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The Toy Book Top 10: The Hottest Stories of October 2022



It’s November, so The Toy Book Top 10 is hitting the rewind button and taking a look back at some of the hottest stories of October 2022, as chosen by you, the readers. It was a big month that saw the Top 10 dominated by Hasbro, Toys “R” Us, and Mattel with a combined eight spots on the list. Check out the leaders…

From the Editor: Flipping the Calendar from Fall to Festive for Neighborhood Toy Store Month



While major retailers tend to snag many of the headlines throughout the holiday season, the importance of independent toy stores, hobby shops, and specialty retailers cannot be understated: The toy industry needs to support these retailers. Unlike the majors, independent toy stores are staffed by folks who know and love the products they carry, yet they still face some occasional barriers that need to be knocked down. Read more…

Stay on the Pulse of Play with ‘The BIG Toy Book’ in 2023



The legend returns! While Toy Fair is moving to September, The BIG Toy Book tradition continues in February 2023. Answering the call of retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and licensors across North America, The Toy Book’s 39th volume kicks off in late February with more than 300 must-read pages. Find out the submission details…

Exclusive: The Nacelle Co. Unleashes The Great Garloo



A legendary creature from the Marx Toys Co. is back in action. As a Halloween treat, The Toy Book exclusively revealed that The Nacelle Co. plans to release an all-new, Great Garloo 3-inch collectible figure next year. Learn more…

Hasbro Spark Is Looking for Fresh Ideas Amid International Expansion



Hasbro is opening its Hasbro Spark platform to international inventors. Since its launch in 2016, Hasbro Spark has received thousands of submissions from creators in the U.S. Now, the idea submission platform is open to inventors in Canada, the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. Find out the details…

Just Play Named Master Toy Partner for Afro Unicorn Brand

Following deals with Dan Dee International and Walmart this year, April Showers’ growing brand Afro Unicorn is headed to the toy department. Just Play inked a deal with Afro Unicorn to serve as its master toy partner. Under the new agreement, Just Play holds global rights to create and distribute toys in a variety of categories. Read more…

LEGO Group Lets Kids Direct Holiday Campaign, Including Katy Perry



The LEGO Group launched its biggest holiday campaign to date, turning to the most creative minds on the planet: kids. They were handed creative control behind the cameras, building, unbuilding, and rebuilding what the holidays mean to them. Katy Perry jumped on board — literally and figuratively — to supervise the kids. Watch the video…

Spin Master, Monster Jam Set Guinness World Record for Largest Display of Monster Truck Toys



Feld Entertainment’s Monster Jam and its master toy partner Spin Master achieved a Guinness World Record at an Oct. 29 event, with 10,005 monster truck toys in a mosaic displaying the Monster Jam logo. The title for the record was officially validated by Guinness World Records during the event at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Peep the display…

Magformers Kicks Off Campaign to Support Ronald McDonald House Detroit



Magformers is kicking off the season early this year to support children and families in need with its “Merry Magformers” Buy, Get, and Give campaign. With every purchase of the Magformers Designer Carnival 46-piece set and/or the Tileblox Rainbow 20-piece set on magformers.com, the company will donate one to The Ronald McDonald House Charities Detroit. Learn more…

Droyd Launches New Kids’ Electric Rideables in Time for Holidays



Droyd recently debuted the Weeler and Blipper just in time for the holiday season. Both models are motorized bikes designed for kids — but with parents in mind — and feature a sporty, retro design. The Weeler is geared toward younger novice riders, ages 6-12, while the Blipper is designed for kids ages 13 and up for a more advanced experience. Read more…

Hornby Launches New Scale of Trains Suited for Modern Homes



To attract modern hobbyists, companies have to meet them at their scale. Hornby introduced a new scale of model railways for the first time in more than 50 years. Designed for space-constrained families, this model railway can be accommodated on a much smaller baseboard, which can easily be stored underneath a bed. See the difference in scale…

Sakar International, Epic Games Disclose ‘Fortnite’ Licensing Agreement



Sakar International is partnering with Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, to create a licensed line of skateboards and helmets based on the popular game. Intended to encourage fans to stay adventurous both in and out of the game, gamers can choose from ready-to-ride skateboard models, individual decks, and protective helmets in a variety of designs and styles. See some skateboards…

Jakks Pacific Rocks Q3 with 56% Spike in Toys, Consumer Products Sales



Jakks Pacific is having a record year. In the first nine months of 2022, the company pulled in net sales of $664.3 million, a number that exceeds all of 2021 ($621 million). Net sales in the third quarter spiked 36% versus the same period last year powered by a 56% sales boom in toys and consumer products. Check out the specifics…

ASTRA Recognizes Small Businesses Nationwide for 13th Year



Spearheaded by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), as an expanded version of Neighborhood Toy Store Day, the monthlong event serves as a reminder to shoppers to remember the neighborhood toy stores in their communities as they kick off the holiday shopping season. Learn more…

Talkin’ Toys: Learn About the Transformed ToyFest with Show Director Carrie Scanlan



With Toy Fair’s major move from February to September next year, it was time for ToyFest West to take center stage. Now known solely as ToyFest, the show is transitioning from regional to national. The Toy Book chatted with Show Director Carrie Scanlan and members of the Western Toy and Hobby Representatives Association to learn more about the first show under the new moniker. See what else she has to say…

The Toy Insider’s 2022 Top Toy Trends: Retro Rewind

There are so many classic brands that are still popular with today’s kids, including Lite Brite, Barrel of Monkeys, and more. The nostalgia is strong with these toys and games that bring classic franchises from yesterday back into the spotlight today! See them all…

How ‘Killer Klowns from Outer Space’ Got a Killer Licensing Program



Halloween may be over, but the spirit of spooky season lives on year-round in horror cult classics like Killer Klowns from Outer Space. In the nearly 35 years since its debut, that film and its wacky visuals have lived on as a fan favorite and, in recent years, have inspired a vast assortment of official products. Read more at The Pop Insider…

ChizSix Marketing & Media Marks the Official Return of Harold and Jennifer Chizick



Following months of speculation, Harold and Jennifer Chizick are tapping into more than two decades of toy industry and marketing experience to launch their new company, ChizSix Marketing & Media. Learn more…

The Toy Foundation, Children’s Hospital Association Reveal 2022 Grantees



The Toy Foundation and the Children’s Hospital Association, which represents more than 200 kids’ hospitals throughout the nation, revealed that the Children’s Hospital Play Grants program will fund over $385,000 in play therapy projects and activities in 19 kids’ hospitals in the U.S. Read on…

Licensing International Names 2022 Rising Star Award Recipients



Ahead of the in-person show, Licensing International named six licensing professionals “Rising Stars” after being nominated by their peers. This year’s award recipients will be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction and Rising Star Awards on Dec. 7 at the Gotham Hall in New York City. Find out who they are…