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:

So Smart! Sleepytime by SO SMART! PRODUCTIONS

This classical music CD of songs performing by leading orchestras is designed to help little ones drift off to sweet sleep. It received the Early Childhood News Directors Choice Award. 2/12/2008 (Price: $12.98; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

So Smart! Letters by SO SMART! PRODUCTIONS

Specially developed for babies and toddlers and set to a world-class, classical music soundtrack, this 30-minute DVD introduces the alphabet to the youngest ages as shapes transform into letters and familiar objects, from Apple to Zebra. It includes printable story cards and fun games that can be played on a television using the TV remote. It was named Parenting Magazine’s Video of the Year. 2/12/2008 (Price: $16.98; Age: 1 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Thomas & Friends™: Engines and Escapades by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

Thomas and his friends are featured in six new adventures, including "Cool Truckings," "Skarloey Storms Through" and "Wash Behind Your Buffers." In addition, children can sing-along with the puffing steam cloud to two music videos. The DVD has an approximate running time of 50 minutes. This product received a 2008 Parents' Choice Approved award. Launch date: March 4, 2008.
— According to Bennie Campbell, owner of ABC Toys in Conway, Ark., “Thomas the Train always has been” the stores’ hottest selling line. 2/8/2008 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rapid 4® Wood by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

The wooden version of the quick-connection game involves both luck and strategy. Players take turns dropping marbles through the maze of levers in order to get a winning combination of four marbles in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal. The removal of a fifth marble in a column allows for continuous play and unexpected twists. The beautiful, fold-up wood design makes Rapid 4® Wood attractive when left out in a den and a snap to pack up and take on vacation. This product is a Dr. Toy Best Product Award winner. Launch date: June 2008. 2/4/2008 (Price: $44.95; Age: 8 and up) ENTER UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC. TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Destruct 3© by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

Players build the tower, roll the dice to determine the destructive device and then knock down the tower with the Catapult, the Pendulum or the Ramp. The entire set is made from beautiful, sustainable rubber-tree wood. This game received a 2007-2008 Informal Education Products Award. Launch date: June 2008. 1/29/2008 (Price: $69.99; Age: 8 and up) ENTER UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC. TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Face-Off Frenzy PowerBand Hockey by FUN SLIDES TOYS AND GAMES

This hockey game is specially designed for play on carpets and hard floors. The game’s PowerBand Technology creates high-speed ricochet action without the noise of traditional air hockey. The game comes with two carpet pucks, two surface protector pads, two Quick Flip Goalie mallets and a frame that can be converted to three different sizes: 34” x 64”, 34” x 49” and 34” x 34”. The game’s lightweight and portable design makes the it easy to store and transport. This product received a 2008 NAPPA Gold Award. 1/29/2008 (Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Telepaths by OUTSET MEDIA

In this game, players guess what their teammates will associate with various words and pictures, and try to match answers. Players only have 30 seconds to come up with matching words, so the game is a race against time and other players. A trilingual edition in English, French and Spanish is also available. This product is a National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award, Canadian Toy Testing Council Best Bet Award and 2004 Games Magazine Games 100 Award winner. Launch date: 2008. 1/29/2008 (Age: 8 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Campfire Kev and Mary Lafleur: The Pet Project by CAMPFIRE KEV

The album uses folk, bluegrass, country, pop and rock to celebrate the prestigious place animals hold in the lives and lore of people all over the world. Inspired by the 2006 Collaborative Summer Library Program, "Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales," the CD contains songs about presidential pets, funny farm animals, proper pet care, plush and plastic playmates, save-the-day dogs, animal rescues, pets in the Dewey decimal system and more. This product is a Parents’ Choice Award and Children’s Music Web Awards winner. 1/29/2008 (Price: $14.97) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Songs From a Naturalist's Notebook, Children's Nature Songs by NATURE THEATRE

The record includes both fan favorites and new tunes, all with lyrics teaching youngsters about the glorious natural world. Foster also draws upon the musical talents of friends, resulting in infectious instrumentations. This product is a 2006 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award winner. Launch date: 2006. 1/29/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cora Lee by Doris Stannat by MASTERPIECE DOLLS

Doris Stannat has sculpted a beautiful silicone/vinyl baby, Cora Lee, height 21”. Her face is so sweet and adorable. She has lovely blue eyes. Her cheeks are softly blushed in pink and her lips are painted a pretty pink to match her outfit as well. Doris has sculpted her with arms above the elbow and legs above the knee. Her blonde, baby-fine wig is adorably styled with a pretty pink bow. Her white over-dress is beautifully detailed with accents of eyelet lace. Her pink shirt is soft jersey. Her sneakers are a pretty pink with pink socks to match. Clown accessory included. Limited edition 350 pieces. This doll was a 2008 DOTY (Doll of the Year) Industry's Choice Award winner. 1/28/2008 (Price: $159.00) [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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