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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Dolls and ponies top hot toy list


A girl takes her own photograph with the Digi Makeover at the Toy Wishes Holiday Preview in New York. Toy Wishes magazine has selected the makeover toy from Radica as one of the 12 hottest toys on the market. Want to see what you would look like as a blonde or brunette? With the $60 toy you can give yourself a no-risk, high fun makeover right on your TV. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

Here are some of the toys expected to be top sellers for the 2006 holiday season, according to Toy Wishes, a trade publication. The list is based on the publication’s review of thousands of toys and interviews with parents, children and retailers. The list is in alphabetical order, with manufacturers’ suggested retail price included.

Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses (Mattel Inc., dolls, $24.99; horse & carriage, $32.99). This playset, which includes a full line of dolls, is inspired by Barbie as star in the latest DVD “Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses.” Age 3 and up.

Bratz Forever Diamondz (MGA Entertainment, $29.99 each). Each of the Bratz dolls are outfitted with faux diamonds, and each doll comes with a real diamond pendant that girls can wear themselves. Ages 6 and up.

Butterscotch My Furreal Friends Pony (Hasbro Inc., $299.99). Advanced animatronic technology allows the three-foot pony to come to life with realistic movements. When a child climbs on, the pony, which has a thick plush coat, responds with clip-clop and walking sounds. Ages 4 and up.

Digi Makeover (Radica Games Ltd., $59.99). This high-tech makeover system includes a built-in camera and a touch pad. Tweens can just plug the unit into their TV and snap a picture. Children are now ready to experiment with all kinds of new looks. Ages 8 and up.

Fly Wheels XPV (Jakks-Pacific Inc., $59.99). This lightweight radio-controlled vehicle can take off and land from any hard surface and then soar more than 20 stories into the air. Ages 8 and up.

Kids Tough Digital Camera (Mattel’s Fisher-Price, $69.99). This built-in 1.3 inch LCD screen holds up to 60 pictures (expandable with separate memory card) It includes big buttons and easy controls. The camera can be connected by USB to the computer for downloading photos to a PC or Macintosh computer. Ages 3 and up.

Lego Mindstorms NXT (Lego Systems Inc., $249). This robotic kit enables the user to create an even more powerful robot than the original Mindstorms introduced in 1998. Ages 10 and up.

Magtastik (Mega Brands Inc., starter set $29.99; individual sets $5.99 and up). The starter building set, which features big, plastic brightly colored pieces, can be complemented with different kinds of special sets. Ages 3 and up.

Monopoly Here & Now (Hasbro Inc., $29.99). This limited edition of this classic game reflects today’s current real estate prices and features iconic properties like Times Square and Rodeo Drive. The railroads have been replaced with airports. Ages 8 and up.

Speed Stacks Stackpack (Play Along Toys, a division of Jakks Pacific Inc., $39.99). This game challenges kids to stack and restack specially designed cups in precise formations. It comes with competition-ready cups, an official StackMat, timer and instructional DVD. Ages 4 and up.

T.M.X. Elmo (Mattel’s Fisher-Price, $39.99). In this new version, timed with the 10th anniversary of Tickle Me Elmo, Elmo’s squeaky laugh and body movements grow more pronounced with three successive tickles. Ages 18 months and up.

WII (Nintendo, $250). This game console (pronounced “We”) uses a unique TV-style remote controller that can be waved around like a tennis racket to manipulate action on the screen. Ages 6 and up.