March 2010 New Specialty Toys — All

This lift-the-flap educational book explores geology, geography, meteorology and astronomy, taking kids on a journey to discover the ground under the feet as well as the clouds and the magnificent solar system. It's written by Pascale Hédelin and illustrated by Laurent Richard and Terri Bjorgan. The 9" x 9.5" book features color illustrations and 38 pages. Launch date: September 2009.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.

In this story, presented as a 32-page hardcover, a little boy points out all the things his father knows, including the names of clouds and which insects are "buzziest." In rhyming verse, i's written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Launch date: April 27, 2010.

Buster is a soft plush square pillow that has a smiley face on one side, and shapes with numbers on the other side. There are 6 colored buckles going around the toy so kids can learn their colors, shapes, and numbers while still getting to play with the buckles they love. Can serve as a traveling toy as it can fit in a diaper bag and attach to almost anything. Machine washable.

Bella is a soft plush heart pillow that has a smiley face on oneside, and shapes with numbers on the other side. There are 5 colored buckles going around the toy so kids can learn their colors, shapes, and numbers while still getting to play with the buckles they love. Can serve as a traveling toy as it can fit in a diaper bag and attach to almost anything. Machine washable.

Bucky is a soft plush turtle that has 4 colored buckles down his tummy that unbuckle to reveil colored numbers 1-10. There are 6 colored shapes on his shell and down the middle of his shell is a zipper that unzippers to reveil a pouch. Kids can learn their colors, shapes, and numbers while still getting to play with the buckles they love. Can serve as a traveling toy as it can fit in a diaper bag and attach to almost anything. Machine washable.
— Mass Hole Mommy found that her son was instantly captivated by the colors and tactile stimulation of Bucky. The turtle proved a safe way for her son to hone his fine motor skills. Christy of Is It Naptime Yet? reported that her son was just as captivated by Bucky, eschewing his other, fancier toys in favor of the plush turtle. Though Christy complained that some of the buckles were too difficult for her son, Mama Cheaps viewed the difficulty her daughter had with the same buckles as a challenge to be overcome with more practice.

Complete with interchangeable parts like the rest of the Automoblox collection, the T900 features a chrome grill and bumpers, all-terrain tires on chrome wheels, and an overall sleek, sporty design.
— Four of 38 specialty retailers named Automoblox as a top-selling wooden toy in February 2010. "Automoblox do really well," said Stacy Solie of Leapin' Lizards Toy Co. in Bend, Ore., citing sales of about 2 dozen per month.

These jaguars are part of a plush collection featuring stuffed animals and puppets that share characteristics of their real animal in the wild. A hangtag explains each animal's distinctive qualities. Retail price ranges from $16 to $36, depending on size. Launch date: January 2010.
— Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop in Scottsdale, Ariz., was impressed with this plush line at Toy Fair 2010.

This kit gives some structure to free-form building with planks, including an idea book with instructions for building ball-track structures, ramps, funnels and more. It allows for scientific experimentation as kids test rolling the two included lightweight balls to see if they move as anticipated.
— "A new concept kit will help kids build bigger and better — simple, open-ended and smart," said John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., at Toy Fair 2010.
— It was also a top-two favorite at ASTRA's Share the Fair event during Toy Fair 2010.
— In an April 2012 survey, Elmer Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that KEVA blocks are their best selling construction toy.

This craft kit includes three 10" x 12" designs with a mermaid theme, sparkling sequins and jewels to give the pictures dazzle, and a glam grabber tool to grab and stick the decorative pieces. Launch date: 2010.
— John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., liked this product at Toy Fair 2010, saying, "[It's] easy to do and [the] results are dazzling!"
— Gladys Griffin, owner of Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga., told TDmonthly in a January 2014 survey that Do-A-Dot-Art is a best-selling arts & crafts toy.

This multi-paneled portable play space can be toted around as a book but opens up to reveal themed scenes that create a large, personal play area for children. Kids can fold out the panels all around them and play with toys and accessories inside the impromptu play area.The cardboard and paper is made from 100-percent recycled material, and the glossy, UV-cured outer layers are designed to prevent fading and offer a dry-erase surface. The Castle Edition has 15+ panels with a suggested retail price of $39.99 to $42.99. Launch date: May 2010.

In this medieval-themed game for two to four players, oppenents must work to protect their castles as they try to knock the other players' wrecking balls off track. It's a sturdy wooden game with several movable elements. Launch date: 2010.

Complete with an illustrated guidebook, this developmental kit comes with 10 multi-sensory games and craft activities to let preschoolers practice early cutting and fine motor skills.

In this game for three to six players, each participant in turn is given a picture card, while the other players receive a hand of six pictures. The designated storyteller uses a word or phrase to strategically hint at his picture (without being too obvious), and the other players each choose one of their cards that best fits the description. Everyone then bets on which picture belongs to the storyteller.

Brightly colored with water-based stain (no lacquer) rattles are sure to keep baby happy and busy. Whether babies want to shake it or spin it they’re going to enjoy it.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Toy Award 2010
— Three of 38 specialty retailers cited rattles by HABA as a best-selling wooden toy in their stores in February 2010.

A nice addition to story time to engage and encourage children to participate in the Humpty Dumpty story. Chimes are inside to enhance the story. Doll measures 7" x 6". Machine washable, dryable. Bricks sold separately.

Mood necklaces with assorted pendants.

2pc novelty book mark set. Each set includes a 4.5" bookmark with matching 3.5" bookmark. Available in cute character designs.

Temporary tattoos that glow in the dark. Includes 10 designs per sheet.

6pc dinosaur crayons. Each crayon measures 2" long.

4"-4.5" assorted dinosaurs includes all the most popular species including T-Rex, Brontosaurus, Triceratops, etc.

3.5" plastic ATV with pull back action and assorted colors. Each comes in its own 4"x3" window box. Also includes display.

Bowl at home with ten 9" pins and two 4" bowling balls.

10pc girl's wild west play set includes two 8" clicker guns, holsters, badge, and more. Comes in a 8"x13" blister card.

25" boxed kite in assorted colors. Assembly instructions included. Packaged in a 4"x26" poly-bag with header.