Just wanted to share this face (complete with freckles!)….from Corolle! More details to follow.
The cutest doll of the day!
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Toy Fair 2010: Star Wars LEGO: So good!
Star Wars LEGO: Hans Solo being placed in carbonite
If you are a big Star Wars LEGO fan, you’ll be really excited to see the new sets scheduled for 2010. We asked LEGO’s Julie Stern to take us through the new sets so that you could take a look. Watch the video. You’ll hear both my mother Joanne and brother James (noted Tech expert and founder of jamesgames.com) on this video. We’re a noisy bunch.
Oh no! Hans! We'll save you!
On this second video you can see James’ reenactment of Hans Solo being taken away after being frozen in carbonite. It’s this attention to detail that we really appreciate. If you watch this video, you will have a glimpse into my childhood! You can also hear my mother in the background laughing.
LEGO: Open-ended sets are Basic Gear
One of the best press releases I’ve read this week came from LEGO. It affirmed their commitment to open-ended sets. While it’s often their more elaborate model sets that get most of the press, the importance of providing kids with open-ended construction sets can not be underestimated.
LEGO Basic Bucket
This new blue bucket looks promising–it comes with a rainbow of LEGO bricks…and wheels (always fun). There is no right or wrong way here–just whatever you feel like building.
While some kids are more secure having a model to follow–having the freedom to create your own structures is something we should all experience. Chances are you probably have a bucket worth of LEGO bricks around the house…why not spill them out on the table and see what your family comes up with.
Toy Fair 2010: LEGO DUPLO
We started the day at LEGO – always fun. LEGO Duplo is the line designed as an entry point for older toddlers and preschoolers. New for 2010: a bigger bucket–we consider this basic gear for preschoolers.
DUPLO BUCKET
The big new theme is a farm…
LEGO DUPLO FARM
There’s also a new set that includes numbers as an added feature. 
LEGO’s Julie Stern, always a pleasure to work with– took us through the showroom. Watch the video.
Jane Hanson Welcome Back!
Happy to see that Jane Hanson is back on WNBC at LX TV! Love Jane!
Another cool day at toy fair 2010!
We had another big day at Javits today. I went in a dress (since I thought I was doing tv) and carrying tv shoes (there’s no way you can do Javits in tv shoes!)
We started at LEGO…always one of our favorites stops, visited with STEP 2 to see lots of fun new outdoor toys, International Playthings (super cute new toys from Calico Critters), Spin Master (lots of flying toys) and at Creativity for Kids we met the inventor of Shrinky Dinks!
My iPhone died right as we got to Spin Master–which was too bad since there were lots of fun things to tape there. Oh well. I did bring my charger–but alas the one that plugs into my computer, not an outlet. Pretty lame on my part. Below is a picture of Kate from International Playthings trying to find an adaptor so that we can charge my phone using the crank radio from their Ecotronics link. Unfortunately there wasn’t one that worked with my phone, but I was really so grateful to Kate for the effort!
Kate from International Playthings
Bumped by Donny Osmond & Mickey Mouse!
Such is the way of tv land, I got bumped due to lots of Olympic coverage and a segment on LX TV with Donny Osmond and Mickey Mouse. It happens. In fact, Donny and Mickey aren’t even my most notable bumpers. I was really seriously bumped by the funeral of President Ronald Reagan. Life happens.
They may show some of the toys that I was going to talk about during host time.
I will, assuming no breaking news, be on the Today Show on March 3rd.
LX TV at 5pm on WNBC in NYC/ Monday
I’ll be on LX TV (WNBC in NY) between 5 and 6pm–to discuss hot toys from toy fair.
Barbie Video Girl: Barbie is the Video Camera
Barbie Video Girl
When they first brought us around the corner at the Mattel showroom to look at Barbie Video Camera, I looked around thinking perhaps we were being punked. No, it’s real. Barbie is a Video Camera.
Barbie’s video camera is in her chest. Maybe this was inspired by Ironman?
Barbie Video Camera: Camera in her Chest
Now you don’t have to be a teenage boy to see the humor of this placement. While we had just been taken through all of Barbie’s careers-it seemed to be balanced by the location of this camera. While we tell men to look at a woman’s eyes, not her chest…here you really do want to look at the chest to get the best video.
Barbie has a LCD screen in her back and will plug into both PCs and MACs. I do think watching the world from Barbie’s point of view could be fun and kids will probably enjoy the $50 video camera interacting with their other dolls. I just wish I could have been a fly on the wall when they came up with this one and the Glitterizer. It does almost seem as if it’s an episode of Seinfeld…where one of them would suggest an outrageous idea – and some unsuspecting executive would say “yes!!”
Strong Multi-Cultural Choices at Barbie
Barbie Basic
Happily there are more multi-cultural choices in the world of Barbie. I have a sense that the Barbie Basic line is more for adult collectors (all shown in a little black dress) than for kids…but there are a whole range of dolls available in this line. The dolls were part of a fun ebay auction when real designers came up with their own version’s of LBD for Barbie.
Here’s another grouping…
One of favorite collections from last year, So In Style Barbie, is also continuing. Created by Mattel designer, Stacey McBride, these dolls celebrate our diversity by featuring dolls of color. You can see Ms. McBride talk about the series on this video. I love that she also made mentoring part of the line. The first sets all included a big doll and a little doll (big sister/little sister). Bravo to Ms. McBride! Below, some of this year’s new collection. I’ve been trying to interview Ms. McBride about the collection–I hope we get a chance to talk soon.
New So in Style Dolls from Mattel