The Top 10 Toys for May

Nostalgia, fashion and entertainment characterize the toy industry´s current focus. Here is a forecast of the top ten toys for the 2004 holiday season.

1) Bandai America adds to its superhero lines with toys inspired by the Thunderbirds and Astro Boy. These action figures, vehicles, playsets and role-play items will provide fun for a new generation of fans and nostalgia for older collectors.

2) Budding decorators will now have a chance to try out the techniques on one of TLC´s popular shows. B-Bel Inc. introduces a Trading Spaces Design and Redesign House with reversible sticker appliques and wipe-clean walls that can be painted over and over. Realistic features include battery-operated lighting, stenciling and molding kits and landscaping.

3) Fisher-Price celebrates the 65th anniversary of View-Master with a limited edition set including eight reels that depict pop culture of the last six decades. View-Master Time Capsules feature a retro viewer and three reels with the Flintstones, the Smurfs or the Jetsons.

4) Fashionable animal lovers can take their furry friends anywhere with Douglas Pet Bags. Designs include a groovy look, Bohemian, and Western styles. The purses can carry Douglas plush animals with their heads peeking out or simply be used as a regular pocketbook.

5) LeapFrog´s See and Learn Driver gives toddlers a jumpstart on that learner´s permit. Steering and shifting are accompanied by realistic car sounds. Letters, numbers, music appreciation and first words are taught through animation, songs, and activities. A bilingual component enables play in Spanish or English.

6) Sunny Day/Dia Soleado Elmo adds a new twist to Fisher Price´s perennial favorite. The plush figure sings in Spanish or English with a squeeze of either hand. He also says five phrases in each language.

7) With Mattel´s new line of Incredible Crash Dummies kids can experience the fun of crash tests while learning auto safety. Each figure has its own way of coming apart, from the Splice, which breaks in half to Crash Gyro, whose legs and head spin out of control. Four different vehicles are packaged separately or with one action figure.

8) Trendy Totes are the newest addition to Lego´s Clikits girls line. Three different plastic "jelly" totes can be embellished with snap-on flowers, hearts and jewels. One style has a pocket to display a photograph.

9) R. Dakin and Company is reissuing the Dream Pets, a cartoon-esque line of stuffed velveteen animals made from 1957 to the early 80s. The replicas, created from original artwork and samples in the Dakin archives, are hand-finished and individually numbered for collectors.

10) The Hershey´s S´mores Maker is the newest addition to Spin Master´s line of licensed products. A pretend "campfire" brings these outdoor treats safely indoors for little campers.