which he may then possess or have under his control.

         9.3 VENDOR LISTS. Executive acknowledges that (i) all lists of
customers and vendors of the Company, any Subsidiary or of any Affiliate
developed during the course of Executive's employment and/or by the Company are
and shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, any Subsidiary and
its Affiliates, as the case may be, and Executive further acknowledges and
agrees that he neither has nor shall have any personal right, title or interest
therein; (ii) that such lists are and must continue to be confidential; and
(iii) that such lists are not readily accessible to competitors of the Company,
any Subsidiary or Affiliate.

         9.4 IDEAS, PROGRAMS, ETC. If, during the Term, Executive invents or
develops any ideas, vendor or customer lists or the like, relating to or useful
in connection with the Business, the same are and shall remain the property of
the Company, and he will promptly deliver all copies of the same to the Company,
assign his interest therein to the Company and execute such documents as
Company's counsel may request to convey title thereof to the Company. Executive
shall not be entitled to any compensation, other than as provided in this
Agreement, for carrying out his obligations to the Company under this Section
9.4 or any other subsection of this Section 9.

                                       8
<Page>

         9.5 EXTENSION OF SECTION 9. All of the provisions of Section 9 shall be
deemed to be applicable to all Confidential Information, and to all ideas,
programs, etc., as referred to in Section 9.4, to which Executive may have
obtained access or which he may have invented or developed during his employment
by the Company.

                                   SECTION 10

                              DISPUTES AND REMEDIES

         10.1 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY HEREBY WAIVE THE
RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN THE EVENT OF ANY DISPUTE THAT ARISES UNDER THIS
AGREEMENT.

         10.2 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. If Executive commits a breach, or threatens to
commit a breach, of any of the provisions of Section 9, the Company shall have
the following rights and remedies (each of which shall be independent of the
other, and shall be severally enforceable, and all of which shall be in addition
to, and not in lieu of, any other rights and remedies available to the Company
at law or in equity):

                           (i)      the right and remedy to have the provisions
                                    of this Agreement specifically enforced by
                                    any court having equity jurisdiction, it
                                    being acknowledged by Executive that any
                                    such breach or threatened breach will or may
                                    cause irreparable injury to the Company and
                                    that money damages will or may not provide
                                    an adequate remedy to the Company; and

                           (ii)     the right and remedy to recover monetary
                                    damages from Executive.

         10.3 Partial Enforceability. If any provision contained in Section 9,
or any part thereof, is construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall
not affect the remainder of Executive's agreements, covenants and undertakings,
or the other restrictions that he has accepted, in Section 9, and the remaining
such agreements, covenants, undertakings and restrictions shall be given the
fullest possible effect, without regard to the invalid parts.

         10.4 INTENTION OF PARTIES. It is distinctly understood and agreed that
the confidentiality, proprietary right, and restrictive covenant provisions of
this Agreement have been accepted, and agreed to by Executive, in contemplation,
not only of this Agreement, but in contemplation of the simultaneous (or
approximately simultaneous) execution of the Stockholders' Agreement, Executive
being a stockholder of the Company, among the Company the LLC, Executive, Lane
Nemeth, Richard Newton and Avon Products, Inc.; and the Non-Competition
Agreement among the Company, the LLC and the Executive. It is therefore the
specific intention of the parties, any general considerations of public policy
to the contrary notwithstanding, that the provisions of Section 9 of this
Agreement shall be enforced as written and to the fullest extent possible.

                                       9
<Page>

         10.5 ADJUSTMENT OF RESTRICTIONS. Despite the prior provisions of this
Section 10, if any covenant or agreement contained in Section 9, or any part
thereof, is held by any court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable
because of the duration of such provision or the geographic area covered
thereby, the court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the
duration or geographic area of such provision and, in its reduced form, such
provision shall be enforceable.

         10.6 CHOICE OF LAW/CHOICE OF FORUM. This Agreement shall be governed in
all respects by the laws of the State of California. Any action or proceeding
seeking to enforce any provision of, or based on any right arising out of, this
Agreement may be brought against any of the parties in the courts of the State
of California, or, if it has or can acquire jurisdiction, in the United States
District Court for the Northern District of California, and each of the parties
consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate
courts) in any such action or proceeding and waives any objection to venue laid
thereon. Process in any action or proceeding referred to in the preceding
sentence, may be served on any party anywhere in the world in accordance with
the notice provisions provided in Section 13.

         10.7 ARBITRATION. Except for the right of the Company to seek
injunctive relief under Section 10.2, disputes under this Agreement shall be
subject to the Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims between the Company and
Executive dated the date hereof (the "Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims").

                                   SECTION 11

                                    SURVIVAL

         The provisions of Sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 and this Section 11 shall
survive termination of this Agreement and remain enforceable according to their
terms.

                                   SECTION 12

                                  SEVERABILITY

         The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement
shall in no way affect the validity or enforceability of any other court hereof.

                                   SECTION 13

                                     NOTICES

         All notices, demands and requests required or permitted to be given
under the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if made in
writing and delivered personally or mailed by postage prepaid certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, accompanied by a second copy sent by
ordinary mail, which notices shall be addressed as follows:

                                       10
<Page>

                  IF TO THE COMPANY:
                  -----------------

                  Discovery Toys, Inc.
                  6400 Brisa Street
                  Livermore, California  94550
                  Attention:  President
                  Telecopy:  925-371-3705

                  with a copy to:

                  Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione, P.C.
                  One Riverfront Plaza
                  Newark, New Jersey  07102
                  Attention:  Frank E. Lawatsch, Jr., Esq.

                  Telecopy:  973-639-6249

                  IF TO EXECUTIVE:
                  ---------------

                  Thomas C. Zimmer
                  1 Glen Hollow Road
                  Danville, CA  94506
                  Telecopy:

                  with a copy to:

                  Alan F. Neckritz, Esq.
                  2099 Mt. Diablo Blvd.
                  Suite 201
                  Walnut Creek, California  94596
                  Telecopy:  925-256-7110

         By notifying the other parties in writing, given as aforesaid, any
party may from time-to-time change its address or the name of any person to
whose attention notice is to be given, or may add another person to whose
attention notice is to be given, in connection with notice to any party.

                                   SECTION 14

                            ASSIGNMENT AND SUCCESSORS

         Neither this Agreement nor any of Executive's rights or duties
hereunder may be assigned or delegated by Executive. This Agreement is not
assignable by the Company without the consent of Executive, except to any
successor in interest that takes over all or substantially all of the business
of the Company, as it is conducted at the time of such assignment. Any entity
into

                                       11
<Page>

or with which the Company is merged or consolidated or that takes over all or
substantially all of the business of the Company shall be deemed to be a
successor of the Company for purposes hereof. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and, except as aforesaid, shall inure to the benefit of the parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.

                                   SECTION 15

                       ENTIRE AGREEMENT, WAIVER AND OTHER

         15.1 INTEGRATION. This Agreement, the Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate
Claims and the Non-Competition Agreement among Executive, the Company and the
LLC dated the date hereof (the "Non-Competition Agreement") contain the entire
agreement of the parties hereto on its subject matter and supersedes all
previous agreements between the parties hereto, written or oral, express or
implied, covering the subject matter hereof. No representations, inducements,
promises or agreements, oral or otherwise, not embodied herein, shall be of any
force or effect.

         15.2 NO WAIVER. No waiver or modification of any of the provisions of
this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by or on behalf of
the party granting such waiver or modification. No waiver by any party of any
breach or default hereunder shall be deemed a waiver of any repetition of such
breach or default or shall be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default,
nor shall it in any way affect any of the other terms or conditions of this
Agreement or the enforceability thereof. No failure of the Company to exercise
any power given it hereunder or to insist upon strict compliance by Executive
with any obligation hereunder, and no custom or practice at variance with the
terms hereof, shall constitute a waiver of the right of the Company to demand
strict compliance with the terms hereof.

         Executive shall not have the right to sign any waiver or modification
of any provisions of this Agreement on behalf of the Company, nor shall any
action taken by Executive reduce his obligations under this Agreement.

         This Agreement may not be supplemented or rescinded except by
instrument in writing signed by all of the parties hereto after the date hereof.
Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights of any of the parties hereunder may
be terminated except as provided herein. No waiver of any provision of this
Agreement or any amendment of this Agreement shall be binding upon the Company
unless approved by the Board.

                                   SECTION 16

                                  GOVERNING LAW

         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed, and the rights and
obligations of the parties hereto enforced, in accordance with the laws of the
State of California.

                                       12
<Page>

                                   SECTION 17

                                    HEADINGS

         The Section and Subsection headings contained herein are for reference
purposes only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or interpretation of
this Employment Agreement.

                                       13
<Page>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Employment Agreement
as of the date first written above, to be effective as of the Commencement Date.

                                             DISCOVERY TOYS, INC.

                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             THOMAS C. ZIMMER

                                       14
<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT A

         The principal duty of Executive as President and Chief Operating
Officer of the Company shall be to perform the services set forth below:

                  Responsible for overall supervision of the Company, subject to
                  the supervision and direction of the Board of Directors of the
                  Company and the chief executive officer of the LLC.

                                       15
<Page>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                           [Avon Employment Agreement]<Page>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.16

                                    AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") dated as of June 28, 2001 (the
"Agreement") by and among DISCOVERY TOYS, L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability
company, having its principal office at 330 South Street, Morristown, New Jersey
07962-1975 ("DT, LLC"), AVON PRODUCTS, INC., a New York corporation, having its
principal office at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105
("Avon"), DISCOVERY TOYS, INC., a California corporation, having its principal
office at 6400 Brisa Street, Livermore, California 94550 (the "Company") and
WILLIAM S. WALSH, located at 330 South Street, Morristown, New Jersey 07962-1975
("Walsh").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. Avon owns beneficially and of record 49,140 of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (the "Avon Shares"). The
Company has determined to purchase, and Avon has agreed to sell, the Avon
Shares, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement. As of the date hereof, there are 475,020 shares of Common Stock of
the Company (the "Common Stock") issued and outstanding.

         B. Discovery Toys has issued its note to Avon in principal amount
outstanding on the date hereof of $3,500,000 due on January 15, 2006 (the "Avon
Note"). In consideration for the purchase of the Avon Shares and other good and
valuable consideration, the Company has agreed to change the maturity of the
Avon Note to June 30, 2003 and amend other terms of the Avon Note.

         C. Walsh and DT, LLC are parties to this Agreement for the purpose,
together with the Company, of indemnifying and holding Avon harmless in
connection with any claim that may be asserted in connection with the purchase
by the Company from Avon of the Avon Shares and the Shareholder Distribution
(hereinafter defined).

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective
representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and conditions hereinafter
set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

         ARTICLE 1.  PURCHASE OF AVON SHARES, AMENDED NOTE.

         1.1 PURCHASE OF SHARES. Avon hereby transfers and delivers to the
Company, and the Company does hereby purchase all right, title and interest to,
the Avon Shares duly endorsed in the blank and accompanied by stock powers duly
executed by Avon, free and clear of all liens, charges and encumbrances, for a
purchase price of $1,455,555.00 (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price has
been wire transferred to the following account of Avon:

         Account Title:             Avon Products, Inc.
         Bank:                      Citibank, N.A.

<Page>

         ABA No.:                   021-000-089
         Account No.:               4068-2421

         1.2 CONSENT. (a) Avon in its capacity as a creditor of the Company
hereby agrees and consents to the proposed distribution by the Company to its
shareholders following the repurchase of the Avon Shares of approximately
$4,544,445 ( the "Shareholder Distribution"), should the Board of Directors of
the Company determine to make such a distribution.

         (b) The Stockholders (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement dated as
of January 16, 1999 among the Company and the Stockholders named therein (the
"Stockholders Agreement")) a party to this Agreement, representing a majority of
the issued and outstanding Common Stock of the Company, hereby expressly consent
to the sale and transfer by Avon of the Avon Shares to the Company on the terms
set forth in this Agreement. Each of the Stockholders a party to this Agreement
hereby waive the provisions of Section 10 of the Stockholders Agreement
requiring the Purchase Price (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) of any
Common Stock at the time of the offer or deemed offer for sale be determined by
a qualified independent appraiser selected by the offeror Stockholder and
further consent to the Purchase Price to be paid for the Avon Shares as provided
by this Agreement.

         1.3 NOTE. The Company has executed and delivered to Avon an Amended
Promissory Note substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.3 (the
"Amended Note") against receipt of the Note of the Company executed and
delivered January 15, 1999 in the principal amount of $3,500,000 (the "1999
Note"). The Amended Note amends, among other things, the maturity date and the
subordination provisions of the 1999 Note. By executing and delivering, and by
accepting, the Amended Note, respectively, each of Avon and the Company agrees
to the amendments made to the provisions of the 1999 Note set forth in Exhibit
1.3 hereto. The Company acknowledges that, to the date hereof, no interest has
been paid on the 1999 Note and that all accrued and unpaid interest on the 1999
Note remains due under the Amended Note and, together with interest that accrues
after the date hereof on the Amended Note, shall be payable on the maturity date
thereof.

         1.4 OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. Avon agrees that the Company's indebtedness to
PNC Bank, N.A. ("PNC") under the working capital facility extended on the date
hereof by PNC to the Company is Senior Debt as defined in the Amended Note. No
Senior Debt, other than this working capital facility with PNC, or with another
lender on substantially the same terms and conditions as the PNC facility, in
either case in an aggregate amount not to exceed $7,000,000, shall be incurred
by the Company without Avon's prior written consent. Loans to or from the
Company with any affiliated entity, including but not limited to DT, LLC, shall
be subject to Avon's prior written consent.

         ARTICLE 2.  REPRESENTATIONS OF THE COMPANY.

         The Company represents and warrants to Avon as follows:

         2.1 CORPORATE POWER. The Company is duly organized, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of California.
<Page>

         2.2 AUTHORITY; VALID AND BINDING. The Company has the power, authority
and legal right to enter into and execute this Agreement and the Amended Note
and the Company's execution, delivery and performance of its obligations under
this Agreement and the Amended Note have been authorized by all necessary
corporate action. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement, and
the Amended Note constitutes a valid and binding obligation, of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms.

         2.3 COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. All financial statements of the
Company delivered to Avon are complete, correct, present fairly the financial
condition of the Company, except as disclosed on Schedule 2.3(a), reflect every
liability (whether direct or contingent) and there has been no material adverse
change in the financial condition of the Company since the financial statements
dated March 31, 2001. Attached hereto as Schedule 2.3(b) is a complete list of
the outstanding accounts payable of the Company and the amount of the PNC
Minimum Loan balance as of the date set forth on the schedule.

         2.4 LITIGATION. There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or,
to the best of the Company's knowledge, threatened against the Company or
affecting any of its properties or assets.

         2.5 NO REGISTRATION. Registration of the offer and sale of the Avon
Shares to the Company is exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the purchase of the Avon Shares by the
Company does not contravene the legend placed on the Avon Shares pursuant to
Section 18 of that certain Stockholders Agreement dated as of January 16, 1999
among the Company and the Stockholders named therein.

         ARTICLE 3.  REPRESENTATIONS BY THE COMPANY, DT, LLC AND WALSH.

         3.1 REPRESENTATIONS. Each of the Company, DT, LLC and Walsh represents
and warrants to Avon that the execution and delivery by them of this Agreement
and the performance by them of their respective obligations hereunder or of the
transactions contemplated hereby will not contravene any provision of applicable
law or the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company, or any
agreement or instrument binding upon any of them, or any judgment, order or
decree of any governmental body, agency or court having jurisdiction over any of
them.

         ARTICLE 4.  INDEMNIFICATION.

         4.1 INDEMNIFICATION. Each of the Company, DT, LLC and William S. Walsh
(the "Indemnifying Parties") covenant and agree that they will jointly and
severally indemnify and hold Avon and its officers, directors, employees and
stockholders (collectively, the "Indemnified Party") at all times harmless from
and against any claim asserted against (including reasonable attorneys' fees and
other reasonable costs of defense) or loss incurred by the Indemnified Party
caused by or arising out of or in connection with (i) the purchase by the
Company from Avon of the Avon Shares, including but not limited to the
distribution of the Purchase Price to Avon in connection therewith, (ii) the
Shareholder Distribution or (iii) any breach by any of them of any
representation or warranty given herein or any other provision of this
Agreement. The Indemnified Party may assert a claim that it is entitled to,
or may become entitled to,

<Page>

indemnification under this Agreement by giving written notice of its claim to
the Indemnifying Parties, providing reasonable details of the facts giving rise
to the claim and a statement of the Indemnified Party's loss in connection with
the claim, to the extent such loss is then known to the Indemnified Party. In
the case of any suit by a creditor of the Company, the Indemnifying Parties
shall control the defense of the suit, and shall be fully responsible for the
costs of counsel related thereto. The Indemnifying Party shall consult with the
Indemnified Party with respect to the suit upon the Indemnified Party's
reasonable request for consultation, and the Indemnified Party may, at its
expense, participate in (but not control) the defense and employ counsel
separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party. All parties shall
provide reasonable cooperation in the defense of the suit.

         4.2 SETTLEMENT OR COMPROMISE. Any proposed settlement or compromise of
a claim may not be made without the Indemnified Party's consent, which shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, that such settlement or
compromise completely resolves such claim against the Indemnified Party without
any liability of the Indemnified Party for such claim. If consent is
unreasonably withheld, the Indemnified Party shall pay or reimburse the
Indemnifying Party for the amount of any award or settlement over the rejected
settlement or compromise. Any settlement or compromise of any suit by either the
Indemnifying Party or the Indemnified Party entered into in compliance with this
4.2 shall also be binding on the other parties in the same manner as if a final
judgment or decree had been entered by a court of competent jurisdiction in the
amount of the settlement or compromise.

         ARTICLE 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

         5.1. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Avon and the Company hereby agree to execute
and deliver such other documents and instruments, and take such other actions,
as may be necessary or desirable in order to consummate and implement the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         5.2. PARTIES-IN-INTEREST; ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
upon, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns. No party to this Agreement may assign
its rights and obligations under this Agreement.

         5.3. GOVERNING LAW. The validity, interpretation, enforceability and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

         5.4. AMENDMENT AND MODIFICATION. The parties may amend, modify and
supplement this Agreement only by a writing signed by all parties.

         5.5. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and delivered personally or sent by express
overnight or certified mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile transaction:

<Page>

                  If to the Company:

                           Discovery Toys, Inc.
                           6400 Brisa Street
                           Livermore, California 94550
                           Attention:  James Cascino, Chief Executive Officer
                           Facsimile:  (707) 747-2193

                  if to DT, LLC or Walsh:

                           Discovery Toys, L.L.C.
                           330 South Street
                           Morristown, New Jersey 07962
                           Attention:  Anthony R. Calandra, Manager
                           Facsimile:  (973) 540-9246

                  with a copy to:

                           Gibbons, Del Deo, Dolan, Griffinger & Vecchione
                           A Professional Corporation
                           One Riverfront Plaza
                           Newark, New Jersey 07102-5497
                           Attention:  Lawrence A. Goldman, Esq.
                           Facsimile:  (973) 639-6283

                  if to Avon:

                           Avon Products, Inc.
                           1345 Avenue of the Americas
                           New York, New York  10105
                           Attention: Dennis Ling, Group Vice President-Finance
                                      & Treasurer
                           Facsimile: (212) 282-6116

                  with a copy to:

                           Avon Products, Inc.
                           1345 Avenue of the Americas
                           New York, New York  10105
                           Attention: Gilbert L. Klemann, II, Esq., Senior Vice
                                      President, General Counsel & Secretary
                           Facsimile: (212) 282-6225

or to such other persons or addresses as may be designated in writing by the
party to receive such notice.
<Page>

         5.7. EXPENSES. Each of the parties shall bear its own expenses
(including, without limitation, the expenses of its accountants, counsel and
other agents) in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

         5.8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the Exhibit and
Schedule hereto) and the Amended Note constitute the entire agreement between
the parties hereto with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, and
there have been and are no agreements, representations or warranties between the
parties other than those set forth or provided for herein or therein.

         5.9. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         5.10. CAPTIONS. The article, section and paragraph captions herein are
for convenience of reference only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement,
and shall not be deemed to limit or otherwise affect any of the provisions
hereof.

         5.11 SURVIVAL. Article 4 and Section 1.4 shall survive the termination
of this Agreement.

<Page>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date and year first above written.

                                            DISCOVERY TOYS, INC.

                                            BY
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Name:  James M. Cascino
                                              Title: Chief Executive Officer

           NUMBER OF SHARES OF               DISCOVERY TOYS, L.L.C.
           COMMON STOCK OWNED
           ------------------

                 216,216
                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                             Name:  Anthony R. Calandra
                                             Title: Manager

                  49,140                     AVON PRODUCTS, INC.

                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

                                             -----------------------------------
                  54,054                     WILLIAM S. WALSH

<Page>

                                                                     Exhibit 1.3

                             AMENDED PROMISSORY NOTE
                             -----------------------

$3,500,000.00                                                      JUNE 28, 2001

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, DISCOVERY TOYS, INC., a California corporation
("Payor") promises to pay to the order of AVON PRODUCTS, INC., a New York
corporation or subsequent holder of this Note ("Payee"), at its offices at 1345
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105 or at such other address as
Payee may specify, in lawful money of the United States of America, the sum of
THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($3,500,000.00), with interest from
January 15, 1999 on the unpaid principal balance at the rate of four and
sixty-four one-hundredths of one percent (4.64%) per annum compounded annually.
This Note is the Note referred to in Sections 6.2(k) and 6.4(f) and certain
other sections of that certain Stock Transfer Agreement dated as of January 15,
1999 among Discovery Toys, L.L.C., a New Jersey limited liability company (the
"LLC"), Payor and Payee (the "Transfer Agreement") and in Section 1.3 of that
certain Agreement dated as of June 28, 2001 among the Payor, Avon Products, Inc.
and the stockholders of the Company named therein. This Note amends that Note of
Payor in the principal amount of $3,500,000 dated January 15, 1999.

         The principal and all accrued and unpaid interest on this Note shall be
payable on the earliest to occur of (i) June 30, 2003; (ii) the sale or transfer
of all or substantially all of the assets of Payor, or fifty percent (50%) or
more of the fully diluted outstanding capital stock of Payor (the "Company
Shares") other than a transfer of fifty percent (50%) or more of the outstanding
capital stock of Payor to dreamlife, inc. or (iii) the sale or transfer of fifty
percent (50%) or more of the membership interests of the LLC outstanding on
January 15, 1999 to entities not 50% or more owned directly or indirectly by the
owner on January 15, 1999 of the membership interests of the LLC.

         Each of the following events shall constitute an Event of Default (an
"Event of Default") under this Note:

                  (a) Failure of Payor to pay any amount due and payable under
this Note when due, whether at the time scheduled for payment thereof or by
reason of acceleration thereof or otherwise;

                  (b) Payor shall: (i) apply for or consent to the appointment
of a receiver, trustee or liquidator on any material part of its property; (ii)
admit in writing its inability to pay debts as they mature; (iii) make a general
assignment for the benefit of creditors; (iv) be adjudicated bankrupt or
insolvent; (v) file a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or a petition or an
answer seeking an arrangement with creditors or take advantage of any
bankruptcy, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law, or
an answer admitting the material

<Page>

allegations of a petition filed against it in any proceeding under any such law;
or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effectuating any of the foregoing;
and

                  (c) Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered, without
Payor's application, approval or consent, by any court of competent
jurisdiction, approving a petition seeking reorganization of Payor or of all or
a substantial part of its assets, or appointing a receiver, custodian, trustee,
intervenor or liquidator therefor, or such a petition seeking reorganization or
liquidation shall be filed against Payor and such order, judgment or decree
shall continue unstayed and in effect for a period of sixty (60) days.

         Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, at the option of
Payee: (i) Payee may declare this Note immediately due and payable in full, as
to principal, interest and any other sums payable hereunder, whereupon all such
sums shall be and become immediately due and payable in full; and (ii) Payee
shall be entitled to exercise forthwith against Payor any and all rights and
remedies that may otherwise be available to Payee hereunder and at law or in
equity.

         This Note, and any payments due hereon, shall be subordinate to Senior
Debt, now or hereafter existing, of Payor (as hereinafter defined). "Senior
Debt" shall mean and include the outstanding principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on all indebtedness of Payor (i) to PNC Bank, National Association
("PNC Bank"), as agent for the lenders, under the working capital facility
extended by PNC Bank, as lender and as agent for the lenders, to Payor, on the
terms and conditions available under such facility and up to the maximum amount
of $7,000,000, as proposed to be amended; or (ii) to other lenders under any
substitute working capital facility available to Payor on substantially the same
terms and conditions as the PNC facility described above and up to an aggregate
maximum amount of $7,000,000 for all such lenders; and any renewal, extensions
or deferrals of any such indebtedness. In the event of the distribution of
assets of Payor upon liquidation, dissolution, or reorganization of Payor, then
principal, interest, or premium on Senior Debt shall be paid before any payment
is made to Payee. In the event the Note is declared due and payable before its
stated maturity, no payment shall be made to Payee until principal, interest,
and premium on Senior Debt shall have been paid in full.

         No remedy conferred upon or reserved or available to Payee shall be
exclusive of any other remedy or remedies available to him, but each and every
remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every such remedy now or
hereafter existing at law or in equity. No delay or omission on the part of
Payee to exercise any right or power arising upon the occurrence of any Event of
Default shall impair any right or power of Payee or be construed to be a waiver
by Payee of such Event of Default. Any right or power of Payee may be exercised
from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by it.

         Payor hereby: (i) waives demand, presentment for payment, notice of
intention to accelerate, notice of acceleration, protest, notice of protest, and
all other notices and diligence in collecting this Note; and (ii) agrees that it
will not be necessary for Payee, in order to enforce payment of this Note, to
first institute suit or exhaust rights against Payor.
<Page>

                  Payor agrees to pay Payee's reasonable expenses to obtain,
enforce or liquidate payment or performance of any of Payor's obligations under
this Note, which expenses shall include reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses
incurred by Payee.

         No waiver or modification of the terms of this Note shall be valid
unless in writing signed by each of Payee and Payor and then only to the extent
therein set forth.

         This Note shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

         This Note shall be binding upon the Payor and its respective successors
and assigns, and shall be enforceable by Payee, its successors, assigns or
subsequent holders of this Note.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Payor has executed and delivered this Note
to be effective as of the day and year first above-written.

                                                 DISCOVERY TOYS, INC.

                                                 By:
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                 Name:  James M. Cascino
                                                 Title: Chief Executive Officer
<Page>

                                 SECTION 2.3(A)
                                 --------------

                             UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES

                  Janice Mazibrook, a former V.P. of Sales who was terminated on
May 24, 2001, has threatened various claims relating to her termination and
seeks damages in the amount of $875,000. Such claims may result in a liability
to the Company. The Company has insurance relating to this type of claim in the
amount of $10,000,000 per occurrence, subject to a $50,000 deductible. The
Company has made a claim under the insurance policy.

<Page>

                                 SECTION 2.3(B)
                                 --------------

                        Outstanding Accounts Payable and
                            PNC Minimum Loan Balance

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00032-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00032-of-00352.parquet"}]]