November 2008 Notable Toys — All

Don't let the name intimidate you. InfiniTrax's™ 1080 Beast can be tamed by the beginner. The Beast challenges you to a whole new level of imagination and building larger and bigger than anything else InfiniTrax™ has to offer! Your driving champ now has the most awesome amount of track-building power to be had at their finger tips. So many pieces and so many configurations, you'll never run out of new ways to race! It's time to step up to the ultimate fun, the ultimate challenge. It's time to tame the Beast!

InfiniTrax™ challenges you to a whole new level of imagination and building challenge courtesy of our next level of racing fun! With the 720 Burn, your driving champ will have one of our most powerful and flexible racetrack kits. The 720 Burn will keep them busy for hours dreaming up so many track configurations they may never get to actually racing their cars! Forget just the simple oval and drag racing configurations; it's time to step up to some hairpin racing turns and serious straight-a-ways designed for speed and control.

Are you ready to really have some fun? Then step up a notch and see if you can master the next level of InfiniTrax™ racing fun. The 540 Shred gives you some serious building power to see what your racer can do with an unlimited world of race track building and play. Your racing champ can build track in multiple configurations from a simple oval to hairpin turns and twists!

Enter the world of infinite possibilities, infinite potential and infinite racing! The 360 Sprint is your first step into the InfiniTrax™ unlimited world of race track building and play. Your racing champ can build this amazing track in both oval and drag racing configurations.

This blanket features a modern pattern and ties to attach it to a stroller, carrier or car seat. There's a "unique, water-resistant side which backs up to a soft, fleece side for baby and toddler," Lizzie Sorensen, founder of 32FlavorsPR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

The “So Skip Counting” musical CD and companion workbook set features hip, musically relevant and mobile products that combine teaching with music. The math CD features original songs in 10 popular music genres: punk, folk, blues, funk, country, reggae, new wave, early '60s surf rock, classical ballad and electro pop. The introductory skip counting set, created after consultation with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the State of Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCE) also includes a workbook to practice and test acquired skills, a laminated 100 chart, a pencil and a portfolio. Launch date: September 2008.

The Wave Stealth® Board, a newly designed in-line casterboard, blends the motions of surfing, snowboarding and skateboarding to the fast-growing and popular sport of Street Surfing. With a camouflaged design of Army green and brown colors, the Wave Stealth provides a fresh, fun ride for tweens or teens. It consists of two platforms with a sure grip-tape deckplate design, joined by an anodized torsion bar. The two “Street Tech” wheels have Abec 7 bearings and casters that spin 360 degrees while the swiveling base allows riders to self propel by going forward, downhill and even uphill by just bending their knees and twisting their hips and shoulders. This product was named a Greatest Product of 2008 for sporting goods by iParenting Media. Launch date: November 2008.

My Smart Budget is a fun, parent-child interactive financial literacy program that trains kids as young as 8 to become Money Wise for Life™. Kids CREATE their budget; DECIDE to spend, save, share or invest; MANAGE their activity; and TRACK their results. Parents CREATE the budget; FUND the budget monthly; DELEGATE management and STAND BY to help. Professionally designed by Day Timer, the kits includes everything needed to get started. "Just like an adult, kids get to manage a real budget on expenses that are all about them while still under the tutelage of the parent. Well beyond an allowance program, the expenses the parent incurs for the child are delegated to the child to manage. No more kids asking for money everytime they want something. No more worried parents when they send their child off as a young adult," Creator Danielle Aguiar told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.

The cuddly Cozy Cookie is made of plush polar fleece and filled with gingerbread-scented rice. Pop it in the microwave for up to 30 seconds and it’ll come out warm and ready to soothe. Kids who need a hug late at night, adults with aches and pains, and even Grandma will benefit from the aromatherapy and cozy heat this fellow radiates. It comes with a storybook. "The gingerbread house box, together with the added value of the storybook together with the adorable Cozy Cookie makes for a potent retail combination," Sales Manager Isaac Wolman of Warm and Cozy Co. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 5, 2008.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line's Gyffy the Giraffe is a favorite with children for learning balance and coordination while hopping. Made of heavy-duty, yet soft, latex-free vinyl, it inflates according to the size and weight of the child. Launch date: February 2009.
— As of 7/21/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com.

Made in Italy, the Gymnic Line’s Hop on Air ball is the very best quality in hopping balls!  Made of super strong, yet soft latex-free vinyl, for long lasting use and durability.  Great exercise product for indoors and smooth safe outdoor surfaces.  Promotes children’s body coordination, balance, lymph circulation and provides a fun workout while hopping on the ball.  Special patented handgrip safety handle.  Maximum sustainable weight up to 200 lbs based on the size of the ball.  Available in two sizes.  Inflates with a hand or foot pump (inflation by adult).  Surface washable with soap and water.

Kimochis are small pillows with a feeling (happy, sad, silly, brave) printed on one side and a corresponding facial expression on the other. Each Kimochis plush character comes with a set of three feelings and a How-To Kimochis Feel Guide. The characters have a special pocket where kids can store their "Kimochis" — of feelings. Using the characters and their Kimochis, kids can get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. "Getting back to the basics by playing and communicating with Kimochis is a simple, yet powerful way to teach children how to: be aware of feelings, choose how to communicate in emotional moments, and redo mistakes. Children will be drawn to the fun, adorable, accessible characters. Parents will be drawn to the high-quality craftsmanship and the valuable educational content," Associate Susan Schroeder of Plushy Feely Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.
— Amy of Coffee with the Mrs. reported that her son “loves his Kimochi Cloud doll and is already starting to use more words about feelings since he got the doll.” He has even improved his reading by identifying the words printed on the emotions.
—    Take It From Me’s Kristin used the emotions of her daughter’s Kimochi to help her deal with the complex emotions she was feeling about a recent move. The Kimochis were so successful, Kristin said, that: “Now every time my daughter starts to get upset, I refer to the Kimochis and looking for what she feels helps her to calm down and relax.”
Awards:   Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Handmade Zooguu animals provide endless hours of imaginative play for children of all ages. Zooguu love to go on adventures, and they make the most trustworthy of friends. "Every Zooguu is designed and handmade with love in Brooklyn, New York, by Jen and Brian Gubicza. Zooguu comes in a variety of designs, sizes and colors; with plastic features for ages 3+, or with embroidered features for kids of all ages," Owner Jen Gubicza of Zooguu LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 18, 2008.

Following the success of the initial introduction of the Clackers in 2008, Play Visions has added a new twist to the item ... with a maraca shape on the ends, filled with small beads. This combination produces a pleasant “swishing” sound while participants play with one of the most tactile, elastic items on the market. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

Pakicetus-Squalodon is the first of Evolvems, evolutionary transforming plush toys, to be developed. Pakicetus-Squalodon represents an amazing evolutionary transition that led to all modern whales. Whales, which are mammals not fish, developed from land mammals that began to venture further and further into the ocean for a meal and protection from predators.

Lamb says “maa,” doggie says “woof,” crow says “caw caw”—and baby laughs with joy. The shiny embossed and laminated pictures of animals seem to jump from the page, inviting babies to reach out and touch. As they become more familiar with the book, children will enjoy imitating the sounds each friendly creature makes. Launch date: December 2008.

A set of fifteen colorful 4" x  7-1/4" cards designed to keep babies interested and engaged. Early language will develop as children look, play, and are spoken to. Included is a parent card, which suggests talking points and learning games to play with baby. Launch date: January 2009.

One of the most popular pets—and the animal baby is most likely to know—sounds off in this amusing 6" x 6" foam board book. There are toy dogs; happy ones that look as if a child drew them; and noisy ones making noise. A touch-and-feel fur element at the end of the book enhances the experience. Launch date: June 2008.

Tandy Leather Factory has developed a line of kits especially made to be used with iron-on products. The Pixie Pouch is just one of over 20 age appropriate kits that include items like a video game guitar strap, IPOD holders, and a even a complete belt buckle kit which are all iron on products and will be featured in three different colors. The kits have a modern appeal as well as the appeal of being an actual craft item that children can assemble easily. Launch date: February 2009.

Create beautiful jewelry with pendants that change color according to your mood. Romantic, relaxed, loved or in love, one can log her mood changes in the diary as per the color chart inside.

Knit an adorable colorful scarf using a high-quality wooden loom. Learn to knit with the detailed instruction booklet included. Light and trendy for a romantic walk on the street.

Make your own trendy jewels and belts using charming design ribbons and metallic rings.

Make your own friendship bracelets using the double-sided pattern wheel and up to 8 colors of thread and a variety of beads. Up to 14 different possible styles.

This ceramic boot planter comes with herb or flower seed packets and is available in red, yellow, blue and green.