3 minute read
WH AT’S On the Flymo
Casdon
01253 766411 | toys@casdon.com | www.casdon.com
With summer in full flow, Casdon is getting its summer gear out, with plenty of outdoors product, including the Flymo Lawn Mower, for budding young garderners.
Treasure Island
Thames and Kosmos
01580713000 libby@thamesandkosmos.co.uk www.thamesandkosmos.co.uk
My Island will soon be hitting our shores! This familyfriendly, competitive legacy game is a standalone follow-up to My City, the best-selling 2020 Spiel des Jahres nominee, designed by Dr Reiner Knizia. The game has a short play time, and rules and gameboards that are always evolving.
Each player is vying to make the best island possible by placing new hexagonal pieces on their individual player boards. The simple, yet everchanging rules keep things interesting for both casual and experienced gamers.
My Island consists of 24 chapters that each have their own unique rules and story, but also includes an eternal game for continued play.
Up your street
Tonies sales@tonies.com | www.tonies.com
Tonies has joined forces with former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley to release an Angelina Ballerina Tonie featuring the TV actor narrating 10 stories about the popular character.
Liz Peters, head of portfolio at tonies UK, said: “We’re so excited to bring the inspiring Angelina Ballerina stories to our little listeners. It’s been such a pleasure working the talented Catherine Tyldesley, who has narrated the stories with her wonderfully delightful enthusiasm.’’
Trio for travel
Smart Games
uk@smart.be | 01903 885669
Smart Games has released a trio of games that are perfect for travel and more during the holiday season. The three include Plug & Play Ball (fidget game featuring seven puzzles), more puzzle fun in IQ Twins, which features 120 different challenges, and Pole Position, a magnetic racing game.
Commenting on the new summer launches, Karen Clarke, UK brand director at Smart Toys and Games said: “They make fantastic travel companions to take with you on your adventures.’’
Forever blowing bubbles
MGA
01908 268480 | www.mgae.com
MGA is taking its brand L.O.L. Surprise outdoors for the summer with a new quartet of products. The company is pushing these bubble-friendly collectables as being the perfect way to get children away from screens and into the garden to play. uk.rubiesmasquerade.com
Rubies has announced the officially licensed dress-up of one of the most popular preschool brands of the moment, DreamWorks Animation’s Gabby’s Dollhouse. Featuring Gabby, Mercat and Cakey Cat, the collection is set to join Rubies’ mammoth portfolio of licences and brands globally. As one of the first brands to bring Gabby’s Dollhouse costumes to life for fans, Rubies is excited to see an already strong reception to the range of dress-up.
With four complete costumes including dresses and headbands in each, all finished off with a highly realistic all-over print that little fans of the series will love, the dress-up is perfect for early years, one of the most popular markets for fancy-dress. The costumes include a Gabby Tutu dress based on the main character’s outfit, a Gabby and Pandy Paws costume, a Cakey Cat tutu dress, and a Mercat tutu dress, each with a corresponding headband. Designed to let little ones embrace their imagination and enjoy the world of Gabby’s Dollhouse, this collectable range is already incredibly well anticipated by fans.
New product is already in development for 2024, strengthening the range and brand, aligning with Rubies 365 strategy. The new range will launch in EMEA in time for peak season including World Book Day in the UK and Carnival in greater Europe.
Pop goes Funko’s Bitty range Funko
NewTradeEnquiries.EMEA@funko.com | www.funko.com
Inspired by its own Pop! Series, Funko has launched Bitty Pop, a series of 7.8in (2.5cm) collectable figures.
It is initially launching in four separate ranges taking in Classic Disney characters and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars, alongside Warner Bros. Harry Potter and DC Comics. Each of the launch quartet features 16 miniatures.
Malcolm Ottley, senior vice president of global sales, said: “We’ve always known Bitty Pop! was a huge idea encased in a little form factor since the idea’s infancy. Bitty Pop! will set a new precedent in the collectables industry, and we are tremendously excited about it! To not only add to our Pop! category family but to give fans around the world another way to express their fandom is really important to us at Funko."
As the company noted: “The innovative Bitty Pop! packaging also doubles up as a display shelf so fans can collect and display anywhere.”
Teaming up
Vivid Goliath
0333 207 2041 www.vividtoysandgames.co.uk
Goliath Games has signed up indie family board game sensation Green Team Wins and bringing it to a wider audience.
Chad Elkins, founder and publisher at 25th Century Games, said: “When we originally released Green Team Wins, we knew it was a super fun game, but had no idea how quickly buzz surrounding the game would catch on. After our initial print run sold out, the decision to team up with Goliath to scale the game to an even broader audience was an easy one.”
Goliath North American president Brian Weiss added: “Green Team Wins is an absolute riot, you’ll be addicted after just a few rounds with your friends & family. Partners like 25th Century feel like an extension of the Goliath family, because of the values we share: they’re passionate about games, are embedded in the community, and are energised to bring new ideas to new categories.”