"My hands-down best-selling toy is Playmobil. Kids like it because you can play with it without it falling apart. It's a play system. Everything snaps in."

—Linda Graham, president and co-owner, 14 years, Scheffel's Toys, Inc, Jacksonville, Ore., December 2006

www.sheffels.com

 

"Women like the San Rio Hello Kitty stuff, like checkbook covers and mugs — you can tell they're marketing to adults."

—Margaret James, manager, Child's Play/Toy Bear Ltd, Gresham, Ore., October 2006

www.toysinportland.com

 

"Ty is my best seller because of the affordable price and cute critters."

—Shirley Reilly, owner, Let's Play, Hillsboro, Ore., August 2006

 

"Placing orders, taking advantage of show specials, and meeting all of the people that I talk to on a regular basis is important [at trade shows]."

—Linda Hays, owner, Hopscotch Inc, McMinnville, Ore., November 2006

 

"The whole series of Piratology and Wizardology and Dragonology. They're by Candlewick Press. … They're the most unique books I've ever seen."

—Donna Dobkin, owner, Leapin' Lizards Toy Company, Bend, Ore., December 2006

www.leapinlizardstoys.com

 

"We also have a new company called Blabla. They're stuff is handmade in Peru and it's all knit. It's mostly for babies. They do green dogs with colored spots on them — little lions and things like that."

—Sarah Green, manager, Kids at Heart, Portland, Ore., December 2006

 

"We have something called Shockwave by Toysmith. First, they're noisemakers. Kids really like that. But they're also fascinating to watch thrown up into the air and do neat stuff that captures the attention of the kids."

—Shannon Nashis, manager, Creative Kidstuff, Portland, Ore., December 2006

www.creativekidstuff.com

 

" We rely on the toy reps to show us the latest and greatest. Once in a while, we'll have employees come in and say, 'I just saw a cool thing.'"

—Kate Noreen, manager, MudPuddles Toys & Books, Sherwood, Ore., November 2006

 

"Whitewings from A G Industries is a classic flyer for ages 7 and up. I think because it is more realistic looking than other products and they get to build it themselves is what they like about it."

—Jordan Walden, store manager, Finnegan's Toys and Gifts, Portland, Ore., July 2006

www.finnegantsoys.com