Toy Fair Expected to Go "Green"

ECO-FRIENDLY TOYS: For a few years, toy makers have been thinking about products that are friendly to the environment, but the spate of recalls of Chinese-made toys has goaded them into moving faster. This holiday season, consumers will see a lot more green options, from products that use recyclable material to toy cars that run on hydrogen cell power. Mattel Inc. has a new patchwork handbag line called Barbie Because, fashioned from leftover materials used in other products. The prices range from $4.99 to 19.99. Toy Quest is unveiling Planet Care, a line of about 50 different wood, plush and plastic toys that have recycle components. The wood line, for example, is made from wood scraps combined with a biodegradable component. The collection is priced from $3.99 to $49.99.

Meanwhile, Corgi International, a leader in classic die-cast collectible cars, is coming out with H2GO, a $129.99 fuel cell powered remote control car. The product doesn't require disposable batteries, which often contain toxic materials such as cadmium, lead and sulfuric acid and comes in packaging made of recycled materials.

A NEW DESIGN AT MEGA BRANDS: Montreal-based Mega Brands Inc. is releasing a new line of magnetic toys that will replace Magnetix building sets, which suffered a series of recalls when several children became injured after swallowing the tiny powerful magnets. Mega Brands had made design changes, but says that the new collection called MagNext, which will hit stores in July, is even safer and allows children to build bigger playsets. The new product a collaboration with Intertek, one of the world's leading testing authorities features bigger pieces that can't be swallowed. The new manufacturing process also better secures the magnets into the plastic parts, which lock them into place. Harold Chizick, spokesman for Mega Brands, said the two sets will be compatible.

ELMO COMES ALIVE: Mattel's Fisher-Price is hoping to keep the fanfare alive surrounding Elmo with yet another version. The latest edition Elmo Alive cracks jokes, tells stories, crosses his legs and bobbles his head back and forth as he speaks. The red furry character also responds when a child tickles or squeezes his foot, tummy back or nose. According to Neil Friedman, president of Mattel's Mattel Brands, the $59.99 version, which will hit stores Oct. 14, has received a greater response from stores compared to the T.M.X. Elmo version released two years ago. And that item was one of the must-have toys for the holiday 2006 season.