Read an Excerpt
Ultimate Toy Collector
Shopkins!
By Mary Boone, Amy Bizzarri, Bob Baker, Cait Lin Foto Triumph Books
Copyright © 2015 Triumph Books LLC
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-63319-426-7
CHAPTER 1
Shopkins Take the Toy World by Storm
One of the biggest toys in the world right now is so small you can fit a couple of them in your hand.
Shopkins are itty-bitty, super cute grocery-themed characters that have stolen the hearts of kids – and adults – all over the world.
Moose Toys, a company based in Melbourne, Australia, first introduced Shopkins in July 2014 with 150 different collectibles. At the same time, they began to release very short online videos featuring the Shopkins world. Those videos helped spread the Shopkins love in a big way. By February 2015, a dozen videos had been posted on Shopkins' official YouTube channel; those videos had been viewed 26.2 million times.
Kids have fallen in love with Shopkins. In fact, the tiny, colorful toys were such an instant hit that they began to sell out in stores nationwide within a matter of weeks and online in as little as 24 hours. A second series of the miniatures was released in November 2014.
Shopkins come packaged with a shopping bag or shopping basket, which can be used to carry the characters. All packs of Shopkins come with at least one character you cannot see before you purchase. With the 12-pack, for example, kids can see 10 of the Shopkins in the package, along with four shopping bags and a basket, but inside the basket are two blind-packed characters. This packaging technique adds to the fun of collecting – and opening – the toys.
All Shopkins are grouped into "teams" by their location in the grocery store; categories include fruits and vegetables, dairy, bakery, sweet treats, party food, frozen foods and health and beauty. Beyond individual characters, children can add to their collections with a shopping cart that holds up to 60 Shopkins, or playsets such as the Fruit & Veg Stand, So Cool Fridge and Spin Mix Baking Stand.
Shopkins are obviously popular with kids, but adults also are beginning to see how great they are. The Toy Industry Association of America named Shopkins a finalist for one of its 2014 Toy of the Year Awards. The toy review site TTPM.com named Shopkins to its 2014 Holiday Most Wanted List, while Toy Insider, a website specializing in toy news and reviews, named Shopkins to its "Hot 20" list for 2014.
"We know that girls love all things miniature, so we created these cute collectible characters with intricate detailing,"
Paul Solomon, co-Chief Executive Officer of Moose Toys said in a news release.
Christopher Byrne, a respected toy industry expert and writer for TTPM, said miniature collectibles have long been popular with boys. "Moose (Toys) has adapted that play pattern for girls with the same level of imagination, innovation and great design that resonates with the type of play to which girls typically gravitate," he said, adding that Shopkins is consistently trending on TTPM as one of the most popular new toys the site has reviewed.
Beyond being adorable, there are a handful of obvious reasons for Shopkins' popularity:
They're affordable. A set of two Shopkins characters in a tiny shopping basket retails for $2.99 to $3.29. Even the most elaborate of playsets sells for approximately $20.
They're fun. Based upon real foods (Apple Blossom, Bread Head, Pret-Zelle), health and beauty supplies (Lippy Lips, Polly Polish) housewares (Lana Lamp, Brenda Blenda) and more, these toys run on imagination rather than batteries.
They're collectable. Each pack of Shopkins comes with a collector's guide that looks like a shopping list. The guides list each available character so you can look for new "groceries" to check off the shopping list. In addition to "Common" Shopkins which are simply fun to play with, there are also "Exclusive," "Rare," "Limited Edition," "Special Edition" and "Ultra Rare" characters.
All in all, these tiny figurines are packed with enormous fun, making them a giant hit with kids of all ages, all over the world.
CHAPTER 2
Meet the Crew
At first glance, Shopkins look like any other toy. But those who have gotten to know this cast of pint-sized grocery-themed characters know that they're actually quite spectacular.
Lori Pace wrote about her love for Shopkins in her blog, "A Day in Motherhood." The Houston, Texas, mom of three said she rarely gets excited about new toys anymore, but she fell in love with Shopkins for a handful of reasons:
* They are original.
* Boys and girls can play with them.
* They promote group play.
* They promote creativity.
* They are affordable.
"So many toys come into this house and are cast aside in a matter of minutes," Pace wrote. "Shopkins really has stood the test of time and the creativity I am watching while (my daughters) and their friends play with them, is awesome!"
Rebecca English, a mother from West Midlands, England, wrote a glowing review of Shopkins in her blog "Here Come the Girls," noting that her three daughters have enjoyed playing together with their Shopkins.
"Whoever invented this toy was a genius because it kept them so happy for hours," she said. "The thing I like the best is that Shopkins complement any other toy. You can use any small dolls and character figures with the (play) set and get them to go shopping and push the trolley."
California mom Jessamine Dungo, who writes a blog called "My Great Finds," appreciates that collecting Shopkins has led her two daughters to become more organized as they develop systems for sorting and storing the tiny toys. Another benefit: the toys are helping to improve her daughters' memorization skills.
"I honestly don't know most of the Shopkins' names, but my 3-year-old daughter does," she wrote. "I am surprised that she knows almost all of the Shopkins' names!"
It's nice that adults think Shopkins are cool but it's even more important that kids like them. And, boy, do they like them! Boys and girls, ages 5 and up, are drawn to the character's funny names, spunky personalities and vibrant designs. While it's impossible to introduce readers to the entire gang, here's a primer on a dozen of our favorite Shopkins. Enjoy!
Al Foils
Season: Two
ID: 2-074
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Wrapping with friends.
Shopkins BFF: Soda Pops
Hang Out: Pantry
Bread Head
Season: One
ID: 1-033
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Chatting on the phone.
Shopkins BFF: Kooky Cookie
Hang out: Bakery
Chee Zee
Season: One
ID: 1-065
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Rapping with my BFFs.
Shopkins BFFs: Cheezey-B and Freezy Peazy
Hang out: Dairy Case
Cornell Mustard
Season: Two
ID: 2-076
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Solving mysteries.
Shopkins BFF: Bart Beans
Hang Out: Pantry
Dippy Avocado
Season: Two
ID: 2-015
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Taking a dip on a hot day.
Shopkins BFFs: Silly Chilli and Brenda Blenda
Hang Out: Fruit and Veg
Gran Jam
Season: One
ID: 1-022
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Knitting.
Shopkins BFF: Papa Tomato
Hang out: Pantry
Ice Cream Dream
Season: Two
ID: 2-058
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Chilling out alone in her cone.
Shopkins BFF: Waffle Sue
Hang out: Sweet Treats
Miss Missy-Moo
Season: One
ID: 1-006
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Making mud pies.
Shopkins BFF: Rockin' Broc
Hang out: Fruit and Veg
Silly Chilli
Season: Two
ID: 2-008
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Eating very HOT dogs.
Shopkins BFF: Dippy Avocado
Hang out: Fruit and Veg
Swiss Miss
Season: One
ID: 1-066
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Stand-up comedian.
Shopkins BFF: Tommy Ketchup
Hang out: Dairy Case
Tommy Ketchup
Season: One
ID: 1-015
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Trolley riding
Shopkins BFF: Frank Furter
Hang out: Pantry
Wobbles
Season: One
ID: 1-083
Rarity: Common
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Hip hop dancing.
Shopkins BFF: Snow Crush
Hang out: Party Food
CHAPTER 3
Exclusive, Rare and Limited Edition
Let's start off by making it clear that all Shopkins are adorable. From Bread Head and Peppe Pepper to Sugar Lump and Melonie Pips, the vivid details on these teeny playthings make them undeniably appealing.
That said, most kids and collectors who are in-the-know have created lists of special Shopkins they'd love to add to their collections.
The vast majority of Shopkins are labeled "Common." That doesn't mean they're not special, it simply means they're the easiest to find and, after you've been collecting a while, you're likely to get repeats. Of all the Shopkins available in early 2015, 121 were labeled as "Common." That's why Shopkins aficionados are so excited when they score non-"Common" toys – there simply aren't as many of them. In fact, in early 2015, there were only 10 "Exclusive," 12 "Limited Edition," 71 "Rare," 32 "Special Edition" and 47 "Ultra Rare" Shopkins.
Because the most difficult-to-find Shopkins are hidden so you can't see them until you buy them, fans have taken to YouTube to look for clues. Some collectors suggest watching videos of "Limited Edition" or "Ultra Rare" reveals and then taking note of the "Common" Shopkins that are visible in those 5- or 12-packs. They say they've had success finding their most-wanted Shopkins when they purchase the exact packs theyve seen in those clips.
Playsets
Four playsets are available to make playing with Shopkins even more fun. A favorite playset is the Small Mart. It includes a delivery chute, checkout stand with movable conveyor belt, cash register and shopping cart – just like a real supermarket, but more fun!
While it's impossible to introduce readers to all these incredibly special Shopkins, here are a few of our favorites:
Angie Ankle Boot
Season: Two
ID: 2-142
Rarity: Limited Edition
Finish: Bling
Favorite hobby: Disco dancing.
Shopkins BFFs: Cute Boot
Hang out: Limited Edition
Chloe Flower
Season: Two
ID: 2-001
Rarity: Rare
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Leafing through the newspaper.
Shopkins BFF:
Rockin' Broc
Hang out: Fruit and Veg
Cool Cube
Season: One
ID: 1-132
Rarity: Special Edition
Finish: Frozen
Favorite Hobby: Snowboarding, skiing, sledding and ice skating.
Shopkins BFF: Snow Crush
Hang out: Frozen Foods
Corny Cob
Season: Two
ID: 2-004
Rarity: Rare
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Doing puzzles and "maizes."
Shopkins BFF: Poppy Corn
Hang Out: Fruit and Veg
D'Lish Donut
Season: One
ID: 1-035
Rarity: Ultra Rare
Finish: Glitter
Favorite hobby: Playing golf and basketball.
Shopkins BFF: Cheeky Chocolate
Hang Out: Bakery
Freezy Peazy
Season: One
ID: 1-128
Rarity: Special Edition
Finish: Frozen
Favorite hobby: Rapping with my BFFs.
Shopkins BFF: Cheezey-B and Chee-Zee
Hang Out: Frozen Foods
Kooky Cookie
Season: One
ID: 1-039
Rarity: Ultra Rare
Finish: Glitter
Favorite hobby: Acrobatics like somersaulting, and also reading.
Shopkins BFF: Bread Head and Apply Blossom
Hang Out: Bakery
Lana Lamp
Season: Two
ID: 2-024
Rarity: Ultra Rare
Finish: Crystal Glitz
Favorite hobby: Reading in bed.
Shopkins BFF: Lisa Litter
Hang out: Homewares
Marsha Mellow
Season: Two
ID: 2-137
Rarity: Limited Edition
Finish: Bling
Favorite hobby: Hanging out around the fire.
Shopkins BFF: Choco Lava
Hang out: Limited Edition
Molly Mops
Season: Two
ID: 2-091
Rarity: Rare
Finish: Classic
Favorite hobby: Playing Mopskotch.
Shopkins BFF: Sweeps
Hang out: Always looking spotless in the Cleaning and Laundry Aisle
Popsi Cool
Season: One
ID: 1-122
Rarity: Special Edition
Finish: Frozen
Favorite hobby: Ice skating.
Shopkins BFF: Cool Cube
Hang out: Frozen Foods
Wishes
Season: One
ID: 1-095
Rarity: Ultra Rare
Finish: Glitter
Favorite hobby: Singing a tune for anyone who'll listen.
Shopkins BFF: Soda Pops
Hang out: Party Section
CHAPTER 4
Lights, Camera, Action
Shopkins began posting short animated videos to YouTube in June 2014. The cartoons, all about 90 seconds long, bring these minuscule toys to life.
Created by Moose Toys and animated by Flux Animation Studios, the series is set in Shopville. Australian actress Kate Murphy, a 2008 graduate of the University of Southern Queensland, voices the popular web series. Ross Hastings, whose credits include work on Bob the Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Little Charlie Bear and Chuggington, writes the series.
The cartoons are wildly popular and, in less than eight months, have racked up millions of views. The series is fun and entertaining, but it also gives kids a glimpse into the personalities of their favorite characters. It doesn't take long to learn, for example, that Cheeky Chocolate can be an overly confident daredevil, Kooky Cookie is a little shy and very clumsy, and Lippy Lips has a tendency to be bossy.
The series would be boring if the characters just sat on grocery store shelves and looked adorable. Thank goodness the cartoone creators show favorite Shopkins having adventures, playing, making jokes and even getting in a little bit of trouble.
Here's a quick rundown of the series' first 10 episodes, with view counts:
Create Your Own Shopkins Video
You don't have to own an animation studio to create your own short video starring the Shopkins. In fact, all you really need is an idea, a camera, some Shopkins and some friends.
Start by thinking about the story you want to tell. Are your Shopkins going to visit a new place? Try a new food? Challenge each other in a sporting event?
Figure out which Shopkins you want to star in the video. You may want to ask some friends to help you provide voices and help move the Shopkins as they work their way through the story. You may decide you want to draw backdrops for the different scenes in your story.
Practice the skit several times before you ask a friend or parent to video it for you. Make sure you speak loudly. Practice making different voices for different characters. Do you really think Mandy Candy sounds exactly like Corny Cob?
You can make videos just for your own enjoyment or, with your parents' approval and assistance, you may decide to share them with other Shopkins fans. Go, be creative!
"Check It Out"
Episode Number: 1
Released: June 23, 2014
Views: 2.5 million
Shopkins featured: Cheeky Chocolate, Apple Blossom and Kooky Cookie
"Acting Up"
Episode Number: 2
Released: June 30, 2014
Views: 3.5 million
Shopkins featured: Apple Blossom, Lippy Lips and Strawberry Kiss
"Loud and Unclear"
Episode: 3
Released: July 14, 2014
Views: 1.3 million
Shopkins featured: Cheeky Chocolate, Apple Blossom and Strawberry Kiss
Choosy
Episode: 4
Released: August 6, 2014
Views: 1.7 million
Shopkins featured: Apple blossom, Cheeky Chocolate and Spilt Milk
"Frozen Climbers"
Episode: 5
Released: August 23, 2014
Views: 809,000
Shopkins featured: Cheeky Chocolate, Apple blossom, Strawberry Kiss, Kooky Cookie
"Chop, Chop"
Episode: 6
Released: September 29, 2014
Views: 776,000
Shopkins featured: Cheeky Chocolate, Apple Blossom and Lippy Lips
"Breaking News"
Episode: 7
Released: October 22, 2014
Views: 529,000
Shopkins featured: Apple blossom, Cheeky Chocolate, Kooky Cookie, Spilt Milk, Strawberry Kiss and Cheezey Cheese
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Ultimate Toy Collector by Mary Boone, Amy Bizzarri, Bob Baker, Cait Lin Foto. Copyright © 2015 Triumph Books LLC. Excerpted by permission of Triumph Books.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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