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                                                                EXHIBIT 10.12(a)

                    AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


      THIS AGREEMENT ("Agreement"), dated as of January 1, 2000, between TOYMAX
INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and HARVEY GOLDBERG
(the "Executive")

                               W I T N E S S E T H

      WHEREAS, the Company and Executive entered into an Employment Agreement
dated as of October 1, 1997, and

      WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to modify the terms of
Executive's employment by entering into a new Employment Agreement which
Agreement will supersede the Employment Agreement dated as of October 20, 1997.


      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, representations
and warranties set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
it is hereby agreed as follows:

      1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby agrees to employ the Executive, and the
Executive hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms and conditions set
forth herein.

      2. TERM. Subject to the provisions of Section 10 hereof, the period of the
Executive's employment under this Agreement shall be from January 1, 2000
through September 30, 2002, as may be extended as hereinafter provided (the
"Term"). As of October 1, 2000 and each subsequent October 1, (October 1, 2000
and each subsequent October 1 hereinafter called a "Renewal Date"), the Term
shall be automatically extended by one additional year (i.e. to include a period
of 36 months commencing on each Renewal Date) unless, at least 180 days prior to
any such Renewal Date, the Company shall deliver to the Executive or the
Executive shall deliver to the Company written notice that the Term will not be
further extended.

      3. POSITION AND DUTIES.

         (a) During the Term, the Executive shall serve as the Executive Vice
President of the Company and shall have such duties consistent with such office
as from time to time may be prescribed by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board").

         (b) During the Term, the Executive shall perform and discharge the
duties that may be assigned to him by the Board from time to time in accordance
with this Agreement, and the Executive shall devote his best talents, efforts
and abilities to the performance of his duties hereunder.

         (c) During the Term, the Executive shall perform such duties on a
full-time basis and the Executive shall have no other employment and no other
outside business


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activities whatsoever; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Executive shall not be
precluded from making passive investments which do not require the devotion of
any significant time or effort.

      4. COMPENSATION.

         (a) For the Executive's services hereunder, the Company shall pay the
Executive a minimum annual salary (as the same shall be increased from time to
time, the "Base Salary") of $491,150, payable in accordance with the customary
payroll practices of the Company.

         (b) The Base Salary shall be increased by 10% (or such greater
percentage as the Board may determine) on January 1, 2001 and each subsequent
January 1 during the Term.

      5. BONUSES.

         (a) EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN. During the Term, the Executive shall be
eligible to participate in the Company's Executive Bonus Plan (the "Bonus
Plan"), in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Plan, as they may
exist from time to time. Nothing herein shall preclude the Company from amending
the Bonus Plan from time to time or terminating the Bonus Plan, in whole or in
part, at any time.

         (b) STOCK APPRECIATION BONUS. As soon as practicable following each
Renewal Date during the Term, the Executive shall be paid an additional bonus
(the "Stock Appreciation Bonus") as follows:

             (i) with respect to the Renewal Date occurring on October 1, 2000,
an amount equal to 1% of the excess, if any, of (A) the aggregate fair market
value of the common stock of the Company (the "Common Stock") outstanding on
October 1, 2000, over (B) the aggregate fair market value of the Common Stock
outstanding on October 1, 1999; and

             (ii) with respect to each Renewal Date thereafter, an amount equal
to 1% of the excess, if any, of (A) the aggregate fair market value of the
Common Stock outstanding on such Renewal Date, over (B) the aggregate fair
market value of the Common Stock outstanding on the immediately preceding
Renewal Date.

             (iii) for purposes of this Section 5(b), the term "fair market
value" of a share of Common Stock as of any date shall mean the closing price of
a share of the Common Stock on the principal securities exchange (including but
not limited to the Nasdaq Stock Market or the Nasdaq National Market) on which
such shares are traded on the day immediately preceding the date as of which
fair market value is being determined, or on the next preceding date on which
such shares are traded if no shares were traded on such immediately preceding
day, or if the shares are not traded on a securities exchange, fair market value
shall be deemed to be the average of the high bid and low asked prices of the
shares in the over-the-counter market on the day immediately preceding the date
as of which fair market value is being determined or on the next preceding date
on which such high bid and low asked prices were recorded. If the shares are not
publicly traded, fair market value of a share of Common Stock shall be
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.


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      6. OTHER BENEFITS. During the Term, the Company shall provide the
Executive with the following benefits:

         (a) STOCK OPTION PLAN. The Executive shall be eligible to participate
in the Company's Stock Option Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions
thereof.

         (b) MEDICAL, HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE BENEFITS. The Company shall at
its own expense provide the Executive and his eligible dependents with the
medical, health and dental insurance coverage provided by the Company generally
to its employees. Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from amending and/or
terminating the coverages and/or plans described in this Section 6(b), provided,
however, that such amendment and/or termination is applicable generally to the
employees of the Company.

         (c) SPLIT DOLLAR LIFE INSURANCE. The Company shall pay on the
Executive's behalf all premiums that become due during the Executive's
employment hereunder that are required to maintain in effect a life insurance
policy on Executive's life with a face value of $2,000,000 (the "Split Dollar
Policy") provided, however, that the Executive executes such documents that the
Company determines are necessary or advisable in connection with this split
dollar insurance program, including, without limitation, an irrevocable
collateral assignment and split dollar agreement in a form prescribed by the
Company assigning to the Company the right to recover from the cash value and
any death proceeds of the Split Dollar Policy, any and all amounts paid by the
Company with respect to the Split Dollar Policy and otherwise setting forth the
terms and conditions of maintaining this split dollar life insurance program.

         (d) DISABILITY AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE BENEFITS. (1) Provided that (a)
the Executive is and remains insurable; (b) the Executive is and remains
eligible for coverage under either a group insurance policy maintained by the
Company or its affiliates or an individual insurance policy in either case at a
cost to the Company no greater than the standard rate (the "Standard Rate") as
determined by the insurance underwriter designated by the Company(the
"Underwriter") based upon an individual in good health and such other factors,
including, but not limited to, age, gender and income; and (c) the Executive
shall do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be done, executed,
acknowledged or delivered, all documents, applications, instruments, assurances
or acts (including but not limited to physical examinations), as may be
necessary to obtain such insurance coverage, the Company shall provide the
Executive with long term disability insurance coverage from the "Underwriter"
providing for "lifetime" disability benefits, equal to 100% of the Executive's
base salary after a waiting period of ninety (90) days. In the event the
Underwriter offers the Executive (a) such coverage at a cost in excess of the
Standard Rate, or (b) insurance coverage providing reduced benefits, the
Executive may, at his or her option, pay the excess cost to obtain the insurance
coverage or accept the disability insurance coverage with reduced benefits.
Under no circumstances will the Company have any liability for the excess cost
or resulting from the inability to obtain full benefits.

      (2) Provided that the Executive is and remains insurable and the Executive
shall do, execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause to be done, executed,
acknowledged or delivered, all documents, applications, instruments, assurances
or acts (including but not limited to physical

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examinations), as may be necessary to obtain such insurance coverage, the
Company shall provide the Executive with business and pleasure travel accident
and accidental death and dismemberment insurance coverage in an amount of
$1,000,000 from an insurance underwriter (the "Underwriter") designated by the
Company.

         (e) 401(k) PLAN. The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the
Company's 401(k) Plan in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan.

         (f) LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Executive shall be provided with the
directors and officers liability insurance coverage generally provided to
officers of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company agrees to
indemnify the Executive against all costs, damages and expenses, including
attorneys' fees, incurred by the Executive as a result of claims by third
parties arising out of or from the Executive's lawful acts as an employee of the
Company, provided such acts are not grossly negligent and are performed in good
faith and in a manner reasonably believed by the Executive to be in the
Company's best interests. Any counsel employed to defend the Executive in any
such action shall be reasonably acceptable to the Executive and the Company. Any
counsel appointed by any insurance carrier for the Company shall be deemed
acceptable. It is the intent of the parties that the obligation imposed by this
paragraph will survive the termination of this Agreement.

         (g) OTHER BENEFITS. The Company shall make available to the Executive
any and all other employee or fringe benefits (in accordance with their terms
and conditions) which the Company may make available to its other employees.


      7. AUTOMOBILE ALLOWANCE. During the Term, the Company shall reimburse the
Executive for expenses, such as automobile lease or loan payments, in an amount
up to $1,200 per month, plus such amount(s) as may be required to reimburse the
Executive for expenses such as registration, insurance, repairs, maintenance,
license fees, parking, gasoline and oil incurred by the Executive incident to
his use of an automobile in connection with his duties hereunder.

      8. REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES. During the Term, the Company shall pay or
reimburse the Executive for all reasonable travel (at business class level),
entertainment and other business expenses actually incurred or paid by the
Executive in the performance of his duties hereunder upon presentation of
expense statements and/or such other supporting information as the Company may
reasonably require of the Executive.

      9. VACATIONS. The Executive shall be entitled to no less than four weeks
of paid vacation during each full calendar year of the Term (and a pro rata
portion thereof for any portion of the Term that is less than a full calendar
year); provided that no single vacation may exceed two consecutive weeks in
duration. Unused vacation may be carried over to successive years.

      10. TERMINATION. The employment hereunder of the Executive may be
terminated prior to the expiration of the Term in the manner described in this
Section 10.

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         (a) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR GOOD CAUSE. The Company shall have
the right to terminate the employment of the Executive for Good Cause (as such
term is defined herein) by written notice to the Executive specifying the
particulars of the circumstances forming the basis for such Good Cause.

         (b) TERMINATION UPON DEATH. The employment of the Executive hereunder
shall terminate immediately upon his death.

         (c) VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE. The Executive shall have
the right to voluntarily resign his employment hereunder for other than Good
Reason (as such term is defined herein) by written notice to the Company.

         (d) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY WITHOUT GOOD CAUSE. The Company shall
have the right to terminate the Executive's employment hereunder without Good
Cause by written notice to the Executive.

         (e) RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. The Executive shall
have the right to terminate his employment for Good Reason by written notice to
the Company specifying the particulars of the circumstances forming the basis
for such Good Reason.

         (f) TERMINATION DATE. The "Termination Date" is the date as of which
the Executive's employment with the Company terminates. Any notice of
termination given pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall specify the
Termination Date.

         (g) CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings:

             (i) "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint
venture, court or government (or political subdivision or agency thereof).

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             (ii) "Change of Control" with respect to the Company, means the
occurrence of any of the following, other than in connection with the initial
public offering of the Common Stock, (A) the acquisition directly or indirectly
(in one or more related transactions) by any Person (other than the Executive),
or two or more Persons (other than the Executive) acting as a group, of
beneficial ownership (as that term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) of more than 20% of the outstanding capital stock of the
Company entitled to vote for the election of directors ("Voting Shares"); (B)
the merger or consolidation of the Company with one or more other corporations
as a result of which the holders of the outstanding Voting Shares of the Company
immediately before the merger hold less than 80% of the Voting Shares of the
surviving or resulting corporation; (C) the sale of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company; (D) the Company or any of its shareholders enters
into any agreement providing for any of the foregoing and the transaction
contemplated thereby is ultimately consummated; or (E) individuals who as of the
date of this Agreement constitute the Board of Directors of the Company cease
for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election,
or the nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, of each new
director was approved by a vote of a majority of the directors then still in
office who were directors as of the date of this Agreement.

             (iii) "Good Cause" shall exist if, and only if, the Executive (A)
wilfully or repeatedly fails in any material respect to perform his obligations
hereunder as provided herein, provided that such Good Cause shall not exist
unless the Company shall first have provided the Executive with written notice
specifying in reasonable detail the factors constituting such material failure
and such material failure shall not have been cured by the Executive within 30
days after such notice or such longer period as may reasonably be necessary to
accomplish the cure; or (B) has been convicted of a crime which constitutes a
felony under applicable law or has entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere
with respect thereto.

             (iv) "Good Reason" means the occurrence of any of the following
events:

             (A) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any material respect with the Executive's then position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting relationships), authority, duties or
responsibilities, or any other action or actions by the Company which when taken
as a whole results in a significant diminution in the Executive's position,
authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose any isolated,
immaterial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied
by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

             (B) a material breach by the Company of one or more provisions of
this Agreement, provided that such Good Reason shall not exist unless the
Executive shall first have provided the Company with written notice specifying
in reasonable detail the factors constituting such material breach and such
material breach shall not have been cured by the Company within 30 days after
such notice or such longer period as may reasonably be necessary to accomplish
the cure;

             (C) the Company requiring the Executive to be based at any


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location other than within 50 miles of the Company's current executive office
location, except for requirements of temporary travel on the Company's business
to an extent substantially consistent with the Executive's business travel
obligations existing immediately prior to the date of this Agreement;

             (D) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; and

             (E) a Change of Control of the Company, provided that the
Termination Date occurs no later than six months following such Change of
Control.

      11. OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY ON TERMINATION. Notwithstanding anything in
this Agreement to the contrary, the Company's obligations on termination of the
Executive's employment shall be as described in this Section 11.

          (a) OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY IN THE CASE OF TERMINATION WITHOUT GOOD
CAUSE OR RESIGNATION BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON. In the event that prior
to the expiration of the Term, the Company terminates the Executive's
employment, pursuant to Section 10(d), without Good Cause, or the Executive
resigns, pursuant to Section 10(e), for Good Reason, the Company shall provide
the Executive with the following:

              (i) AMOUNT OF SEVERANCE PAYMENT. Except as provided in Section
11(b) below, within 30 days following the Termination Date, the Company shall
pay the Executive a single lump sum cash payment (the "Severance Payment") equal
to the sum of the following:

                 (A) the Base Salary otherwise payable to the Executive for the
then remaining duration of the Term; and

                 (B) any Base Salary, Stock Appreciation Bonuses, Bonus Plan
bonuses, vacation and unreimbursed expenses accrued but unpaid as of the
Termination Date.

             (ii) EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN. For the otherwise remaining duration of
the Term, the Executive shall continue to participate in the Company's Executive
Bonus Plan and shall receive payment of bonuses thereunder, in accordance with
the terms of such plan, as though the Executive's employment under this
Agreement had not terminated.

             (iii) STOCK APPRECIATION BONUSES. Within 30 days following each
Renewal Date occurring during the otherwise remaining duration of the Term, the
Executive shall receive payment of the Stock Appreciation Bonus to which he
would have been entitled under Section 5(b) of this Agreement had his employment
hereunder not terminated.

             (iv) MEDICAL AND HEALTH INSURANCE. The Company shall, at its sole
expense, provide the Executive (and his dependents) with coverage under (and in
accordance with the terms and conditions of) the Company's medical and health
insurance plans, as in effect from time to time, for the otherwise remaining
duration of the Term; provided that to the extent such

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coverage may be unavailable under such medical and health insurance plans due to
restrictions imposed by the insurer(s) under such plans, the Company shall take
such action as may be required to provide equivalent benefits from other
sources.

             (v) LIFE INSURANCE. For the otherwise remaining duration of the
Term, the Company shall continue to reimburse the Executive for the cost of any
term life insurance on his life, to the extent provided in Section 6(c) of this
Agreement, as though his employment hereunder had not terminated.

             (vi) OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES. During the twelve-month period
commencing on the Termination Date, the Company shall provide to the Executive,
at the Company's expense, executive outplacement services (commensurate with
such services customarily utilized by similarly situated persons of the
Executive's title or position).

         (b) OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY IN THE CASE OF TERMINATION OF
EXECUTIVE'S EMPLOYMENT FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Executive may resign
his employment hereunder prior to the expiration of the Term within six months
following a Change in Control of the Company. In the event of such a resignation
or in the event that at any time during the Term and following a Change of
Control, the Company terminates the Executive's employment without Good Cause,
in lieu of the Severance Payment to which the Executive is entitled under
Section 11(a)(i) above, the Company shall pay the Executive as follows:

             (i) CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PAYMENT. The Company shall pay the
Executive a single lump sum cash payment equal to three times the Executive's
"Average Compensation" (as such term is defined herein), PLUS any Base Salary,
Stock Appreciation Bonuses, Bonus Plan bonuses, vacation and unreimbursed
expenses accrued but unpaid as of the Termination Date (collectively, the
"Change of Control Payment"). For purposes hereof, the Executive's "Average
Compensation" shall equal the aggregate amount of Base Salary and Stock
Appreciation Bonuses and Bonus Plan bonuses paid to the Executive for the two
calendar years immediately preceding the Termination Date, divided by two.

             (ii) AMOUNT OF GROSS-UP PAYMENT. In the event that the aggregate
amount of all payments to be received by the Executive on account of salary,
bonuses, stock options and any and all other compensation would constitute an
"excess parachute payment" under section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and
applicable regulations as then in effect (the "Code"), then the Company shall
pay to the Executive an additional amount equal to the amount of any and all
excise taxes and additional income taxes to which the Executive will be subject
under the Code on account of such "excess parachute payment" (the "Gross-Up
Payment").

             (iii) MANNER IN WHICH PAYMENT IS TO BE MADE. The Change of Control
Severance Payment and any Gross-Up Payment shall be payable to the Executive
within 30 days after the Termination Date.

             (iv) OTHER BENEFITS. Nothing in this Section 11(b) shall affect the
Executive's rights with respect to payments and benefits to which he is entitled
under Sections 11(a)(ii) through (vi) above.

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         (c) OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY IN CASE OF TERMINATION FOR DEATH,
VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION OR GOOD CAUSE. Upon termination of the Executive's
employment upon death (pursuant to Section 10(b)), as a result of the voluntary
resignation of the Executive (pursuant to Section 10(c)) or for Good Cause
(pursuant to Section 10(a)), the Company shall have no payment or other
obligations hereunder to the Executive, except for the payment of any Base
Salary, Stock Appreciation Bonuses, Bonus Plan bonuses, benefits or unreimbursed
expenses accrued but unpaid as of the date of such termination.

      12. SEVERABILITY. Should any provision of this Agreement be held, by a
court of competent jurisdiction, to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall not render the entire Agreement invalid or
unenforceable, and this Agreement and each other provision hereof shall be
enforceable and valid to the fullest extent permitted by law.

      13. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

         (a) This Agreement and all rights under this Agreement are personal to
the Executive and shall not be assignable other than by will or the laws of
descent. All of the Executive's rights under the Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of his heirs, personal representatives, designees or other legal
representatives, as the case may be.

         (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Company and its successors and assigns. Any Person succeeding to the
business of the Company by merger, purchase, consolidation or otherwise shall
assume by contract or operation of law the obligations of the Company under this
Agreement.

      14. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the
conflicts of laws rules thereof.

      15. NOTICES. All notices, requests and demands given to or made upon the
respective parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given or made three
business days after the date of mailing when mailed by registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, or on the date of delivery if delivered by hand, or one
business day after the date of delivery by Federal Express or other reputable
overnight delivery service, addressed to the parties at their addresses set
forth below or to such other addresses furnished by notice given in accordance
with this Section 15: (a) if to the Company, to 125 E. Bethpage Road, Plainview,
New York 11803, and (b) if to the Executive, to 8 Northbank Court, Thornhill,
Ontario, Canada L3T 7J7.

      16. WITHHOLDING. All payments required to be made by the Company to the
Executive under this Agreement shall be subject to withholding taxes, social
security and other payroll deductions in accordance with applicable law and the
Company's policies applicable to executive employees of the Company.

      17. COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING. Except as expressly provided below, this
Agreement supersedes any prior contracts, understandings, discussions and
agreements relating to


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employment between the Executive and the Company, including but not limited to
that certain Employment Agreement between the Executive and the Company dated as
of October 20, 1997, and constitutes the complete understanding between the
parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. No statement, representation,
warranty or covenant has been made by either party with respect to the subject
matter hereof except as expressly set forth herein.

      18. MODIFICATION; WAIVER.

          (a) This Agreement may be amended or waived if, and only if, such
amendment or waiver is in writing and signed, in the case of an amendment, by
the Company and the Executive or in the case of a waiver, by the party against
whom the waiver is to be effective. Any such waiver shall be effective only to
the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

          (b) No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or
privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

      19. HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of
this Agreement.

      20. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument. This Agreement
shall become effective when each party hereto shall have received counterparts
hereof signed by the other party hereto.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly
executed in its corporate name by one of its officers duly authorized to enter
into and execute this Agreement, and the Executive has manually signed his name
hereto, all as of the day and year first above written.



                                    TOYMAX INTERNATIONAL, INC.



-------------------------           By:
Witness                                ----------------------------------




---------------------               -------------------------------------
Witness                                     Harvey Goldberg




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