Archive for July, 2008

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Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince buzz

Thursday, July 31st, 2008

It may not be slated for release until November 21st, but you’d better believe that the dedicated J.K. Rowling fans of the world are chomping at the bit in anticipation of the 6th Harry Potter movie—Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Yesterday’s release of the first official trailer just about blew the lid off of the internet. You probably heard a popping sound and didn’t know what it was, in fact. Allow me to clarify: It was Potter-mania.

But if you haven’t seen the trailer, you may be about to come down with a case of it, yourself. Check it out:

If you’re a Potter fan, you can’t watch that and tell me you’re not wishing it was November right now. C’mon. Don’t even try lying to me; I’m a trained mother and I can spot these things a mile away.

(For a really interesting time, go read the MTV Movie News dissection of the trailer. Those are some serious Potterphiles, right there.)

And then… get ready. Only 113 days left!

Shop the Harry Potter store at Ty’s Toy Box!

Posted in Harry Potter, Movies | 1 Comment »

Cookie Jar’s growing berry big

Wednesday, July 30th, 2008

I remember thinking that “Cookie Jar” was a great name for a company dealing in kids’ entertainment. Cute, but not cloying. Evoking pleasant visions of a small treat. Perfect!

And, of course, I encountered them right here at Ty’s Toy Box, because Cookie Jar was becoming a household name on account of a little property know as The Doodlebops. Remember them? (Oh, I’m so funny.) And then, of course, they also own Caillou.

So it’s not that Cookie Jar wasn’t a real player, before now. Merely that they were… smallish. Maybe medium. But that’s all about to change. Not only is Cookie Jar merging with DIC Entertainment, now they’re acquiring some American Greetings properties as well:

[T]he children’s entertainment company will acquire AG’s evergreen properties Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears and Sushi Pack for $195 million.

As someone close to this decision might say, that’s a berry exciting piece of news.

(Okay, I’ll stop with the Strawberry Shortcake jokes. They’re just so easy!)

The transaction establishes Cookie Jar as one of the world’s largest independent children’s entertainment and education companies with ownership and licensing rights to some of the world’s most recognizable character brands, an animation library totaling nearly 6,000 half-hours of family programming, and strong capabilities in global merchandising and licensing.

Congratulations to Cookie Jar on the merger, the acquisitions, and on generally making expanding and thriving in licensing children’s entertainment properties look good!

Posted in Caillou, Care Bears, Of Industry Note, Strawberry Shortcake, The Doodlebops | No Comments »

The Muppets are back this weekend

Tuesday, July 29th, 2008

Do you know what you’re doing this Sunday?

If you were ever a fan of The Muppet Show, and especially if you have kids, now, I bet you’ll be tuning in to Studio DC: Almost Live! on the Disney Channel.

Remember how The Muppet Show used to feature “famous” people that your parents often had to explain to you? Okay, maybe that was just me. But often the celebrity guest evoked a “Who??” from me or my brother. We still loved watching, every week, but we didn’t necessarily recognize the “big talent.”

Now that the Muppets are breaking out on the Disney Channel, though, I don’t think your kids will have any trouble identifying the humans. Check it out:

[Me: Ashley who?
My daughter: Moooooooooom!]

The Muppet Newsflash has more details (including which Disney stars you can expect to see doing what), but the bottom line is that Sunday, August 3rd, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. there’s going to be muppets doing a show.

And say what you will, I think that’s awesome. Then again, I’m a fool for the muppets. I still really have no idea who Ashley Tisdale is, though.

Posted in Random acts of television, Retro | No Comments »

Raggs has arrived at Ty’s Toy Box

Monday, July 28th, 2008

Every now and then I get to fancy myself a matchmaker.

Oh, I wouldn’t necessarily hire me to find someone a spouse, but occasionally I’m able to put together people who are able to do fabulous work together.

This is why I’m totally planning to take credit for the fact that there’s a brand spanking new Raggs Store at Ty’s Toy Box. Because where did you first hear about Raggs? Why, right here, last February. I wrote about them, back then, purely out of personal intrigue.

And then I put their people in touch with my people. (Hey, I have people!) And now? Voila! Awesome Raggs stuff at the new Raggs Store!

I love it when a plan comes together like that.

And I’ve already told you about their fun music and their great TV show, true. What’s new since I last talked about these dynamic doggies is that they’re launching a live tour and now your little Raggs fan has the opportunity to see them in the flesh. Er, in the fur. (If you decide to see them live, don’t forget to pick out a favorite Raggs shirt before you go!)

How much fun could Raggs be in person? This much fun:

(If that didn’t cause your toes to tap a little, check to make sure you still have a pulse.)

Welcome to Ty’s Toy Box, Raggs! We give you two paws up!

Posted in Raggs, Ty's Stuff | No Comments »

Start gearing up for back-to-school at Ty’s

Thursday, July 24th, 2008

It doesn’t seem possible that summer is nearly over, but for those of us who head back to school in early August, it’s a reality. Part of me weeps for the end of those halcyon days…

… and the other part of me realizes that I am remembering through rose-colored glasses that have quickly forgotten the cry of “Mom! We’re bored! What should we do?”

Ahem.

Anyway! Soon we’ll be back in the classroom; my little darlings will be learning important lessons, and I’ll be being hit up for Kleenex and hand sanitizer. It’s the circle of life! Or at least, the circle of public school!

Ty’s Toy Box understands that getting them there in the right mood is half the battle, so feel free to check out the new Back To School Store for all of your back-to-school needs. There’s enough backpacks in there to delight even the most hard-to-please kid, from Thomas the Tank Engine to Avatar to Dora to Hannah Montana.

(Funny, for some reason my daughter is still balking at my suggestion of the Little Miss Trouble bag. I cannot imagine why.)

Hey, I know summer flew by, but at least getting ready for back to school can be fun!

Posted in Avatar, Ben 10, Bob the Builder, Cars, Dora the Explorer, Gund, Handy Manny, Hannah Montana, High School Musical, Kid Stuff, Koala Brothers, Mr. Men and Little Miss, Naruto, Pirates of the Caribbean, Sesame Street, Thomas & Friends, Transformers, Ty's Stuff | No Comments »

More Ben 10 goodness: Alien Force movie

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008

With the wild success of everything Ben 10, no one can possibly be surprised by this. Kids everywhere—small boys, in particular, and especially small boys who happen to live in my house—live for all things Ben Tennyson, including (but not limited to) extensive conversations about which aliens are best suited to kick the butts of which other aliens.

It’s a joy, to have a Ben 10 fan on your hands. Truly. I mean, after a while you’ll wish you had some earplugs, but still. It’s all good.

And so the news that a new Ben 10 movie event is in the works is great news for fans and moms alike (hey, they can’t talk about it while they’re watching it):

Cartoon Network is moving forward with a live-action/CGI telefilm based on its animated series “Ben 10: Alien Force.”

The movie — written by John Turman and directed by Alex Winter, best known for his role as Bill in the “Bill & Ted” movies — follows the November live-action movie “Ben 10: Race Against Time,” which Winter also directed. [...]

“Alien Force” will be based on the network’s second animated “Ben 10″ series, in which Ben is a teenager and has discovered the ability to transform into a new set of aliens. The show debuted in April as the network’s most-watched original series premiere among kids age 6 to 11.

I had foolishly believed that my son wouldn’t like Alien Force nearly as much as the original; after all, the original Ben is much closer to his age, setting him apart from other heroes because he’s really just a little kid. And while it’s true that Alien Force Ben is a teenager, he also gets new aliens, which apparently trumps the fact that he’s no longer a grade-schooler. I predict our household will be counting down to the new film with great anticipation.

Don’t forget—visit the Ben 10 Store at Ty’s for everything Ben 10!

Posted in Ben 10, Movies | No Comments »

Chop Socky Chooks has arrived at Ty’s Toy Box

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

I was just thinking the other day that what the world really needs in a trio of crime-fighting kung-fu chickens. And I was thinking that it would be awesome if one of them could have a giant afro with a comb stuck in it that doubles as a grappling hook. And if one of them was named Chuckie Chan. And if the last one was a real kick-butt kind of girl.

Okay; you got me. I wasn’t really thinking that, but mostly because I don’t need to—Aardman Animation and DHX Media have already invented Chop Socky Chooks, the Cartoon Network show where our heroic trio are fighting to protect Wasabi World from the evil Dr. Wasabi.

You haven’t seen it yet? Here’s a taste:

(It feels a little like Veggie Tales, reminds me a little of The Powerpuff Girls, and is just plain funny. Good stuff.)

You can check out the official Cartoon Network site for the schedule, more information, and games, but we’re very pleased to announce that you can now shop for Chop Socky Chooks items here at Ty’s! You’ll find a wide array of exclusive licensed apparel for your Chop Socky Chooks fan, plus you can personalize your shirt for that extra-special touch.

Because, really, who doesn’t love kung-fu chickens? Welcome to Ty’s, Chop Socky Chooks!

Posted in Chop Socky Chooks, Ty's Stuff | 1 Comment »

Penguin “goes there” with Sir Fartsalot

Monday, July 21st, 2008

Honestly, when Captain Underpants arrived on the scene, I assumed that now I’d seen it all. I’m a voracious bookworm and have been lucky enough to have kids who likewise love to read, but I understand that reluctant young readers sometimes need to be lured in, sure. I understand that young boys, in particular, can often be hooked with a bit of low-brow humor, yes.

But Sir Fartsalot??

Yes. Sir Fartsalot.

Notable not just for the name—or the fact that it’s aimed to mix medieval times with every modern boy’s favorite giggle-provoker (flatulence! so funny!)—Penguin decided to back an official webisode to drive kids towards their website.

Warning: Do not view the following if you are of weak constitution or no sense of humor.

Can I tell you a secret? I think the cartoon is hilarious. (Please don’t tell my son. It’s a struggle to keep him… ummmm… contained… as it is.)

Author Kevin Bolger clearly knows what will grab middle-school boys, and Penguin was likewise savvy in launching both the website and cartoon.

I guess you could say it’s a coup for both marketing and armpit-farting children everywhere.

Posted in Kid Stuff, Of Industry Note | No Comments »

Space Chimps opening this weekend

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

It’s been a pretty good summer for movies, if you think about it. I mean, I really can’t complain. My whole family loved WALL-E, and the kids saw Kung Fu Panda without me (but loved it), and my husband and I had a great time at Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and my daughter and I are going to see the Kit Kittredge movie this weekend, I think.

All in all, we’ve had plenty of cinematic goodness since school let out, is my point.

And because I tend to be a fairly easy sell when it comes to animated films, I laughed right along with my kids when this trailer came up before WALL-E:

Looks like good, harmless fun, right? Well, although Space Chimps has a fully-featured destination website (complete with goodies for the kids), I went to consult my most trusted movie resource and found… nothing. Oh, The Tomatometer has it listed, sure, but as of Wednesday night it had… no rating. That doesn’t seem to bode particularly well for the movie’s popularity.

However, my inner twelve-year-old boy would like you to know that it’s monkeys! In space! Doing physical gags! And therefore it will probably be awesome. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Posted in Movies | 2 Comments »

Kids can turn trash into treasure and win big

Wednesday, July 16th, 2008

Got a kid who’s a compulsive recycler, or one who’s always coming up with new ways to do things? You should check out the 2008 Trash to Treasure Competition over at By Kids, For Kids.

Co-sponsored by Intel and Design Squad, Trash to Treasure “challenges you to recycle, reuse, and re-engineer everyday materials into out-of-the-box inventions.”

That sounds like plenty of fun to me (and to my never-throw-anything-away offspring), but it gets even better:

One’s trash could be another’s treasure! Use trash to create your treasure and we will reward the best ideas with $10,000, a Dell Laptop, and a trip to Boston to see your design built.

Not bad for a bit of experimentation with garbage, no?

The site is full of guidance for how to get going, too:

Identify Your Idea: The T2T Challenge requires you to find solutions in one of the following 3 areas:
• Mobility – something that moves things or people
• Environment – something that protects the environment
• Play – something kids play with inside or outside
Choose the area that you think you could improve on with an invention

Choose Your Trash & Brainstorm:
• Find out what trash materials you can use for reuse and recycling
• Pick at least 2 discarded materials to develop your invention
• Take the idea that you have identified and brainstorm other solutions with your friends, family and/or mentor

Read the complete rules before entering, of course, but the competition is open to legal residents of the U.S. between the ages of 5 and 19, and entries may be submitted through August 31st, 2008, so there’s still plenty of time to get inventing.

The next time the kids complain that there’s “nothing to do” this summer, you’ll be ready for ‘em.

Posted in Kid Stuff | No Comments »

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