November 2008 Notable Toys — All

The Red Maple is a showstopper through all four seasons and is one of the first trees to bloom, as they gracefully usher into spring. The Red Maple comes complete with everything needed, including seeds, germination mixture, a plant stake and a biodegradable coconut coir pot that the tree can be planted outside in. Five percent of the proceeds from this line will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation. "It is 100-percent natural and easy to grow!" Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Kids can construct their own mole skeleton with DuneCraft’s new Skeleton Pellets — each contains an entire skeleton. The product is 100-percent synthetic, making it completely safe and sanitary to dissect. Each Skeleton Pellet Bag of Knowledge contains a magnifying glass, a Skeleton Pellet, a bone-sorting chart and more. Launch date: October 2008.

This 32-page activity book is based on the Angels from the Attic toy line and is gentle and appealing with easy-to-color pages. It shows the six characters and their special characteristics. Each Angel has its own specialty, such as exercise, reading or eating well. The magical attic they live in is introduced and encourages children to create their own special worlds. "This activity/coloring book is not mass-produced. It welcomes children to send in their own works of art and encourages friendship. Placed next to the Angels from the Attic plush animals, it expands the concept of visiting the Attic for fun and freedom," Mark Marderosian, creative director at Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 30, 2008.

Who will be first to get to Witch's Mountain? Two to four players take turns testing their memory and advancing toward the mountain. Kids roll the dice and find the cards that match what they rolled to win. Little Thunder Witch can be played in three variations. Game play is approximately 15 minutes. "The wooden game pieces are made in Germany using native reforested woods and nontoxic water based stains, not paint," Lisa Orman, president of KidStuff Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Eclipse Doggy loves to eat. He's one of six Angels from the Attic, 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and encourage children of all ages to build friendships. They are sewn with love so no two are exactly alike, making them instantly cozy and lovable. "[A] portion of proceeds are donated to local and national children['s] charities, making this a win-win for customer, retailer and children," Creative Director Mark Marderosian of Big City Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

Misty Pig loves to read and, like her fellow Angels from the Attic, watches over children. Each Angel has its own personality and theme. The six-character collection is designed to promote creativity and encourage children of all ages to build friendships.

Twinkle Mouse is part of the Angels from the Attic line of 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and friendship. Each Angel is made from soft fabric and sewn so that no two are exactly alike. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

This soft teddy bear is designed to keep children happy and cozy. Each Angel from the Attic is a 10" plush. "The bonus 12-page hard cover book that each Angel is packaged with helps spread the message of friendship," Mark Marderosian, creative director of Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

Angels from the Attic are 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and friendships. Each Angel is made from soft fabric and sewn so that no two are exactly alike. The line consists of six characters who all live in a magical attic. "There are no batteries [or] fancy remotes, just simple soft fabric [that is] cozy to the touch. The appealing and elegant gift box that each Angel comes in makes the gift look more expensive than it really is," Mark Marderosian, creative director at Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

Featuring the famed ’57 Chevrolet® Bel Air Coupe and legendary 1960 Plymouth® Fury in original form and detail on a 1:32 scale, Carrera’s Classic Memories Set captures the nostalgia of “the happy days” and transports drivers, race fans and collectors alike back to the time when both classics could be found dragging the strip and speeding to the local sock hop. “General Motors’ ’57 Chevy® and ’60 Plymouth® Fury were innovative in their day,” said Alan Hess, president of Carrera America. “Both models’ body styling, revolutionary suspensions and transmissions make them a natural addition to Carrera Evolution’s high performance, original-licensed offerings. With this new set, we’re reviving and refreshing timeless classics in a fun, exciting way.” Launch date: November 2008.

ModelWorks makes artfully crafted personalized action figures in just 10 days. ModelWorks Mini-Me separates itself from other companies by making hobby-grade models. The difference lies in the details. “We don’t just sculpt a face, we capture an expression," Graeme Warring, president of ModelWorks and creator of the Mini-Me, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 20, 2007.

Themed after “The Dark Knight,” Carrera of America’s 1:43 scale GO!!! Batman slot car race track system is giving the young - and the young at heart- a chance to step into the cockpit of Batman’s “Hyperdrive” and take on the Joker in his “Joker Mobile” through the streets of Gotham City at scale speeds up to 450 miles per hour. Licensed through DC Comics and WarnerBros. (WB), the set brings the streets of Gotham City to life, featuring the following: two 1:43 scale slot cars: Batmobile “Hyperdrive” and “The Joker Mobile”, straights (114 mm and 342 mm), curves 1/90°, a junction, loop sections with supports, fly over sections with supports, a narrow section, a connecting track section, a straight with lap counter, two speed controllers, a transformer, and accessories: track section bolts, guardrails, replacement contact brushes, spare guide keels and instructions. Dimensions when assembled: 210 x 98 cm/6.89 x 3.21 ft. Track length: 6,2 m/20.34 ft. Launch date: July 2008.

Carrera of America is recreating the excitement, thrills and spills of real-life motorsport racing with its new Digital 132 GT Racer set, which combines superior model making and state-of-the-art technology to provide lightning-quick, brilliant tactical moves, precision drifts in search of the ideal line, pit stops and peak speed capacity, and is compatible with other manufactures’ analog racetrack and slot car systems. Carrera’s 1:32 scale Digital GT Racer set is outfitted with a Porsche GT3 RSR Felbermayr Proton Competition LMES 2007, a BMW Z4 M Coupé Schubert Motors, 11 standard straights, three 1/3 Straights, a connecting track with black box, two Digital 132 lane change sections (four track sections), 10 curves 1/60°, a wireless tower, two wireless speed controllers, a transformer, guardrails, replacement contacts, instructions, verge border sections and track section interlocks. Assembled dimensions are 350 x 179 cm/11.48 x 5.87 ft. Track length: 9,0 m/29.53 ft. Launch date: November 2008.

No Slippy Hair Clippy has expanded into headbands and French clips to offer a full line of "no slip hair accessories" for the distinguished boutique that wants to differentiate from the norm. "No Slippy's quality and design is superior. The clips and headbands really are functional and do stay in the hair!" Annie Salyer, CEO of No Slippy Hair Clippy, Inc., told TDmonthly. Retailers votes' won this product an Earnie award. Launch date: August 2008.

Legacy Interactive’s award-winning "Pet Pals: Animal Doctor" is now available for the Nintendo Wii. It gives animal lovers and aspiring animal doctors the chance to assume the role of a veterinarian. The simulation videogame is comprised of 30 true-to-life medical cases where players treat and nurse all the adorable animal patients brought in for minor problems like sunburn, cuts and infections, to more serious ailments, such as diabetes, tumors and snakebites. Launch date: November 11, 2008.

Legacy Interactive’s award-winning "Zoo Vet: Endangered Animals" is also available on Nintendo DS. Kids can test their skills as an animal doctor in this fun and educational vet simulation. Using the stylus, they give check-ups, treat major and minor illnesses, and even perform surgeries. Emergencies sometimes arise and players must act fast or risk losing a life. Zoo Vet will tug on heartstrings, prompt laughter, and challenge the mind. Launch date: November 11, 2008.

Kids can perform surgeries and nurse all the rescued animals back to health. There are more than 30 different animal cases, derived from practicing veterinarians that range from a drooling rabbit to emergencies involving a dog who has been hit by a car or a kitten who has swallowed a piece of string. Kids will heal and nurture these animals, along with 15 other breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits and exotic animals such as chinchillas and macaws. Launch date: October 22, 2008.

This custom-made pettiskirt is available in the following sizes: 12m/ 18m/ 2-4yr/ 5-6yr/ 7-8yr: $80; S/M: $100; L: $120. Launch date: October 22, 2008.

Based on the hottest selling video game of the season, "Guitar Hero," this collection features 6" scale articulated figures that each come with a character-specific guitar. The line-up includes Lars Ümlaut, Johnny Napalm, God of Rock and Axel Steel. Launch date: October 30, 2008.

JENGA® DONKEY KONG™: Collector’s Edition gives fans the chance to spin, balance, and build their way to the top to save Pauline from DONKEY KONG. Donkey Kong Jenga is the first and only game that allows fans to experience Jenga’s “hold on to your seat” excitement with a classic Donkey Kong video game twist, which puts players to the task of saving Pauline from Donkey Kong using Mario playing pieces.

Polly wears a stunning red and green velour coat with champaign mink fur trim. She holds her friend Prancer under her arm. Also shown is “Bell V. Deer” – MSRP: $13.00. Launch date: June 2008.

These Star and Snowflake pewter-cast ornaments are handcrafted and cast from a real seahorse found on a beach. 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.

The Hannah Montana On Tour Outfit collection will make any young pop star feel like a hit. Girls can choose the Hannah On Tour Outfit that suits them best — the sparkly black and silver-striped sequined number with dazzling capri pants trimmed in silver, or the hot pink sequined dress with asymmetrical detail and leggings. The Hannah Montana On Tour Outfit collection comes in sizes 5 to 7 and 8 to 10. "These Hannah Montana dress-up outfits are replicas of the real outfits Miley wore on stage during her sold-out concert tour," Carol Selva told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

This R/C model features a 9" wingspan and excellent flight performance, flight duration and overall durability. The Interceptor's twin motors supply so much thrust that it will do a complete loop with no problem. With the twin-stick transmitter, the operators has complete control over climbing, diving and left/right turning. The Interceptor utilizes the best and latest Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery technology for power and long flights. The plane recharges directly from the built-in charger in the transmitter for the convenience of being able to charge it anywhere, anytime. The plane features "unbreakable new material," VP David Deans of Megatech International told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.