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:

Little Soles™ Urban Infants by LITTLE SOLES INC.

Little Soles Urban Infants Collection is designed to suit early walkers in size 3 to 8. The shoes are free from harmful dyes and toxins, feature premium Leathers sourced specifically to surpass the standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada or the CPSC, and are tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO colourants or Dyes, formaldehyde content and seven toxic elements (lead, arsenic, antimony, barium, mercury, cadmium and selenium). A full leather upper, inside and out, allows for optimal comfort and breathability, and the soft, flexible outsole is suited to pre-walking and early walking. The shoes also offer heel counters for support, a padded ankle collar and a cushioned heel. They are sold in a reusable designer gift box and received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: April 30, 2009. 8/28/2009 (Price: $39.95; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Soles® by Little Soles® by LITTLE SOLES INC.

Baby Soles by Little Soles are toxin-free crib shoes in size 0-2 or 0-9 months. The Baby Soles line has gone through rigorous testing procedures by an independent, internationally accredited company, to ensure that the shoes are free of harmful dyes and toxins. The shoes feature TPR outsole inserts at the toe and heel for traction and durability, an outsole design that allows for optimal surface feel when baby starts to cruise, styling designed to present a true footwear appearance instead of a slipper form; and premium leather sourced specifically to surpass the standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada. There are four levels of testing conducted prior to the manufacture of Baby Soles; all leathers along with the outsole are tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO Colourants or Dyes, formaldehyde content, and seven Toxic Elements. Baby Soles received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: December 31, 2008. 8/28/2009 (Price: $34.95; Age: 0 to 1) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Addition & Subtraction Rap DVD by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.

Led by D.J. Doc Roc, positive lyrics, cool rap music and high-energy action characterize this educational DVD. Sums up to 18 and differences from 18 are covered in these "add and subtract songs." This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: August 25, 2009. 8/28/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Coursing Around by COURSING AROUND

Coursing Around's first edition offers 15 activity courses using sidewalk chalk. Designed to motivate kids to get off the couch and be active outside, it also offers an educational dynamic by helping kids learn their shapes, colors, numbers, and lefts and rights. Coursing Around received a 2009 iParenting Media Award in the Outstanding Product Toys and Games Category. Launch date: 2009. 8/28/2009 (Price: $19.95; Age: 3 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MistleToes Gift Set by PIGGY PAINT LLC

A festive red pouch unveils a set of Piggy Paint nail polishes in red, green and clear sparkle topcoat. "Piggy Paint is a natural, eco-friendly nail polish designed for fancy girls. Not only is it made in the USA, but all of our raw materials come from here as well," Melanie Hurley, CEO of Piggy Paint, told TDmonthly. This ideal stocking stuffer was Safbaby's Mom Approved and received a Child Tested Excellence Award. Launch date: August 2008. 8/28/2009 (Price: $26.50; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wings of Slumber by THE BANANA SLUG STRING BAND

This collection of bedtime lullabies uses vivid nature images and soothing melodies to take children to a place of warmth and security. This album was recorded with special guests George Winston, Laurie Lewis, George Kahumoku and many others. It received the following awards: 2005 iParenting Media Award, 200 Parents' Choice Silver Award, 2005 NAPPA (National Association of Parenting Publications Award) Gold Award, 2005 Early Childhood NEWS Director's Choice Award, and 2005 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award. Launch date: 2004. 8/28/2009 (Price: $15.00; Age: 0 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lovely Pregnancy by LOVELY BABY MUSIC

Designed to provide moments of serene rest and relaxation during pregnancy while positively influencing the development and well-being of the baby, this set includes three CDs. "From three months before birth, your baby will be able to listen to music," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. "Our new grown-up titles are also suitable for the same infants and babies that listen to the regular Lovely Baby CD series." "Lovely Pregnancy" was named 2009 CD of the Year by Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: August 17, 2009. 8/28/2009 (Price: $31.98; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lovely Sleepy Baby & The Sea by LOVELY BABY MUSIC

This collection of songs includes Raimond Lap's music and comforting sounds of the sea that aim to relax babies and toddlers, helping them fall asleep. The music can also be used to calm a child. "Lovely Baby is the first and only original music series in the world specifically created for the emotional, intellectual and social development of babies, prenatal - 3+ years," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 17, 2009. It was named 2008 CD of the Year by Creative Child Magazine. 8/28/2009 (Price: $15.98; Age: 0 to 4) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

CitiBlocs 200-Piece Wooden Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC

This 200-piece set is ideal for aspiring architects and engineers, as it allows individuals to build a whole city, or the highest tower. Citiblocs are made of woode in Vietnam and use a non-toxic, water-based stain. They come with a colorful building design guide. This product received a 2009 Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Launch date: June 15, 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $50.00; Age: 3 to 101) ENTER CITIBLOCS LLC TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sparkle Petals Dress by A WISH COME TRUE

Pretty in shades of pink, this dazzling dress features a skirt of petals. "Our award-winning products have been proudly manufactured in the USA for over 15 years and use the finest fabrics and trims to create truly sophisticated dress-up apparel," Renee Stojek, art director for A Wish Come True, told TDmonthly. It received a 2009 Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: August 2009. 8/19/2009 (Price: $56.00; Age: 3 to 7) [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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