The Toy Book’s 2022 Innovation & STEM Issue Is Here!



In this issue, our Toy Book team explores some of the newest trends in STEM and shines a spotlight on emerging product offerings in vehicles & R/C, collectibles, eco-friendly toys, and more. Take a look inside…

From the Editor: The Duality Effect — Mixed Messages of the Holiday Season



The holiday shopping season is in full swing and the early indicators point to strength in foot traffic and consumer demand. Still, mixed messages out of Q3 earnings season invite a deeper look at how the year will play out. Read more…

U.S. Toy Industry Sales Spike 4% in Q3, NPD Says



Despite inflation the U.S. toy industry saw total sales revenue spike by 4% in Q3 as unit sales increased by 1%. The average sales price of $11.47 marked a 3% increase during the quarter. For the first nine months of 2022, U.S. toy industry sales revenue spiked 3% while unit sales dipped by 3%. Check out the stats…

MGA Entertainment Acquires Pixel Zoo Animation, Launches MGA Studios



The company behind Bratz, L.O.L. Surprise!, and Little Tikes is expanding. MGA Studios launched this week as an independent subsidiary of MGA Entertainment backed with more than $500 million in cash and assets. Read more…

Newstalgia: Basic Fun!, Hasbro Ink Deal to Relaunch Littlest Pet Shop in 2024



The classic Kenner brand will relaunch at retailers worldwide “as early as 2024.” Under an extended licensing pact with Hasbro, Basic Fun! becomes the master toy partner for the Littlest Pet Shop brand. Read more…

The LEGO Group Expands Headquarters



The new facility in Billund, Denmark, will bring together 1,900 employees, including engineers and quality assurers, from across seven locations. The space will include new offices, laboratories, test facilities, tool shops, and molding areas. Read more…

Mattel Crowns 2022 Hot Wheels Legends Tour Winner



Mattel’s annual search for a new vehicle to join the Garage of Legends has come to a close. This year’s winner, the “Texas Toot,” will be immortalized as a 1:64-scale, die-cast toy. Read more…

Schleich Gets Festive with a Holiday Contest and Limited-Edition Reindeer Figures



Schleich is asking kids one big, important question this holiday season: “Do reindeer always have to look the same?” The company rolled out a new marketing campaign built around that question in support of some limited-edition toys. Learn more at The Toy Insider…

Learning Resources Launches Holiday Giving Initiative



The company launched a Buy One, Give One program in an effort to benefit families in need. Now through Dec. 14, for every Learning Resources toy that is purchased through Amazon, Target, or Walmart, the company will donate an educational toy or product up to a maximum donation value of $25,000. Read more…

TCG Toys Strikes Licensing Deals for Strawberry Shortcake, Dino Ranch



Under the new deal with WildBrain, TCG will release Strawberry Shortcake and Dino Ranch-inspired products across multiple brands and categories beginning next fall. Read more…

Bananagrams Launches Signature Edition to Celebrate 15th Anniversary



The Bananagrams Signature Edition is the same game kids know and love, but so much fancier. It launched this week ahead of the inaugural International Bananagrams Day on Nov. 26. Read more…

Everything’s A-OK with Sesame Street and Just Play



In the cover story from our latest issue, Senior Editor Madeleine Buckley chats with Sesame Workshop and Just Play about their plans as they enter a new era in the toy department together. Read more…

The STEM Generation



The Toy Book takes a look at the latest trends in STEM and chats with a few leaders in the space to find out what’s driving growth in the business. Read more…

Flying into the Future: How Innovation Is Reinventing Radio Flyer



The Toy Book pays a visit to Chicago’s Radio Flyer for a look at how the 105-year-old company is expanding on the legacy of its Little Red Wagon with new categories, including e-bikes. Read more…

Talkin’ Toys: Fat Brain Toys President and Co-Founder Mark Carson



The Toy Book recently caught up with Fat Brain Toys President and Co-Founder Mark Carson to discuss the important lessons learned in the company’s first 20 years, the challenges of inflation, and what retailers can look forward to next year. Read more…

The NECA Vault Reopens with Warehouse Finds



The recent discovery of some new old stock prompted NECA to reopen its “vault” to offer previously sold-out action figures and collectibles in a special, direct-to-consumer sale. Read more at The Pop Insider…

Kassandra O’Brien Joins ChizSix Marketing & Media



They’re getting the band back together. Beginning Dec. 1, Kassandra O’Brien will reunite with Harold and Jennifer Chizick as senior vice president of marketing at the newly formed ChizSix Marketing & Media. Read more…

Ash Ketchum Named ‘World’s Top Pokémon Trainer’



It’s taken a quarter-century, but the hard work has paid off. The Pokémon Co. International revealed that Ash Ketchum has been named Monarch of the Pokémon World Coronation Series. Find out if he caught them all…

Scentco Expands Leadership Team



The company tapped toy industry veteran Lenny Breeden to serve as its new director of specialty sales as Matt Dampier has been elevated to vice president of sales. Read more…

Hasbro CFO Deborah Thomas Set to Retire



After 24 years with the company, Thomas says that she feels comfortable retiring because of Chris Cocks’ transition to being CEO following his work leading Wizards of the Coast. Read more…