Lego and Moleskine – Fit Together Perfectly in Notebook Fabrication

Lego is a product close to The Toy Detective’s heart – yet, closer still is the Moleskine notebook; because I almost alway carry one in an inside jacket pocket.

So, I could hardly contain my delight upon hearing that there would be a “cult limited edition” of my most trusted form of on-the-road stationery.

Previous special editions worthy of note include: Woodstock, Pac-Man, Petit Prince, Peanuts and Star Wars. This particular Moleskine will contain a Lego baseplate set in its front cover. Read more

Lego Minifigures Series 6 (8827)

So, here I am again standing in a toy shop squishing the sealed foil mystery packs of Lego Minifigures in order to apprehend my most wanted little Lego person. Yes, Lego Minifigures Series 6 is now in all good toy shops, [and online from Amazon] again 16 original new characters have been created for children to collect, trade and play with.

For the record, The Toy Detective was on the look-out for the skater girl in this series; and yes, I was lucky. I wanted the skater girl for two reasons. Firstly, she has a great outfit which makes me think she’s a fan of Electo-Industrial music (and possibly a band named Terminal Choice). Secondly, I’ve a couple of the skateboarder figures from series one (definite Combichrist fan), so they’ll look good side-by-side. Read more

My Little Pony to Trot onto LeapPad Screens

LeapPad and Leapster Explorer owners will soon be able to enjoy episodes of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, The Adventures of Chuck and Friends and Pound Puppies.

A deal struck with Hasbro means that more downloadable videos will be available through the LeapFrog Connect app centre this month. Each of these downloads will contain two episodes from the chosen animated TV show and will sell for between $5 to $10. Read more

Get Lego Friends First at Toys R Us

With the presents unwrapped and played with for a mere day or two, the time is right for new ranges of Lego to be launched. After all, there’s Christmas money and gift vouchers just waiting to be spent.

Lego Friends have been launched in time to ring-in the new year of 2012. The range, along with new Ninjago toys, are available online at Toys”R”Us for home delivery, and will arrive in stores soon.

Lego Friends marks yet another attempt by the company to grab a slice of the lucrative girls collectibles market. While Lego, as a plaything, is neither specifically for boys of girls, recent years has seen the line of products become perceived by much of the public as a “boys” toy. Read more

Thomas, Fireman Sam, Dora & Spongebob on your LeapPad

Owners of LeapFrog’s new and most wanted LeapPad and the established Leapster Explorer will soon be able to enjoy a range of videos apps available from the LeapFrog download centre [or, center, if you're in the USA].

Agreements signed with HIT Entertainment and Nickelodeon means that video episodes of Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies and Team Umizoomi will be available to download directly to LeapPad or Leapster Explorer. Read more

Lego becomes Girlie after Growing-Up – by 5mm

The LEGO brick in its simple form, has been a popular plaything amongst both boys and girls for decades.

The privately-owned Danish company has been enjoying financial success against the tide of economic gloom in recent years, however, it’s by becoming an increasingly firm favourite among boys, that has seen LEGO’s sales become a threat to the world’s two largest toymakers: Mattel and Hasbro. Read more

Fellowship of the Brick: J.R.R. Tolkien LEGO Out June 2012

LEGO and Warner Bros. have announced today the signing of a deal that will mean The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit construction sets should be available in the shops from summer 2012.

The Lord Of The Rings Lego sets are planned for release into United States stores during June 2012, with other countries following soon afterwards.

The LEGO The Lord Of The Rings collection will feature building sets from all three films in the trilogy: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

Later in 2012 Lego sets based on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will appear with The Hobbit: There and Back Again construction toys to follow at a later date. Read more

LeapPad and InnoTab: is there any hope of getting one before Christmas?

There is still some last minute hope for those wishing to buy a VTech Innotab for Christmas, without paying over the odds. LeapPad is much harder to find from well-known retailers, so snap one up quickly from eBay or Amazon, while there is still a chance.

UPDATE 17th December 2011

The chances of getting one from a well known retailer before Christmas, has now become very remote. So, that leaves eBay and Amazon as the best hope.

I’ve just witnessed a LeapPad auction end at £88 (plus P&P) and an InnoTab auction end at £85 (again extra for delivery). A little eBay tip: if you’re looking for a deal, select “Time: Ending Soonest” on the “Sort by” menu button that appears on the right hand side of the screen above the product list. John.

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At this very moment, John Lewis and The Entertainer have the InnoTab in stock online for home delivery. eBay prices of VTech’s iPad-style tablet computer for children are not too expensive, Please note, that the pink version is exclusive to Argos in Britain, so if you cannot get it at the catalogue store then it maybe worth buying from eBay as soon as possible.

LeapPad prices are higher on auction sites and from third party sellers, however, too many traders have tried to profit on the back of the high demand for this LeapFrog product, so (as I write this) prices are around £100 – £110; and not the double money some of the eBay listers were hoping for.

Good luck in you search for these most want items. I hope your children’s LeapPad and InnoTab Christmas dreams come true.

Read more

30,000 LeapPads arrive at US Toys”R”Us stores

In the US, Toys R Us is the place to go if want to get your hands on one of this year’s most wanted toys – the LeapPad Explorer. Over 30,000 units of the learning tablet computer for children will be available to buy at the toy superstores as they open at 6 am on Saturday 10 December.

Not only will the elusive LeapPad be re-stocked, other popular ranges, such as, Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure, Let’s Rock Elmo and Xia-Xia will also be available to buy. Read more

What are my chances of getting a LeapPad in time for Christmas?

You’ll need to act now, and will probably have to pay over-the-odds if you want to buy a LeapPad Explorer as a Christmas present.

It’s worth keeping an eye on the websites of companies, such as, Tesco Direct, Argos and Toys R Us for a chance to secure one of a limited supply of stock at £79.99.

Hamley’s has also been getting some stock but are charging £100 for the LeapPad.

Currently the easiest way to get your hands on this iPad-style tablet computer is through Play.com, Amazon.co.uk and eBay. Read more

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