Toy Fair is F-U-N!

Edye , who buys our sidelines, and I (Vicky)  ventured into New York City for the International Toy Fair and as a result some wonderful new items will be coming to the bookshop in the coming months.

Thousands of toy companies from the biggest to the smallest come to Toy Fair and we got to see almost all of them.

Edye with her completed bag

Our goal:  to look for organic and safe toys, toys made in America, toys and games to get kids outside and active, toys to encourage creativity, and toys to make us say “Wow!”  In the course of two solid days of walking the floor of the Javitz Center, we found a number of new companies that fit those descriptions and you’ll see them in the shop in the coming months.

At the start of the first day, we entered a contest to see who could pack a duffle bag with toys the fastest.  I finished in 14 seconds – Edye packed hers in only about 10 seconds!!

We saw some old friends, too, including the Lennon Sisters, makers of the best rag dolls we’ve ever found.  Melissa and Doug has some wonderful new products and offered amazing refreshments, including ice cream sundaes at mid-afternoon.

Entering through the closed doors of the LEGO exhibit was very exciting.  We were escorted through an exhibit of all the new LEGOs for this year, some of which had not yet been finalized.  We’re really excited about a

Edye with one of the new LEGO games

new line of LEGO games coming late this summer. Entering through the closed doors of the LEGO exhibit was very exciting.   Photos were only permitted in the order area and at the games section, so here we are:

Best of all, I got to meet Bill Harley, one of my all time favorite children’s musicians and storytellers ever!  Bill was promoting his wonderful new CD, Yes to Running, which we have in the bookshop.  If you haven’t listened to his classic Grownups are Strange, you’ve missed a real treat.  The CD has two stories – one about a boy’s teacher turning 50 and one about camping out in the backyard.  It’s been a favorite of ours for 4 year olds to 70 year olds!

Vicky with Bill Harley

If possible, we would like to stock the toys and games you are looking for.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know!   We’d really like to hear from you!

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