Short Takes
Staff -- Playthings, 5/1/2002
Hamster headway
Yet another hopeful to fill Pokémon's glass slipper, Hamtaro will debut on Cartoon Network this July. First introduced in Japan two years ago, the show follows a 10-year-old girl and her pet hamster, Hamtaro (pictured), who have moved to a new town to make new friends. The series is based on illustrated children's books.
HP is listening
Warner Home Video's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone DVD, due out May 28, will feature voice interactive technology in addition to an extensive range of extras. Consumers can navigate the DVD-ROM portion of the two-disc set with their voice to uncover hidden features such as spells. Other bonuses include demos from Wizards of the Coast, Electronic Arts and Lego.
A princess deal
Simba Toys, which landed the exclusive European manufacturing rights from Walt Disney to produce the new Disney Princess range of dolls, has begun production at a new site in Guangdong Province, China. The factory is a joint venture company, Simba Hung To Toys Manufacturing, between the Germany-based Simba and Chinese partners.
Interactive Thomas
Gullane tapped LeapFrog for two Thomas and Friends books due out October 2002. One is geared for pre-k through 1st grade; the second is for 3-plus.
