November 2007 New Toys — Preschool

Caterpillar Dice Game by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

This lacing toy and dice game includes six caterpillar pieces, one head, one cord and one wooden threader. It is designed to teach colors and comes in a compact, round container for convenient storage and travel.
— Products by HABA account for the third best-selling line at Silly Goose in Essex, Mass., store owner Diane Robinson told TDmonthly.
— "Pretty much anything from Germany," sells well right now, said Amy Barrett, owner pf Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Last Chance Gulch  in Helena, Mont. HABA is a customer favorite. "Because of all the Mattel recalls, people are really concerned about children's toys in particular." 10/2/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beginner Pattern Blocks by MELISSA & DOUG

Ideal for a first manipulative, this 35-piece set features two-sided pattern boards that have cut-out spaces for secure shape placement. It measures 11" x 11" x 3". Launch date: January 2004.
— “Melissa and Doug — the puzzles and blocks are the best sellers. We sell something Melissa & Doug everyday,” Annie Polard, a buyer for Gretchen’s in Atlanta, Ga., told TDmonthly.
— For Alison Cox, owner of Animal Quackers in Raleigh, N.C., and Sheena Brittman, manager of Weiner Dog Toys in Marco Island, Fla., customers come into the store asking for Melissa & Doug products “by brand name.”
— Over 19 percent of retailers surveyed told TDmonthly that Melissa & Doug wooden blocks are the best-selling item in their store. 9/28/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Bur Bur and Friends™ Bur Bur Plush Doll by FARMER'S HAT PRODUCTIONS

Come out and play with Bur Bur. Whether at home or exploring the world, this super-soft doll is sure to become your child’s favorite. 9/28/2007

Bur Bur and Friends™ Anna Plush Doll by FARMER'S HAT PRODUCTIONS

Share the fun with Anna. This snuggly eight-inch doll is the perfect companion for your child’s adventures. 9/28/2007

Bur Bur and Friends™ Jigsaw Puzzle by FARMER'S HAT PRODUCTIONS

Put the pieces together with Bur Bur and Friends™. This colorful 24-piece puzzle is just right for kids ages 3+ 9/28/2007 (Price: $5.95)

Bur Bur and Friends™ Bur Bur baseball cap by FARMER'S HAT PRODUCTIONS

Gear up for fun with the official Bur Bur baseball cap. Adjustable band keeps cap comfortably snug. 9/28/2007 (Price: $13.95)

Muffatees by GO BABY LLC

These fingerless gloves keep wrists warm and dry on cold days. Handmade in Peru using soft baby alpaca wool (naturally hypo-allergenic), these muffatees come in a variety of colors and designs. They are available in toddler, child and adult sizes. The MSRP is between $16 and $20. Launch date: Fall 2006. 9/27/2007 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

80 pc. Foam Building Block Set by VENTURE PRODUCTS LLC

The building blocks are made of soft foam, but look like real wood. The pieces are durable, lightweight, quiet and water-resistant, making them playable anywhere, even in the pool or tub. The blocks promote creative, open-ended and imaginative play. ( Watch Video) 9/27/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Play With Your Food, Animal by DAYDREAM TOY

This game makes meals entertaining so that children don’t notice they are actually eating very healthy food. Kids spin the spinner and eat food from wherever the spinner lands. The gift set includes a game board (plate), mug and spinner. Both the plate and mug are dishwasher safe. The set is also available in a transportation theme. Launch date: February 2007. 9/27/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Tabletop Easel by ALEX BRANDS

Double sided easel has a chalkboard on one side and wipe-off board on the other. Simple, modern design assembles easily with no tools, no hinges, and no small parts. Includes 12 inch x 100 foot paper roll, 4 non-spill paint cups, 4 beginner brushes, and a removable storage tray in the base. 9/27/2007 (Price: $44.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zoobie™ Pets – Mashaka the Monkey by ZOOBIES

Part of the Safari Collection of Zoobie™ Pets, Mashaka the Monkey is a plush animal, pillow and blanket all in one. It wears a light-blue collar, and the blanket is detachable for washing convenience. The Zoobie Pets Safari Line was included on the ASTRA "Best-for-Kids" toy list for Holiday 2007 and received a Best Bet 2007 Award from the Canadian Toy Testing Council. Launch date: February 2007.
— Zoobie Pets' innovative three-in-one design has captured the attention of numerous retailers at trade shows this year, also garnering a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award. In addition to featuring soft, quality materials, the Zoobie Pet’s identity as a stuffed animal, pillow and blanket is executed extremely well, leaving great possibilities for travel and growth with any child.
— The new Zoobies were doing well for Brandy Lindstrom, manager of Little Blue Choo Choo in Scottsdale Ariz. in fall 2007.
—  As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Two customers said they wished they had bought the larger size, because the "baby" size was smaller than they had expected.

Where to Buy: Kazoo Toys; Poopsie's ( Watch Video) 9/25/2007 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Party Potty by THE PARTY POTTY

The Party Potty is an attached paper target placed above the water of a toilet to help potty train young children. The paper target can be designed by the child with special markers that would dye the water different colors when the child uses the toilet.

The Party Potty Kit has everything necessary to get started. It includes the mounting brackets, 10 party potty targets, a side clip, and washable markers. 9/21/2007 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mop Top Hats - Puppy Love by ZOONI

Zooni caps are designed to protect little ones while simultaneously demanding quality, comfort and style. Other available styles are Panda Monium, Leo the Lion, Kate’s Moss, Firecracker, Hipster, Blue Grass, Under the Sea and Flower Power. Zooni’s unique designs will make people laugh and smile. “Each hat is handmade with love, quality and care. We are committed to fair trade and donate a portion of our profits to charity. By combining style, fun and functionality, Zooni hats are guaranteed to turn heads,” Co-founder Melissa Jeong of Zooni told TDmonthly. Suggested retail price ranges from $30 to $36. Launch date: March 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/17/2007 (Price: $36.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Playful Chef International Holiday Recipe Pack by PLAYFUL LIFE

This set features five educational recipes in beautiful holiday colors and comes wrapped in a festive red raffia bow. It includes recipes for Chinese New Year’s Fortune Cookies, Mexican Christmas Punch, Passover Matzo Brei Breakfast, Kwanza Creole Bread Pudding and Indian Diwali Delights, as well as a Playful Helper towel and a Chinese good luck red envelope. “The focus is on holidays and traditions from cultures around the world, hopefully inspiring an appreciation for your own family's traditions as well as an understanding of the fun activities that other families do,” President Lisa Ligon of Playful Life told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 1, 2007. ( Watch Video) 9/17/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Jamz Cell Phone by PLANET TOYS INTERNATIONAL INC.

The cell phone has many buttons but is designed for easy and fun musical stimulation. Toddlers need only to press one of two large buttons to hear “Old MacDonald,” “Buckle My Shoe” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Launch date: July 2007. 9/12/2007 (Price: $8.88)

Baby Jamz Boom Box Shape Sorter by PLANET TOYS INTERNATIONAL INC.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this musical toy engages children to complete three different hip-hop nursery rhymes by placing square, triangle and circle LED light up blocks in the right order. The microphone has three buttons that a child can press to emit cool add-in sounds to each song. “Boomer” the boom box has a friendly, fun animated appearance. Nursery rhymes played within are “Hip-Hop Buckle My Shoe,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” and “Wheels On the Bus.” Launch date: July 2007. 9/12/2007 (Price: $14.76)

Baby Jamz Dance Mat by PLANET TOYS INTERNATIONAL INC.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this dance mat inspires kids to dance to 36 seconds of nursery rhymes in a hip-hop tempo. The songs are “Bingo,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Hush Little Baby.” The mat provides seven different spots for the toddlers to step, dance and create their own unique rendition. It provides hours of endless fun and physical activity. Launch date: July 2007. 9/12/2007 (Price: $19.84)

Baby Jamz Mix Master Chair by PLANET TOYS INTERNATIONAL INC.

Every child can be a DJ with his or her own Mix Master Chair. Four numbered light-up buttons deliver cool add-in sounds to the child’s choice of nursery rhyme. When a child sits in the chair and on a yellow note in the seat, all buttons come to life. Kids can create several renditions of each nursery rhyme by pressing three different buttons that light up and provide hours of fun. “Many children love music and dancing to hip-hop, so we have creatively combined great toys with the hip-hop versions of popular nursery rhymes,” said Mathew Knowles, president and CEO of Music World Entertainment, in an August 7, 2007 press release. Launch date: July 2007. 9/12/2007 (Price: $24.77)

Florina Arranging Game by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

The German-made 3D wooden puzzle set includes 32 colorfully decorated puzzle pieces. The set comes packaged in a sturdy, solid wood frame. This product is a 2007 Parent's Choice Award and iParenting Media Award winner. 9/10/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bontempi Trumpet by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

With a shiny silver finish, this trumpet is world famous and perfect for the budding musician. Bontempi’s boxed horns are color coded and with Bontempi’s 7 Note 7 Color Musical method, can be played right out of the box. The trumpet has four keys.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver described the Bontempi trumpet as “the best toy trumpet around for a great play and price value” when naming it as one of her best sellers in January 2009. 9/10/2007 (Price: $15.00)

Bontempi Saxophone, Trumpet and Clarinet Trio 16" by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

This boxed, musical trio includes trumpet, saxophone and clarinet with color-coded keys and a shiny silver sheen. Bontempi’s boxed horns are color coded and with Bontempi’s 7 Note 7 Color Musical method, can be played right out of the box.
— This shiny trio of instruments is a best seller at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly in early 2009.
— Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, said in January 2010 that her Bontempi instruments “sell like crazy.”
— “[They are] great little instruments that sound nice,” said Nerice Kendter, owner of Busy Bee Toys in Doylestown, Pa., when asked by TDmonthly about best sellers in the music department. ( Watch Video) 9/10/2007 (Price: $45.00)

WePlay Rotator by WEE BLOSSOM INC.

The roller round board! The rotator is designed to sit on, stand on or lie on! Great spinning game alone or with a friend. 9/10/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bontempi - Sing-A-Long Teaching Organ by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

Award winning 32 key teaching organ speaks and prompts the player. By pushing the big red buttons the player can switch between learning to play a song and learning their colors! With songs, 7 instruments, 7 rhythms and 7 interactive games this instrument will keep a child (or adult) involved for hours. Records and plays back what a child has played (up to 24 notes). Stool and microphone are supplied. 9/10/2007

Bontempi - Teaching Drum Set by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

Unique teaching tutors’ lights and impulses guide player to hit drums and cymbals in unison with the music. Terrific first foray into the world of percussion instruments! Supplied with tutor, base drum, three side drums, two cymbals, stool and drum sticks. 9/10/2007

WePlay Rocking See Saw Maze by WEE BLOSSOM INC.

Using one of the two supplied balls, work it through the maze and then challenges your senses by using two! Your final challenge is to get one ball in each of the small maze indentations! Challenging but fun! 9/10/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]