November 2008 Notable Toys — All

Suede lace is a popular lace in the craft industries. It has many decorative uses from American Heritage crafts to key chains, jewelry and more. Available in spools as well as 6yd cards, all in various colors.

MagnaColeraze™ is a reusable “Color and Erase” coloring activity that helps children develop their creativity while they're having fun. These sheets let children color the pictures and solve the puzzle over and over again until they get them right.  The sheets are water proof, and have magnetic strips on them enabling their use with the MagnaKase while on the go.

The MagnaKase™ Wooden Magnetic Activity Box is a sturdy wooden box with magnetic dry erase surfaces, and serves both as an activity board and storage case. The 11-3/4" x 9-1/4"x 2" box is made of renewable wood and has brass hinges and clasp. This MagnaKase has two magnetic surfaces and comes with two magnetic strips to secure the coloring pages. Activities sold separately.

This MagnaKase suits coloring activities while kids are on the go. Children can use the case top as a dry erase activity board. The set includes one MagnaKase, four double-sided Reusable Color and Erase coloring puzzle, two Magnet strips to secure coloring pages to the activity surface, six Foohy Washable dry erase markers six (Sanford Corp) and one sponge eraser.

The MagnaKase™ Magnetic Activity Case is a sturdy plastic case with a magnetic dry erase surface and serves both as an activity board and storage case. The MagnaKase is an open-ended toy that, when combined with other MagnaPlay activities, allows children to engage in multiple activities in a short period of time.  Activities sold separately.

Sherri Williams is one our new artists who lives in the US and has been creating baby dolls over the last ten years. She loves the babies since they remind her of the precious moments with her own children. In her eyes there is nothing as tender as a new born baby. Sherri has sculpted Ashley as a 5-6 month old baby girl. Ht 19" in silicone/vinyl. Ashley is weighted to feel like a real baby when you cuddle her in your arms. Her arms are sculpted above the elbow and attached with cloth to her body. Her legs are sculpted above the knees and attached with cloth to her cloth body. She wears an adorable outfit and hat. She is a brunette with pretty blue eyes. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Lorna Miller Sands is well known for her life like babies and beautiful faces. In Lorna's own words she describes her inspiration and love for her creations: “I'm inspired by the incredible faces of children that I see every day. That look of pure innocence. What thrills me so much today after doing this for eighteen years is the joy I see that my creations bring to so many collectors. I feel so blessed, I have the best job in the world!” Lorna is also an eight time winner at IDEX. Mikayla is a large size baby at 23" in silicone/vinyl. Her arms are sculpted above the elbow and her legs are sculpted so they attach directly into her cloth body. She has on a cute soft green outfit with pink and white accents. She has a pretty brunette wig and matching brown eyes. Her skin tone is sun kissed. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Gerlinde is one of our very special European artists. She has been sculpting dolls for many years and we have decided that it would be great if the US market could have an opportunity to enjoy her creations. Gerlinde has sculpted a very sweet face for Willow, Ht 25" in silicone/vinyl. She has beautiful blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. Her arms are sculpted above the elbow and attached with cloth to her body for ease in mobility and posing. She has a long shoulder plate that is almost waist length and legs sculpted above the knee with cloth above them. Gerlinde has dressed her in an adorable outfit with a pretty floral design at the edge of her dress. She has on pantaloons, pretty pink socks and white shoes. The accessories in her hair add to her overall charm. (Chair is not included) Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Monika has created Paige, a beautiful new doll. Ht 38". Monika has sculpted her first full body in this large size doll. You can see her tummy on the outfit that Monika has selected. Collectors can redress this doll in any type of outfit including sleeveless to show off her great body. Paige has beautiful black hair drawn up in a ponytail on top that can be left as shown or let down for long flowing locks. She also has pretty blue eyes that contrast with her pretty dark hair. Her outfit is very sweet with a white shirt, dark pink jacket and denim jeans. She has a doll stand with a brown wooden base. Limited Edition 350 pieces. Paige is also featured in the Doll Reader issue that comes out in November 2008.

Monika has created a sweet young face for Brooke. She just looks so adorable. She is 33" in silicon/vinyl. Her arms are sculpted into a full shoulder plate so you can even dress her in a sleeve less outfit. Her legs are sculpted above the knees and attached to her body with cloth. She has a beautiful brunette wig with long pigtails and pretty blue eyes. She is dressed in a cute deep pink tee long sleeve shirt and denim jeans. She has on white socks and coordinating shoes. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Monika has sculpted a beautiful new face. MacKenzie, height 37", is done in vinyl. She has arms that go into her shoulderplate. Her legs are sculpted well above her knees. She has a gorgeous brunette long hair style drawn up in two pigtails. Her brown eyes add to her overall charm. The red and white patterns in the outfit work well together and are complimented by her red shoes as well. She comes with a doll stand with a brown wooden base. (Bear is not included) Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Once in a while we find an expression that just makes you smile. Isabella, Ht 27" in vinyl by Monika Levenig, is so sweet and innocent looking that she will touch your heart. Her beautiful face is framed with strawberry blonde curls. She has pretty hazel eyes. She is dressed in a cute blue dress that shows off her cute chunky arms and legs. Her arms go into her shoulderplate and her legs are sculpted above her knees. She comes with a doll stand with a brown wooden base. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Monika Peter-Leicht has created an adorable, happy young girl with a lovely open mouth smile. Ht 34" in silicone/vinyl. Her hair is a beautiful blonde color and braided. She is seated and has the smaller style of shoulder plate with arms sculpted above the elbow that attach with cloth to the body. Her legs are sculpted above the knee. Her pretty blue eyes compliment the blue in her outfit. There is a sweet shell design on her bodice. The pretty blue lace accents the striped pattern of her skirt. She has on white tights and coordinating blue shoes. Monika has posed her with her fingers intertwined for a cute pose. Her hands come separated and she can hold an accessory as well. Limited Edition 350 pieces.

Available in a variety of themes and sizes, Colorups pictures have raised lines that make it easy for children to stay in the lines while coloring, and the images are enhanced with colorful backgrounds featuring PERMAGLITTER, which provides a texture to the artwork and won't rub off.

Kids can celebrate the magic of music with this handcrafted guitar that can be used for guitar classes, private lessons and study, or for play in a child's first “amateur band.”  A quality instrument is always beneficial when beginning the study of music, especially when the student is young. "This guitar is easy to play, tunable, and will help to keep a child pursuing one of the most rewarding pastimes in history: making music," Manager Kristy Schaffer of Schoenhut told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

This kit includes high-quality ceramic magnets and 26 activities designed to develop a solid foundation for more advanced topics in electricity and magnetism, teaching children the fundamental principles of magnetism while they play. It includes how to build an electromagnet, how to flip the poles of an electromagnet, and how an electric motor works, and allows kids to go iron detecting, visualize the lines of force, craft a compass, and levitate and bounce ring magnets. "ScienceWiz Magnetism is the only product of its kind that teaches the concepts of magnetism through hands-on learning and play. Magnets are more fun when you know how they work!" Rachael Norman, sales manager for Norman & Globus Inc., told TDmonthly. This product has received a Creative Child Magazine Award. Launch date: July 1, 2008.

This 14", soft-bodied doll wears a brightly colored outfit with rich detail in the fashion of London trends. She has sleeping eyes and long, brown hair.
— Two of 32 retailers told TDmonthly in October 2008 they expect Corolle dolls to be best sellers in their stores during the holiday season.
—  “They make it easy to do business with — that’s the bottom line,” Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, told TDmonthly about Corolle in fall 2008. Nearly 6 percent of 52 retailers mentioned the company as a preferred vendor.

Shima the Origami Master lives on a mountain in Japan. He isn’t lonely, for his beautiful origami animals keep him company. One morning Shima finds a marvelous new paper elephant on his desk. Where could it have come from? The next morning, a splendid dragon is in its place. It looks real enough to fly away. That night, Shima stays awake to find out who could make such wonderful creatures. But when he discovers who the mysterious artist is, he learns a surprising lesson about friendship. Included are instructions on how to make the origami flapping bird design. Aki Sogabe’s paper-cut art in the Japanese tradition richly complements Nathaniel Lachenmeyer’s lovely story.

How would you describe winter? Is it “freezy, stuffy, and sneezy?” Or do you think it’s “glowy, rosy, and cozy?” No matter how you feel about winter, you are sure to enjoy Bob Raczka’s tribute to the season’s activities, tastes, and sounds. The simple rhymes using “y” words will encourage children to come up with their own words to describe the season. Judy Stead’s exuberant art shows the fun of all things winter. Bob Raczka and Judy Stead previously teamed up to create Spring Things and Who Loves the Fall? With minimal text and cheerful art, these books work perfectly as an introduction to the seasons for the very young.

Posey loves Christmas, especially the presents! She shakes and squeezes each gift—what’s inside? And one afternoon, when she’s alone, Posey picks up a present and lifts the wrapping just a little… Any child who finds it hard to wait for Christmas will understand and love Posey, who never forgets the day she peeked. Anne Kennedy’s delightful paintings of the Mouse family capture the charm and warmth of Ann Dixon’s happy holiday story.

This wooden puzzle consists of 16 cubes that can be arranged to feature colorful images of six different farm animals. Each puzzle includes a border designed to help kids as they're assembling each puzzle.
— Four of 32 retailers mentioned Melissa & Doug when asked by TDmonthly about their anticipated best-selling toys for the holiday season in October 2008.

This poseable kitten is available in two varieties and features a head, legs and tail that move.

This folk storytelling album features the voices of Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder, with Celtic music from a harp and concertina played between the tales. Tapping into the excitement of ancient storytelling, the narrators represent multiple characters in a range of tones suited to the stories, which are both funny and frightening. Launch date: 1997.

This set comes with two cars and colorful, click-lock track that children can use to build and rebuild their own roads for play.
— Three of 32 retailers predicted in October 2008 that this product will be a hot seller for the holiday season. "Got 12 in yesterday; sold through half," James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly.
—    “People keep asking for it,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., in November 2008. “We’ve gone through 36 and have 18 left.”