November 2007 New Toys — All

French Notebook by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This version of a French cahier has a cover graced with full-color art representing a connection to France. Larger than a NoteAbles pocket notepad, this notebook is appropriate for journaling, sketching, brainstorming and a myriad of other writing activities. 9/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WJ Fantasy - Cuddly Bears Soft Building Blocks & Board Book by BABALU INC.

Through simple vignettes in this chunky 24-page board book, and on each side of the five 6" x 5 1/2" x 5" soft blocks, children learn about joyful playing, friendship, caring for others, sharing, helping and other positive qualities that warm the heart. A soft carrying case is included. $100 minimum wholesale order. Launch date: September 1, 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hansel and Gretel by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This vintage, shaped book tells about two siblings who brave a night in the dark woods and cleverly defeat a witch who lives in a gingerbread house. The gentle, archetypal illustrations by Margaret Evans Price (1888-1973) balance the sweetness of the children and the scariness of the witch. Launch date: August 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Red Riding Hood by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This version of “Red Riding Hood” is illustrated by Gladys Hall and dates from about 1910. Launch date: August 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This book illustrated by Ethel Hays portrays Aesop’s story of a country mouse who visits a cousin in the city and ends up preferring the simple life. The story varies from the original, as the illustrator changed the cousins from male to female. Launch date: August 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smart-opedia: The Amazing Book About Everything by MAPLE TREE PRESS

This book reveals answers to questions covering everything from mythology to modern technology, in an illustrated format that supports more than 85 subjects. Special features include kids’ questions, timelines, mini biographies and career descriptions. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Powers by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This hardcover novel by Ursula K. Le Guin is the third in the Annals of the Western Shore series. Young Gav can remember the page of a book after seeing it once, and he sometimes “remembers” future occurrences. As a loyal slave, he must keep these powers secret, but when a terrible tragedy occurs, Gav, blinded by grief, flees the only world he has ever known. And in what becomes a treacherous journey for freedom, his greatest test of all is facing his powers so that he can come to understand himself and finally find a true home. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Crocodile Xylophone by MEE-SUB ENTERPRISE

Little kids will have an extra attachment to music when they use this cuddly crocodile to bang out a tune. The mallet rests in his throat until little ones are ready to play. The croc is plush and the xylophone is made of wood. Launch Date: 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007

Toddler Lilybugs by LILYBUGS INC.

These latest Lilybugs bottle and sippy cup holders have more tactile features to stimulate older babies. In addition to new back designs, they also have crinkly ears and some have squeakers to keep babies and toddlers amused as they learn to feed themselves. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Roll 'n' Go Chalkmat by FLOURISH

These nifty mats fit right in a diaper bag or purse, then roll out to keep kids amused in restaurants or doctors' offices. Inside is a flexible chalkboard surface so kids can draw and erase to their hearts' delight. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007

Gator by BIG BELLY BANKS

This 23" wooden Gator can swallow a lot of coins in his big belly, keeping them safe for that big spend. Gator and his friends are patented and handcrafted in the Adirondacks. They can be personalized upon request. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Camouflage Super-Soft Clean Shopper by BABE EASE LLC

The Camouflage Super-Soft Clean Shopper is the latest way to keep shopping-cart germs away. The Clean Shopper's unique one-piece design covers the entire seating-area of a shopping cart so baby's sensitive skin is not exposed to disease-causing metal. The Super-Soft Clean Shopper comes complete with two toy loops for attaching toys or teethers; two pockets for storing sippy cups, coupons or keys; a safety strap to help baby sit more securely; and a drawstring carrying tote for convenient storage. It is suitable for ages eight months and up. This product is an iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $34.95)

Niya by DYNAMIC DESIGNWORKS

Twenty-four years ago, Darla Davenport-Powell created a doll for her newborn daughter, Niya. Throughout the subsequent decades, she developed her idea for an interactive doll that could speak and sing in three different languages: English, Spanish and Swahili. Darla appeared on ABC's "American Inventor" show and was one of 12 semifinalists, receiving $50,000 to develop her idea further. The finished Niya changes the language she speaks based on the instrument that's put into her hand. She also has a range of friends that she's met from her travels across the globe. "We're still in the prototype stage and are looking for backers," Hannah Barrell, new business manager for Dynamic Designworks, Inc. , told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $39.99)

John Denver's Grandma's Feather Bed by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

Huge, soft feather beds are the perfect place to play and sleep, and one of John Denver's most popular songs brings back these favorite childhood memories. This is the fourth title in Dawn Publications' highly acclaimed John Denver & Kids picture book series, adapted and illustrated by award-winning artist Christopher Canyon. The hardback edition comes with a CD of John Denver singing this children's classic. Kids can “read and sing along with John Denver to this high-energy tune,” Richard Rodrigue of Dawn Publications told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

If You Give a T-Rex a Bone by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

This book offers readers a chance to go back in time to see real dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles. And if they start by giving a T-Rex a bone, things will be, well, dangerously interesting. Along the way, readers are bound to encounter many other animals from the past, creatures wild and amazing. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buki Activity Book - 1 to 10 Dot to Dot by POOF-SLINKY INC.

This book teaches children the concepts of counting and numerical order as they join the dots in large, clear, numerical sequence from 1 to 10 to reveal the picture. There are 24 pictures in the book, which encourages creativity and imagination through coloring. 9/19/2007 (Price: $2.30) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buki Activity Book - Monster Mazes by POOF-SLINKY INC.

Kids are challenged to find their way out of these totally fun and crazy monster mazes. The book includes 20 mazes and teaches older children the concepts of problem solving and decision making. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $4.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Billy Train by PASTEL TOYS

This handcrafted wooden toy incorporates soft, pastel colors with simple, unsophisticated shapes that are perfect for small hands and bodies. “Pastel Toys are manufactured in the village of Kishorit [in Israel], a non-denominational assisted community for individuals with mental and physical disabilities. Having the opportunity to participate in the production of a Pastel toy helps each resident gain confidence, self-esteem and much-needed occupational skills,” Owner Hila Kostinsky of distributor La-Le Kids’ Imports told TDmonthly. All paints used are lead-free and non-toxic. Launch date: September 2005. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $65.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Deglingos - Pikos the Hedgehog by GEARED FOR IMAGINATION

“Deglingos (deh-GLING-goes): common noun. Animalos molto funnios and muy crazios. A distinctive species of contagiously quirky animals, the Deglingos speak their own language, which consists of finishing many words with "os.'" Found living at the best shops in town.” Designed in France, these machine-washable characters stand from 8.5” to 11” tall and meet  European (CE) safety standards. “The Deglingos are created from 48 different fabrics, which give them a stunning visual and tactile appeal. Specialty retailers will see repeat purchases on these items because of their collectibility, and they will be sold in no mass-market retailers,” Ryan Hamilton of distributor All New Materials told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Yackle Ball – Black & Capri by TTALF "TOYS" CORPORATION

America’s new x-shaped ball is great for all athletic abilities. The ball has phenomenal aerodynamics that make it go super far when thrown. It is easy to catch, and its softness makes it safe. Yackle Ball games are fun for everyone and can help with hand-eye coordination and motor skills, as well as encouraging creativity and active play. The Yackle Ball is 100-percent made in the U.S. and is strictly sold in specialty stores. “It’s a great way for children of all ages or whole families to have fun and be active together,” General Manager Charles Littwin of Ttalf Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2007.
— Ever seen a ball shaped like an “x”? The Yackle Ball worked its way up to a TDmonthly Innovations 2007 award based on sturdy construction, attractive design and color options as well as its potential to build coordination and shape active play in a whole new way. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Automoblox Mini: T9 Pickup Truck by AUTOMOBLOX

Automoblox Minis are a reinvention of the classic wooden toy car — a fusion of heirloom craftsmanship and ultra-modern styling, transformed into a mix-and-match design system that allows kids to create their own special car styles. This truck features blue wheels and a transparent blue top. “The fact is, there are no similar products. That’s what sets the Minis apart from everything else,” Manager of Public Relations Tina Noelle Mezzina of Automoblox told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007.
— A smaller version of the original Automoblox, the Minis earned a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award by coupling classic wooden design with sleek, colorful modern appeal. Automoblox vehicles drive away with a prize because they have a construction component, feature quality materials, come in various styles, are virtually indestructible and are ideal for both play and display. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This book by Gennifer Choldenko is told through the voices of an upper-middle-class white girl and a black middle-class boy and addresses issues of identity, race and prejudice at a private school. “Gennifer Choldenko is an award-winning author who knows how to create an intriguing, thought-provoking, impossible-to-put-down story about prejudice and class structure for middle school and young adult readers,” Sarah Shealy, associate director of publicity for Harcourt Children’s Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Howdy by TRUMPETTE

This ride-on toy is made of 100-percent PVC and measures 22” x 17.5”. The box measures 14.75” H x 8.5” W x 50.5” D. It is made in China. Launch date: Summer 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $34.00)

Bernese Picture Frame by TRANSWORLD PLUSH TOYS INC.

It's a stuffed animal and picture frame! Animal size: 9" tall; Frame size: 4 1/2"x 5" Also available in Bulldog and Husky, as well as Persian, Siamese and Tabby cats. 9/19/2007 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Darts™ by FAMILY GAMES INC.

With two sides to play on, our original dart game offers double the fun for players of all ages. The large, hanging magnetized mat is made of the highest quality fabric and is extremely durable. Six professionally weighted darts that are guaranteed to STICK at every throw are included with every game. 9/19/2007 (Price: $17.99)