Super WHY toys coming to Chicago Toys R Us stores - plush dolls, action figures, role play sets

Super Why Action Figure (Photo credit: Toys R Us)

Children who love the PBS Kids® educational preschool television show Super WHY! have been asking for two years "Where can I find Super WHY toys?" and looking for products featuring the Super Readers Super Why, Princess Presto, Wonder Red, and Alpha Pig (the alter-egos of Whyatt Beanstalk, Princess Pea, Red Riding Hood, and Littlest Pig). Well, in May 2009, the long wait will be over!

Super WHY toys coming to Chicago Toys "R" Us stores in May

Chicago parents can visit the Toys "R" Us Web site now and pre-order a range of toys from Learning Curve. These toys – including Super WHY plush dolls, plastic action figures, and interactive electronic learning devices – are expected to ship on dates ranging from May 5th to May 22nd. Then, in May, visit Chicago Toys "R" Us store locations in person to shop for these fun and educational toys, which will all be suitable for ages 3 and up.

Super WHY Action Figures

Two Super WHY! action figures will be available in May.

• Alpha Pig Action Figure comes with a detachable cape and toolbox (for his Alpha Tools) and has a button-activated arm that can hammer up and down.
• Super Why Action Figure comes with a detachable cape and Super Duper Computer and has a button to make his Why Writer spin.

Super WHY Style and Pose Dress Up Dolls

Two Super WHY Style and Pose Dress Up Dolls will be available in May.

• Dress Up Doll Wonder Red comes with a detachable cape, helmet, Word Basket, and skates. She also has rooted hair that can be styled with an included brush.
• Dress Up Doll Princess Presto comes with a detachable dress, cape, crown, and princess wand. She also has rooted hair that can be styled with an included brush.

Princess Presto and Wonder Red Vehicles (Photo credit: Toys R Us)

Super WHY Electronic Role Play Sets

According to the Toys "R" Us Web site, eventually electronic role play sets will be released for all four Super Readers. As of the middle of April, information about only two is available.

• The Princess Presto Electronic Role Play Set comes with an electronic wand, jeweled crown, and full-size pink princess cape. The wand will light up and say 11 of Princess Presto's favorite phrases.
• The Super Why Electronic Role Play Set comes with an electronic Why Writer, Super Why mask, and full-size blue cape. The Why Writer will light up and say 10 of Super Why's favorite phrases.

Super WHY! Magic Wand (Photo credit: Toys R Us)

Super WHY Plush Dolls and Talking Dolls

• Small dolls will be available of each of the Super Readers – Super Why Mini Plush, Alpha Pig Mini Plush, Princess Presto Mini Plush, and Wonder Red Mini Plush.
• There will also be a Save the Day Talking Super Why that will say eight of Super Why's favorite phrases when its tummy is squeezed.

As of April, Learning Curve is planning to release a Style & Sing Princess Presto doll in fall 2009. She will say and sing nine of Princess Presto's favorite songs, have a belt that will light up when pressed, and come with a hair brush, barrettes, jeweled crown, cape, magic spelling wand, and detachable dress. (NOTE: As of late April, it appears that this doll will not be releasing in 2009.)

Super WHY Vehicles

• Two sets of 2-pack vehicles will be released in May. One set will feature Super Why and Alpha Pig and the other will feature Princess Presto and Wonder Red. Each character is shown sitting in his or her Why Flyer.
• Learning Curve will also release a Super WHY Hovering Why Flyer. This toy is supposed to "magically" hover above the ground and will come with touch-activated motion, lights, and ten unique sounds (including flying sound effects).

Super WHY Learning Toys

• The Super WHY Sketch Computer comes with an attached Why Writer that can be used to write over and over on the erasable screen.
• The Super WHY Zap and Learn Why Writer is an electronic learning toy shaped like the Why Writer. Kids can use it for open-ended imaginative role play or as a motion-activated learning device that allows them to play a variety of games in two kinds of interactive learning modes. The games will teach word recognition, word building, problem solving, and following directions.
• The Wave & Learn Magic Spelling wand is an electronic learning toy shaped like Princess Presto's Magic Spelling Wand. It can also be used for imaginative open-ended role play or in games in three kinds of interactive learning modes that will teach letter sounds, spelling, problem-solving, and following directions.

As of April, Learning Curve is planning to release in July a Touch & Learn Super Duper Computer electronic learning toy with a fully interactive touch screen and 36 interactive games and activities that feature each of the four characters' literacy powers – Alphabet Power, Word Power, Spelling Power, and the Power to Change the Story.

Available Super WHY toys

Right now, some Super Why toys are already available. University Games has released several puzzles, including 24-piece Super WHY Neighborhood Puzzles (suitable for ages 3 and up) and 60-piece Super WHY Hidden Word Puzzles (suitable for ages 5 and up), in whose pictures, once assembled, children find hidden words. They have also released a Super WHY Board Game that requires players to use prereading and reading skills to solve problems.