November 2008 New Specialty Toys — Novelties

Nothing says Christmas quite like innocent children shrieking with terror as a stranger dressed in red drags them kicking and screaming onto his lap. Now this time-honored rite of passage is celebrated with a hilarious collection of more than two hundred and fifty priceless photos of kids' traumatic trips to Santa's workshop. Scared of Santa offers a cornucopia of photographic funnies—from sixty-year-old family heirlooms to last year's howlers—along with delightful commentary on those unforgettable childhood visits to scary ol' Saint Nick. By Denise Joyce and Nancy Watkins. Launch date: 2008.

This beautifully engineered globe is suspended in midair by an electronically controlled magnetic field. It must be plugged in to work. "This globe has a chip that continuously adjusts to atmospheric changes," Melissa Rains, in Premium Incentive Sales at Cram Herff Jones, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

These animal-print bouncy balls measure 2.4" in diameter. There are six styles.

This retro-designed rocket ship has a swivel plug and comes with a 4-watt bulb. It measures 3.5" W x 5.75" H x 3" D. Launch date: November 2008.

The rungs of this colorful ladder seem to all fall down when the top is tilted from side to side, but they remain attached, offering an intriguing visual time and time again.

Made of stretchy material, this 2" block of cheese is home to two mice that can be moved around to the different holes.

Each hand-painted Kooky Klicker features a distintive personality and fun design. The 5" characters have rubbery strands of hair and a metal clip.

Over 12" tall. Includes 6 packs of PEZ and plays the Star Wars theme.

Sugar-Free gum tape in 3 different flavors. Available in 6 different collectible versions.

Lick to reveal the hidden message.

Snoopy Gumball Dispensing Jack-In-The-Box. Plays music and dispenses edible gumballs.

This 10" melamine plate features illustrated letters by artist Shelley Dieterichs, spelling out the word COOKIES for Santa. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

Silver shimmery Snowflakes from FunToSee are the simplest way to create beautiful feature walls or simply add a tasteful touch of color and fun around a room or on furniture. Easy and fun, removable and re-usable, and splash-proof and washable, a package of 30 FunToSee Snowflakes provide hours of holiday decorating fun. The product is "re-usable and will not damage walls," Elizabeth Marquis, account director for Serendipity Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Top Race promises hours of racecar thrills. Players send the racing cars down the track, ready for anything in their quest to get to the top of the podium, and use the advanced rules to thwart their opponents. They go on to win if they bet on the right drivers. The easy-to-learn game was created by German designer Wolfgang Kramer. Launch date: September 2008.

Each player receives a card that lists three secret challenges to be carried out during the play period in front of other players without getting caught. With family or during a party, players then try to expose other players in order to win. The small box takes up little counter space and is easy to take along. Launch date: March 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.

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.

This spinning top, with a diameter of 4 cm, is available in pear, maple, cherry, walnut and plum woods.

It's a bird... It's a plane...no, it's AirShark, the glider with attitude. Soft and safe, with rubber-band propulsion it flies over 50 feet. "It is a simple glider with attitude.
Any one can make it fly," said Laura T. Brewer, VP of marketing, Play Visions. Launch date: July 28, 2008.

The ghouls and goblins are on their way... Halloween Dust will keep them at bay! Halloween Dust will add a little sparkle to your trick or treating and is sure to keep you safe along the way.

Sprinkle a little Chanukah Dust and let the miracles begin to happen.

Celebrate the New Years with a “sprinkle of magic” with a pouch of New Years Dust. New Years Dust will add a little sparkle & spirit to your New Years celebration.

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.

There’s nothing more terrifying to a parent than the thought of being separated from his or her child. Award-winning Spot Me ID™ “animated” ID bracelets were invented by a mom who lost her 7-year-old daughter for a terrifying 15 minutes while on vacation in 2007. As these uniquely themed ID bracelets are moved back and forth,  a “magical” effect is created that brings our safety dog “Spot” to life. On our everyday series bracelet, Spot winks, wags his tail, and waves. Using the included marker, parents simply write their names and cell phone numbers on the back of the easy-to-recognize safety products. Spot Me ID™ animated ID Bracelets are waterproof, affordable, and require no batteries. "There is nothing on the market like Spot Me ID™," said Jamie Rayko, CEO of Spot Me ID, Inc. “With over 2,000 children lost every day, there is nothing more important to parents than keeping their kids safe. Every family needs Spot Me ID™ - Because Kids Get Lost™.” Patents pending. Launch date:  08/01/2008.