ICYMI: The Toy Book’s 2023 Toy Fair Issue Is Here!



The Toy Book‘s 39th volume continues with the 2023 Toy Fair Issue! Check out our feature-packed, super-sized issue including details on nearly 600 new toys and games that retailers and other members of the trade should have on their radar for the months ahead. Read more…

From the Editor: Empire State of Mind

After more than three and a half years, Toy Fair was back in action in the Big Apple earlier this week. For the first time ever, the biggest toy show in North America took place in the fall, “reimagined” on a new timeline with new categories. The move from February to September defied the laws of tradition by planting a flag on an unusual — and contentious — space on the toy industry Monopoly board. Read more…

Hasbro Celebrates 100 Years of Play



It’s been 100 years since the Hassenfeld brothers created Hasbro, and one thing remains clear about the toy and game maker: The company knows how to appeal to a wide audience, spanning multiple generations. Read more…

The Year of Rebalance: Toy Manufacturers and Retailers Adapt to Shrinking Wallets



Year-to-date retail sales through July reaffirm that 2023 is the year of rebalance for the toy industry. Consumers are prioritizing their spending in the face of inflation and other economic factors. Read more…

Tales of Toy Fairs Past: From Elephants and Blizzards to the Grinch and Beyond



Once upon a time in the great, big city, a magical transformation happened. For more than two weeks every winter, it seemed like everywhere you went, the city was all about toys and play. Read more…

The Toy Book Top 10: The Hottest Stories of September 2023



It’s officially October, and with Toy Fair in New York now behind us, The Toy Book is hitting the rewind button and taking a look back at some of the hottest stories of September 2023, as chosen by you, the readers. Check ’em out and stay on the #pulseofplay! Read more…

Exclusive: Tonies Launches Spookley the Square Pumpkin Figure

Just in time for Halloween, Tonies is launching a Spookley the Square Pumpkin figure for kids to listen to seasonal stories. Read more…

Toy Association Reveals Upcoming Toy Fair Dates, Locations



The Toy Association Board of Directors has revealed the upcoming dates and locations for Toy Fair. The next Toy Fair will take place March 1-4, 2025 at the Javits Center in New York City. Read more…

WiT Reveals 2023 Wonder Women Award Winners



Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) has named the winners of its 18th annual Wonder Women Awards. Read more…

The Toy Foundation Reveals 2023 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Award Winners



The Toy Foundation’s Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards returned to New York City for the first time since 2020. The Toy Book was in the house, live Tweeting (X-ing?) the winners as members of the industry gathered for The Toy Foundation’s annual fundraiser. Read more…

Spin Master Inks Global Toy Agreement with Paramount Consumer Products for New ‘Dora’ Animated Series



Spin Master has been awarded the global toy license for the upcoming Paramount+ original animated series, Dora. Spin Master’s diverse toy collection is expected to launch in fall 2024 and will include figures, dolls, playsets, vehicles, plush, and more. Read more…

Gamefam, Mattel to Bring Barbie to Roblox



The omnipresent blockbuster blonde is joining ultra-popular online gaming platform Roblox for the very first time. The game, Barbie DreamHouse Tycoon, will release this Friday. Read more at The Toy Insider…

LEGO Unveils Sets for Disney’s Upcoming Movie ‘Wish’

LEGO’s latest lineup of Disney sets are inspired by the upcoming movie the company is releasing this November for its 100th anniversary, Wish. Wish follows Asha as she takes on evil with her sidekick, Star, to protect the kingdom of Rosas. Read more…

MGA Teams Up with Crayola for L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls



MGA Entertainment has inked a new multiyear deal with Crayola to produce and distribute Crayola-inspired dolls and licensed merchandise under its L.O.L. Surprise! Loves brand. Read more…

PMI Kids’ World Named Global Master Toy Partner for ‘Stumble Guys’

PMI Kids’ World is now the global master toy partner for Stumble Guys, a multiplayer party battle royale video game. The new toy line is set to debut in 2024. Read more…

Thunderbird Brands, tokidoki Name Jazwares as Global Master Toy Licensee for ‘Mermicorno: Starfall’



Thunderbird Brands and tokidoki have named Jazwares as the global master toy licensee for Mermicorno: Starfall. The partnership will result in a new line of toys for the upcoming series. Read more…

Gel Blaster Partners with Microsoft for ‘Halo’ Blasters



Gel Blaster, the maker of water ball blasters, is teaming up with Microsoft to make Halo–themed blasters. Read more…

Toikido Partners with Panini Group for Piñata Smashlings Trading Cards, Stickers



Toikido and Panini Group have partnered to roll out Piñata Smashlings collectibles, stickers, and trading cards. The trading cards and stickers will be available at select 

Chuck E. Cheese locations in November. Read more…

MGA’s Miniverse to Launch TikTok Reality Competition Series ‘Bite Size’

MGA Entertainment will launch Bite Size, a new reality competition series exclusively on TikTok in which social media creators face off in quick-fire challenges using nine MGA’s Miniverse Make It Mini collections. Read more…

The Dr. Lisa Company, Composition Media to Launch ‘The Fresh Beats Dolls’ Animated Series



The Dr. Lisa Company‘s toys and publishing division, EPI, has teamed up with animation studio Composition Media to release an animated series inspired by The Fresh Beats Collection on YouTube this fall. Read more…

Hasbro Launches First NERF Official Sport: NERFBALL



Hasbro has recently launched NERFBALL with the release of a full gameplay video of the NERFBALL — Battle in the Bubble exhibition game. NERFBALL marks the first official NERF sport throughout the brand’s 54 years of producing NERF products. Read more…

Games Workshop Grants TOMY Licensing Rights for Warhammer Plush



TOMY International recently acquired certain licensing rights to the Warhammer franchise, a popular miniatures game. Games Workshop granted licensing rights to TOMY to create a Warhammer-themed plush line. Read more…

Cepia Expands Cats vs Pickles Licensing Agreement with Well Played Toys



Cepia and Well Played Toys have inked a licensing agreement through Curiosity Ink Media for new Cats vs Pickles toys. Read more…

Youtooz Releases Catdog and Reptar Plushies 



Youtooz is giving ’90s kids yet another reason to indulge in nostalgia with their latest retro plush releases. The popular collectibles brand has unveiled two new Nickelodeon plushies based on the animated cartoon series Catdog and Rugrats. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Toys ‘R’ Us Set to Expand in the U.S. with Flagship Stores Opening in 2024



WHP Global, parent company of Toys “R” Us and Babies “R” Us, revealed plans to continue the rebirth of the famed toy store brand in the U.S. in partnership with Go! Retail Group. Under the new deal, Toys “R” Us flagship stores will begin opening across the U.S. beginning in 2024. Read more…

Kappa Toys to Open New Location at Mall of America



Kappa Toys has revealed its plans to open a new location at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. This will be the retailer’s third location and first location outside of Las Vegas. Read more…

Steiff North America President Jim Pitocco Retires



Jim Pitocco, President of Steiff North America, will retire effective Dec. 31. Pitocco will continue his long association with Steiff by transitioning to the Steiff North America board, where he will support the ongoing development of the organization on an as-needed basis. Read more…

Ryan Cohen Officially Takes the Helm as CEO of GameStop



In a move that nearly everyone saw coming, billionaire activist investor Ryan Cohen is the new CEO of GameStop. The Chewy founder has taken an increasingly large role in the mass specialty retailer over the past two years following the “meme stock” frenzy of 2021. Read more…