BUMPY the BLIND BEAN!!! - A short story teaching character building values of unconditional love and appreciating our differences. We hope you will enjoy!

BUMPY, the Blind BEAN! 
Imagine a world with no mirrors. How wonderful that could be! To know what others look like, a Bean would have to see!   This was the world in which Bumpy lived. A world with no mirrors yet rather where EYES reflect the heart and soul of a Bean! 
Meet Bumpy! Bumpy had a BIG heart. He also was born with a BIG bump on his head!  Do all Beans have bumps on their head?  Maybe all Beans have bumps on their heads!  Bumpy didn’t know, because Bumpy was born blind. And Bumpy couldn’t feel the bump, because Beans have no arms, silly!   When Bean was growing up his Mommy always told him how special he was and that she loved him very much.   Bumpy was kind and loved all people. He would listen very carefully to what people would say. He was very “insightful”!
So when Bumpy came home from school one day in tears, his mother asked him why he was so sad.  Bumpy told his Mommy that there were Beans at school who made fun of him. They say there’s something wrong with me. They say I have a BIG bump on my head!!!  His mother took Bean into her arms and hugged him. “Oh Bumpy,” she sighed, “You’re not weird, you’re gifted! It’s time for your nap. Let’s tuck you in. You’ll feel much better when you wake up rested!”  As Bumpy fell asleep, a Bean Angel appears in his dream.  “Spiss, spiss, Bumpy, it’s me, Bean Angel!”  Oh Bean Angel, sighed Bumpy. I’m so glad you’re here!”  The kids at school are bullying me.” They say I’m different. I like them and I want to be their friend, but it’s hard because I feel out of place. I’m confused. What’s wrong with me?”  Oh Bumpy! Nothing’s wrong with you! In fact, you are special and gifted. You see when you were but a small sprout, you developed insight and patience and a kind heart. You are smart and you care about others.  We live in a world with no mirrors, so we can’t see ourselves as others may see us. Yet YOU Bumpy, have developed the gift of “insight” even though you cannot see. That is a very special gift.  You my dear Bumpy have the ability to make a difference in the lives of other Beans. You can show them that even though you may not see through your eyes, you can still see their soul. You know they are good beans at heart. Your kindness and understanding will teach others to follow your example. These are the qualities of character that ALL Bean-kind can appreciate.   “Bumpy, do you know what they are laughing at?”, inquired Bean Angel.  "Yes, they say I have a bump on my head.”  “Bumpy, you are so funny! We all have a bump on our head!!!!!”  Bean Angel kissed Bumpy on the head and disappeared.  A few moments later Bean awoke. His world looked much brighter now. There’s nothing like a little nap and a visit from Bean Angel to cheer a Bean up!  The aroma of fresh baked cookies drew his attention and Bean ran to the kitchen to give his Mom a great BIG HUG!   She was glad to see Bumpy feeling much better about himself.  "You see Bumpy, not everybody sees things the same way and they may even make fun of us, yet it really doesn't matter because Beans can be different and that's okay."  © All Rights Reserved 2010 – Bean Angel, LLC

Word of the week - INTEGRITY

Meow and great BEANTASTIK WEEK! Thank you for checking in with me at the Calico Corner!  If you haven't read my story, I invite you to scroll down and learn how I came to be named Magic! You are an important viewer and your comments are always welcome!  Happy NEW YEAR and may you be blessed with lots of LOVE and HAPPINESS today and always.   So far, we've looked at the meaning of the words APPRECIATION, BEANTASTIK, CREATIVITY, DEDICATION, EFFORT, FAMILY, GIFTS and HEART.  This week our word begins with the letter "I" - it's INTEGRITY (In-te-grity)! – One of the most important character values in society today is being a person of INTEGRITY. What does integrity mean? Integrity is being a person of your word and when you say you’ll do something, you do it. When you make a statement it is true to the very best of your knowledge and people learn to trust you and your word. That character value is PRICELESS. An example would be if you receive too much change back from a cashier. What do you do? You don’t keep it and think its okay because he or she made the mistake. No, instead you give back the extra change because that is the RIGHT thing to do. Another good way to describe INTEGRITY is doing the right thing even when no one is watching. And we know that someone is always watching! Why, I think that’s called our conscience!  Thank you in advance for showing INTEGRITY this week! Love and furry hugs, your pal, Magic!

Last week's word - HEART.  We all have one! In fact, it’s the most important organ in our body. Why we couldn’t live without it! How do you use yours? Did you know your heart is really a muscle? And that there are two beats to the rhythm of a heart…BOOM-boom, BOOM-boom. They are called diastole and systole. Responsible for pumping blood INTO and OUT of your HEART to nourish and bring oxygen to all your other organs.   That’s the anatomical importance of the heart.   Now, let’s take a look at how our hearts affect the way we feel. When we have a HEART for something or someone, we CARE about it or them. We may even feel LOVE. We show appreciation and interest, right? Like me and my brother, Mr. Pumpkin. I know he has a BIG HEART because he’s always showing me and our Mommy and Daddy how much he cares and LOVES us by sharing BIG RUBS, HUGS and LOUD PURRS!

At BEANTOWN TOYS, our motto is “TRUST YOUR HEART” which means when you hear that inner voice telling you that something is right and in your heart you feel it is right too, then trust your heart and follow that path.

My prayer is that each day of this new year you will TRUST YOUR HEART and do what is right. Show people how much you appreciate them and learn to LOVE others even when you don’t feel like it. You never know, your small or random act of kindness might make all the difference to them! With LOVE and appreciation from your friend, Magic.

PS: We are having coloring contest to see what a HEARTY Bean would look like!  Go to our http://www.beantowntoys.com/ homepage, download a coloring page for a blank Bean, create your drawing and send it along to BeantownToys care of ruthann@beantowntoys.com  Can't wait to see your artistic masterpiece!

Word of the week from December 26th...GIFT!  Now you may be thinking it's because many of us just celebrated Christmas.  Yet this word also means talents and strengths - these are referred to as "gifts".  Every person has special talents unique to his or herself.  That's the beauty of diversity and being human...or feline!  We are each created to be talented in certain areas.  One of my talents is my squeaky purr.  My sister, Cassidy, has a more rythmic, melodious purr but I squeak!   Some of us have the GIFT of being artistic, some of us are more athletic, some of us are very good with math, some of us are better in science, some of us play musical instruments, and some of us can sing really well.  We can always "puuurfect" our gifts by practicing and developing strength in these areas. What are your gifts?  A fun way to find out what your gifts are is to think of what you like to do the best.  That is called "playing to your strength".  

Another meaning of the word GIFT is when you give something to someone else.  One GIFT we all can GIVE is LOVE and friendship.  I hope as you enjoy this last week of the year, you will think of the people you LOVE and show them the GIFT of friendship and caring.  Your friend, Magic!

Magic's Calico Corner

It's a puuurfectly BEANTASTIK day! My name is Magic and I'm a Bean! You can see me in our Series 4 line-up on http://www.beantowntoys.com.
I chose the color purple because I love purple! Purple is a happy color! Here's my story.....I’m a shelter kitty! My Mom always tells me how cute I am and asks me, “Magic, how did you get to be so cute?” With my squeaky little voice I simply reply, “I don’t know, I’m just me!”

Back in the beginning when I was but a little sprout, I was brought to an Animal Shelter because my owners learned they were allergic to me. That very afternoon, another couple came in just before my Mom and they said they wanted to adopt me, so my Mom ended up taking home a kitty named Mr. Pumpkin. As my Mom left, I do remember a comment that if it didn’t work out for that other couple, would they please call my Mom as she thought she could adopt me too.

Well, Pumpkin became a “psycho-man” and there was no peace in the house once he arrived! His siblings, Rudy and Cassidy were NOT very happy with their new “brother” and as much as my Mommy and Daddy loved Pumpkin, there were “issues”.

About a week later, I was brought back to the shelter. That couple argued all the time. They decided they couldn’t keep me. The kind ladies at the shelter called my Mom. Well, as I said, Pumpkin was creating issues with our siblings, so my Mom now wasn’t sure if adopting me was going to be the right thing to do. She had “doubt”. Fortunately, she prayed on it for a night and the next day, voila! She arrived at the shelter and brought me home. You see, there was no room for doubt in our home, just plenty of room for love and for me!

So, from the time I pranced in the door, Pumpkin and I became best of friends. Mommy and Daddy think I had some “magical power” over him. All I know is he has a BIG heart, a loud purr and I love him! Now, there was harmony in the house – hence my name – Magic!

You see God knew that he would need a loving home. Pumpkin really is a very affectionate kitty and he loves and loves and loves and sometimes it seems like he is in the way, yet he is only trying to share love and rubs. He has so much to give sometimes his cup is running over!

I hope and pray that people will continue to rescue little kitties like Pumpkin and me every day!

As a "Contributing writer", I'll be sharing a little story each week starting with the first letter in the alphabet!

"A" is for APPRECIATION! A-pre-she-A-tion!
Let's be sure to tell someone TODAY just how much we appreciate them! Surely there is someone who helped you recently....maybe your Mom, or your Dad, or your teacher, or your best friend!

I welcome your stories too! Take a peek at our collectible bean characters and write me a story about your favorite one(s)! http://www.beantowntoys.com

I'd love to hear from you! Have a "Magical" day!

PS: Here's a little story I wrote about APPRECIATION!  It's called Gratitude.....hmmm...maybe I could change up the name to "CATitude"!!!!

"GRATITUDE" by Magic Cookie Bean
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you,  Thank you, Thank YOU!
Oh how I love to say THANK YOU!
Thank you for fresh water in my bowl.
Thank you for the bubbling brook to drink from!
Thank you for birds in the trees that sing to me!
Thank you for legs to rub,And chins to lick, And cheeks to kiss.
Thank you for cat naps, And people laps.  Nana always said to remember our Please and THANK YOU’s!  It’s called “grat-it-ude”…like “Cat-it-ude”
When we say “Thank you” the world is a nicer place!
There is always something to be thankful for. I know if you look, you will find it!  Maybe it’s under the bed. Or in the shed.  Or in your head! I know! Gratitude is an Attitude!  Be a friend to someone and you will find it!
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!  THANK YOU for being my friend!
Love, Magic Cookie Bean

Beantown School FUN-racer....fundraiser!

A special note from Magic Bean....As temperatures fall and the snow flies...at least in the northern hemisphere, we think of furry friends who are less fortunate than those of us who were adopted from animal shelters.  At the shelter, we find warmth, a bowl of fresh water and crunchy food to eat!  People need shelter too! 

My friends at Beantown Toys have given me permission to reach out and invite YOU to sponsor a fundraiser at your school or community organization.  50% of the proceeds from orders collected on paper and placed direct with Beantown Toys, or group online sales http://www.beantowntoys.com/ will be donated to your specified favorite charity or notforprofit organization.   One by
one we can make a difference, yet think of what we could do if we all got together and joined hands....err...I mean paws!  LOL, Magic! 
For more information, please email ruthann@beantowntoys.com with tagline "Fundraiser".

Having a Ball!

Beantown Toys fan Jillian, of St. Brendan's School in Dorchester, took the time to show us what she'd like a couple of our future Beans to look like!

Bean at St. Brendan's

Field Day at St Brendan's in Dorchester fielded a special visitor: The Bean! With summer on horizon, the students spent one of their last school days playing games with friends, family and faculty.

Hugs and crowds were the order of the day!

And we have to hand it to Jillian, one of our biggest Beantown Fans!
Way to show your true colors!
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Series 4 and More!!

Rocky, Greenwing, Princess Patty, Sir Bean, Mac, Honey Bean, and Pixel are just a few of the newest members of Beantown. In all more than 20 never before seen Beans are available now! Individual Beans are $2.99, but for a limited time you mix and match any 3 for $7.99. There is no limit on the number of sets of 3 you can buy, so now is your chance to complete you set and save a few bucks!

We are also proud to announce the return of Beantown Collectable Key Chains. Your old favorites; Bean, Lucky, Pitch, Quacker, Blitz and Lobstah are back with a new friend: Kix! Soccer fans will really get a kick out him! Key Chains are $3.99 each, or you can buy 3 for $9.99!

A full supply of Series 1 Beanbots are available for only $7.99 each or 3 for $21.99. And Series 1 & 2 Spoon Racers are all $5.99 and 3 for $16.99.

Combine your Beanbots and Spoon Racers for limitless ways to Build Your Character! Just look at this creation by Beantown fans Becky and Bert!

Email photos of what you build to beantowneditor@comcast.net and we'll show to the world!

The Beanbots Have Landed!

The newest members of Beantown have arrived!!!
Be the first to get yours today!

Bean To The Fututre

If six year old Adrian of Medfield was buying Wonka Bars, he'd have found a Golden Ticket! He is one of lucky few who has been able to add a Beanbot to his collection! A very limited number Beantown's newest family members were recently made available and Adrian was quick enough to scoop one up!

Keep an eye out for the full release of our Beanbots in the coming weeks!

ItzaBean at ItzaParty!

Beantown's Biggest Bean Fan!

I recently had the pleasure of visiting with a special young lady, Ellie from Dorchester, and her impressive collection of more than 100 Beans! The 12 year old Boston Latin student began building her Bean bonanza a little more than two years ago, and has inspired us at the Beantown Gazette and Beantown Toys ever since.

I first met Ellie in December 2007 when she came to our "Bean Counting" event at her local Members Plus Credit Union. She single-handedly made that fundraiser bigger than we ever expected. Our plan was to have people turn their coins in cash for holiday shopping, while a small percentage of all coins counted would go to a local charity. And everybody who participated would receive a gift from The Bean himself!

When Ellie came in with her bag of coins she did something no one expected, she donated all her money to the charity! A little more than $30! A truly selfless act!

Ellie and The Bean at the Members Plus Credit Union "Bean Counting" event

Ellie has not only been generous in donating her money, she has giving us many of her ideas for future Beans. Her latest creations are: Vic, Greiko, and my favorite, Mr Snicklefritz.

Vic & Greiko

Mr. Snickelfritz

Some of her other Beantastic designs have been: AmeriBean, the very clumsy Clyde, Laffs The Clown, Chop! The Black Belt Bean, and Super Bean's sidekick Buzz.

And we'll never forget her drawing of an epic battle between Shadow Shark and Shark Machine! She called it: Showdown!

Thank you for all for your generosity and hard work Ellie! You certainly know how to Trust Your Heart, Use Your Bean, and Build Your Character!

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It!

The Boston Globe and Boston.com writer Johnny Diaz recently wrote a great article about Beantown Toys and Beantown CEO Tom Hayes, and we have it here in case you missed it! Thank you Mr. Diaz!

By Johnny Diaz
Globe Staff / January 15, 2009

Tom Hayes is in Beantown, one inhabited by baked bean characters who drive cars made out of spoons, live in homes called bean pots, and work in skyscrapers that have a certain legume shape.

This whimsical world of a two-legged bean in a baseball cap is the brainchild of Hayes, a former X-ray salesman and longtime stand-up comedian who dreamed of creating a Web comic strip based on funny exchanges with his wife, Inna Zhdanova. After considering various vegetables in the starring role, Hayes reached out to an animator who suggested using a baked bean as a character. Hayes says he invested $600,000 of his own magic beans to launch this alternative bean town, which has sprouted new characters and toys in the past year, with more to come.

"The whole idea is create a whole mythology, a bean town where beans live," says Hayes, who lives in South Boston. He's standing in the middle of bean central, better known as Beantown Toys on Newbury Street. The toy store features a wall of plush bean character collectibles such as Dunky, a pink bean that looks like it might work at a particular coffee and donut shop. There's Pitch, a bean that resembles a Red Sox baseball. And there's Statey, a bean state trooper.

As Hayes talks, a monitor plays a new animated trailer featuring the bean theme song: Use your bean, trust your heart, build your character in Beantown.

"We stumbled on a very charismatic figure, like Mickey Mouse or SpongeBob," says Hayes, who recently unveiled the bean animated trailer, which was produced by FableVision, a multimedia studio based in Boston. He's developing that trailer into an online animated series as part of the bean's evolution.

"It's not just about the toys but about the message, follow your path. We are trying to hit at certain truths and use them as role models for kids and their parents."

The bean's first incarnation began as a human-size character played by a local actor who wore a costume that looked like a Boston baked bean. He appeared at birthday parties, Boston Duck Tours, and events around the city such as First Night. In October 2006, Hayes opened Beantown Toys with a 4-foot plush smiling doll greeting tourists and passersby from the front window.

The bean has grown into an unofficial Boston mascot and its brand has expanded into key chains, mugs, T-shirts, and, of course, collectibles, which number about 180. The characters, by toy designer Matt Doughty, made their debut at the annual International Toy Fair in New York City and have appeared at the San Diego Comic Convention.

Hayes is about to introduce "bean bots" construction toys, and plans to publish books about being true to yourself.

On a recent Friday midday, several kids poured into the toy store and began giggling when they spotted all the bean characters.

"We can't figure it out," adds Hayes with a laugh. "Whether it's the shape or the image, people are so charged about it. There's this kinetic appeal that kids are fascinated with."

© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.

Beantown LoveFest 2009!

Saturday, February 14th, 12pm-4pm

Everyone knows the Bean LOVES to give BIG hugs, so who else would you want to see on the most LOVEly day of all...VALENTINES! Come by and see us between 12PM-4PM on Saturday, Feb.14 for a LOVE Fest of Bean-proportions. As always, we'll have face-painting, storytelling, coloring contests, Spoon Races and more. Come get your BIG BEAN HUG!"

Where: 291 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Happy 2009, Beantown Fans! Dearest Beantown Fans, We hope your holidays were Beantastic! 2009 is going to be a year full of awesome Beantown Toys fun! In addition to a full schedule of amazing Beantown Toys store events (please see below), we will be posting new Beantown Collectibles Character Sneak Peeks on our blogs: www.BeantownBeacon.com and www.BeantownGazette.com Please also check out our fabulous website: www.BeantownToys.com!! We hope you enjoy all of the super-fun contests, prizes, news & events Beantown Toys has to offer in 2009! Sincerely, Lizzie Pangborn & Rebecca Cornwell Magic Show with Tom Hayes! Saturday, January 24th, 12pm-2pm Some of you have already come to our Newbury Street toy shop to see our MAGIC BANK in action...but what if we told you, the MAGIC MAN is coming?! That's Right! Tom Hayes, the beloved owner, visionary, author, and CEO of Beantown Toys is coming to do a magic show at the BEAN'S HOME at 291 Newbury St. It's FREE! Don't miss it!" Where: 291 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 Beantown LoveFest 2009! Saturday, February 14th, 12pm-4pm Everyone knows the Bean LOVES to give BIG hugs, so who else would you want to see on the most LOVEly day of all...VALENTINES! Come by and see us between 12PM-4PM on Saturday, Feb.14 for a LOVE Fest of Bean-proportions. As always, we'll have face-painting, storytelling, coloring contests, Spoon Races and more. Come get your BIG BEAN HUG!" Where: 291 Newbury Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Beantown is Now A Two Blog Town!

The Beantown Gazette is excited to welcome sister-blog The Beantown Beacon! Straight out of Beantown, the Beacon offers the latest scoops on what is going on inside Beantown now, and what to expect in the future!

Sparkle For The New Year!

Limited Edition Sparkle is now available! This collectible Bean is coated in a super shiny reflective silver paint and features the words, "Happy New Year!" on the back. Priority Shipping is available at checkout. All orders will receive a special bonus!

100 Beans and Counting!

Beantown Toys, formerly The Boston Baked Bean, invites you to celebrate our re-launch!

by Rebecca Cornwell - BOSTON, MA – Boston's Back Bay has needed a toy store for quite some time, and now Beantown Toys is filling that void!

On Friday November 28th, Beantown Toys invites you to stop by the grand opening of its brand new store on Newbury Street – located in the center of the city's popular shopping and dining district. Nestled among the beautiful brownstones that line this classic Boston street is the BEAN's toyshop, where bay windows and a cozy fireplace make guests feel at home. Inside, the store's shelves are lined with an array of fun children's toys, including BEAN plushies, and small plastic Beans that sit and scoot inside Bean Spoons on wheels!

The public is warmly invited to attend the BEAN's Opening Party to meet the 6-foot, cuddly mascot, and check out his shop, which sits at 291 Newbury Street. The party will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Guests can enjoy refreshments, face painting, coloring contests, spoon races, storytelling and maybe even some live music. Just look for the balloons out front!

The BEAN is a budding new Boston mascot born from the rich, local history of The Boston Baked Bean. Now, as a life-size, walking, waving Baked Bean, he symbolizes all that Boston was, is and can be. The BEAN's mission is to inspire a spirit of unity, education, community, harmony and diversity. As the city's new goodwill ambassador, the BEAN seeks to share "Beantown Pride" with residents and visitors, while promoting local and national causes through charitable appearances. His playful can-do attitude inspires goodwill in children and adults alike!

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For any of you our-of-town Bean Friends, please stay in touch with us through our website: www.beantowntoys.com. And let us know if there are any cool toy stores in your area that would serve as a good home for our beloved BEANS. :)

The Beantown Trailer is here!

What A Collection!

Eddie and Katie of Southborough, MA love showing off their huge battalions of Beans!