Short Takes
Staff -- Playthings, 8/1/2001
Hands up
Beloved Dr. Seuss characters will take shape as hand puppets, finger puppets and plush toys early next year from Manhattan Toy and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. The products will be available to specialty retail shops in the first quarter 2002.
The toys are being developed around Dr. Seuss' most famous literary works and include the following characters: Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, the Grinch, Horton, Thidwick and Gertrude McFuzz. A finger puppet theater will also be available, as well as large plush toys.
Bubbling over
Elmo, Big Bird, Zoe and Ernie, all of Sesame Street, will literally be bubbling with enthusiasm at International Toy Fair 2002. Little Kids will then introduce a new line of bubble blowers—six toys featured in a blister card assortment—based on the characters.
They include Elmo holding a fire hose wand that makes streams of bubbles, Elmo holding Dorothy in her fish bowl, Ernie hanging onto the signature Sesame Street light post, Big Bird holding a bubble wand and Little Bird and Elmo and Zoe bubble wands paired with Little Kids' No-Spill Bubble Tumbler Minis.
Mechanic panic
X-Concepts has announced the launch of its action sports collectible Metal Mulisha motorcycles.
Based on the real-life motocross racers, each detailed bike can be taken apart, and the pieces—engines, seats, fairings, tires and wheels—interchanged with others in the series. Twelve Metal Mulisha bikes are scheduled for release this summer.
