Last month at New York Toy Fair, countless toymakers rolled-out a preview of what’s in-store for the rest of 2017 and beyond. Among the toys that we’re most interested in here at Rock Father HQ are those in the new Vampirina collection by Just Play. On the surface, the ingredients for success are there in that it’s the latest Disney Junior series from Doc McStuffins creator, Chris Nee, based on the hit Vampirina Ballerina books by Anne Marie Pace. For Disney, the characters have been updated with a look more in-line with what preschoolers and elementary-aged kids have come to expect. While I think that my girls are gonna be all over this, I see so much potential — this coming from a guy that’s Halloween-obsessed, and has written stories about supernatural beings a time (or two) in the past. With a storyline following an immigrant family (of vampires, no less) that has moved from Transylvania to Pennsylvania, there’s some topical issues at hand (new kid in town, dealing with differences, etc.), but on the toy front, what’s coming is just so cool…
The Munsters, The Addams Family and Monster High all come to mind as being kindred spirits, but none of those have been this cute. Vee and her entire family (she has a dog named “Wolfie”) are here in action figure form (Fangtastic Friends), along with an action-packed mansion playset, a Screamtastic Hearse and a Glowtastic Ghoulfriends playset. There’s also a plush assortment, and for role play, some cute dress-up options and a Spooktastic Spookelele.
It’a no secret that I’m one of Just Play’s biggest supporters, and their track record is impressive. What they’ve done with Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard and PJ Masks continues to impress, and with Vampirina and the Floogals toys coming later this year, I expect a lot of these to be in big demand.
Stay tuned for more news on availability as I have it.
Thanks to Lindsay Edwards for the pics!
