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By TDmonthly Staff
January 2006

This month, TDmonthly Magazine explores the twin trends in books and tween gadgets while providing you with the best toy business tips even before they hit the radar. What follows are a few of our most intriguing reads. Start off the year the right way by letting TDmonthly keep you informed on the latest in the toy industry.

Pop-Up Books

What used to be a slightly more inventive form of children’s picture books has evolved into a stand-alone art form. Today’s pop-up books are making reading more interactive than ever before. TDmonthly looks at 10 of the most popular works of fiction that border on architectural paper marvels. (Click here to read the full story.)

Cell Phones

According to research commissioned by Firefly Mobile, 90 percent of kids ages 8 to 12 do not yet have their own cell phones. The company has quickly set to work to remedy the situation, attracting competition from enfora (with help from LeapFrog Enterprises Inc.), Mattel and Hasbro. Each making unique products with different child-friendly features, these powerhouses are bringing communication into the hands of little ones. (Click here to read the full story.)

Learning Express

Sharon DiMinico is the CEO and founder of Learning Express, the largest specialty toy retailer in the country. Amid a tough toy market, she has managed to grow her business to include more than 100 toy store franchises. After sharing tales of her success with TDmonthly last month, she continues the dialogue in this month’s issue. (Click here to read the full story.)

Advertising Routes

Innovatively promoting products and services is as important these days as providing them. Although print media has long been going the way of the dodo, television is now receiving stiff competition as well. Where from? Online media. (Click here to read the full story.)

Best-selling Holiday Toys

With the massive holiday season in our rearview mirror, it's time to take stock of what sold. Many predicted which toys would move like hotcakes: These are the products that came through. (Click here to read the full story.)