APRIL 7, 2008     Basically Gross Madballs Series II Classics ($5.99) feature six more over-the-top characters crafted into foam rubber balls about the size of a baseball. These highly detailed balls include Dust Brain, Freaky Full Back, Swine Sucker, Oculus Orbus, Wolf Breath (pictured), and Blech Beard. The slightly larger Series II Sick Madballs, featuring gross-out functions, are also available. Basic Fun, Southampton, Pa. www.basicfun.com   Magnetic Monsters The stylized and poseable Monster Benders ($8.95) feature powerful magnets in their hands and feet so they stick to anything metal. Each one—Grim Reminder, Wolfman Joe, The Count, Frankenbender, Mummy and Witch Hazel—comes packaged in a blister along with a personalized accessory and a tin storage box. Dozens of additional themes are also available. Hog Wild, Portland, Ore. www.hogwildtoys.com       Hatching Hybrids Plasma Kreaps ($4.99) for ages 6 and up are buildable creatures that come straight from legends. This assortment, the seventh in the line, includes the collectible Gargoyle, Ghoul (pictured), Mummy, Vampire, Werewolf and Zombie, each of which is fully poseable. In addition, each Kreap’s body parts can be interchanged with other creatures in Mega Brands’ PlasmaVerse. Mega Brands, Livingston, N.J. www.megabrands.com   Monster Mix-Ups Monsters Magnetic Figures ($14.00) for ages 5 and up is a unique twist on magnetic dolls. It includes three sheets of magnets (over 40 pieces including monster doll, clothes and accessories) and two dual-sided cards with mysterious backgrounds like a haunted house and an alien planet. Kids can mix and match monster body parts directly on the included 7-inch travel tin. Mudpuppy Press, New York www.mudpuppy.com       Creatures That Care The next wave in the award-winning My Own Monsters ($16) line of kid-designed, 14-inch plush characters includes Bumbido, Buster, Crazy Eyes, Eye (love you), Fredricka, Morty and Ow. Each plush includes a background story on a hang tag; for example, Crazy Eyes (pictured) has a perpetual candy craving. A portion of sales is donated to Global Action for Children. North American Bear, New York www.nabear.com   Monsters to Go Monster Madness ($16) is one of three offerings in the new Spin & Go Board Games series for ages 4 to 8. Each game offers quick set up and both a 15-minute simple play version with no reading required and a more challenging, strategic game for older kids. Includes game board, 48 tiles, spinner, four game markers and rules, all packaged in a flip-top box. Peaceable Kingdom Press, Berkeley, Calif. www.pkpress.com       Pretty Ugly Pet Poe, one of the latest additions to the Ugly Doll family, is an ugly and somewhat lazy dragon who hails from Ugly Dragon Mountain. According to his personal back story, Poe has left the safety of his home in search of his dreams, which include large amounts of chocolate ice cream. Poe is available as a 4-inch plus clip-on as well as a plush in 7-inch, 12-inch and 24-inch sizes. Pretty Ugly, Edison, N.J. www.uglydolls.com     Fuzzy Footsies Terrible Two Shoes ($16.95) for ages 2 to 3 are soft goofy slippers fit for the littlest monsters. They feature soft fabrics and unique styling, plus traction treads on the soles to prevent slippage. Sized at a children’s 7 (or European 22), they are currently available in four styles: Fairy Feet (pictured), Monster Feet (pictured), Bear Feet and Duck Feet. Rich Frog Industries, Burlington, Vt. www.richfrog.com        OUR NEXT AND FINAL PRODUCT WATCH COMES TO YOU ON APRIL 21, 2008.   For a new themed product spotlight every week, visit Playthings.com, or subscribe to our Playthings Extra email newsletter. Cliff Annicelli, Editor Karyn Peterson, Managing Editor Retailers: If you see something you like and contact the manufacturer, please say you saw it in Playthings Product Watch! Manufacturers: If you would like to be considered for future coverage, please email product images (out of packaging) and descriptions to karyn.peterson@reedbusiness.com. Please include targeted age range, suggested retail price and date of availability.   You are currently registered to receive Playthings Product Watch at: [#EmailAddr#]. Unsubscribe from Playthings Product Watch: Click Here If you received this newsletter second-hand, you can get your own FREE subscription here. QUESTIONS If you have questions or need further assistance, contact our Online Support Team at mailto:GiftSupport@reedbusiness.com?Subject=Playthings-Extra--#emailaddr#. For advertising questions, contact Betsy Komes. PRIVACY POLICY: Click Here NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS To activate a new FREE email newsletter subscription: Click Here To order a PRINT MAGAZINE subscription to Playthings: Click here. Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information. All rights reserved.