NUCHI Birthday Train program starts strong.

After discussions with several retailers who have had tremendous success with
wooden railway over the years we are introducing our birthday promotion set. This is
a very simple set (shown below) designed as the first set for a two year old child. It
comes in a brown cardboard box with a label showing the item number and the set
name. It will cost the retailer $4.50 and has a retail value of more than $20.00.
This “Seed” Set starts the child out with an appropriate amount of railway product
for their age and sets the stage for many years of railway play to come! Once
they’ve mastered the Seed set, they come back to the store for more track, trains,
and accessories building a great railway set for the consumer and a great customer
for the retailer! For this reason it is important for the retailer to support the width of
the Nuchi line to participate in this promotion.
Let us know if you think it can work for you.  If you dont think it will, let us tell you why you are wrong. ;-) Kiel

Ugly Doll Totes available @ $2.50 each 12 piece case pack.

Call Us and get your inventory today.

BONTEMPI from Original Toy

BONTEMPI has been an icon in children’s music for over 40 years, Made in Italy – BONTEMPI is the unquestioned leader in children’s musical toy instruments in the world today.

The Original Toy Company is very proud to bring these Trumpets, Saxophones, Clarinets, Wooden Guitars and Marching Drums, just to name a few, to the specialty toy trade in the USA. Thank you in advance for your consideration of these great products.

Let's get some in your store!
-Kiel

New and SHIPPING from Science Wiz

EcoSnoopers Make US Magazine

Family Pastimes Award Winners from previous years

AWARD WINNERS
CANADIAN TOY TESTING TOP RATED
HARVEST TIME
PRINCESS
SLEEPING GRUMP
SECRET DOOR
GRANNY'S HOUSE
ROUND UP
MAX
ADVENTURES OF HARLEY
BEAUTIFUL PLACE
SNOWSTORM
CHRISTMAS GAME
INVESTIGATORS
MOUNTAINEERING
SPACE FUTURE
EXPLORERS
STARWORDS

PARENTS CHOICE GOLD
SANDCASTLES
SECRET DOOR

DR TOY BEST GAMES
BERRIES, BUGS & BULLFROGS
CAVES & CLAWS
LET'S GO SAILING
EARLY YEARS
A GROWLY IN THE GARDEN
ICE BREAKERS TO THE RESCUE
SEARCH & RESCUE

PARENTING MAGAZINE BEST GAME
GRANNY'S HOUSE
MAX

TEACHERS CHOICE AWARD
WALK IN THE WOODS
BERRIES, BUGS & BULLFROGS
LET'S GO HIKING
TOGETHER
CHOICES

ASTRA Best Toys For Kids List 2009

You Nominated, You Voted. Now... The Winners, Please!

There are all kinds of toy award programs and top ten toy lists put together by parents or magazine editors or toy experts, but the ASTRA Best Toys for Kids List is different. Nominated by the entire ASTRA community and voted on by more than 200 ASTRA retailer members nationwide, it’s a genuine grass roots effort based on true toy expertise. Congratulations to the top 21 Best Toys for Kids.

Click here to see the complete list, pictures of each product and buying information.

To highlight this list to the media, ASTRA is hiring a top-flight public relations firm to develop a national holiday promotion to consumers. This public relations program has the potential to reach into your community in a big way. So take part in the BTFK splash this holiday season, stock up on these products now. Look for more information in the coming months to help you promote the products to your customers through shelf-talkers, stickers and posters.

This year’s Real Toy winners are:

* Magformers Multicolored 30pc Magnetic Building Set
* Mini collectable Eraser by BC Office
* Snap Circuits Green by Elenco
* Sticky Mosaic Twinkle Tiaras by The Orb Factory

BC JAPANESE ERASERS HAVE MADE THE ASTRA "THE BEST TOYS FOR KIDS" LIST

ASTRA retailers have selected BC's Iwako collectable Erasers, for their 2009 Best Toys For Kids list!
Expect Media interest to follow. - Kiel

Hohner speceal edition Christmas Harmonicas....Order for the Holidays

Hohner is getting ready for the holidays with new POP marketing adornments and some cool Christmas harmonica colors.
See below for more details or contact us reps, we know. -Kiel

HOG WILD PAYS YOU BACK IN AUGUST

ORB FACTORY 3rd QUARTER PROMO

$500 gets less 5%
$1000+ gets either 5% off or 12 pieces of $8.50 sticky mosaics.
Get your Order in by September 30

Hape August Deal:

$1000 + FFA & N/60 must ship by 10/1/09
$1500+ FFA & N/90 must ship by 9 /1/09

NATIONAL BUY-LOCAL CAMPAIGN FOUNDER TO SPEAK AT SUMMER MARKET

The 3/50 Project’s Cinda Baxter Coming to Pacific Market Center

SEATTLE – Pacific Market Center, announces Cinda Baxter, Founder of The 3/50 Project and social networking pioneer as part of the speaker line-up at the 2009 Summer Market Week. The 3/50 Project, recognized as one of the most successful, fastest growing campaigns in small business history, relies on the simple premise “Pick 3, spend 50, save your local economy.” The 3/50 Project exploded onto the national stage in March with an aim to funnel dollars back into the local economy through support of independent retailers and the consumers who shop with them.

On Friday August 21^st, 2009 at 9 a.m. Baxter’s educational seminar titled ‘The 3/50 Project: Building Business From the Ground Up’, will discuss how the Project came to be, what it’s grown into today, and how independent retailers can use it to strengthen their business and reclaim consumer dollars in a positive, effective manner.

“The role of independent retailers is critical for the health, creativity and growth of the retail industry and the vitality of our economy,” said Lisa Goodman, marketing director, Pacific Market Center. “We are honored to have Cinda here to inspire and help these important businesses thrive in this difficult economy.”

As past recipient of two national Retailer Excellence Awards and frequent press coverage ranging from The Wall Street Journal to Fox Business, Cinda now “pays it forward” to retailers and vendors through her consulting company Always Upward and as founder of The 3/50 Project.

Widely recognized as an expert in the gift and stationery industries, Cinda’s resumé includes seats on numerous industry boards including AmericasMart Atlanta and Gift for Life; speaking engagements at trade shows both here and abroad; and a position as Contributing Editor for the gift industry’s largest trade publication, Gifts and Decorative Accessories Magazine. Cinda is also the founder of successful online communities, including RetailSpeaks and Brilliant Ink.

Baxter’s seminar will take place on Friday, August 21, 2009 at Pacific Market Center on the second floor in the Learning Forum from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., with coffee, pastries and networking opportunities taking place beforehand from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. To register for this free seminar, email info@pacmarket.com or call 800-433-1014.

Seattle Market Week and the Summer Gift & Home Accessories Show will take place at the Pacific Market Center Wednesday, August 19 through Tuesday, August 25, 2009. For more information about the show please visit www.pacificmarketcenter.com or call (800) 433-1014.

Reviews Kane-Miller EDC books

Waiting for Winter BY Sebastian Meschenmoser 978-1-935279-04-4 $15.99

“It is smart, clever, beautifully illustrated, and downright funny. Each season there is one good ‘snow’ book that comes out for kids. This book should be considered the good snow book of this and any other year. Read it! Meschenmoser is our man and if ever there was a book of his deserving of our attention it is Waiting for Winter. Touching and funny by turns, this turns out to be not only an idea winter tale, but also a perfect bedtime story too. For any kid who has ever tried to stay awake for an important event, this tale rings true. A must purchase. Can't talk it up enough.” - A Fuse #8 Production

Dinner Games Special Try Gather 'Round and Restuarant Game

Order a special case of 6 of each games and try them out!

Dragons & Benders from Hog WIld....It's a special!!

More Action Figures from UGLY

NEW! from UGLYDOLL

GLOW in the DARK ICE-BAT Action Figures!

6piece blind boxed assortments

Minimum order 24 units/$96

PREORDER YOURS NOW! For September Delivery!

Seattle Gift Show Dates 2010

January 20-26th, 2010

August 18-24th, 2010

New from Hog Wild LOOK LOOK LOOK

LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN YOUR HOG WiLD CATALOG SINCE YOU SHOULD HAVE IF YOU HAVE BOUGHT FROM THE COMPANY IN THE LAST 3 YEARS

Cadaco Takes Shot at Creative Child Mag's 2009 Awards

GREAT NEWS!! Cadaco has just been awarded 3 Preferred Choice Awards and 1 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine for 2009 on an assortment of products.

These awards are determined by over 100 moms and educators and are awarded for creativity, fun and educational play for each of the toys in each category reviewed. Cadaco has been awarded 4 in the following categories – Enviro-BLOX, Game Bytes USB Games, “Big Draw” Drawing Machine and Boom Ball Sling Shot.

Enviro-Blox Monster Fun Set,
a 2009 PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD (Creative Play category)

Game Bytes USB Game,
a 2009 PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD (Electronic Toys category)

Big Draw Chalk Drawing Machine,
a 2009 PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD (Outdoor Creative Play category)

Boom Ball Sling Shot,
a 2009 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD (Outdoor Play category)

NEW BC Price List on the site.

BC is coming out with a new catalog and you need to get one. But you also might want a handy pricelist in excel. If you do not get your BC catalog showing all the newest stuff, make sure you contact us to get one. -Kiel

See Eebee interview. Please link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4efUIpNJXKw&feature=channel_page

Elenco FFA Net-90 ends in August.

The always anticipated Elenco Deal is up and running FFA Net90 at $800.
This is always worth it. I have some customers that order early and again at the end of August.
Make sure you have enough product for a strong 4th Quarter.
-Kiel

MORE Awards for Playroom ! ! ! !

Pick A Paint Game,

a 2009 GAME OF THE YEAR AWARD

(Memory Games category)

Baker's Dozen Game,
a 2009 GAME OF THE YEAR AWARD

(Family Card Games category)

Ligretto® Game,
a 2009 PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD

(Card Games category)

Secrets of the Sea,
a 2009 PREFERRED CHOICE AWARD

(Board Games for Kids category)

Time After Time Game,
a 2009 SEAL OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

(Family Card Games category

Orb Factory July Promotion

$500 orders will receive a 5% discount, and $1000 orders and above will receive a 5% discount and no more than 12 free $8.50 Sticky Mosaics of the customers choice (meaning a $2000 order does not receive 24 kits, etc.).

Lots of new arrivals this month to let you know about! The minis will all be back in stock as of 7/21, Jewels will be back next week, and My First Picture Maker is FINALLY back in stock starting 7/21. Magnetic Mosaics Junior and Metal Junior will be shipping again by 7/28. The 3 purses (Wild, Argyle, and Plaid) will be available starting 7/21, as will Sticky Mosaics Fairy Box. The Tiara Play Day Kits are available as of 7/28.

Ligretto Arrives, BIG EVENT planned. Can you host?

Ligretto from Playroom is finally here and Playroom is promoting a national launch and wants your store to be part of it. Ligretto has sold over 5 million copies in Europe and the potential here is just as good. People are playing in bars and have giant Ligretto parties.

If you aren't aware of the game yet, take a peek! Click HERE to see the game played and click HERE to see what the packaging looks like and HERE to see the instructions. I love the fast pace of the game that doesn't give you a chance to breath. There's lots of laughing and fun for family and friends.

We would like to have a Ligretto Anytime Weekend July 24th, 25th and 26th. A free play set will be included for orders of 12 pieces and if your store will be taking part in the event along with free electronic copy you can print for in store use, or use in an email blast, and free store signage in the form of a Ligretto window cling.

Introducing a MEDUCATIONAL game......

Scabs and Guts is the new “meducational” board game for kids. Click for the production package shot along with the board and components of the game, and the rules of play.

Scabs and Guts is a great game for kids. But while the focus is on younger children, We think the whole family would get a kick out of the game. There’s a lot of great information, gross words and facts (which you know kids love!) and some silly stunts. I’m sure there will be lots of laughter and bits of learning throughout the game.

Scabs and Guts should be in stock by the end of July. - Kiel

Playroom and FREE FREIGHT

Free Freight Again for the 3rd quarter show season.

$300 FFA
$700 FFA less 5%

PREPAY AND GET ANOTHER 5%

Contact one of us for more details.

Best of Best includes Spalding Sports Balls in line-up!!

WOW, this is exciting. Spalding sports balls are now available from Best of Best. Who else? Link here to see what's going to be available.

Beware the FAKE JAPANESE ERASERS....Yikes!!

BC will never ask you to fax in orders directly to their office. Have you had someone claiming to be BC?
Careful, they are selling FAKE Iwako erasers. BC has the exclusive on Iwako in the United States. Some entities are going to the trouble of importing Iwako into Hong Kong and exporting to the US to get around BC's exclusive. Why take a chance, buy from the company with the largest selection of Japanese erasers in the United States.

Coming Soon from Huggalugs!

Huggalugs is delighted to announce the release of Legruffles™, an innovative new leg hugger. This enchantingly shirred leg warmer with ruffled cuff is THE accessory to add the perfect finishing touch on outfits both dressy and casual. Perfect for everyday wear, dance class and dress-up, what little girl won't love adding these frilly confections to their wardrobe?! Available in 4 luscious colors:

• Smitten Kitten - softest pale pink
• So Pink - vibrant bright pink
• Vanilla Cream - yummy light cream
• Spunky Black - pure black

Soft and breathable, LegRuffles ™ are 75% Cotton, 23% Spandex and 2% Elastane.

The new catalog from Best of Best is now available and there are loads of new items.

Best of Best is a great resource for lots of lines you are buying but no minimums. If you need a copy of the new Best of Best supplement, let your rep know and we will get a copy out to you ASAP. - Kiel

Seattle Gift is coming up In August!!

It is coming again this year, yes, the Seattle Gift Show. We will be in our NEW showroom, 268 in the usual place 6100 4th Ave S. To some the Pacific Market Place; to others Market, and to the rest of us the 6100 Building.

One of the reasons we are staying in the building is we think the retail markets are ready to start turning around and what a great venue to be in as that happens.

Get ready to see what is new with our companies and take some time to enjoy a drink with us in the building.- Kiel

Boom Ball products from Cadaco make Today Show

Click here and move the slider to 2:00 and see what the Boom Ball Slingshot can do. This is the TODAY SHOW.
Cadaco got consumer calls in the first 30 minutes after this segment aired.
Order now and dont have customers leaving your store in tears.

Big Draw will be featured in Cookie Mag....

The #8901 – “Big Draw” Sidewalk Drawing Machine, from Cadaco, will be one of the featured items in the next issue of Cookie Magazine. Check out our homepage to see Big Draw in action.
Lots of moms read this magazine and look for products for there kids that are fun and educational.
Kiel

Boom Ball ... THIS JUST IN!

This Thursday June 11^th during the 8:00 hour the Cadaco “Boom Ball” Sling Shot will be featured on the TODAY SHOW during the Elizabeth Werner segment featuring outdoor toys for this summer.

Our products get great reviews on wtstoyreview.com

Pecoware is having great success with their new Eco-Snooper range of products with loads of media. The company just alerted me to the family resource website, wtstoyreview.com for 2 Eco-Snooper items, the Activity Kit and the Back Packs. While on the site I also found out they the site has reviewed a number of our products listed below.
FlapDoodle from Imagination
Beat the Parents also from Imagination
Down on the Farm Discovery Box from Hape Int.

The reviews are all possitive!! Take a peek!!
Kiel

Rubber Biscuit!!!! but not from the Blues Brothers.

Iwaco Erasers are in full stock. I can't say it enough, order now, order more than you want to! You will sell these bad boys. As Miguel, the president of BC, says " it's money in the bank!"

Japanese erasers are now in full stock. If it is in the catalog or on their website, it is in stock.

Call us.
Kiel

NUCHI Playhouse ships June 15th

We ask ourselves the value of heading to New York for Toy Fair every February. And the answer is at the right. Had I not seen this fantastic cardboard playhouse in person, I would not be as excited as I am now that this American made product will be shipping June 15th.

What I love so much about this playhouse, unlike so many others, is that I can get in it! May sound basic, but most of the other cardboard houses I have seen wont accommodate an adult and what's the fun in that? This Nuchi Branded Playhouse from Little Little Little Toy Company is already a hit with a number of catalogs borrowing the 1 sample we had and using it for their catalog photo shoots. $80.oo retail. Click here to see the sell sheet.

New Beleduc puzzles from Hape now in stock.

The new puzzles are fun! These have been available in Europe for years.
Take a peek and contact us to order.

Bamboo e-Racers have new company, in September anyway, but you need to order them now. Take the same peek and scroll through the pdf to see what is new with Bamboo Collection.

Eco Snoopers from Pecoware.....no, not pink!

Take a peek at the new Eco Snooper line from Pecoware. There is a link on the NEWS page. This range has a look and pallet of colors and textures that is perfect for us here in the NW.
Samples are in the showroom and/or are coming. The look gets a lot of looks in the showroom and the lack of pink means fewer people are going blind than ever before.
Kiel

Baby Legs no longer a local company.

Huggalugs is a great alternative to Baby Legs since the status of that company is in question. As you probably know by now, Huggalugs are made in Australia and their Organics are made in China. Prices are good and they are shipped from near Seattle in Snohomish, Washington. Link to catalog and pricelist information on the CONTACTS page at the bottom.

May Mini show is finished.......

Did it ever start? This was a slow show for us but the buzz around the building was positive. We also met a couple of new customers which is always nice.

Iwako erasers are still steaming along. Our customers have yet to experience the kind of sales volume that other parts of the country are experiencing but everyone that buys these cute little erasers from BC in San Francisco does well with them. BC is still offering FFA at $300!!

Also, had a couple of nice ladies come in yesterday after seeing the great Little Autos from Hape in the lobby display we have. They bought 4 displays for their little gift shop in Eastern Washington. That is the same reaction retailers that carry the Little Autos are getting from their customers.

We have seen a nice bump in sales on the Original Toy Co. Baby Walker wagon since we found out Brio will not be shipping that item. And what a great price, at $28.00!!