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IN THIS ISSUE Toy of the Year Awards 2022 Volume 37, No. 6
SPECIAL FEATURES 10
14
16
18
56
64
BRIAN GOLDNER MEMORIAM
TOTY NOMINEES BY CATEGORY
24
ACTION FIGURE
26
COLLECTIBLE
28
CONSTRUCTION
30
CREATIVE
The Toy Association unveiled 114 toy and game finalists for the 2022 Toy of the Year Awards.
32
DOLL
THE TOTYs ARE BACK IN PERSON!
34
GAME
36
GROWN-UP
FLASHBACK: TOTY AWARDS 2001
38
INFANT/TODDLER
An epic throwback to the 2001 Toy of the Year winners.
40
LICENSE
TOY INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
42
OUTDOOR
44
PLAYSET
46
PLUSH
48
PRESCHOOL
50
SPECIALTY
52
STEAM
54
VEHICLE
Remembering a Toy Industry Legend
FROM THE EDITOR We’ve played all year long, and now it’s time to vote for your favorite toys!
AND THE NOMINEES ARE...
The awards show will spotlight the toy industry’s outstanding products, people, and charitable giving.
The Association honors four trailblazers who will be inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame.
THE TOY BOOK Volume 37, No. 6 THE TOY BOOK (ISSN-0885-3991) is published bi-monthly by Adventure Media and Events LLC. Editorial and advertising offices are located at 307 Seventh Ave., Room 501, New York, NY 10001, Phone (212) 575-4510. Periodicals Postage paid at New York and additional mailing offices. Copyright © 2020 Adventure Media and Events LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in USA. THE TOY BOOK is a trademark of Adventure Media and Events LLC. Registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Postmaster: Send address changes to: THE TOY BOOK, c/o Adventure Media and Events, 307 Seventh Ave., Room 501, New York, NY 10001 or e-mail bill@toybook.com.
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THE TOY INDUSTRY REMEMBERS
BRIAN GOLDNER “The toy community suffered a tremendous loss with Brian Goldner’s passing. The impact he had on the toy, game, and entertainment industries, for which he was a true leader and visionary, is immeasurable. We extend our deepest sympathies to Brian’s wife, daughter, and family, and the entire Hasbro team.” — The Adventure Media & Events Team “It’s not possible to string together enough accolades to describe the incredible journey Hasbro has been on these past 13 years or all of Brian Goldner’s impacts and accomplishments during his career. Brian was a transformative leader who focused on creating an impactful future, an innovative marketer, a persuasive spokesperson, and a tireless advocate for the toy, play, and entertainment industries. Our staff and board members, like countless others across the toy and play community, continue to hold Brian’s family and the Hasbro team close in our daily thoughts.” — Steve Pasierb, The Toy Association “The Spin Master team was terribly sad to hear about the passing of Brian Goldner. Brian was a true visionary, a fierce competitor, and a brilliant man. His passing is a tremendous loss. We want to express our sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues at Hasbro. He was a true toy legend.” — The Spin Master Team “On behalf of everyone at WowWee, we want to extend our deepest sympathies to the Goldner and Hasbro families. For those who had the pleasure to know and work with Brian, it was clear that he understood and ‘got’ everything. His sunny disposition and positive attitude were always a reflection of hope and decency. I know he will be missed by many.” — Richard Yanofsky, WowWee “We’re a small company compared to the huge businesses in this industry, and it’s all the more measure of the man that he took time to talk and work with us.” — Richard North, Wow! Stuff “I had the privilege of meeting Brian a handful of times while working with extraordinary individuals across Hasbro. In those meetings, I saw how Brian’s leadership inspired his organization to be their absolute best. Condolences to Brian’s wife, daughter, and the entire Hasbro family.” — Kelly Thacker, The NPD Group “Brian’s contributions and achievements live on in the many members of the toy industry that he impacted, including his friends at Bandai. We will forever cherish our time with him and wish him eternal peace.” — The Bandai America Inc. Team
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COMMEMORATING THE BEST TOYS OF THE YEAR! by MADDIE MICHALIK, editor-in-chief
IT’S THAT POINT OF THE HOLIDAY
season when we all look at each other and wonder, “Where did the time go?” Before we know it, we’ll be decking the halls and raising a glass to the new year. And that also means ‘tis the season to vote for the Toy of the Year Awards! This very special issue of the Toy Book honors all of the wonderful toys and games that have been putting giant smiles on kids’ faces all year long. Flip through the pages and you’ll find every toy and license that is up for a TOTY Award. Then, scan the QR code on each page to take you directly to the ballot for each category. Make sure to cast your vote on toyawards.org — the industry is counting on you! We have so much more inside this issue! On page 18, The Toy Association’s Kristen
Morency Goldman highlights the meaningful impact that the TOTY Awards has on The Toy Foundation’s philanthropic efforts. The Foundation will take center stage as the industry-wide charity event of the awards, benefiting millions of kids and families. Turn to page 56 for an epic throwback to the 2001 TOTY Awards, then flip to page 64 to honor the four trailblazers who will be inducted into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame this year. This past October, the industry suffered a tremendous loss when Chairman and CEO of Hasbro Brian Goldner died at 58 years old. Starting on page 10, several members of the industry came together to honor his legacy and to remember the impact he had on our toy community. I sincerely hope you enjoy this edition of the Toy Book. I don’t know about you, but I’m buzzing with excitement about reuniting in person again at Toy Fair New York after so long. Have a merry and bright holiday season, and see you in February for a whole new year of toys! » Maddie Michalik is the editorin-chief of the Toy Book and senior editor of the Toy Insider and the Pop Insider. She reports on new products and toy industry trends and has been featured on broadcast TV segments in the U.S. and Canada. Reach her at maddie@toybook.com.
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AND THE NOMINEES ARE... THE TOY FOUNDATION UNVEILED 114 toy and game finalists for the prestigious 2022 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Known as the Oscars of the toy industry, the TOTY Awards program recognizes the top playthings on the market — from educational toys that make at-home learning fun to creative crafts, board games, and innovative toys the whole family can enjoy together, and more. The program is also a vital fundraiser for The Toy Foundation, which annually delivers toys to millions of kids in need. Play-lovers of all ages can vote for their favorite playthings in each of the 16 categories — including the new GrownUp Toy of the Year category, representing toys for “kidults” — through Jan. 4 at toyawards.org. They can also browse toys, download shopping lists for the holidays, and enter for a chance to win the winning toy in each category. Voters can also visit the toybook.com homepage to browse through the nominees. “Each and every finalist announced demonstrates the incredible ability of toys and play to bring inspiration, laughter, and
learning to children of all ages,” says Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “We congratulate the outstanding finalists and look forward to announcing the winners in each category, as well as the coveted overall Toy of the Year winner and People’s Choice honoree, at our gala in February. As the most critical annual fundraiser for The Toy Foundation, that night will be especially meaningful for the toy community, with 100% of the gala’s proceeds benefiting programs that deliver toys, funds, and the healing power of play to children in need.” The finalists were selected from 623 nominees. Twenty-three judges, including toy and play experts, retailers, academics, and journalists, reviewed and ranked the products in categories relevant to their areas of expertise. The judges then participated in a discussion to determine the finalists in each category. They considered each product’s creativity, design, and play value. Winners in each category, as well as the coveted overall Toy of the Year and the People’s Choice winners (based solely on consumer votes), will be revealed at The Toy Foundation’s TOTY Awards gala to kick off Toy Fair New York on Friday, Feb. 18. »
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TOTYs SPOTLIGHT TOY COMMUNITY’S OUTSTANDING PRODUCTS, PEOPLE, AND CHARITABLE GIVING The Toy Foundation welcomes the industry back to celebrate all things play at the Toy of the Year Awards! by KRISTIN MORENCY GOLDMAN, senior communications specialist, The Toy Association
THE TOY OF THE YEAR (TOTY) Awards, always an anticipated event, is promising to be especially meaningful this year as The Toy Foundation takes center stage as the official, industry-wide charity of the esteemed awards. The TOTYs have long supported the philanthropic work of The Toy Foundation as its most important fundraising event, however, that message hasn’t always been clear. Moving forward, the goal is to ensure that all those who know the awards well also realize that in addition to celebrating toys and play, the TOTYs are a critical Toy Foundation fundraiser that benefits millions of vulnerable children and families. “While the fanfare and prestige associated with the TOTYs is great fun for our industry, it’s important to know that 100 percent of the program’s proceeds — from nomination fees, to TOTY seals, to gala tickets, to sponsorships — finan-
cially support The Toy Foundation in its mission of delivering the magic of play to vulnerable children through industry-wide toy donations and cash contributions,” says Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation. “Promotions throughout TOTY voting season, and the event itself, in turn shine a spotlight on the toy industry’s deep generosity and history of charitable giving.” Known as the Oscars of the toy industry, the TOTY awards have been presented annually to the top toys, games, and properties in the marketplace for the past 22 years. Each February, on the night before Toy Fair New York opens, it’s a beloved tradition for the toy and play industry to gather and honor creative playthings of all kinds from companies of all sizes. The gala also celebrates the latest inductees into the revered Toy Industry Hall of Fame. At this year’s TOTY ceremony, to
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be held on Feb. 18, 2022 at the Marriot Marquis in New York City, winners will be announced in 16 categories of play — including a brand-new category, Grown-Up Toy of the Year, which was added to account for the growing trend in toys catering to “kidult” (teen/ adult) consumers. A winner will also be announced for the People’s Choice award (based solely on consumer votes) and, of course, the overall Toy of the Year title will be bestowed on the single most-outstanding toy across every category of play. Funds raised for The Toy Foundation will help expand programs benefiting
children in need, including a Foundation partnership with the Children’s Hospital Association that awards cash grants to children’s hospitals across the country, enabling these institutions to create new and improved playrooms and patient-care training programs, and offer additional resources to comfort pediatric patients and their families. Next year, the Foundation will also create a fundraising program to continue to support children’s hospitals serving vulnerable communities and those in pediatric healthcare worker shortages. Each hospital will also get new, single-use toys. The Foundation is also committed
Toy of the Year Awards at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on Feb. 21, 2020 Source: The Toy Association
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Funds raised for The Toy Foundation will help expand programs benefiting children in need, including a Foundation partnership with the Children’s Hospital Association that awards cash grants to children’s hospitals across the country ...
to fostering diversity and inclusion (D&I) programs across the toy industry, with a program in place that is specifically directed to advance D&I. The Toy Foundation intends to fund internships and programs designed to help the toy industry foster an inclusive culture that welcomes all, and all funds raised through the TOTYs will help accomplish that. Companies that wish to get involved and raise money for the Foundation through the TOTY awards are encouraged to reach out to Elizabeth Max (emax@toyfoundation.org) to learn how to reserve ad space in the 2022 Tribute Book, the official event program for the TOTY ceremony. Event sponsorship opportunities are also available, as are other opportunities for donating to charities and communities in need, via The Toy Foundation. The 22nd annual Toy of the Year Awards will take place Friday, Feb. 18 at the Marriott Marquis New York. Ticketing information is available at totyawards.org. To view and vote on this year’s finalists, visit toyawards.org. »
More information about The Toy Foundation is available at toyfoundation.org.
As The Toy Association’s senior communications specialist, Kristin Morency Goldman leads the development of content for its print and online communications. Her articles on toy trends, toy safety, and industry news can be found in trade and consumer publications around the world. She holds a master’s degree in media, culture, and communications from New York University.
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ACTION FIGURE of the Year
BAKUGAN GEOFORGE DRAGONOID SPIN MASTER
JURASSIC WORLD OCEAN PROTECTOR MOSASAURUS MATTEL
AKEDO – ULTIMATE ARCADE WARRIORS MOOSE TOYS
MARVEL AVENGERS MECH STRIKE 8-INCH SUPER HERO ACTION FIGURE – ULTIMATE MECH SUIT IRON MAN AND CAPTAIN AMERICA HASBRO
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: MASTERVERSE
MATTEL
STAR WARS GALACTIC SNACKIN’ GROGU HASBRO
HEROES OF GOO JIT ZU MOOSE TOYS
Scan here to vote for Action Figure of the Year!
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COLLECTIBLE of the Year
5 SURPRISE TOY MINI BRANDS ZURU
LEGO MINIFIGURES MARVEL STUDIOS THE LEGO GROUP
CHUCKLE & ROAR POP IT! FAMILY BUFFALO GAMES
GOT2GLOW FAIRY FINDER WOWWEE
POLLY POCKET COMPACTS — POCKET WORLD ASSORTMENT MATTEL FUNKO POP! STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES COLLECTION FUNKO
HOT WHEELS RED LINE CLUB MATTEL
Scan here to vote for Collectible of the Year!
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CONSTRUCTION Toy of the Year
ARCKIT 100 ARCKIT
ZIG & GO MUSIC DJECO-US
LEGO SPIDER-MAN DAILY BUGLE THE LEGO GROUP
GEARS! GEARS! GEARS! MEGA BUILDS LEARNING RESOURCES
SNAP CIRCUITS MYHOME ELENCO GRAVITY BUGS: FREE-CLIMBING MICROBOT THAMES & KOSMOS
LEGO FRIENDS HEARTLAKE CITY GRAND HOTEL THE LEGO GROUP
Scan here to vote for Construction Toy of the Year!
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CREATIVE Toy of the Year
PIXICADE PLUS BITOGENIUS INC.
CONNETIX 100-PIECE RAINBOW CREATIVE PACK CONNETIX TILES
MAGIC MIXIES MAGIC CAULDRON MOOSE TOYS
PAINT & PEEL JELLY STICKERS KLUTZ
HEY CLAY TRENDFORMER LTD.
FOLLIES FOLLIES
LEGO VIDIYO THE BOOMBOX THE LEGO GROUP
Scan here to vote for Creative Toy of the Year!
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FOR:
CLICK HERE TO
E CREATIV F TOY O THE YEAR!
ideo Games!
Own V r u o Y y la P & te Crea
Draw your game on paper or ANY white surface!
Click Here
to watch our video
YOUR game!
Then SHARE with friends in the PixicadeTM Arcade 00 Create 20
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DOLL
of the Year
GLO-UP GIRLS FAR OUT TOYS
BARBIE EXTRA MATTEL
BABY BEE DOLL COLLECTION ORIJIN BEES
DISNEY CLASSIC DOLLS THE WALT DISNEY CO. SPIRIT UNTAMED RIDE TOGETHER LUCKY & SPIRIT MATTEL
BABY ALIVE LULU ACHOO ASSORTMENT HASBRO
ADA TWIST, SCIENTIST LAB DOLL JUST PLAY
RAINBOW HIGH WINTER BREAK FASHION DOLLS MGA ENTERTAINMENT
Scan here to vote for Doll of the Year!
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GAME
of the Year
CROSSED SIGNALS MATTEL
A GAME OF CAT & MOUTH EXPLODING KITTENS
GIBGAB FAT BRAIN TOY CO. DISNEY IT’S A SMALL WORLD GAME FUNKO GAMES
MONOPOLY BUILDER HASBRO
MARVEL VILLAINOUS RAVENSBURGER
HEDBANZ BLAST OFF! SPIN MASTER
Scan here to vote for Game of the Year!
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GROWN-UP Toy of the Year
DISNEY CASTLE COLLECTION THE WALT DISNEY CO.
LEGO BOTANICAL COLLECTION FLOWER BOUQUET THE LEGO GROUP
EXIT: THE GAME SEASON 5 BUNDLE THAMES & KOSMOS
KINETIC SAND KINETIC KALM ZEN BOX SPIN MASTER
THE GOONIES: NEVER SAY DIE FUNKO GAMES
HOT WHEELS R/C 1:10 TESLA CYBERTRUCK
MATTEL
RAMBLER 16 RAZOR
THE BEATLES COLLECTION MAGNA-TILES STRUCTURES CREATEON
Scan here to vote for Grown-Up Toy of the Year!
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INFANT/ TODDLER
Toy of the Year
LEAPFROG CHOPPIN’ FUN LEARNING POT LEAPFROG
SPIROKU FAT BRAIN TOY CO.
CLASSIC PUSH & PLAY WALKER RADIO FLYER MUSICAL WHALE FOUNTAIN HAPE
CRAYOLA LIGHT-UP ACTIVITY BOARD CRAYOLA FISHER-PRICE 4-IN-1 ULTIMATE LEARNING BOT MATTEL
VTECH SORT & RECYCLE RIDE-ON TRUCK VTECH
Scan here to vote for Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year!
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LICENSE of the Year
BLUEY BBC STUDIOS BLUE’S CLUES & YOU! VIACOMCBS
MARVEL’S SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS MARVEL
PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE SPIN MASTER, VIACOMCBS
BARBIE MATTEL
MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE MATTEL
POKÉMON THE POKÉMON CO. INTERNATIONAL
Scan here to vote for License of the Year!
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OUTDOOR Toy of the Year
DISNEY PRINCESS CINDERELLA 24V CARRIAGE DYNACRAFT
KIDKRAFT NERF COMMAND BASE BATTLE FORT KIDKRAFT
AEROBIE SONIC FIN FOOTBALL SPIN MASTER
MOBO WOBO 2-IN-1 ROCKING BABY BALANCE BIKE ASA PRODUCTS
STEP2 SAFARI TRUCK CLIMBER STEP2 CO.
CRAZY BUNCH O BALLOONS ZURU
FISHER-PRICE POWER WHEELS HOT WHEELS RACER MATTEL
Scan here to vote for Outdoor Toy of the Year!
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PLAYSET of the Year
BATMAN BAT-TECH BATCAVE TRANSFORMING PLAYSET SPIN MASTER
BARBIE DREAMHOUSE MATTEL
JUNKBOTS LARGE FACTORY HABITAT – NEW PORT POWER PLANT HEXBUG DISNEY PRINCESS ULTIMATE CELEBRATION CASTLE HASBRO
LEGO SUPER MARIO ADVENTURES WITH LUIGI STARTER COURSE THE LEGO GROUP
LEGO STAR WARS BOBA FETT’S STARSHIP THE LEGO GROUP
SUPER MARIO DELUXE BOWSER’S AIRSHIP PLAYSET JAKKS PACIFIC
Scan here to vote for Playset of the Year!
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PLUSH
Toy of the Year
MOJI THE LOVABLE LABRADOODLE SKYROCKET
BLUE’S CLUES & YOU! CHECK-UP TIME BLUE JUST PLAY
SQUISHMALLOWS JAZWARES TEETURTLE REVERSIBLE PLUSHIES TEETURTLE
SCRUFF-A-LUVS CUTIE CUTS MOOSE TOYS STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN THE CHILD REAL MOVES PLUSH MATTEL
RAINBOCORNS FAIRYCORNS ZURU
Scan here to vote for Plush Toy of the Year!
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PRESCHOOL Toy of the Year
LAND OF DOUGH CRAZY AARON’S
FISHER-PRICE B.B. HOOPSTER MATTEL
LEAPFROG LEAPLAND ADVENTURES LEAPFROG
BIG FEELINGS PINEAPPLE LEARNING RESOURCES
TONIES TONIES
LEGO DISNEY ARIEL, BELLE, CINDERELLA, AND TIANA’S STORYBOOK ADVENTURES THE LEGO GROUP
VTECH KIDIZOOM PRINTCAM VTECH
Scan here to vote for Preschool Toy of the Year!
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SPECIALTY Toy of the Year
DIMPL POPS DELUXE FAT BRAIN TOY CO.
AMERICAN GIRL 35TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION DOLLS, BOOKS & ACCESSORIES MATTEL
LEGO EVERYONE IS AWESOME THE LEGO GROUP
HIDE INSIDE: MIXED EMOTIONS CRAZY AARON’S
SHASHIBO EXPLORER SERIES FUN IN MOTION TOYS
ANN WILLIAMS LOOPDEDOO DELUXE PLAYMONSTER
SNAP CIRCUITS DISCOVER CODING ELENCO
Scan here to vote for Specialty Toy of the Year!
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STEAM
Toy of the Year
CANDY CLAW MACHINE: ARCADE GAME MAKER LAB THAMES & KOSMOS
VTECH MARBLE RUSH ULTIMATE SET VTECH
BILL NYE’S VR SPACE LAB ABACUS BRANDS SMARTIVITY PINBALL MACHINE ELENCO
GRAVITRAX SPEED SET RAVENSBURGER
LEGO CREATOR 3-IN-1 FERRIS WHEEL THE LEGO GROUP
GRIDOPOLIS GRIDOPOLIS GAMES
Scan here to vote for STEAM Toy of the Year!
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VEHICLE of the Year
AIR HOGS JUMP FURY SPIN MASTER
BUMBLEBEE CYBERVERSE ADVENTURES DINOBOTS UNITE ROLL N’ CHANGE BUMBLEBEE HASBRO
PLAYMOBIL VOLKSWAGEN T1 CAMPING BUS PLAYMOBIL VTECH SWITCH & GO VELOCIRAPTOR JET VTECH
PAW PATROL: THE MOVIE CHASE’S TRANSFORMING CITY CRUISER SPIN MASTER
HOT WHEELS COLOR REVEAL MATTEL
LEGO CREATOR EXPERT PORCHE 911 THE LEGO GROUP
Scan here to vote for Vehicle of the Year!
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FLASHBACK
TOTY AWARDS 2001
PEOPLE’S CHOICE TOY OF THE YEAR WINNER:
BRATZ MGA ENTERTAINMENT
WINNER:
ACTIVITY TOY OF THE YEAR
LEGO HARRY POTTER HOGWARTS CASTLE LEGO SYSTEMS OTHER NOMINEES: PIXTER (FISHER-PRICE) LINCOLN LOGS (K’NEX) HARRY POTTER PROFESSOR SNAPE’S POTIONS CLASS EDIBLE ACTIVITY SETS (MATTEL) INCREDIBLE SHRINKY DINKS MAKER (SPIN MASTER)
WINNER:
BOY TOY OF THE YEAR
BIONICLE LEGO SYSTEMS OTHER NOMINEES: BEYBLADE (HASBRO) BIONICLE TOA NUVA (LEGO SYSTEMS) KG RACER AUTOMITES (KID GALAXY) OCTOBLAST TRACK SET (MATTEL)
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WINNER:
EDUCATIONAL TOY OF THE YEAR
MY FIRST LEAPPAD LEAPFROG OTHER NOMINEES: ABC TALKING POSTER (FISHER-PRICE) KIDS AROUND THE WORLD (FISHER-PRICE) SOLAR CAR BOOK (KLUTZ) TURBO TWIST LINE (TURBOTWIST)
WINNER:
GAME OF THE YEAR
CRANIUM CRANIUM INC. OTHER NOMINEES: GAMEBOY ADVANCE (NINTENDO) GAMECUBE (NINTENDO) HARRY POTTER LEVITATING CHALLENGE (MATTEL) XBOX (MICROSOFT)
WINNER:
GIRL TOY OF THE YEAR
E-KARA HASBRO OTHER NOMINEES: BARBIE IN THE NUTCRACKER (MATTEL) BRATZ (MGA ENTERTAINMENT) GROOVY GIRLS (MANHATTAN TOY CO.) WHAT’S HER FACE (MATTEL)
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TOTY AWARDS 2001 WINNER:
INFANT/PRESCHOOL TOY OF THE YEAR
RESCUE HEROES FISHER-PRICE OTHER NOMINEES: BOB THE BUILDER ELECTRONIC TALKING SCOOP (HASBRO) JUMBO MUSIC BLOCK (NEUROSMITH) LAMAZE OCTOTUNES (LEARNING CURVE) TICKLE ME ELMO SURPRISE (FISHER-PRICE)
INNOVATIVE TOY OF THE YEAR
WINNER: BIONICLE LEGO SYSTEMS OTHER NOMINEES: E-KARA (HASBRO)
IQUEST WITH MINDSTATION (LEAPFROG) PIXTER (FISHER-PRICE) WHAT’S HER FACE (MATTEL)
WINNER:
SPRING/SUMMER TOY OF THE YEAR
STREET FLYERS RETRACTABLE IN-LINE SKATES STREET FLYERS LLC OTHER NOMINEES: RAZOR AIRGO (RAZOR USA) SATURNIAN GRIPPER (SATURNIAN) SLIP AND SLIDE (WHAM-O) THE STORM TRENDMASTERS (MANHATTAN TOY CO.)
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WINNER:
SPECIALTY TOY OF THE YEAR
SPY LINE WILD PLANET TOYS OTHER NOMINEES: BOB THE BUILDER (BRIO) GROOVY GIRLS (MANHATTAN TOY CO.) MAKE YOUR OWN SMACKERS LIP BALM (FABER-CASTELL) MAGZ (PROGRESSIVE TRADING CO.)
WINNER:
LICENSED TOY OF THE YEAR
BOB THE BUILDER ELECTRONIC TALKING SCOOP HASBRO OTHER NOMINEES: LEGO SYSTEMS (LEGO SYSTEMS) HARRY POTTER (LEGO SYSTEMS) HARRY POTTER PROFESSOR SNAPE’S POTIONS CLASS EDIBLE ACTIVITY SETS (MATTEL) MONSTERS INC. GLOWING BEDTIME SULLY (HASBRO) R/C TONY HAWK SKATEBOARD (MATTEL)
BEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR SPECIALTY RETAILER OF THE YEAR WINNER: FAO SCHWARZ OTHER NOMINEES:
MASS RETAILER OF THE YEAR WINNER: TARGET OTHER NOMINEES:
CREATIVE KIDSSTUFF
KBTOYS.COM/ETOYS
KAZOO TOYS
TOYS “R” US
LEARNING EXPRESS
TOYS “R” US/ AMAZON.COM
PLAYNIX
WAL-MART
WINNER: TOYS “R” US OTHER NOMINEES: LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY (LEAPFROG) THOMAS AND FRIENDS WOODEN TRAILWAY SURPRISE (LEARNING CURVE) BIONICLE (LEGO SYSTEMS) BARBIE IN THE NUTCRACKER (MATTEL)
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TOY INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME 2021 Inductees
JIM PRESSMAN | PRESSMAN TOY CORP.
Jim Pressman began his career at Pressman Toy Corp. in 1971, became president in 1979, and ran the company for 35 years before selling it in 2014. Under his direction, Pressman Toy was a pioneer of licensing and one of the first to promote board games with TV advertising. It was also among the first toy companies to bring TV game shows to market as board games — including Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, and Double Dare — creating a new genre of games and changing the way millions of Americans experienced game shows. A believer in U.S. manufacturing, Pressman manufactured its products in New Jersey for 30 years until pricing was no longer competitive and, upon moving production to China, was diligent about making products only with factories that had the highest quality and practice standards. He was a longtime supporter of The Toy Association, serving on the executive committee and additional committees for more than a decade. Pressman is known in the industry for always “doing the right thing.”
BOB WANN | PLAYMONSTER
With a career in the toy industry spanning more than 40 years, Bob Wann possesses a strong instinct for product, a passion for the industry, and exemplary leadership skills. Wann has led and overseen the growth and global expansion of some of the best-known brands in the industry, including NERF, Care Bears, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, Pictionary, Clue, and Spirograph. More recently, Wann led the expansion of Patch Products from a small games company to the award-winning, multicategory PlayMonster business, which he continues to grow exponentially in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, he has worked tirelessly for the advancement of the toy industry and the power of play, serving for more than 10 years on The Toy Association Board of Directors; serving eight years on the executive committee as chairman, vice chairman, secretary, and treasurer; and seven years as the chair and host of PlayCon. Additionally, Wann has elevated charitable work within the toy industry by working with The Toy Foundation. Information provided by The Toy Association
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TOY INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME 2021 Inductees
JOHNNY GRUELLE | RAGGEDY ANN & ANDY
The son of a self-taught portrait and landscape painter, Johnny Gruelle grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. When he was 19, he began work as an illustrator and eventually as a cartoonist for a series of newspapers. A growing awareness of the market for commercial playthings inspired Gruelle to apply for a design patent in 1915 for a cloth doll he called Raggedy Ann. Gruelle then proceeded to produce enough handmade Raggedy Ann dolls to trademark the logo “Raggedy Ann.” In 1918, Chicago publisher P. F. Volland released the first volume of Raggedy Ann tales by Gruelle. The cover of the book showed front and back views of a Raggedy Ann doll, which Volland also manufactured. In 1920, Raggedy Ann’s brother made his debut in the Raggedy Andy Stories and joined his sister as a doll on toy store shelves. Gruelle went on to write and illustrate 25 books about his red-headed dolls. He created a model of media products, toys, and dolls that all supported one another and enjoyed dramatic and prolonged success with the American public.
LUCILLE KING | PLAYSKOOL INSTITUTE
A retired schoolteacher in Wisconsin, Lucille King came up with a design concept for durable wooden block toys to be used in the classroom. In 1928, while working for the John Schroeder Lumber Co., King and her colleague brought the design ideas for wooden toys to the lumber company’s management. As a result, the Playskool Institute was established by King as a subdivision of the John Schroeder Lumber Co., bearing the slogan “Learning While Playing.” Within two years, the company was producing 40 different toys, including a pounding bench, wooden beads and blocks, a table-mounted sandbox, a pegboard, and others that were advertised as “Playthings with a Purpose.” As early as 1930, Playskool’s toys were endorsed by child guidance experts. King invested most of her life into trying to enrich the lives of American children. Her contributions to the toy industry were compounded when the company was sold to Hasbro, who built it into a leading preschool tactile learning company for 93 years. Information provided by The Toy Association
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