Spring 2008
•
•
Over the past few months, then, that parents try to help proven fact that children who Grüße
many of us in this industry their children from an early are read to and learn to en-
Publisher/Editor
have been present at some age with toys and games that joy books progress at a much
Francesca Ash
of the most important toy combine play and an element better rate than those who
francesca@totallicensing.com
fairs in the world. And whilst of education?. don’t.
•
•
every shape and form of toy But why are standards falling? During Spring, many of us
Sales/Marketing Director
was on show, a definite and And it’s not just the US and will be at the Bologna Chil- Gr
Jerry Wooldridge
increasing trend towards UK. Australia, Canada and dren’s Bookfair. The array
jerry@totallicensing.com
educational toys was signifi- other western-world coun- of subjects and titles maybe
oet
cantly evident. tries report similar findings. gives us hope that our chil-
Subscriptions
Saluti
•
It made us think. Of course, The United States spends dren are not destined to be-
Tracy Porter
•
everybody wants their child almost seven percent of its come entirely screen-bound.
tracy@totallicensing.com
to be educated to a high national income on educa- So many hit movies and tel-
ns
standard. But surely, in today’s tion, more than any other evision series have emanated
Digital Subscriptions
o
world, children are spending developed country except from publishing. And if some
subscriptions@totallicensing.com
more time in education than Canada and Denmark. Why of these encourage children
www.totallicensing.com/reg.htm
ti
ever before. A generation then do American students to read the books on which
•
a
ago, kids would start school cut such a poor profile in the they were based, that surely
Contributing Writers
at five or six years old. Today, international comparisons can only be a good thing. Let’s
Becky Ash
ut
they’re in preschool in many of basic and advanced skills? hope that the trend contin-
Laura Ashley-Timms
countries from two years American 12th-graders rank ues and grows.
Morten Geschwendtner
Sal
old. And by the time they behind 95 percent of the On a different note entirely,
George Medina
•
have completed college, that children from other, similarly Licensing Show’s move to
Caroline Mickler
means more than twenty developed countries. Las Vegas next year has cre-
Charles Riotto
years in education. Is it possible that standards ated a maelstrom of differ-
So why do we feel the need are falling because young ing opinions. Some are pas-
to use their valuable play time people are growing up in a sionately pro the move. An
to subliminally educate them? culture in which they can be equal number are passion-
•
TOTAL LICENSING LTD
The simple answer, of course, entertained and informed, ately against it. In this issue,
Saudaçoes
4 Wadhurst Business Park
is that education standards and in which they can com- Charles Riotto, President of
Faircrouch Lane
in many countries have fallen municate effectively, without LIMA, addresses some of the
Wadhurst
over the years. having to master any but the issues and concerns involved
East Sussex
A group of American college most rudimentary literacy on page 103 and we’ve also
TN5 6PT
students were recently given skills? given a cross-section of peo-
England
a geography test, which the If that is the case, then the ple from the industry the op-
Tel: +44 (0) 1892 782220
majority failed and all com- entertainment and media in- portunity to have their say.
Fax: +44 (0) 1892 782226
•
plained was too tough. It dustries, of which the licens- You can see these on page 34
•
www.totallicensing.com
was only revealed afterwards ing industry is part, does have - they make interesting read-
that the test was originally a responsibility to address ing. The debate will rage on
Hålsning
designed for kids in the fifth the imbalance. for a while. All we would say
© 2008 Total Licensing Ltd
Saludos
grade. Some, of course, already do. is that would anybody serious
Total Licensing is published
As many as 30 percent of US Take Dora the Explorer who about this business really not
four times each year. • and UK kids are unable to gives preschoolers the op- attend the most important
Subscription rates for the reach even a basic standard portunity to open their mind event of the year just because
printed issue per year are
of math and English by the to other languages. There are it has moved location?
ar
US $60 • UK £35 • €50.
time they leave school. In others, of course, that ad-
fact, 25 percent of Americans dress other issues from basic Francesca Ash
•
All illustrations are reproduced by
are deemed functionally illit- numeracy to literacy. Publisher/Editor
permission of their owners.
Printed in England
erate and, as adults, cannot A saving grace perhaps is
determine if their paycheck the trend towards publish- Jerry Wooldridge
Greetings
is correct. Is it little wonder, ing-based properties. It’s a Director
Subscribe now at
www.totallicensing.com/reg.htm
6
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120