November 2007 New Toys — Tween

Zoe Cell Phone Cover by FUN FRIENDS

Part of the Wild Ones line, the plush zebra personalizes almost any flip phone. The Zoe zebra character is also available as an iPod cover and a key chain. The Wild Ones line also includes a gorilla, a leopard, a giraffe, a tiger and an elephant. Launch date: November 2007. 9/27/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bead Girl® Peel & Stick Rhinestone Sets by COUSIN CORP OF AMERICA

Personalize phones, backpacks, handbags, books and more, all without glue or iron. Simply peel and stick. Each set includes over 500 rhinestones. Launch date: Fall 2007. 9/27/2007 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Girl Pirate Slumber Sack by KELLY KOUTURE

This fun, fuschia sleeping bag has a soft, swirly design and is lined in a funky fabric featuring pirate skulls and hot pink flames. The top of the bag shows off a rhinestone-studded appliqué of a princess pirate skull. The item, which opens up into a throw blanket, is reversible and measures 56” x 70” open and 28” x 70” zipped close. It is ideal for sleepovers, trips to the grandparents’ house, pajama days at school and Saturday morning cartoons. “The stylish and soft furs, along with the accented trims, set these bags apart," according to Owner and Designer Kelly Waterman of Kelly Kouture. Launch date: September 7, 2007. 9/21/2007 (Price: $179.99)

Be Mine™ by Q P PRINTING LTD.

The 5” x 5” machine-washable bag comes with nine different features, including a wrist strap with multiple key rings, a lipstick loop, an extendable pen, a zippered inside pocket and more. An adjustable strap can also be purchased to convert the bag into a clutch, a mini-bag or an accessory pouch that can be clipped onto a diaper bag. The bag is available in eight designs, including Tiki Toffee and Blue Bouquet. "We are finding that teens are using it for their ipods, etc. and grandmas are carrying it as well," Ju-Ju-Be Creator Kristin Hunziker told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 14, 2007.
Awards:  Toyman Award. 9/18/2007 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Follow Your Nose by SENTOSPHERE USA

Its remarkable aromas provide both adults and children six years or older with an extraordinary opportunity to explore and discover the world via an amazing new dimension. Here is a simple game which fascinates children and adults in the discovery of our least used, yet most acute, sense; the sense of smell. It includes 30 distinct aroma diffusers enclosed in child resistant scent flasks which need to be matched with the corresponding image found on five brightly illustrated game boards. The fragrance 9/10/2007 (Price: $39.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Blue Radiance Backpack by FRECKLES & MAYA GIRLS ACCESSORIES USA

These are the same backpacks Gramcracker sewed for the girls in the first original story about Freckles & Maya! So soft and cuddly and perfect for carrying all her secret treasures. Washable and reversible, be careful, though, these well-built little packs dislike a hot dryer. The opening has two top drawstrings with pom-poms designed for little hands to pull closed. ( Watch Video) 9/5/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Very Berry Backpack by FRECKLES & MAYA GIRLS ACCESSORIES USA

These are the same backpacks Gramcracker sewed for the girls in the first original story about Freckles & Maya! So soft and cuddly and perfect for carrying all her secret treasures. Washable and reversible, be careful, though, these well-built little packs dislike a hot dryer. The opening has two top drawstrings with pom-poms designed for little hands to pull closed. ( Watch Video) 9/5/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Saddle Club Volume 2 – Storm at Pine Hollow by ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS

In this film, Lisa takes a beautiful, but violent, foster horse for rehabilitation. Storm has been abused and is scheduled to be put down, and Stevie and Carole are concerned for Lisa’s emotional state if efforts to re-train Storm are unsuccessful. Drew, meanwhile, is facing financial difficulties and bank loans are due. When Red decides to sell Pine Hollow’s surrounding land and riding trails, The Saddle Club girls must help save Pine Hollow and Storm. The series airs in 14 countries, pointed out Mariakay Chakos of Sue Procko Public Relations, and is shown on Discovery Kids in the United States. Also, there are cross-promotional opportunities with the books by Random House and toys by Breyer. Launch date: August 7, 2007. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Saddle Club Volume 1 – Horse of a Different Color by ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS

Carole fears her friends have forgotten her birthday amidst the excitement of a valuable show horse arriving at Pine Hollow. When the horse, Hugo, escapes, Carole, Stevie and Lisa find him, and then unveil Carole’s surprise party. Hugo’s owner, French dressage champion Dorothée Doutey, who fell months ago and shattered both her pelvis and self-confidence, becomes the girls’ riding instructor and learns lessons that heal her emotional wounds. ”The girls of The Saddle Club … have all become breakout stars,” Mariakay Chakos of Sue Procko Public Relations told TDmonthly. “The series has also been hailed by animal rights groups for its treatment and handling of the horses that play such an important part of the show’s success.” Launch date: August 7, 2007. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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][?]