November 2008 New Specialty Toys — All

This holiday dress-up Sassy Pet Sak is a tote style and comes with a black lab puppy that is removeable. The bag measures 7" wide. "The design and unique choice of fashionable materials" set this item apart, Erika Radich, marketing manager for Douglas Company, told TDmonthly. "It is a toy and an accessory all in one!" Launch date: September 20, 2008.

This is the first minigolf course to take away and play anywhere, indoor or outdoor. It was a finalist for the Golf Europe product award in 2008. The set includes 13 obstacles, one club, two balls and a scorepad. The game can be played on grass, tarmac, carpet, wood floors or ice. Launch date: 2008.

The Megatop is a perimeter-weighted, precision-built, high-performance throw top invented by Alan Adler, the famous inventor of Aerobie flying rings and other Aerobie high-performance sports toys. Using its quick launch accelerator, a skilled player can achieve 3,000+ RPM spin rates. Creative tricks and challenging games provide hours of fun. The Megatop is made in the USA. Launch date: October 2008.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists diving into slime, gel and goop with fabulous experiments. Young Scientists discover oobleck, produce glue from milk, grow jiggly marbles, make snow from super-absorbent crystals, form a bouncy ball, create slime, expand super-absorbent gel crystals, melt fake snow, learn about polymers, and much, much more. This polymeric kit includes extra super-absorbent crystals, gels and marbles to repeat the fun. "This series has won multiple awards, has been on TV shows, and has appeared in many articles. This great exposure makes this series a great addition to any specialty retail store," CEO Esther Novis of The Young Scientists Club told TDmonthly. February 2, 2009.

Each Snugaboo polyester fleece blanket is 30" x 30" and is trimmed in triple-stitched soft satin edging that will help it last through many adventures. The blankets even have two convenient silky satin pockets for little hands to snuggle in or to use to fly around. Six designs are available: Zeek, Daisy, Frankie, Boots, Noodles and Princess Aladreena. "Each Snugaboo hooded blanket matches a specific Snugaboo cartoon character and comes bundled with a package of temporary tattoo Freckle Rewards to promote good behavior in children," Sheila Oberaigner, CEO and Boo Master Select of Crushtown, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.

These waterproof coveralls offer toddlers full-body coverage and protection from the rain and elements. The lightweight, breathable coveralls can be worn outdoors in the rain and dirt or worn indoors for messy arts and crafts. They keep kids dry, clean and comfortable, and come with handy waterproof bag for travel. The product has dual front zippers for quick changes, a generous fit for easy movement, extra-heavyweight nylon reinforcement on the seat and knees, sealed seams for waterproof coverage, elasticized wrist and ankle cuffs that fit over mitts and boots, and an elasticized hood with a brim to shed water. Launch date: 2007.

These 12" plush tooth fairy dolls are shaped as little fairies and come in boy and girl styles. The dolls hold a child's tooth in their shiny pouch, waiting for the tooth fairy to come. Launch date: September 6, 2008.

Jolly Jett celebrates the festivities of the winter season. Jett wears a darling cocktail dress with matching headband and shoes (the perfect attire for attending tons of holiday parties) and a pale, dove-gray faux fur jacket to keep her warm as she heads out in the snow. Each Jolly Jett doll comes with a perfectly scaled jingle bell wreath ornament. The doll is approximately 12" tall, articulated for movement, and comes with removeable hands for easy redressing. "Jolly Jett is a fantastic holiday collectible that is appropriate for any aged collector," Carol Roth, business development and PR director for Integrity Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2008. THIS LIMITED EDITION DOLL SOLD OUT IN 2008.

This four-DVD set includes 20 award-winning and best-selling children's stories colorfully adapted for the small screen. It provides hours of educational fun, with a helpful Read-Along option. From recent children’s best-sellers like "Karma Wilson’s Bear Snores On" and "Bear Wants More," to classic tales like Beverly Clearly’s "The Mouse and the Motorcycle," this value-priced gift set offers parents and children true storytelling treasures, expertly designed to enhance the reading experience. Together, these stories-on-video have won 35 awards including the Caldecott Medal, the NAPPA Gold Award and the Parents’ Choice Gold Medal. "The Scholastic Storybook Treasures series is produced by Weston Woods Studios. The stories are carefully adapted from the original books, and producers work with authors and illustrators to be sure the productions are faithful to the original stories," Beth Blenz-Clucas of Foundry Communications told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 18, 2008.

This necklace is made by hand in South Africa by a small group of Zulu women. It features silk flowers, semi-precious stones and beads in an original design. Launch date: September 2008.

The peace sign is back in fashion. Girls can show off their peaceful side and inner fashionista with the Peace and Love Jewelry collection by Fashion Angels. The ring-shaped pendants come etched with the words “Peace & Love” and are embellished with Austrian crystals. They are adjustable, come packaged in a decorative gift box, and come in a silver-plated or antique-silver finish, with rainbow or crystal gems. Launch date: July 2008.

Love - Hope - Peace - Believe. Fashion Angels Enterprises' Faith Inspired jewelry collection includes necklaces with cross-shaped pendants and circle-shaped pendants with a cross in the center. The necklaces are embellished with Austrian crystals for just the right amount of glam, and etched with inspirational words. They come in a sterling-silver-plated and antique-silver finish in a decorative gift box. "There is a wide variety of finishes and word combinations for everyone's taste," noted Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises. Launch date: July 2008.

Wishing on stars is a thing of the past with the Wishes 2 Wear line from Fashion Angels Enterprises. Girls can write their wish on paper and slide it inside the pendant to wear close to the heart. The pendants have the sides — one with glam Austrian crystals and two with inspirational sayings such as "Peace - Live in Peace." The necklaces come with a chain and leather cord, with six different messages in antique brass or antique silver finish.

This set of three different trucks includes a dump truck, fire engine and bulldozer. All have the same, popular, velvet-like flocking as the other Rubbabu vehicles, but have movable parts to encourage active play. Launch date: March 2009. (Product was formerly dist. by Plasmart)
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal.

These building blocks have soft connectors so children can easily build with them. They are tactile and great for early spatial learning.
Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: March 2009. (Product was formerly dist. by PlaSmart)

These blocks, designed in Italy, can be connected in four different ways (vertically, stacked, laterally, perpendicularly and obliquely). "The models that could be made with these building blocks, unlike ... others, are realistic reproductions. For example, the airplane model [looks like] a real airplane; the castle [resembles] a real castle, etc. From the educational point of view, Special Cross develops creativity and imagination in children, as well as precision and patience," Georgiy Saturchenko, president of Bim Bom Trading, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

Magical fairy dust reveals the fairy's treasure. Kids read Claresa's story of Fairy Treasure Stones, follow her instructions, and in the morning, the stone's treasure is revealed. The product is made in America. Claresa is "a fairy that is dedicated to bringing fun, imagination and quality into the lives of little fairy believers. Claresa has the highest standards because she believes they are an extension of her and a representation the fairy world," Clare Grindy, owner of Claresa the Fairy: Authentic Fairy Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 11, 2003.

Kids are a total mess, so why fight it? Designed by a mom who was tired of designer bibs and duds stained after their first use, My Dirty Birdie™ tees and goodies are "pre-stained" in the sweetest way. Featured is the Football Playin’ tee, and there are many others to choose from, for both boys and girls. "They are fun and functional — no need to fret over a little drip or dirt," Erin Moyer, president and CEO of Progeny Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008. 

Couplicoles are designed to entertain children while also serving as a learning tool. They help develop children’s imagination and three-dimensional thinking. While learning to follow simple instructions, children can simultaneously develop their dexterity and creativity. This product received a Dr. Toy 2008 Best Vacation Product Award, and won a grand prize in Quebec's 2006 Grafika contest. "Couplicoles ... are classified according to their degree of difficulty. Beginners start by relying on the help of an adult and progressively learn to be more independent. Couplicoles therefore encourage both cooperation and individual initiative, which makes them particularly suitable for art classes and kindergartens. Moreover, they require only basic tools such as a ruler, scissors and glue. Black and white models can be customized using crayons or highlighters," Maria Valkova, in operations at Hartiatoys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2004.

The Mommy and Me collection features one-of-a-kind pieces and makes wonderful gifts for "Daddy's Girls." Both are made from the same fabric and coordinated with appropriate shoes. The company loves doing custom work and is happy to work with any décor. The "handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, whimsical footstools ... are finished with REAL shoes and socks," Owner and Designer Nancy L. Brown told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2004 Best New Product at the New England Products and Trade Show. Launch date: October 2008.

Offer some extra color to projects with these waxed braided cords. In addition to stitching the 25 yard spools can be used for braiding friendship bracelets, jewelry, and various other crafts. Available in 17 different colors.

Tandy Leather Factory offers a full range of children’s leather craft kits designed for all ages. The kits can teach kids pride and accomplishment by letting them create their own leather items. Kits include basic leathercrafting such as stamping and painting kits.

Let your little soldier get behind the wheel of their very own HumVee. This cute play tent is patterned after the ultimate 4x4 military vehicle, the Hummer. Woodland Camo blends in to almost any terrain and 2 doors let them get into “Action” fast. Multiple vents and windows for scanning for “Targets” and airflow, fiberglass poles set up easily and quickly. This play tent is perfect for indoors or outdoors and makes a perfect place for your little one to get away from the bugs as well. The HumVee is made from Fire Retardant coated polyester for years of “Patrolling”. The Giga Kid HumVee comes complete and ready for service with a carry bag, pole bag, stakes and instructions.

Let your little soldier get behind the wheel of their very own HumVee. This cute play tent is patterned after the ultimate 4x4 military vehicle, the Hummer. Woodland Camo blends in to almost any terrain and 2 doors let them get into “Action” fast. Multiple vents and windows for scanning for “Targets” and airflow, fiberglass poles set up easily and quickly. This play tent is perfect for indoors or outdoors and makes a perfect place for your little one to get away from the bugs as well. The HumVee is made from Fire Retardant coated polyester for years of “Patrolling”. The Giga Kid HumVee comes complete and ready for service with a carry bag, pole bag, stakes and instructions.