Hot Summer Movie Releases, "Marvel's The Avengers," Sony Pictures' "The Amazing Spider-Man," and more

Disney Consumer Products (DCP) has unveiled new toys inspired by the most anticipated movie releases of the summer: "Marvel's The Avengers," Disney Pixar's "Brave" and Sony Pictures' "The Amazing Spider-Man." This exciting product assortment features dolls, action figures, costumes and role play toys inspired by favorite Marvel Super Heroes and Disney Pixar's newest heroine, the bold and adventurous Merida.

Opening in theaters May 4, Marvel Studios presents "Marvel's The Avengers"—the Super Hero team-up of a lifetime featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. On July 4, Sony Pictures' "The Amazing Spider-Man," based on the Marvel comic book, opens in theaters nationwide.

On June 22, Disney Pixar introduces a dynamic new heroine, Merida, in "Brave." The film is a grand adventure set in ancient Scotland and is filled with heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages will enjoy. Three hot summer toys destined to be big hits with kids and fans were recently recognized as summer "must-haves" on Time to Play magazine's "Most Wanted Summer Toys" list: the Merida Fashion Play Doll by Mattel, Merida Toddler Doll by Tollytots and "The Amazing Spider-Man" Electronic Figure by Hasbro.

ASTRA'S Marketplace Booth 751 to Reveal Project Runway for Elf Design

It won't exactly be Christmas in July but visitors to this summer's ASTRA Marketplace will be in the holiday spirit after visiting 
Elf Magic's festive Booth 751 because the Elves have outdone themselves. Or shall we say, outfitted themselves. The top designs from this year's Elf School of Fashion and Design will be on full display for retailers and sales reps to ooooh and aaaah. Look for a dozen new Elfits and accessories to mix and match, then hang up in the Elf Magic Claus-et.


The Elf wardrobe of traditional red and green has been refreshed in the past few years and the 2012 Forever Elf Fashion Collection is as charming as ever! The "Ready To Romp" Elfit is actually 6 pieces -- blue jeans, white turtle neck, red fleece vest with signature embroidered snowflake, cowboy boots, a reversible scarf and hat that features a button hole stitched slit for easy scarf ties.


The 2012 Forever Elf Fashion collection was designed with the most fashion- conscious Elves in mind. The Elves have added new designs with pieces that can now be mixed and matched. Children will now have fun creating some "Mix 'N Magic"! Over 50 different Elfits can now be created from all of the pieces in the Forever Elf Fashion Collection. The "Daisy Patch" dress with lime green leggings and the adorable "Everything Posh" 8-piece ensemble have been added to the collection. Gorgeous! Elf fashion designers thought of every detail to cover their full 10" bodies from head to toe. For Elf fashionistas, the designers even added "Jingle Bell Jammies," a new bright yellow polka dotted night shirt with matching slippers, making Elf Magic Elves the most stylish at any sleepover!


But it's not just the Elves that get fashion forward looks. Reindeer jealous of Rudolph's shiny red nose can now add a splash of color as well with Elf Magic's new four-piece "Reindeer Round Up" ensemble to enhance the four-legged stars of the Christmas season. Dress 'em in a colorful jester hat -- like the joker in the Elf Magic deck of playing cards. Or add a red, white and green mail pouch to deliver important letters to Santa. For the coldest of days, put on the white fur blanket and add the matching bright red halter and reins. Just like the new Elfit collection, these items can also be mixed and matched as well. Santa will be so pleased to see his crew looking extra snazzy!

ABC 4th Annual Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show Huge Success

The 4th Annual All Baby & Child (ABC) Spring Educational Conference & Trade Show, which was held April 25—27 at the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, NV was an educational and fun experience for all attendees.

All seminars were well attended — some standing room only — particularly the double session by Bob Negen, owner of WhizBang! Training, who spoke on how to beat the Internet price competition and what steps can be taken to get customers back into stores. An educational session moderated by the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) explored retailers' regulatory compliance responsibilities under CPSIA, what they should expect from manufacturers and best practices in selling baby carriers. The panel also discussed babywearing safety and the new Sling Carrier Safety Standard, ASTM F2907.

The social events, like the Industry Beer & Bowling social and welcome reception (moved to the ballroom due to inclement weather) were all well attended and a wonderful way to network in a relaxed atmosphere, exchange information with industry professionals and reinforce old acquaintances.

Hape Announces an Exclusive contest for ASTRA Retailers to Win a Trip to China

Hape North America, a leading worldwide toy manufacturer, has announced a contest for ASTRA retailers to win a trip of a lifetime to China. Hape will select one ASTRA retailer to join them on an all-expenses paid trip for two to the cosmopolitan city of Shanghai and their production facility and bamboo conservancy in Ningbo. Winners will visit Hape's state-of-the-art manufacturing campus, which produced over 8.6 million toys in 2011.

For a chance to win the trip, ASTRA retailers must submit a photo of their best four-foot section of Hape merchandised product to marketing@hapetoys.com by May 15, 2012. One lucky retailer will win and be announced at Hape's booth (216) during the Cocktail Reception on Monday, June 11th at ASTRA Marketplace in Baltimore.

Winners of the contest will not only get the chance to see how Hape produces their award- winning product and experience a bamboo forest; they will also experience the trip of a lifetime. The prize includes transportation, lodging at five-star hotels and meals for the duration of the visit to China.

CPSC Changes Lead Limitations in Ride-On Vehicle Parts

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) granted the first-ever exception to the standard 100 parts per million (ppm) lead content limit that was currently under the CPSC's Improvement ACT (CPSIA) for certain die-cast, ride-on pedal tractors and similar toys made of aluminum alloy.

As of April 5, 2012, aluminum alloy components, used in toys for children 3 years and older, must meet a 300 ppm lead standard. The decision by the CPSC comes in response to a petition submitted last September by toy die-cast vehicle makers, Ertl, regarding the alloy castings used in their ride-on tractors.

The CPSC outlined its decision to grant the exception. The new standard takes into account the functionality of toys produced under the previous limitations, whether it's technologically feasible to manufacture products that meet the 100 ppm standard and the fact that children will likely never put these items in their mouth leaving little adverse effect on public health or safety if there is a higher ppm, including the blood lead levels in a child.

Adding New Technological Eyes & Ears To Help Reduce SIDS Deaths

In recent years the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has been reducing, but it is still the leading cause of death for babies in their first year of life. But now a unique new technology from Snuza is adding a set of eyes and ears to an infant's bedroom and crib to help reduce the risk of SIDS related tragedies.

The original Snuza Halo has always monitored the baby's movement by clipping, not to the crib mattress, but gently to the baby's diaper near the stomach. Now with the new Snuza Trio, parents get technologically advanced movement monitoring, audio and video all in one unit. The Snuza Trio includes the original Halo device, an effective night vision camera that can be aimed into the crib and a built-in two-way microphone to record sounds of the baby and the Halo alarm should it go off. The Snuza Trio audio-video monitor sports a 2.3-inch LCD screen that is functional to a range of 450 feet from the camera and the crib. It even includes three lullaby tunes that can be used to help soothe the baby to sleep as it is monitoring.

Hop Introduces Removable Wall Decals

Skip Hop, Inc., a New York City company devoted to designing innovative products for today's families, today announced the introduction of Wall Decals. Skip Hop's new removable and reusable wall decals are easy to apply, without damaging paint or leaving behind a sticky residue. They feature Skip Hop's popular Alphabet Zoo and Treetop Friends designs and coordinate with the Alphabet Zoo and Treetop Friends bedding and toy collections.

TREETOP FRIENDS: Baby's wall décor branches out! Create a nature scene with a full tree design, or use the branches, leaves and woodland friends to accent different parts of baby's room. Easy to apply, these decals provide an ever-changing forest scene for the littlest nature lover.

ALPHABET ZOO: These fun and educational decals have heaps of animal charm! Create a colorful ABC border for baby's room, or use them to spell her name. The decals, including extra sheets of letters and additional vowels, can be rearranged as often as you like.