November 2008 Notable Toys — All

The Stylin’ Hannah Makeover Set allows young fans to have the best of both worlds as they rotate the doll’s hair to transform her from Hannah to Miley. A simple twist turns her hair from Miley’s brown locks to Hannah’s golden hair. Girls can practice pop-star hair fashions and use shimmer and gloss to create stylish looks — on Hannah, or themselves. Girls can wear and share the accessories including a brush, colorful hair extensions, nail polish, makeup and Hannah’s necklace, which doubles as a bracelet for a stylin’ girl. When the button on the base of the Stylin’ Hannah Makeover Set is pressed, Hannah belts out her pop hit “Rock Star.” Launch date: October 2008.

The 20 multi-part miniatures included in this kit are made of hard plastic and stand 28 mm tall. They come with full-color shield transfers and are unpainted and unassembled. The pieces feature "the highest quality sculpting and innovative designs," Paul Sawyer, operations manager for Warlord Games Ltd, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

This interactive cloth wall chart helps children learn about a subject that fascinates them — the human body. The hanging activity center comes with 16 soft, stuffed, self-sticking organs, and 15 embroidered labels, for hours of science fun. Children love to play with the beautifully detailed, self-checking pieces as they learn about the organs and where they are located in the body. It includes a giant cloth charge (38.5” x 19.5”) with grommets, 16 self-stick organs, 15 self-stick labels and an activity guide. Launch date: January 31, 2008.

Grand Corral allows players to learn about the wonderful world of horses, while answering challenging and interesting multiple choice or true/false trivia questions. Each time a player correctly answers a question, he claims one of 25 horse play figures from the beautifully-illustrated corral, and proudly display it in his own paddock. A player must collect the most horses to win. Kids and adults will enjoy learning about the various horse breeds, where they live, how they develop, how they’re cared for and how they are ridden. "Grand Corral is one of the only board games in existence that focuses entirely on horse lovers," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Bob them as they pop! Using the space rocket boppers, two players try to capture the Crazy Mixed-up Manic Martians as they peep out from craters in the “planet” game base. "iPlay Crazy Mixed-Up Manic Martians is a fun, two-player, scaled-down alternative to the popular game Whack-A-Mole. Kids will love bopping the surprise pop-up martians!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

The Fossils Collection includes nine different fossils in a handy storage tray, an informational guide, a four-color insert card of photographed fossils, and a die-cut sheet of circle labels for the fossils. Fossils included are brachiopod, bryozoa, crinoid stem, gastropod, colony coral, ammonite, shark's tooth, fossil fern and petrified wood. Launch date: January 31, 2008.

Classic tales help build reading comprehension skills. Students work at their own pace with literature-based material at an approximate 2nd-grade level. Each story also includes a fun, rockin’ song with read-along words on screen. Launch date: 2006.

Marko the Pencil shows students how easy it can be to understand and remember science concepts. They can learn about the solar system, weather, water cycle, geology, properties of minerals, volcanoes, plate tectonics, weathering, topography, erosion, energy resources and energy conservation. The approximately 58-minute DVD is an excellent preparation tool for any earth science tests and meets National Science Education Standards. Launch date: October 2008.

With this DVD, kids can learn important facts and get ready for any physical science test. Marko the Pencil takes learners on a journey to his Super Science Station where it’s easy to grasp science concepts. This DVD covers lab safety, scientific method, atoms and their parts, molecules, states of matter, physical and chemical changes, mixtures versus pure substances, electricity, magnetism, motion, gravity, light and energy. It meets National Science Education Standards, and is designed for grades 5 and up. Approx. 55 min. Launch date: September 2008.

Two to four players defend their goal area using fast-action flippers from one of four adorable Jungle Animals — all while a mixed-up monkey “referee” wobbles around and gets in the way. The five colorful balls bounce around the game and off of the monkey, adding to the challenge and wackiness of this fast-paced game. Each score is rewarded with a special scoring banana. "iPlay Jungle Animal Pinball resembles the age-old classic eat-up pinball games, but includes a new twist. Instead of gathering pinballs, players are required to keep the pinballs out!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

This soft, plush roll-up musical snail has eight musical note chips for enhancing the discovery of sound. It comes with six Melody Music Cards. The product measures 5 1/2" x 17 1/2" and is suitable for ages 6 months and up. Launch date: 2008.

This award-winning tracking elephant's trunks allow and enhance hand-eye coordination for children. The product can be easily attached to any smooth surface and can be used in and out of the tub. It comes with five weighted tracking balls and is suitable for ages 9 months and up. It received an Oppenheim Gold Seal Best Toy Award in 2008. Launch date: 2008.

Players roll the dice and hit a single, double, triple or Home Run and win, just like real baseball. Each time the dice are rolled, the tokens will move according to the outcome of the total on the dice. Depending on the outcome, the tokens will make a move based on the commonly known rules of baseball. The object of the game is to score the highest number or runs possible to beat one or more competitors. It includes instructions, two dice, a baseball diamond, nine playing pieces per player, a scoreboard card, a statistical sheet per team, two dry-erase markers, an official Baseball's Board Game sticker and a Baseball's Board Game Cup. Players "will feel the passion of playing baseball in winter, summer and all the seasons," Aurelio Rodriguez, marketing director for Fun Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

Wezens have descended from outer space and come to Earth with one objective: to cuddle. Mobelli is an industrial alien who gets no greater joy than accomplishing as much as possible. With four arms to hold onto things and three eyes to see three times as much, Mobelli would surely be the most successful alien ever — if only he had opposable thumbs. Wezens are cuddly stuffed critters in lively bright colors. Each character is designed by Dutch designer Rogier van Zijp and Dutch comic artist Boris Peeters. Wezens are "fun for adults but loved by babies and children as well," Rudi Besseling, general manager of STUDIO SPOON B.V., told TDmonthly. They feature a "completely different design compared to what's available on the common plush market, and [are] still round and 3D-shaped unlike most other designer plush." Launch date: January 14, 2008.

Jedi Master Shaak Ti was an exotic, alien female with colorful patterning decorating her flexible lekku, or head-tails. She defended the Republic and died in the effort. Shaak Ti is remembered and faithfully represented in this spectacular resin bust that stands 8" tall and includes a certificate of authenticity. This is a limited edition of 4,000 pieces. Launch date: October 2008.

Collectors can relive all the fun and laughter from The Big Lebowski with these cool action figures, which are not sold in mass-market stores. It "makes a great gift for adults that love pop culture. The retail price point makes it an affordable gift item," a representative for Entertainment Earth told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Over 1.5 Million of these unique,Trademarked collectibles have been sold since their introduction in the year 2000. The colorful bears have a "see through" pocket that holds the state coin. The color of the bear reflects the geographic or historical background of the state. The year the coin was issued, the year the colony became a state and an exact replica of the state flag are embroidered on the bear. The years 1999 through 2006 are available at special prices. This product received a Dr. Toy award for most unique collectible toy in 2001. "It is the only collectible that combines the appeal of a teddy bear, a bean bag and a coin in one product," CEO Harold Nizamian of Timeless Toys Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 22, 2008.

New to Bearington’s Fall/Winter 2008 Collection, Andy and Sandi Sweetooth are Santa’s best little helpers this year. Both wear adorable candy cane elf outfits and matching stocking hats. Sweetie McSqueaky is their little mouse friend. He can also be an ornament. The line offers "outstanding quality and collectibility at the most amazing prices," Alicia Ariza, marketing associate for the Bearington Collection, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 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.

Clay-Mates are a great value gift and make perfect stocking stuffers. These handmade miniatures are crafted in Thailand of porcelain clay. The 20-piece Starter Set is a perfect way to start a new collector. "Clay-Mates consist of a variety of whimsical, real and imaginary animals, birds and sea life. Each tiny character is meticulously detailed with delightful and charming features. Although very similar, no two are ever identical," Lisa Ramus, president of Clay-Mates USA, told "iPlay Jungle Animal Pinball resembles the age-old classic eat-up pinball games, but includes a new twist. Instead of gathering pinballs, players are required to keep the pinballs out!" Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.. Launch date: 2008.

Strategy skills get stepped up a notch when space runs out on the board. The game continues on top of the previously played pieces. Following specific layering laws, each player tries to cover up their opponent's pieces. In the end, the more exposed player comes out the winner. It's "a strategy game that's fun for the whole family," Jackie Aubut, director of sales for Family Games, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 20, 2008.

Collectors can finish their diorama display with their favorite model car in 1:18 scale with the latest set of fantastic figurines from the imagination of Motorhead Miniatures. This is the couple you see every weekend showing off their car and mixing it up with freinds and fellow motorheads. The hand-painted, cold-cast resin figures include metal-framed chairs, a floor sign and, of course, the dog. The product is also available in 24-scale for model kits, die cast and garden railroads. "Motorhead Minitures is the market leader in limited-edition figurines to complete displays of die cast, model cars and garden railroads. The Car Show is just the latest in themed sets of figurines and accessories for the model or train enthusiast," Drew Heitner, president of Motorhead Miniatures LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

These retro classics will take you back to your childhood! There are four All American Boy Classics to choose from: Marbles, Knot Tying, Yo & Hardwood Throwing Top. And there are four All American Girl Pastimes to choose from: Jumbo Jacks, Skip Rope, Hopscotch and the Wonderball. Each comes with a 20-page handbook full of history, instructions and game techniques packaged in a recycled gift box. "All of our products are made in the USA," Jon Hogue, vice president of Channel Craft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.