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:

YogaLand! The Australian Adventure by YOGA INSPIRATIONS

The DVD features the exclusive “yoga moment,” aerobic fitness and yoga poses, calming games and songs, an educational story and sense of adventure, parent/teacher instructions and testimonials. The Australian-themed DVD, led by certified teacher and yoga instructor Diane Cline runs 45 minutes long. It places a focus on mind, body, breathing and imagination, and teaches children Australian-themed yoga poses such as kangaroo, koala and bird. The video offers parents a powerful tool to engage children in the benefits of exercise with yoga told through story and techniques to help children calm down and focus. This item is a 2008 Parents' Choice Award, Creative Child Magazine's Preferred Choice Award, a Dr Toy Award and the Film Advisory Board's Award of Excellence winner. 4/3/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 4 to 10) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Andy's Airplanes Episode 1 by ANDY'S AIRPLANES

Andy Meets the Blue Angels is the first in the series of Andy and his best friend Yaygrr the black footed ferret as they travel the world to meet new kids and learn about history, geography, culture, science and of course about aviation. Andy’s Airplanes company mission is to “teach kids without ever having them feel like they are learning”. Episode 1 finds Andy meeting The Blue Angels and learning about Aircraft carriers. Episode 2, coming summer of 08 will have Andy going to Hawaii to learn about volcanoes and Hawaiian culture. 3/27/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

KID K'NEX Country Friends by K'NEX INDUSTRIES INC.

The colorful, 45-piece set is packaged in a convenient build-on storage case that comes with a handle for easy transport. The set also includes building ideas and instructions on how to create familiar animals from land to sea. This product is a 2007 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award winner. 3/26/2008 (Price: $9.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Breastfeeding Diaries by MEADOWBROOK PRESS

In this funny and true-to-life book about breastfeeding, readers will find 50 “diary” entries written by nursing mothers (and one dad) recounting their funnier-than-fiction misadventures. Whether you’re an experienced mom with your fair share of embarrassing nursing moments or a mom-to-be with no clue for what’s in store once you start breastfeeding, you’ll find this anthology of short stories charming, amusing and hilarious. It is edited by Kate Davis, “The Funny Mommy.” This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: October 2007. 3/26/2008 (Price: $8.00; ) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Last Day of Work - Fish Tycoon by LDW SOFTWARE LLC

In this virtual fish breeding game, players breed and cross breed fish until they find the seven Magic Fish of the island of Isola and solve the genetic puzzle. Players will need to buy supplies such as medication, eggs and special plants and then sell some of fish in your virtual pet store. “This game runs in true real-time meaning that your fish will keep growing even when your computer is off or you are not playing,” Last Day of Work Executive Producer Carla T. Humphrey told TDmonthly. This product won a 2006 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: November 14, 2005. 3/25/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Last Day of Work - Virtual Villagers: A New Home by LDW SOFTWARE LLC

The village simulator allows players to care for and nurture a tribe of little people by teaching  them the basics of survival. The object of the game is to teach the inhabitants to become farmers, builders, researchers and parents and make decisions on unpredictable island events. “This game runs in true real-time meaning that your little villagers will keep living even when your computer is off or you are not playing,” Last Day of Work Executive Producer Carla T. Humphrey told TDmonthly. This product won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 14, 2006. 3/25/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MySims by ELECTRONIC ARTS

The simulation game introduces a cast of whimsical characters while delivering creativity, customization and classic open-ended game play. Players build towns, grow communities and discover new worlds. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: September 2007. 3/25/2008 (Price: $49.99; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Adorable Girl - The Sporty Girl by ADORABLE ORIGINALS INC.

The soft-bodied doll instills in girls the value of beauty inside and out. Each doll comes with identity tag that invites parents and their daughters to log onto a fun and interactive website. “Each doll in the collection is uniquely expressive in her fashion flair and trademark hair,” Melanie Corpstein of Adorable Originals Inc. told TDmonthly, “but it is the positive esteem message carried by each huggable doll that makes them so popular with parents.” This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: Spring 2007. 3/25/2008 (Price: $39.95; Age: 3 to 9) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Family Online Safety Guide by SYMANTEC CORPORATION

The guide helps parents keep their family safe online. It provides information about online risks and dangers, as well as tips to keep children safe online. A free copy is available on the Norton website. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. 3/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

HealthRock® Lullabies For Kids of All Ages by HEALTHROCK LLC

Each original soothing and melodic track is intended to help children relax and fall asleep. “The music was created by an award winning physician/musician and the order of the songs [was] chosen to optimize relaxation” HealthRock LLC Creator and Producer Machelle Seibel, MD told TDmonthly. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: October 1, 2007. 3/25/2008 (Price: $16.98; 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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