November 2008 Notable Toys — All

Square Up! offers a new twist on the slider puzzle – playing an opponent! The object of the game is to slide the squares to match the cube shaker before your opponent finishes. It’s a fast, two-player, visual thinking game. Each board measures about 8” square.
— This game was listed as a best seller by Michele and Ken Gietz of Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., in fall 2008. “It’s great for travel or restaurants,” they said. “It’s two-player, but each gets their own sliding squares board and special shaker. We’ve sold many for a small store in the last six months.”
— Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toy Store in Mamoroneck, N.J., told TDmonthly in late 2009 her store sells about 12 units per week of this game. Two of 44 retailers named it as one of their top-three best sellers.

UNO Flash is the fast and furious new way to play UNO. It features exciting new technology and game-play rules to keep everyone on their toes. Who's next? When your red light flashes, it's your turn. You have to discard quickly before your time runs out. Lights and sounds direct the action. Play is fast and unpredictable; everything can change in a flash. "The new speed element in UNO Flash brings an entirely new level of excitement to UNO, whether you're new to the game or a veteran player," explained Marlene Esqueda, Account Executive, GolinHarris Public Relations for Mattel, Inc. Launch date: June 2008.

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008.

Handheld Thermo Scientific Niton XRF analyzers have become the worldwide standard for identifying and quantifying lead and other toxic metals in children’s toys and jewelry. Our TestAll™ technology (patent pending) automatically selects the correct analytical mode, allowing nontechnical users to easily perform measurements with minimal training. In light of the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, these powerful instruments can provide importers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and regulators with a real solution for fast, easy screening of toys. Awards: 2008 R&D 100 Award for technological innovation; Creative Child Magazine 2008 Product of the Year Award in the Safety Products category. "The Niton XL3t 700 features an optional small-spot x-ray area that allows users to isolate and analyze individual areas as small as 3 mm in diameter," said Jen Robert, Marcom Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Launch date: April 11, 2007.

It's a bird... It's a plane...no, it's AirShark, the glider with attitude. Soft and safe, with rubber-band propulsion it flies over 50 feet. "It is a simple glider with attitude.
Any one can make it fly," said Laura T. Brewer, VP of marketing, Play Visions. Launch date: July 28, 2008.

Treasures and Traps™ is a complete card game that puts you in the role of the hero. Your quest is to collect three treasures before anyone else. Sounds simple enough, but throw in a two-headed troll, a maze of dangerous doors, and a few cunning thieves and you won't know what might happen next. With 100 different cards, each game is a unique journey of wild adventure never to be repeated again. Awards: 2007 Origins Award Best Card Game of the Year Silver Award. "Treasures and Traps is a game that the family plays. Kids, youth, and adults all enjoy it. This features makes it unique-we have heard countless stories of parents and kids, young and old, boys and girls, spending time together enjoying this one," C. Aaron Kreader, Designer, Studio 9 Inc. Launch date: 8/1/2006.

All around this elastic necklace, tiny, frosted glass beads in spring green alternate with larger, painted wood charms in the shapes of flowers and spotted ladybugs. Larger-faceted glass beads serve as spacers, and as the centers of some of the flowers, giving this whimsical necklace a little more sparkle. Rings and bracelets in a matching motif are also available from HABA.
- Of 51 retailers surveyed in September 2008, four percent told TDmonthly HABA supplies their best-selling jewelry.

Realistic pearl-finished beads adorn this set of a matching necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings for small princesses, movie stars or other characters dreamed-up by a child’s imagination. The set is part of Schylling’s Small Miracles dress-up line.
- Linda Graham, owner of Scheffel’s Toys in Jacksonville, Ore., told TDmonthly in early fall 2008 that Schylling supplies most of her dress-up jewelry.
- Four percent of 51 retailers named Schylling when asked about their top-selling jewelry items.

Part of the Four Seasons-series of jewelry boxes from Enchantmints, this small treasure chest is richly detailed with cheerful watercolor paintings on the outside, and myriad places for storage tucked away all over the box. Simply open the lid, and it plays music just like the classic child's jewelry box, while a tiny figurine dances inside.
- “Our best is our Enchantmints' jewelry boxes,” Kathy Beaman, owner of Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., told TDmonthly in September 2008 when discussing her store’s best-selling jewelry items.
- Ronald Kutchick, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, also named Enchantmints' music boxes as “a big seller.”

With five games for play with cards featuring favorite horse breeds, this is a perfect choice for horse lovers of all ages. "There are many horse lovers who would appreciate their own card game with photos of each type of horse on each card," Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. Launch date: 2/1/2008.

Bluff your way to victory by having two to four players take turns laying matching animal cards face down. Since you can't see them, are you sure they match? Can you trick your opponents into believing you? If you can, you can get rid of your cards quickly. Don't get caught, or you'll be skunked.  "This fun card game challenges kids with an extra element of 'dramatics.' It will be hard to win without having that extra element of slyness," warned Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Whoever has the most, will be sure to win. It's a fun game for slightly older kids." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

This adorable first counting-card game is really 5 games in one: Penguin Pick-Up, Penguin Race, Countin' Penguins, No more Penguins and Penguin Memory. "This unique card games uses cute penguins to help children learn to count, while playing one of five fun games," explained  Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Up to four children can play together." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

RAGE™ starts with ten cards. Then hand by hand, the number of cards (and options) reduces until at last, you only have ONE card. Players record the number of tricks they plan to take each round; scoring points for their accurate bidding. Sound easy? The outRAGEous action cards will keep you guessing. Includes 108 cards and instructions. "Rage is a classic card game that originated in the 1980s that Fundex has brought back to market," explained Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist at Fundex Games, Ltd.  "Rage is a trick-taking game that is always changing.  This game will keep families entertained while enjoying a NEW card game." Launch date: 2/1/2007.

Crack the Code and Score the Gold: Only a true mastermind could pull off a caper like this. One vault door is the only thing standing between you and a much-deserved treasure. Will you play your cards right and be the first to open the vaunted vault? It’s a game of numbers as you use special Tool cards to beat your opponents and crack the code. So don’t play it safe. Get crackin’ and bust those codes. "This is a NEW card game that is fun for both parents and children alike," said Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist at Fundex Games, Ltd. "The action cards in the game give players a leg up on their crafty competition, including The Master Key, Double Cross, Thieves’ Curse. And the Bamboozled card will really toss a monkey wrench in their plans." Launch date: 2/2/2009.

Ten easy-to-understand phase cards help children identify what they are collecting each round. Scoring is simple: The first to collect what is shown on their phase card wins. Clear colors, numbers, shapes and kids' favorite "Sesame Street" characters make collecting easy. There are two levels of play: younger kids match three things, and older kids match four things in classic Phase 10 play. "This game expands on the worldwide popularity of Phase 10 and brings the game to a younger audience. Children love the "Sesame Street" characters, which during game play help them to learn colors, shapes and numbers," Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist for Fundex Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.

A high-quality bead loom from Alex puts the ability to make highly detailed, complex beaded designs right in kids' fingers. The kit includes more than 2,000 beads and instructions along with the loom itself.
- “We do some kits by Alex, to make your own beads,” said Dean Nelson, owner of Wizard Kids Toys in Toledo, Ohio, when telling TDmonthly about his best-selling jewelry in early fall 2008.
- “We do sell jewelry craft kits,” added Heather Rounds, buyer for Smart Kids Company in Greenwich, Conn. She listed Alex among her store’s top sellers when it comes to jewelry and accessories.

This kit is designed to give the feet a real spa experience. Girls can soak their feet in the inflatable pedicure pool with included confetti soap, file and buff their toenails, and then create interesting nail designs with three colors of nail polish and sparkly rhinestones. The set also comes with pink spa slippers, toe separators and a handy tote to keep it all together when not in use.  
- “The Pretty Pedicure kit from Creativity for Kids. That’s a great set,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska.
- Linda Laramy, owner of Cracker Jacks in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly she sells about 40 Creativity for Kids kits every month.
- Twenty-four percent of 51 retailers surveyed in September 2008 said fashion-related products accounted for their best sellers to tweens.

This book allows girls to create their own poseable fairy dolls that feature petal dresses and flowing floss hair. Supplies to make 12 posey pixies are included, and the book is written by Rachel Haab.
- “Girls love Klutz; [it] sells constantly,” Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children’s Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, told TDmonthly.  
- “Klutz is No. 1 by far,” said Ron Banducci, co-owner of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., when telling TDmonthly about best-selling items for tweens in fall 2008.
- “[Tweens] want to make something,” said Diana Gisolfi, co-owner of Sister’s Kids in Springfield, Mass.

This is the very first item based on Dexter, the star of the hit CBS/Showtime television series by the same name. A blood-splatter expert for the Miami Police Department by day, Dexter spends his nights murdering other serial killers. Now this so-called "good guy" is available in 7" bobble head form. He's made of resin and would love to make the world a safer place. Launch date: September 15, 2008.

This product combines Dowling's most popular magnets in one fantastic kit that includes one each of a 1" horseshoe, a 2" horseshow and a 2" bar magnet, plus a tube of iron fillings and steel shapes. "This product makes science fun. With something as classic as a magnet, you can really get the whole family involved in play and learning," Jessica McCulligh, in marketing at Dowling Magnets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

The Fashion Illustrator kit from Fashion Angels contains everything young designers need to make a portfolio of their own original clothing designs.  The kit includes double-tipped artist markers, colored pencils, fabric swatches and a design workbook along with techniques to help kids learn how to represent their fashion ideas realistically on paper.  Whether starting from the design guide included with the kit, or dreaming up something totally new, the Fashion Illustrator is a place to capture all those innovations with the right tools and skills.  
— “Fashion Angels… the line is pretty diverse.  We sell a couple dozen every month,” said Jenny Thomas, owner of Applause! Give Your Kids a Hand in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada.
— Theresa Oppenheimer, owner of Toy World in Chanhassen, Minn., said in early fall 2008 she sells “mostly Fashion Angels” to tweens in her store.
— “A lot more fashion items are popping up,” remarked Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa.

This Betty Boop figurine wears a sleek, black evening gown. The company offers a full collection of Betty Boop items, including T-shirts, jewelry boxes, pens, clocks and more. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

This journal includes a light-up pen that attaches securely to the cover, making it perfect to keep on a bed-stand to record dreams or late-night inspirations, or just settle down for some quiet time before catching some shut-eye. The kit includes a pen, a 100-page journal and a small information booklet on dreams and creative inspiration.
— Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noted in fall 2008 that her top sellers to tweens tend to be “diaries and kits from Creativity for Kids.”
—  “Arts and crafts have consistently been one of the three best departments in the store since we opened,” said Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass. “This age [tweens] also favors journals.”
— Eight percent of 51 storeowners said they consider diaries and journals to be top sellers for tween-aged children.

By toy designer Maria Sarmiento, these vinyl, 2.5" figurines have articulated heads and are single-boxed. The first series features 10 characters (Super K, Kumaniac, Graphitti, Nippon, Metal Kiss, Geek, Polar Madness, Samurai, Love and YII). The limited edition line contains only 500 units per character. Launch date: December 2, 2004.