November 2008 New Specialty Toys — Gifts

This baby photo album holds 41 4" x 6" landscape photographs. Each photograph frame is double layered, like a small book, allowing for two photographs to be inserted into each one. The top photograph when lifted reveals the one beneath it, and waiting inside each frame are little hidden surprise pop-ups.

The Pop-Up Baby Memory Book is the companion book to the Pop-up Baby Photo Album. Titled "Where Do Babies Come From?" this new book plays on the title by depicting classic stories told to little children about the birth of a baby, it is a unique keepsake for recording memorable moments in baby's life. Represented are tales such as "babies are brought by the stork," "found under a cabbage leaf," "hatched out of eggs," or "babies are bought at the store".

Packaged in a small tin, this product includes 15, 8 cm x 8.5 cm note cards and envelopes. "We start the thought. You finish it," the packaging says. Starter phrases include "You are especially good at ...,"You have a great way of ..." and "I remember when ..." The cards can be stuffed into stockings or lunch bags, and four other themes are available. Thought Cards won an iParenting Media Best Products Award.

This playful set of 15 fill-in-the-blank note cards comes in a tin with 15 envelopes. It challenges individuals to finish the sentence on each card. Phrases include "You are special because ...," "You make me smile when ..." and "I have fun when we..." Four other themes are available.

This 10.25” x 10” Laugh Out Loud paper frame has dimensional flower pop ups and a vibrant, popping pattern. Launch date: 2008.

This soft and beautiful beanie has the perfect bright Celina flower. Made of 100% Cotton decorated with Swarovski Crystals.

Be proud of your age and show it on this adorable onesie. Great for birthday pictures and perfectly cute all by itself!

This pettiskirt gets its sparkles from studs on the outfit. Made of extra soft nylon chiffon, the material allows the skirt to give off its fluffiness. With an elastic waist and adjustable ribbons, this outfit is designed to grow with a child and also fit everyone.

This pink pettidress is made with extra soft nylon chiffon to allow for the dress to be extra fluffy.

This set of six, 3"-square soft blocks comes in a drawstring bag. Spot clean only.

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008.

Part of the Four Seasons-series of jewelry boxes from Enchantmints, this small treasure chest is richly detailed with cheerful watercolor paintings on the outside, and myriad places for storage tucked away all over the box. Simply open the lid, and it plays music just like the classic child's jewelry box, while a tiny figurine dances inside.
- “Our best is our Enchantmints' jewelry boxes,” Kathy Beaman, owner of Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., told TDmonthly in September 2008 when discussing her store’s best-selling jewelry items.
- Ronald Kutchick, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, also named Enchantmints' music boxes as “a big seller.”

This whimsical jewelry box is painted on all sides with rich watercolors in a scene out of a fairy tale. The main chamber hides a dancing prince and princess that twirl as the enclosed music box plays when the lid is open. The box features a divided, flocked tray, a large drawer in the bottom, and smaller drawers that come out of the sides for sorting out various treasures.
— “Jewelry boxes … the top seller comes from Enchantmints,” David Ekwall, owner of The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., told TDmonthly in September 2008 when speaking about best-selling products for tweens.
— “Musical jewelry boxes by Enchantmints,” agreed Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Co. in Denver, Colo., who sells more than two dozen a month. “[They’re] very nostalgic.”
— These music boxes were best sellers at Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in early 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “Grandparents love to give these to their granddaughters … a classic we remember receiving as kids,” she said.

The Scrunch Bottle Bib is a revolutionary way to protect infants from spillage during bottle feeding. Catching the drips and spills that traditional bibs leave behind, the Scrunch Bottle Bib attaches to the bottle instead of the infant and catches spills before they reach the tender neck area. "It is made of the softest materials and is 100-percent cotton and machine washable. The Scrunch Bottle Bib extends and gently molds onto the infant's chin, requiring no holding or assistance," CEO Jennifer Edison of Wee Baby, Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

The No Slippy Hair Clippy features magnets for a tighter clasp, plus a velvet cover to keep them soft and comfortable. They stay in little girls' hair even during play. They're also handmade in America.

The appearance of a sandal is designed onto these socks. Now your baby can wear sandals throughout the year. This box includes 6 pairs of “sandals” in 6 colors. Jazzy Toes socks have non-skid grips on the bottom of the socks to help infants learn to walk . They socks come in a ready-to-mail gift box.

These Mary Janes designs come with a flower on the buckle. These socks for girls come with elasticized ankles and non-skid grips that help babies learn to walk without slipping. With six different colors in the set, each ready-to-mail gift box contains six pairs of socks. The full collection includes 12 original designs and a variety pack for both boys and girls.

Tatutina's Olympic-style wooden medals are hand painted and come with a matching ribbon and Velcro on top for easy removal. The "winner" can put his or her name on the back of the medal. Designs include Grandma Loves Me, Good Citizen, New Big Brother, Funniest Kid and more. Launch date: 2008.

Pawparazzi Pets have a nose for style and whatever they’re wearing is what’s PAWpular in fashion! Girls will gasp when they see this tail-wagging collection of stylish clothes and fashionable accessories. They can dress their posh pets up for a night on the town or get together with friends and put on a fashion show. High-profile style for Little Pets Living Big Lives!™

Little Taggies Colours Collection 12” x 12” blankets are made with soft, rich fabrics edged with an array of vibrant, engaging tags, described on the company’s website as “scrumptious to touch.” Colorful patterns include Confetti, Polka Dot fun, Bubbles and Sweet Swirls.
— “A new blanket made of minky fabric — Little Taggies Colours,” is the best-selling baby gift at  Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., Manager Gwen Bowden told TDmonthly in July 2080. “They are really soft. We just got them in; we had six and we have one left.”
— “Consumers just want something a little unusual that they can't find in mass market,” explained Kara Fichtner, manager of Out Of The Blue Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M., whose store does well with Taggies.
— Mike DiAndrea, owner of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa. told TDmonthly in Spring 2011 that he sold one dozen Taggies blankets each month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Hardware Toys.

An unassuming colored dome a little bit larger than an egg, the zOrb packs powerful magnification once plugged in by simple USB connection. This tiny microscope zooms the viewer in from 35 to 53x magnification depending on the size of the computer screen. Focus can be refined by twisting the top half of the zOrb one way or the other, and pictures can be easily captured for later use. Also takes video footage. Includes software on CD, two base adaptors, and instruction manual. USB cable attached.

Santa Dust is a magical potion used by children worldwide to help guide Santa and his reindeer to a child's door. Every child who believes in the magic of Christmas believes in the magic of Santa Dust. The hang tag reads: Hold your Santa Dust tight; sprinkle Christmas Eve when Santa takes flight! Santa Dust consists of oats, glitter and cinnamon. The oats and cinnamon are for the reindeer, and the sparkle let's Santa find children — where ever they are! "Santa Dust comes in a beautiful, red velvet pouch that resembles Santa's knapsack. Each pouch has a side loop to hang on a tree as a Christmas tree ornament and save for next Christmas. The pouch is a remembrance of the Christmas that was," Patricia Cardello, owner of PAC Jennic Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 18, 2008.

The Nessie, inspired by the Loch Ness Monster, is the newest addition to the LumiSource kids and tween LED lighting line.  This bendable lamp is perfect for reading or homework.  There is a setting with a color-changing LED for mood lighting.  Turn the light on, or switch settings by squeezing the head.  Available in Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Black, Leopard, and Green.

The BoomPod™ features a curved bottom that allows for the ultimate gaming experience. Kids can lean into every move and turn to dodge asteroids or other racecars. It features two 3” internal speakers, connectivity with other chairs, and the option of using an adapter. Kids can play their favorite games or music for hours on four AA batteries. The BoomPod™ is easy to store and carry, making it great for a dorm room or playroom. "The BoomPod runs on batteries, eliminating many annoying cords that get in the way of little feet. This makes the chair great for younger kids who lack coordination and oftentimes get tripped up in all the cords. Also, the chair is very light, about 15 lbs. This is great for portability; in and out of storage or from room to room," Jessica Wuellner, marketing coordinator for LumiSource, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.