The Toy Book’s Action, Adventure, & Mystery Issue is Here!

The Toy Book’s 42nd volume continues with the 2026 Action, Adventure, & Mystery Issue.

We head into the dog days of summer with a look at the big trends shaping the spirit of action, adventure, and mystery-based play. From action figures and vehicles to outdoor toys, battery-powered ride-ons, tabletop games, and the blind box bonanza, this issue has a lot to unpack.

On our outer cover, Brave Toys blasts off with the introduction of the CONNETIX Travel Mini Pack, a new set designed for creative play on the go. On our inner cover, TOMB RAIDER icon Lara Croft swings from the masthead as the latest recruit in Hasbro’s G.I. Joe Classified Series.

Highlights Include:

From the Editor: Runnin’ Down A Dream
The Design Shop: 9 to 5 Warriors
New in Town: The Office of Tiffany Birdsong Takes Flight
Power Drive: Innovation and Hot Licenses Fuel the Next Generation of Ride-On Toys
A Storyteller’s Journey: Jordan Gershowitz
Hacky Sack Makes a Comeback: PlayMonster’s Kickin’ Revival

That’s only the beginning. This issue also features more than 100 news products for retailers to stock, plus exclusive insights from The Toy Association, Circana, Astra, and more.

Click here to read the issue now!

Attendees of Gen Con Trade Day in Indianapolis, ASD Market Week in Las Vegas, and the North East Toy & Gift Show (NETS) in Springfield, Massachusetts, can pick up free copies while supplies last.

Not a subscriber yet? Subscribe today and get seven issues a year delivered straight to your mailbox — and don’t miss what’s next!

We’d love your feedback! Please share your thoughts by emailing me or messaging me on LinkedIn. Remember to follow us on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay on the #PulseOfPlay year-round.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book and Co-President of The International Toy Magazines Association (ITMA). He is also a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC), New York Comic Con, Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.