The New York Times is

The New York Times is the first publication to do an in-depth feature of the new Harry Potter toys coming from Mattel. Here’s some of the more interesting highlights:

Before its private show this week, Mattel eliminated about 25 percent of the Harry Potter toys it originally designed. Some toys were held back for next year and others, like a Harry Potter jewelry-making set, were jettisoned because they did not fit with the books.

With Harry’s Levitating Challenge, Mattel designed a game in which children must maneuver a foam ball through obstacles while it is suspended by jets of air. The $39 game got the best response of any Harry Potter item the company tested, and early reaction from retailers has been strong. But Mattel has opted to limit production.

But in their presentation for toy buyers, Mattel officials said they believed the movie would excite children as young as 5. Mattel will first advertise book-based toys for older children, like Professor Sprout’s Fungus Field Trip, an activity kit that lets children grow chocolate flavored “worms.” Just before the movie comes out, Mattel will release film-based dolls and toys like Snitch- Chasing Harry, a talking figure aboard a magic broom.

“Enough of the girl stuff, let’s get to the action figures,” he said as a diorama of 11 figurines was displayed for the toy buyers.

Mr. Sirset picked up a Harry Potter figurine, while Craig Oldfather, an actor dressed like a Harry Potter nemesis named Professor Snape, picked up his likeness and the two action figures squared off.

“He’s fully articulated,” Mr. Oldfather said as he showed how his toy moved. “So you can cast nasty spells back and forth.”