November 2008 Notable Toys — Music

Kids can celebrate the magic of music with this handcrafted guitar that can be used for guitar classes, private lessons and study, or for play in a child's first “amateur band.”  A quality instrument is always beneficial when beginning the study of music, especially when the student is young. "This guitar is easy to play, tunable, and will help to keep a child pursuing one of the most rewarding pastimes in history: making music," Manager Kristy Schaffer of Schoenhut told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

With hip-hop, reggae and R&B grooves, the CD gets everyone dancing and singing while counting, spelling and learning. Kids love the high-energy sound and educational messages, and parents will be surprised and engaged by the cool and unconventional songs. The CD has been applauded nationally by parenting publications, teachers and music critics. It received a 2008 Parents' Choice Award and a 2008 National Parenting Publications Award. "Alphabet Rockers provides educational hip-hop to the preK-1st grade market, which is more often saturated with folk and traditional children's music," Kaitlin McGaw, co-owner of School Time Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 23, 2007.

From Tiger Electronics, this remote-controlled, 29" dancing robot moves and two wheels and can tote an iPod or MP3 player on its back. Equipped with flashing LED lights, stereo speakers and hands shaped like turntables, the Automated Music Personality robot uses Dynamic Balancing Technology in order to move in a way that seems to defy the laws of gravity. Launch date: November 2008.

With Crosley’s Memory Master turntable and CD recorder combo system, simply put on an LP or pop in a cassette, load a blank CD and press “record.” For computer savvy collectors, the Memory Master is USB-enabled for connection to Windows-equipped Macs™ and PCs, and includes a software suite for ripping and editing audio content. The Memory Master also allows one to spin records, play cassettes and CDs, or tune in to a favorite swing or big-band station on the analog AM/FM tuner, using the full-function remote control for hours of nostalgic enjoyment. "Reintroductions of original vintage radios and turntables feature the newest technologies graced by unforgettable Crosley stylings," Director of Marketing Elizabeth Braun of Crosley Radio told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

This Crosley 2/3 scale CD Jukebox is the finest replica of the most famous juke box ever produced, the Wurlitzer 1015. Updated for our times, it features a state-of-the-art, 10 compact disc changer, an AM/FM radio, a full-function remote control and a 42-disc storage base. The Crosley Jukebox is also equipped with four speakers and four transformers, each appropriately thermostatically controlled to keep the internal components cool for hours of endless enjoyment. Each unit is individually checked and tested extensively to meet the highest standards of quality workmanship. "Today, the Crosley name lives on with superbly detailed replicas that truly transcend time," Elizabeth Braun, director of marketing for Crosley Radio, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2001.

The Autorama CD represents a vintage icon, mimicking the clean, streamlined stylings of a classic 1950s automobile. From the sleek lines to the chrome grill side-mounted speakers, this beauty takes one back to the days of drive-ins and diners, but adds a hint of technological advance with a CD player. The Autorama CD features an AM/FM Radio, a three-speed turntable, a compact disc player and enough sophistication to render most enthusiasts speechless. Launch date: 2001.

Vinyls can be converted to CDs in minutes with just a few simple steps. The Keepsake allows old albums to be recorded in a digital audio format for high quality sound on a smaller, more modern compact disc. It easily interfaces with the USB port on any computer by utilizing the supplied software suite. However, if one still wants to enjoy albums old-style, Crosley’s Keepsake offers a three-speed turntable for listening enjoyment.

The Crosley Traveler Turntable is designed to reflect the portable stylings of yesteryear. This fan favorite is a three-speed, belt-driven turntable that plays 33 1/3, 45 and 78 RPM records. The Traveler includes modern conveniences, such as a diamond stylus needle and dynamic full-range stereo speakers. "Rich lines, retro designs and authentic crafting have made Crosley today’s premier vintage electronics manufacturer. True to the Crosley tradition, these replicas are as fabulous as they are functional, providing a delightful dose of nostalgia," Elizabeth Braun, director of marketing for Crosley Radio, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2001.

The thumb piano or marimba is easy to play and has a quiet soothing sound. By gently striking the ends of the keys with your thumbs, you can play familiar melodies and rhythms or improvise your own. It is a fun instrument to play since anything you play on it sounds good. "The Schoenhut Thumb Piano has twelve metal tongues or keys," explained Kristy Schaffer, manager of Schoenhut. "It is primarily a percussion rhythm instrument. Simple songs are easily tapped out using only your thumbs. It is tuned to the C key. Each instrument is handcrafted." It won a 2005 Dr. Toy Best Children's Vacation Products. Launch date: 2005

This music CD has songs about the everyday lives of kids and their silly, gross and wonderful behaviors. Life lessons give each song a happy ending. The short 1- to 2-minute song lengths and variety of styles keep families entertained for the whole CD. "It dares to discuss fighting, biting, boogers, burps, diapers, dirt and warts in an educational and entertaining way," said Chris Bihuniak, Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Owner of 4Boys. Launch date: 07/01/2008

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

Karaoke Edge is a new computer game published by Audiostream Inc. Karaoke Edge allows users to play the game in a computer or use it as a regular karaoke disc in a karaoke machine. Karaoke Edge offers users the chance to show off their vocal talents and be scored on their performances. New releases of Karaoke Edge are offered quarterly. "The Karaoke Edge computer game is included on a unique Hybrid CD+G disc which can be used in a variety of ways: Users can play the Karaoke Edge game, sing karaoke using a Windows PC, or use the disc in a karoke machine or regular CD player," explained Chris Wright, VP of sales for AUDIOStream. "This feature gives the product flexibility and an appeal to both karaoke machine owners and PC owners." Launch date: 07/29/2008

Refreshingly original, Grinning Streak includes some songs that are just plain goofy, a rap song about brushing your teeth, a beautiful lullaby, and songs about spaghetti, toes, connection, snorkeling, super-powers, and skin ... all in one package! “Linda Severt is the Beatles of Children's music. What she can do in a studio is mind blowing. Yowza!” -Chameleon Performance. This CD won a 2008 "Seal of Excellence" from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 04/01/2008.

This fun, interest-holding, tactile and visual tool allows any parent or teacher to teach music reading/playing to any student. The teacher needs no music training. NoteBlocks included in NoteWorks combine the principals of simple math and the basics of building blocks, allowing students to understand the essentials of music easily. A step-by-step, illustrated book is included. "This teaches actual reading and writing of music beginning at a very elementary level," Darlene Hanington, managing partner for NoteLogic LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2006.

Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand, and this CD offers both. Guided daily workout routines — warm up, aerobic exercise, cool down and brain-based moves to promote learning — are followed by fun and movtivating songs to help children make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Launch date: August 22, 2008.

This recent addition to the best-selling "30 Song" series allows users to print the PDF lyrics from a computer. Other titles include: "30 Preschool Songs," "30 Party Songs," "30 Learning Songs," "30 Nursery Rhymes" and "30 Silly Songs." The CD features "kid-friendly arrangments of traditional children's songs and many brand-new songs from the leader in children's educational music," Ken Carder, in product development for Twin Sisters Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

This preloaded MP3 player includes classic children’s songs like "B-I-N-G-O," "This Old Man" and more! Original learning songs teach the alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers, counting, personal safety rules and more, and kids can sing and wiggle with "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt," "I Met a Bear" and other silly songs. "There's nothing left to do but listen!" Product Development Manager Ken Carder of Twin Sisters Productions told TDmonthly. "No downloads, no playlists to manage [and] no concerns about inappropriate content." Launch date: February 15, 2008.

"A Child’s Christmas: Holiday Songs & Carols" offers a mix of children’s favorite holiday songs, beautifully arranged traditional carols, two stories and more to get families in the mood for Christmas. The CD contains 74 minutes of entertainment, song lyrics, and beautiful, 100-percent-recycled cardboard booklets. "Rock Me Baby Records offers collections of traditional songs (with a twist) that bridge generations with music and can become the soundtrack to a young child's life," VP Amy Steadman of Rock Me Baby Records told TDmonthly. This product received an iParenting Media Award. Launch date: September 2, 2008.

This award-winning CD of Spanish songs for children is full of fun, upbeat songs that teach children Spanish vocabulary, including letters, numbers, colors, parts of the body, activities and more. It surveys the wide landscape of Latin rhythms from salsa and merengue to corridos, cumbias, rumbas, rancheras and rock and roll. "The CD includes a Parents' and Teachers' Translation Guide that translates every word in the CD, as well as including all lyrics," CEO Heidi Stock of Whistlefritz told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: May 21, 2008.

Personalized children's CDs sing or say your child's name multiple times. A personal message printed on the label makes it even more special. More than 4,000 phonetic names are available in 50+ collections. Funshine Music represents the BEST producers of these unique gifts for kids. "The ability to represent the top four producers from just one source — Funshine Music — [creates] a one-stop shopping opportunity for personalized music," said Owner Tricia Shelton of Funshine Music, noting that she reps Mediak, Just Me! Music, Kids' Juke Box/Marvel for Kids, and That's Me Sports. Launch date: 2008.

Lovely Baby creator, Raimond Lap, has composed a collection of 10 special songs celebrating the importance of moms everywhere, and their integral role in their baby's development. This unique collection will surely strengthen the natural bond between mother and child. "Lovely Baby is the only original music series in the world specifically created for babies. Virtually all others consist of music that is altered and rehashed to appeal to parents, with no regard for how it might affect babies," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly.

Due to the overwhelming reaction to the original "Baby Christmas" CD, Raimond Lap returned to the studio to create the "Baby Christmas 2" CD. It features eleven beautiful songs for this special time of year, including four original compositions. "Lovely Baby is the only original music series in the world specifically created for babies. Virtually all others consist of music that is altered and rehashed to appeal to parents, with no regard for how it might affect babies," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007.

"Lovely Baby Brain Power," a specially priced four-disc set, is the latest release from Lovely Baby creator and international baby music expert, Raimond Lap. "Brain Power" continues the fine tradition as the most effective way to gently stimulate the young mind through music. "This is the only original music series in the world specifically created for babies. Virtually all other music available has been adapted and packaged to appeal to parents, without any thought as to what it is actually doing for the baby. Lovely Baby is also the highest quality music (sonically) available for babies," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007.