Razor Powerwing

Razor’s new Powerwing seems like the perfect variation on their popular scooters.  The wings on the back would seem to give more stability for kids that may have trouble with a traditional Razor.  So far our testers are having some tipping issues.  They may be taking the turns too quickly–it does seem like you should be able to just turn without fear of going over.  We will keep testing.  If you have your own Powerwing experience, please let us know.

Klutz’s Bead Loom Bracelets Book

My brother Tony was really the expert on all things bead loom.  In fact, he had all those summer craft things down so well- my pitiful lanyard chain always looked meager compared to his twelve strand snaking creations!

I always perk up when a bead kit or book comes into the office. Maybe this will be the magical kit. My creations will finally look like the cool kids at Camp Winston…anyway.

This week we received Klutz’s new Bead Loom Bracelets book by Anne Akers Johnson.  As with most Klutz titles, it is beautiful to look at with handsome illustrations/photos…just makes you want to get beading.  The book is marked 8 & up which is usually pretty unrealistic when you’re talking about anything but the most basic beading projects–but that’s how most kits/books are marked–so we discount that as a rule.

Sydni, our trusty  and experienced 12 year old tester, gave this book several tries — she too wanted to love it. In the end she found  the projects way too difficult. She noted that she had trouble keeping the string in place. She also suggested that the author should have tried easier projects to start– before graduating to more difficult patterns.

How pink can you go?

Anyone who grew up with me knows that I wasn’t a huge pink person. After two boys, my mother was really ready to cover me in pink. The more lace and ruffles the better. I was a complete disappointment in this department. I have always preferred more tailored things. There was also my “it has to come from the army/navy store” or I won’t wear it phase. Smith carpenter pants, work boots, flannel shirts– just what everyone always dreams of for their daughter! It wasn’t until I had my own two boys that I realize my mother’s longing for pink was not such a terrible thing. I have since apologized (many times). I also do gravitate to pink things a lot more. So I know I approach the issue of “pink” with a lot of baggage. But this week, we just received Scholastic’s new book “My Big Pink Book of Everything.” The subtitle is, can you guess….”An early-learning book full of delightfully pink things.” The cover is complete with a pink feathered crown, feathered slippers and other pink and purple accessories, food (that would be candy and a cupcake). I know a lot of little girls would enjoy pouring over the pages. The book looks a lot like a DK book with lots of colorful pages done with photographs of familiar objects. I’m trying to stretch myself to enjoy the pages of hair accessories, makers, key chains, etc. I was doing pretty well until I got to the double page spread entitled “My busy day”. This page includes the following: sweeping, cooking breakfast, washing, pushing a carriage, making cake and planting a flower. What decade is this book from? This is an early-learning book to what? Would the same early-learning book for boys have the same “busy day”? We all know the answer.

Help Reading Is Fundamental (RIF): It’s easy to do

President Bush’s proposed budget for 2009 eliminates the funding for RIF’s Book Distribution Program. Without the funding, the organization will not be able to distribute 16 million books to the nation’s most at-risk children.

Carol Rasco, the wonderful President of RIF, has asked that we all write to our representatives–and I must say the process for doing this is remarkably easy on the RIF website. It will take all of 2 minutes (max)! Please visit RIF and voice your protest today!

We had the honor of working with Carol Rasco, the dedicated staff at RIF and the amazing network of volunteers all over the country with our literacy initiative, Read It! Play It! .

Trends from Toyland: Duality in Play Experiences

With the tremendous success of Webkins, there is now a full court press in toyland to follow this successful marketing approach.  Barbie, Hot Wheels, Groovy Girls, Funkeys, Disney Fairies—everyone is looking for a way to gain a piece of this new play pattern where you buy a toy that then unlocks an on-line gaming experience.  School aged kids have always loved to collect things–there’s nothing new about this pattern of play.  Collection is often the key to being part of the group (in the olden days it was baseball cards).  For my middle school years–it was really about getting the right David Cassidy trading card.   The success of Webkins also pulls from Beanie babies in much the same way—there is also that “hard to locate” Webkin that drives many kids (and their parents) into a frenzy, much to the delight of on-line auction sites where the prices can get out of hand.Our initial testing feedback on U.B. Funkeys and Barbie.com has been positive. As one of our Barbie testers pointed out–”what’s not to like…it’s shopping and gaming, all in one”.   As much as many of us find pleasure in on-line shopping, tetris, solitaire (how much time can that consume in a day?), or other on-line activities–the same holds true for kids.  The experiences are almost instantaneously rewarding, the visuals are pleasing….and even though there are “educational” components to some sites, there isn’t alot of hard brain energy being expended–it’s just fun.  There’s nothing necessarily wrong with that as an activity — the problem arises when that’s all your child is doing, for hours on end.  Know too that these sites are really ads for buying more products.  While many of the sites do have free games, there are aspects that are only available if you buy more toys. For example, some accessories (and hair styles) for Barbie are only available if you have purchased products.  The way we used to watch tv for hours, kids are now multi-tasking on line while the tv is also on.  I recently sat down to watch tv with my teenage son and his friend–only to look up to see that we all had laptops going as well.  Is this a good thing?  That we weren’t glued to mindlessly watching a show?  Or, are we all so attuned to having multiple layers of entertainment - that the thought of just watching something is now just too boring?   

Upcoming interviews: Businessweek TV and PBS NOW

From the Javits center today I did two interviews that will air in the coming weeks.  One with Businessweek TV (it will air this weekend) — the piece looks at trends in toy land– with a focus on the range of high tech toys offered this year.  The other was with NOW (PBS) — looking at the issue of phthlates in toys (will air in March).  

Toy Fair Officially Begins

This morning we officially begin our adventure through the Javits center looking for this year’s best toys. In the olden days, Javits was dominated by small and mid size companies. Finding the next “big” thing is always part of the fun of our job. Now the big guys are here as well so the dynamic and feel of attending Javits has changed. In the past we would also come with suitcases that we would fill up with press kits–now most companies either hand us a disk or a thumb drive. A good green trend. We’re going to start with Lego (celebrating its 50th year). More later.

Trends from Toyland: D-REX

I got to see D-REX yesterday at Mattel’s showroom. This wireless remote controlled dino will most likely be a huge hit with kids 6 & up. As a little sister, this is just the type of toy that my brothers would have scared me silly with as a kid. With a retail price of $150, D-REX is that big holiday gift. He comes in a clever crate-like box- meant to be his permanent “hang out” when not in use. The remote control is in the shape of the bone. At first we thought that Hasbro’s KOTA and D-REX would be in head to head competition but they’re really quite different in terms of look and appeal. KOTA is much more a preschool, friendly kind of dino. D-REX will be most enjoyed by that older early school years group.

Publications International is the First to Comply

Congratulations to Publication International! They are the first company to submit the safety form for our website. We hope other companies will follow their lead. Our new review protocol is on our website at www.toyportfolio.com.

While I was Shopping for Socks

Not really about toys but on my mind today….I went to DSW to buy socks (with a $10 coupon, really neat)…I went to pay for the socks.  It was really earlier in the morning — so there was no one else on line.  The beginning of the day– there are three associates behind the counter.  I’m forced to ask “where should I check out?”  No one says anything–a woman steps over to a counter, and puts her hand out for my socks.  I  said good morning…no response.  Complimented her on her necklace to see if that got a response. Nothing.  The sales associate was talking to her colleagues–but would not even really look in  my direction, much less acknowledge my remark.  We finished the transaction and at this point I was really feeling up for a challenge.  I wished her a happy holiday season (in a very even tone, really)…and still nothing.  I know there are stores where employees are trained to greet people as they walk in, but have we really come down to a situation where basic courtesy is absent without an aggressive training seminar?  I probably should have left–but then I wouldn’t have gotten my three pairs of socks for $4.