March 2009 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

The MagnaPlay Magnetic Activity Travel Set includes one MagnaKase and one magnetic wooden activity, such as the Alphabet Picture Puzzle or the Number Match Up. Children can use the top of the MagnaKase as a dry-erase magnetic activity board while they're on the go. The MagnaKase also comes with two magnetic strips that secure coloring pages to the activity surface. Launch date: November 2008.

The “Writing Made Simple” Kids are part of a larger curriculum that will include a child’s and teacher’s workbooks. This tin product is the fun, manipulative part of the program. The object is to teach the correct letter and numeral formations through play (utilizing a strong emphasis on a multisensory approach) using magnetic caricature puzzle pieces. Through initially forming the letters and numbers with manipulatives, the child will have ingrained the steps that will properly translate when using crayons/pencil and paper. Our four caricatures are performing an action (strong visual) as to how to form the shapes. Launch date: 2009.

These cards provide a simple format to teach the important safety principles around food allergy management. Specific examples help children and those who care for them learn that staying safe with a peanut or tree nut allergy goes beyond the nut product itself. These flashcards introduce cross-contamination, the importance of label reading, and the importance of always carrying emergency medication. There are 36 color-coded cards with eye-catching illustrations on the front and important safety information and tips on the back. The cards have been recommended by allergists, school nurses, day care providers and families of children with nut allergies. Launch date: November 10, 2008.

God saved Noah and his family from a great flood by giving him a very special assignment. He told Noah to build a BIG ark, with room for two of every kind of creature, one male and one female (Genesis 6-9). Children can make the story come to life with this interactive Noah's Ark playset that includes Noah, 14 animals and an ark. Launch date: December 2008.

This adventure of good, old-fashioned fun features an upbeat collection of songs by Michael Plunkett that moves children from high-energy action to quiet-time. The songs are easy-to-sing and memorable, and offer valuable early learning opportunities, as well as activities that encourage creative movement and imaginative play. There’s also attention to building relationships, eating healthy foods, hygiene, manners and more. Shenanigans is great for the family to share, as well as a special resource for schools and libraries. "It offers a music style and lyrics that today's kids can relate to, and adults will also enjoy," Elaine Murphy, director of sales and marketing for Kimbo Educational, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

In addition to the colorful sheep, hare and bear hand puppets, this set includes a die and a memory game for one to four players. It encourages role play, language development and comprehension of rules. Launch date: 2008.
— Lisa McMartin, co-owner of Wonderment Inc. in Minneapolis, told TDmonthly in late 2008 that HABA is one of her most-liked vendors because “they'll take individual orders in their dating program." Nearly 10 percent of 52 retailers named HABA as one of their favorite suppliers.

These colorful wooden blocks, featuring all sorts of creatures from both land and sea, stack up to almost 3'. Package size is 5.75" x 5.75" x 5.7".
— “Melissa & Doug are phenomenal. They have great margins for volumes and are supportive. I wish we had five more of them,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer’s Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in late 2008 when naming the company one of his favorite vendors. Forty-eight percent of 52 retailers surveyed praised Melissa & Doug as a favorite supplier.

This fitness DVD gives offers parents a way to work out with their children from birth to 6 years old, while having fun at the same time. It features real moms and kids alongside cartoon scenery background to catch children's attention. There are three workout options: cardio; toning and abs; and cardio, toning and abs. Launch date: 2008.

This game comes with a colorful spinner and corresponding shapes that fit into puzzle board with color-corresponding cut-outs. Launch date: 2009.
— “eeBoo is excellent,” Elizabeth Ryan, owner of Tales & Toys in Venice, Calif., told TDmonthly of this preferred vendor in late 2008. One other retailer, out of 52, also mentioned eeBoo as a favorite.