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:

Every Child Deserves a Lifetime: Songs from the For Our Children Series by SHOUT! FACTORY

The CD includes classic renditions of kid songs sung by Sting, Natalie Merchant, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Bette Midler, Faith Hill, Babyface, Barbra Streisand, Little Richard, Cher, Carly Simon & James Taylor, Luther Vandross, Brian Wilson and more. Proceeds benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. “Many of these songs are exclusive to this CD and available nowhere else,” Shout! Factory Marketing Director Michael Ribas told TDmonthly.This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: October 9, 2007. 1/11/2008 (Price: $13.98; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Not a Box by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Inspired by a memory of sitting in a box on her driveway with her sister, author and illustrator Antoinette Portis captures the thrill of when one’s imagination takes over. Using a bunny, a cardboard box and simple illustrations, Portis demonstrates how a box can transform into a mountain, a rocket ship, a racecar and much more. This product is a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book Award and ALA Notable Children’s Book Award winner. Launch date: December 2006. 1/11/2008 (Price: $12.99; Age: 0 to 6) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

QuickZip™ Crib Sheet by CLOUDS AND STARS INC.

The patented two-piece QuickZip Crib Sheet Set is designed to be simple, safe and stylish. The top zips off the base for easy changing, so there is no more mattress wrestling or constant tying and untying of bumper ribbons. Unlike loose-fitting sheets that can cause an entanglement danger to your baby, QuickZip fits snugly around the mattress. The 200 thread-count, 100-percent cotton sheet fits mattresses 52” x 27” and 5” to 7” thick — standard crib and toddler bed mattresses. It comes in white, ecru, yellow, green, pink gingham, green gingham and organic cotton varieties. “The QuickZip™ Crib Sheet can be changed without moving the mattress or bumper, and stays securely on the mattress,” Joan Henehan of Clouds and Stars told TDmonthly. This product won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: August 2002. 1/10/2008 (Price: $34.99; Age: 0 to 4) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Portable Play Yard Sheet by CLOUDS AND STARS INC.

This play yard sheet is made of high-quality fabric for supreme comfort. The company quilted together two layers of 200 thread-count pre-shrunk cotton for the top surface and then created a sheet that works like a pillow case. Simply remove the mattress from the play yard, slip it into the soft, durable sheet, and secure the hook-and-loop closures for an easy fit. It measures 27” x 38” x 1" and fits most play yard mattresses, including PackNPlay and CoSleeper brands. This product won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: August 2002. 1/10/2008 (Price: $17.99; Age: 0 to 2) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Skill-Building Buddies: Handling Transitions and Change by MAZZARELLA MEDIA

As part of a series created to meet the needs of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, this 30-minute program teaches social interaction skills related to handling change and transition. It features animated characters, live-action segments and music videos. "There are so few products in the marketplace that address specific needs for children with autism. [This] series uses bright, bold colors and even pacing so kids can follow along [with] the gentle messages quite easily," Andrea Blain of Andrea Blain PR told TDmonthly. This series received the 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: April 1, 2008. 1/9/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 5 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Friends Forever Girl - Reina by FRIENDS FOREVER GIRLS

This doll and book set is all about Reina. Reina means "Queen" in Spanish. Reina wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up because of her love for animals. She works really hard in school so she can get good grades to become an animal doctor. She became friends with Marlee and Natalie when she and her family moved to the new neighborhood and became neighbors. Reina received a 10 Best Educational Products for 2008 Award from Dr. Toy. 1/8/2008 (Price: $89.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moby Wrap Baby Carrier by MOBY WRAP INC.

This ultra-soft carrier is made from 100-percent stretchy cotton and instantly customizes to fit every baby and baby wearer in complete comfort and security. Each wrap comes with a full-color instructional booklet that features many different carrying positions, as well as helpful hints on breastfeeding, baby wearing and exercise. Wraps are available in a variety of colors, styles and prices and are intended for babies weighing between 5 lbs. and 35 lbs. This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: April 2003. 1/8/2008 (Price: $55.00; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Character Creator: Robots JR by PLAY ODYSSEY INC.

With this set, young children can create quirky robot characters and simple machines from a variety of easy to handle reusable stickers. This travel friendly play set is packaged in a practical folder/booklet that includes plenty of models for inspiration, a generous play surface and more than 100 mechanical parts. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: November 2007.
— “Most sticker sets are primarily designed to foster imaginary play, and include a variety of self contained pieces to assemble a scene,” Meera Gill of Play Odyssey Inc. told TDmonthly. “Character Creator is more versatile in that it is both an imaginary play and construction toy.” 1/2/2008 (Price: $12.99; Age: 4 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Globe-Toddlers™ Adventures in Mexico DVD by TOT TALK INC.

Awarded “DVD of the Year 2008” by Creative Child Magazine, the DVD features Mexican folklore music and episodes full of playful puppets, costumed children and wild creatures. The language can be set English, Spanish, French or Chinese, allowing parents the option of exposing their children to other languages. Launch date: December 22, 2007.
— “This DVD covers a variety of entertaining and educational topics (e.g. pirates, butterfly metamorphosis, desert and cacti, ocean fish and exotic animals and plants, Mexican food, birthday celebration Mexican-style, soccer and much more,” Sara Danzelaud of Tot Talk Inc. told TDmonthly. 1/2/2008 (Price: $19.99; Age: 1 to 4) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eat, Speak, Explore & Draw Placemat – Mexico! by TOT TALK INC.

The USA-made mat presents over 60 colorful pictures with associated Spanish words and a map of Mexico. Additionally, the mat itself can be used as a huge coloring pad. This product is a 2007 Dr. Toy Ten Best Educational Products Award winner. Launch date: September 2007.
— “One can draw or practice writing [on the mat] with washable markers and wipe clean!” Sara Danzelaud of Tot Talk Inc. told TDmonthly. 1/2/2008 (Price: $12.50; Age: 3 to 15) [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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