The Few, The Proud...The Award-Winning Toys!
Who Made the Cut This Year?
By Alison Marek and Julie L. Jones
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:
Sharing the Same Stars by Leeny and Tamara by LEENY TUNES
 "Sharing the Same Stars" by Leeny and Tamara features 14 original songs about topics including ladybugs, seat belt safety, the epidermis, shyness and kindness.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Recommended Award; 2010 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Rising Star honoree; 2010 Independent Music Awards (IMA) Song of the Year nominee for "Ladybug, Ladybug, Ladybu-u-ug"; 2009 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award.
6/25/2010 (Price: $15.00; Age: 2 to 9) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Word FRENZY Card Game by TAME TIGER LLC.
 Word FRENZY is a fast-paced, word-forming card game that aims to foster spelling, vocabulary, word association and math skills. Playing with letter cards, players try to be the first to collect cards that spell a four-letter word relating to a category. "It's stealth education made fun!" Tame Tiger Marketing VP Steve Kam told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 Parents' Choice Approved Award; 2009 Dr. Toy's Best Picks; 2009 The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2010 Family Review Center Gold Award; 2010 Family Review Center Editor's Choice Award
6/25/2010 (Price: $19.99; Age: 10 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Goodwood Deconstruction Blocks by AROUNDSQUARE
 Goodwood is a system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite imaginative and creative play. The precisely crafted blocks allow for building in every dimension, creating structures that are architecturally interesting and visually pleasing. The system includes seven intercompatible sets, each intended to be fun and interesting on its own, and to combine in fascinating ways with the others. These colored blocks are made from forest-friendly wood and are CPSIA tested. "The abstract, innovative shapes of the Goodwood blocks, which fit together in surprising and interesting ways, cultivate truly open-ended explorative play," Around Square President Matthew Hiebert told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Products Award
6/25/2010 (Price: $30.00; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
A Sunny Day by JULIE K MUSIC
 "A Sunny Day" captures all the fun and wonder of a child's day from sun up to lights out. With an eclectic mix of melodies, playful lyrics and inviting vocals, Julie K takes children on an exciting train ride, a trip to the zoo, flying high jumping like a jumping bean and more.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Award; 2010 Dr. Toys Best Vacation Product Award; 2010 Dove Family Approved seal from the Dove Foundation
6/25/2010 (Price: $14.98; Age: 0 to 10) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Cliko by FOXMIND GAMES
 An exquisite game of spatial logic where players attempt to reconstruct 3D models based on 2D images. Logical analysis is brought into play as players progress trying to resolve the more advanced challenges. This ingenious game is for players, 8 years and over, who enjoy sophisticated puzzles.
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council
6/23/2010 (Price: $34.95; Age: 8 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Tangramino by FOXMIND GAMES
 Using the Architect precision blocks, players attempt to replicate the Tangram models illustrated in the challenges book. Initially, the puzzles are illustrated on a scale of 1:1 allowing players to experiment on the puzzle surface itself. As players advance, the illustrated models are reduced, thereby introducing the concept of scale. In addition, players are required to use the pieces horizontally and vertically, exposing them intuitively to more advanced concepts in geometry. Tangramino offers creative play for players 6 years and over.
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council
6/23/2010 (Price: $34.95; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Oops by FOXMIND GAMES
 In this delightful and deceptively simple logic puzzle game, players attempt to figure out the necessary moves that will permit to assemble back Simon, the scattered magician. An escalating level of difficulty allows children to start playing and progress at their own pace. Rather quickly, however, the game attains a level presenting a fun filled challenge to any puzzle loving adult.
Awards: Game of the Year 6/6 Consumer Guide of Canada
6/23/2010 (Price: $24.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Dig-It by FOXMIND GAMES
 It's a great day to be a dog in the park. The sun is shining, there are no cats to be seen... and the tantalizing whiff of a big, crunchy bone can be smelled from somewhere nearby. But shuffling around the patches of turf to dig it up is going to require creativity and cleverness.
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council 6/6 Consumer Guide of Canada
6/23/2010 (Price: $24.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Trixo by FOXMIND GAMES
 Anyone who can play Tic Tac Toe can learn this seemingly simple game. Trixo is played by up to 4 players. Memory, tactic and a drop of luck are the ingredients needed to prevail.
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council
6/23/2010 (Price: $14.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Hands Up by FOXMIND GAMES
 An exhibition of rare diamonds is in town and several gangs of thieves are planning a heist. A sharp mind and lightning-quick reflexes may help you outwit these gangsters. So get going!
Awards: Triple Star Canadian Toy Testing Council
6/23/2010 (Price: $11.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Following are some of the programs represented in TDmonthly.com's section of award winners: Dr.
Toy, iParenting
Media Awards, TIA
T.O.T.Y., Oppenheim
Toy Portfolio, The
National Parenting Center, and Parents'
Choice Awards.
You may also access TDmonthly's review
section to see which products earned 5 TD stars.
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