The Biz: Feature Articles

Everyone loves the tooth fairy! Losing those first few baby teeth is a rite of passage to kids, another milestone to growing up. Who hasn’t seen the unmistakable grin of a kid showing off his loose tooth, and later a toothless smile? Parents have celebrated this event with tales of the Tooth Fairy for generations. This whimsical story, The Tale of the Tooth Fairy, gives kids a glimpse into the magical world of fairies and the endearing story of how the Tooth Fairy got her job. Not only is the story enchanting, but the product makes a perfect gift.

The tween market can be a little hard to nail down: tweens are moving beyond the childlike toys and behaviors they are used to, but still not quite ready for the almost-grown-up style of older teens. Retailers need to be wary of coming off as too cutesy or way too sophisticated. Kids in this group tend to be very creative. Edgy, fun, yet practical accessories and designs all make for happy families. The best in tween products combine individualism with creativity, and the lines from Nail Candy, Shwings, and Tractor bring customers back for more.

Sometimes kids need help putting a voice to their emotions, and other times they need to give their feelings a face. There are no cuter (or sadder) faces than those of Lilikin & Friends. Whether a child is happy, sad, or just plain confused, these little play pals will understand and stay by their side until those frowns are turned upside down. Lilikin , Mollycoddle, and Eleven are soft, poseable plush toys made with certified organic cotton fabrics, and are perfect for a new toy holiday display. The fun with Lilikin & Friends doesn’t stop at the animal itself. Each one has a Twitter page, Facebook profile, and email address for the interactive generation.

ABC Kids Expo celebrates its 10th anniversary, October 14-17, 2012 in Louisville, Kentucky. According to President and Show Manager Larry Schur, “We are very encouraged to see such a positive response in registrations from all retail channels, especially from those located internationally.” The ABC Kids Expo is the opportunity to meet face-to-face with domestic and international buyers, media, and manufacturers at the premier juvenile products show in the world. Here is just a small sampling of products to see at the event: Curious George and Suzy’s Zoo by Fun Rugs, Gummi Teething Jewelry from KidKusion, strollers by guzzie+Guss, and Ubabub’s unique cribs.