Raving Toy Maniac

Barbie® and Girl Scouts Partner to Create First-Ever Barbie® Patch

The New "Be Anything, Do Everything" Patch Encourages the Next Generation of Girls to Explore Career Options and Leadership Opportunities

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- August 22, 2013 -- Today, Barbie® and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced a unique partnership to create the first-ever Barbie® "Be Anything, Do Everything" patch. The participation patch is designed to inspire the next generation of female leaders by encouraging girls to explore career possibilities through exciting new program activities.

K'NEX® Brands And PopCap Games, A Division of Electronic Arts, Announce New Licensing Relationship

Officially-Licensed Building Toys by K'NEX Will Allow Kids to Build & Play in the Plants vs. Zombies™ World

Hatfield, PA, August, 2013 – Plants vs. Zombies™ fans will soon be able to build and play with characters from their favorite game with new licensed building toys by K'NEX®. PopCap® Games (a division of Electronic Arts), creator of the popular gaming franchise and K'NEX, the only U.S. construction toy company focused on Building Worlds Kids Love®, are pleased to announce their new agreement to create a line of building toys based on the Plants vs. Zombies games.

The relationship combines the award-winning K'NEX building system with your favorite Plants vs. Zombies characters, bringing them from the digital screen to the construction aisle for the first time. With over 30 Game of the Year awards, Plants vs. Zombies is a global brand that is popular across the U.S., Europe and Asia, and appeals to male and female audiences ages 4 through 104.

August 22, 2013 - Listed below are the toy (and child-related) recalls from this week; these links go to the official announcements on the Consumer Product Safety Commission web site.

- HALO SleepSacks Wearable Blankets Recalled Due to Choking Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Babies R Us

- Children’s Pajamas Recalled by Klever Kids Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

- Apple Park Recalls Children’s Loungewear Due to Violation of Federal Flammability Standard

Announcing the Aliens Light-up Alien Egg with Launching Facehugger!

August 2013 - NECA - This incredibly detailed recreation of the mysterious eggs from the Aliens film glows with an eerie green light when closed, but press the button concealed on the back to launch a rubbery Facehugger into the air!

Click to see a video of the Alien Egg & Launching Facehugger in action!

Available September 2013!

Introducing the The Wizard of Oz - Wicked Witch of the East 20" Leg Lamp!

August 2013 - NECA - There's no place like home - especially if you have one of these whimsical lamps from the beloved classic film The Wizard of Oz! The Wicked Witch of the East's leg looks just as it did sticking out from under Dorothy's house, right down to the ruby slipper.

Click here for more information!

**Available September 2013**

NECA Opens New Online Store at Mock.com, Features Customizable KICK-ASS 2 Merchandise

Hillside, NJ – August 20, 2013 – Leading entertainment conglomerate NECA today expanded the recently launched online stores at http://Mock.com, to include merchandise featuring the recently released hit sequel, KICK-ASS 2. Visitors can now pick up custom memorabilia including apparel and collectibles online.

Fans can browse the online store for customizable KICK-ASS 2 branded merchandise, including apparel such as hats, t-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts, water bottles, coffee mugs, buttons, iPhone® and iPad® cases and more. All merchandise can be personalized with themed icons, logos, taglines and artwork.

To visit the KICK-ASS 2 online store at http://Mock.com, visit http://kickass2.mock.com.

Introducing the Gremlins - Series 4 Mogwai 7" Action Figures!

August 2013 - NECA - Continuing the ever popular Mogwai series, we went deep into the vaults for this new assortment of cuddly creatures.

These are concept Mogwais that were created by Rick Baker Studios for Gremlins 2: The New Batch. Over the past 20 years the original puppets have turned up at auction or in the hands of private collectors. We gathered all known references to create three of these special Mogwai figures.

Click here for more information!

This series includes Brownie, Doodah, and Penny. Each Mogwai is articulated at the ears, neck, shoulders, forearms, wrists and thighs and also features our signature poseable rolling eyeball mechanism.

**Available November 2013**

Walmart Launches Free Layaway, Ditches Fees To Save Customers Cash

Walmart's Facebook fans enjoy 2-day head start on layaway; Retailer's Ad Match program guarantees low holiday prices all season long

ORLANDO, Aug. 21, 2013 -- In front of 6,000 Walmart associates at Walmart's annual holiday meeting Wednesday, chief merchandising and marketing officer Duncan Mac Naughton introduced free layaway with no opening fee. Beginning Sept. 13 through Dec. 13, layaway will kick off the retailer's official start to the holiday season.

"Times are tough and it's not easy for many Americans – they are watching every penny," said Mac Naughton. "All year long, but especially during the holidays, our customers need a low price leader. This year, we are committed to doing everything we did last year to help Americans save money – plus more. More savings, more layaway items and our commitment that they can give their families a great Christmas on a budget."

Toys"R"Us, Inc. Expands "Price Match Guarantee" To Include Pricing From Online Retailers In Advance Of The Holiday Shopping Season

Company Will Match Prices from Walmart.com, Target.com, BestBuy.com, buybuyBaby.com, Amazon.com and More on Items Available in Its Stores, Extending Its Ongoing Policy of Matching Competitors' In-Store Advertised Prices

WAYNE, N.J., Aug. 21, 2013 -- Toys"R"Us, Inc. today announced that it has enhanced its "Price Match Guarantee" on items available in its Toys"R"Us® and Babies"R"Us® stores nationwide to include selected online retailer pricing, removing any doubt before holiday shopping begins in earnest that customers are receiving the best available prices. As part of this enhancement, the company will match online pricing from Walmart.com, Target.com, BestBuy.com, Sears.com, Kmart.com, buybuyBaby.com, Meijer.com, FredMeyer.com, diapers.com, BabyDepot.com and Amazon.com* on in-store purchases of identical items.

Nickelodeon To Celebrate 10th Annual Worldwide Day Of Play With Flagship Event In Brooklyn's Prospect Park On Sept. 21

Network Partners with the City of New York and More than 30 National Organizations For Week-Long City-Wide Health and Wellness-Themed Celebration Featuring Activities and Games for Kids and Families

NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2013 -- Nickelodeon today announced plans to celebrate its 10th annual Worldwide Day of Play (WWDoP) health and wellness initiative with a signature event on the Nethermead in Brooklyn's Prospect Park on Saturday, Sept. 21. This year's WWDoP event will feature more than 30 national and local partner organizations, including, the NFL, NBA, USTA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and YMCA of Greater NY, among others. Leading up to WWDoP, Nickelodeon will also partner with NYC & Company to host health and wellness-themed public events across the city in iconic locations, beginning Monday, Sept. 16. Locations include the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum and Union Square. The full details and locations of all events will be updated regularly in the coming weeks on www.nick.com/play.