SUSHI STAX™ is the new fast-paced game that combines the fun of stacking with the unique challenge of using chopsticks!   Incorporating the trendiness of sushi into a fun and challenging game, SUSHI STAX has players racing to build and balance a variety of sushi towers using only chopsticks or tongs to lift each piece!  With various configurations on different cards, players must carefully balance the need for speed with precision and accuracy so that their pieces don’t come tumbling down. Launch date: May 2013.

Different from traditional memory games in which two identical cards are matched, Puzzle Match has kids search and match three puzzle piece parts of one image to complete the match. For example, players search for puzzle pieces of the head, body and claws of a parrot to make the match. As an added value, once kids finish the memory game and match the interlocking pieces, the pieces can be assembled into a giant, beautifully illustrated scene. "Unlike traditional memory games in which two identical cards must be found for the match, Puzzle Match - The Pet Shop has players searching and matching three different parts of one full picture to make the match," Ari Weinstock, CEO of Wowopolis, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2013.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Picks New Products

A six-sided block puzzle that encourages kids to re-create familiar animals, landmarks and map of USA. Turn the blocks to make 6 different puzzles...mix and match for more creative fun. Great educational toy that challenges the cognitive skills in assembling the matching blocks. Large 2” Blocks are easy to hold and play with. Includes a slide-out tray and mini images of completed puzzles. Launch date: February 2013.

Make early learning fun & exciting with the brand new electronic portable Smart play Pad. Little ones will love the cool looking tablet that’s easy to use and can play anywhere. More than 30 touch sensor keys teach language and pronunciation skills to help prepare your child for kindergarten. Four game modes are full of fun ways to discover letters, phonics, numbers, music and more. Bonus - Bilingual feature helps kids learn the alphabet and numbers in English and Spanish. Requires 3 AAA batteries (included). Launch date: February 2013.

Buckminster Fuller was an engineer, systems theorist, author, designer, inventor, futurist and second president of Mensa International, the high IQ society. He is best known for his many architectural designs, the best known of which is the geodesic dome, or "Bucky Ball"-Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know that talking about systems theorists is pretty boring, but without Mr. Fuller we wouldn't have the Space Chips Glom Dron set, so it all kind of evens out, don't you think? The Glom Dron is a set of 540 pentagon chips that can be used to build a Bucky Ball.

Kids try their hand at mad science using a beaker, funnel, mix-and-measure scoop, squishy-lidded bubble test tubes, and an abundance of glow-in-the-dark powder to concoct 20 experiments that glow, ooze, and stink up the kitchen. From glow-in-the-dark alien blood to scratch-and-sniff stickers, young scientists will never have so much fun with custom-designed tools and commonly found household ingredients.

Learn Spanish with Spot it! Basic Spanish! This educational game features universal images and Spanish words. There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any two cards. Spot it to win. Players search for matches between a word and its corresponding picture, between two pictures, or between two words. While the repetition solidifies word recognition, the pictures support reading comprehension. Spot it! Basic Spanish aids learning for Spanish speaking emergent readers and second language learners of all ages.

Learn French with Spot it! Basic French! This educational game features universal images and French words. There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any two cards. Spot it to win. Players search for matches between a word and its corresponding picture, between two pictures, or between two words. While the repetition solidifies word recognition, the pictures support reading comprehension. Spot it! Basic French aids learning for French speaking emergent readers and second language learners of all ages.

This golf card game features more than 50 different images of things one would see on the course. One, and only one, matching symbol exists between any two cards. Spot it to win. Spot it! Golf can be played five ways. For newcomers to the sport, this card game is a great way to become familiar with golf terms and lingo.

Animal rescue rangers to the rescue! With this rugged safari truck, two cheerful people are ready to zoom across the savannah to help their animal friends. The alligator, zebra, rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus and lion fit into the truck's sides through die-cut slots, so this exciting toy is perfect for imaginative play and fine motor skills . . . and much more! Lift and remove the cargo door to unload the colorful animals, then count, sort and stack the solid-wood pieces before loading the truck and securing the door in its track. One male and one female ranger fit in the cab of the truck, or come out to tend to the animals on the preserve. Play ideas are included to reinforce basic skills and inspire creative play.

The school bus is here! There's a friendly driver at the wheel and room for six happy passengers in this 10-piece wooden play set. With easy-rolling wheels and doors that open and close, this exciting set creates an interactive scene designed to inspire limitless play. Pieces are sized to fit with all Whittle World play sets and accessories sets.

Introducing an "appsolutely" new way to enjoy story time. This sturdy case (that looks just like baby’s favorite book) will protect any iPhone® 3GS, 4 & 4S or iPod touch® 4G from dribbles, drool, teething and sticky little fingers. Baby will love unlocking never-ending content at the turn of a page – just open and close the case cover to advance app content. Through FREE interactive story apps, with adorable animations and audio prompts, baby will be introduced to classic stories, nursery rhymes, book handling skills and early literacy. (Device not included.)

The Confetti Ukulele is thoughtfully made of wood with blast-from-the past construction and quality. Fun, tune-able sound and a size that’s just right for a budding musician.
— In a December 2012 survey, Katie Rook, owner of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly that they sold 40 of these ukuleles during the holiday season.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

The Sing Along Star Microphone makes singing fantastic fun. Kids can hear their voice amplified, enjoy backing music and also see cool lights flash as they sing to their heart's content. At the end of the show, the pink Sing Along Star Microphone adds clapping and cheering. Children can use the microphone's extending stand to sing along while playing an instrument with their hands, or making extravagant hand actions. They can also take the Sing Along Star Microphone off the stand to dance while they sing.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that microphones were their bestselling musical toys.

Kids can be their own rock star with the cool Rock Star guitar. 8 buttons on the fret board make tunes and sounds, and there's a rhythm button, three songs and a demo, a swing bar to pull, light-up strumming section and lots of fun effects. Comes with cool glasses and hands free mic.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that ELC musical toys from International Playthings were there bestsellers.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

This high quality machine is versatile and super easy to use. It includes 40' of sticker tape, 80+ sticker designs - including velvet, metallic and glitter, color-in markers and sticker book. Kids can even turn their artwork and photos into stickers.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling toys, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly, "This past holiday season we had great success with the X-treme Sticker Maker from Creativity for Kids. We sold several dozen from late Nov. till we ran out in early Dec."

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

Playing with new foods encourages kids to try them. Watch a real sushi chef (Itamae) in action. Roll sandwiches or filled lettuce leaves into sushi shapes.

Encourage playing with friends as well as solo play. Listen to the stories a child will tell as they play with this bright and cheerful wooden doll house.

Take care of the newest arrival in the Heartlake City stables with Olivia and fun accessories. Get water from the moving pump to fill up the trough and feed the foal with the carrot. Then use the wheelbarrow to collect the hay for the foal under the buildable tree. Groom her with the accessory pack including ribbons, brushes and combs to make her very pretty. Includes Olivia mini-doll figure.

Emma's dojo is a piece of the Far East, right here in Heartlake City. Practice Emma's favorite martial arts and help her to prepare for another fantastic performance. Train hard to win the trophy by chopping the practice block in half. After a great practice, wind down in the tranquil environment with the cute bonsai tree and drink some water. Then use the mask and sword to start mastering kendo. Includes Emma mini-doll figure.

The ultimate swamp battle is on. Leonidas and Lonnex are making a jet-bike escape with the Croc tribe’s CHI, but it takes more than that to outsmart croc prince Cragger. Fire up Cragger's Command Ship and go after them. Activate the huge snapping mouth, swipe the croc tail and fire the CHI-powered missiles. Call in their Raven ally Rawzom to track them from the air or to swoop down from above and catch those CHI-nabbing cats. Then, deploy the stealthy mini boats and high-flying croc helicopter to stop them from ever leaving the swamp. Includes 6 minifigures with assorted weapons.

Soar high above the mystical world of Chima in Razcal’s Glider to help Razcal guard the CHI. Fend off other tribes with the Raven Glider’s beak and grabbing claws, or capture them with the chain. Protect the Raven tribe’s CHI. Includes Razcal minifigure and a buildable weapon. Launch date: 2013.
— Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-sea, Mass, told TDmonthly that LEGO's new Chima line is their overall best seller.
— In a May 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that LEGO Legends of Chima was their best-selling construction toy line.

Alert the Eagle tribe. Razor and Rizzo have the Eagle tribe's Chi and are escaping on the winged raven glider. Launch Eris' Eagle Interceptor and go after those bird bandits. Use its realistic beak, poseable wings and legs, grabbing talons and tail to launch an aerial counter attack. Engage the cool attack pose and fire the missiles to bring these bandits down or capture them and throw them in the onboard prison. Then deploy the eject function to fly off and fight another day. Includes 3 minifigures and assorted weapons. Launch date: 2013.

Smarty Pants Third Grade cards let kids test their smarts and load up on new facts and funny trivia. Designed for independent use (so a child can play alone or with a parent or friend), the cards are colorful, creative and packed with illustrated activities, including trivia quizzes, problem-solving puzzles, rebus puzzles, fun facts, creative story-building games and much more. Each educational card set is thoughtfully developed to suit the learning style and curriculum standards of each age range...then spiced up with fresh, lively design and an infusion of humor (including a whimsical pants-shaped case!) to keep kids giggling, engaged and excited about learning.

Illustration adapted from old wood cut. Glow in the dark cover. 60 pages; Spiral bound.