Barbie, Barbie, Barbie...and Friends at Toy Fair 2004

Every Toy Fair, I'm always surprised by the ingenuity of the creative team at Mattel. I always leave their show room thinking how inventive their toys are, and I also leave thinking "no way are they going to top this next year."

Well, this year is no exception. The new direction for Barbie will give thoses Bratz girls a real run for their money. Barbie dolls are becoming more story driven this year...almost in the mode of the American Girls...and the total effect is to give real cohesion to the new dolls as the dolls, clothing and accessories are all immersed in distinct worlds.

The other nice thing about the new focus on story-groups for Barbie is that certain Barbies are now clearly aimed at the youngest Barbie doll fans--these dolls have fairy themes, for instance, and they are pink, pink, pink! Another group, the My Scene dolls, have various stories in the collection--a Masquerade Party, Getting Ready For a Date. The My Scenes, along with the new California-Cool Calli Girl collection, are aimed more at older girls. The "stories" for the dolls will be told via DVDs, magazines, and books. More on all of this and all the collections when I return from New York! In the meantime, you can get more of a feel for all this at www.barbie.com

One final word on Mattel ingenuity, this time in plush. First, they gave us Tickle Me Elmo. Then, last year, the Hokey Pokey Elmo. This year--its Elmo singing and dancing to the "ELMO" song, set to the tune of "YMCA." This Elmo, with his dance moves, is so cute it has to be seen to be believed!