The buzz
Staff -- Playthings, 4/1/2003
It only seems fitting that The Little Tikes Co. has signed on as master toy licensee of a small fry named Caillou. The company plans to expand on the CINAR property's current offerings of plush dolls, figures, vehicles and play sets…Guess who will be appearing on Applause plush and gift items? Little Nutbrown and Big Nutbrown Hare, the main characters in the children's storybook Guess How Much I Love You, will be featured in a new line that will hit stores this spring. Applause's collection will include plush, figurines, keychains and other novelty items…Sesame Workshop's Zoe will pirouette her way into the hearts of little prima ballerinas everywhere, when she serves as "spokesmuppet" for National Dance Week. Celebrated from April 24-May 5, this event encourages young children to be physically and socially active through dance. Zoe Ballerina-branded product is in development from such companies as Disguise and Playhut…Hitting the ground running, the newly-launched Toy Play has already snagged master toy licensing deals for two 1980s properties experiencing comebacks: Jim Henson's Muppet Babies and Rainbow Brite. The company will produce craft sets, plush, dolls and other toys in the likeness of Baby Kermit, Baby Miss Piggy and their friends from the nursery, as well as the brightly-hued little girl.
