January 2009 New Specialty Toys — Developmental Toys

Chunky wooden body shapes can be switched around to make jolly chaps! Made in Germany, this is a solid beechwood stacking toy that will entertain the young and old alike! There are nine shapes and a sturdy base with pegs so the blocks don’t fall over.
— “We sell Haba really, really well,” said Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., in Decemeber 2008. “I love Haba blocks, so I tend to recommend them to a lot of people, and their marble run. We have a whole display.”

For children 3 and up, Special Cross building blocks have more available shapes in comparison to Baby Cross allowing for more design possibilites. Special Cross 80 includes 12 blue squares, 12 red squares, 12 yellow squares, 12 green squares, 16 red circles, and 16 blue round pegs.

For children 3 and up, Special Cross building blocks have more available shapes in comparison to Baby Cross allowing for more design possibilites. Special Cross 20 includes 6 yellow squares, 6 green squares, 4 red circles, and 4 blue round pegs.

These Italian designed building blocks can be connected together in different ways to form various shapes and models. The Baby Cross 40 set includes 10 squares of each color (blue, yellow, green, and red).

These Italian designed building blocks can be connected together in different ways to form various shapes and models. The Baby Cross 12 set includes 6 red squares and 6 yellow squares.

Suitable for babies 3 months and up, this teething rattle combines elements of the company's Skwish and Winkel baby toys — soft plastic loops, colorful rings and a wooden ball. The product measures 6.25" H. Launch date: July 2008.

I’m the comicos of the band and I always have a funny up my sleevos. OK, here’s a good one for you: What do you get when you cross a cat with a tree? A cat-a-log! Hee-hee! There’s lots more where that came from … but I’ll stop for now. Ciao amigos, keep laughing! Discovery Deglingos are an explorative adventure for young kids. Each leg contains a different activity – squeaks, rattles, crinkles and more. Also, a pull-string tail creates a shake and rattle surprise. Launch date: November 2008.

As Shakespearos once said, “The dog will have his day," and that day is now. I can usually be found waxing poetic and sniffing out a sonnet or two. But as the poetos of the Deglingos, I need inspiration. Will you be my muse? Discovery Deglingos are an explorative adventure for young kids. Each leg contains a different activity – squeaks, rattles, crinkles and more. Also, a pull-string tail creates a shake and rattle surprise. Launch date: November 2008.

So crazios and always in a good mood, I’m the excitable guy with the big heart. Poilodos tells me I need to chill out and loosen my suspenders a bit, but I prefer to blow off steam by playing the drums with my tail. Not everyone appreciates this talent. Party poopos! Discovery Deglingos are an explorative adventure for young kids. Each leg contains a different activity — squeaks, rattles, crinkles and more. Also, a pull-string tail creates a shake and rattle surprise. Launch date: November 2008.

This award-winning tracking elephant's trunks allow and enhance hand-eye coordination for children. The product can be easily attached to any smooth surface and can be used in and out of the tub. It comes with five weighted tracking balls and is suitable for ages 9 months and up. It received an Oppenheim Gold Seal Best Toy Award in 2008. Launch date: 2008.

These blocks, designed in Italy, can be connected in four different ways (vertically, stacked, laterally, perpendicularly and obliquely). "The models that could be made with these building blocks, unlike ... others, are realistic reproductions. For example, the airplane model [looks like] a real airplane; the castle [resembles] a real castle, etc. From the educational point of view, Special Cross develops creativity and imagination in children, as well as precision and patience," Georgiy Saturchenko, president of Bim Bom Trading, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.