About Toy Tales

Todd Coopee

Todd Coopee is a toy historian, award-winning author, and entrepreneur.

As founder and editor-in-chief of ToyTales.ca, he brings audiences stories, news, expert interviews, and insights about formative toys and games past and present. Todd has a special interest in toy nostalgia—the objects that inspired curiosity, thought, and experimentation during the formative years of popular culture in North America, as well as their ongoing role in the present day.

A natural collector with a curious mind, Todd has researched, curated, and written about comic books and vintage toys for many years. In 2013, he authored Light Bulb Baking: A History of the Easy-Bake® Oven, a definitive history in honour of the iconic toy’s 50th birthday. With the Easy-Bake® Oven as its centrepiece, the book explores the intersection of pop culture and innovation, history, economics, commerce, advertising, and marketing.

Light Bulb Baking was honoured with three book awards and continues to be a favourite among Easy-Bake® Oven fans and toy collectors.

Todd also runs Studio 91, a web communications practice; and, Sonderho Press, a boutique publishing company.

He can be reached at todd@toytales.ca.

John DeQuadros

John DeQuadros is a professional toy photographer and pop culture writer with over twenty years of experience in the field.

Oftentimes referred to as maverick, his work has appeared on StarTrek.com, The 8-Bit Pickle and in the pages of Smarter Than Jack, Kaiju Ramen Magazine, The 100 Project and even the local newspaper. Additionally, John has worked hard to solidify numerous professional relationships from across the industry and has worked alongside such noted companies as Boss Fight Studio, Diamond Select Toys, Hasbro, Jakks Pacific, Mattel, McFarlane Toys, Mego, NECA, and Panda Mony Toys to name but a few.

A fan of all things pop culture, as well as an avid retro gamer and collector of such brands as Back To The Future, Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, DC Comics, and The World Of Nintendo, John hopes to one day publish a book centred around his interests – or, at least one that would allow him to get down a portion of all the useless, geeky facts he has accumulated over the years. Come to think of it, that may take more than one book!

You can reach John at john@toytales.ca.

Joanna Hauser

Joanna is a writer and researcher.

Endlessly curious about people’s hobbies and passions, Joanna shares her curiosity through thoughtful and entertaining interviews and posts presented on Toy Tales.

Author of no books, Joanna can usually be found reading comics, scouring flea markets for things she doesn’t need, and binge-watching television classics such as The Prisoner, Wonder Woman, and Star Trek.

You can reach Joanna at joanna@toytales.ca.

Nicolas Ricketts

Nicolas is a collections curator and board game specialist at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

His interests include history, popular culture, American art, paper artifacts, and collections management. He regularly contributes to Toy Tales on the subjects of board game history and collections care for hobbyists.

You can reach Nicolas at nicolas@toytales.ca.

Denis Savoie

As a graphic designer and photographer, Denis is a visual storyteller who has created arresting images for more than 30 years.

Born in The Hague, Netherlands to a Canadian Foreign Affairs family, Denis grew up a citizen of the world. While that is exciting, it also meant living in unfamiliar environments and a lot of time on his own. Thankfully there was Ultraman and Godzilla to keep Denis in good company and nurture his fondness for pop culture.

Denis’ creative skills mesh with his love of nostalgic objects to produce contemporary images with a wink to the past. When he’s not creating stunning visuals for Toy Tales, Denis can be found with his son working on the LEGO town they co-founded.

You can reach Denis at denis@toytales.ca.

Brian Washington

Brian A. R. Washington, a native of Alexandria, Virginia and a versatilely talented artist, said he has been drawing for “as long as (he) can remember.” His family stated that he was often called a prodigy. His willingness to draw on all sorts of places and surfaces occasionally got him into some “difficulties.” Still, he has honed his craft and developed his talent throughout his life with enthusiastic support from his family and friends.

He found his other passions in kindergarten: children’s books and music. From there, he went on to develop his story writing and music composition skills. He particularly enjoys writing children’s stories enhanced by his illustrations and music, as well as vocal characterizations.

He can be reached at brian@toytales.ca.