Toyology

Optimus Partytime

We managed to get along to the preview of the upcoming Transformers movie today, half an hours worth of footage and let us tell you this film ROCKS. The producer told us at the outset it wasn't complete in any way but WOW the CGI is amazing and there are a few half-decent humourous parts too. Next week we've been given exclusive access to some more Transformer goodies but for now we'd like to pay homage to the lighter hearted side of the movie with this balloon sculpture done by a chap named Michael over at Balloon Animals, it stands at over three feet high. We await a Megatron in Moonsand now!

Cheers Toysblog

Two Wheelers

We love the Twisterz range of cars from Corgi, twist their bodies and let them rip... Now Corgi are adding to the garage with Cyclonez versions, four fabulous motorbikes ready to rip.  A playset is also being launched which looks like an oversized version of the bikes and can carry all four inside and features a detachable dual launcher for a speedy send off. £2.99 for the bikes and £24.99 for the playset (includes two bikes)

Built to Last

All too often we have jigsaws that kids fall in love with only to fade in colour or bend and warp into uselessness. These heavyweight contenders from MonkeyShine are bulky, brightly coloured and comprise hand crafted pieces all contained within a cotton drawstring bag. The Alphabet Rage extends beyond just maps to animals, colours and other educational puzzles. This one is priced at £36, Europe £36.50 andthe US version £39.95 (pictured on the next page).

Dora Draw

After packing a plethora of toys and games to keep our four year old amused on a five hour flight I t admit an element of surprise at the almost addictive nature she showed toward the Travel Aquadraw from TOMY. This £10 toy kept her attention on the plane, transfer to the hotel and for many hours in the room and by the pool. Four cards with simple English/Spainish words to be coloured in with the supplied water pen had her interest immediately increased in a foreign language and she couldn't wait for it to dry and start learning again. Colours, numbers and various images taught mum and dad a few words too. Also available as a Thomas the Tank engine for wannabe train drivers to learn some railway lingo.

Star Wars Stunner

The famous smugglers starship belonging to Han Solo is a 5000+ piece beast of a build but stop your drooling Star Wars Fans this limited edition Millenium Falcon isn't ready to ship until October, but at least you can prepare some diary space for this challenging construction. 33" long, 22" wide and 8" tall you'll be needing to clear some "space" to show it off too. Rotating radar dish, extending boarding ramp, laser turrets and five mini figures of Chewy, Obi-Wan, Luke, Hans and Princess Leia. £349.99 secures your sizeable spaceship, the queues will be long for this one.

Price Drops

With Easter round the corner perhaps chocolate eggs are of the menu, well in vast quantities at least, so we're shopping aournd for some superb toys savings or alternative Eater gifts and Toys R Us have some very decent price cuts on a selection of ten fine toys, check here now.

Dancing Dolls

Sugababes and Mattel are the new toy partnership on the street and have a new themed Barbie hitting the shelves this May.

Speaking to Toy News Magazine Mattel UK MD Jean-Christophe Pean said of this new line "Barbie is having a phenomenal start to the year, increasing her share for the last seven months with double digit growth every week in 2007.  This exciting collaboration will bring another hot band into the Barbie portfolio, building on the success that we had with Girls Aloud in 2005.  Barbie is yet again at the cutting of edge of what is hot in a girls' world; her interests, aspirations and dreams.  Sugababes are the top selling female act of the century, what better company is there for the top-selling doll?"

The rage will have three individually designed Barbie dolls, each with an accessory personal to the band member.

Racing Red

Hot off the grid is this fantastic LEGO set to commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the legendary racing machine.

The 2007 LEGO Racers Ferrari red hot collection includes a precision replica of the 2006 Ferrari F430 Challenge as well as an exact model of one of the 2007 season car, the Ferrari F1 in a 1:24 scale.
The LEGO Ferrari F1 comes with mini driver, new sponsors and pull-back motor for action play.
Also available is the 728 piece LEGO Ferrari F1 Team that comes with eight mini figures including Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa to relive the pit side action.

This £49.99 garage provides a full pit service, service spare parts, tools, accessories but alas the girls aren´t to be seen.  Available from Toys R Us Nationwide

Wakey Wakey

Say no to boring alarm bells in the morning, over at Kids Juke Box they have a range of alarms that can be personalised so that you wake up to hear a song with your very own name included in it each and every day. There are five to choose from in the range and they come in three different languages to make that tedious task that little more acceptable. They also have a range of personalised CD´s, teddy bears and story books that make a perfect pressie.

Fluffy Bunny

The latest in the Hasbro Fur Real range is this new born bunny and it really needs some TLC. Gently wake her up by petting the soft fur on her back, listen to her make baby bunny sounds and then gently lift up her head to look at you! Stop petting your bunny she will lay her head down and fall back to sleep. The more you love and play with your Newborn Bunny, the more she will respond and love you back! A champion amongst cute creations we think, all in time for Easter. Priced at around 12.99 from stores nationwide. Get yours in Black, Grey or white complete with adoption certificate.