February 2010

United Media and HarperCollins Partner for Goodnight Moon Licensing Program

United Media (UM) has signed on to develop and manage a licensing program for HarperCollins Children’s Goodnight Moon, the first licensing program for the classic bedtime story. UM also works with the publishing group on its property Fancy Nancy.

UM will develop a program that will target newborns, infants, and toddlers. The core products will include infant and preschool toys, gifts, apparel, accessories, domestics, and room décor.

Goodnight Moon, written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd, has sold over 20 million books to date, and has been translated into 12 languages.

JPMA Continues Partnership with Baby Expo

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) will continue its partnership for 2010 with It’s a Baby & Family Expo, a consumer show for expectant parents and new families with young children. JPMA will sponsor the It’s About Baby Safety Center. The seminar area will be presented by Alison Rhodes, The Safety Mom, and feature topics such as hidden dangers in the home, safety in travel plans, and the latest trends and products for you and your baby.

New LeapFrog DVD: Math Adventure to the Moon

LeapFrog and Lionsgate Home Entertainment are releasing a new math DVD, LeapFrog: Math Adventure to the Moon. The DVD, for preschoolers, takes viewers on an educational mission to the moon where they will learn early math skills such as counting, sorting, and addition.

Kids join Tad and Lily as they search for moon rocks. With some magical help from their firefly friend Edison, they board a rocket ship to the moon. Soon they learn that math is everywhere, and use their skills to count, sort, skip count, and recognize patterns.

LeapFrog: Math Adventure to the Moon DVD will be available on February 23 for the suggested retail price of $14.98.

Barney and Other HIT Properties to Become Stage Shows

HIT Entertainment has signed deals with several producers of live stage musicals to develop, produce, and tour new shows for the HIT brands Barney, Angelina Ballerina, and Thomas & Friends. The shows will debut in the U.S. this fall and will tour through 2011.

Vee Corporation has signed on to be the exclusive producer of Barney Live. The preschool stage show, touring in North America and the Caribbean, will feature Barney, BJ, Baby Bop, Riff, and others.

Levels of Discovery Heads West

I love the Wild West line of children’s furniture from Levels of Discovery!

http://bit.ly/b8SBJD

-Jackie

Iron Man 2 Takes Over Toy Fair

At Toy Fair, Marvel Entertainment, LLC debuted a slew of partners and product lines based on the company’s upcoming flick, Iron Man 2, and franchise, Marvel’s Super Hero Squad.

Hasbro, the master toy licensee for Super Hero Squad and Iron Man 2 (in theaters May 7), is introducing a wide range of toy and game products, including action figures, roleplay, preschool toys, board games, and puzzles. At the four-day event, Hasbro debuted the new Iron Man Helmet, featuring directives from Jarvis, and a “slow release” visor, and the R/C Walking Iron Man (above), a toy that allows kids to send the character walking forward across the floor and fire projectiles from his hand and shoulder rockets.

Walgreens to Purchase Duane Reade

Walgreens will acquire Duane Reade from affiliates of Oak Hill Capital Partners in a cash transaction for a total enterprise value of $1.075 billion, including the assumption of debt.

The transaction will include all 257 Duane Reade stores located in the New York City area, as well as the corporate office and two distribution centers. Walgreens purchased Duane Reade with existing cash and anticipates the transaction will close by August 31.

K’NEX Expands Lines, Collects for United Way

K’NEX is expanding many of its lines—including its Collect & Build Series and Kid K’NEX line—and adding new building sets.

The company will debut four new themed Multi-model set centers: Fire Rescue, Hi-Flyers, Revving Racers, and Pirate Adventure. The sets each feature 10 unique models except for the Pirates set, which features 20 different models. Hi-Flyers, Revving Racers, and Pirate Adventure will be available in September, while Fire Rescue will debut this month.

The Toy Book Previews Project Natal for Xbox 360

The Toy Book had an awesome opportunity to preview Microsoft’s new Project Natal (a codename) for the Xbox 360, and it’s pretty cool. With Project Natal there’s no need for a controller, which for many people can be daunting with all types of buttons, joysticks, and other contraptions. Instead, YOU are the controller. If you want to kick the ball on the screen, just kick out your leg and kick it! If you want to turn the virtual car to the left, stretch out your arm and turn! Natal is similar to the Wii, but there is no controller, only your body.

Let The Toy Book Tweet Your News on the Toy Fair Show Floor!

The Toy Book’s booth, #1601, is THE place to be this Toy Fair! If you want to reach the industry, and consumers too, be sure to drop by with your toy news so we can “tweet” your news to our followers (industry, mommy bloggers, consumers, and anyone who likes toys) and to everyone at the Fair! Simply drop by with your news and we’ll get the word out for you! If you can whittle your news down to 140 characters or less we can blast it to the masses! Be sure to follow @ToyBook so you can follow our newsfeed! Even if you’re not currently on Twitter and have no idea how to “tweet,” just show up and we’ll take care of getting your message out!