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• International Toy Fair 2007: Bratz, High School Musical, and TV Tie-Ins Galore

  (Filed by correspondent Michelle Kung)  It's impossible to discuss girls' toys without bringing up dolls, and it's impossible to discuss dolls without first bringing up Yasmin, Sasha, Cloe, and Jade, better known as the Bratz. Though the appeal of the big-puckered, alien-eyed quartet escapes me (and most parents, I can only presume) the fashion-jonesing dolls are releasing enough new products this year to drive a mom and dad mad. First up, the girls are appearing in a new CGI direct-to-DVD movie entitled Fashion Pixiez, which will be accompanied by MGA Entertainment's tie-in toy line, complete with glittery strap-on fairy wings, and an audio CD. The Bratz will also be featured in their first live-action movie, produced by, among others, the incomparable (and never drunk) Paula Abdul, a.k.a. the original live action bobble-head. Other Bratz lines in the works revolve around themes of Hollywood red carpets, nature, after-school activities, and an extended pampered "petz" line – pups and kittens, I must admit, far more adorable than the Pound Puppies and Cats I made my mom buy me as a kid. Read More... Posted Feb 15 2007, 06:04 AM by thezeroboss with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: high school musical, products, toys, bratz, international toy fair 2007, hannah montana, enchanted, nascar, fairytopia

• International Toy Fair 2007: Tiny Love Touch and Discover Electronic Books

  (Filed by correspondent Michelle Kung) Lest parents of newborns think the Toy Fair's left them out, think again. Tiny Love, a company known for their soft developmental toys, are introducing a new line of "Touch and Discover" electronic books, which are not only as plush as a stuffed toy, but also teach cognitive skills as parents help their babies match up a free-floating character to different, sound emitting sections of the book. Each page also features various peek-a-boo elements and multi-textured surfaces. Tiny Love also offers two 3-D storybooks and two varieties of 360 degree books, which, in a cool twist on storytelling, open up into three separate playrooms for your baby to fixate his or her attention on. For example, the Home Sweet Home book becomes a circular mini-home with a bedroom, living room, and bathroom, complete with movable rubber duckie. Posted Feb 13 2007, 07:03 AM by thezeroboss with | with no comments Filed under: toys, international toy fair 2007, tiny love

• International Toy Fair 2007: Toy Quest Banzai Sidewinder Falls

  (Filed by correspondent Michelle Kung from the 2007 International Toy Fair)  Considering the cold and blustery conditions facing much of the country, water slides aren't exactly on most parents' radars at the moment (unless, of course, they saw Eddie Murphy in Norbit this weekend and are actively trying to forget the sight of the fat-suited-up actor barreling down a chute at a water park). However, two separate companies at the American International Toy Fair are introducing products that will bring the amusement park experience to your own backyard. Little Tykes is introducing a huge, inflatable water park that measures 16 x 16 x 12 feet and features not only a sprinkler-fueled slide and wading pool, but also an obstacle course, and two tunnels and two water cannons perched on opposing corners – all the better to squirt you with, my dears. Toy Quest's Banzai Sidewinder Falls is also a faux water park with a 10 foot high curving waterslide that ends in a splash pool and even more amazingly, inflates in only 3 minutes with the attached blower motor. Who needs a loud noisy drive to Six Flags when you can bring the water slides to your own backyard? Posted Feb 12 2007, 09:07 AM by thezeroboss with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: products, toys, water slide, international toy fair 2007, toy quest

• International Toy Fair 2007: Movie Tie-Ins Galore (God Help Us)

  (Filed by correspondent Michelle Kung from the 2007 International Toy Fair) Transformers isn't the only 2007 summer tentpole aiming to keep your kids clamoring for tie-in merchandising. The following three titles are sure to give Optimus Prime and Megatron a run for your money. Shrek the Third (May 13): Shrek (Mike Myers), Fiona (Cameron Diaz), Donkey (Eddie Murphy), and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) are all back in this new adventure as the big green guy must track down Prince Artie (Justin Timberlake) and convince him to be king. Your daughters will try to convince you that you need to get them the kung-fu kicking Princess Dolls and talking plushes, while your sons will insist on helping fling slugs into Shrek's mouth for a Bug Bounce. Read More... Posted Feb 12 2007, 08:31 AM by thezeroboss with | with no comments Filed under: Movies, products, toys, marketing to children, international toy fair 2007, film, ratatouille, cinema, shrek

• International Toy Fair 2007: Transformers Potato Head? More Than Meets The Eye!

  (Filed by correspondent Michelle Kung from the 2007 International Toy Fair)  The Autobots and Decepticons have long been laddie favorites and this summer, Hasbro is launching a merchandising attack. In addition to the standard tie-in figurines and video and board game tie-ins, the company is also taking a page out of its Star Wars handbook: Not only will kids be able to entertain themselves with an Optimus Prime voice-changing helmet, but the younger ones, in the tradition of Darth Tater and Spudtroopers, can take apart and re-build...an "Optimash Prime" Mr. Potato Head. (Hurrah for punny names!) Other film-based products include stuffed-doll Transformers (that also convert from vehicles to robots), several models of arm blasters, which morph from car mode to Nerf-blaster mode in just one pull of the toy, and one demonstrator's personal favorite: the Ultimate Bumblebee action figure, a 14-inch camaro/robot that not only makes battle sounds, but also plays Devo's "Whip It!" to complete the 80s nostalgia. Posted Feb 12 2007, 06:07 AM by thezeroboss with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: products, toys, marketing, international toy fair 2007, transformers