The World of Smurfs: A Celebration of Tiny Blue Proportions

May 31, 2011 By

On July 29, The Smurfs, in 3-D, will hit movie screens nationwide, but now it is also swarming book stands. The World of Smurfs: A Celebration of Tiny Blue Proportions gives an exclusive, intimate look at the process of creating the cartoon and CGI versions of The Smurfs, as told by author and Smurfologist Matt Murray.

Murray chronicles the process of creating the cartoon and CGI versions of the characters. The book also includes character bios for the most loved residents of Smurf Village, and sidebars that discuss the Nazi occupation of Belgium, the voice behind Jokey, and the origin of the word “schtroumpf” or smurf. The 128-page book also includes pullouts such as a sticker set, a mini-comic, and a Smurf Village poster.

The Smurfs started out as “Les Schtroumpfs,” a Belgian comic strip from 1958. They were brought to America in 1981 as part of NBC’s Saturday morning lineup.

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Spin Master Awards Regal Logistics 3PL of The Year

May 31, 2011 By

Regal Logistics, a leading third-party logistics provider specializing in high volume, mass retailer production, was awarded the prestigious honor of 3PL of The Year by Spin Master. Spin Master has been the largest customer of Regal Logistics since 2008. Regal Logistics provides transportation, warehousing, supply chain movement, and IT services to the toy industry leader. The 3PL of The Year Award speaks highly to the company’s hard work and dedication to its customers, as well as its reputation as an industry leader.

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Uglydoll to Become Animated Film

May 31, 2011 By

The Uglydoll franchise is set to reach a wider audience via a new animated film by Illumination Entertainment and Universal Pictures. Chris Meledandri, the chief of Illumination Entertainment, saw appeal in the unique Uglydoll design that attracts multiple age groups. The film will be produced by Meledandri and executive produced by husband-and-wife team and Uglydoll creators, David Horwath and Sun-Min Kim. The film marks the beginning of plans for the Uglydoll franchise to eventually break into a larger range of media.

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Splat the Cat Joins Scholastic’s My First Collection

May 26, 2011 By

Scholastic Storybook Treasures is releasing My First Collection Featuring Splat the Cat, encouraging toddlers towards a love of reading.  The DVD set includes 14 stories adapted from books, spanning three discs.

In the title tale, adapted from a book written and illustrated by Rob Scotton, Splat is nervous about his first day of school and so he brings his mouse pal, Seymour, along. He quickly learns that cats are supposed to chase mice! The DVD series also includes The Story about Ping, The Napping House, and additional stories that rhyme and focus on furry friends and feather friends. Celebrity narrators include Tim Curry (Garfield: A Tail of Two Kitties) and Mary Beth Hurt (Lady in the Water).

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VeggieTales Encourages Kids to Be “Royally You”

May 26, 2011 By

With the royal wedding still on some people’s minds, Big Idea Entertainment is releasing Veggie Tales: Princess and the Pop Star to celebrate kids being themselves in a royal way.

The DVD tells the story of Princess Poppyseed who longs to know what it would be like to be her favorite pop star, Vanna Banana. A chance meeting between the two at a playground leads to the pair switching lives since they look so much alike.

They learn after the switch that the life they have is the one best suited for them, promoting self love. The DVD features a new song by Francesca Battistelli, winner of a Dove Award by the Gospel Music Association . Big Idea Entertainment is teaming up with Chick-fil-A to offer consumers special tie-ins with the title as well.

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New Titles in the eebee’s Adventure Series

May 25, 2011 By

Sterling, Publishing Inc., is launching two new books this month, Clean-Up Time and Almost Bedtime. These are the ninth and 10th titles in the popular eebee’s Adventure Series, which turns babies’ everyday events into adventures.

Clean-Up Time is the first lift-the-flap book in the series. The story follows babies playing with everything in a house. When the flap is lifted, it shows various items such as pans, shoes, and groceries—all put away nicely following play time. Almost Bedtime shows popular nighttime rituals, including washing up, putting on pajamas, and story time. Both books retail for $6.95.

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Buffalo Games to Donate Games and Puzzles to Hospitals

May 25, 2011 By

As part of a new partnership with Kaleida Health, Buffalo Games will provide party games and jigsaw puzzles to playrooms and parent lounges at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. The company will also provide jigsaw puzzles in the senior daycare center at DeGraff Memorial Hospital and party games and jigsaw puzzles in the waiting areas and recovery areas at Buffalo General Hospital. The party games will include all of the company’s five titles (Gotcha, Truth Be Told, Likewise, The T-Shirt Game, and Last Word), and the puzzles will total more than 35 in various piece counts. Kaleida Health is the largest health care provider in Western New York.

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British Toy Sales Increase 4 Percent

May 24, 2011 By

According to The NPD Group, sales for the British toy market increased by 4 percent in revenue during the first three months of the year, primarily fueled by the  popularity of collectible toys. The trend saw a 9 percent increase in revenue growth. The building sets and plush categories also fared well. Toy sales up to the first three weeks of March grew 7 percent in value. NPD estimates that the first quarter of 2011 represents approximately 16 percent of annual sales.

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PBS Kids Toy Line Now Available for Purchase

May 24, 2011 By

The first-ever PBS Kids toy line of preschool toys is now available online at the newly launched PBS Kids Shop at PBSKidsShop.com. The line, initially including more than 20 wooden toys, will be sold exclusively on the website until early fall when it will become available at other online retailers and in stores.

In addition to the new toy line, consumers will be able to find educational books, games, toys, DVDs, and more at PBSKidsShop.com, all based on PBS Kids programming. The shop was developed with Brand-Xpand, a leader in the design and management of eCommerce sites and services.

PBS Kids Shop will also feature exclusive items, including customizable backpacks, water bottles, room décor, apparel, and birthday party supplies featuring children’s names and their favorite PBS Kids programs and characters. Proceeds from the shop will help fund free, educational PBS Kids programming for children.

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K.I.D.S. Calls for Donations to Help Tornado Victims

May 23, 2011 By

Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S) has donated approximately $710,000 worth of new products to help families affected by the devastating tornadoes in the South. With thousands of people left injured and homeless, K.I.D.S. is calling on retailers and manufacturers to help support its continued relief efforts.

K.I.D.S. is sending new toys, clothes, shoes, blankets, and baby items to its partner agencies in the hardest hit communities—including Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina—where they will be distributed to those in need. To donate new products, contact Donna Charles at K.I.D.S. at (212) 279-5493, ext 205.

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