P rofiles In Excellence • Toys

Dodoland/EUGY

By Kevin Topham

Dodoland is a New Zealand company whose name was established as a reminder of the fragility of life on our planet.

EUGY, (that’s a hard ‘g’, pronounced Yoo-Ghi), is a range of sustainable collectable animal puzzles that are constructed by kids while learning about the wildlife that they each represent.

The product itself is produced from a combination of recyclable cardboard and other papers and printed with an eco-friendly ink. PVA glue is used for the construction process, providing a water soluble, non-toxic solution. The aim is to have every component within the finished model made from a sustainable and recyclable resource.

Sales and Marketing Director Kevin Topham says: “The demand from the market place is for good qual ity, fun products.” “There is a big trend towards edu cational and STEM type toys, driven by parents want ing to get their children away from computer screens.” “Our products hit that niche absolutely beautifully.”

As much as Dodoland spends time developing sus tainable toys and collectables for the market, it also gives back to the planet.

“Betterment of the planet is at the heart of what we do and is the prime motivation for the business,” says Topham. “We donate and support lots of conser vation programmes around the world, by partnering with Non-Profit Organisations to support their work in animal and environmental conservation.

Wikki Stix

By Kem Clark

Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie… and Wikki Stix !! What could be more allAmerican than that ? When you buy Wikki Stix, you are buying American.

It’s nice to know there are actually some Americanmade children’s products and Wikki Stix have been made in America since their inception over 31 years ago! Not only Made in America, but using raw materials sourced from American manufacturers from California to Maine.

And, with suppliers close to home, that means they can continue their company policy to ship all orders within 24 hours.

Made of non-toxic wax and hand-knitting yarn, Wikki Stix are a tactile, hands-on children’s activity, colorful, creative and easy to use for ages 3 and up.

The Wikki Stix brand includes prod ucts specific to travel, education, special needs and good old hands-on creative fun, including a new and unique family game and a product directed to the fidget toy craze! MSRP ranges from $3.95 to $21.95, with some items available for custom branding.

Not sold in big box stores, the Wikki Stix line is found in toy stores, craft and hobby stores, specialty gift and accessory stores, as well as educational supply stores and catalogs.

The company’s mission statement includes this line: “To produce a unique and amazing product that will delight, inspire and help to educate children.”

To that they could add: And ship it within 24 hours!

(For more information, visit www.wikkistix.com or circle 62 on the reader service card.)