MeeGenius Teams Up With Sesame Street For Exclusive E-Book Partnership

MeeGenius, the digital home for children's books, today announced an exclusive partnership with Sesame Workshop to bring six Sesame Street e-book titles to the web, iOS and Android platforms.

The additional Sesame Street titles, debuting every Wednesday throughout the month of September, are: Count to 10, Elmo and Abby's Wacky Weather Day, Get Ready for School: Colors, It's Check-up Time, Elmo and The ABCs of Cookies. Each title features lively audio narration and text highlighting. An exclusive set of fun questions and activities at the end of each story extends the learning beyond the book and also helps build reading comprehension skills. "Bringing Sesame Street e-books to the MeeGenius platform is a significant milestone for us," said Wandy Hoh, MeeGenius, chief executive officer. "Sesame Street has an unparalleled reputation, reaching almost every young child as their first learning experience. MeeGenius is proud to now offer this great content to our ever-growing user base."

Hoh, a mother of three young daughters, launched MeeGenius in 2010 as a way to educate and stimulate the imaginations of not only her own children, but also an entire generation of early readers, who are growing up surrounded by technology. "Sesame Workshop is proud to join the MeeGenius app, which has quickly become a destination for parents of preschoolers looking for high-quality digital reading experiences with their children," said Jennifer A. Perry, Vice President of Worldwide Publishing at Sesame Workshop. "Our Sesame Street collection focuses on important school readiness topics in order to encourage active learning when children and parents use digital technologies together."

Dr. Toy Announces 100 Best Children's Products of 2012

Following are the award-winning toys and products and the companies that make them grouped in selected categories of "smart" play. You can find more products by assigned codes that designate types of products.

Ten Best Active Products - Chicco (4-in-1 Ride On Car), First Act (WrapStar Mic), FirstBIKE Int'l (FirstBIKE Balance Bike), GeoPalz (GeoPalz Pedometer), Kinderfeets (Kinderfeets), OgoSport (OgoSport RAQ), Razor USA (Razor FlashRider), Sbyke (P-20 Rear-Steering Scooter), Smiletime Toys (Inflatable Pirate Ship), System Ent. (RingStix).

Ten Best Audio/Video Tapes/CDs - Brainetics (Brainetics), BrainFood Learning (Fascinating World of Birds), BrillKids Int'l (Little Musician Basic), Little Pim (Spanish Intro Gift Set with Book), Master Comm (Worlds Together Series), Moey's Music Party (Princess Revolution!), Music Together (She Sells Sea Shells), New Hope Records (WO!), ScienceAndMath.com (Amazing Science! Vol. DVD), Steps4Kids (Steps4Kids to Draw).

Ten Best Building Products- AroundSquare (Deconstruction Blocks), Bridge Street Toys (Hydrodynamic Deluxe Building Set), Citiblocs (CTBIN500C), K'NEX (K'NEX Classics 50 Model Building Set), LaQ USA (LaQ Dinosaur World T-REX), Laser Pegs Ventures (Laser Pegs The Dragon), LEGO Systems (Friends Olivia's House), MEGA Brands (Build 'n Learn 1-2-3 Count!), Smart Blocks (Smarcks Smart Blocks), Thinkplay/Morphun (Starter Tub)

Ten Best Children's Products - Ann Williams Group (Loopdedoo), Buckle Toy (Buddy the Backpack), Dress Up America (Black Fire Fighter Kids Costume), Gryphon House (Budding Builder), Innovation First (HEXBUG Warriors Battle Stadium), Klutz (Coin Blaster), Monkeying Around (Greatest Dot-to-Dot Adventure Book 1), Schoenhut Piano (My First Piano II), SeatPets (SeatPets), Smart Trike (Smart Trike 4-in-1 Dream).

Ten Best Creative Products - ALEX (Ceramic Bead Sticker Party), Blue Orange (Tell Tale Fairy Tale), Colorforms/Univ. Games (Tinga Tinga Tales Create-A-Creature Game), Creativity for Kids (Stunt Squadron), Hero Arts Rubber Stamps (Ink 'n' Stamp Animal Prints), Kiwi Crate (Kiwi Crate), Kaleidograph Design (Kaleidograph), Tech 4 Kids (3D Magic Magna Color), Wowopolis (Colorgami Craft & Activity Kits), WowToyz (E-Z Crafts Paint-A-Bank Kits).

Ten Best Educational Products - Creative Foundry Games (KerFlip!), Exploramania® (Exploracise Multiplication Football), Learning Journey (Match It! Mathematics Memory), Learning Resources (Multiplication Master Electronic Flash Card), LittleBits Electronics (littleBits Starter Kit), MathTwister (MathTwister), Peaceable Kingdom (Snug as a Bug in a Rug), Shainsware (Notebook w/100 Elements), Style Paige (Shallie Starter), Whistlefritz (Cha, Cha, Cha).

Ten Best Games - Bag-O-Loot (Bag-O-Loot Junior), Edupress (That's Baloney Games), Flying Rabbit Enterprises (Baffle!), Game Chef (Rollick!), Gamewright (Big Fat Tomato Game), Hutter Trade (Talat), Indie Boards & Cards (Flash Point: Fire Rescue), Patch Products (You're Invited Game), Strikerz Gamez (STRIKERZ Soccer Card Game), ThinkFun (Distraction™).

Ten Best High Technology Products- Bandai America (Omnitrix Touch), Diggin Active (Wobble Deck Extreme), Ganz (Amazing World), LeapFrog (LeapPad2), MGA (iTikes Map), Pixel Ent. (Global Game Changers [book app]), Scholastic (Storia), Small World Toys (Haute Couture Fashion Studio), SmartLab Toys (DJ Rock Dock), VTech (MobiGo 2).

Ten Best Socially Responsible Products - b. dazzle (Black Capped Chickadees Scramble Squares), Discover w/Dr. Cool (Shark Teeth Excavation Kit!), DuneCraft (Butterfly/Bird Mixture Seed Bombs), Easy Daysies (Easy Daysies Every Day Starter Kit), Metamorphic Toys (Mythical Creatures Silly Signs), Mudpuppy (Fruits & Veggies Wooden Magnetic Set), My1story (My1story Book Collection), Rubbabu (Shape Sorter Bus), Tiny Green Bee (Crunch a Color Conversation Starters), University Games (Very Hungry Caterpillar Match & Munch Game).

Ten Best Toys- 4D Cityscape (4D Time Puzzle), B. toys by Battat (Symphony in B. by B. toys), Build-A-Bear Workshop (Marine Midnight Teddy), Fisher-Price (Servin' Surprises Cook 'n Serve Kitchen & Table), Gibout Toys (Gibout Big Blocks), Jada Toys (Cutie Pops), Make It Mine (MIM Doll & Accessories), Ohio Art (Limited Edition Etch A Sketch), Sassy (Loopy Ball), World of EPI (Diva Abrielle).

PTPA Awards Exclusive Offer & #ABCTweetup Event:

The ABC Kids Expo is very excited to announce our 2012 ABC Expo Tweet Up Event, sponsored and co-hosted by PTPA Media. Register today and join us for refreshments, meet with industry colleagues and learn more about integrating Twitter into your marketing efforts. Samples must be received by September 4th. Contact Kathryn Howell at 905-738-1447 ext. 222 or find her on twitter@Dogpaddling and @PTPA for more info.

The Tweet Up will be Monday, October 15th 2012 at 3:30 p.m. during the ABC Kids Expo.

The ABC Expo is also pleased to announce a special ABC Kids Expo Awards Campaign open exclusively to participating exhibitors at the show. Enter your product today with our popular Premium Package and receive a suite of Bonus Media Add-Ons (Over $750 Value):

- Exclusive Invitation to PTPA-Hosted Tweet up Event at the Show (Open to buyers and media) 
- Feature spot in OhBaby! Magazine Galleries sectionohbabymagazine.com
- Chance to be included in post-expo Television Segment 
- Inclusion in PTPA-Hosted TweetChat leading up to the show

The PTPA Media Seal of Approval is one of the most prestigious and highly recognized awards in the industry. PTPA Media represents the best of the best in family products which are tested by parents, for parents. At this year's show there will be dozens of exhibitors displaying their PTPA award winning products. Here's your opportunity to do the same.

An Five Best New Product Awards Presented at NYIGF's Baby & Child

Five companies were presented with Baby & Child "Best New Product Awards" today, with Box Play for Kids® receiving the "Blogger's Best" distinction for Box Play for Kids Stickers. Baby & Child, one of 10 divisions in the New York International Gift Fair® (NYIGF®), runs through Wednesday, August 22, at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. 

In addition to the semi-annual "Blogger's Best" award, Baby & Child "Best New Product Award" winners are recognized for excellence in four categories: toy, décor, gear and apparel. A panel of eight editors from trade media, kid-centric blogs and websites selected products which exemplified innovation, design and style. 

The summer 2012 winners and finalists, selected from 116 products, are: 

BLOGGER'S BEST:
Box Play for Kids® (Phoenix, AZ) for Box Play for Kids Stickers, eco friendly stickers made of 100 percent recycled paper that turn old boxes into new toys. 

TOY:
Winner: PlanToys, Inc. (Mountain View, CA) for Play House, a three-story rubberwood and PlanWood doll house with a handle to carry and a rooftop that becomes a garden.
Finalist: Fat Brain Toy Co. (Elkhorn, NE) for Tobbles Neo stacking toy.
Finalist: Juratoys US Corp (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) for Magnetibook Crazy Face. 

DÉCOR:
Winner: HABA® USA (Skaneateles, NY) for Teepee Play Tent, a portable personal space for little explorers to take exciting and creative adventures.
Finalist: Magicforest, LTD (Portsmouth, NH) for Fly With Me Hot Air Balloon Music Box.
Finalist: Milk Moon Kids (Cincinnati, OH) for Growth Charts. 

GEAR:
Winner: aden + anais® (Brooklyn, NY) for Serenity Star, a 5-in-1 electronic sleep and feeding system for mom and baby.
Finalist: MadPax (Phoenix, AZ) for BUBBLE nibbler. Finalist: Love Mae (Stokers Siding, Australia) for Tableware – Melamine Dinnerware. 

APPAREL:
Winner: Pipopipo™ (Los Angeles, CA) for Pipopipo friends socks, which come in a reusable bamboo package with three pairs of socks designed either for boys or girls.
Finalist: Cutey Booty (Mount Pleasant, SC) for Girl & Boy Outfit.
Finalist: Keepsake Threads (Fort Wayne, IN) for Upcycled T-Shirt Baby Bibs.

Sweet Baby Feet Ring in the Holidays

Make your baby girl's sweet little feet sparkle and shine this Holiday Season with Toe Blooms (toeblooms.com). She'll be the cutest gift around. Adorable new styles include, "Jingle Bells," "Buttercup," and "Fancy" in both black and red velvet.

Toe Blooms wrap around baby's feet and can be worn with or without socks or tights. They are the absolute perfect addition to all holiday outfits. Also the ideal gift for all new Moms and Moms-to-be during the holiday shopping spree season.

Moms love these as an alternative to stiff baby shoes so baby's sweet feet can grow, be comfortable, and still look beyond cute. What more, Toe Blooms stay on baby's feet so there's no more wondering where all the shoes have gone. Just another reason why Moms love them so much!

Swordpen Launches Children's Publishing Company with Seven Original Titles

SwordPen Publishing is pleased to announce the official launch of their children's publishing company, with an impressive seven original book titles in print. The company is founded on the goal of creating educational and entertaining literature for children. Novels are geared toward kids from three to twelve years old, but people of all ages are sure to enjoy the intriguing stories. SwordPen is focused on making a difference in the lives of young readers. They believe in the power of the word to uplift, educate, entertain, and transform.

Many of the stories are written by SwordPen CEO and author Zev Lewinson, and are complemented by colorful, vivid illustrations from artists such as Debi Coules, Lisa Griffin, and Robert Nailon. Each book is carefully crafted and flawlessly edited, with the focus on allowing young readers the pleasure of inferring the story as it unfolds. This, in turn, teaches children to be creative readers rather than passive learners. Lewinson feels a deep, personal connection to each individual tale he publishes. "Before I sign off on a book, I have to be able to answer the following question: 'Have I put my heart and soul into inspiring the children who will read this?' If the answer is 'yes,' then I know I've done a great job." 

Currently, seven literary works are complete and available: When You Gotta Go!, Of Course I Love You!, The Golden Butterfly, Don't Get Stuck on Being a Duck!, My Dog Ate It!, The Hippo That Flew!, and How Mice Became Small. Six more titles are in production with plans for publication dates in 2013. Twenty-eight more acquisitions (i.e., SwordPen masterpieces) are presently in the pipeline. 

SwordPen is a small publishing company that places great emphasis on sound investments. Every one of their books is truly priceless! New York businessman and Extell Development Company CEO Gary Barnett became a personal investor in SwordPen by merely chancing upon several SwordPen stories that he found on his mother's dining room table. Gary (famous for his ability to spot a gem), immediately contacted Lewinson to ask if he could use an investor, and the rest is history. 

All of SwordPen's titles are classic works of art. Librarians swoon over each release, as do parents – and their kids! SwordPen's passion for conveying inspiration, knowledge, and humor into homes and libraries all over the country can easily be seen on each and every page of their elegant stories. "I want children of all ages – and their parents – to experience the contrast between a run-of-the-mill children's book and a SwordPen book," Lewinson says. "The difference is not just striking … it's downright astonishing." Prices for individual books range from $9.95 to $12.95. All available narratives can be purchased at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, and on the company's personal website: swordpen.com. 

For more information, please visit SwordPen's website at swordpen.com or swordpenbublishers.com.

Playtime New York will spotlight 90 creative brands at its fifth edition

Playtime's signature sophisticated yet whimsical ambiance will set the tone. Playtime New York offers a comprehensive international selection of today's best collections in the children's market. The show encompasses infant and children's clothing, shoes and accessories, baby gear, toys, deco/design products. 

The stunning venue, 82 Mercer, reflects both a creative and commercial style, in one of New York's trendiest neighborhoods. The show provides an easy-to- navigate layout and an open booth design, which affords exhibitors the opportunity to customize their area.

As a special convenience for professional visitors, the show will also operate a complimentary shuttle service between 82 Mercer and The Show Piers. 

Exhibiting this season for the first time, many brands are looking forward to expand business at the American market: Pazitos, HBB, Grow studios, Hazel Village Toys, Bouton, Mirasa design (USA), The Brand (Sweden), Chat mechant (Belgium)… and many others join Playtime New York! 

In addition, many important brands are returning to the show this season, between them: Lucky Wang, Mini & Maximus, Noch, Neve/Hawk, Atsuyo et Akiko (USA), 10is, Pom d'api, Le vestiaire de Jeanne (France), Bobo Choses, Yporqué (Spain), Noé & Zoë, Tannhaüser (Germany)… 

For this next edition in August, Playtime New York is about to grow with more brands exhibiting, always with the same demand and desire to enable its visitors to experience a quality offer in an exceptional environment. Since its creation in 2007, every year Playtime selects a new artist to illustrate its trade fairs in Paris, New York and Tokyo. This year we are pleased to be working with talented American illustrator Patrick Hruby, who will take us on a journey through his colorful, geometric universe!