NEWS

Disney stacks up with Lego

Denmark's LEGO Group and the Walt Disney Co.'s consumer products unit has announced a licensing deal for LEGO-Disney construction toys marked for worldwide distribution in June 1999.

The initial line will be based on "Winnie the Pooh" and consist of seven LEGO DUPLO boxes for children between the ages of 2 and 5.

Disney now owns many non-publishing rights to the English bear created by A. A. Milne.

LEGO, may later develop other lines based on Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters.

"The values of the two companies are very similar," said Anne Osberg, president of Disney Consumer Products. "We both strive to provide children and families with hours of playful fun that make children heroes in their own world - a world of imagination without limits."

The Dream of a Remote Controlled Craft you can fly indoors has been realized!
This unit is not a kit, it is delivered to your door ready to fly. All you have to do is supply Helium (available from any balloon store or flower shop), and batteries. This remote controlled craft has Full Aerial Maneuverability. It can turn left, right, go frontwards and backwards, spin, ascend, descend and hover! Range is well over 200 feet in most cases - this range may be exceeded in large auditoriums.
This Twin-Turbofan Powered Remote Controlled Flying Saucer operates on 4 different channels allowing you and your friends to fly in the same room simultaneously!
For more info email webmaster@super2000.com.

Boy Shot After Refusing To Drop Toy

A 16-year-old Brooklyn boy is in serious condition after being shot numerous times by police. Michael Jones was bike riding yesterday when officers saw him carrying what they thought was a large weapon. When he was ordered to drop it, police say he refused. Two officers fired 17 shots, seven of which hit the teenager. Police found the weapon was only a water pistol. Jones has needed two operations in the last 24 hours.

A Brand New Flava in Ya Mouth

The company that gave the world Tamagotchi virtual pets is promoting what it hopes will be the next hot toy: a battery-operated lollipop holder that plays music inside people's mouths.

The microphone-sized toy called Silent Shout plays a tune by vibrating a lollipop stuck into the device says Bandai Co. spokesman Masashi Umeda. The instrumental songs include a hip-hop rhythm. "One of the merits is that the sound won't annoy others," he said.

The toy works by conducting sounds through the teeth. The sounds then echo into the inner ear. It will go on sale in Japan next month for about $10.

The toy is to be called Sound Bites in the United States, created by Hasbro Inc.

Toys 'R' Us Names President of Canadian Company

Toys "R" Us, Inc., has announced the appointment of Robert F. Moran to President of Toys "R" Us Canada, Ltd. The announcement was made by Gregory R. Staley, President of the company's International Division.

Moran joins Toys "R" Us following a distinguished career with Sears Roebuck and Company. Most recently, he was President and CEO of Sears de Mexico, where he was responsible for implementing a major business turnaround, and was named one of top 100 marketing executives in Mexico. He spent a total of 24 years with Sears in varying capacities, including Chief Financial Officer in Mexico and Peru, as well as corporate Director of Financial Planning and Analysis in Chicago. In addition, from 1991-1993, Moran was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Galerias Preciados in Madrid, Spain.

"We are delighted to welcome Bob to Toys "R" Us Canada," said Greg Staley. "His extensive retail experience in both domestic and international assignments will enable him to successfully assume his new leadership in Canada, and build upon the very positive results which have been achieved during the past few years."

Moran joins Toys "R" Us effective August 23. He is a graduate of Villanova University in Pennsylvania, with degrees in Finance and Accounting.

Toys "R" Us, is a worldwide authority on kids, families and fun, currently operating 1,460 stores: 697 toy stores in the United States; 446 international toy stores, including franchise stores; 214 Kids "R" Us children's clothing stores; 101 Babies "R" Us stores; and 2 KidsWorld stores.

Charges Filed In Toys Case

An American man accused of fraudulently selling dealerships in Disney toys today faces federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Seventy-three- year-old Robert Bouckhout was charged in federal court in Kansas City yesterday (24th August 1998) in connection with a business he owned and operated called Parade of Toys. US Attorney Jackie Williams claims Bouckhout used phony information to lure investors into buying more than US$15m worth of Parade of Toys dealerships and merchandise between 1994 and 1996. The charges allege that losses to individual investors exceeded 10-Million dollars. Sentencing is scheduled for 9th November1998.

When It's too Wet to Go Outside Keep Your Kids Happy with Great New Indoor Toys

Keeping your children occupied on a rainy or snowy day can be a challenge for many parents. As children have to deal with the disappointment of having their outdoor plans canceled, parents have the responsibility of cheering up their little ones on a gloomy day. Once they get past the disappointment of being house bound, they will want to be entertained and have fun.

Whether its been raining for hours or days (which can feel like weeks), the right game, toy, activity or craft can make all the difference. A rainy day no longer has to put a damper on everyone's spirits.

To assist parents and grandparents in selecting indoor toys to turn the "lack of sun" into fun, the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)® has put together a list of toys that are guaranteed to bring some sunshine to any child's day:

•Frigits, 8 years and up, is a system of chutes, swinging buckets and bumpers that are used to create an infinite number of exciting paths for a free-falling marble all down the surface of your fridge! Each wooden Frigits piece attaches magnetically to a refrigerator or other metal surface.
From Tobin Toys.

•Hot Citropods, 7 years and up, is based on the story of a cataclysmic crash of a citroid™ meteor that launches a new insect life form. The Citropods(TM) are two diverging bug populations that evolve on the planet's hot and cool hemispheres. Build seven cool Citropods and compare them to their earthbound counterparts. Then create your own alien insectoids!
From Primordial LLC

•How to Make Balloon Hats/How to Make Balloon Animals, 8 years and up, allows your kids to be the hit of the party! Each set includes book, balloons, hand pump and step-by-step photo instructions. Your kids will love to make up to 16 wild and zany hats and ten classic balloon animals.
From Aaron's Balloon Animals.

•K'NEX Rip N Go Racers & Dragsters, 8 years and up, lets kids enjoy the excitement of the racetrack without leaving home! Each vehicle features the custom-designed K'NEX flywheel ripcord motor and power ripcord, K'NEX driver figure and custom racing decals.
From K'NEX Industries.

•Mancala, 6 years and up, is a fascinating African stone game played all over the world by children and adults alike. One of the oldest games known to mankind, Mancala has simple rules and is easy to learn. Just capture the most stones to win the game!
From Great American Trading Company.

•Potholder Loom, 6 years and up, is the perfect - and classic - rainy day activity for hours of fun. Make colorful potholders for use at home, to give as gifts or to sell as a fund-raiser for school, church or club. Kit includes metal potholder loom and cotton loops to make 3-4 potholders.
From Harrisville Designs Inc.

•Pretend and Play® Calculator Cash Register, 3 years and up, makes number crunching fun, exposing kids to math, finance and calculator skills all while involving them in entrepreneurial efforts! This solar-powered cash register is the perfect addition to any "pretend" store.
From Learning Resources.

•Pro Reader Phonics Learning Learning System, Pre-K-3rd Grade, is an interactive multisensory learning toy that teaches phonics, spelling, rhyming and reading. Pro-Reader's interactive approach includes illustrations, talking word cards, an LCD screen that displays words and verbal cues and responses that help keep children enthused and on the "right track."
From Leapfrog.

•Stormy Seas™, 8 years and up, is rush hour on the High Seas! This award-winning, sea faring game of strategy includes 40 different set-up challenges. Young ``captains'' must find an open channel to steer their boat to a safe harbor.
From Binary Arts.

•The Really Amazing Animal Game, 6 years and up, lets kids turn their playroom into a zoo! This wacky wildlife memory and matching game is based on the popular DK Amazing Animals television and video series featuring Henry the lizard! Learn real animal facts as you race to make the most matches.
From International Playthings, Inc.

These rainy day/indoor toys can be found around the country through ASTRA's network of specialty manufactuers, and available for export.

To find out more about ASTRA, contact ASTRA's web site at http://www.astratoy.org.

Topeka Chosen as Launch Site for New Game

Ten colorful monsters and hundreds of toys will fall from the sky in Topeka later this week as the latest Nintendo video game invades the globe. The game is called Pokemon and it's already a commercial and marketing phenomenon in Japan. There the video game, related toys and top-rated cartoon series have created a four billion dollar a-year industry.

Company officials say Topeka was chosen as the launch site because the most popular Pocket Monster in the game is called Pikachu. Hence, when the monsters land on Thursday, Mayor Joan Wagnon will surrender and temporarily rename the city to Pikachu. The game is scheduled to hit toy store shelves some time in the Autumn.

Captain Pugwash Sets Sail With Vivid
	Captain Pugwash and his motley crew of treasure-seeking desperadoes are busy plotting a raid on the UK toy market. Not content with his weekly Friday afternoon slot on Children's ITV, the perennial pirate favourite is all set to star in a comprehensive toy and gift range next summer, following an agreement between The Britt Allcroft Company and Vivid Imaginations.
The treasure chest of Pugwash booty will remain a secret until the January Toy Fair, but national media interest in the relaunch of Pugwash on TV has lead Vivid's Chief Executive, Nick Austin, to confidently predict a bright future. "Parents fondly remember Captain Pugwash and we believe that The Britt Allcroft Company's new series will register strongly with children and parents alike. Captain Pugwash is destined to become one of the hottest toy properties in 1999 and beyond."
Also commenting on the agreement, Valerie Fry, VP Group Head of Licensing at The Britt Allcroft Company, said: "Vivid Imaginations is a vibrant and dynamic toy company, bringing a lot of energy and innovation to the market, and we are delighted to appoint them as the major toy licensee for Captain Pugwash." The Adventures of Captain Pugwash are broadcast every Friday at 3.50 p.m. on Children's ITV, commencing 25th September.

Character Games Have Gifts Galore For Xmas !

It's going to be gifts galore this Christmas with numerous new products and lines being introduced.

Electronic Spin The Bottle: Every generation of teenager's favourite party game gets a 21st century makeover. Over 180 Kiss, Truth and Dare instructions inhabit the colourful talking and flashing bottle. Probably the game that will be most "borrowed" by parents from their kids this Xmas.

WOW SCIENCE: A series of kits where the secrets of science work like magic. Al teaches you how to "wow!" your friends while Bert teaches you "how" science makes the effects work. "Education by entertainment" that makes science cool.

Magic Dip: The instant marbling kit that allows you to create your personalised Xmas baubles for the tree, turn your nail into unique works of art every day of the week, or design your own fashion statement with dipped earrings, baseball hat, T-shirt and even shoe laces.

Sculpture Puzzles: A British idea revolutionising jigsaws all over the world, with 1 million pieces already gracing peoples homes. New introductions include; The Beatles, Rodin's The Thinker, Egytian Cat, and Marilyn Monroe.

The Titanic Perfect Edge Puzzle: A 3D foam puzzle of the Titanic (including iceberg) combined with a 2D sea make this an ideal way to pass some time over Xmas.

Show Piece Games: Games designed to be as good to look at as to play. Each a cross between wooden sculpture and a game. Titles include Saturn, Ahead, and Handstand.

Character Games Has Gifts Galore For Xmas !		Captain Pugwash Sets Sail With Vivid
Disney stacks up with Lego	The Dream of a Remote Controlled Craft	Boy Shot After Refusing To Drop Toy	A Brand New Flava in Ya Mouth
Toys 'R' Us Names President of Canadian Company	Charges Filed In Toys Case	When It's too Wet to Go Outside Keep Your Kids Happy with Great New Indoor Toys	Topeka Chosen as Launch Site for New Game