November 2008 Notable Toys — All

A unique alternative to the traditional plush toy, Rubbabu are durable as they are soft. Made from the natural sap of rubber trees and covered with colorful flocking these tactile, easy-to-handle activity vehicles encourage creative and imaginative play. The soft rubber wheels can be squeezed and rolled for hours of fun. The popular Micro Vehicles are getting company in 2008 with the addition of Micro Animal Vehicles. Also new for 2008: Rubbabu Balls and Mascot Cars. Available in an assortment of sizes, vibrant colors and designs. Launch date: 2008. (Product was formerly dist. by PlaSmart)

Bio-Energy Kit is the world’s first fuel cell kit that runs on a mix of plain water and alcohol. It is a simple educational product used to introduce a new generation of fuel cell technology to students, aspiring scientists, teachers and engineers, investigating new power possibilities for consumer electronics.

Label Itz are “wine charms for kids!” Kids love the chance to be themselves and to show it with these customizable bands and stickers.  Moms love the allergy stickers and the chance to easily identify whose cup is  whose. They're great for  parties, daycare, and everyday home use.

Little Taggies Colours Collection 12” x 12” blankets are made with soft, rich fabrics edged with an array of vibrant, engaging tags, described on the company’s website as “scrumptious to touch.” Colorful patterns include Confetti, Polka Dot fun, Bubbles and Sweet Swirls.
— “A new blanket made of minky fabric — Little Taggies Colours,” is the best-selling baby gift at  Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va., Manager Gwen Bowden told TDmonthly in July 2080. “They are really soft. We just got them in; we had six and we have one left.”
— “Consumers just want something a little unusual that they can't find in mass market,” explained Kara Fichtner, manager of Out Of The Blue Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M., whose store does well with Taggies.
— Mike DiAndrea, owner of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa. told TDmonthly in Spring 2011 that he sold one dozen Taggies blankets each month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Hardware Toys.

Soft and fully washable, Nicki Baby dolls come in a variety of colors and are made of all natural materials. Colors include blue, violet, yellow, green, light blue, pale red, orange, rose, pink and red.
— Diane Robinson, owner of Silly Goose Inc., in Essex, Mass., said she sells a dozen a month of the “Nicki Baby organic doll from Kathe Kruse.”
— A summer 2008 survey about best-selling baby gifts found many retailers to be fans of European-made toys.
— “We love Kathe Kruse’s unique products from Germany,” reported Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland at the end of December 2008.

Gund’s Comfy Cozy is a 24-inch plush blanket with a full satin underside and a plush animal pillow. The blankets come in a variety of colors and animals including a monkey, cow, lamb, horse, lion, bear, puppy, and kitten.
— “There are so many that are good, but I say Gund Comfy Cozies — the larger size a baby can lie on” are my best-selling baby gifts, Dennis Hofstetter, owner of The Toy Store in Atlanta, told TDmonthly in July 2008.
— “For babies, we have had a lot of success with the My First Teddy Bear [Comfy Cozy] blanket by Gund,” added Donna, owner of Treasured Child in LaGrange, Ky. “I have re-ordered twice and we just started carrying them six weeks ago.”
— Eleven percent of 66 retailers mentioned a Gund product when discussing as top-selling gifts for babies in summer 2008.

With this kit, kids can color a dragon and butterflies on purse that measures 10” W x 7.5” H x 3.5” D. It comes with six permanent markers in a pouch.
—  The “Color a Purse and Backpack by Alex,” are popular girls’ gifts at Pun’s Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Owner Joe Berardoni told TDmonthly in July 2008.
— Four retailers of our 68 mentioned Alex craft kits as a best-selling product.

This 8” doll is dressed to party and comes with an exclusive Web access code, plus a puppy. Groovy Girls are characterized by their funky fashions, hair and accessories.
— Mary Ellen Cerney, owner of Dear Friends & Children in Duncan, Okla., told TDmonthly in July 2008 that her store sells 30 Groovy Girls per month.
— Three of 66 retailers polled in a summer 2008 TDmonthly survey cited Groovy Girls as a top-selling gift for girls.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, 12” Calin Smiling is cuddly and soft, with a beanbag body that allows her to be posed like a real baby. She features sleeping eyes and can wear clothing from the Mon Premier collection.
— “They're reasonably priced and decent quality,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer’s Toy World/Baby USA in Battle Creek, Mich., said about Corolle baby dolls.
— Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly in July 2008 that his store sells 30 Corolle dolls a month. Other stores that mentioned Corolle indicated they sell between two to eight dolls per month.
— Seven of 66 retailers named Corolle dolls as a best-selling gift for girls in summer 2008.

Numbered templates and sticky foam allow kids to easily create beautiful mosaics. This particular kit includes 3000+ sticky foam and jewel pieces, four sparkling designs and four wall hangers.
— “Without a doubt, the Orb Sticky Mosaics” are a best-selling girl gift, said Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun’s Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa.
— “Sticky Mosaics by The Orb Factory. Enchanted Forest in particular. We sold five dozen of that particular one last year,” Kai Rady, owner of Shenanigans Inc in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly during a January 2010 survey regarding best-selling arts and crafts items.
— Eighteen of 48 retailers listed Sticky Mosaics as their best-selling arts and crafts item in early 2010.

This set includes glass and ceramic beads of various shapes and colors, and an instruction and design booklet, all in a wooden, hand-crafted case with a sliding top. The kit makes 8+ accessories.
— Jewelry-making kits are popular at The Toy Store in Atlanta, Denis Hofstetter said, because “they are a good price point [and] something that lasts.”
— “Jewelry items from Bead Bazaar” are popular buys for girl gifts at Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., Co-Owner Diana Gisolfi said. “Girls wear more jewelry in the summer.”
— Four of 66 specialty toy retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2008 that beading kits are top-selling gifts for girls.

This fashionable poodle is one in a line of plush pets featuring interactive computer play. Using a special code specific to the pet, kids can log onto the Webkinz website, meet the pet’s online counterpart, and build special rooms with points gained from answering trivia questions. Online, this pet’s special item is the Poofy Poodle Chair, and its special food is Licorice Canepés.
— Terry Myers, owner of Kaledioscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, told TDmonthly in July 2008 that her store sells about 350 Webkinz per month.
— “[We sell] about 100 per month,” said Donna, owner of The Perfect Present in Suwanee, Ga., who also named Webkinz as a best-selling gift item for girls.
— Eleven percent of 66 retailers polled in summer 2008 cited Webkinz as their top-selling girl gift.

These baby piglets are designed to sit or stand, and are outfitted with denim overalls and brightly colored neckerchiefs. Calico Critters are adorable little families designed with play themes in mind. Accessories build on imaginary play opportunities and include a townhome, village house, play park and more.
— In a summer 2008 poll, Calico Critters products were the clear leader in sales when it comes to gifts for girls, with 10 of 66 retailers mentioning the critters and accessories as their top seller.
— “Calico Critters is our top girl line,” Angel Stahl, owner of Angel’s Toy Barn in Greensburg, Pa., told TDmonthly.
— “Calico Critters sells lots more than the LEGO,” noted Kara Fichtner, manager of Out of the Blue Ltd. in Albuquerque, N.M.
— Owner Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., also noted Calico Critters as a best-selling line in her store.

This 19-track album is specially created to get kids moving while also aiding the learning process. It features original music by Don and Laurie Monopoli of the Learning Station, both of whom collaborated with Dr. Becky Bailey of Loving Guidance Inc. on the lyrics. Stop-and-go activities boost attention spans, songs for breathing and stretching help relieve stress, and "connecting songs" improve impulse control skills. Tracks include "Itsy Ditsy Spider," "Boogie Rock," "Watch Me Listen" and "It's a Marvelous Day." "Music and movement is part of every young child's life. Why not make those movements into brain-boosting experiences that help those little brains grow?" asked Laurie Monopoli, educational coordinator for The Learning Station. This CD received a 2008 CD of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine, as well as a 2008 Directors' Choice Award. It was also named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products and 10 Best Audio-Video Products for 2008. The album is available on the company's website in both CD and downloadable formats. Both include a 20-page booklet with lyrics, movements and brain-boosting activities. Launch date: May 15, 2008.

This is one grogger you won’t mind the children playing with. Teach your children about Esther’s Megillah as they make pairs of cards; Queen Esther pairs with Queen Esther, Mordecai with Mordecai, etc. The only way to make a pair with Haman is by covering him up with a Grogger!

Christmas Cards is a game for children ages 4 to 10 to learn to how to compete by matching pairs of cards. Children make pairs with Santa, Rudolph, Toy Soldier and Candy Cane. Children don’t want to see a Stocking with Coal on Christmas morning, so they have to get a Tree with Presents. Children will play this cute little stocking stuffer long after their other Christmas presents are broken.

Handmade in Germany, this rabbit is created as close to nature as possible and is 7.1" long. Its exterior consists of high-quality woven fur and leather imitation. All KÖSEN plush animals conform to the highest safety standards. The materials, products and production are inspected by TÜV and meet all requirements of the European safety standard for toys, EN 71. Children may even keep this toy beyond childhood, to eventually pass on to their own children. The product received a 2008 Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2001. Display Ideas: Group animals by natural habitat or geographical area.

These plush toys by Kids Preferred are made from 100-percent organic materials and are the first products in the Peter Rabbit...Naturally Better line. Each super-soft toy, dressed in a monogrammed outfit to identify the character, comes in a recyclable, reusable and PVC-free display/gift box. Peter stands 18" tall and carries a carrot. Launch date: June 2008.

This cute and lovable-looking stack-up toy is made for tiny hands and easy for little ones to use. It features colorful rings of different sizes and shapes for stacking or playing separately and a textured ring surface for tactile stimulation. It has a roly-poly base design, and ring arrangement encourages logical thinking. There's also a happy surprise from the bug face on top. Launch date: July 2008.

When little boy George picks out a lonely dog in the last cage at the pound, it changes his life. Having the dog, Jeremy, teaches both him and his grandmother, whom he lives with, about the quality of love.

Series one of these collectible, 2.75" super hero and villain figurines features Spider-Man, Hulk, Iron Man, Wolverine, Venom and Captain America. Launch date: July 15, 2008. Display Ideas: They are available in blister card packaging for display on a peg board or on a shelf.

This fascinating Giraffe character that doubles as a four piece music set. Each piece of the character is a musical instrument, including castanets, tambourine, kazoo and banjo. Launch date: August 18, 2008.

This funny fiend in soft velour has whimsical charm and embroidered accents. Designed by kids for kids, Buster is a keepsake gift with a delightful monster story on the hang tag and a charitable heart. A portion of sales is donated to Global Action for Children, a nonpartisan children's advocacy organization. The soft, security buddy addresses common childhood anxieties of fear and bullies, while helping to promote charitable deeds and raise awareness for less-fortunate children. Launch date: January 15, 2008. Display ideas: Offer a wide range of My Own Monster characters to create an eye-catching, colorful display. Promote sales with a free My Own Monster display sign available upon request with any My Own Monster order.

This kit imitates nature to grow crystals within one to two weeks — something that took our planet thousands of years. There other kits available with a broad selection of vibrant colors and intriguing shapes of crystals. An interesting project for kids and parents alike, the kit is designed to help kids learn about geography, gemology and chemical science while having fun with growing crystals and displaying the final piece. The experiment can be re-done with the alredy grown crystal and/or it could be enlarged with an extra kit. Launch date: June 6, 2008.
Display Ideas: Place at eye-height together with a pre-made display sample (free of charge).