My Best Sellers: Pufferbellies Toys & Books

Balls, Bugs and Blankets Bring Money to Downtown

Rody Horse - Yellow by TOYMARKETING INTERNATIONAL INC.

Designed to help young children learn balance and coordination, the inflatable Rody Horse is made of strong, latex-free vinyl. Its ride-on qualities and softness make it suitable for therapy, too.
— “The Rody is good for little guys — definitely No. 1 there,” Linda Hamm, owner of Early Work Toy Station in Petaluma, Calif., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 of the top-selling ride-on toys in her store.
— “People love them for the age range,” added Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noting that Rody’s high weight limit contributes to its status as a customer favorite. It’s been a best seller for a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009.
— Of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009, seven named the Rody Horse as a best-selling ride-on. Three of 64 retailers named Rody as a top-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009. 3/27/2009 (Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bananagrams by BANANAGRAMS

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The fast-moving word game consists of 144 ivory-like letter tiles in a funky, zippered banana pouch. Players place the tiles face down on the table and randomly select 21 tiles. The players turn their letters right-side up simultaneously and proceed to form as many intersecting and interconnecting words as possible from their own letters, which can be rearranged as many times as desired throughout the game. This product received the 2009 TOTY Game of the YEAR award, 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award and earned the following in 2007: iParenting Media Award, Parents' Choice Recommended Award and Dr. Toy Best Products Award. (Read Review) (Watch Games Expo Video)
― The folks at Bananagrams transformed great-auntie’s game night into fast-playing, fruity-colored fun in a banana sack. The irresistible display of hanging Bananagrams bunches makes it an easy sell, and a natural winner of a TDmonthly Top Seller 2007 award.
— In terms of 2007 holiday stocking stuffers, “Bananagrams [were] selling immediately,” Rick Henry of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Mass., told TDmonthly. Eight of 66 retailers vouched for its best-selling status in May 2008; seven of 63 did in September 2008. Shani Watmough of Planet Toys in Rockland, Maine, said her store sells about 60 per month. Six of 64 retailers named Bananagrams as a best-selling travel toy in March 2009.
— “People have really found a way to use it as an extension of language skills,” Lori Lind of Brainwaves Toy Shop in Narragansett, R.I., said in mid-2008, citing alternative rules her customers have adopted. 6/19/2006 (Price: $14.99; Age: 7 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Elly and Eddy ZWindups by CALIFORNIA CREATIONS

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These performing windup animals have multiple functions. The ball spins, their ears move, they stand up, then lie down and spin. Launch date: 2009.
— ZWindups have been on the top-10 best-seller list for at least a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton told TDmonthly in September 2009. 8/31/2009 (Price: $4.99; Age: 3 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

HEXBUG Inchworm by INNOVATION FIRST INC.

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The HEXBUG Inchworm is the first Micro Robotic Creature in the HEXBUG line to feature a full-function IR remote control. Users drive the Inchworm forward, back, left and right. A and B control bands allow users to control two Inchworms at once or multiple Inchworms on the same band. The product features a unique crawling and pirouette motion around its center pod foot. "This unique HEXBUG Micro Robotic impulse item is offered in a five-pack impulse counter display with five-color variety assortment," Joel Carter, VP of marketing for Innovation First, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 15, 2008.
— The Inchworm has been a top seller at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., for at least a year, according to co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009. 10/2/2008 (Price: $19.99; Age: 8 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pink Butterfly Drinking Bottle by CROCODILE CREEK

This environmentally friendly, 13-oz. drinking bottle is made from food-grade stainless steel and measures 7" H x 2.5" D. For use with water, juice or milk, the bottle is lead safe and free from BPA and phthalates. It is completely recyclable, and various designs are available.
— These water bottles have been recent best sellers at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., according to co-owner Susan Blanton in September 2009. 7/22/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Miracle Blanket by MIRACLE INDUSTRIES LLC

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These swaddling blankets are designed to stay in place without Velcro or zippers to help babies sleep longer and stay on their backs to help prevent SIDS. They are also guaranteed to stop colic.
— Miracle Blankets have been recent best sellers at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 10/9/2009 (Price: $29.90) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ultra Stomp Rocket by D & L COMPANY

This innovative kit won the iParenting Media Award, iParenting Hot Award and Dr. Toy Award for Best Children´s Vacation Toy. Stomp on the launch pad and a blast of air propels the Ultra Stomp Rocket over 200' in the air. The kit contains four rockets with the OG-1 Nosecone. “We are the original creator. Stomp Rockets started the "stompin' revolution," Cynthia Peeks of D&L Co. told TDmonthly, stressing that Stomp Rockets are known for their name, quality and safety.
— Four of 45 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly in summer 2007 said the Stomp Rocket's success makes it a choice gift. They reported unit sales figures from four to dozens a month.
— Nine percent of 66 retailers named the Stomp Rocket as a best-selling gift for boys in July 2008. "If a dad comes in, he'll walk out with one for himself," said Paul Faustine of Red Dragon Toys in Brunswick, Maine. "We sell about 75 a month," Marilyn Walker, owner of Play Fair Toys in Boulder, Colo., told TDmonthly in early 2009.
— Despite multiple complaints about its durability, the Ultra Stomp Rocket received an average of 4.5 stars among 17 Amazon.com customers for being fun for all ages and pleasantly surprising when it comes to the distance the rockets can be launched. The toy is best used in open areas and is not recommended for city folk. Rockets are easy to lose and break, but refills are just as easy and cheap to find! (9.9.08)
— “I think I could sell Stomp Rockets all day,” said Kristen Pollard, owner of Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., when asked about best-selling boys' gifts. Thirteen percent of 47 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2009 that Stomp Rockets are a best seller for boys.  7/21/2009 (Price: $15.00; Age: 8 and Up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Oball Rattle by RHINO TOYS INC.

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This 4"-diameter ball features not only the colorful, clutchable design of the original Oball, but is also outfitted with beads that add a rattling dimension to the product when shaken.
— These spherical rattles have been consistent best sellers for over a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., as reported by Co-owner Susan Blanton in September 2009. 3/4/2009 (Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Slice and Bake Cookies by MELISSA & DOUG

This set of 12 wooden, sliceable cookies offers creative play for young bakers. The realistic-looking cookies come in a durable dough tube.
— The set was listed as a best seller in spring 2009 at Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore. “The set is good for fun, educational and creative play,” Owner Patricia Fiedler told TDmonthly.
— This cookie set has been on the top-10 best seller list at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., for at least a year, Co-owner Susan Blanton told TDmonthly in fall 2009. 4/9/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 3 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magformers by RAINBOW PRODUCTS

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This magnetic construction set features 108 powerful magnets permanently encapsulated inside 18 jewel-toned square Magformers and 12 triangle Magformers. The magnets rotate to their attraction position upon contact, so Magformers always connect regardless of their polarity. Watch in amazement as Magformers "form" into three-dimensional structures. Magformers received an Oppenheim Gold Award as well as the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. The product’s “magnetic connector concept allows the end user to create quick, magical 3-D models,” President Larry Hunt of Rainbow Products told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2006.
— Magformers are a best seller at Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., Owner Michelle Smith told TDmonthly in Dec. 2008. “We have them on a play table,” she said. Magformers have been best sellers for at least a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton said in September 2009.
— Two of 51 specialty retailers named Magformers as an overall best seller when surveyed in early 2009. Two of 49 retailers surveyed by TDmonthly in spring 2009 listed Magformers as a top-selling construction toy in their stores.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Centre in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly during an April 2009 survey that he sells between 100 and 150 sets of Magformers per month. Magformers are also a best seller at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly in August 2009. 4/14/2006 (Price: $34.98; Age: 5 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Writer's Bio: Brenda Ruggiero is a freelance writer from western Maryland. Read more articles by this author

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