This handpainted figure shows intricate detail, from its facial features down to the fierce ax in the tiger's hand. Launch date: April 2009.

This handpainted figure is decked out with armor and weaponry. "Hotaling Inc. believes that in a world full of too many passive play options, children should be encouraged to engage in self-driven play. That's why they distribute simple and attractive toys with child-friendly designs that encourage them to actively use their imagination and develop through active play, stimulation and, above all, fun," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

This highly detailed figurine is hand-painted and historically accurate. Almost all Papo Figurines can stand on their own or ride any of the horses. "The concept of creative imaginative play continues to be something that retailers and parents are very pleased with," Larry Hotaling, president of Hotaling Imports, Papo’s U.S. distributor, told TDmonthly. "It’s something that’s [otherwise] lacking with today’s children ... Papo’s been very well received." Launch date: April 2008.
—  “They're popular because they're cool. [Kids] can play with them alone, or here in the store.  They'll sit down on the playmat and they'll set up their guys, and they'll have wars,” said Linda Angel, owner of Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., of the popularity of her Papo figurines. “The girls are buying the princess fantasy and fairy tale figures. And when they're not playing with them they make great room art and [the kids] can display them.”
—  Eight percent of 64 retailers named Papo as their best-selling line of collectibles in August 2008.

Outfitted with a shield, a helmet with horns, and weaponry, this knight is ready for battle. It is one of many styles in the varied Papo collection.
— “Papo figures always seem to be the best-selling thing in our store; we sell hundreds. I order from Papo once a year, so I order in my inventory for the entire year … a $17,000 order,” Linda Angel, owner of Kidoodles in Norman, Okla., told TDmonthly in summer 2008. “I have birthday wagons … kids fill them with what they want people to buy for them, and they always include Papo figures.”
— Jessie Wood of Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., said in July 2008 that her store sells roughly six Papo figurines per month from each of about 30 SKUs in the line. They’re best sellers at The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., Owner Randy Austin told TDmonthly in summer 2008.
— Four of 66 retailers named Papo as a best-selling gift for boys in summer 2008.

This detailed action figure is modeled after the pre-historic Velociraptor. Many other dinosaurs are available in the Papo dinosaur collection, including Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus, Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, Pteranodon and more.
— “They've been strong for us for a number of years,” David Ekwall of The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., said of the Papo line. “The knights are most popular, and the dinosaurs are number two.”
— In May 2008, more than 9 percent of retailers named dinosaur action figures as a best-seller.
— “We have tons of Papo [and they] do pretty well,” Ray Goodhart of Ages & Stages Toy Box in Golden, Colo., told TDmonthly in May 2008. The store sells “anywhere from 30 to 100” figures per month.

This hand-painted and historically accurate figure stands approximately 3-1/2” tall. He comes equipped with knives, swords, a rope and an anchor.
— “I probably sell 30 a month…a lot of knights and pirates,” Alicia Smith, owner of Juneau's Imagination Station in Juneau, Alaska, said of her store's Papo line.
— Three specialty retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in May 2008 shared that their stores sell “hundreds” of Papo figures every month.
— In May 2008, 40 percent of 55 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Papo as one of their best-selling lines of action figures.

These highly detailed Papo figurines and accessories are hand-painted and historically accurate. They stand approximately 3.5” tall.
— “Papo knights and pirates are a huge hit,” Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “They do really well,” Diana Gisolfu, co-owner of Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., said of the Papo line in her store. “We probably sell around 25 a month. The knights are definitely the most popular.”
— In spring 2008, four of 50 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out Papo playsets as the best-selling playsets in their stores. In May 2008, 20 percent of 55 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly singled out Papo knights as a best-selling action figure. Also in May 2008, two of 66 retailers named Papo as one of their top sellers overall.

This light-blue oven features spinning knobs and a see-through door and comes with the following: a saucepan, kitchen utensils, a frying pan that holds an egg and bacon, a six-slice pizza with toppings and a tray for baking. Launch date: Early 2008.

This hand-painted character is designed to encourage children’s imaginations as they play. It shows the famous Robin Hood in colorful clothing with weapons at hand.

This large wooden castle features seven towers, a detailed baseboard with a moat, a wind-up drawbridge and portcullis, a knock-out wall, two flags, a ladder and a winch.

Collectors can transport themselves to a time when the professional grenadier riding on his proud horse could be counted upon to maintain order with class and dignity. No patrol cruisers, no keystone cops, no call for backup. The grenadier was the symbol of professionalism and duty, embodied in this historically accurate, detailed and hand-painted classic from Papo.
— "For [boys ages 8 to 12], I've got the Papo action figures, pirates, grenadiers and all sorts of things," said Marilyn Sipila, owner of Toys Etc. in Poulsbo, Wash.
— Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., also predicted Papo will be a hot seller during Christmas 2007.
— Four of 54 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly about upcoming 2007 holiday sales suggested that Papo would be a key purchase for boys ages 8 to 12.

Papo is proud to introduce its new line of Weapon Master for 2007. The hand-painted King of Knights is just one of 10 in the series. For added play value, each of the Weapon Master Knights can ride a horse and stand on its own.
— Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore., discussed with TDmonthly the upcoming 2007 Christmas season, noting that Papo Knights will be big with little boys.
— “Papo has truly outdone themselves creating one of the most detailed knights on the market,” said Brian Shackleton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, the toy’s U.S. distributor.
— Ask retailers’ advice for how to sell to boys and Papo Knights ride to the rescue again and again, no matter what the season. They’ve been on three TDmonthly Top-10 Most-Wanted Toys lists over the last year, which is why they’ve been named a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007.

Where to Buy: Really Great Toys

The Phantom Ghost Ship from Le Toy Van looks like an authentic pirate ship, but also features a spooky skeleton and spider web design. With glow-in-the-dark skeleton fabric sails, it sets sail with two masts, rope ladders, two removable jail cages, a prison, a working anchor and an opening stern for greater play value. The wooden, durable Phantom Ghost Ship holds so many ghostly pretend-play details that kids will sail off into some spooky and great imaginative play. Launch date: May 1, 2006.

These highly detailed figurines and accessories are hand-painted and historically accurate. Almost all Papo figurines can stand on their own or ride any of the horses. “The concept of creative imaginative play continues to be something that retailers and parents are very pleased with,” Larry Hotaling, president of Hotaling Imports, Papo’s U.S. distributor, told TDmonthly. “It’s something that’s [otherwise] lacking with today’s children ... Papo’s been very well received.” New little figurines by Papo are best sellers at Treehouse Toys in Portsmouth, N.H., owner Kathleen Tutone said.

This highly detailed, hand-painted, two-headed dragon stands 4.5” tall.
— "The most critical thing [with action figures] is the dragons, and in the dragons, Papo wins. The 2-Headed Dragon Figure is number one," said Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toy & Book Store in Scottsdale, Ariz. Other Papo action figures specialty retailers told TDmonthly are selling well were horses, animals and fantasy figures.
— Tanner was one of 10 retailers TDmonthly spoke with, out of a total of 34, who cited something other than a knight or a pirate as a best-selling Papo figure in their store.
— "The 2-Headed Dragon is available in two colors: green and, new for 2007, red," said Brian J. Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports Inc.

This spooky skeletal pirate figure, standing approximately 3.5" tall, is hand-painted and highly detailed. He has a massive sword and shiny pistol. "Each Papo figure is painted by hand and incredibly detailed," said Brian J. Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports Inc.
— Betsy Justings, owner of Betsy's on Ross in Auburn, Ala., told TDmonthly that Papo Pirates is the hottest selling item in her store.
— Two of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly specifically cited Papo Pirates as a continuing hot-seller in their stores. Both retailers are located in the Southeast.
— Pirates came in second to knights in the best-selling action figure category, according to research conducted by TDmonthly in spring 2007.

Knights will want to steer clear of this masked bandit. Heavily armed, his garments tossed by the wind, he’s ready to take on all comers. He’s new for 2006.

Dressed in fiery red and a unicorn headplate, this new horse is reared up and ready to go. All he needs is a knight, available separately.

Dressed in white and emblazoned with a cross, this knight is ready to defend his faith. His horse is also dramatically draped. Each is available separately. Launch date: 2006.
— "Papo... across the line. Our Knight Papo figures are our best-selling stand-alone figures," said Alex Witten of Sparks Toy & Hobby Shoppe in Smithfield, R.I. Eighteen of 34 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in spring 2007 cited Papo as best-selling action figures in their stores.
— Retailers reported sales of Papo Knights averaging 50 to 100 units a month.
— "Papo’s design, quality and play value continue to inspire children and even adults with the imaginary world of Papo," said Larry J. Hotaling of distributor Hotaling Imports.

New for 2006, this half-man, half-beast is ready to beat — or eat — any knight who dares challenge him. With wings, armor, sword and teeth, he’s a formidable enemy indeed.

Hand painted and wearing a black cloak fringed with grey, this dark steed from Papo wears a leather mask to match that of his rider (sold separately). He is one of 85 new Papo figures to be released in 2006 and comes from Papo’s Fantasy Collection. “The Medieval Collection as well as the Fantasy Collection are fighting it out for top category, especially with all the new introductions this year,” said Larry Hotaling, president of Hotaling Imports.
— Nancy Stanek, buyer and owner of Toys et Cetera in Chicago, said, “that’s the one that we do a pretty heavy volume of … It’s a nice price point; kids can buy a figure and add it to their collection.”
— Rene Nordhus, co-owner of Toy Zone Inc. in Rochester, Minn., said she ordered knights and castles from the company after seeing their product line at the 2006 Toy Fair.
— Sandy Kozlowski, sales associate at Toy Loft Ltd. in East Aurora, N.Y., said Papo does very well at her location and that the knights sets in particular do well.

Standing 3.5" tall, this molded plastic dragon is hand-painted and highly detailed. He likes to challenge the knights and cause chaos in the castle. The Papo Medieval Collection will stand up to the greatest of wars and any magic Merlin can summon, stretching children´s imaginations by inventing a medieval wonderland. It is available in green or red.
— Papo figures aren’t just for kids at Kids at Heart in Portland, Ore. “[Parents] buy them, saying they think it’ll be cool for the kids, but you know they’re going to play with them, too,” noted Sarah Green, manager.

These highly detailed figurines and accessories are hand-painted and historically accurate. Almost all Papo Figurines can stand on their own or ride any of the horses. "The concept of creative imaginative play continues to be something that retailers and parents are very pleased with," Larry Hotaling, president of Hotaling Imports, Papo´s U.S. distributor, told TDmonthly Magazine. "It´s something that´s [otherwise] lacking with today´s children ... Papo´s been very well received."
— Papo knights were very-good-to-great sellers in 90 percent of stores surveyed.
— “Papo knights are one of the best things we have right now,” said Richard Emery, owner of Toy Star in Easton, Pa., back in June 2005. As of the end of October 2005, retailers across the nation agreed that Papo knights were still one of their best items for boys.
— The popularity of Papo is growing strong," said Hotaling. "Children are very interested in our different categories, such as Medieval Knights Fantasy and Pirates. The brand name is becoming very well known.

This 3.5" hand-painted figurine is carefully crafted with a true eye to value. Details such as shoe buckles and belt are painstakingly and perfectly rendered for a realistic look that ensures hours of fun. “We sell hundreds of the Papo,” Owner Ginger Milligan of Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, Ala., told TDmonthly in summer 2007.

New for 2005!
Height 5in., Length 8 1/2in., Width 9in.