"They come in with very specific ideas of what they want to buy, which helps direct us on what to carry."

—Bob Breneman, owner, G. Willikers, Portsmouth, N.H., July 2005

 

"Eyewitness DK Books, all over the place."

—Kathy, Bonkers, West Lebanon, N.H., January 2007

 

"I would have to say the OWI Make Your Own Robot Kits appeal to some of the older kids. And you can actually program them."

—Cheryl Pyles, manager, Toyland, Milford, N.H., December 2006

 

"Omigosh! Did that thing [Quadrilla] sell! We couldn't get enough for Christmas. We were 2 1/2 weeks into the season and basically sold out."

—Steven Levy, owner, Toy City, Surry, N.H., April 2006

 

"Anticipate Webkinz to continue to grow and become more popular as more people are aware of them. In some parts of the country, they can't keep them in stores. In Boca Raton, I have a friend who sells hundreds a day."

—Rich, owner, Learning Express, North Hampton, N.H., August 2006

 

"Zoomorphs. We have them on our table ... and kids like them and I think they're kind of nice to play with. …  My husband liked them at Toy Fair and I didn't. They sell well."

—Jean Simmons, owner, Toy Chest, North Conway, N.H., November 2005

www.toychestnh.com

 

"Firemen always win hands down, but we are starting to see a lot of pirates this year, and knights. Knights always win in the end; they'll even do better than the fireman because they can be for girls or boys."

—Isis Latham, owner, Abracadabra Toy Shop, Peterborough, N.H., January 2007

www.abracadabratoys.com

 

"I go to gift shows because it's an opportunity to find crossover stuff; you can also find deals there you can miss at Toy Fair; we are looking for deals or specials."

—Robert Leuchtner, owner, Magic Forest, Portsmouth, N.H., November 2006

 

"I should just open a store for those things [Schleich figures]."

—Warren Brown, owner, French's Toy Shop Incorporated, Concord, N.H., July 2006

 

"Stuffed animals always because they can cover a lot of bases, by Douglas."

—Kaitlin Post, manager, Precious Cargo, Peterborough, N.H., December 2006

 

"The Rat a Tat Cat card game plays quickly, and parents like it because it involves a little bit of math, and they don't mind playing it with their kids."

—Laura Miller, owner, Imagination Village, Inc., Concord, N.H., July 2006

www.imaginationvillage.com

 

"The best games for kids are the Cranium games, because they're very interactive and can play as a family or with friends."

—Susan Spence, manager, Kringle's Toy Box, Amherst, N.H., December 2006

 

"There's one called My Dream Horse Customizing Kit by Breyer [that] kids like because they get a horse and can paint it anyway they want; it's a craft and they wind up having a toy at the end."

—Geoff Pendexter, owner, Whirlygigs, Brentwood, N.H., December 2006

 

Tutone emphasizes the "spectacular, entertaining and engaging" character of play with themed departments, where "I try to tell stories throughout the store."

—Kathleen Tutone, manager, Treehouse Toys, Portsmouth, N.H., January 2007

www.treehousetoys.com