This marks DC Collectibles’ first depiction of characters from Inifinite Crisis, which begins with the Nightmare Batman and Atomic Age Wonder Woman statues. Infinite Crisis is an all new, free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game for PC featuring fast-paced battles, streamlined RPG mechanics, and iconic locations and characters from across the DC Multiverse.

Sculpted by Erick Sosa and available for sale in September, Infinite Crisis: Nightmare Batman measures approximately 10.25 inches tall. Infinite Crisis: Atomic Wonder Woman, sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios, will be available in November and measures approximately 11.25 inches tall.
DC Collectibles also announces series No. 1 action figures based on the designs of the highly anticipated video game, Batman: Arkham Origins with characters Batman and Black Mask, one of Batman’s deadliest adversaries. The appearance of these stunning action figures are based on the early days, before the events of critically acclaimed video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City. Available in October, these action figures measure 6.75 inches.

The Mamas & Papas never fail to come through with modern, fashionable, and functional items. The Baby Snug with Activity Tray is designed for ages 3 months and up. Once a baby can support his own head, he can try out this comfy seat. It’s lightweight, can be used indoors or out, and grows with the child so it has a longer lifespan than some similar items. The removable tray can be easily wiped clean, so it can be used for meal time, or to hold toys for play time. The removable tray comes with a beaded loop, spinning lion, bendy stalk, rattle flower, and more that can be moved around to continually interest baby.

Since I’m having a baby in July, I’ll have options I didn’t have with my daughter, who was a fall to winter baby, such as going for walks and sitting outdoors. The challenge, of course, will be protecting my little one from insects, the sun, etc. The Shade, the very first product from Imagine Baby, is the ultimate accessory for car seats and strollers and protects babies from the sun, wind, bugs, and other annoyances. It is available in four sleek colors and is compatible with just about every stroller and car seat on the market, according to the company. It offers a breathable design, and UPF 50+ Protection from UVA/UVB rays.

All new moms are familiar with swaddling. It takes some getting used to, and it doesn’t work for all babies, but some babies really seem to be comforted when they’re swaddled up in a soft cozy blanket. SwaddleDesigns offers an array of patterns and styles in soft cotton flannel fabric. Swaddling instructions are sewn into the blanket so new parents can swaddle successfully on the first shot. I love the Mickey and Minnie Mouse patterns, as well as the elephants & chickies.

Check back regularly for more baby product reviews from Jackie. Views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Toy Book as a whole. We hope that you will share your comments and feedback below. Until next time!

A Quinceañera is a coming of age celebration for Latinas that signifies her journey from childhood to young womanhood. It often includes a religious ceremony followed by a reception with family and friends. While there are many traditions associated with this rite of passage, the gown is an integral and festive part of the celebration.

Disney’s special occasion business for women launched in 2007 with a luxury fairy tale weddings bridal collection. The business continued its growth in 2010 in collaboration with renowned wedding dress designer Alfred Angelo for the Disney Fairy Tale Weddings collection. In 2012 the business expanded to reach teens with Disney Forever Enchanted, a line of Disney Princess-inspired prom dresses, launched in collaboration with Ashdon Inc.

Available in a variety of colors, featuring regal fabrications and elegant accents of crystal, embroidery, and beadwork, young Latinas celebrating their Quinceañeras can choose from any of the dresses inspired by the Disney Princess characters.

The Disney Royal Ball Quinceañera Collection is available at specialty and formal wear retailers in communities across the U.S. and Canada and is available for pre-order through select retailers, and available in sizes 0 to 20.

Now through June 7, QuinceañerasMagazine.com is hosting La Corona De La Princesa sweepstakes, offering one reader the chance to win the Disney Royal Ball Quinceañera gown of their choice, a VIP weekend trip for two to Southern California, a $1,000 cash prize, and more. The top 10 finalists will receive a Disney Royal Ball Quinceañera gown of their choice and a subscription to Quinceañeras Magazine.

For more information on the Disney Princess Royal Ball Quinceañera collection and retail outlets, please visit www.QuinceRoyalBall.com.

Following the success of the Donutella & Her Sweet Friends mini plush, tokidoki adds the 9-inch Donutina and 8-inch Donutino to its plush line. Both plush toys are available online and in stores this month.

After 500 years of living in fire and brimstone Adios and his beloved star icon is now a 22-inch pillow for his fans everywhere to love. The Adios Star pillow will be available online and in stores in June.

At Maker Faire Bay Area, May 18-19, the grad student-run SparkTruck will demonstrate representative workshop activities for its summer tour while the Lego Mindstorms EV3 team will unveil the first three bonus models designed by Mindstorms community members. The Mindstorms team will introduce nine additional bonus models throughout the summer and building instructions for the 12 bonus models and the original five “hero” models will be available when the platform reaches store shelves this fall.

The SparkTruck will hit the road in July and journey across the U.S. through August. Integrating robotics into the traveling “educational build-mobile” will engage new and existing enthusiasts and pave the way for more exciting creations to come. Redesigned to excite and challenge an audience that has grown up in a technology- and mobile-driven world, the EV3 platform experience can be un-tethered from the computer with new features like on-brick programming and 3-D building instructions for the five hero models that can be built out of the box. Furthermore, as children seek and are able to develop a more customized playtime, EV3 has incorporated new features to help them add more personality to their robots while exerting more control over the entire experience.

Information on this and the Institute for the Future’s other Transformative Changes for Young People at Play insights can be found at www.EV3MakerFaire.com.

When Lego Mindstorms launched in 1998, it introduced the world to the original “smart toy.” In the 15 years since, the renowned platform has driven the growth of the consumer robotics category and helped inspire the Maker Movement by encouraging hands-on play and a level of tinkering with every aspect of the set from hardware to software to the Lego elements themselves. As a result, the Lego Mindstorms community quickly grew to more than 50,000 members with more than 15,000 creations from a giant chess set to a pancake maker to a flying blimp.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants, and Warner Bros. Pictures announced a promotional partnership for the theatrical release of Man of Steel, in theaters June 14. The upcoming promotion includes advertising, in-restaurant merchandising, online marketing, collectors’ cups, kids-meal toys, and a still-secret new burger.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill in the role of Clark Kent/Superman. A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

Catch the latest “Man of Steel” details on Carl’s Jr.’s and Hardee’s’ Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/carlsjr and www.facebook.com/hardees) and Twitter feeds (www.twitter.com/carlsjr and www.twitter.com/hardees).

Elsmore, a professional plastic model builder, begins by giving a brief overview of the tools you’ll need to pull off some of the fascinating feats accomplished within the pages of Brick City. Computer-Aided Design software, such as Lego Digital Designer, can help in creating a complete blueprint for any ambitious building project. Elsmore gives tips on finding bricks, customizing minifigures, and other preparations and tips you’ll need to embark on your Brick City journey.

Elaborate landmarks, such as the neo-Gothic Chicago Tribune building, often take some 27,000 or more bricks. London’s Olympic Stadium takes 120,000 bricks! Not all landmarks in the book come with directions. You won’t find a step-by-step guide to building, say, the Abraham Lincoln Memorial or a grand version of Westminster Abbey, but you will get guidance for smaller projects. Build a Brooklyn Brownstone building, Buckingham Palace, the Arc De Triomphe in Paris, or a tiny version of Westminster—all super cool. Readers will also get two glossy posters that feature Lego landmarks.

Brick City is available this month from booksellers and specialty retailers.

For more commentary from Loren, check back often. Views expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Toy Book as a whole. We hope that you will share your comments and feedback below. Until next time!

Since 2006, the Pink Power Mom program has made a difference by supporting deserving moms who are breast cancer survivors and their charities throughout the U.S.  The program currently boasts a total of 48 women and more than 55 charities throughout the nation, all of whom have inspired and empowered people in their communities. By thinking globally and acting locally, the program has created a compassionate network of resources for women and families affected by breast cancer.

The Pink Power Mom program was created to join the fight against breast cancer by honoring and supporting women who have overcome the disease and are helping others through charitable work in their neighborhoods. Each of the eight women selected as Pink Power Mom receives $5,000 for the breast cancer charity of her choice as well as a weekend including an educational forum to bond and learn how to enhance their community efforts. Each mom also receives a legacy donation of $1,000 each year for the next four years.

Friends and families are invited to nominate a mom who has been an inspiration throughout her battle with cancer. The program is also open to self-nominations from those who believe they should be a Pink Power Mom. Submissions are now open and will be accepted through June 30. To nominate a mom or yourself, or to find out more about the program, go to www.pinkpowermom.com.

Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide will be celebrating the arrival of SpongeBob with a series of special events from May 17 through May 19. Guests will be encouraged to dress up in their favorite SpongeBob-themed apparel. Additionally, guests who purchase a SpongeBob or Patrick plush will receive a free paper pineapple hat while making one of these new furry friends.

Guests can dress their SpongeBob and Patrick plush in a variety of clothing and accessories, including SpongeBob’s Pirate Costume, Patrick’s Pirate Costume, Pineapple House, and SpongeBob SquarePants Song Sound Chip.

Additionally, any furry friend can dress up in SpongeBob PJ Pants and SpongeBob T-Shirt to join the Bikini Bottom fun.