Webkinz are the hottest thing right now on the market. This inter active toy allows you to log online with a secret code once you've purchased the animal and offers a complete interactive world. The only place you can find them right now is online as most of the chain stores and malls will not get any new in until this June. As Webkinz attack the market its challengers will be coming this fall.



Remember Tickle Me Elmo from years back? Do you remember the craze of the malls and media blitz? Well just over a year and a half ago the TMX Elmo came out also known as (Tickle Me Extreme Elmo) which was the 10th year anniversary of the original tickle me elmo with new updated features. The TMX Elmo sold quite well last year not as much as its originator tickle me elmo, but enough to deplete inventory from all the mass chains in the country. This year his friends are arriving, TMX Cookie Monster and TMX Ernie. Much like the release of the "tickle me" versions of each toy 10 years ago. They will retail for $29.99 and just be a little bit shorter than the TMX Elmo. They are sure to be big hits of kids that already have the TMX Elmo doll or just enjoy the characters. Stores this year will probably experience similar difficulty keeping inventory levels full and expect a full on media assault coming from Fisher Price before their expected arrival.

Along with the TMX Friends coming this fall you'll also see a new Singing Elmo doll called "Singing Pizza Elmo". The doll is expected to be a hot seller and features Elmo with an apron and pizza cutter that signs songs and interacts with children. Its going to be an add on for all collectors and fans of the other Seasame Street products and dolls as well as the TMX Friends series.

Each year we move closer to more interactivity with toys and this years toys feature some of the best interactivity we've ever seen. The Webkinz Craze will continue throughout the year and probably deep into next year. TMX Elmo will continue to sell well this year and will be more readily available for the parents that were unable to secure one of these prized dolls last year. While the TMX Friends will sure to be a hit but will probably be a little bit easier to find than the TMX Elmo dolls were previously. The Singing Pizza Elmo will go over big with fans but at this point only time will tell how big of a hit this doll will be. On the plus side it seems anything Elmo is a big seller year after year so if you have someone in your family that loves Elmo this wouldn't be a bad gift. I suggest however to be on the safe side if you plan on having these dolls this year either preorder them now on line or at a local store that allows pre orders so that you'll be one of the first few to get one. Otherwise you know what that means? Large lines and wasted countless hours that could be spent doing something much more productive.