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Luca Lashes eBook Helps Alleviate Children’s Hospital Fears

Luca Lashes continues its efforts to turn children’s “fearful firsts” into educational experiences with the release of its eighth multilingual eBook and app for children. Entitled Luca Lashes Visits Mommy in the Hospital, the book helps young children and children with special needs better understand the many facets of visiting someone in the hospital. The main character of the book, Luca, is a boy who has magic eyelashes that give him special powers and make him brave.

The digital book is illustrated and features words which are highlighted across the page for early literacy acquisition. Each story is available in several languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, French, and Italian, to meet diverse language needs, as well as to introduce new languages to children.

The app version of the book also includes originally scored music, sound effects, animations, and lots of interactive opportunities that combine learning and fun. The app can be played in a “read to me” format to provide kids with assistance in reading the book, or narration can be paused, so children can explore the page. The app also includes the ability to switch between the five offered languages for beginning second language learning.

Luca Lashes Visits Mommy in the Hospital is available at iTunes, on the iBookstore, Amazon.com, BN.com, Google Play, and at www.LucaLashes.com.

JumpStart Launches School of Dragons Educational Game

JumpStart launched its newest educational multiplayer online game, School of Dragons. The game is based on DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon franchise, and is one of the first massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) to incorporate basic science educational features in its gameplay.

School of Dragons blends together three fields—film, online games, and TV—to create an online gaming experience for kids, allowing players to interact, play, and learn with familiar faces from the animated film, such as Hiccup and his dragon Toothless. As players train their own dragons and become fierce Viking adventurers in the game, they will learn key concepts in the scientific method through activities based on earth, life, and physical sciences. Later this summer, School of Dragons will incorporate simultaneous mobile and online gameplay.

JumpStart officially launched School of Dragons at Comic-Con International. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment also announced the DVD release of the TV series DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk. The two-part DVD will be available everywhere July 23. Loaded with exciting bonus content, Disc One will contain Episodes 1 through 11, and Disc Two will feature Episodes 12 through 20. Fans that purchase the DVD will be able to unlock exclusive content in School of Dragons.

School of Dragons can be played online through a limited free account or by paid, full game subscription.

Interview with Lego President Soren Torp Laursen

The Toy Book spoke with Soren Torp Laursen, president of the Lego Group, about the state of the construction toys category and how Lego is adapting to trends.

The Toy Book: Building sets saw a 23 percent increase in sales from 2011 to 2012, according to the NPD Group. And the category is the strongest toy category right now. Why has the construction category taken off over the past couple of years?

Soren Torp Laursen: Building is the best and most versatile play experience available to children, and it is our DNA. Our single brand status has given us the focus and discipline to offer the best quality material and grow our business—and the category along with it. Our momentum has been strong over the last eight years, which furthers our ability to invest in expanding the brand to invite new users and drive continued growth. Parents and children alike recognize the lasting value and versatility of a Lego building experience, which is why we strive to meet their evolving needs with Lego solutions. We don’t see that different play patterns need to be discreet experiences, and fortunately, our brand’s versatility allows us to adapt compelling play patterns to the building sets category, such as action figures, dolls and play sets, vehicles, and gaming. By changing the way we approach what constitutes a building experience, without fundamentally changing what makes it a Lego experience, we continue to deliver relevant, yet familiar, Lego products that are driving industry growth.

TB: What are some of the biggest trends you’ve noticed in the construction category recently?

STL: Perhaps the biggest trend in building sets at the moment is licensing, which seems to be increasing as other players seek to establish or grow their businesses. Building sets is an incredibly tough toy category to enter, establish, and sustain, therefore it is not for dabblers. Being a player requires costly complexities in molding and supply chain operations, plus research and development to be relevant and broad enough to attract a sustainable fan base, which we have found comes not only from single event-based properties, but from a wide variety of original and licensed themes that appeal to any child of any age. Read More…

Kids Preferred Launches the Yarn Zombies Line

Kids Preferred launched the Yarn Zombies brand at Comic-Con. The brand includes, Zombie collectibles, and fashion accessories. The first licensed Yarn Zombies collectibles is known as Jujuz, and all have unique “mojo-protecting” special powers.

Yarn Zombies, was formed by toy veterans John Lee and Jerry Welch who wanted a fresh, entertaining-yet-believable perspective in defining the real zombie phenomenon and providing the antidote to the zombie disease. Lee founded Learning Curve Toys, Callaway Digital Arts, and Bambini Partners, and Welch is former owner of FAO Schwarz and CEO of Zany Brainy and the Right Start.

Kids Preferred now offers the line of mojo-protecting collectibles designed to help adolescents have more fun and worry less. With Yarn Zombies, Kids Preferred is reaching out to a new age group and category, and is offering additional product diversity. All Yarn Zombies are available onAugust 10 to wholesalers. Read More…

Bestever Licenses Baby Mats to Mary Meyer

Plush toy maker and lifestyle gift creator Bestever has licensed its animal-themed Baby Mat line to Mary Meyer Stuffed Toys. Mary Meyer will bring the Baby Mat line to the gift and specialty market nationwide. Mary Meyer is a family-owned-and-operated stuffed toy company, and this marks the company’s 80th year.

The Baby Mats are machine washable, dryable, and functional for infants and toddlers. Baby Mats are also silky smooth and snuggly. The 31-inch animal-shaped mat is easily rolled up for easy travel and storage.

Warner Bros. and TT Games Unveil The Lego Movie Video Game

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and TT Games announce that The Lego Movie Videogame will be available next year, alongside The Lego Movie, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, and a toy collection of The Lego Movie building sets.

In a scenario drawn from the film, The Lego Movie Videogame puts Lego kids into the role of Emmet, an average Lego minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the most extraordinary person and the key to saving the world. Players guide him as he is drafted into a fellowship of strangers on a quest to stop an evil tyrant, a journey for which Emmet is hopelessly and hilariously underprepared.

Players will also be able to collect and use Lego instruction pages to build construction sets or harness the power of the Master Builders to virtually build extraordinary Lego creations along the way. With more than 90 characters inspired by the film and 15 levels, kids can build and adventure like never before.

Ubisoft’s Rabbids to Debut on Nickelodeon

Ubisoft‘s Rabbids will make their TV debut in Nickelodeon‘s CG-animated series Rabbids Invasion, premiering August 3 at 11:30 a.m. The 26 half-hour episodes will follow the unpredictable creatures as they discover, explore, and often wreak havoc in the human world. All episodes will be available on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Xbox Video, PlayStation Store, Samsung Media Hub, and Vudu starting the day after they air. The series will also debut on Nickelodeon channels internationally beginning this fall.

During the premiere, “Omelet Party,” the Rabbids stumble across a farm and become fascinated with the chickens’ ability to lay eggs. Next in “Rabbid Mollusk,” the Rabbids find questionable uses for a starfish and an octopus while disrupting an old man’s attempt to clean the windows. In “Rabbid, Are You There?,” the Rabbids become fascinated watching a burglar attempt to rob an apartment while unknowingly assisting with a fortune-teller’s reading on the floor below.

Beginning July 17, viewers can log on to Nick.com/rabbids to access photo galleries featuring the world travels of the Rabbids, animated gifs, and videos of the upcoming series. The Nick app joins in on the mischievous fun, featuring Rabbids-themed comedic disruptions in the funny, and surprising Do Not Touch button. On August 26, fans can play the Rabbids Rhythm Game on Nick.com/rabbids.

Created and produced by Ubisoftin 2006, the wacky, mischievous Rabbids have become known worldwide, with more than 14 million video games sold and hundreds of licensed products that feature the Rabbids characters. Viral videos starring the Rabbids have attracted more than 62 million views on YouTube. The Rabbids brand extends across multiple genres including parodies, videos, illustrations, and consumer products. The new television series will also generate a range of opportunity for Ubisoft, with a string of partnerships for every major category including apparel, accessories, toys, and back-to-school.

Disney Infinity Unveils Incredibles Gameplay Trailer

Disney Interactive unveiled an in-depth look into the Incredibles Play Set in Disney Infinity through an all new gameplay trailer featuring both Play Set and Toy Box modes. Within the Incredibles play set, gamers can take on the role of any of the “Super Family,” including Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Dash, and Violet as they try to combat Syndrome and his evil minions in Metroville. The Incredibles is one of the play sets available in the Disney Infinity starter pack that will be available on August 18, along with Monsters University and Pirates of the Caribbean play sets.

The Incredibles Play Set Trailer – DISNEY INFINITY on Disney Video

Key highlights include:

Play Set: The Incredibles play set adds its own specialized game play mechanics and pieces to the Disney Infinity world, showcasing the unique super powers displayed by the Incredibles family and Syndrome. The battles among characters with strength, speed and flying abilities can also be activated in Toy Box mode, which will allow players to build and customize worlds and incorporate these super powers into their interactions with other Disney and Pixar characters.
Toy Box mode: The cast of characters, Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, Dash, Violet and Syndrome, will be able to interact with Disney and Pixar characters from movies, including Monsters University, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Cars, to create new and exciting adventures in customized worlds.

COMMENTARY: Winter Is Coming with New Game of Thrones Products

As an avid reader of George R.R. Martin’s book series and a regular viewer of the HBO TV series, I could not have been more excited to receive HBO’s announcements of their Game of Thrones-licensed products that were debuted at Comic-Con International in San Diego. New figures, books, puzzles, plush and more are sure to delight Game of Thrones fans and collectors. The new products feature favorite characters as well as cuddly versions of even the prickliest of Westeros’ creatures. (There are probably some spoilers from the series, so proceed with caution.)

Game of Thrones Comic-Con Exclusive Pop! Ned Stark Figurine: Ever find yourself watching the show and thinking, Ned Stark never would’ve let this nonsense go down? Well, the sad, defeated, yet honorable late Hand to (also the late) King Robert Baratheon is back with the Game of Thrones Comic-Con Exclusive Pop! Ned Stark Figurine, from Funko, that pays homage to the head patriarch of the Stark family that we all miss so dearly. Held together by two magnets, his bloody neck from his beheading in the penultimate episode of the first season is revealed when you remove his head. This iteration of the classic Pop! Ned Stark Figurine is a great collectible to keep intact on your desk or in separate pieces to honor the memory of our beloved Ned. A limited quantity of this figure is on sale HBO online store. Read More…

Bandai America Celebrates 20 Years of Power Rangers at Comic-Con

At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Bandai America Inc. will offer limited edition products (while supplies last) and a host of activities. To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Power Rangers, Bandai will offer three limited edition products, including a Power Rangers Limited Edition Legacy Power Morpher, a Power Rangers Limited Edition Gosei Morpher, and a Power Rangers Limited Edition Green Dragon Ranger. The original Green Power Ranger, Jason David Frank, will also appear for autograph signings.

Bandai will also offer a Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures Pac is Back-Avi Arad Limited Edition Figure, as well as unveil the full line of new Godzilla products. Bandai has planned Power Rangers and Pac-Man appearances daily, as well as free card giveaways, and an autograph signing from Pac-Man producer Avi Arad.