March 2009 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

Each alarm makes the sound of the animal on the dial, so the dog barks, the frog ribbits and the butterfly kisses. Batteries are included. The product features a clear-box design with a "hear me" option that allows customers to hear the sound of the clock alarm sound inside the package. The product is 7" tall, with a 4"-diameter clock face. "Bright colors and clearly printed numbers make it fun for children to learn how to tell time," a representative of Streamline Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

This Felt Tales play set includes 19 soft, safe pieces that allow children to create colorful scenes on the portable board that includes a carry handle. It measures 15" W x 12" H. Launch date: 2009.

This stain-resistant, machine-washable lunch bag is made of sturdy neoprene, which also acts to insulate and cushion contents. The lightweight bag measures 12" L x 10" W x 6" D and has interior pockets, cushioned handles, and wide zipper openings for accessibility.

The Work-Home Collection offers both Worktown Mat™ and Hometown Mat™, offering a variety of fun platforms to support kids' imagination of work and home life. Launch date: April 2009.

This kit includes six, 4-oz. containers of handmade soft dough made with organic flour, sea salt, cream of tartar, canola oil, natural plant and vegetable colors, natural scent extracts and natural preservatives. The lemon, orange, lime, strawberry, cherry and grape dough varieties are packaged with several different play dough tools. Clementine Art products are available exclusively at Whole Foods stores through 2009.

These soft, knit monkeys have a chime on the inside and bear a heart shape on their tummies. Each little monkey carries a banana, and all can be displayed in a tin pail.

This eco-friendly lunchbag features an easy-to-clean, wipe-off surface made of cotton with an acrylic coating that complies with the Oeko-Tek 100 Standard, meaning it does not contain hazardous chemicals. The bag is also machine washable and has soft handles and a durable zipper.

Made in the USA of recycled plastic milk jugs, this tool kit includes flat and Phillips screwdrivers, a wrench, pliers, a hammer, a saw, and two each of nails, bolts, nuts and two-hole connectors. The environmentally friendly set also includes a tool box for storage of the toys. Launch date: 2009.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009

Perfect for little pirates, this high-seas apron may be worn while doing crafts, helping to cook or just eating, in place of a traditional bib.

This 220-thread count, standard-sized pillow case features a playful side with a colorful pirate scene and a character side with images that glow in the dark. It also comes with a booklet of games tied to the theme.

This handmade bookend features a faux leather exterior and is heavily weighted with a filling of natural cotton and iron filings. It measures about 8" x 10" and comes in a non-woven drawstring bag.

Featuring forest characters and available in three designs (Jean-Pierre, shown; Droolie; and Fei-Fei), this backpack has faux-fur straps and sides, plus one interior pocket. It measures 9" x 12" x 5.5".

This handcrafted, wooden pull toy is made by artisans in India and features coloring provided by natural vegetable dye. The turtle's shell rotates as the toy is pulled along. It measures 5" x 5" x 4.5".

This machine-washable, neoprene lunch bag has two interior mesh pockets and is designed to both cushion and insulate its contents. It stands upright and features wide zipper openings and an easy-to-grip, cushioned handle.

P’kolino’s Puzzle Stacker increases the play value of the classic stacker by adding the benefits of puzzles. Stacking toys help develop a baby’s hand-eye coordination and recognition of sizes and colors. The puzzles fine-tune motor skills and teach spatial logic through joining the interconnecting pieces. This two-in-one toy does both, doubling the fun; and doubling the development. Also available in a 6 ring version. Launch date: June 2009.

Designed for both kids and adults, Tail Wags helmet covers come in a variety of styles that not only provide fun expression, but also enhance visibility for safety purposes. MSRP for the styles in the line ranges from $30 to $45.

Suitable for children ages 1 1/2 to 5 years, this colorful, friction-powered harvester has a rotating thresher and an automatic baler that drops bales (three included in set) as the vehicle moves. It also features a swivel grain arm and comes with a farmer figurine.
— “Wow Toys have been the favorite,” Bill Rayment, owner of Toy Crossing in Harbor Beach, Mich., told TDmonthly about infant and toddler toys in March 2009.
— Three of 64 retailers named Wow Toys as a top-selling infant and toddler line in spring 2009.

Decked out in green, this truck carries the message of recycling in its very construction, as it's made from 100-percent recycled milk jugs.  It is free of metal axles and measures 12" L x 6.25" W x 7" H. Launch date: February 15, 2009. “We're sticking to our strategy that served us well in 2008,” said Robert von Goeben, Co-founder and President of Green Toys Inc. “Our customers say they love who we are, and want more safe, earth-friendly, U.S.-made toys. We've responded by adding some cool new products, yet staying true to our core mission.”
— "[We're] doing extremely well with trucks, particularly the Recycling Truck from Green Toys," Rick Henry of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Mass., told TDmonthly when discussing best sellers in late October 2009.

Made from recycled plastic milk containers, this energy-efficient dump truck features a functional dumper and measures 10" L x 7 1/2" W x 7 1/8" H. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— "The new trucks from Green Toys will be big hits with 2- to 4-year-olds," Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly following the 2009 ASTRA Marketplace.

This 66-lb. cube features acrylic, distortion-free mirrors on the top, bottom and sides, and measures 29" on each side. Part of the company's collection of early learning furniture, it is designed to offer a fascinating perspective of self-awareness. Launch date: January 2009.

The animals want to show how capable they are at making a tall pyramid. Who will position the penguin on top of the crocodile, the sheep on top of the penguin, the serpent on the sheep, the tucan... A wobbly stacking game for 2-4 players ages 4-99. With variation for one player. Now available with English packaging.
Awards: A Spring 2011 Parents Choice Recommended Award

This 6" x 4" x 5.5" bag is available in various styles and features waterproof nylon so that it can be used indoors or out. It has pockets around the outside and can be filled with toys, supplies and accessories in the main compartment as well, helping to keep things organized.

The 8" Rain Babies feature bean-filled plush bodies and embroidered faces, and come with an adoption certificate plus a collectible hangtag that includes the raindrops name and the date it was formed. Four styles are available: Drench (blue), Sprinkle (pink), Splash (yellow) and Dewy (green).

The rich colors and patterns of the We-Blocks will evoke a child’s curiosity and desire to explore as well as fulfill their imagination. There are three sets in this series: the Tactile Cube, the Reflector Cube and the Construction Tower. The Tactile Cube set consists of 6 blocks, 2 pink with dot pattern, 2 green with grid pattern and 2 blue with concentric circles and have anti-slip pads to allow use as a walkway. The Reflector Cube set consists of 6 anti shatter mirrored blocks in yellow, pink and green. Mirrors include concave, convex, and funhouse. The Construction Tower set consists of 4 green blocks with a solid square design, 2 yellow blocks with an open square "window" design, 2 blue blocks with an open "rectangular" design and 2 pink triangular blocks. Blocks fit together like puzzle pieces.

Characteristic that sets this product apart:
The dot, grid and concentric circle patterns of the Tactile Cube are tactile stimuli with different intensity. The mirrors of the Reflector Cube are concave, convex and funhouse to give different ways to visually explore. The Construction Tower set adds windows and triangle pieces for another level of play.