November 2007 New Toys — All

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Presidents Volumes 1-5 by WINDMILL WORKS

This software covers Presidents George Washington through George W. Bush through 15 categories, including First Ladies, Out in Space and Little Known Facts, and games that help educate. “Different than ‘fill in the blank’ trivia games, this program provides the ability to interact with important presidential facts along with fun information in four separate games, according to preference,” President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 8, 2004. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Irish Facts and Fun by WINDMILL WORKS

Featuring 15 categories, this program gives students a chance to play four different games and learn about history, politics and even Irish musical artists. “Windmill Works' software provides teacher-designed learning through common, well-loved computer games that focus on uncommon content and topics with a unique twist,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 9, 2005. 11/9/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Computer Game Maker by WINDMILL WORKS

Touching on subjects of language arts, math, science, art and more, this program allows students or teachers to create games by inputting eight questions and answers, importing graphics, and then letting the software do the rest. President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly is provides “the ability to customize classic computer games to content relevant to every classroom topic and specific to a student or students' IEP or individual needs.” 11/9/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Black Cats and Witches' Hats by WINDMILL WORKS

This Halloween-themed software is designed to enhance vocabulary and word recognition skills, especially benefiting deaf students or those learning English as a second language. It includes four games and a colorful photo gallery. There’s a “total focus on motivating vocabulary centered around Halloween, but with language structures that transfer to total language development needs,” Billie Pagliolo, president of Windmill Works, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 1998; updated: February 17, 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THAT: Teaching History and Things – Vocabulary Game Show by WINDMILL WORKS

Older deaf and hard-of-hearing students can especially benefit from this program designed to reinforce word recognition and build vocabulary. It “provides reinforcement of written vocabulary specific to the interests and needs of deaf children,” President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 4, 2003. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vegetable Friends and Nutra Fruit Heroes present … Reading Vocabulary Volumes 1-3 by WINDMILL WORKS

Created especially for deaf or hearing-impaired students, this volume of matching games helps develop vocabulary, word recognition, word structure and sentence structure. The product “contains language structures specific to the needs of non-auditory students or English as a Second Language students,” President Billie Pagliolo of Windmill Works told TDmonthly. Launch date: original release: August 19, 1999; updated March 6, 2000. 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Let's Go Everywhere by LITTLE MONSTER RECORDS

This 40-minute album offers sophisticated music from the trio John Medeski, Billy Martin and Chris Wood, who employ an international array of instruments, and features children’s voices as well. It includes originals such as “Pirates Don’t Take Baths” and “The Train Song,” as well as rhyming tunes such as “Hickory Dickory Dock.” “This new CD presents jazz and a variety of musical styles and concepts in a fun, hip and easy-to-digest combination of original songs and tunes,” Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 8, 2008. 11/9/2007 (Price: $16.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nola, The Monster of Loneliness by THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC

Nola, the cuddly green Monster of Loneliness lives in a world of sunny skies and beautiful landscapes. But she’s missing one thing…a friend. Her wide-eyed stare and squooshy tummy make her an ideal candidate for hugs and kisses. She also sports a standard WorryWoo belly button made for tickles! She would love to be your best friend! Nola and "The Lonely Little Monster" won a 2009 Hot Product Award from iParenting Media and a 2009 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. ( Watch Video) 11/9/2007 (Price: $21.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Lonely Little Monster by THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC

The Lonely Little Monster, winner of a MoonBeam Children's Book Award, stars Nola our wide-eyed Monster of Loneliness. She seems to have a problem... she can't find any friends!  Join her as she wanders through her fanciful world in search of a companion. Will she find a friend?  The Lonely little Monster was named  "One of Three Great Books About Loneliness" by "Time Out New York Kids." “The WorryWoos are a unique series that brings human emotions to life by personifying feelings as main characters. For the first time, author [and illustrator] Andi Green deals with aspects of our inner self, presented as quirky and loveable monsters who go on amusing introspective journeys in search of understanding and acceptance,” Green told TDmonthly. Nola and "The Lonely Little Monster" won a 2009 Hot Product Award from iParenting Media and a 2009 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. ( Watch Video) 11/9/2007 (Price: $14.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Curses, Inc. by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

A spell that gets you land, money, long golden hair, or a date to the prom can't be a curse, can it? A curse just gets you dead. Or does it? In these 10 stunning short stories, boys and girls learn firsthand just what magic spells, enchantments and curses really can do. Launch date: September 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Where the Giant Sleeps by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

In soothing rhyme, bestselling author Mem Fox explores the sleeping habits of our favorite inhabitants from the world of fairy tales. Vladimir Radunsky fills a dreamy, picturesque landscape with surprising and fun details. Fairies, wizards, goblins and children all find peace under the same bright moon. Launch date: October 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ellen and Matt: Best Friends by 3 SUNS RECORDS

This indie pop, high-energy album features family-friendly tunes from husband and wife duo Ellen and Matt. Songs on the 10-track CD include "Side by Side," "Under Construction" and "Juice Box Rock." “What sets "Best Friends" apart from other recent kids’ releases are the various influences that the artists were not afraid to let shine through. Parents will pick up on everything from the Beatles to the Carpenters and even the Pixies and the Ramones,” Stephanie Mayers of Kindie Rock PR told TDmonthly. “It allows kids to enjoy and be exposed to all of music's many moods.” 11/9/2007 (Price: $12.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Origin of Expressions™ by DISCOVERY BAY GAMES

Can you guess the origin of “Hit the sack”? In this hilarious game, players guess the origin of common expressions, or bluff their friends. The game explains why we say what we say, revealing the startling beginnings of modern expressions. “This game answers the questions that we ask every day of “Where did that come from?” There are many websites on the subject, but this is the first game to answer the questions in a very fun way,” Carol Simon of Discovery Bay Games told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award and 2007 Family Review Center Gold Award winner. Launch date: September 2007, available exclusively at Barnes & Noble. General availability: March 15, 2008. 11/9/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Be•Rhymed! by DISCOVERY BAY GAMES

This fast-paced rhyming game gives players two minutes to act, draw, or speak clues in order to get correct guesses from team members and rack up points. They go through as many cards as they can in each round of play, prepared to laugh at the goofy antics friends and family will go through trying to get these rhyming pairs across to their teammates. “There are many rhyming games, but the use of three different modes — speak, act, draw — of playing the game is unique,” Carol Simon of Discovery Bay Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cuentamelo! by DISCOVERY BAY GAMES

Cuentamelo offers the same family fun for everyone that Baffle Gab™ offers. It just does it in Spanish. Everyone’s got a story to tell, and players can earn Bone Bucks telling theirs. A player gets five words and writes a sentence or story that includes them. Using the words correctly earns a player huesitos. And the player with the most huesitos wins. “This is built on the overwhelmingly popular Baffle Gab to bring the same storytelling fun to the Spanish-speaking or learning market. It has already won several awards in its own right,” Carol Simon of Discovery Bay Games told TDmonthly. This product is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Barista, the Game™ by DISCOVERY BAY GAMES

Grande nonfat mocha with a single shot? Or tall soy cappuccino with a double-shot? In this game of strategy and match-up fun, players match the beverage shown on a roll of dice to make the perfect cup and win. But … other players can force one to spill a drink order, or they can change the drink order and mess up a hand. Or maybe a player is closer to finishing the drink order than you are and calls a Barista challenge. “Where better for a coffee game to be born than in the Seattle area, known for great coffee? It’s a unique game perfect for playing around the kitchen table or the coffee shop table,” Carol Simon of Discovery Bay Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wild Animals Personalized Floor Pillow by OLIVE KIDS DIRECT LLC

Ideal for the bed, floor or travel, this 20" x 26" x 2" pillow features an embroidered elephant on its machine-washable outer shell. It can be personalized with a child's name and is available in 10 designs. This product received a 2007 iParenting Media Award for Greatest Products. MSRP is $54.99 for non-personalized and $59.99 for personalized. “Our emphasis is on color and fun. Our designs have a nostalgic quality yet are fresh and relevant. We aim our designs at nature, play, toys, music and classical kids themes,” Kim Poirier of Olive Kids told TDmonthly. 11/9/2007 (Price: $59.99)

Under Construction Digger & Bull Dozer Magnet by OLIVE KIDS DIRECT LLC

Olive Kids magnets are an attractive way to post kids’ art, photos, reminder notes and chore lists on the refrigerator. They are made of hand-painted resin with a strong magnet on the back, and 15 designs are available for girls and boys. Note: Magnets are not toys. Broken magnet pieces can be a choking hazard for children under 3 years old. “Olive Kids was created to offer parents and their kids an alternative to the character-based high profile entertainment licenses. We feel kids should be able to surround themselves with art, design and decoration that encourages creativity and fun without all the hype and sales pressure of TV and movies,” Kim Poirier of Olive Kids told TDmonthly. 11/9/2007 (Price: $5.99)

The Simpsons' Pieceless Puzzle by CEACO

This two-sized puzzle is soft, durable and all in one piece, making it ideal for travel. A twist on the classic jigsaw puzzle, it features flexible branches that exist all on one strand. Completed size is 17.5” x 14”. Launch date: October 2007. ( Watch Video) 11/9/2007 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Project Gotham Racing 4 by MICROSOFT

“Project Gotham Racing 4” is the highly anticipated next installment of the blockbuster “Project Gotham Racing” (PGR®) franchise, developed by Bizarre Creations exclusively for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. With a dramatic new weather system, revamped career mode, revised Kudos system, and new tracks and locations as well as the world’s most iconic vehicles, “PGR 4” takes racing to a new level of thrill and excitement. “Drivers must perform with style and flair, not just race against competitors and the clock, as the game is based around an emotionally charged racing experience where players become attached to their careers profiles and vehicles,” Tina Yu of Edelman told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2, 2007. 11/9/2007 (Price: $59.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Matrix Glider by DUTAILIER

The new Matrix Glider collection is Dutailier’s latest innovation (worldwide patent pending) in comfort and motion seating. With this new collection, Dutailier wanted to explore even further the concept of personalization and is now introducing gliders that offer complete morphology adaptability. MSRP ranges from $649 to $1,199, as there are 20 different product configurations with a choice of 125 fabrics and more than 20 finishes. “The specialty stores will have great success with this kind of product as they can spend the time with their consumer to build a perfectly personalized glider for them,” Product Manager Dave Savard of Dutailier told TDmonthly. “Style, look, comfort, fabric and finish can be personalized.” Launch date: October 2007. ( Watch Video) 11/9/2007 (Price: $649) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Senet: The Ancient Tomb Treasures Game by MAZEOLOGY

For thousands of years, Senet was the most popular game in the ancient world ― until the rule book was lost. This game of Senet introduces a modern rule book, a colorful game board and 10 beautiful playing pieces. Easier than chess and more complicated than checkers, this two-player game is a combination of strategy and luck. It's simple enough for a 5-year-old to learn, yet interesting enough for adults. The hand-painted playing pieces are phthalate- and lead-free.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award ( Watch Video) 11/9/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dino Composition Book by MAZEOLOGY

Fun and colorful composition books that children never lose! Inside both the front and back covers are dinosaur mazes to solve with related fun, educational information too. 7.5” by 9.75”, color covers with 160 ruled pages inside. Also available – The Mummy Composition Book. 11/9/2007 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mummy Maze: The Tomb Treasures Maze Book by MAZEOLOGY

Join Professor Archie Ologist on the Mummy Maze expedition and encounter one surprise after another while collecting the clues to decipher the Mummy’s mysterious hieroglyphic message! Mummy Maze shelves like a book and uniquely folds open to 28 pages of 12” by 18” original illustrations that are also mazes. Every page is filled with educational facts about Ancient Egypt woven into a fun filled tale of adventure. Great for 8 to 12 year-olds; even some 6 year-olds can solve these difficult mazes. Maze answers are in the back. 36 pages, 9” by 12” closed. 11/9/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SuperStar EP Select by HOBBICO

Learning to fly doesn't come any easier! With Hobbico's ready-to-fly SuperStar EP Select, nearly all of the work is done for you – and everything you need to fly is included except charger and eight "AA" batteries. Factory-built main structures and detailed instructions make success a snap, even if you have no previous RC experience. 11/8/2007 (Price: $249.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]