This Issue:

Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

The Real Toy Story

What's new in toyland? To find out, TFK scoped out the 93rd annual Toy Fair, held in New York City. More than a thousand toy companies showed off their latest stuff. Here's a sneak preview of what you might crave for your next birthday.

Toy Reruns
G.I. Joe soldier dolls have been around for 32 years. Now G.I. Joe Extreme (about $10) is on the scene. Joe has shrunk from 12 inches to 5 inches over the years, but he's still a tough dude. He's one of many old classics that have been redesigned for today's kids.

Take Off!
Last year people bought more than 10 million Sky Dancers, the dolls that you launch into the air. Toymakers think sales can soar even higher. This year tiny Fairy Flyers (about $8) come with their own flying pets. Pretty Lights Sky Dancers (about $18) sport glowing shoes and jewelry as they whiz by.

Not into dainty princesses? With Beast Blasters (about $7), you can launch squirrels, bats and snakes. Dragon Flyz (about $12) blast off with action-figure passengers on their backs.

There's a new gadget for kids who prefer to take off on a bike. Bike Max ($40) is a talking computer attachment that gives your speed, distance and trip time. It also has an antitheft alarm.

New Doll Faces
When you dunk Ocean Magic Barbie in water, her wet suit magically appears. (O.K., it's not magic.) Cool Shavin' Ken grows a beard in water. Shave it off and watch it reappear over and over. You'll see why men hate to shave.

The 1996 Summer Olympics inspired Cabbage Patch OlympiKids in U.S.A. team uniforms. Olympic Gymnast Barbie (her again?) comes with her own gold medal. Wow, she never even had to practice!

See Anything You Like?
Toymakers get big bucks from kids. Expert Marianne Szymanski of Toy Tips Inc. says kid shoppers should take charge. "Open the package. See if the toy looks like it did on TV," she says. "And save your receipt. If a toy is not well made, or just no fun, you have the right to take it back."

Next: Battle Of The Brains