November 2008 Notable Toys — Educational

Zula Tool Kits are a fun way to extend and enhance students' learning. They can experiment with the natural magnetism of a Lode Stone with the Zula Compass, identify clouds with a Zula Weather Window, learn the physics of magnification with the Zula Monocular, and discover how shadows can help them tell the time-of-day using the Zula Sun Dial. "Zula Tool Kits are a fun and exciting way to explore real science," Kristen Mayfield, program manager at Carolina Biological Supply Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

Students can explore the sun, moon, stars, clouds and astronauts as The Launch Pad for Learning™ engages them in hands-on "missions." It includes 30 Missions — Jr. Cadet (PreK-K) and Cadet (Grades 1-2) Activity Guides with 15 missions each; Classroom Posters — Spanish and English; Zula Bingo; and The Zula Patrol® 15 Missions DVD. "The Zula Patrol® is a popular children’s education program on PBS, and has exciting new educational programs and products that promote science and astronomy learning through engaging character-driven stories and activities," Program Manager Kristen Mayfield of Carolina Biological Supply Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

Enrich a child's knowledge with this Odyssey Magic Talking Farm Learning Toy. Watch as he or she giggles while playing and learning at the same time. The Learning Magic Talking Barnyard Learning Toy by Odyssey includes a Magic farm barn and pasture; six farm figures (farmer, horse, cow, chicken and sheep); and six learning modes, including Number, Color, Counting, Characters and Quiz modes. "This educational toy is not sold in big-box stores," assured Sal Irigoyen, president of Odyssey Marketing. Launch date: 6/1/2008

This colorful DVD shows how to write all "contemporary cursive" upper and lowercase letters in cursive, tips to remember letter connections, reminders on correct pencil grips and posture, and colorful graphics to not only show how the letters are written but to introduce cursive sight words to help children learn to read cursive writing. The DVD has received the following awards: 2008 Toy Man Seal of Approval and Editor's Choice Award, Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2008, 2008 Parents' Choice Approved Award, and 2008 Preferred Product Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: Summer 2008.

This nationally acclaimed DVD, teaches children to write upper and lowercase manuscript letters on lined paper, teaches ways to remember the proper pencil grip, introduces the children to letter sounds and 100+ sight words to develop early reading skills, and even provides tips on how to avoid letter reversals! It includes fun drawing breaks using letters to keep kids interested.

This new line of marine-inspired plush allows members to create their own virtual and interactive aquarium amid realistic ocean scenery. Each SeaPal comes with a secret code that allows kids to log on to www.seapalsworld.com where they can personalize an aquarium, play games, chat with other fish in the sea, explore reefs and shipwrecks, and learn about marine life. "This is the ultimate marine-inspired, web-interactive plush that lets kids build their own virtual aquarium amid realistic ocean scenery," said Stephanie Araujo, marketing coordinator for Russ Berrie. Launch date: 07/01/2008

Kids can build their favorite words over and over again with this fun pull-apart set. Mix and match with other pull-apart WordFriends to create new words. Launch date: 2008.

Kids can build their favorite words over and over again with this fun pull-apart set. Mix and match with other pull-apart WordFriends to create new words. Launch date: 2008.

The WordWorld HOUSE comes with A to Z letter blocks and 2 buildable WordFriends. Kids can build and rebuild the House scene as they learn new words and role-play with the engaging WordFriends. Includes a WordWorld DVD and a bucket for convenient storage.

My Plate-Mate is a first-of-its-kind children’s learning tool for eating. My Plate-Mate is a convenient spill-guard that attaches to the rim of any 8” to 9-1/2” round plate. It promotes independence and minimizes frustration for youngsters mastering self feeding. As a spill-guard, it also reduces messy clean up for parents. "My Plate-Mate is the only product available that offers toddlers the ability to eat confidently and independently while minimizing the mess that comes with meals at home or at a restaurant," said Paige Akabane, co-founder of Hatch. This product won a 2008 Outstanding Product, i-Parenting Media award and a 2008 Seal of Approval, The New Parents Guide. Launch date: 04/29/2008

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.

This beautifully illustrated floor puzzle measures 2' x 3' with 48 jumbo pieces, and features dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles. A bonus music CD features songs that teach about paleontology, the Brachiosaurus, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Stegosaurus and more. Launch date: October 2008.

Rufus and his canine friends act out 14 tongue-twisting nursery rhymes in this book by best-selling author and illustrator Iza Trapani. It features "fun, familiar rhymes with Iza Trapani's signature wit in words and pictures," Associate Director of Marketing Donna Spurlock of Charlesbridge Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

Think Green! is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book about simple ways kids (and adults) can help keep Earth clean and safe for all people, animals, fish and birds. It’s a fun book with easy-to-grasp everyday ideas, includes a page to personalize characters and new green ideas, and is a great gift idea for schools, libraries, non-profit fundraising and corporations. Several of the illustrations show website addresses of green-thinking resources. Think Green! is the "first children's book in history to have it's own eco-audit ... an environmental benefits statement explaining the resources saved by printing Think Green! on recycled/post consumer paper vs. virgin fiber," Jeanine Behr Getz, managing director and author for Kids Think Big, told TDmonthly. This book received a Dr. Toy 2008 Summer Vacation Award. Launch date: April 10, 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.

This follow-up to Paleo Sharks features a 390-million-year-old cockroach, a 320-million-year-old millipede, and many other ancient creepy crawlies. It offers "high-interest, educational info in an appealing, high-design format," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.

In this new series by award-winning author Sandra Markle, famous explorers take a backseat to the animals they encounter along the way. Through nimble writing and beautiful paintings, this series casts the past in a whole new light. "The author ... is an internationally known science education consultant," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 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.

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.

View-Master® Viewers are available in red, blue or black. Quality optics provides an awesome, eye-popping 3D experience. Each Viewer includes one View-Master® 3D reel. Different View-Master® 3D reels featuring favorite friends, fun themes, amazing animals and popular places are available.

America’s National Parks are some of the best places to view wildlife. Enjoy twenty-one eye-popping 3D images that bring you the sights of animals in their natural habitat.