Toys ‘n Tales Launches New Brand Strategy at ASTRA

June 19, 2013 By Leave a Comment

UntitledShyness, obesity and healthy eating, family dynamics, daily routines, and effective communication are just some of the challenges today’s children and families face. However, Toys ‘n Tales is helping kids discover their own “super powers” for conquering them.

Toys ‘n Tales creates books, games, and toys that are designed to teach kids how to face tough issues by using strategies such as communicating their needs and feelings in productive ways, understanding the reasons behind their behaviors, realizing their role within the family unit, and feeling more secure and in control of their day-to-day lives.

Toys ‘n Tales made its debut appearance at the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy in Nashville, Tenn. With a rebranded look, updated website, and new products, Toys ‘n Tales will feature Ask a Doctor sessions for attendees to get expert advice on kids, the issues they face, and the power of play.

Filed Under: 3-5, 5-8, 6-8, 8 and up, 9 and up, News, The Toy Book Tagged With: , ,

Chicago Toy & Game Group Expands Events in the U.S. and Abroad

June 8, 2013 By Leave a Comment

The Chicago Toy & Game Group (ChiTAG) expanded its toy industry networking events to cities around the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

ChiTAG Networking Events were recently held in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Toronto with upcoming events planned for London on June 5, Chicago on June 11, and Nashville on June 18 during ASTRA Marketplace & Academy, as well as events slated for New York, Seattle, Boston, Indianapolis, Sarasota, Montreal, and more.

ChiTAG advocates toy and game inventors, and its Networking Events are one of the many ways the organization carries out its mission to bring the industry together to share information, foster collaborative opportunities, and promote the power of play and the toy industry as a whole.

Events attract professionals from all areas of the business including manufacturers, inventors, designers, sales reps, independent consultants, and more, who come together to share experiences and develop new business relationships.

Past and future events are co-sponsored and held in collaboration with companies including Spin Master, Mind Candy, ThinkFun, Mayfair Games, PlaSmart, Bananagrams, Endless Games, RoosterFin, DesignEdge, Patch Products, Educational Insights, Top Trumps, Joyce Johnson Designs, Peaceable Kingdom, Jukem Football, Dynamic Designworks/DDW Inc., OtherdoorEntertainment, Snakes & Lattes, and toy/game retailers across the country.

Admission to ChiTAG Networking Events is free, and RSVP’s are required. For more information on upcoming events, please visit www.chitag.com/us/networking-events or email the Chicago Toy & Game Group at info@chitag.com, or phone (847) 677-8277.

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COMMENTARY: Moby Dick, or, The Card Game Brings an American Classic to Life

May 28, 2013 By

MobyDickBox

Moby Dick is considered one of the greatest American novels ever written. But more than just a classic tale, Herman Melville’s masterpiece leaves quite an impression on its readers, examining existentialism and obsession in a truly captivating way. Literary lovers of the classic tale can venture on the high seas in search of the White Whale in a new way.

King Post has launched a Kickstarter campaign for Moby Dick, or, The Card Game, a dynamic, action-packed adventure for two to four players ages 12 and up. The game is adapted from Melville’s classic novel, and is brought to life with three decks of unique cards featuring original compositions, period portraits, and classic illustrations.

The strategy-based game lets players live out the voyage of the Pequod, commanded by Captain Ahab. The Sea Deck contains adventures, creatures, and chapters adapted directly from the novel, including whales, giant squid, foreign ports-of-call, and pirate attacks. The Sailor Deck features characters including Ishmael, Starbuck, Queequeg, and Captain Ahab. The Whale Deck contains actions, defenses, and attacks of the hunted whales. In addition to the iconic imagery featured on each card, a quote from the novel ties the action of the game directly to the classic tale. The game also includes two dice and 40 oil markers. [Read more...]

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ASTRA Adding New Resources for Children with Disabilities

May 11, 2013 By

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) will present updated information on toys and play for children with disabilities for specialty toy retailers and manufacturers at the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy in Nashville, Tenn. An educational session, Connect Children with Special Needs to Toys and Games on Your Shelves, will be offered on June 16 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a new publication titled ASTRA Guide to Toys for Children with Disabilities will be available at no charge for ASTRA members at the Marketplace & Academy. Non-members may purchase the publication.

Ellen Metrick of the National Lekotek Center will present the Connect Children with Special Needs session at Marketplace & Academy. The session will focus on helping parents, grandparents, occupational therapists, and teachers select toys and games for the special children in their lives. It will include a basic understanding of some common disabilities and specific features of play that children with these challenges can enjoy. Retailers will learn what questions to ask customers and how to train store employees to serve this very special niche.

The ASTRA Guide to Toys for Children with Disabilities is designed as a handbook for manufacturers, sales reps, and store staff. It summarizes characteristics of common disabilities and types of toys that work well for children who have those disabilities. It also includes ideas that ASTRA retailers can give to parents for adapting toys and play activities to fit the needs and abilities of their children.

Filed Under: News, The Toy Book Tagged With: , , ,

ASTRA, ChiTAG Partner to Offer Educational Sessions

March 18, 2013 By

Courtesy of ASTRA E-Bulletin

ASTRA is collaborating with the Chicago Toy & Game Group (ChiTAG) to provide toy inventors and specialty manufacturers with strategies for bringing new toy innovations to market.

Two educational sessions focused on the needs of inventors have been added to ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy, to be held from June 16 to 19 in Nashville, Tenn. These sessions are for toy manufacturers and inventors only, and any manufacturers or inventors who are exhibiting at or registered for ASTRA’s Marketplace & Academy may attend these sessions at no charge.

The sessions—“From Great Idea to Hot New Product: The Basics of Production, Packaging, and Promotion” and “What It Takes for Success: Leveraging Licensing, Social Media, Gamefication, and Marketing Opportunities”—represent the first joint effort planned by ASTRA and ChiTAG.

Filed Under: News, Trade Shows/Events Tagged With: , , ,

Learning Express To Celebrate Neighborhood Toy Store Day

November 7, 2012 By

The 2012 holiday season marks an important milestone for specialty toy franchise, Learning Express Toys. Founded by CEO Sharon DiMinico in 1987, the Massachusetts-based company is currently celebrating its 25th year at play. Originally started to raise money for a local nursery school, the franchise is now 135 stores strong and spread across 28 states. Despite its growth, Learning Express still maintains its identity as a genuine neighborhood toy store.

The franchise will be debuting a new website in the coming weeks, and creating online communities through social media platforms has become a priority on both the local and corporate levels. Most recently, the company released an online Skill Building Toy Guide for Children with Special Needs to help parents and caretakers find appropriate toys for the children in their lives.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , ,

Safari Honors Teachers, Supports Neighborhood Toy Store Day

October 11, 2012 By

Safari Ltd., manufacturer and worldwide distributor of museum-quality educational toy collections, has been busy with giveaways. In August 2012, Safari Ltd., manufacturer and worldwide distributor of museum-quality, educational toy collections, honored inspirational teachers in a Back-to-School Giveaway Contest on Facebook.

Based on fan nominations, Diana Mount, 3rd grade teacher at Chinook Elementary School in Vancouver, Wash., was selected because of her ability to recognize strengths in children that may be viewed as weaknesses. Mount won an assortment of educational replicas and posters to accommodate her classroom of approximately 30 students. Each nominated teacher also received a gift to recognize his or her dedication in the classroom. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Awards, News, People Tagged With: , , , ,

ASTRA Launches New Website: YourNeighborhoodToyStore.org

October 8, 2012 By

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) has launched a website that features articles, a toy store locator, play news and resources, a calendar of events, and a toy buying guide for parents. YourneighborhoodToyStore.org features the most up-to-date information on all kinds of toys and where to find the merchandise in the market. Local toy stores and experts in the toy industry can post articles on a wide range of topics, and the how-to section features craft tutorials, game ideas, and other projects. Parents have access to a store locator to find neighborhood toy stores by city, state, or zip code. ASTRA will post consumer news on the website that includes lists such as the annual Best Toys for Kids winners. Visitors can sign up for the weekly e-newsletter for more up-to-date information. Upcoming events at toy stores are posted in the Event Calendar section of the website and the toy buying guide provides parents with tips on how to find age-appropriate toys. The website also includes a section for toys for children with disabilities.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: ,

Rubik’s Void Puzzle Wins Two Awards

July 24, 2012 By

Winning Moves Games’ Rubik’sVoid Puzzle has won two awards: the ASTRA Award for Best Toys For Kids in the Brain Teasers category and the Toy Insider Award for the Spring & Summer Hot Toys List.

The new Rubik’s Void may be puzzling because there’s a hole in the middle of it.  Consumers can put their fingers right through the center of the Void. The object is to solve each side, but that’s where the similarities to the traditional Rubik’s Cube end. The Void has different colors, rounded edges, and requires a different solution. This is a hole new challenge.

Filed Under: Awards Tagged With: , , , ,

Hape Announces Contest for ASTRA Retailers

April 23, 2012 By

Hape North America, a leading worldwide toy manufacturer, has announced a contest giving one ASTRA retailer a chance to win a trip for two to China. Hape will select a winner who will travel to Shanghai and Ningbo. During the trip, the winner will stop by Hape’s manufacturing campus, which produced more than 8.6 million toys in 2011.

For a chance to win the trip, ASTRA retailers must submit a photo of their best four-foot section of Hape merchandised product to marketing@hapetoys.com by May 15.  One retailer will be announced at Hape’s booth (No. 216) during the Cocktail Reception on Monday, June 11 at ASTRA Marketplace in Baltimore, Md.

This post was originally written by Leah Rocketto and published by ToyBook.com. For more news, visit www.toybook.com, follow The Toy Book on Twitter, and like The Toy Book on Facebook. The Toy Book is a bimonthly trade magazine covering the toy industry, published by Adventure Publishing Group.

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