|
|
H & T Imaginations Is More Than Plush Company Gives Flight to Lessons From Professor Woodpecker
H & T Imaginations Unlimited, of Jacksonville, Fla., is one manufacturer that’s working to eliminate obstacles to healthy development. ONE PROF’S PHILOSOPHY  According to President Lee Thompson, the company provides more than a health-oriented toy; it’s issuing an entire philosophy embodied in a character named Professor Woodpecker. The distinction is important to Thompson, who told TDmonthly Magazine he's not just offering up another cute little plush animal — although the Professor does come in a plush version. Rather, Professor Woodpecker exists to teach kids about healthy eating, active play and wholesome values. "It was important for us to develop something that was more than just a gimmick,” Thompson said. “We wanted to try to instill some core values in today's kids.” A PARTNERSHIP OF VALUES  Thompson originally collaborated with Stanley Hill, the current vice president of the company, because they shared similar values about today's children. But it was Thompson himself who created Professor Woodpecker: "I just thought that the woodpecker was a regal-looking bird and could represent the wholesome values that we wanted this venture to be about,” he said. Both spent countless hours researching ideas they wanted to impart to children. "The amount of knowledge and money you need for something like this is considerable,” Thompson said. TOY FAIR AND BEYOND The first fruit of their labors is the Professor Woodpecker Educational DVD, an interactive learning tool that teaches children about health and nutrition. H & T featured it during Toy Fair 2007, where Hamilton said the response was encouraging. "So many of the specialty retailers we talked to said that they needed a concept just like this, where healthy values are instilled in today's kids,” Thompson added. H & T has sold most of the 1,000 DVDs from the company’s first batch, and Thompson and Hill are ready to move forward. They continue to think of ways to promote their line, to get as many people as possible to meet — and learn from — the Professor himself. See H & T’s products below:
 Writer's Bio: Dennis Furlan is a freelance writer who lives just outside of Toronto, Canada. He works on a variety of writing and editorial jobs with clients and publications worldwide. Dennis is proud to be part of the TDmonthly team, serving as a regional correspondent for the northwestern U.S. Read more articles by this author |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Disclaimer Privacy Policy Career Opportunities
Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use.
© Copyright 2024 PlayZak®, a division of ToyDirectory.com®, Inc.