March 2010 New Specialty Toys — All

In this subtle competition, the forest is ablaze, the smoke is thick, and the flames are spreading. The only inhabitants seem to be a few courageous firefighters, their supporting planes and fleeing animals. Ablaze consists of three distinct games. In Wild Fire!, one to four players lead a crew of firefighters who are attempting to contain a rapidly spreading wildfire. The crew must cover the largest area of forest while always maintaining a link to water. In Volcano!, players pilot an air tanker struggling to help extinguish a conflagration initiated by an erupting volcano. They extinguish or isolate the most forest fires to earn honor and victory. In On the Run!, a lighting strike has started an intense brushfire, forcing fluffy forest fauna to flee the inferno in an effort to escape a fiery demise. Players shall decide the fate of some of the frantic forest fauna, and saving the most animals will win the game. Ablaze includes 48 pawns (firefighters) in four colors, 47 forest tiles, one volcano tile, one plane tile and rules. It is made in the USA and is not sold in the mass market, according to Robert T. Carty, Jr., VP of Sales and Marketing, Mayfair Games. Playing time is about 45 minutes. The game was designed by Heinrich Glumpler with art by Franz Vohwinkel. Launch date: March 11, 2010.

Replicating that first F-22, which was delivered to the "Fighting Eagles" at Langley Air Force Base, this 1/72 scale, die cast Hobby Master model features engraved panel lines, a detailed cockpit with an optional-position canopy and a pilot figure, sidewinder and AIM-120C missiles, optional-position missile bay doors and landing gear, a two-tone camouflage scheme with authentic markings, and more. Measures approximately 10¼" long with a 7½" wingspan and includes a display stand. Launch date: April 2010.

A companion doll for young riders, Camille Equestrienne is dressed in a riding outfit complete with cap, jacket and boots. She has long rooted hair for styling fun and can wear any 13" fashion from the Les Cheries collection. "Headquartered in the Loire Valley, the storybook region of Langeais, France, Corolle is a brand that embodies all the values of childhood. The extraordinary attention to detail in all their dolls and accessories reflect the company’s reputation — established over three decades — for quality materials and classic design," Liza Grando, Account Executive, Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2010.

These animal erasers have removable puzzle parts so they can be taken off and reassembled. The animal collection includes elephants, panda bears, a giraffe, a cow and a pig.
— "Over the course of the last year, it was 500 to 1,000 units per week," Gage Brownell of Belmont Toys in Belmont, Mass., told TDmonthly in March 2010 about his store's sales of Iwako erasers.
— BC USA Erasers were on the top-10 best-seller list at Jillie Beans Toys & More in Westminster, Colo., in April 2010, reported Owner Valerie Elsea. “Tweeny girls and boys love them and they are easy to collect,” she told TDmonthly. “They’ve been selling well since the fall of [2009].”
— Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that her best-selling collectibles are "Japanese erasers. We sell some every day - about 100 per month."

This miniature, poseable play doll is about 4" tall and comes in a box with a cat and a brush accessory. Brianna is one of eight dolls in the Ty Li'l Ones collection. Launch date: Spring 2010.
— "The No. 1 thing we just got in is the Li'l Ones from Ty," Steve Banducci of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., told TDmonthly in March 2010. "We got in 96 two weeks ago and we have about 15 left. Kind of a surprise."

This Emperor Penguin chick moves according to the shake of the egg, which functions as a remote control. The user simply shakes the egg up, down, left or right to make the penguin move forward, backward or to either side. It requires four AG13 batteries (included). Launch date: June 2010.

This starter set of 26 Tegu blocks includes cubes, long planks and short planks in a natural finish. The blocks are made of European Beech and contain small, embedded magnets that allow the blocks to stick together and be fashioned in a variety of ways not possible with traditional blocks.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal.
— In a February 2015 survey, Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, told TDmonthly that puzzles from Melissa & Doug are her store's best-selling wooden toys.

Pressman Toy Corporation has signed an agreement with Good Marketing, Inc., for WaveLength. Appropriate for adults and teens, the game includes more than 1,000 pop culture questions about movies, television, music, sports, history, politics, geography, and even household goods. Scores determine, “Are you and your partner on the same WaveLength?” "Invented by Ed Greenberger, a television newscaster, and friend Stan Loveman, WaveLength has been widely popular in Canada. The game has also won several national and International awards, including an iParenting, National Parenting Center, Major Fun, Dr. Toy and Canadian Toy Testing Council’s Best Bet award," Stephanie Meyering, Account Coordinator, G.S. Schwartz & Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

This 3D board game is designed to sharpen memory skills as kids play with glittery ostriches. Each turn, a player removes an ostrich from the sand. If the ostrich’s head matches the color the player needs, he gets one step closer to winning. Launch date: 2010.

The goal is to be the first player to pack everything in your backpack and head out to the car and win. Children get the chance to move through the house game board to collect everything needed for vacation. It includes vacation item cards, children movers, backpacks and packing lists. Launch date: 2010.

This game gives kids the chance to take a moveable shopping cart and a shopping list, and race along the supermarket aisles to collect fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. By paying at the end of every turn, players get closer to winning. This brightly colored game board comes with a supermarket shelf, four shopping carts with moveable wheels, 36 coins and six shopping lists. "The Chimp and Zee line of preschool specialty games that have been developed with the help of teacher and parent input. In 2010, an array of new games and puzzles will be added to the award-winning Chimp and Zee line that was introduced last year," Stephanie Meyering, Account Coordinator, G.S. Schwartz & Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Aliens are on the loose and it’s up to the players to capture them. Everybody’s got aliens, but there are only two capture markers. The goal is to catch as many aliens as possible before the next player grabs the capture marker. The first to capture all of his or her aliens wins the game. Launch date: July 15, 2010.

Three bands of pirates have discovered an island brimming with treasure. The goal is to conquer the island by capturing the gold and silver, or by eliminating the enemy pirates. Players must position their pirates carefully, as enemies are all around and they are hungry for treasure. "Unique pirate figures make the game very attractive out in the store," Leah Sugar, VP Marketing, Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2010.

Players should gather their sunglasses, snowshoes and mosquito spray for travel to the Americas. Players use destination and transportation tiles to chart a course through North, Central and South America and the Caribbean — touring by airplane, cruise ship or on foot. With a little luck and clever planning, they just might outmaneuver their fellow travelers and be the first to make connections for a complete 10-day journey. It's "exclusive to the specialty market, great for families and educational settings," Leah Sugar, VP Marketing, Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 7, 2010.

For two to four players, Stranded is a fast-paced light strategy game where being last will make one first. Players remove randomly placed game pieces from the platform in hopes of trapping their opponents. But each piece that is removed changes the game surface, creating new moves for some and different strategies for others. Suspense will mount with every move or remove as players try not to fall into their own trap. "Each game played has different moves you can make to either win or set yourself up for losing. The clear box top packaging gives the consumer a perfect look at the colorful playing board. This attractive and intriguing design draws consumers to the product," Todd Jacobs, Vice President, Talicor, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 15, 2010. Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Game of the Year Award

This colorful version of Memo features some of the smartest animals from the animal kingdom, such as the elephant, chimpanzee, dolphin and parrot. Players try to match up as many of them as they can before their opponent. Terra Toys produces "environmentally friendly products that teach about conservation through an easy to understand medium, Saving Wild Animals," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2010.

Shoulder Buddies are a collectible, educational accessory that kids can wear on their shoulders, backpacks, hats, etc. Shoulder Buddies are packaged with a collectible "Smarts" card that teaches their "Smarts" through an easy-to-remember acronym. A "Shoulder Buddies Coin" is also included, which is used to attach them to your shoulder. They also have a hole on their back so that kids can attach them to their backpacks with a keychain, which is also included with the product. There's also a book that corresponds to the Shoulder Buddy characters. "Shoulder Buddies are very unique because they are an adorable character that can be worn on the shoulder," Jeaneen & Kevin Muller, Managing Members, Shoulder Fun USA, LLC, told TDmonthly. "They definitely attract attention when wearing them and our variety of characters each have a different learning message that comes with them." Launch date: October 2009.

Animal and shape bracelets are made to be worn, traded and collected. These shaped bands are made of silicone, and they bounce right back to their shape after each and every wear. The Sightings bands even glow in the dark. Every pack contains six custom-designed shapes: Big Foot, Ghost, Alien, Mothman, Jersey Devil and Loch Ness Monster. An all-kid test group helped the company develop these designs. There are four of each design in a pack, for a total of 24 bands. "Our bigger bands are stronger than the competitor’s and are nice and comfy to wear. And they are all glittery on the arm!" April Mraz, CEO, OCG Products, LLC, told TDmonthly. "The packaging itself is a nice add-on: a reusable plastic pouch with a zipper and metal ball chain. Perfect for attaching to purses, backpacks, or belt loops to carry bands in style!" Launch date: March 15, 2010.

This charming, soft-bodied baby doll has sleeping eyes and can suck on its thumb or his pacifier, just like a real baby. Suce-Pouce can wear any 14" baby doll fashion from the Corolle collection. Launch date: 2008.

This 12” charmer is designed to encourage hugs and capture hearts. Dressed in a bright polka dot dress with coordinating headband, Calin has a soft “beanbag” body that can be posed just like a real baby. "Headquartered in the Loire Valley, the storybook region of Langeais, France, Corolle is a brand that embodies all the values of childhood. The extraordinary attention to detail in all their dolls and accessories reflect the company’s reputation — established over three decades — for quality materials and classic design. Each doll’s expression, hair, skin tone and limb features are realistic and natural, and a light scent of vanilla is added to the vinyl for sensory appeal. Designed for durability and playability, Corolle dolls are created for a lifetime of hugs," Liza Grando, Account Executive, Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 5 out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Calin from Corolle was their best-selling doll.  Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg, Va., said she sells a few Calins a month, and a dozen a month during the holidays.
— As of 06/27/2011 this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; well-made; machine washable. Cons: Two reviewers said the doll's teeth were yellow.

With talkatoo™ parents can share a little love with their kids whenever they're apart and wherever they go. Talkatoo™ voice recordable pendants let kids and their parents record and share sweet notes, helpful reminders or encouraging words so they can feel more connected when they’re not together. They come with six different fun designs — some for boys, some for girls and even some for moms. They can be worn as a necklace or clipped to a backpack, lunchbox, belt loop, etc. Launch date: May 31, 2010.

Licensed by Major League Baseball, this card game simulates an actual baseball game, with two players/teams, nine innings, three outs per inning, walkins-runs-outs, etc. Team-specific and generic titles are available. "Unlike any other baseball game, the MLB card game is like playing baseball and because of its convenient size, can be played almost anywhere," Sandy Bergeson, Executive VP, TDC Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 15, 2010.