November 2008 Notable Toys — All

Featuring the original soundtrack from the movie "Barbie & The Diamond Castle," this 11-track album includes a song called "Connected," performed by Katharine McPhee. There are two bonus tracks, "I Need to Know," from "Barbie as The Island Princess," and "Shine," from "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses."

Blending country and rock and roll, this 17-track album spotlights Strawberry Shortcake and her band, Strawberry Jam. It includes two songs in Spanish and features tunes "The Gettin' Better Boogie Woogie" and "Fun for Fun's Sake."

Monsterpocalypse is a fast-moving, action-packed strategy game played with high quality collectible miniatures portraying the most fearsome giant monsters ever imagined. Each battle takes place in a city, which opposing players construct by placing models of buildings on a city map. Players will then build their force from their respective collection of models. Each force will consist of a giant monster model, and several supporting units (tanks, flying vehicles or creatures — depending upon which of the themed factions you decide to play). Purchasing Booster Boxes will expand your collection, giving you more tactical options and abilities to better suit your strategy. Launch date: October 10, 2008.

Valentine is made from the highest quality cloth available and is dressed in a unique dress. Her facial features are hand sewn while yarn is used for her hair. Shoes made from vinyl finish this cloth doll and give her a unique appearance.

Polly is made from the highest quality cloth available and is dressed in a unique dress. Her eyes, nose, eyebrows, and mouth are embroidered while yarn is used for her hair. Vinyl shoes finish this handmade doll and give her a unique look.

100% interlock cotton, black or white, with contrast stitching. Available in long sleeve tees and short sleeve snap suits, in sizes 0-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m, & 18-24m. All sporting sassy sayings and/or graphics. Some also availble in toddler sizes.

100% interlock cotton, black or white, with contrast stitching. Available in long sleeve tees and short sleeve snap suits, in sizes 0-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m, & 18-24m. All sporting sassy sayings and/or graphics. Some also availble in toddler sizes.

100% interlock cotton, black or white, with contrast stitching. Available in long sleeve tees and short sleeve snap suits, in sizes 0-6m, 6-12m, 12-18m, & 18-24m. All sporting sassy sayings and/or graphics. Some also availble in toddler sizes.

This album, dubbed a "14-track ode to childhood wonder," blends bluegrass, classical symphonic sounds and Indie charm. In addition to providing the primary vocals, artist Danielle Sansone plays piano and acoustic guitar for this collection of love songs that includes "Bed of Roses," "Whisper" and "There is You." Launch date: 2008.

Eat fewer calories, be more active, make wise food choices. The Dietary Guidelines focus on health promotion and form the basis of federal food and nutrition programs including the MyPyramid. This poster summarizes the guidelines and brightens - and enlightens - classrooms, lunchrooms, meeting rooms and hospitals. Size: 26" x 34".

These 2" x 3.5" magnets have motivational messages to remind you and others on sticking to a healthy diet and healthy eating. Magnets include Veggies Rule!, Fruit Rocks!, and Dance Like Nobody's Watching, Eat Like Somebody Is! Sold in packs of 6 magnets for $5.00.

Featured as a finalist on "Britain's Got Talent" television show in 2007, 7-year-old Connie Talbot sings songs including "Over the Rainbow," "My Favorite Things," "I Will Always Love You" and "You Raise Me Up" on this 12-track album. Update 10/23/08: Since her fall 2008 debut in the States, Connie is #2 in the Billboard top-100 single sales, #7 on the Billboard National Heatseekers album chart, #8 in the Billboard Kids audio national album chart and an entry in the Indy top 50. Launch date: October 14, 2008.

This 32-page hardcover book written and illustrated by Matt Hammill mixes fantasy and reality, imaginatively pulling readers into two worlds as they wonder whether that sound, for example, was simply an alarm clock ... or the buzz of a carnivorous beetle. Launch date: 2008.

"The Night Before Christmas," based on Clement C. Moore’s beloved and timeless poem, has been adapted from Jan Brett’s exquisitely illustrated book which, to date, has sold more than one million copies.  With festive music and narration by the talented Edwards, this version is sure to  warm the cockles of any grinch’s heart!  Six additional colorfully animated holiday stories add to the storytime fun: In the Month of Kislev (adapted from a story by Nina Jaffe and narrated by Theodore Bikel), Seven Candles for Kwanza (adapted from a story by Andrea Davis Pinckney and Brian Pinckney, narrated by Alfre Woodard), Too Many Tamales (presented both in English and Spanish, and adapted from a story by Gary Soto), The Little Drummer Boy (with animated illustrations by Ezra Jack Keats) and two Rosemary Wells classics, Max’s Christmas (narrated by Jenny Agutter and Rex Robbins) and Morris’ Disappearing Bag. 60 minutes. Launch date: October 28, 2008.

This fuzzy frog gives kids the chance to register a star with the International Star Registry ... and name it, too. In the Shining Stars virtual world, owners of Shining Stars pets can play games, send e-cards, and define their pet's personality with different character traits.

Igor: The Monster Making Game is a fast-paced custom-dice game about building monsters while trying not to leave unfinished projects on the table where other mad scientists could steal your work. The game is based on the movie "Igor " — a playfully irreverent comedy that brings a new twist to the classic monster genre. Launch date: September 19, 2008.

My Meebas are plush toys contained in an electronic tube that allows girls to play games with the My Meebas character and watch it grow. Over time, the character grows to full size and the tube pops open, revealing which Meeba has been hiding inside.

This soft, 3' whip features whip-cracking sound effects and theme music from the Indiana Jones movies. It includes a belt-loop attachment so that kids can easily carry the whip with them. Sounds can be silenced with the flip of a switch, and the product comes with three AA batteries.

This remote-controlled version of Disney-Pixar's WALL-E features realistic expressions, sound effects and movie voice, eyes that light up, and real tread motion, plus dance moves. The wireless remote is programmable, and there are more than 1,000 possible action combinations. Ten specific buttons are designed to control voice, expression, motion, dancing and more.

Fashioned after the house in the movie "Barbie & The Diamond Castle," this tri-level palace has a light-up tower and plays a song.

Little girls can press Baby Alive's bracelet to wake her and then mix her food and feed her with the included bowl and spoon. She "chews" food and "drinks" from her bottle, and when put on her own potty will "pee" and "poop." Kids need to hurry and get her there, though, or she might have an accident and her diaper will need changing. The doll comes with four AA batteries and is also available in Caucasian and African American varieties.

This kid-friendly DVD player is especially designed to survive drops, and has an easy-to-use door and controls, plus a kick-stand base and anti-skip protection. The LCD video screen measures 3.2" and is supported by stereo sound. The product has rubber hand grips and a sturdy handle, and can play CDs or be connected to a television with a video output cable (not included) for large-screen viewing. It comes with bonus DVDs and a rechargeable 4.8V NiMH battery pack and AC charger/adaptor for plug-in use.

Designed to blend in with natural home decor, this comfy swing rocks both side to side and front to back, featuring soft fabrics, gentle music and  attractive toys on the mobile overhead. The removable seat has wood handles and can be carried from room to room. It also boasts a machine-washable seat pad, plus a pillow and blankets attached. It uses 4 D batteries or can be plugged in.

Suitable for children ages 9 months and up, the Busy Ball Popper pops colorful balls out of the top after they are dropped onto the track. It features sound effects and eight songs, and requires 4 D batteries. This product received a 2003 NAPPA Gold Award.