November 2007 New Toys — All

Danny Boy - Black Scotty Rocker by ZEIGER ENTERPRISES INC.

Danny Boy, black Scotty, looks so real, he almost comes alive for kids. He's already assembled, straight from the factory, and was handcrafted in Poland. 8/7/2007 (Price: $139.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pop-Up Port-A-Bug by INSECT LORE

Kids can pop up their Port-A-Bug, put in some friendly insects, and they're ready for some fun with bugs. They can observe butterflies, ladybugs, and other friendly critters in the airy mesh habitat, then let them go. The Port-A-Bug compresses back into its tote-sack, clips to a kid's hip, and they're off and ready to explore some more. It features a lightweight and escape-proof ventilated mesh, and a convenient nylon carrying handle. The Port-A-Bug is a winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award.
— "We sell a lot of bug catching items from Insect Lore. It's collapsible. It's called Port-A-Bug," said Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore. 8/7/2007 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

"Growing Like a Weed" Growth Chart by eeBoo corp.

Yes, they grow like weeds, don't they? And the "Growing Like a Weed" Growth Chart allows for the tracking of that growth as kids inch their ways to full bloom. EeBoo's growth chart is illustrated by Melissa Sweet and heavy laminated for durability. It also folds up and fits inside a sturdy gift box. The chart comes with stickers for marking birthdays and other important events in a child's development.
— "Believe it or not, our best-selling baby items are the growth charts from eeBoo," said Tom England, owner of Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts in Frederick, Md. 8/7/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tymeagain Warrior's Broadsword by CHICHESTER, INC.

Since 1994, Tymeagain has specialized in designing, and making by hand, historically inspired toys for castles, palaces, and other historical sites in the British Isles. The broadsword was the sword of the dark age warrior and medieval castle guard. Tymeagain products are made by craftsmen in Britain and distributed in North America by Chichester, Inc. They contain no screws or nails, are made of wood from sustained forests, and are finished in raw linseed oil.
— "Swords and shields by Chichester — Tymeagain historic toys" were among the best-selling gift items for boys in the store of Nancy Barringer, owner of Jamie Two Coats Toy Shop in Shelburne, Vt. 8/7/2007 (Price: $22.00)

X-Zylo Ultra by WILLIAM MARK CORP

The world's greatest experts from NASA and beyond don't even know how it works. The X-Zylo Ultra is the "flying gyroscope" that can travel the length of two football fields. It's the ultimate game of catch. Having swept the nation by storm, the X-Zylo has been featured in some of the country's highest profile media outlets. And if you can't get enough of it, there's a glowing X-Zylo Night version, so that the ultimate game of catch can be played at any hour.
— "One thing we've done well with are the X-Zylo products from William Mark. It's this thing that you throw. They call it the flying gyroscope. You can throw it a long way. They have different kinds of shooters. I just had to reorder them," said Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash.
— Two of 37 retailers told TDmonthly in March 2010 that William Mark supplies their top-selling outdoor items. 8/7/2007 (Price: $7.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rainbow Stamp Pad by MELISSA & DOUG

Containing washable, non-toxic, and child-friendly ink, the Rainbow Stamp Pad from Melissa & Doug will help kids stamp in style. It features six bright colors and is sure to be a valuable and stylish addition to a kid's arsenal of creative supplies. The pad measures 6.5" x 5".
— "Melissa and Doug art supplies — the price is very good. I can imagine parents saying, okay, we’ll get a few packs of...the big Rainbow stamp pad for $5.00 — for younger children. They will be big," said Sue Cooke, owner of Mother Goose in Litchfield, Conn. 8/7/2007 (Price: $4.95)

Six Pin Win Bowling Set by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

For indoor or outdoor play, kids can now emulate the pros with the Six Pin Bowling Set from International Playthings. This bowling set includes flat bottomed pins, foam ball, and game play mat. It's safe and makes for endless fun in almost any setting.
— "For Babies, probably the baby bowling by International Playthings. We're constantly selling out of that," said Cheryl Pyles, manager of Toyland in Milford, N.H., about popular gift item ideas in her store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $12.99)

Blue Jewel Jewelry Box by SCHYLLING

The Blue Jewel from Schylling is an iridescent jewelry box with an elegant sparkly blue scene. Just wind up the key and the box plays Swan Lake when opened, while the ballerina spins in front of the mirror. What more could a young lady ask for when storing her precious jewelry for safe keeping?
— Tom England, owner of Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts in Frederick, Md., mentioned Schylling jewelry boxes when TDmonthly asked him about great gift item sellers for girls in his store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $14.99)

Make Your Own Lip Balm by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

Young ladies can combine the soft and silky lip balm base with a variety of yummy flavors to create their own lip sensations. Simply soften the base in a bath of warm water and then add the flavorings. Mix up fun fruity combinations and add a hint of color, too. Cool cosmetic tins that come with the balm kit can be decorated with layers of fun sticker designs and labels. It's a fun, creative, and practical way for a girl to learn and role play.
— "Make Your Own Lip Balm from Creativity for Kids: It's a craft kit that gives you all the materials to make your own," said Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., when asked about popular gift items for girls in her store.
— “The lip balm from Creativity for Kids does very well,” Ron Kutchik, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, said when asked about best-selling activity kits in spring 2009.
— About half of 49 retailers surveyed about their sales in activity kits or playsets mentioned craft items as top sellers in April 2009. Three of 39 retailers identified lip balm kits as a best seller for tween girls in fall 2009.
— “Creativity for Kids. The Make Your Own Lip Balm kit is best,” said Amy Hofsetter, owner of The Toy Store  in Atlanta, Ga., of her top-selling item for tweens in September 2010.
— Three of 44 retailers said Creativity for Kids supplies their best-selling items for tweens. ( Watch Video) 8/7/2007 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

RC Tuning Boat by RAVENSBURGER

The RC Tuning Boar from Ravensburger is ready to hit the waters. It features two channel radio control and comes with a range of 50'. For use in fresh water only, this boat runs on and comes with two AAA and three AA batteries. Power, speed, and range make the Tuning Boat a force on the open sea, or in the local pond.
— Ginger Milligan, owner of Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, Ala., told TDmonthly that remote controlled boats from Ravensburger were a best-selling gift item for boys in her store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kever Monster Turbo Flying Disc by SPORTCRAFT

Made of hi-tech flying fabric and possessing a "monster-" size diameter, the Turbo Flying Disc from Sportcraft is great outdoor fun for backyards, picnics, the beach, and parties. Its foam-covered rim and colorful design ensure that the disc is both safe and fun.
— In mid-2007, The Flying Disc from Sportcraft was cited as a best-selling item by Michele Wood, manager of Whippersnappers in St. Simon’s Island, Ga. 8/7/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

IQ Baby - Baby Buzzer by SMALL WORLD TOYS

The Baby Buzzer from IQ Baby is a unique baby toy with the amazing ability to calm a fussy baby. This musical, vibrating baby soother fits easily in a purse or pocket and has soft teethable ears. It features three buttons set to play sweet, soothing and classical lullabies by Bach, Beethoven and Mozart. Vibrating motion and eyes that light up add to the buzzer's considerable list of features. The Baby Buzzer requires 2 AAA batteries. Demo batteries are included.
— The Baby Buzzer was among the popular baby gift items in the store of Ginger Milligan, owner of Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, Ala. 8/7/2007 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

25" Twirly Girly Large Doll by GUND INC.

Girls will be tickled pink at the newest collection from GUNDKids®, the Twirly Girly™ collection is filled with whimsical, ballerina-inspired keepsakes perfect for tiny dancers. Twirly Girly Doll is a soft, snuggly friend sure to win over little hearts. Available in three styles, the golden-haired doll is outfitted in a pink body suit, tutu and ballet slippers. The 25" Twirly Girly Large Doll has a pocket-skirted tutu embroidered with the words "dream," "dance," and "twirl."
— "Gund dancing dolls called Twirly Girls by Gunn," said Betsy Justings, owner of Betsy's On Ross in Auburn, Ala., when asked by TDmonthly about top-selling gift items for girls in her store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $27.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Flip Em Flops by ALEX BRANDS

The Flip Em Flops from Alex are actually seven pairs of flip flops in one. Kids can ear a new style every day of the week. The set comes with one pair of flip flops and seven pairs of ribbon straps. Kids just snap their ribbons in place. It's that easy. The Flip Em Flops come in small size two to fit most kids ages six to eight, and large size five to fit most kids ages eight to ten.
— "I just got the Flip Em Flops by Alex — sold half of [what's in stock] already.  The smalls have sold out.  There is also the larger size," said Patti Leo, owner of Toys Galore and More in Kent, Conn.
— In a June 2010 survey, three of 40 retailers namedd Alex craft kits as a best seller for girls. Two of the three told TDmonthly that Flip Em Flops sell especially well. 8/7/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dueling Blast Pad by MARKY SPARKY TOYS

Kids can Simul-Blast™ two missiles into space and see who can blast their missile higher and get more hang time.  Kids can choose between Foamies™ or, for unbelievable height, Metalix™ missiles.  Marky Sparky's patented Blast Pad® launch system keeps all the missiles on your side of the fence by only allowing nine degrees of vertical. The Dueling Blast Pad® folds up into itself for convenient storage. It comes with six Foamies and six Metalix missiles, equally split between red and blue colors.
— Lori Lind, owner of Brainwaves Toy Shop in Narragansett, R.I., told TDmonthly that Marky Sparky Blast Pads make for popular gift items for boys with her customers.
— “Both girls and boys love to play with this item, and you can offer it to [children] 5 to 10 years of age,” said Jeanette Lauture of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J. The product has “great durability” and made Jeanette’s top-10 list of best sellers in summer 2008. 8/7/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Maywa Denki Knockman by CUBE CO. LTD.

Maywa Denki is an artistic and musical act first made popular in Japan. The KnockMan figures are part of the original act. Move his left arm up and down to wind up the spring and he will start knocking his head. Turn his right arm and he will knock other KnockMan's head. Each character plays only one instrument, which you can see played because of the simple design. They're 10 cm tall and don't need batteries to work their magic.
— "KnockMan from Maywa Denki — the ones with band member figures....by a Japanese musician," said Luke Rook, owner of Lulubell Toy in Tucson, Ariz., when asked by TDmonthly about best-selling musical toys in his store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kazoo by SCHYLLING

The World Famous Schylling Kazoo is made of tin, comes in a variety of colors and designs, and is packaged in Schylling's distinctive boxes. It's a colorful and affordable way to keep kids humming to their favorite tunes.
— "Given that we're called Kazoodles, we do sell a lot of kazoos," said Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., about the Schylling Kazoos being bought up by her customers.
― About 10 kazoos get to go home with children each month, said Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass. 8/7/2007 (Price: $1.99)

Nana Star Doll by ee publishing & productions, llc

The world of Nana Star brought to huggable, snuggable, lovable life! Crafted with love and extra-special attention to details that Little Twinkles will appreciate, the sweet and oh-so-very-pretty Nana Star doll is just right for playtime, storytime, or bedtime. She even comes with a baby star for Twinkles to care for! ( Watch Video) 8/7/2007 (Price: $21.99)

Black Cat Scary Snickerdoodle Cookies by TOO GOOD GOURMET INC.

These cookies come packaged in a pop-up box and are available in 2- and 7-oz. sizes. “Too Good Gourmet provides the highest-quality all-butter, all-natural cookies in beautifully designed gift packaging,” Sales & Marketing Manager Renee Schouten of Too Good Gourmet told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2007. 8/7/2007 (Price: $2.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tinker Bell Figurine - Tink Spoiled by WESTLAND GIFTWARE INC.

Tink Spoiled is a 4.75”-tall resin figurine that is part of a grouping of seven resin Tinker Bell figurines and three 45 mm water globes. Life According to Tinker Bell is one of Disney's best-known and well-received properties. The figurines range in size from 4.75” to 7.25”. “The retail price is the key differentiating point for Westland within the specialty retail marketplace,” Jim Bradshaw, vice president of sales and marketing for Westland Giftware, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 1, 2007. 8/7/2007 (Price: $20.00)

Beary the Bear by WARM BUDDY COMPANY

Beary was inspired by the Spirit Bear of British Columbia, and comes with a removable inner heat pack that can be warmed in the microwave. Beary comes in two sizes with three color options. Baby Beary, the smaller, has an MSRP of $24.95. Proceeds from the sale of all Beary the Bears go to bear rehabilitation centers. Launch date: August 2007.
— At Canadian Parents, Joyce reported that Beary the Bear has become a bonding tool for her daughter and granddaughter. Cuddling the warm bear helps her fussy granddaughter quiet down for bedtime.
— Lena of Listen to Lena highlighted the bear’s fine sewing detail, natural heat/cool pack and soft snuggliness even with the pack inserted. Her testing revealed that when heated, the bear “cooled off completely in less than one hour, thereby eliminating the fear of child overheating.” 8/7/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tea Set by GREEN TOYS INC.

This environmentally friendly tea set includes a tea pot with lid, a sugar bowl with lid, creamer, four cups, four saucers and four teaspoons. The set is constructed of bio-plastic made from renewable, sustainable resources in order to help decrease fossil-fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Starch-based bio-plastic is ultimately biodegradable. "We do our best to make environmentally friendly business decisions, given today's available technologies from product development to packaging," according to Laurie Hyman, a partner at Green Toys. Green Toys also produces all of its products in the U.S. which cuts down on transportation costs and CO2 emissions. "Green Toys products are ideal for parents looking to make environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to shopping for their children," stated Hyman. Launch date: September 2007.
— “One of my new favorite toys is the Green Toys tea set and cooking set,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009
( Watch Video) 8/7/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spanish for Children Volume I by THE BILINGUAL FUN COMPANY

Children can sing, dance and learn Spanish with this upbeat and exciting video that presents colors, numbers and animal vocabulary. The two-DVD combo featuring Volumes I and II has an MSRP of $30.99. “Using upbeat music, chants and movement as well as repetition and visual stimulation, Bilingual Fun introduces Spanish by teaching to the multiple intelligences of children,” Co-founder Jennifer Manriquez of The Bilingual Fun Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2005. 8/7/2007 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spanish for Children Volume 2 by THE BILINGUAL FUN COMPANY

Kids can expand their language skills and learn useful, everyday vocabulary and phrases, learning along with the children of Bilingual Fun as they introduce greetings, body parts and food in this fun and interactive video. “Viewers enjoy Bilingual Fun videos because they can participate along with the real children in the programs, as they learn and practice their new language skills,” Co-founder Jennifer Manriquez of The Bilingual Fun Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2006. 8/7/2007 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Marvel Personalized Music CD by KIDS JUKE BOX

This personalized CD will be a keepsake forever. It has the child’s name sung into the lyrics more than 40 times, with his or her favorite characters from Marvel Heroes™. It’s the perfect gift for any occasion; just watch a child’s face light up as they sing along. “Each one of our CDs has more than 4,000 names available in any spelling on one single CD. We leave the guessing game out of selling personalized products. The customers take the CD home, choose the name they want to have on the CD and minutes later, the CD is finished. No special equipment [is] needed by the retailer,” Brian Davis of Kids’ Juke Box told TDmonthly. 8/7/2007 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]