FEATURE/Toy Wishes Announces 2003 'Hot Dozen'; Magazine Hits Newsstands Today; Celebrated Magazine Predicts 'Must Have' Toys for Holiday 2003

Business Wire, Oct 8, 2003

Feature Editors/Business Editors

FEATURE...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2003

Toy Wishes, the celebrated magazine created to put the fun back in toy shopping, today announced its coveted 'Hot Dozen' - the toys predicted to be the most in demand and toughest to find once the buying season gets underway.

Announced each year by magazine co-publisher Jim Silver, the release of the Toy Wishes 'Hot Dozen' has been touted as the 'official' kick-off to the holiday toy-buying and editorial season. Joined by Chris Byrne (AKA The Toy Guy(TM)), Silver unveiled this year's 'Hot Dozen' at the First Annual TIA & Toy Wishes Holiday Preview, held at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City.

The Toy Wishes editorial staff began the 'Hot Dozen' selection process more than a year ago on their annual quest to preview - and review - all of the toys and games hitting the market in 2003. Over the past five years, the magazine has accurately predicted the best-selling and most popular toys of the year, from the more than 150,000 toys on the market at any given time. While Toy Wishes magazine features more than 500 new toys, only those predicted to be the most impossible to find because of their popularity receive 'Hot Dozen' status.

For the first time since its debut in 1999, this year's 'Hot Dozen' is actually a "Baker's Dozen" featuring 13 'must have' toys. So, in an attempt to relieve holiday shopping jitters and frantic attempts to find the impossible, this year's Hot Dozen is as follows (in alphabetical order):

    --  BARBIE COOK WITH ME KITCHEN
    (KIDdesigns/Ages 3 years and up/$129.99)
    Now kids are cooking! This fully electronic kitchen uses
    KIDdesigns' innovative technology to create the most realistic
    make-believe cookery ever. Sized just right for kids, Chef
    Barbie's voice guides them through all kinds of cooking fun. And
    the kitchen recognizes each of the more than 50 different foods.
    You'll wish a grown-up kitchen could do all that!

    --  BARBIE IN SWAN LAKE
    (Mattel/Ages 3 years and up/ Barbie as Odette Doll $19.99; Barbie
    of Swan Lake Musical Fantasy Castle $130)
    She's back in another starring role! Barbie is Odette in a
    marvelous retelling of Swan Lake on DVD. The doll features Barbie
    in her smashing, swan-inspired gown that she wears in the film
    while her magical castle is fit for a princess. It's the perfect
    background complete with lights music and more so girls can act
    out Barbie in Swan Lake stories--or create their own imaginative
    scenes. Girls will love re-enacting scenes from the film or
    allowing their imaginations to take flight with this beautiful
    doll.

    --  BEYBLADE REMOTE CONTROL TOP WITH LAUNCHER
    (Hasbro/Ages 8 years and up/$34.99)
    Awesome power and incredible command! The super-hot Beyblade
    phenomenon is getting a whole lot more exciting this holiday
    season. Kids can launch one of four different tops into the arena
    and then the action starts--use the handheld remote to control
    your top's spin direction and speed for more dramatic Beyblade
    competitions. Kids are in charge like never before!

    --  BTR TRANSFORMERS
    (Hasbro/Ages 6 years and up/$7.99-$29.99)
    It's a whole new world of building excitement. BTR stands for
    "Built to Rule," and these Transformers sets let kids build
    vehicles that convert to robots. There's a whole range of
    Transformers figures to build, and the mighty Optimus Prime
    includes Spark Plug, a collectible mini-con figure. These sets
    make big toys that are packed with features and excitement for
    kids.

    --  CARE BEARS BEDTIME LULLABY BEAR
    (Play Along/Ages 3 years and up/$24.99)
    Twenty years ago, the world was "invaded" by a group of colorful,
    cuddly bears from the rainbow-hued land of Care-A-Lot. They were
    the Care Bears, and they were one of the biggest hits of all
    time.  Now they're back to delight a new generation of kids eager
    time his paw is squeezed, asking for a bedtime hug. When hugged,
    his tummy glows and a lullaby plays! He even has a
    battery-powered nightlight.

    --  HOKEY POKEY ELMO
    (Fisher-Price/Ages 18 months and up/$29.99)
    "You put your right paw in..." Now everybody's favorite preschool
    character does every preschooler's favorite dance. Hokey Pokey
    Elmo is a red and furry friend who sings the classic song--and
    actually does the dance. And when he "turns himself about,"
    everyone will be having a wonderful time. After all, that's what
    it's all about.

    --  FORMAL FUNK RUNWAY DISCO
    (MGA Entertainment/Ages 5 years and up/$99.99)
    It's a totally stylin' night out for the Bratz. This incredible
    playset has a dazzling disco with real working lights and a
    special area for putting on make-up and getting ready. Then the
    big moment--a stroll down the motorized fashion runway! It's hours
    and hours of fun-filled, fashion-savvy play for girls and their
    Bratz. Plus, the set comes with the newest member of the Bratz
    Pack - Nevra, available initially only with this set.

    --  LEAPPAD PLUS WRITING LEARNING SYSTEM
    (LeapFrog/Ages 4-8 years/$59.99; additional books $14.99)
    This is the first learning system that helps kids learn
    fundamental skills of reading--plus writing and math. The dual
    function stylus really writes and encourages kids to engage in
    learning activities--reinforcing what they're learning as they
    write it down. There are more than 60 different titles in the
    LeapPad library, all designed to foster active learning through
    age-appropriate involvement.

    --  LEAPSTER EDUCATIONAL GAME SYSTEM
    (LeapFrog/Ages 4-8 years/$79.99; additional software $24.99)
    Imagine an exciting handheld game that also reinforces important
    skills. It's not too good to be true--it's here! The Leapster has
    a large, touch-activated screen and the games are all designed to
    actively engage children as they learn 60 essential basic skills.
    Games have increasing levels of difficulty to carry kids from
    preschool through the second grade.

    --  McDONALD'S McFLURRY MAKER
    (Spin Master/Ages 6 years and up/$24.99)
    What could be more fun than making a favorite treat at home? Kids
    just combine the ingredients, add in whatever extras they want,
    and then with the turn of a handle create their own perfect
    McFlurry! It's super-easy and lots of fun. The treats are the
    perfect size for a little snack whenever and wherever.

    --  MY LITTLE PONY CELEBRATION CASTLE
    (Hasbro/Ages 3 years and up/$39.99)
    It's a universe of fun for little girls as they bring the world of
    Ponyville and My Little Pony to life. There's so much here to
    inspire creative play with these beloved characters, including
    lights, music, a heart-shaped arch, moat, balcony--even a
    special pony-sized hot-air balloon! The castle comes with Pink
    Sunsparkle Pony, only available with this castle.

    --  NEOPETS VOICE ACTIVATED PLUSH
    (Thinkway Toys/Ages 4 years and up/$34.99)
    More than 70 million kids have adopted their very own Neopets on
    the phenomenal site www.neopets.com. Now these charming critters
    burst out of the monitor to become a sensational line of
    voice-activated pets. These 9-inch tall best pals respond to
    voices and talk back. They also interact with one another--and
    recognize each other by name!

    --  POWERTOUCH LEARNING SYSTEM
    (Fisher-Price/Ages 3-8 years/$49.99; additional books sold
    separately)
    This interactive educational system encourages kids to learn in a
    natural way--by touching pictures and interacting with the books.
    Thanks to innovative technology, the result is pure magic as books
    come alive as never before, gently encouraging kids to enhance
    fundamental pre-reading skills as they play. There's a whole
    library of titles to engage kids from preschool right through
    second grade.