Super WHY! Toys Based on the PBS KIDS® Show
Learning Curve Makes Interactive Educational Toys for Preschoolers
Mar 10, 2009
Parents of kids who love Super WHY! have been asking, "Where can I find Super WHY toys?" The following article contains details about what toys will be available when, and where they can be found.
Super Why! Merchandise – Developing Interactive Toys
RC2 Corporation (the company behind the Learning Curve brand) and Out of the Blue Enterprises (the company that created the show) have worked closely together to create a product line that Learning Curve claims (in an October 2008 press release) will be "full of innovative toys that aim to educate and engage preschoolers through interactive, multi-sensory experiences while celebrating storytelling and creating reading readiness."
RC2 expects the first wave of toys to be available in the middle of 2009, with the full line in stores by fall 2009. Products from the line will include plush toys, action figures, vehicles, play sets, and electronic learning aids.
Learning Curve Line of Super WHY! Educational Toys for Preschoolers
Super WHY! toys the company announced for 2009 are:
- Super WHY! Two-Pack Vehicles consisting of figures of each Super Reader in a toy vehicle Why Flyer.
- Super WHY! Role Player Kits that preschoolers can use for dress-up imaginative play. Each character kit will come with a character-specific electronic prop – Super Why's Why Writer, Princess Presto's Magic Spelling Wand, Wonder Red's Wonder Words Basket, and Alpha Pig's Amazing Alphabet Tools (or, at least, a tool belt with a hammer).
- Super WHY! Action Figures with articulated limbs and accessory play scenes and story character cut-outs.
- Super WHY! Dress Up Dolls of Princess Presto and Wonder Red with mix and match clothing and accessory items.
- a Deluxe Plush Super Why doll that electronically repeats characteristic phrases and a song.
- Sparkle and Style Princess Presto Doll, an electronic toy the October 2008 press release explains will come with "dazzling lights and sounds" as well as tools for styling Princess Presto's hair.
- Super WHY! Electronic Learning Aids (to be released in the fall of 2009) include interactive toys like a Hand Held Super Duper Computer, a Why Writer, a Spelling Wand, and a Super Duper Computer.
Further details and pictures of the first of these products began to be available in late winter of 2009.
Super WHY! Mini Plush Dolls
Slated for release in July-August 2009 are four Super WHY! Mini Plush Dolls, suitable for ages 3 and up: Super Why, Wonder Red, Princess Presto, and Alpha Pig. As of March 2009, these dolls were listed at the Web sites for Ty's Toy Box and All Aboard Toys. Parents can enter an e-mail address at either site to be notified when these items are available.
Super WHY! Electronic Learning Aids – Interactive Toys
As of March 2009, the TDMonthly online Toy Directory listed additional information about two electronic learning aids:
- Children playing with the Super WHY! Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer will use an interactive touch screen to play a series of games associated with each Super WHY! character. During play, kids will learn "alphabet skills, problem solving, spelling, word families, word comprehension, rhyming, and reading," just as they do when watching episodes of the television show.
- The Zap & Learn Why Writer will be an "a motion-activated handheld learning aid that combines role play and learning...[and teaches] word recognition and comprehension."
Super WHY! Games
In 2009, University Games plans to sell additional Super WHY! toys – an ABC game, a reading skills board game, and three kinds of puzzles.
Already available are books, a DVD, personalized T-shirts, personalized sweatshirts, and various Super Why! themed costumes. As 2009 continues, parents seeking educational toys for preschoolers can check the Parents & Teachers section of the Super WHY! Web site at pbskids or enter their e-mail address at the Learning Curve online Web site to receive information about new products.
Parents may also be seeking information about Super WHY! clothes and accessories.
References
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. (October 14, 2008) Super Readers Take Note! Learning Curve Announces the Debut of a New Toy Line Featuring Literacy-Powered Superhero Stars from the Popular Emmy®-Nominated Super WHY! Preschool Show on PBS KIDS®. Press release. Retrieved on 2009-03-10.
Licensemag. (December 30, 2008) University Games' New Year Toys, "Super Why!" and More. Retrieved on 2009-03-10.
RC2 Corporation (January 20, 2009) RC2's Learning Curve® Brand to Debut Highly-Anticipated, Reading-Powered Super WHY! Preschool Toys and Electronic Learning Aids Based on the Popular PBS KIDS® Show. Press release. Retrieved on 2009-03-10.
ToyDirectory (February 25, 2009) Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer (Product ID#: 22589). Retrieved on 2009-03-10.
ToyDirectory (February 25, 2009) Zap & Learn Why Writer (Produce ID#: 22590). Retrieved on 2009-03-10.
