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THE TOY ASSOCIATION unveiled the 123 finalists for the prestigious 2019 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Known as the Oscars of the toy industry, the TOTY Awards program recognizes the top toy, game, and licenses in the industry, and supports children in need by serving as a critical fundraiser for The Toy Foundation. “If you’re wondering what to get the kids and ‘kidults’ in your life this holiday season, this year’s TOTY finalists are the hottest toys and games on the market. Whether you are looking for a doll, a board game, or the latest youth electronics, you’ll find great gift ideas for children of all ages. Every one of the TOTY finalists has been carefully screened by judges for its outstanding ability to deliver joy and wonder, while facilitating key developmental benefits of play,” says Steve Pasierb, The Toy Association’s president and CEO. “Importantly, the TOTY Awards program supports The Toy Foundation’s important mission focused on serving children in need—whether they are living in foster care, impoverished, deal-
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THE TOY BOOK | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2019 | toybook.com
ing with a traumatic or life-threatening illness, or facing other adversities,” adds Pasierb. More than 200 companies of all sizes submitted more than 550 nominees. Nineteen judges—including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists—reviewed and ranked the products in specific categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a live discussion to determine the finalists in each category. They considered each product’s creativity, design, play value, and marketing. Consumers are also able to vote for their favorite playthings on toyawards.org. One winner in each category—as well as the coveted Toy of the Year award winner and the People’s Choice winner (based solely on consumer votes)—will be announced at the TOTY Awards gala on Friday, Feb. 15 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. The celebration will kick-off the 116th North American International Toy Fair and will include the induction of toy industry trailblazers into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame. »
CONSTRUCTION
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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GRAVITRAX STARTER SET (RAVENSBURGER)
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LEGO HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS GREAT HALL (LEGO)
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LEGO STAR WARS KESSEL RUN MILLENNIUM FALCON (LEGO)
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SNAP CIRCUITS BRIC: STRUCTURES (ELENCO)
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GEARS! GEARS! GEARS! MACHINES IN MOTION (LEARNING RESOURCES)
MARBLEOCITY TRIPLE PLAY « ARCHIMEDES SCREW (PLAYMONSTER) «
GEOSMART FLIP BOT (SMART TOYS AND GAMES)
GAME
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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RELATIVE INSANITY (PLAYMONSTER)
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DISNEY VILLAINOUS GAME BY WONDER FORGE (RAVENSBURGER)
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DR. BISCUITS’ RADICAL ROAD TRIP (GAME NIGHT IN A CAN)
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UNSTABLE UNICORNS (TEETURTLE)
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VOICE ORIGINALS: WHEN IN ROME (SENSIBLE OBJECT)
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FRYIN FLYIN DONUTS (MAYA TOYS)
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MONSTER MATCH (NORTH STAR GAMES)
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LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Great Hall
GeoSmart Flip Bot
INFANT/TODDLER
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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HEXBUG CUDDLEBOTS GARDEN CAROUSEL (HEXBUG)
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KID O HUDSON GLOW RATTLE (PLAYMONSTER)
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SPIKE THE FINE MOTOR HEDGEHOG (LEARNING RESOURCES)
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LEARNING FRIENDS 100 WORDS BOOK (LEAPFROG)
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GRIPPIES SHAKERS—30-PIECE SET (GUIDECRAFT)
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DOLCE BABY AARDVARK (MAGFORMERS)
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FISHER-PRICE LAUGH & LEARN SMART LEARNING HOME (MATTEL) Dolce Baby Aardvark
VEHICLE
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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LEGO TECHNIC BUGATTI CHIRON (LEGO)
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VEX ROBOTICS OFFROAD TRUCK (HEXBUG)
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TERRASECT RC (ALPHA GROUP US)
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RISE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES TURTLE TANK (PLAYMATES TOYS)
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PAW PATROL ULTIMATE RESCUE FIRE TRUCK (SPIN MASTER & NICKELODEON)
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NERF NITRO DOUBLECLUTCH INFERNO BLASTER (HASBRO)
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AUTOMOBLOX BR100 HERCULES (PLAYMONSTER)
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VEX Robotics Offroad Truck
Nerf Nitro DoubleClutch Inferno Blaster
PLAYSET
OF THE YEAR Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 43-inch Epic Sewer Lair Playset
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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LEGO CREATOR EXPERT ROLLER COASTER (LEGO)
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HIDDEN TEMPLE WITH T-REX (PLAYMOBIL)
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RISE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES 43-INCH EPIC SEWER LAIR PLAYSET (PLAYMATES TOYS)
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DISNEY•PIXAR CARS SUPER TRACK MACK PLAYSET (MATTEL)
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L.O.L. SURPRISE! HOUSE (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)
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LEGO JURASSIC WORLD INDORAPTOR RAMPAGE AT LOCKWOOD ESTATE (LEGO)
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FARM TO TABLE PLAY KITCKEN WITH EZ KRAFT ASSEMBLY (KIDKRAFT)
ACTION FIGURE
Hidden Temple with T-Rex
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
RISE OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES DELUXE « NINJA ACTION FIGURE ASSORTMENT (PLAYMATES TOYS)
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TREASURE X (MOOSE TOYS)
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DJ BUMBLEBEE (HASBRO)
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MATTEL JURASSIC WORLD DINOSAUR ACTION FIGURES (MATTEL)
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STIKBOT MONSTERS (ZING)
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WWE SOUND SLAMMERS FIGURES (MATTEL)
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POKÉMON 4.5-INCH BATTLE FEATURE FIGURES (WICKED COOL TOYS)
Pokémon 4.5-inch Battle Feature Figures
Stikbot Monsters
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PRESCHOOL
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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LITTLE TIKES STEM JR. WONDER LAB (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)
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FISHER-PRICE THINK & LEARN ROCKTOPUS (MATTEL)
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DISNEY JUNIOR DOC MCSTUFFINS PET RESCUE MOBILE (JUST PLAY)
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POP OH VER STOVE SET (KANGAROO MANUFACTURING)
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KID TRAX RIDEAMALS SCOUT (KID TRAX)
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LEGO DUPLO STEAM TRAIN (LEGO)
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DESIGN & DRILL SEE THROUGH CREATIVE WORKSHOP (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)
Design & Drill See Through Creative Workshop
Kid Trax Rideamals Scout
ROOKIE
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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TURING TUMBLE (TURING TUMBLE)
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OLLYBALL—THE ULTIMATE INDOOR PLAY BALL! (VICTURY SPORTS)
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TIC TAC TONGUE (YULU)
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MATCH THE BABY PUZZLES (BANANA PANDA)
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MONSTERS LOCK BOX (TENDER LEAF TOYS)
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WHAT THE FILM?! (LETHAL CHICKEN GAMES)
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MASSIVE MONSTER MAYHEM BASH WEAPONS (ALPHA GROUP US) Massive Monster Mayhem Bash Weapons
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PLUSH
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
« POMSIES (SKYROCKET) « SCRUFF-A-LUVS (MOOSE TOYS) « FINGERLINGS HUGS (WOWWEE) « DOLCE AFGHAN HOUND (MAGFORMERS) « RESCUE RUNTS (KD KIDS) «
STAR WARS ULTIMATE CO-PILOT CHEWIE (HASBRO)
«
GUND FLORA BUNNY ANIMATED PLUSH (SPIN MASTER)
« RAINBOCORNS (ZURU)
SPECIALTY
Fingerlings Hugs
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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LEGO HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS CASTLE (LEGO)
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MARBLES OTRIO (SPIN MASTER)
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HEXBUG RING RACER (HEXBUG)
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CHICKAPIG (BUFFALO GAMES)
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LEGO STAR WARS BETRAYAL AT CLOUD CITY (LEGO)
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PEPPER MINT IN THE GREAT TREEHOUSE ENGINEERING ADVENTURE (THAMES & KOSMOS)
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GUND SUPER PUSHEENICORN (SPIN MASTER)
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GEOSAFARI JR. TALKING TELESCOPE (EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS)
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Gund Super Pusheenicorn
TECH
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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HARRY POTTER KANO CODING KIT (KANO)
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CREATIVE CODER (TECH WILL SAVE US)
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KIDS FIRST CODING & ROBOTICS (THAMES & KOSMOS)
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LEAPSTART 3D LEARNING SYSTEM (LEAPFROG)
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REALLY RAD ROBOTS: MIBRO (MOOSE TOYS)
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ARCADE1UP (TASTEMAKERS LLC)
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VEX BALANCING BOXING BOT 2-PACK (HEXBUG) Arcade1Up
DOLL
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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HAIRDORABLES (JUST PLAY)
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L.O.L. SURPRISE! EYE SPY SERIES UNDER WRAPS (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)
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DREAMWORKS SPIRIT RIDING FREE DELUXE SPIRIT WALKING HORSE (JUST PLAY)
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BARBIE ROBOTICS ENGINEER DOLL (MATTEL)
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BARBIE IBTIHAJ MUHAMMAD DOLL (MATTEL)
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MY FRIEND FANCY NANCY DOLL (JAKKS PACIFIC)
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CRY BABIES (IMC TOYS)
My Friend Fancy Nancy Doll
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LICENSE
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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JURASSIC WORLD FALLEN KINGDOM (LEGO)
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L.O.L. SURPRISE! (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)
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MARVEL BLACK PANTHER (THE WALT DISNEY CO.)
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HOT WHEELS (MATTEL)
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HATCHIMALS (SPIN MASTER)
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PEPPA PIG (ENTERTAINMENT ONE)
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PJ MASKS (ENTERTAINMENT ONE)
LEGO Jurassic World Indoraptor Rampage at Lockwood Estate
L.O.L. Surprise! Eye Spy Series
Peppa Pig Transforming Campervan
PJ Masks Super Moon Adventure HQ Rocket
HatchiBabies
Imagine by Rubie’s Black Panther 2-in-1 Reversible Costume Top Set Hot Wheels Ultimate Gator Car Wash Play Set
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COLLECTIBLE
OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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L.O.L. SURPRISE! EYE SPY SERIES (MGA ENTERTAINMENT)
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LEGO HARRY POTTER AND FANTASTIC BEASTS MINIFIGURE SERIES (LEGO)
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TWISTY PETZ (SPIN MASTER)
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BEAKER CREATURES (LEARNING RESOURCES)
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DISNEY DOORABLES (MOOSE TOYS)
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POLLY POCKET (MATTEL)
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PIKMI POPS: PIKMI FLIPS (MOOSE TOYS)
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LOST KITTIES BLIND BOX MULTI-PACK ASSORTMENT (HASBRO)
CREATIVE
TOY 0F THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE:
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AVENGERS HERO INVENTOR KIT (LITTLEBITS)
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COOL MAKER KUMIKREATOR (SPIN MASTER)
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ANTSY PANTS BUILD & PLAY KITS (BEACH HOUSE GROUP)
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THE BIG ENGINEERING MAKERSPACE (THAMES & KOSMOS)
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SEW + GLOW (TECH WILL SAVE US)
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BUILDING BRICKS PLAY ‘N STORE TABLE (KIDKRAFT)
«
ROCK AND ROLL IT SPECTRUM DRUM (MUKIKIM)
Antsy Pants Build & Play Kits
Building Bricks Play ‘N Store Table
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INNOVATIVE
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE: Mystery Flying Snitch
«
LEGEND KIT BY INFENTO (INFENTO)
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BOTLEY THE CODING ROBOT ACTIVITY SET (LEARNING RESOURCES)
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MYSTERY FLYING SNITCH (WOW! STUFF)
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HARRY POTTER WIZARD TRAINING WANDS (JAKKS PACIFIC)
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SENSORS ALIVE: BRING PHYSICS TO LIFE! (THAMES & KOSMOS)
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MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES INFINITY GAUNTLET ARTICULATED ELECTRONIC FIST (HASBRO)
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K’NEX THRILL RIDES: BIONIC BLAST ROLLER COASTER BUILDING SET (K’NEX, A DIVISION OF BASIC FUN!)
K’NEX Thrill Rides: Bionic Blast Roller Coaster Building Set
OUTDOOR
TOY OF THE YEAR
NOMINEES INCLUDE: X-Shot Flying Bug Attack
Razor Turbo Jetts Electric Heel Wheels
«
ROLLPLAY NIGHTHAWK RIDE-ON (ROLLPLAY)
«
MORFBOARD (JAKKS PACIFIC)
«
WATERMELON SMASH (YULU)
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X-SHOT FLYING BUG ATTACK (ZURU)
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RAZOR TURBO JETTS ELECTRIC HEEL WHEELS (RAZOR USA)
«
NICKELODEON AUTOMATIC SLIME DRENCHER (JAKKS PACIFIC)
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GLOVE-A-BUBBLES (ZING)
2018 | THE TOY BOOK toybook.com | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2019
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