The Few, The Proud…The Award-Winning Toys

Who Made the Cut This Year?

Thousands of products are introduced to the toy industry every year, but only a limited number are good enough, playable enough and innovative enough to garner an award.

In addition to issuing TDmonthly Awards, TDmonthly Magazine regularly asks manufacturers to present their award winners to our readers so that retailers can quickly identify products with great potential and manufacturers can learn and be inspired by others' successes. Here are the most recent responses:

Letters & Numbers by HELP ME 2 LEARN COMPANY

Beginning reading and math builds the foundation for success with this content-packed interactive program. Includes 11 sing-a-long songs and 15 two-level activities to teach children letter names, numbers, phonics, basic addition and more. The Super Star System gives students an incentive to repeat an activity until a gold star is awarded. Winner of a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval 9/11/2008 (Price: $24.95; Age: 2 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Brain Boogie Boosters by THE LEARNING STATION

This 19-track album is specially created to get kids moving while also aiding the learning process. It features original music by Don and Laurie Monopoli of the Learning Station, both of whom collaborated with Dr. Becky Bailey of Loving Guidance Inc. on the lyrics. Stop-and-go activities boost attention spans, songs for breathing and stretching help relieve stress, and "connecting songs" improve impulse control skills. Tracks include "Itsy Ditsy Spider," "Boogie Rock," "Watch Me Listen" and "It's a Marvelous Day." "Music and movement is part of every young child's life. Why not make those movements into brain-boosting experiences that help those little brains grow?" asked Laurie Monopoli, educational coordinator for The Learning Station. This CD received a 2008 CD of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine, as well as a 2008 Directors' Choice Award. It was also named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products and 10 Best Audio-Video Products for 2008. The album is available on the company's website in both CD and downloadable formats. Both include a 20-page booklet with lyrics, movements and brain-boosting activities. Launch date: May 15, 2008. 8/28/2008 (Price: $15.00; Age: 3 to 8) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grinning Streak by LINDA SEVERT

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. 8/21/2008 (Price: $13.00; Age: 4 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Steps4Kids to Write Cursive by Steps4Kids®, LLC

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. 8/21/2008 (Price: $19.99; Age: 7 to 101) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Steps4Kids to Write Their ABCs by Steps4Kids®, LLC

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. 8/21/2008 (Price: $19.99; Age: 4 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rue, The Monster of Insecurity by THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC

Rue, the irresistible Monster of Insecurity hides behind flowers because he thinks he's different. He doesn’t realize that his unusual features make him interesting.  He thinks that his nose just doesn't "fit" with his shaggy hair, cheese curl ears and fluffy wings. How silly! What he needs is a little encouragement. Won't you tell him he is perfect just the way he is? Rue is a part of the The WorryWoo Monsters series that tackles complicated feelings and transforms them into quirky, loveable characters. Rue and "The Nose That Didn't Fit" won a 2009 Excellent Product Award from iParenting Media and the 2009 Toy of the Year Award (category: storybook and plush) from Creative Child Magazine. 8/1/2008 (Price: $21.50; Age: 3 and up) ENTER THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Nose That Didn't Fit by THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC

Ever felt that your feet are too big or your ears stick out? If so, you will be able to relate to Rue, The Monster of Insecurity in his new story The Nose That Didn't Fit. Follow his silly antics as he attempts to change himself only to find out that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In this, the second book of the WorryWoo series, Author Andi Green explores the emotional world of insecurity through captivating illustrations and a playful tale. Rue and "The Nose That Didn't Fit" won a 2009 Excellent Product Award from iParenting Media and the 2009 Toy of the Year Award (category: storybook and plush) from Creative Child Magazine. 8/1/2008 (Price: $14.50; Age: 5 and up) ENTER THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Plaja Pets - Muga the Elephant by SMALL WORLD TOYS

Plaja Pets are magnetically mixable plush that allow children to use their imaginations to create hundreds of new animals oombinations. The Mini Plaja Pets measure 4" in height and are offered in 12 designs. The product received an iParenting Media Award. The larger, 8" size is available in six designs. Launch date: September 2008. 7/31/2008 (Price: $6.99; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BabyBeeCool® Universal Cooler Pad by BabyBeeCool

The BabyBeeCool® Universal Cooler Pad does everything the Car Seat Cooler Pad does and so much more! It is a larger cooler pad for all seats, infants to adults that fits all car seats. It can also serve as a pet cooler for the floor or crate, a steering wheel cooler, and also function as a beverage or food cooler. Folds up neatly and the shoulder straps keep the hands free. BabyBeeCool received The Toy Man Seal of Approval in 2008. 7/25/2008 (Price: $59.99; Age: 0 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cards by Kids custom Greeting Cards by CARDS BY KIDS

Cards by Kids turns your children's artwork into one-of-a kind greeting cards. Children's masterpiece artwork are transformed into items such as birthday cards, party invitations, thank you notes, etc. The 4.5" x 6" cards are blank inside and come with 100% recycled paper envelopes. Parents can order directly to preserve their child's artwork forever, and to have cards on hand for any occasion. For schools and organizations, these cards present a creative fundraising idea. Cards are sold in a pack of 10. 7/17/2008 (Price: $16.95; Age: 0 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

To view more products and learn more about each award, please click on the following links: TDmonthly Awards, Dr. Toy, iParenting Media Awards, TIA T.O.T.Y., ASTRA, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, The National Parenting Center, Family Review Center, Parents' Choice Awards, Canadian Toy Testing Council, Mr. Dad, The Toy Man Product Guide, Teachers' Choice Awards, NAPPA, Toy Wishes Ultimate Toy Awards and MAJOR FUN. You can also access TDmonthly's review sections to see which products earned 5 TD stars.

And to learn more about how award winners are chosen, read What Makes an Award-Winning Toy.

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