OAK BROOK, IL (February 13, 2011) Learning Curve® (www.learningcurve.com), a leader in creating innovative toys for children of all ages, expands their line of original products based on Dinosaur Train, the popular animated preschool series from The Jim Henson Company. The new additions to the Dinosaur Train product line, featuring characters from the hit animated series seen daily on PBS KIDS® (check local listings), debut at the American International Toy Fair (Booth #1377).
Learning Curve’s Dinosaur Train line launched in 2010 and quickly became a preschool favorite, thanks to InterAction Figures with SmartTalk technology that bring the dinosaur characters to life. In addition, a host of popular Dinosaur Train characters and train cars enhanced the collectability of the brand. The new-for-2011 items expand on these best-selling categories, featuring exciting and innovative products that provide a variety of opportunities for imaginative play, including new characters in the InterAction Figure line, more collectible characters and train cars and an action-packed Dinosaur Train playset.
Created for 3-6 year olds, Dinosaur Train made its on-air debut on PBS KIDS®
in 2009 and quickly became a top rated show in the network’s hosted preschool block. The series features a world of dinosaurs and prehistoric lands, all connected by a colorful train line known as the Dinosaur Train. Each episode is seen through the eyes of Buddy, a preschool-aged Tyrannosaurus Rex, and his adoptive family of Pteranodons who go for adventures on the Dinosaur Train to discover and visit with all kinds of dinosaurs in different eras while learning the basic concepts of natural science, natural history and paleontology.
Highlights of the 2011 Dinosaur Train line by Learning Curve include:
Dinosaur Train InterAction Old Spinosaurus by Learning Curve
Watch out for Old Spinosaurus as his head and eyes move back and forth, tracking your movement. Wave any of the two included “food” items anywhere from six inches to one foot away from his face and watch him track and snatch the food from your hand! Then press the trigger below his tail and watch out for dino droppings! Press the button on his tail to have him chomp all the time, or press on his back to hear him talk and communicate with this friends by names, saying over 80 dino words and phrases! Add Old Spinosaurus to your Dinosaur Train InterAction
Figure Collection to fully experience the dinosaur adventure! Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $59.99
Dinosaur Train InterAction Figures by Learning Curve
Action and InterAction collide for the ultimate dinosaur play experience with new friends joining Buddy, Tiny, Tank, Morris, Boris and Ned in 2011! Packed with one-of-a-kind dinosaur features, these fully articulated action figure friends of Old Spinosaurus each include a minimum of 40 real dinosaur sounds, facts and character phrases. With their multiple activation touch points, each InterAction Figure has a special dinosaur feature, such as stomping or chomping. In addition, the InterAction Figures have built-in technology that allows them to recognize and interact with the other InterAction Figures in the Learning Curve Dinosaur Train line. Ages: 3 and up. InterAction
Figures include:
Don and Derek InterAction Figures SRP: $14.99 each
Hank and Mr. Cretoxyrhina InterAction Figures SRP: $19.99 each
Dinosaur Train Time Tunnel Mountain Set by Learning Curve
Reenact the excitement of traveling through time! Start your motorized train from Pteranodon Station and watch it ascend up the mountain and through the tunnel where it will trigger the lights and sounds on the mountain. The included motorized train can pull up to two train cars and includes Buddy and Mr. Conductor collectible figures. With a figure 8 track layout, this Time Tunnel Mountain Set will keep enthusiasts on track for the ultimate in Dinosaur Train fun! Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $49.99
Dinosaur Train Boris Storage Case by Learning Curve
Let’s go Dinos! Now it’s easier than ever to take your dinosaur friends anywhere you go. This exclusive Boris Storage Case holds up to 20 of your favorite dinosaur collectibles. Pull the trigger on the handle to open Boris’s mouth to store your dinosaurs. Close the mouth to securely hold all the figures inside. Add this Boris Storage Case to any Dinosaur Train collection. Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $17.99
Dinosaur Train Dinosaur Collectible Figures by Learning Curve
All aboard for action and adventure with Buddy and the Dinosaur Train crew! Featuring the beloved characters from the animated series, these fun figures combine the best of both worlds: Dinosaurs and Train Play. Discover new dino friends with special features like spikes and armor. Collect all your favorite Dinosaur Train characters including Buddy, Tiny, Morris, Tank and Mr. Conductor, among others. Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $2.49-$2.99 each
Dinosaur Train Collectible Train Cars by Learning Curve
Extend the Dinosaur Train fun with these collectible train cars! Each dinosaur figure fits inside its respective train car, which can then attach to the others in the series. Connect them all to build the ultimate Dinosaur Train. Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $2.49-$2.99 each
Dinosaur Train Lights and Sounds Engine by Learning Curve
All aboard for prehistoric fun and adventure led by the Lights and Sounds Engine! With its cool lights and sounds, this colorful engine will be rocking all the way back to the Triassic time period. Ages: 3 and up. SRP: $11.99
About Dinosaur Train
A Parents’ Choice Recommended TV series Dinosaur Train, produced by The Jim Henson Company, is co-produced with Singapore animation company Sparky Animation, with the participation and assistance of the Singapore Media Development Authority. UK production and financial support is being provided by Ingenious Media.
About Learning Curve® Brands, Inc.
Learning Curve Brands, Inc. (www.learningcurve.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of RC2 Corporation (NASDAQ: RCRC, www.rc2.com) and is a leading designer, producer and marketer of innovative, high-quality toys, collectibles, and infant products that are targeted to consumers of all ages. Learning Curve Brands, Inc. markets its infant, toddler and preschool products under its Learning Curve® family of brands which includes The First Years® and Lamaze brands as well as popular and classic licensed properties such as Thomas & Friends, Chuggington, Dinosaur Train, John Deere, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Cars, Fairies, Toy Story and other well known properties. The Company’s youth and adult products are marketed under the Johnny Lightning® (www.johnnylightning.com) and Ertl® , (www.ertl.com) brands. Learning Curve Brands, Inc. reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia Pacific.
Learning Curve Brands, Inc.
1111 West 22nd Street
Suite 320
Oak Brook, IL 60523
630.573.7200
www.learningcurve.com
NASDAQ: RCRC
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Brittney Theriault
Salmon Borre Group
847.582.1610
brittney@salmonborre.com
###
The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 50 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards. Recent credits include the Emmy® nominated “Sid the Science Kid,” “Dinosaur Train,” “Wilson & Ditch: Digging America” and “Pajanimals.” Features include “The Dark Crystal,” “Labyrinth,” “MirrorMask,” and “Unstable Fables” and television productions include “Fraggle Rock” and the sci-fi cult series “Farscape.”
With additional locations in New York and London, The Jim Henson Company is headquartered in Los Angeles on the historic Charlie Chaplin lot, complete with soundstage and postproduction facilities. Independently owned and operated by the five adult children of founder Jim Henson, the Company is also home to Jim Henson’s Creature Shop™, a pre-eminent character-building and visual effects group with international film, television and advertising clients, as well as Henson Recording Studios, one of the music industry’s top recording facilities known for its world-class blend of state-of-the-art and vintage equipment. The Company’s Henson Alternative brand has recently launched the national tour of “Stuffed and Unstrung,” a live puppet improvisational show named one of the top 10 “Best Stage Shows of 2010” by Entertainment Weekly.
https://www.henson.com
Join us on www.facebook.com/hensoncompany
and follow us at www.twitter.com/hensonparents