Annotated Bibliography

Britney Fuqua

30 August 2012

English 122-003 

Professor Latici

Annotated Bibliography

McMillian, Liz, Glenn Rossman, Pat Romanski, Patrick Burke, Philip Stander. “Orbeez™ Magic Maker Is Best-Selling Activity Toy at Major Retailers.” Opensource Magazine. Pr Newswire. 18 Aug. 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

            The first article I read is called “Orbeez Magic Maker is Best-Selling Activity Toy at Major Retailers” by Pr NewsWire and the article explains that Orbeez is a trend that soon caught on with boys and girls alike. Orbeez came out around the holiday season and within two weeks the new trend hit the number one spot in trendy toys (Pr Newswire 1). The toy became popular because of its gelatin nature said to be “soft, squishy, wet, bouncy, and beautiful.” The Orbeez manufactures have made a huge product line for the Orbeez which includes a Orbeez Magic Maker, Orbeez Stack’ ems, Butterfly, Peace Sign, Flow ‘n show, and Orbeez Color Pack; all ranging from $5.99-$24.99 in price and are designed for kids ages five and up (Pr Newswire 1)                                                                                 I’ve noticed that this trend is like any other, it will soon die out and become like another. The company its self seems to provide and endless possibility on the things you can do with Orbeez when ideally it isn’t much, the toy is still a colorful, circle, wet, orb that is squishy. This article is useful to me because it explains the background of Orbeez through a manufactures standpoint and also I could not find any scholarly sources for my research. I originally wanted to find information on the hazards or Orbeez but it has turned out that the Manufactures have flooded the internet with only their information.

“How Do You Grow Orbeez?” Wiki Anwers. Personal Finance Questions. N.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

The second article I read is called, “How Do You Grow Orbeez” by wiki answers and the article explains that Orbees the popular children’s toy can be grown with water, any temperature is fine. The Orbeez were referred to as hydro bubbles (Wiki answers 1).  Also, the typical growth time for Orbeez to grow is about three hours. Orbeez can be found at many popular retailers and it seems they can be found almost anywhere. Orbeez used to be used for irrigation to keep the soil moist during a dry season; Orbeez can also be put in with house plants and it is asserted that the plant can go three to seven days without water (Wiki answers 1).                                                                                             This source does not seem to be as credible as the other sources I have found. This source has proven to be helpful because it examines the background on the hydrophilic orbs. I think that the intended audience would be for consumers like myself.

The Toymaster. “Orbeez Magic Maker Lets Kids Grow Their Own Fun.” InventorSpot. N.p. N.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

The third article I read is called, “Orbeez Magic Maker Lets Kids Grow Their Own Fun” by The Toymaster and the article explains the compound of Orbeez itself. Orbeez is said by the Toymaster to be a “super absorbent polymer”. Orbeez start out very small almost the size of a small pea and grow to 300 times its normal size and the end result is something of a marble (Toymaster 2). The Orbeez toy seems to be an extremely safe product for children although they do dry out over time without water. Orbeez can also begin to grow mold and start to mildew, once this happens it is said that you can grind them up and put them into soil and use them as a moisture retainer. Orbeez is described as “Several molecules that join together which attract and store moisture in the spaces between the molecules.” Said the Toymaker.                                                                                                           This sources author is the Toymaker which is a toy making company for children. This manufactures makes a variety of Orbeez toys. I think that the intended audience for this article would be parents or people looking to purchase add on products for the trendy toy. I found this article more insightful than the other articles I have read because it seemed more knowledgeable. Although almost every source I have found is trying to sale their product.

Fox, Christine. “Provide Kids With Hours of Fun with Orbeez Magic Maker.” Style bakery mom. 7 Sept. 2010. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

The fourth source I found is called “Provide Kids with Hours of Fun with Orbeez Magic Maker” by Christine Fox. I found this article hardly useful at all. This article explained everything I have read in previous articles except it was a condensed version. This article seems to be written by a consumer who was pleased with the product. I think the intended audience would be for mothers or parents intending to buy the toy.

Rampart, Elijah. “Orbeez Review.” Ezine Articles. Elijah Rampart. N.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

The fifth article I read is called “Orbeez Review” by Elijah Rampart and is a review from a costumer explaining what and how Orbeez are. The article explain all the typical information then the Orbeez manufactures have provided the consumers with but also goes in depth on how safe they are. Rampart explains that “Manufactures have taken more than adequate steps to ensure that they are safe to play with. Orbeez meet all industry safety standards for toys, as well as surpassing all the ASTM regulations. Orbeez are non toxic and environmentally friendly. In fact, it is better to discard old Orbeez in the garden then to throw them away.”  This toy is meant to inspire children to be creative when playing with the gel like toy and use creativity. I think this article is for concerned, curious consumers. I found this article to be important because it was a real consumer’s review.

The Maya Group. “ The Science of Orbeez.” Orbeezone. N.p. N.d. Web. 30 Aug. 2012.

The sixth source I used is called “The science of Orbeez” by the Maya Group. This is the company itself information it provided. It explains how to grow them, where they originated, where their company was founded and also has questions and an answer forum that answers typical questions. Although, it does explain that Orbeez are actually safe to ingest but if over twelve have been swallowed to get medical attention.  Orbeez do not break down in the digestive tract and are not absorbed and if swallowed they should pass through (Maya Group 1). I found this information to be helpful because it is from the manufacture themselves. I think that this article is meant to promote the product and meant for consumers such as children and parents.