Category: News

Schleich (pronounced Shh-like) is asking fans to channel their storytelling superpowers in a musical direction this spring. The leading manufacturer of animal characters and playsets that let kids’ imaginations run wild is seeking songs and stories that celebrate the magic of spring and Easter. Starting with a consumer call-for-entries which kicks off today, one lucky fan will ultimately have his or her song or story turned into a music video by The Hippity Hops, Schleich’s very own musical storytelling band!

Cyber Group Studios, a leading producer and distributor of animated series, has acquired a majority stake in the award-winning and veteran Italian animation studio Graphilm Entertainment. The acquisition will increase Cyber Group Studios’ creative and production capabilities to meet content demands in the European region and globally. This strategic partnership will also provide Graphilm Entertainment with major development opportunities for its own productions and original creations, thanks to the resources of Cyber Group Studios’ unique development and production facilities, and worldwide distribution network. In addition, Cyber Group Studios will benefit from access to Graphilm Entertainment’s catalog of kids and family content.

Good Banana, designers of fun & whimsical products for kids’ play spaces, has debuted 16 new products for the fun-filled home in 2022. Its quest to enhance household hotspots comes hot on the heels of its popular Floor Floaties and other recent releases: Bed Tents, Kid’s Yoga Mats, Plush Lap Desks, Weighted Blankets and more. Just in time for Spring, Good Banana announces the following additions for 2022:

Tyco Toy Company debuted during the New York International Toy Fair, with their first ethnic doll line, “Kenya.” She fast became the talk of Toy Fair, with press publications in Newsday (“She’s Black Like Me”), Ebony, Essence, NY Times, Jet and other publications. Would she succeed? How would doll buyers react? Time would tell. Oct. 1, 1992, 250,000 dolls hit store shelves. She came in 3 different shades of brown skin tone, and 3 different hair colors. Tyco ran a full advertising TV campaign during Prime Time shows that kids watched, making it historically, the first time a toy was advertised to the African American audience. By Black Friday in November, the doll had sold out! Tyco had underestimated the consumer. At last there was a doll that showed representation mattered for millions of girls who previously had owned Caucasian dolls molded in brown plastic. Kenya was not only beautiful, she had African American facial features, and incredible natural curls that could be relaxed with her magic lotion, making it easier for girls to braid and bead her hair. Wash her hair in warm water, and her lovely curls returned. She captured the true life style of African American girls. Tyco continued to manufacture Kenya over the next five years with television ad campaigns until Mattel acquired the company. She then was licensed to Uneeda Doll Company and today, is licensed to Smart-Zone Ltd. She is available at fine retail stores in the USA.

Comfort Research, the creator of Big Joe, has acquired Spin Master’s Outdoor manufacturing operations in Tarboro, North Carolina, and specific product lines from Spin Master’s Outdoor portfolio. The acquisition closed on Feb. 7, 2022.

Sesame Workshop and MetLife Foundation announced a new phase of their seven-year partnership. “Dream, Save, Do: Financial Empowerment for Underserved Populations in Brazil and Mexico” expands on previous work and aims to build the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that will help families build financial health. The initiative will launch this month with a focus on historically disadvantaged groups, such as rural communities and indigenous people in Mexico and people of African descent in Brazil, particularly women and girls.

One foot in front of the other could be a metaphor for childhood exploration. It’s also the simple way to play with the six-piece Stepping Stones set from Bunny Hopkins, winner of the 2021 ASTRA Best Active Toy Award. These vibrant, 100% Made in USA wooden circles are handcrafted by local craftsmen in its Atlanta, Georgia workshop. Each 10” large circle entices preschoolers and older kids to jump, spin or joyfully step as they imagine an obstacle course that gives a full body stretch!