"Gund is our big one. It's a great company to work with."

—Jean Oliveira, manager, Henry Bears Park, Brookline, Mass., December 2006

www.henrybear.com

 

"I walk up and down every aisle [at Toy Fair] except for 'Techno,' 'Dolls' and the Hong Kong Pavilion."

—Randy Austin, owner, Gifted Child, Lenox, Mass., January 2007

 

"Klutz just keeps selling, no matter where we have a display. As long as we keep it stocked, it sells."

—Michele and Ken Gietz, owners, Where'd You Get That?, Williamstown, Mass., June 2006

www.wygt.com

 

"A couple of the new Cranium games will be fun: Pop Five plays in an interesting way."

—Sally Lesser, owner, Henry Bear's Park, Arlington, Mass., March 2006

www.henrybear.com

 

"[Our] best-selling boy costume is [the] plastic knight outfit; hat, breast shield, and sword. I think it's best selling because of the sword. We get ours mostly through Small World Toys."

—Nancy Streeter, owner, Eureka Toys, Newburyport, Mass., January 2007

www.eurekatoys.com/index.html

 

"Classics, like 'Make Way for Ducklings,' do very well here."

—Mary Groark, owner, Sundial Bookstore Incorporated, Lexington, Mass., January 2007

 

" The little girls like the princesses, and stuff like Dorothy is always popular from the Wizard of Oz."

—Laura Brauer, owner (with husband), Cloud Nine Toys, Sudbury, Mass., January 2007

www.adorablekidsdressup.com/Cloud_Nine_Toys_home.htm

 

"I just brought in Sasafras, little baking kits. They're adorable — fairy princess, pizza kits, magic cookie kit. … Just a great way to get kids involved in cooking and having fun with cooking."

—Michelle Deutschmann, owner (2 years), Kaleidoscope Toys, Falmouth, Mass., December 2006

 

 

"I need to know kids are using their imaginations. Also, I need to know that they're not being retailed at places like Walmart or Toys 'R' Us."

— Julie Nicolazzo, Toy Boat, Hudson, Mass., November 2006

 

"I think that Groovy Girls itself has slowed down. … [They're] thinking of different creative ways to revamp it again."

— Sonya Kalajian, owner, Toy Shop of Westford, Conn., Westford, Mass., December 2006

www.toyshopofwestford.com

 

"I'd have to say, again, classics — 'Old MacDonald,' 'Lady Who Swallowed a Fly' — any books about how parents love their children."

— Teddy Baker, manager, Zoinks, Holyoke, Mass., January 2007

 

"In order for me to order online, I would have to have it requested by a customer; or something in print about 'hot new product.' I need hearsay on new products."

— Diana Gisolfu, co-owner, with 2 sisters, Sisters Kids, Springfield, Mass., November 2006

 

"Looking for new products we don't have would be an enticement to do more [research online]."

— Lisa Mitchell, Peacock Feathers, Needham, Mass., November 2006

 

"Magic Tree House, the whole series."

— Mike Buglio, owner, The Book Rack, Arlington, Mass., January 2007

 

"Our best craft kit is Alex Watch-it. You can design your own watch. It serves two purposes — arts and crafts project, and then kids can wear it afterward."

— Issac, head of operations, Magic Beans, Brookline, Mass., December 2006

 

"Stopped going [to Toy Fair] a few years ago — can get information directly online with everyone."

—John Diciccio, owner, John's Collectible Toys & Gifts, Worcester, Mass., November 2006

 

"The best family game, the strongest seller, and with good reason, is Blokus."

—Bob Hallett, co-owner, Learning Express, Westborough, Mass., December 2006

 

"We've been doing very well also with Professor Noggin's by Outset Media. They have a wide range of historically-based and scientific-based games."

—Mary Walsh, owner, Magical Child, Greenfield, Mass., December 2006

www.magical-child.com

 

"I tend to get costumes that are a little funkier than the traditional — neon green and orange."

—Jackie Keyes, buyer, Over the Moon, Hingham, Mass., January 2007

 

"This new Webkinz has potential to become collectible, but its claim to fame is the online password. You can do interactive online activities with your pet. It potentially could be like the Beanie Babies phenomenon."

—Joyce Will, manager, Learning Express, Andover, Mass., December 2006

 

"Uglydolls. They're so poplar and across such a broad age range. ... When they first came out several years ago, I thought, 'I don't think so,' but I was proven wrong. They're just so popular."

—Elaine Hackney, owner, J P Boing's Toy Shop, Jamaica Plain, Mass., Winter 2005

 

"We do very well with Snap Circuits. It's for the older child."

—Deran Muckjian, owner, Catch a Falling Star, Lexington, Mass., December 2006

 

"We don't really do anything for different for Halloween. We're looking for licensed costumes."

—Gage Brownell, manager, Belmont Toys, Belmont, Mass., January 2007

 

"Webkinz are explosive! Our plush sales are 92 percent above plan because of them. It is absolutely incredible!"

—LeeAnn Stern, general manager, Village Toy Shop, North Easton, Mass., July 2006

www.villagetoy.com

 

"Winning Moves does a great line of games — all the remakes of classics like Milbourne, and Monopoly 1939 Edition and Uncle Wiggly."

—Diane Robinson, owner, Silly Goose, Essex, Mass., December 2006

www.usillygoose.com