Hot Toy List

What will Christmas be about this year?

Toy R Us has published its "hot toy list."

Every year, toy makers and sellers hope there will be a runaway hit toy to help spur excitement around the holidays and boost sales. Toys R Us is betting that 15 toys ranging from a flying, inflatable remote-control fish to tiny collectible monsters will be big hits this season.

The 15 toys on the Toys R Us list are:

_ Air Hogs Hyper Actives by Spin Master, $49.99: Radio controlled miniature racing cars.

_ Air Swimmers Extreme by Animal Planet, $49.99: Inflatable fish and shark balloons that are radio controlled and seem to swim through the air. Helium tank sold separately.

_ Lalaloopsy Silly Hair dolls by MGA Entertainment, $34.99: Rag dolls with button eyes and bendable hair. They come with an accompanying pet with a bendable tail.

_ LeapPad Explorer by Leapfrog, $99.99: A tablet-like device which children can use to read books, play educational games and take pictures.

_ Monster High Fearleading 3-Pack by Mattel, $42.99: Three dolls which are offspring of famous monsters, dressed in "Fear Squad" cheerleading outfits.

_ Moshi Monsters Moshling Mini-Figures 3-pack by Spin Master, $5.99: Tiny collectible monsters related to a hit online game.

_ My Keepon by Wow! Stuff, $39.99: A bright yellow blob-like robot that dances to music.

_ Nerf Vortex Vigilon by Hasbro, $24.99: A foam dart gun that launches foam discs up to 50 feet.

_ Ninjago Lightning Dragon Battle by Lego Systems Inc., $79.99: A 645-piece construction set offered exclusively at Toys R Us with characters from Lego's popular Ninjago line.

_ Poppin' Park Elefun Busy Ball Popper by Hasbro's Playskool, $29.99: A colorful elephant that can launch plastic balls and plays music.

_ Power Wheels Dune Racer by Mattel's Fisher-Price: $279.99. A child-size dune buggy that can ride over grass, gravel and mud.

_ Radica Fijit Friends by Mattel, $49.99: Robotic toys that dance and respond to squeezes and spoken words.

_ Sesame Street Let's Rock! Elmo by Hasbro, $69.99: An Elmo doll that sings and comes with a drum, tambourine and microphone.

_ "Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure," by Activision, $69.99: A video game that includes action figures that can be placed in a portal and then appear in the game.

_ The Trash Pack Garbage Truck by Moose Toys, $19.99: A garbage truck that can hold 10 collectible Trashies, which are tiny collectible characters. It comes with two special edition Trashies and is a Toys R Us exclusive.

So these are the items that are expected to make Christmas morning a joyous occasion or a tremendous disappointment.

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.

[moves toward the center of the stage]

Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.

[a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]

Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.