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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:
Sweet Adeline Carrier Cover by PROTECT A BUB
 The cover is constructed of two layers of thermal polar fleece. It features a hood that rolls under when not in use and a Velcro tab that allows the cover to attach easily to carriers. The product eliminates struggles with hats, blankets and coats. Styles are available in red/navy and pink/navy. “Our versatility sets the Sweet Adeline apart from the competition,” Meghan Davis of Protect-a-Bub LLC told TDmonthly. “It can be used with Baby facing in or out and keeps Mom’s hands warm too.“ This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: January 2007.
12/19/2007 (Price: $29.95; Age: 0 to 1) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Baby Zabu by WAGAMAMA BABY
 The innovative and multi-use floor cushion features sides that can be tied up, allowing the cushion to transform into a cozy and portable nap mat. A larger cushion is available with an MSRP of $118. “The Baby Zabu’s patent-pending design combines stylishness with functionality and can be used as a cool floor cushion, a portable and cozy crib or an integrated mattress pad and bumper system for your baby’s playpen or travel crib,” Yuki Mese of Wagamama Baby told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007.
12/18/2007 (Price: $88.00; Age: 0 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Pregnancy Book by TUMMY TALK LLC
 The deluxe pregnancy journal is designed to preserve and record all of the special memories and memorabilia during one’s pregnancy and birthing experience. The journal is made entirely in the United States and comes in four different cover colors, each adorned a hand-placed Swarovski crystal. “The all-in-one Tummy Talk book eliminates the need to buy separate books for scrapbooking, photos and journaling,” Karen Vardeny, co-founder of Tummy Talk LLC, told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2006.
12/18/2007 (Price: $74.99; ) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Preschool Playtime CD Volume 2 by SOCIAL SKILL BUILDER INC.
 The CD teaches young children basic peer interactions and play skills such as taking turns, sharing, requesting, cooperating and shifting activities through real life social situations like a day at the park, in pre-school or going to a play date. “Unlike passive videos, this software allows the user to visually see the social interactions re-enacted by children and then choose what should be said or done next,” Laurie Jacobs of Social Skill Builder Inc. told TDmonthly. “In this fun, familiar, but safe environment, the user can become increasingly aware of social expectations and more successfully interact with their peers.” This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2007.
12/18/2007 (Price: $69.99; Age: 3 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
The Squeeze-Free™ Juice Box Holder by KIDPROCO LLC
 The juice box holder’s unique design features locking side tabs and adjusts to hold four sizes of juice drinks. It is great for birthday parties. Five adorable animal designs are available: dog, tiger, bunny, polar bear and kitten. “The Squeeze-Free Juice Box Holder has a secure lid that is difficult for kids to open so the juice drink cannot be easily removed and squeezed,” KidProCo LLC Owner Whitney Trulove-Cranor told TDmonthly. This product won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: November 2004.
12/18/2007 (Price: $3.99; Age: 1 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Lost and Found Temporary Tattoo Kit by TATTOOS WITH A PURPOSE
 These temporary tattoos allow a child to remember his or her phone number if he or she becomes lost. All the child must do is look for the tattoo. The kit includes everything needed to apply and remove the tattoos. “Although other identification products are useful (ID bracelets, labels or wristbands) they can be removed and, therefore, are not as effective, Tattoos With A Purpose LLC President Cindi Aldrich told TDmonthly. “The temporary tattoos are available in fun styles for both boys and girls.” This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: April 2004.
12/18/2007 (Price: $9.99; Age: 3 to 10) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of The Rolling Stones by ROCKABYE BABY!
 The lullaby rendition of The Rolling Stones replaces guitars and drums with mellotron and bells. The record tunes the volume down from an 11 to a 2, making it soft and relaxing for the ears of little ones. "Our CDs are modern and unique and enable you to share your favorite music with the littlest rock star in your life!" Toni Swann-Pardigno, national account manager of special markets at Rockabye Baby! told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2007.
12/18/2007 (Price: $16.98; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Medibuddy First Aid Kit by ME4KIDZ
 This mom-invented, USA-made kit is packaged in a convenient, kid-friendly carrying case that is available in red, blue, green or yellow. The 40-piece kit is designed for children over the age of 6 months, with the aid of an adult. It is made entirely of recycled plastic and is guaranteed to be lead free, Richelle Nassos of me4kidz LLC told TDmonthly. Additionally, “10 percent of profits are given back to the disabled community!” This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2007.
12/18/2007 (Price: $4.95; Age: 1 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Leather Baby Bib by MALLY BIBS
 The bib is designed for comfort, style and convenience. It features a stain-resistant, wipe-off surface a unique adjustable magnetic closure that also enables the bib to stick to the refrigerator between meals. The reversible bib comes with a child-friendly design on one side and a food-catching pocket on the other. The bib is intended for children between the ages of six months and three years. “It's designed to be the only bib baby will need, saving on storage, laundry and dozens of bib purchases,” Mally Bibs President, Designer and Founder Nicole Garza told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: June 2005.
12/18/2007 (Price: $32.95; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
iCoaster by MEGA BRANDS
 The iCoaster combines sight, sound and speed with extreme magnetic force, high-tech design and ultra-cool physics. Each track features hidden magnets, causing the metal ball to move along the track performing stunts and passing through sensors to trigger a beat or song. Kids can build the suggested extreme coaster configurations and use the pre-included sounds, or use their imagination to build their own track and plug in their digital music players and use their own songs. This product is a winner of numerous awards, including a 2007 iParenting Media Award, Fall 2007 Parent’s Choice Award, 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award and Parents Magazine Best Toys for the Holidays Award. “The iCoaster is the perfect toy to promote creativity, allowing kids to construct a visual and technological masterpiece,” Carine Sroujian of Mega Brands told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007.
12/18/2007 (Price: $79.99; Age: 6 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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