November 2008 Notable Toys — All

This sassy skate shop lets a little bird buddy find a pair of skates to keep her rockin’ and rollin’. The PLAY & DISPLAY PET NOOKS (each sold separately) can be collected and either stacked or attached side-by-side to create a Littlest Pet Shop world. Skate shop comes with bird pet and roller skates accessory.

Alfred Hitchcock’s  “The Birds” Barbie® Doll celebrates the 45th anniversary of the acclaimed film. Dressed in a re-creation of the stylish green skirt-suit worn by the 1963 film’s ill-fated heroine in an iconic scene, every aspect  of this doll captures the film’s infamous appeal, from the perfectly painted expression to the accompanying black birds. Note to Parents: The Birds is rated PG-13. Consult www.filmratings.com for further information. The Birds is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLLP. All rights reserved. Alfred Hitchcock and the Hitchcock likeness are trademarks and copyrights of The Hitchcock Trust. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown. Launch date: 2008.

Barbie® doll as Batgirl™ looks absolutely amazing in a body-hugging black bat suit. A striking black cape with “gold” lining, yellow gloves, belt, knee-high boots, and fabulous “bat ears” complement the ensemble. Gorgeous face paint and long auburn hair give the doll an especially striking look. BATGIRL and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. Production doll may vary from the photo shown above. Mattel reserves the right to modify the fashion/fabrics, sculpt, hair color/style, and accessories. Doll cannot stand alone as shown. Launch date: 2008.

 Kit wears a crocheted cloche, carries a straw purse for her printed hankie and replica buffalo nickel and sports a special necklace styled after a compass inside a ship’s wheel—to remind her to find her own way through hard times. Kit’s 18-inch doll body is soft cloth; her head and limbs are smooth vinyl. She’s posable for hundreds of playtimes and can be treasured for years to come. Her "Meet Kit" book enhances playtime with the first story of this clever girl growing up in 1934 Cincinnati.  It offers lessons about choices and friendship that still touch girls today.

This set includes two ponies, four figurines, jumps, a tree, a stand for visitors and much more. Launch date: 2008.
—  Seven of 63 specialty retailers named Playmobil as one of their overall best-selling products in September 2008, and five of 52 said the same the next month. Three of 32 retailers also told TDmonthly in October 2008 they expect Playmobil to be a top seller for the holidays.
— James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said his store sells about 100 units from the line each month.
— Playmobil was one of the top-10 best-selling items at Pun’s Toy Store of Bryn Mawr, Pa., in the fall of 2008, according to owner Joe Berardoni, Sr. “It’s well designed and has great play value,” he said. “It’s a toy that uses imagination — old-fashioned imagination.”

"Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGG and Other Favorites" is a delightful collection of children's music recorded live from the 1950s to the 1970s. Among the 24 remastered songs are irresistible favorites like "Skip to My Lou," "This Old Man," and "Hush Little Baby," as well as original songs composed by Glazer and unique renditions of folk classics from around the world. With intimate liner notes by John, Peter and Diana Wasserman Glazer, including lyrics to the songs, "Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGG and Other Favorites" introduces Glazer's legacy to the children of the twenty-first century. Launch date: October 28, 2008.

The Little Environmentalists proudly print their books using 100% post-consumer waste, chlorine free and non-toxic toner. This picture book follows a little girl discovering what everyone sees when they stop to look and smell the roses. a falling leaf, fluttering butterfly or crunchy grass beneath bare feet become an instant nature lesson. “Children will smell, hear, feel and see their way through their own backyard nature discovery,” explains Rebecca Mattano, creator of The Little Environmentalists. “Each page offers a new and unique look into nature with colorful pictures that not only teach but challenge children to find all that nature has to offer.”

This book and bag combination with sparkly, pop-out Easter eggs features whimsical text that introduces a new pop-out on each page. Kids can collect the eggs and fill their bag as they read, and then follow directions to create their own Easter egg hunt. Launch date: February 2009.

Tender rhyme and beautiful illustrations offer the opportunity for parent-child bonding and provide the perfect backdrop for a family's most precious photos. Simply slide a photo into place on each page to personalize the treasured keepsake. Launch date: February 2009.

Was King Arthur real? What were the coolest weapons that knights carried? How were castles built? And what was the best way to capture one? Kids will learn the answers to these questions along with countless other facts in this fascinating introduction to the world of medieval knights and castles. It includes 16 custom chess pieces, a 24-page fact-book and two games: Chess and Capture the Castle. Launch date: September 2008.

Otis C. Mouse lives a happy life in New York City — until he accidentally gets whisked away to Egypt. His epic adventure begins with a whirlwind tour of the country's history and culture. Launch date: September 2008.

With eight 12-page books, 32 flash cards, a parent guide and an eight-page activity book, "Word Play" is packed with games, activities and stories. Launch date: September 2008.

Little Pirate sees something fly by in the night sky and wonders what it could be. As he asks questions and makes observations, Little Pirate — along with the reader — learns all about nocturnal animals. Launch date: September 2008.

Marvel's Spider-Man Regener8'r transforms into eight different type of vehicles. Lights and sound add to the fun.

These two-sided placemats teach correct placement of utensils in a place setting and offer a distinctive way for kids to learn what goes where. They can be colored over and over with washable markers. Separate placemats are available for elementary and preschool children. The perimeter text of the elementary version also teaches the “Do’s” and “Don’ts” of table manners.

Toy Vault's first ever specialty plush line is based on H.P. Lovecraft's Cthulhu stories. Dolls range from 6" to 16" tall. Made of soft plush fabric, they're filled with beans to give them weight. aLook for Secret Agent Cthulhu and Super Hero Cthulhu coming soon.

In addition to featuring Sen. Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Malia Anna and Sasha, this 32-page paper doll set includes a biography of Sen. Obama, an "Election Night Scorecard" and an array of outfits, including a tux and business suit for Barack and a gown and wedding dress for Michelle, along with shorts, shirts and coats for the girls. "We're doing well with McCain and Obama paper dolls from Dover Publications," Owner Teresa Ford of Kids' Ketch in Lewes, Del., told TDmonthly in late September 2008. "Obama's outselling McCain three to one, if that's any indication."

This replica of how the Monster Book of Monsters appeared in the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban comes complete with teeth, tongue, and multiple eyes. When you pull his tongue, the Monster Book vibrates.  For added bonus, try gently pulling the tongue out. When you let go, the 10.5" X 8.5" X 3" Monster Book will vibrate.

Play 20+ games from the double-deck combinations of color and rhythm cards. These card games are designed for families, classrooms, and large or small groups. The color cards use the Chroma-Notes™ colors that match the C Major Diatonic Scale Set of Boomwhackers Tubes. Package contains 48 color cards, 48 rhythm cards, 2 wild cards, 2 music word cards, and instruction booklet.

This commemorative set features Sen. John McCain and his wife, Cindy, along with outfits they've worn  during the campaign and during other important life events. McCain can be outfitted with a white tie and tails, a sweater and slack duo, and  other options, while Cindy can wear her wedding dress, an interview suit, a gown and more. The 38-page set includes a biography of John McCain plus an "Election Night Scorecard." Launch date: 2008.

Originally from the 1960s, Mille Bornes involves a car race across France via a card game. Players must avoid traffic hazards and earn points along the way, while keeping a close eye on — and sabotaging — their fellow players. The game contains 106 illustrated cards.
— Amanda Lepley, manager of Finnegan’s Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore., named Mille Bornes as her best-selling card game in summer 2008.
— “We carry several, but I’d say Mille Bornes [is the top seller],” remarked Richard Stoecklein, owner of The Toy Factory in Jacksonville, Fla.
— Three of 64 retailers named the game as a top-selling card game in August 2008.

A simple card game, Old Maid is played by two to eight players who try to make pairs out of randomly dealt cards.  Pairing up is the only way to eliminate cards from a hand, but each round every player has to take a card that he or she has not seen from another player’s hand and hope it makes a pair!  The game is over when only the ‘Old Maid’ card is left ― the one card in the deck that has no match ― and the person holding it loses.  This set from eeBoo features whimsical illustrations for children. Launch date: 2002.
— “It’s a classic game with adorable illustrations!” Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly.
— Five of 64 retailers named Old Maid when asked about best-selling card games in August 2008. This version from eeBoo is one of many on the market.
— Nathan McKelvey, manager of Toy Castle, LLC in Jonesboro, Ar., told TDmonthly in a September 2011 survey that Old Maid is one of his top-three bestselling card games.

A complete foundation to building a customized deck of tradable Pokémon cards, this starter set is a great way to get into the action of the expandable trading card game.  Through the character-based cards, children play as competing Pokémon trainers, using the different creatures and abilities in their decks to try and best their opponent as their Pokémon battle.  Further cards can be purchased or acquired through trading, giving the game a substantially more social aspect than simply playing with a friend or two.  Children must think ahead, deciding what will give them the best chance as their build their decks and use strategy in the game-play itself.
— David Marks, owner of Learning Express of Westport in Westport, Conn., said Pokemon is still his top seller. “There's been a resurgence after a couple of years,” he told TDmonthly.
— “Pokemon's been kind of ridiculous. We can't keep Pokemon in stock,” Michelle Deutschmann, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Falmouth, Mass., told TDmonthly in August 2008.
— Four of 64 retailers named Pokémon when asked about best-selling card games in summer 2008. The Toy Chest in Cary, N.C., sells between 30 to 50 card packs per month, Owner Sharon Heath said.