• CEO at THQ says kids video games make a lot of financial sense
• Activision hits high notes with quarterly profits, bucks economic downturn (Wall Street Journal)
• Capcom also kicks ass with highest sales in last three consecutive fiscal years (Gamasutra)
• Notes from the World Retail Congress (Reuters)
• Borders doesn’t expect a quick recovery in consumer confidence, but hope is on the horizon (Reuters)
• PBS starts pursuing shorter-term sponsorships, especially around PBS Kids (New York Times)
• Kidlit master Mo Willems makes the case for adults to embrace their inner Rembrandt (NPR)
• Nintendo projects higher profit (Bloomberg)
• EA hopes for some Harry Potter magic to boost profit with new video game (Wall Street Journal)
• Before the Wii, Nintendo had a hands-free controller in the ’80s (Kotaku)
• Exposure to grownup TV leads to early onset of sexual activity in kids? (Reuters)
• Wouldn’t you like to carry your trainset in a briefcase? (TheAwesomer via BoingBoing)
• Ever heard The Simpsons theme done in a capella? (Neatorama)
• Trade book segments are in for a rough year as kidlit sales stay soft (Publishers Weekly)
• A review of the latest Wallace & Gromit video game (Wired/GeekDad)
• A look at 51 years of Grammy-winning children’s entertainment acts (Examiner)
• Twilight scores seven nominations at MTV Movie Awards (MTV)
• How Harry Potter filming improves local tourism (Wales Online)
• If Muppets appeared on a Janis Joplin album cover… (BoingBoing)
• On Star Wars Day, couple gets married in full costume on May the Fourth Be With You (Neatorama)
• Will the Disney/Hulu deal cause YouTube to rethink its model? (SmartMoney)
• The big three toycos under the stock-market microscope (Forbes)
• GameStop controls one-fifth of the US games market (Gamasutra)
• X-Men Origins: Wolverine claws US$87 million at the box office (L.A. Times)
• General Mills recruits mommy bloggers to post positive reviews (Brandweek)
• Manhattan Toy to introduce new, high-end line of Groovy Girls (BizJournals)
• Check out these animated and video game characters placed into fine art (Worth1000 via BoingBoing)
• Hollywood kicks off summer blockbusters with X-Men Origins: Wolverine (L.A. Times)
• Can Hot Topic stay hot? (Seeking Alpha)
• A step-by-step guide to iPhone app development (Wired/Gadget Lab)
• Are more vampire knock-offs on the way, following Twilight‘s success? (The Deadbolt)
• Stephenie Meyer, Miley and Zac Efron make list of Time’s 100 Most Influential People
• How the William Morris/ Endeavor Entertainment merger could affect brands like Hasbro (AdAge)
• Made-up kidlit words help kids learn English… (London Telegraph)
• …and a look at what draws kids to books, anyway? (London Telegraph)
• The Muggles make their way through the Harry Potter exhibition in Chicago (USA Today)
• MGA ordered into receivership (L.A. Times)
• Sesame Workshop and the trouble with Wall Street funding (Motley Fool)
• How iCarly captured tween viewers (L.A. Times)
• Easter sales boost UK retail numbers (The Guardian)
• A dance party for kids and parents to get down and let loose (Missoulian)
• If you’ve ever wanted to make your own Batmobile, here’s a DIY guide (Gizmodo)
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