My Singing Monsters

Get ready for plush toys, home décor, collectibles and electronics accessories!

My Singing Monsters is a beloved, critically acclaimed game on the App Store and Google Play, with more than 70 million players worldwide. The free-to-play family-friendly title explores rich and intriguing worlds as players engage in discovery, creativity and delight by breeding and feeding Singing Monsters to build unique melodies.

My Singing Monsters is produced by mobile gaming company Big Blue Bubble. For more than 10 years, Big Blue Bubble has been creating fun, innovative, engaging and award-winning games that inspire creativity and encourage people of all ages to embrace their playful side. Big Blue Bubble’s commitment has earned the studio recognition from prestigious organizations around the world, including awards from Deloitte, BAFTA and IGN for economic growth, people’s choice and editor’s choice, respectively. My Singing Monsters.is the studio’s top-grossing flagship franchise.

Big Blue Bubble, partnering with Vancouver, Canada-based multimedia entertainment company Wind Sun Sky and The Walking Dead producer Skybound Entertainment, has licensed the My Singing Monsters gaming app property to FanWraps Inc. to produce a line of automotive, home décor, collectibles and consumer electronic accessories.

In addition, the troika has also licensed My Singing Monsters to Commonwealth Toys to produce a complete line of plush toys in all sizes for the global market.

Everyone involved is thrilled.

“With their strong fan-centric pop culture licenses, we know FanWraps will deliver quality products for our brand,” says Catherine Winder, CEO of Wind Sun Sky and producer of the game’s animated series. “We’re also excited to bring our plush toy program to life for our fans and collectors by working with Commonwealth Toys.” Catherine is known for her work at LucasFilm and on The Angry Birds Movie.

My Singing Monsters has a significant library of user-generated content with over 150 Million views on YouTube, which gives FanWraps a large audience to reach with collectibles. An automotive wrap and decal company at its inception, FanWraps has moved into the consumer electronics, home décor and collectibles market, producing a wide variety of product types customized by a licensed property and specializing in new category development.

“We’ve been keeping our eye on this property for a while and see incredible retail toy and collectible potential for both the game and future animated series,” says Alec Kessler, Executive Vice President of Commonwealth. “This brand has an enormous following and massive fan engagement.” Commonwealth Toy’s portfolio includes properties such as Angry Birds, Sponge Bob, JoJo Siwa, Paw Patrol, Fingerlings, Smooshy Mushy and many more.

The first FanWraps merchandise will be introduced for the 2018 holidays while the first Commonwealth Toys characters will also roll out in time for the 2018 holidays, offered through e-commerce and at select retailers. The plush toy line will continue to build a collection of characters in a variety of sizes with plans to incorporate the musical abilities of the monsters.

These deals are brokered by Alita Friedman, CEO of Alita’s Brand Bar, and licensing agency for the My Singing Monsters franchise.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Get Up and Go!

pediped® collaborates with The Nik Naks to encourage summer adventures for kids.

This summer, award-winning children’s footwear brand pediped® is collaborating with The Nik Naks on an original song and music video that encourages kids to enjoy summer adventures.

The original song “Get Up and Go” follows the adventures of two friends as they take a trip guided by their own imaginations. Equipped with pediped’s shoes from the Adventure Line, they are prepared to explore any terrain, from distant planets to their own backyard. The music inspires children to stay active and explore the world around them. The water-safe, rugged and machine-washable shoes in pediped’s Adventure Line, which has 11 new styles for 2018, are ready to go wherever exploring feet can take them.

The full “Get Up and Go” video can be viewed on www.pediped.com/theniknaks and the song or full album can be downloaded on TheNikNaks.com. Purchase of the album includes a credit on pediped.com equivalent to the cost.

Las Vegas-based musicians Sam Lemos and Jean-Francois are the duo The Nik Naks, the band that imagined this music-based multimedia project appealing to both parents and their children. As dedicated fathers, their combined passion for both music and family life inspired them to expand into the world of kids’ music. Both Sam and Jean-Francois are songwriters, multi-instrumentalists and professional musicians. Their professional credits include playing with Boyz II Men, Cirque Du Soleil, Matt Goss and Noel Gallagher. They are also involved in many original projects in the burgeoning Las Vegas music scene.

The pediped® Spring/Summer 2018 Adventure Line is now available for purchase online at www.pediped.com and in select retail stores.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Ciao Bimba

Handcrafted dolls for girls and boys.

Inspired by the wild imagination of children and the beauty of play, Ciao Bimba is a Waldorf-inspired doll brand founded by Maria Asenova and Denitza Velasquez that showcases beautifully handcrafted luxury dolls for boys and girls.

Ciao Bimba dolls are lovingly made by hand in Sofia, Bulgaria using only natural, safety-compliant materials like wool and cotton and exclusively European designer fabrics. Each doll requires up to 10 hours of creative work and construction by expert dollmakers, ensuring unique characteristics and truly one-of-a-kind dolls for children of all ages. While traditional Waldorf dolls are usually simplistic and lack facial features, Ciao Bimba’s dolls have more intricate and pronounced features to encourage the doll-child bond.

“Our vision is to design handcrafted natural fiber art dolls that speak directly to children and inspire them to invent their own worlds,” says Denitza, who splits her time between London and Sofia. “We believe in the importance of surrounding children with natural toys that are safe, beautiful and soothing to the soul.”

The name Ciao Bimba means “hello baby girl” in Italian and is inspired by Denitza’s daughter Maya’s nickname from family travels in Italy. Reflecting the beauty and diversity of children across the world, Ciao Bimba dolls are available in several skin tones. The boy and girl dolls have distinctive traits and personalities, quickly becoming a child’s favorite companion.

The company also has available doll accessories like doll baskets, necklaces and dresses, as well as bookmarks and necklaces. For girls who love to match their dolls’ outfits, girl’s dresses in several lively coordinating prints are also available.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Poco Nido Chefs Set

Cook up a storm with your little chefs!

Just in time for the holiday season, award-winning children’s footwear and clothing brand Poco Nido is turning it up a notch for kids in the kitchen!

Inspired by The Great British Bake Off?

Get messy and have some fun with your kids! They’ll love the new Junior Chef’s Set, which includes a printed blue cotton apron with an adjustable neck strap, matching padded cotton oven glove and an adjustable chef’s hat all packaged neatly in a little bag. Light weight and easy to clean, these aprons will last the test of time, ensuring you can share the kitchen experience with your kids again and again!

“Baking and cooking is an amazing way to spend time with children,” says Poco Nido founder Catherine Lobley. “The beauty of it is that it’s hands on, learning life skills and at the end you have a product you’ve made. The end result is either pride or hilarity depending on how your item turns out! It’s a win-win.”

Get to Know Poco Nido

The Poco Nido range is deep rooted in a love of color and pattern. Designers Catherine and Stephen don’t follow trends, they design based on whatever pops into their heads, inspired by travel, children’s stories, patterns, symmetry, a hate of over-packaging, a passion for upcycling and frustration with fastenings.

Over the last five years, Poco Nido has grown to include over 70 fantastic “stockists” (British for a retailer that stocks goods of a certain type) and five distributors worldwide. Winner of two consecutive Gold Loved By Parents Awards for best baby footwear and the Smallish design award for (child) gifting, Poco Nido’s plan is to continue the fight against ordinary with simple and practical products, made in natural materials and loaded with fun.

The one-size-fits-all Chefs Set apron is ideal for kids ages three to eight. A fabulous bib is also available at www.poconido.com. Wholesale wholesale.poconido.com. Visit Poco Nido at INDX Kidswear Birmingham, February 11-12, 2018.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small

First major toy launch for beloved little bunny character in the U.S.

Miffy, one of the most recognizable characters in the world, is capturing the imagination of preschoolers in the U.S. this summer.

This past fall, the beloved little bunny created by the late Dutch artist Dick Bruna made her début on Nick Jr. in a new HD CGI TV series, Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small. Children’s apparel lines by Uniqlo, H&M and Kira Kids followed, as well as a book series by Simon and Schuster.

This summer, Walmart rolled out a toy line based on Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small, exclusively, in stores and online, including:

Miffy 3” Family Multipack ($11.88 – Ages 2 and up) – This adorable family figure set includes Miffy, Daddy, Mommy, and Snuffy, each with moving, poseable features. Collect them all!

Miffy Little Red Plane ($11.88 – Ages 2 and up) Plush – Miffy is ready to take to the skies, fly to new places and have new adventures.

Miffy Little Blue Car ($11.88 – Ages 2 and up) – Take a ride with Miffy in her iconic blue car. Miffy is always ready to jump in the car and go.

6” Miffy, Melanie and Snuffy plush ($5.00 each – Ages 18 mos. and up) – Miffy and her friends are all here available in soft, plush format complete with embroidered features.

On August 1, Walmart adds to the Miffy toy line with feature plush, a Miffy house and several Miffy figurines.

The 411 on Miffy

Born June 21, 1955, Dutch artist Dick Bruna first draws Miffy to entertain his young son while on a rainy seaside holiday in Holland. The series of picture books which follow use simple illustrations and rhyming text to explore the universal experiences of childhood. Sixty-two years later, the Miffy books have sold more than 85 million copies; currently published in more than 50 languages. Merchandise is sold across five continents, several musicals tour year-round, plus The Miffy Movie and Miffy’s Adventures: Big and Small television series are introduced globally. The Miffy Museum in the city of Utrecht, provides an interactive space specifically designed for young children to discover the world around them – a dominant theme in all Miffy-related projects.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

cuddle + kind

Together, the company + their customers have given 1,151,798 meals to date.

If you enjoy social media, you’ve probably spied the fabulously adorable posts from cuddle + kind. The company makes ethically produced, hand-knit dolls that help feed children.

Every cuddle + kind product you purchase will provide 10 meals to children in need. “Our goal is to provide one million meals a year,” says Jen, Derek, Ethan, Brooke and Rachel Woodgate – the family behind cuddle + kind. And they have.

Reflection of Values

The Woodgates started cuddle + kind to reflect their values. The parents have a background in health, and recognize the crucial role nutrition plays in a child’s development. “As parents, we believe all children should have enough food to eat and the opportunity to thrive,” they say. So they created cuddle + kind to make a difference.

Not only does the purchase of one doll provides 10 meals to children in need, each doll is lovingly handcrafted by incredible women artisans in Peru, providing them with a sustainable, fair trade income. “We’re proud that our dolls are made with natural, high-quality cotton because it’s important to us that they’re safe, soft and cuddly.”

Look through The Giving Book, cuddle + kind’s 2016 annual giving report, and you’ll fall in love, too.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Indy “Talk” Shop

Kickstarter Campaign Launches Today!

Indy “Talk” Shop, a new creative educational toy startup for kids ages 0-3, produces toys that easily guide playtime with your kids for better bonding and learning. The company is launching a Kickstarter campaign today (February 28).

As You Read, You Play, and You Learn, Naturally

Based on new research in child development and play methods, Indy “Talk” Shop is creating a line of playboxes that is qualitatively different. Each playbox comes with an original story about a cute yet clumsy dragon named “Indy” and a matching classic toy, such as a puzzle, blocks, train sets, etc. Each story guides a reading-while-playing experience that prompts playtime with your kids and enables an interactive dynamic between parent and child to enhance developmental areas that are critical for their growth. While essential for a child’s early learning, the playboxes also offer parents the tools they need to help their kids learn.

Indy “Talk” Shop’s Kickstarter campaign offers backers an opportunity to donate the first playbox in a series, Indy and the Farm (an original story with a matching farm puzzle), to one of three New York-based national charity partners that support the education and advancement of children: K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Family Health Centers at NYU Langone and Room to Grow. When you support Indy “Talk” Shop through the campaign, you will also buy Indy and The Farm for children in need.

About Indy “Talk” Shop

Indy “Talk” Shop is co-founded by Frida Matute, M.A. CCC-SLP, a New York-based medical pediatric speech-language therapist, and Alex Adarichev, an architect and designer. Frida’s inspiration comes from tying her clinical experience, research and love of watching kids and parents learn together. Their five-person team has been working diligently to make this launch a success.

Indy “Talk” Shop’s method is to embed tips and hints into the story’s pages, treating text with graphics, punctuation, capitalization and bold-faced type, so parents can read to their kids in a sing-song voice. This technique is “dynamite for language development,” says Patricia Kuhl of the Institute for Learning and Brain Science at the University of Washington. The combination of embedding tips for parents and encouraging an animated reading of the story while playing with the matching classic toy helps kids naturally repeat core vocabulary words and sounds. It also lets children practice early cognitive skills like problem-solving, matching and categorization.

Play research has been going on for years, although not all toy companies are embedding this research directly into the design of toys Like Indy “Talk” Shop is. “Preschool children learn better when an adult is involved,” says Dr. Jenny Radesky, a pediatrician specializing in child development at Boston Medical Center. In other words, guided play is best for kids’ development, to help parents and kids bond, learn and play more effectively. “When parents keep the conversation going, rather than simply trying to get their children to hear as many words as possible, they are preparing their children for later language and school success,” say Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnik Golinkoff, child psychologists and researchers at Temple University. Further research explains that healthy brain development relies on guided play between kids and parents. Indy “Talk” Shop playboxes guide parents through a playtime interaction that will make a difference in their kids’ development, whether they have five minutes or an hour to play.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

The NEW Angelcare/Sassy

“We’re pioneering design and functionality that is going to change the conversation about monitoring and baby care for years to come.”

-Tom Bratton, Angelcare CEO

This year, Angelcare Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary Sassy Inc transformed as a company to create groundbreaking new products in baby monitoring and developmental toys. Combining the latest technological advances with scientific insight and modern intuitive design, the Angelcare and Sassy offerings deliver what today’s parents and caregivers want: peace of mind while helping their children thrive.

The Industry’s Top Innovators

Canada-based Angelcare assembled a team of the industry’s best minds to drive this unprecedented step forward in baby care standards. “Recruiting top talent was our number one goal for the relaunch,” Tom tells us. “We built our team from top global brands in a range of fields—baby, health and beauty, consumer electronics, technology/SaaS—to create this unique culture of innovation and thought leadership. When you get this caliber of people together, it’s amazing what they can create.” With a growth mindset and shared commitment to supporting children, parents and caregivers, the Angelcare/Sassy team focuses their combined insights and skillsets on transformative solutions that truly advance the industry standard.

Intentional, Science-Driven Design

Angelcare/Sassy taps into the desires and expectations of today’s millennial parents. From data-driven tools and a modern design aesthetic, to the latest technology and the best materials, Angelcare/Sassy brings baby care up to the minute and set the standard for decades to come.

A Breakthrough in Baby Monitoring Technology

Coming in January 2017 to North American retailers, Angelcare’s new AC417 and AC517 baby movement, sound and video monitoring systems have a new sleek design and include the only wireless movement sensor pad on the market. They feature Angelcare’s new Activity Analytics for tracking baby’s movement. “Our new wireless sensor pad is all about simplicity combined with safety. Parents are going to love it,” says Angelcare President Jordan Riggs, “but the real game-changer is the activity tracking and reporting built into our new monitors.”

Current fans of Angelcare products know that their monitors are designed to sense baby’s slightest movements and sound an alarm if no movement is detected after 20 seconds. The new models offer this core alarm feature plus the ability to track, record and report on baby’s bigger movements (like restlessness, rollovers, and kicks). With this insight into baby’s activity level during sleep, parents are better able to adapt routines and respond to baby’s needs. The ultimate result is more peace of mind (and rest) for everyone. “Today’s parents use technology in all aspects of life,” Jordan says, “and at Angelcare, we provide moms and dads with easy-to-use monitors that help them care for baby, relax and enjoy the adventure of parenthood.”

Sassy Set to Launch 100+ Products in 2017

Working with premier child development PhD’s and experts, Sassy renewed its focus to incorporate the latest research into all Sassy products with its trademark child-pleasing colors and shapes. The company is launching more than 100 new toys, feeding and baby care products in early 2017 that will help children thrive by focusing on developmental and educational needs.

The fresh offerings include an exciting range of new materials and bolder colors designed to help children play with purpose, as well as learn to solve problems, be flexible and self-motivate. From toys to teethers, bathing products to innovative cups, all of Sassy’s new products are designed to fit a child’s growing sensory perception, motor skills, and creativity.

“The Sassy team not only understands the importance of child development, they also bring a high level of style to the process,” says Sassy Vice President of Marketing Susan Hinshaw. “Today’s millennial parents demand more from baby and child care products. Sassy’s flair for stylish touches make the company’s new products consistent with modern aesthetics and compatible with on-the-go lifestyles.”

Today, Northbrook, IL-born Sassy is part of Angelcare Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with development, design and engineering in Grand Rapids, MI. The company’s current product line includes developmental toys, feeding items, baby care products to help children thrive and industry-leading movement monitoring that gives parents 24/7 peace of mind.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Tabitha Fink: The Cat with One Eye

I Fink Different.

She may only have one eye, but that’s just what makes her special. Other than that, she’s one fabulously storied cat. The 5-star, award-winning Tabitha Fink: The Cat with One Eye is written for children ages two through five that tells Tabitha’s story in playful rhyme and delightful illustrations that kids totally love.

“A not-to-be missed story for the preschooler in your life – uplifting, enjoyable, and just plain fun. I loved every word!”

– Ellen Feld, Feathered Quill

The First Place Winner of the 2016 Beverly Hills Book Award and a Feathered Quill 2016 Bronze Award Winner for Best Children’s Illustrated Book, the stories of Tabitha Fink start with the truth that no one is perfect, that we are all special and unique and that we should celebrate the uniqueness in everyone. Certainly this friendly, one-eyed cat is a fabulous example of that, as she scampers off on amazing adventures that will help children explore their emerging and sometimes challenging worlds. Tabitha’s next adventure is chronicled in Rick’s newest book, Tabitha Fink On a Mission to Mars.

“The world of Tabitha Fink is a simple and playful reflection of the many special things that are part of children’s lives,” says author Rick Felty – who is one swanky cat himself, especially to me. During the many years we worked together in the broadcasting and promotion business, Rick was THE go-to creative mind, winning every kind of creative excellence award in the business, including the coveted Emmy. So it doesn’t surprise me one bit that Rick has created a unique world for Tabitha Fink filled with entertaining lessons for kids as well as cool products that keep her message alive. Fun t-shirts, hoodies and stickers are just a few that proclaim, “I fink different.”

“An adorable book with an uplifting message. Tabitha Fink teaches children to be happy with themselves instead of trying to be like someone else…celebrating their uniqueness and individuality.”

– Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

The Real Tabitha Fink

Rick is also a photographer, musician and private pilot who lives in New England with his wonderful family, a dog, a bunch of fish and the real one-eyed cat named Tabitha Fink. “We have found that some people want to know why Tabitha Fink has only one eye. This is a very natural question and we are happy to tell you all we know.” Come to find out, Tabitha was adopted that way. The vet isn’t sure why she has only one eye, and thinks either injury or illness played a part in her uniqueness. “In any case, the veterinarian told us that she would be able to live a very full life with only one eye,” Rick says, “and we can report that she does!”

Some cats only have a Facebook page. Tabitha Fink has an entire world for kids to explore and learn from. How cool is that?

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Children’s Book Series

Imagine a young child teased in school for reading aloud. Terribly. How could that child react?

Well, this one – a shy, introvert who enjoys spending time alone, dreaming up magical worlds, singing, dancing, drawing and writing- simply stops reading.

It isn’t until her teacher notices a huge drop in her test scores that it comes to the attention of her Mom. And the race to improve the child’s reading skills begins. It actually becomes an easy job, as the child reads well above her age level; as we know, all writers are great readers. She just doesn’t enjoy it as much as she once does. Until …

Dragonriders of Pern

For me (yes, I am this child), I don’t really enjoy reading again until a friend introduces me to the science fiction book series, Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey. By now, I’m a young adult, working in advertising. From here, it’s Frank Herbert’s masterpiece series, Dune and the works of Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land, Time Enough for Love and Glory Road are favorites).

Children’s Book Series

The nature of book series -the worlds authors create, the cast of recurring characters, the richness and intimacy of the storytelling – is what hooks me to the quick. Readers of all ages are drawn in with the sights and sounds of the storied imagination, so to speak, which encourages more reading, more imagination, more satisfaction.

Nowadays, children are huge fans of J.K. Rowling’s magnificent Harry Potter series (for the best treat, listen to the award-winning audiobooks, narrated by the oh-so-talented Jim Dale); Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and others (can you say, Diary of a Wimpy Kid?). And you don’t have to be a child to be taken by them.

Certainly, the fascination with book series can continue well into adulthood – consider the popularity of George RR Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice (aka Game of Thrones) and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and the Earth’s Children series (Clan of the Cave Bear) by Jean M. Auel. Yes, book series can open up a whole new world to a reader and a whole new way of learning.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!