Looks like the stuffed animals and hand puppet industry may be the latest casualty of H1N1. In Minneapolis, Hennepin County libraries say plush toys and hand puppets will no longer be available for checkout or play, partly because of H1N1 flu concerns. Puppets have been available at less than half of the 41 libraries in the suburbs and in Minneapolis and some are allowed to be checked out. And while there's no way to know if anyone has gotten ill through the puppets, the libraries are sensitive to the real threat and public sense that puppets might be germy. So for now the kids will only have toys that can easily wiped down.  ***MARLAR: Miss Piggy is insistent it has nothing to do with her.

Toys R Us said it will hire about 35,000 seasonal workers during the holidays. The nation's largest toy seller said the amount is equal to its total work force hired during each of the previous two holiday seasons. Furthermore, existing employees will have the option to work additional hours during the season.  ***MARLAR: And possibly and extra scuttle of coal. 

Walmart has announced that it will aggressively expand its $10 toy program for the 2009 holiday season. Last year the program applied to a total of ten toys, and this year they say it will apply to over 100 toys.   ***MARLAR: In other words, they could’ve afforded to give you a break last year, but decided to stick it to you instead?

Texas police responding to a store’s burglar alarm found a less than hardened criminal inside: He was 4, and playing with the toys. Detective Randy Stevens says the child apparently unlocked a door at his nearby home and crossed a street to reach the discount store. When the boy was asked how he got inside, he informed officers that a strange man invited him inside to play. The store is owned by the one time king of pop Michael Jackson.

A three-year-old boy in Austin, Minnesota, climbed into an arcade’s claw machine to play with the toys inside.  Firefighters were called to get him out.  ***MARLAR: It took them over 300 quarters.

The Spanish toymaker Berjuan has introduced a doll that suckles from a halter worn by young girls who want to mimic their breastfeeding mothers.

In related news…

Toymaker Mattel has introduced a new Ken doll that guzzles booze and beats Barbie… for young boys who want to mimic Miguel Cabrera. 

Allot of people blame Mackenzie Phillips for sleeping with her father. But, anyone who has ever grown up in a dysfunctional family knows that you always get the best toys when you sleep with your dad.

The Marine Toys For Tots Foundation has announced that it is currently only accepting Mr. Potato Head toys.As a result,they have changed their name to Taters For Tots. 

As people gear up to get rid of the Christmas gift crap they really don't want and buy next year's ornaments and markdowns, Anything World is only letting in 10 people at a time into each store to prevent a stampede. Recall, one such event killed a door opener on Thanksgiving Day in a Long Island, New York department store. 

Chairman Robbus K. Blinders of Toys Shmoys said , "No more trampled or I don't get my New Year's bonus. You think I'm gonna lose that cash from some stepped on minimum wagers?  Wake up! This is the U.S.!"