November 2008 Notable Toys — Creative Activities

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.

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.

Candles on the cake, friends and family, special foods and clothing, favorite presents ... children recount what makes their birthday so happy. Even very young children, with their parents' help, can create a wonderful book of personal memories and experiences using their own words, photos and drawings. They can have fun while practicing reading, writing and counting skills.

Children write and illustrate a story about their visit with Grandmother — what she looks like, where she lives, how they play, what they eat together, and how they feel about each other. Whimsical mice guide children through the book. Kids practice reading, writing and drawing skills while creating a special keepsake they will read again and again. "The book's interactivity allows parents, grandparents and children to share an engaging activity together, while showing children how much fun reading and writing their own story can be," Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 1, 2008.

Children create a book about their trip to the zoo by describing the short, tall, noisy, quiet, friendly and scary animals they encountered. Completing sentences with their own words, and illustrating the book with their own drawings or photographs, children relive the fun of their special day. Kids can improve reading, writing, comparing, and measuring skills. Parents enjoy helping, too. "By engaging the child as the writer and illustrator of his or her own personal story, this interactive book increases the child's motivation and enjoyment in reading," Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 1, 2008.

Tell The Tale Thumball has 32 Multi-colored panels, and is 4 inches in diameter. Each panel contains a story and an author, encouraging participants to retell familiar fairy tales, fables and modern classics to develop sequencing skills and oral expression. Inspires dramatic play, improvisation and cooperative team building. An ideal companion to Parts of A Story Thumball.