November 21, 2019
Vote Now for the 2020 TOTY Awards!

The Toy Book and the Toy Insider are showcasing the nominees in each of the 16 Toy of the Year (TOTY) categories that are open for public voting. Some of the hottest toys and games of the season are highlighted that appear as both TOTY finalists and featured picks in the Toy Insider ‘s 2019 Holiday Gift Guide! The 2020 TOTY Awards will be distributed at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in NYC on Feb. 21, the night before Toy Fair New York kicks off. Read more…
Submit Your New 2020 Products for Editorial Coverage

It’s that time of year again! The Toy Book is collecting editorial submissions for the February Toy Fair New York issue! The issue will feature coverage of what retail buyers should check out at the show. Click here for submission information.

If you are interested in advertising in the Toy Book , please contact Jackie Breyer ( jackie@toybook.com ) or James Devin ( jd@toybook.com ). 
U.S. Toy Retail Sales Grew 3% in Q3, NPD Says

Total dollar sales for the U.S. toy industry increased 3% in the third quarter, a $99 million gain over the same period last year, according to the NPD Group. The $3.69 billion for Q3 is a sign that the toy industry could end the year on a positive note, despite year-to-date sales that were down 5.5% at the end of September. Read more…
Ready, Set, Shop: The Toy Insider Experts Offer Week-by-Week Guide with Tips to Win the 2019 Holiday Shopping Season

With barely more than three weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas and Hanukkah this year, the 2019 holiday season will be the shortest it has been since 2013. Shoppers have six fewer days and one less weekend to stock up on gifts than they did last year. To find the best gifts for every kid on your list, the experts at the Toy Insider — the trusted go-to resource for parents and gift-givers — are sharing a three-week holiday toy shopping guide with tips to keep in mind in the weeks leading up to the holidays. Read more…
Author, Screenwriter Jordan Gershowitz Appears on “Power Kid Podcast” 

In this week’s episode of the “Power Kid Podcast,” host Phil Albritton of Power Kid Design speaks with screenwriter Jordan Gershowitz, author of the new book, Ignore the Trolls . Gershowitz has written, developed, and/or produced content for nearly every major network. Read more…

The Adventure Media and Events Podcast Network is now available through all of your favorite streaming services, including Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
PlayMonster Grows with Kahootz Toys Acquisition

It’s been a big year for mergers and acquisitions, and the latest transaction brings together two Midwestern toymakers. Wisconsin-based PlayMonster LLC has acquired the assets of Michigan-based Kahootz Toys, the company behind 17 popular arts and crafts brands, including Y’Art, Spirograph, Colorforms, Fashion Plates, Waterfuls, and more. Bambini Partners served as special advisors to Kahootz Toys in connection with the transaction. Read more…
Kellytoy Adds 17 New Characters to Squishmallows Lineup

Following the success of the recently released Halloween and Holiday squads, 17 new characters will join Kellytoy’s Squishmallows collection. The latest members of the #SquishmallowsSquad are hitting retail just in time for the holiday season, and, as always, they’re available in 5-inch, 8-inch, 12-inch, and 16-inch sizes. Read more…
HKTDC Readies Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair as Toy Association Monitors Protests

The current social unrest in Hong Kong has not yet affected plans for the upcoming trade shows presented by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). During a meeting with representatives from The Toy Association and members of the media in New York City, HKTDC doubled-down on Hong Kong’s continued position as an effective center of global business. Read more…
Toys for Tots Gets a Hand from Magformers, Learning Express, Hallmark, and Others

A variety of notable retailers, toymakers, and celebrities are teaming up with Toys for Tots this holiday season. Now through Christmas, the U.S. Marines and volunteers are conducting 812 local toy collection and distribution campaigns across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Magformers is among the toymakers entering into a partnership with the organization. The company is donating more than $25,000 worth of toys through a "buy one, give one" program available to shoppers at magformers.com through Dec. 31. Read more...
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Rockets to the Top as Video Game Sales Continue to Slump

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare blasted into retail as the best-selling game of October, and is now the best-selling game of this year-to-date. According to the NPD Group, overall sales for the entire video game category — including hardware, software, and accessories — was $1.03 billion, a 34% decline versus last year, but was the second-biggest October this decade trailing the record-setting $1.57 billion last year. In terms of overall software sales, this October’s $182 million was a 41% decrease from the same period last year. Read more…
Jumanji: The Next Level Merch Takes on New Territory

Sony Pictures’ Jumanji franchise roars to life at retail with new toys and games from Lanard Toys, Funko, Outright Games, Cardinal Games, and more. Read more…
FAO Schwarz Celebrates NYC Anniversary, Revamps Licensing Program, and Debuts New Partnerships

FAO Schwarz is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its return to New York City as it enters into a new deal with Global Icons. The company will represent FAO Schwarz for further international licensing expansion beyond toys. Additionally, the FAO Schwarz Holiday Suite is open at the Conrad New York Midtown hotel, and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream shops in NYC will offer a new flavor: “FAO Schwirl.” Read more…
Reindeer in Here Is Ready to Rock the Holiday Season

The holiday gifting tradition Reindeer in Here is cranking up the volume this holiday season. To kick off another year of giving, Reindeer in Here launched the #ReindeerRock challenge — a “follow-us” song and dance. Featuring vocals by America’s Got Talent: The Champions finalist Angelica Hale, an accompanying music video encourages kids to “put your antlers up!” and get moving and grooving. Read more…
Nickelodeon SlimeFest Heads to the West Coast

Following a two-year stint in Chicago, Nickelodeon SlimeFest will make its West Coast debut next year to coincide with the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. JoJo Siwa, Why Don’t We, French Montana, and Blanco Brown will headline the two-day family-friendly music festival, taking place from March 21-22 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Read more…

Additionally, Nickelodeon and Netflix have formed an alliance in the streaming wars with a multi-year output deal to produce original animated feature films and TV series. The new programming will be based on the Nickelodeon library of characters, as well as all-new IP developed specifically for kids and families around the world. Read more…
Distroller USA Debuts MikroNerlitos Collection

The company behind Neonate Babies, Chamoy & Amiguis, and the recent Cheekie Fairies has a new addition: MikroNerlitos. The smallest of all Distroller Neonate Babies, the MikroNerlitos are small space babies that come housed in a slime-filled MikroIncubator that requires a special incubation process for kids to properly welcome their new little friend. Read more…
Disney Channel Launches Digital Open Casting Call

Parents now have a legitimate shot at their budding child stars in front of casting directors at Disney Channel. The network launched a digital open casting call in an effort to reach a broader pool of talent across the U.S. Read more…
Jakks Pacific Hires John Kimble, Extends Stephen Berman’s Term

Barely two weeks after delivering an encouraging third quarter earnings report, Jakks Pacific has a new chief financial officer and will extend the term of Chairman and CEO Stephen Berman. John Kimble, formerly of Mattel and The Walt Disney Co., was appointed as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective immediately. Read more…
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Group Publisher:
Jackie Breyer

Managing Editor:
Maddie Michalik

Toy Report Editor:
James Zahn

Senior Editors:
Jackie Cucco

Marissa DiBartolo

Sierra McCleary-Harris

Ali Mierzejewski

Associate Editor:
Madeleine Buckley

Editorial Assistants:
Josephine Baran

Ben Goren

Miranda Siwak

Art Director:
Joe Ibraham

Director of Sales and Marketing:
James Devin

Sales Executive
Branden Mendez

Production Director:
Bill Reese
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If you would like to submit news to the Toy Book Toy Report, please email Maddie Michalik:  maddie@toybook.com  or James Zahn:  james@toybook.com . 

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