March 2010 New Specialty Toys — Educational

"101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math!" uses an accessible question-and-answer approach to explore key concepts in math while making connections to everyday life: sports, hobbies, food, music, travel, etc. It is the second book in its series, following the NSTA recommended "101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science."  "'101 Things Everyone Should Know About Math' is a fun and entertaining way to link mathematics to everyday life. Kids learn that math really does help solve real-world problems," Dia Michels, Owner of Science, Naturally! told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2010.

"One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math!" is authored by the same father-daughter team that introduced the award-winning, NSTA recommended, "One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Science!" Co-authored by a high-school girl, this title is a great way to encourage girls to excel in math. Readers will learn much and have fun as they use their logic and their mathematical know-how to solve the various "mysteries" presented in this book. "'One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve with Math!' skillfully meshes humor and excitement with challenging real world problems and allows young mathematicians to hone their sleuthing skills," Dia Michels, Owner of Science, Naturally! told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

There are four different Teach & Play Tiles set for the beginning learner. Set 1 has shapes and colors, set 2 includes animals and vegetables, set 3 makes story telling fun with buildings and vehicles, and set 4 reinforces counting skills with numbers and fractions. Each set comes with 12 tiles, printed on both sides with non-toxic inks. The tiles measure 2.25" wide, 3.5" tall and a slight 1/8" thick. Sets come with a cloth storage pouch and suggestions for play. Each set can be used for rudimentary learning at first and then grow with the child in expanding activities. The tiles may be used for matching and sorting skills, comparing and contrasting, categorization, story telling and math practice. Launch date: Summer 2010.

Complete with a field guide, this book features nine press-out dinosaurs and four pop-up play scenes for much more than a regular reading experience. The 42-page book shows off the T. Rex, Triceratops and other dinos. Launch date: October 2009.

Mom and Dakota love the mall. But when Dakota sees something neat, she goes off without telling anyone. Suddenly she’s all alone! What should she do? Tips and interactive play therapies at end of book.

Chloe and Marbles are best friends. But one day, Marbles gets sick, and no one can save him. Was it her fault? Will she ever feel better? Discover the circle of life with Chloe and Marbles. Tips and interactive play therapies at end of book.

Danny is the best at keeping secrets. But when his friend, Rick, tells him a scary secret, Danny feels uneasy about keeping quiet. Is it ever okay to break a promise to a friend? Tips and interactive play therapies at end of book.

It was hard enough for Cosmos when his parents divorced, but now Dad is remarrying! Discover with Cosmos that change can be rewarding. Tips and interactive play therapies at end of book.

When Dakota's mom goes to the hospital, the whole world seems to change. Why did Mom have to get sick? And when will she come home? Tips and interactive play therapies at end of book.

This two-in-one kit for "Following Directions" and "ABCs and Simple Shapes" was developed by an occupational therapist and contains 20 hands-on games in a no-spill carrying case. It's designed to get children prepared for school through activities such as ABC fishing, letter building, turn taking, coloring on bumpy line pages to enhance concentration, and more. It comes with an illustrated guide for parents.

Part zoo adventure, part songbook and part early confidence builder, through this musical journey, children can appreciate their individuality and have loads of fun along the way. Dance routine, CD and sheet music included.

Musically motivate toddlers to get out of their diapers and onto the toilet seat with a bouncing island beat that will have children motivated to transition from diapers to the toilet. A full musical CD and sheet music are included.

Cosmos' parents are getting a divorce. Cosmos has a lot of questions! Is it his fault? Where will he live? What will happen? Tips & interactive play therapies at end of book.

Chloe's new baby brother is coming home from the hospital! Chloe doesn't know what to expect, but she’ll be a big sister, and that is a very important job! Tips & interactive play therapies at end of book.

Will Danny like his new house, his new school and his new friends? Discover with Danny that although moving can be scary it can also be fun and exciting. Tips and interactive play therapies at end of book.

The concept of this series is to promote financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills and attitudes for readers of many ages in a time when economic realities demand a new kind of savvy skill set. It's designed for both kids and adults. "The simplicity of the work book takes the fear factor out of starting a business," Dianne Linderman, CEO, The First Moms Club Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2010.

This day-at-a-glance calendar with plenty of space for the reusable static cling chores, money and happy/sad pieces is designed to make allowance fun for kids and easy for parents. It includes a dry-erase pen and more than 60 chores to choose from. Launch date: April 2010.

This book features beautiful wildlife photography by award-winning photographers Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick and charming prose by first-time author and mother of four, Bridget McGovern Llewellyn. It's designed to stir appreciation and care for Mother Earth. Launch date: September 2009.

Living on a farm is a lot of hard work, but just think about the variety of animals under care. Using the stiff straw, the soft feathers and the bubble wrap, preschoolers can learn through their sense of touch about these animals. "Children ages 2 to 5 years old learn best when engaged in activities that integrate their fine motor skills. 1-2-3 Preschool Projects develops hands-on activities that are packaged according to themes. They feature a variety of textural materials that encourage the development of a child’s fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, language, math, drama, science, and tactile skills," Linda Scanlan, owner,1-2-3 Preschool Projects LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 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.

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.

Part of the Wild Animal Series by Papo, this hand-painted figure is very detailed and shows an authentic representation of how tigresses carry around their little bundles. It is approximately 1:20 scale. "Papo wildlife series is easily the best quality figure for the price. The proportion and stance are exact as well as the coloration," Brian Shackelton, Operation Manager, Hotaling Imports Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 15, 2010.

Quadrilateral Pieces is a geometry puzzle. Kids of all ages can improve their spatial sense as they rotate, turn and flip the pieces to construct five different quadrilaterals. "Teachers and students will love it because students can use the puzzle to help them remember what they learn about different types of quadrilaterals," Mary Kay Bacallao, President, Learning by Design, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.