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Product Showcase for the week of August 8, 2005

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 8/10/2005 5:30:00 AM

Cute-y books This October, QT Pie will be available for retail worldwide. The QT Pie books, San Paul Group, Detroit , began in 1999 by targeting African American girls, aged pre-k to third grade. Now, Q.T. Pie goes global through a worldwide distribution deal with Scholastic, New York . Since the launch, the books have gained more popularity as the main character Q.T. Pie goes on her adventures along with her friend Smart-E, who encourages boys to think smart. Titles currently available include Q.T. Pie’s Rescue Adventure, Q.T. Pie Meets Smart E, The Ingredients of a Q.T. Pie, Q.T. Pie Catches the Rainbow, and a Q.T. Pie coloring and activity book. Books retail for $4.99.

	Whack the mole A leading amusement brand, Whac-a-Mole, Bob’s Space Racers, Daytona Beach, Fla., is spreading worldwide and becoming more interactive. Activision, Santa Monica, Calif. and Toy Quest, Clive, Iowa are developing video game versions of the game as well as a smaller, more affordable version from Hasbro, Pawtucket, R.I. (SRP $19.99). The full-sized, custom version of Whac-a-Mole retails for approximately $3,000.

Fiesta fun New Maya and Miguel figures from Toy Play, New York, can help kids enjoy the rest of the summer. The new Fiesta Fun and Siesta Fun poseable play sets include a 6 ½-inch Maya doll and accessories. Fiesta Fun includes Maya dressed for the party with table, chairs and miniature radio that plays three fiesta tunes. The Siesta Fun set features Maya in her pajamas with bedroom accessories. Press the button on the night table to see the lamp light up and the alarm clock rings (SRP $14.99).

	Score! Who says football has to be played on the field. The new FIKI (Flick It and Kick It) Football game, FIKI Sports,Torrance,Calif., is the tabletop version of the real thing. And the table version, which has been popular for decades, is simple. Fold a regular piece of paper into a triangle, use your opponents outstretched fingers as goalposts and voila! You’re playing football…well, the table version (SRP $6.95 for the original; $7.95 for the collegiate version).

Pony up The popularity of professional bull riding crosses into the younger generations with plush product from Douglas Company, Keene , N.H. The Western Roundup collection includes accessories and room décor items in plush pony style. The 13 ½ by 10 ½ –inch knapsacks feature the signature brown, black and ivory painted pony plush fabric trimmed in denim and red bandana print—silver rhinestones and a curly plush pony head peak out of the bag's closure (SRP $28.00). In addition to the larger set, smaller knapsacks, eight-inch ($22.00) and seven-inch ($10.00) versions are also available for smaller bull riders. A 13-inch pocket pillow is also available for any room—a removable plush nugget horse is in the center of the pillow (SRP $16.00; $8.00 for the nine-inch version).

If you see something you like and contact the manufacturer, please say you saw it at Playthings.com!

To be included in the Product Showcase, Playthings must receive a press release with product image of the new and/or upcoming toy. The image must be suitable for the Web and it must be a product shot out-of-box. Be sure to include the product's SRP. What products go into the showcase is at the sole discretion of the editorial staff. Send materials to associate editor Tina Benitez at tina.benitez@reedbusiness.com. We will not accept hard copy; electronic files only.

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