November 2008 Notable Toys — All

Follow Professor Pocket, Desi the Dinosaur and Chico the Chicken on a bilingual musical adventure to visit the very unique and magical farm where Chico was born. Listeners will be delighted to learn that pigs drive tractors, cows make chocolate milk and horses fly at this farm, where nothing is what it seems. A silly bilingual storyline, five original songs and a remake of the popular Latin American folk song, “Los Pollitos”, are sure to get the whole family singing and speaking along in Spanish. It's a Dr. Toy Best Products award winner. "Professor Pocket takes a completely fresh approach to language introduction," said Paula Jorge Guglielmino, co-founder of Professor Pocket. "Instead of bombarding listeners with vocabulary words, we seamlessly weave English and Spanish storytelling throughout our CDs and reinforce key concepts and vocabulary through songs." Launch date: 02/20/2007

This healthy feeding guide for toddler 1 to 3 years old focuses on personality tendencies, tricks for picky eaters, recipes, food and environmental safety, and shopping suggestions. "This product provides innovative comprehensive easy to use information," said Christina E. Schmidt, president of Baby Bistro Brands. Launch date: 09/01/2005.

This healthy feeding guide for infants 0 to 12 months discusses nutritional needs, how to feed baby, recipes, shopping tips and safety guidelines. "This set represents an innovative organization of complete information into easy-to-use cards," said Christina Schmidt M.S., N.E., president of Baby Bistro Brands. Launch date: 09/01/2001.

Children record their favorite holiday traditions by describing the people they share the holiday with and the colors, decorations, food, and stories they use to celebrate it. Completing this book with their own words, drawings, and photos helps children learn the meaning of holiday, cultural, and family customs and traditions. Creating a personal story motivates kids to read and write. "More educational than a scrapbook, more personal than a picture book, each copy of this book will capture an individual story that its young owner will return to read and enjoy many times," promised Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press. Launch date: 08/01/2008

The first CD by the rockin', groovin' Charity and the JAMband met with both critical acclaim and audience adoration. The groovin' hit, Peanut Butter and JAM, starts the collection off with an irresistible buzz, cool harmonies and funky rhythms. The music continues to inspire, telling stories to inspire dancing and dramatic play. "These songs are dancable and singable, well-crafted and joy-inspired, and appeal to parents and kids alike," said Charity Kahn, Owner/Artist of JAM. This compilation won a 2004 Parents' Choice Approved Award and a 2006 Children's Music Web Gold Award. Launch date: 04/04/2004

"Colorful Garden - A Feelings Coloring Book" takes the reader through several garden scenes with bugs and flowers displaying a variety of emotions to which children can relate. The rhyming verse and fun illustrations make the coloring book an entertaining product, but it also has great value in its ability to increase emotional intelligence and enhance a child's ability to express different feelings. It is ideal for developing communication skills, emotional vocabulary, creative expression, self esteem, and social skills in a fun and child-friendly manner. "This fun and engaging coloring book will help children recognize, identify, and talk about their feelings," said Lisa-Marie Arneson, Owner and Creator of Bright Spots. This product is a Dr Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Winner. Launch date: 09/18/2005

The Baby Barbell™ is available in volume purchases, offering convenience and economy for those who work where babies congregate. For NICU’s, nurseries, day care centers and the like, the Baby Barbell™ is made and tested in the USA of FDA approved materials, so you know it’s safe for the little ones.

Offered in Coral Sea Green, Hot Pink, Sky Blue and Sunshine Yellow, these rattles are available in pairs inside blister packs. A continuous lateral line around the parameter of the Baby Barbell™ offers tactile stimulation to perfect, little finger tips.  And, as baby pulls the rattle to his midline, he’s creating mechanical resistance for those brand new muscles.

KnuckleBonz has created a second figure, in response to many requests, to honor the Randy Rhoads legacy. The first figure has been sold out since 2006. Randy Rhoads is considered to be one of the most talented and influential rock guitarists of all time. The figure is sculpted and hand painted and available only in a very limited edition of 3000 worldwide. Each is hand-numbered and has a certificate of authenticity on the base of the sculpture.

Available in Horse, Pink Poodle and Monkey designs, these 14" puppets have wooden feet that make a clip-clop sound while they dance, and they are easy for small hands to control. The no-tangle marionettes have removable strings that can be lifted from the handle and replaced after untangling. New styles will be available in 2009. Launch date: 2008.
Display Ideas: The company offers a mechanical, plug-in display (see video) that accommodates three puppets and can be placed in a window to attract shoppers.

This "me sleeve" carries the image of a rabbit on the front of the shirt, with a smaller image of the rabbit on each sleeve. Modern Me's "me sleeves" draw baby's attention to his or her hands with the strategically placed graphics on the wrists, in eye catching colors. Printed on American Apparel 100% rib cotton lap tees.

This "me sleeve" carries the image of a dog on the front of the shirt, with a smaller image of the dog on each sleeve. Modern Me's "me sleeves" draw baby's attention to his or her hands with the strategically placed graphics on the wrists, in eye catching colors. Printed on American Apparel 100% rib cotton lap tees.

The silhouette of a ballerina taking a ballet position is printed on this shirt. The "me tee" has the image printed on the shirt both rightside up and upside down, allowing for the wearer to also see what everyone else sees while wearing the shirt.

An African Elephant graces this "me tee" with a brief factoid running vertically across the shirt, describing the elephant as the largest land animal on earth.  The "me tee" has the image printed on the shirt both rightside up and upside down, allowing for the wearer to also see what everyone else sees while wearing the shirt.

This kit includes a 40 page science book and enough contents to participate in 18 activities. All materials are included except for a D-cell battery. The kit has step-by-step, highly visual instructions and child appropriate materials designed for young children to work independently.
— John Blair, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a September 2011 survey that they sell 6-8 of these kits each month. "We really like them and we push them,” he said. 

Kids can create miniature works of art that celebrate their four-legged family members. The kit contains four papier-maché shapes (star, rectangle, square and circle) and lots of colorful and shiny decorating materials (paint, brush, glitter glue, gem stones, gloss varnish, alphabet stickers). Kids can add their own photos and creativity to the included materials to personalize their pet ornaments. It is a fun and easy project that provides a creative way for kids to express their love for their pets. "Pet Ornaments are perfect for holidays or anytime," Co-President Mike Greenwald of BowWowMeow told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 20, 2008.

This 11 oz. ceramic coffee mug with Loteria graphics is distinctive because it is "decorated with classic (vintage) graphics from [the] famous Loteria game of Mexico," Owner Alonso Flores of Xochico told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

An unassuming colored dome a little bit larger than an egg, the zOrb packs powerful magnification once plugged in by simple USB connection. This tiny microscope zooms the viewer in from 35 to 53x magnification depending on the size of the computer screen. Focus can be refined by twisting the top half of the zOrb one way or the other, and pictures can be easily captured for later use. Also takes video footage. Includes software on CD, two base adaptors, and instruction manual. USB cable attached.

Trampoline®’s colorful posters featuring theme-based Spanish vocabulary and phonetic pronunciations can be used to complement a Spanish program. Posters come in 23 themes, including Alphabet, Days of the Week, Months of the Year, Shapes, The House, Transportation, Numbers 1-20, Numbers 21-100, Opposites 1 and 2, Colors, Parts of the Classroom, School Supplies, Family, Food, Fruit, Vegetables, My Body (1) – The Face, My Body (2) – The Body, Clothing, Weather, Animals (1) – Farm/Pets and Animals (2) – Zoo. "Spanish words with phonetic spellings make second language acquisition a possibility in ANY classroom," Angelica J. Menefee, president of Trampoline Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 30, 2008.

This hand-tufted wool rug was created by artist Donna Ingemanson. "The intricacy and uniqueness of the design and quality of the hand-tufted wool," set it apart, Product Designer Carly Gray of Oopsy Daisy told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

Through engaging and practical exercises, this guide teaches young girls valuable lessons to help them lead financially secure and independent lives. It is "written by The Women's Foundation of California with an introduction by Kathleen Brown, former Treasurer of the State of California," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.

Much more than an atlas, this book is a virtual travel experience. It includes more than 40 maps, 30 feature articles on impressive places, more than 50 eye-popping 3-D photos of the world's most interesting sights, and two pairs of 3-D glasses. It "brings geography to life," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

The No. 1-selling kids' almanac becomes a fun educational tool in this trivia deck series for kids. Coded by age range and subject, each deck includes 75 fun and educational brainteasers that build skills in science, math, reading and vocabulary. "The World Almanac brand is widely recognized and trusted," pointed out Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity at Chronicle Books. This product received a 2008 Parents' Choice Recommended Award and a 2006 National Parenting Publications Toy Award, Gold Honor. Launch date: May 2008.

With this craft, children can have fun cutting, pasting and assembling their own personal pet (potty training not required). "Kumon 3-D Paper Craft workbooks are designed to help children develop problem-solving and spatial reasoning abilities, as well as fine motor skills," Adam Hennessy, in marketing and account management for Kumon Publishing, told TDmonthly. "Their extra-thick paper and colorful, engaging illustrations ensure that children will be able to create a sturdy and engaging paper toy that will provide an educational and entertaining experience." Launch date: January 10, 2006.