March 2011 New Specialty Toys — Educational

DoodleMark™ allows children and parents to interact with books together. Whether practicing sight words, working on vocabulary, learning to write letters, bookmarking their progress or just doodling a funny picture, this product is designed to help build a child's confidence in their reading and writing. It can be used as a classroom tool, at home to reinforce what's being taught in school, and as an incentive for reluctant readers. "DoodleMark is the world's only bookmark and drawing pad that clips to a book," Jennifer Kendra, VP sales and marketing at ReMarkable Reading Concepts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2010.

The Storymatic is a writing prompt, a teaching tool, a parlor game, and a toy, all in one little box. Combine a few of the 500+ cards, and watch a story take shape. Six trillion story combinations are possible. "I made the first one while teaching creative writing at a small Vermont college...my students kept asking me to make more than one so they could buy it and play with it outside of class with their family and friends. Finally, I took their advice," Brian Mooney, president of The Storymatic, told TDmonthly. Additionally, "The Storymatic is made here in the U.S., in a printing plant and box factory that have both been in continuous operation for more than 100 years." Launch date: March 2009.

Celestial Buddies, an original line of educational plush characters, is inspired by planets and other celestial bodies. Each plush planetary pal is designed to capture the unique variations of the actual object it represents through fabric, color, size and shape. "Celestial Buddies is a unique, innovative plush toy series not replicated in today’s market. While most Solar System toys are for school children interested in science, Celestial Buddies has a much wider age appeal from babies all the way up to adults," Jessica Silbert, owner and president of Celestial Buddies, told TDmonthly.

The KWID Learning Watch teaches kids to read digital and analog time by displaying them together so kids can connect the two. The KWID also teaches time management skills, thanks to a digital hourglass timer that is great for tracking privileges, chores, tooth brushing time and more. When the digital hourglass empties, a song plays and a cute animation pops up. In addition, kids can control the playing of five different entertaining animations when they push the “kid” button that is just for them. Launch date: September 2012.

The Kid’Sleep My First Alarm Clock teaches young children how to tell time and gives them the independence of their own alarm clock. My First Alarm Clock shows the time in both digital and analog. The hour and minute hand colors match the hour and minute numbers. The alarm arm is inverted so that children can see how long it is until they have to wake up. There are three possible alarm sounds; chirping birds, a cuckoo or a train sound. The alarm sounds progressively louder until the child turns the alarm off or pushes the top button to snooze for another two minutes. Pushing the top button also provides a short glowing light so that the child can see the time during the night. There is also a small Kid’Sleep feature – when the sleeping child is lit, kids know to stay in bed and sleep a while longer. When the awake child is lit, kids know it is time to wake up. The mini night light emits a reassuring glow. My First Alarm Clock comes in blue or pink. Launch date: September 2011.

The Kid’Sleep Classic has many benefits, as a night light and sleep teacher for young children and an alarm clock for older children. It helps young children have an understanding of when it is time to get out of bed and when it is not. It is a great tool for nighttime self regulation, and the result is that both parents and children get more sleep. The Kid’Sleep Classic helps kids stay in bed until it is time to get up. If the sleeping animal is lit, kids know to stay in bed. When the awake animal is illuminated, it is okay to get out of bed and start the day. Kids naturally relate to the sleeping or awake animal. Color recognition is not required. The Kid’Sleep Classic has dual nighttime/naptime settings and an optional alarm (which is a very sweet bird chirping sound followed by a rooster crowing), in addition to three levels of brightness. The Kid’Sleep Classic comes in blue (bunny) or pink (cow). Launch date: September 2009.
Awards: 2011 Parent Tested Parent Approved

This 19 x 13" 100 pieces Sharks jigsaw puzzle features over 20 shark species. Made of strong, easy-fit puzzle pieces, grained paper for a glare-free picture, recycled board, recycled paper, and vegetable based ink. "Beautiful illustrations make your child aware of the diversity in shark species. Your child will learn important characteristics of individual shark family members," Erich Fellinger, Eurographics sales manager, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

100 pieces Penguins jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle features over 15 species of the penguins. Features: 100 pieces, Dimension: 13 x 19 inches, Superior-quality piece by piece, easy-fit puzzle pieces, Strong puzzle pieces, Made from recycled board, Image printed on recycled paper, Ink is vegetable based. This 100 piece puzzle will challenge and educate. "Beautiful illustrations educate your child about species diversity and important characteristics of individual penguin family members," Eric Fellinger, sales manager at EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

The first release in a planned series, Groove Kid Nation: The Wheels on the Bus features favorite songs and rhymes including the title track, “Froggy Went a Courting” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” with a few original pieces thrown into the mix. Each tune features an animal character performing a solo on their instrument. An enclosed 10-page booklet features illustrations of these new animal friends created by Nica Brooke. "The recording spotlights the sounds of instruments with funky music and top musicians performing," PR Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011

Pillow Pets Dreamland Adventure Game and the Pillow Pets Dreamland Matching Game. Children can set sail on an exciting journey through seven continents as they race to enter My Pillow Pets Dreamland. Along the way they encounter adventures, adorable My Pillow Pet friends, and even some pitfalls. The Dreamland Matching Game hones children’s memory skills and focus as they try and match some of their My Pillow Pet favorites.
Awards: 2010 Top 10 Holiday Toys for Toys R Us; Hot Dozen by FunFare Magazine (2010); iParenting Media Excellent Product award (2009); Mr. Dad Seal of Approval (2009); Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products (2009).

With its colorful, rounded pieces, the adorable Countryside set will provide toddlers with hours of fun. Set includes three figures, countryside landscape with a bridge, horse-drawn carriage, cows, sheep, kitten, rabbit, and many other accessories.

The PLAYMOBIL House has colorful, larger, rounded pieces specially designed for toddlers, and it is the perfect set for children who love to play house. The set includes a two-story house with furnishings, five figures, baby stroller, and slide. The sides of the house can be folded up.

Load the PLAYMOBIL passengers onto the 1.2.3 Animals Train. The set’s adorable, rounded pieces are perfect for toddlers. The train carts, which can be separated or linked together, come in the shapes of a chicken, cat, and dog. The set also includes three figures.

Hurry to help the animals board the My Take Along 1.2.3 Noah’s Ark. The set’s colorful, larger, rounded pieces are specially designed for toddlers. The deck of the ark is removable and the hull has plenty of space for storage. The set comes with a handle so it can be taken anywhere, and the ark can float on water. The set includes two figures, lion and lioness, and pairs of giraffes, zebras, elephants, and birds. It measures 12.2 x 7.1 x 7.1 inches (L x W x H).  

With four interactive function keys and six different animals, the PLAYMOBIL Interactive Play and Learn 1.2.3 Farm is ideal for toddlers. The set’s interactive features help children to learn colors, to identify animals and the sounds they make, and to learn numbers. The roof of the farm also comes with a sorting function to help identify shapes. The set includes a figure, cow, chicken, sheep, horse, pig, puppy, and other accessories. Select between eight language choices. It measures 14.6 x 10.6 x 8.3 inches (L x W x H).

This environmental friendly wooden Double Sided Domino is made of wood from FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. It's designed for preschoolers to learn numbers, counting and matching, plus develop motor and cognitive skills. The pieces can be stored in the sturdy drawer box that comes with the toy. It's been tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.
Awards: 2011 Parents' Choice Recommended Award

This environmental friendly wooden Rainbow Numbers Game is made of wood from FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. Kids can learn counting and numbers. Color coded matching provides helpful hints to minimize frustration. The game helps develop motor and cognitive skills. Store the pieces in the nice and sturdy drawer box which comes with the toy. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

This environmental friendly wooden Flower Counting Game is made of wood from FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. Kids learn colors, numbers and counting with this attractive flower with a happy smiley face. The game helps develop motor and cognitive skills. It includes 60 pegs for counting. Store the pieces in the sturdy drawer box that comes with the toy. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.
Awards: 2011 Parents' Choice Approved Award

This environmental friendly wooden Double Sided Matching Game is made of wood from FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. Learning ABCs is very important for kids while growing up. These 52 double sided wooden pieces will help kids learn their ABCs while playing. Develop motor and cognitive skills. Match the upper case letter with the corresponding lower case letter, each pair has a unique way to fit into each other to minimize frustration. Flip the pieces and you have a different set of matching game for extra fun. Store the pieces in the nice and sturdy drawer box which comes with the toy. It's been tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.
Awards: 2011 Parents' Choice Recommended Award

This environmental friendly wooden Double Sided Alphabet Puzzle is made of wood from FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. Learning ABCs is very important for kids while growing up. These 26 double sided wooden pieces will attract kids to it so they can play and learn while developing motor and cognitive skills. By sorting the capital letters in the right sequence, kids can assemble a beautiful picture. On the reverse side, a long caterpillar helps kids learn both upper and lower case letters. Store all the pieces in the nice and sturdy drawer box which comes with the toy. The toy has been tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.
Awards: 2011 Parents' Choice Recommended Award

This high-quality, durable and easy-to-assemble Activity Table will engage children in hours of wholesome play. The exploring, learning and fun elements include shape sorting, stacking, hammer game, bead coaster and zigzag maze. Kids can develop problem-solving and fine-motor skills, as well as learn colors and shapes. It's been tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Timed to release for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Black History month, and President’s Day, this collection of four animated stories features celebrity narration by James Earl Jones, Jeff Brooks, and Danny Glover and includes an interview with acclaimed author Nikki Giovanni. Includes: • "The Pilgrims Of Plimoth" (adapted from the story written and illustrated by Marcia Sewall). When the Pilgrims set out for America they brought with them a dream for the future. With hard work they made that dream come true. • "John, Paul, George, & Ben" (adapted from the story written and illustrated by Lane Smith, narrated by James Earl Jones). A humorous and factual history of five lads who grew up to become the Founding Fathers of our nation. • "The Journey of The One & Only Declaration of Independence" (adapted from the story by Judith St. George, illustrated by Will Hillenbrand, narrated by Jeff Brooks). This witty, gritty and factual story tells all about the document that has defined American freedom for more than two centuries. • "Lincoln and Douglass: An American Friendship" (adapted from the story by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier, narrated by Danny Glover) The story of an unusual, historic friendship between two great American leaders – Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

Celebrate African American history with this historic and musical collection of four stories on one DVD. Best-selling picture books are lovingly adapted for the small screen, featuring captivating narration by Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Samuel L. Jackson and Billy Dee Williams. Stories include: "Duke Ellington" (based on the story by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Bran Pinkney, narrated by Forest Whitaker). A most fitting tribute to a great man who proudly celebrated the history of African-Americans, from slavery to civil rights struggles; "Ellington Was Not a Street" (based on the story by Ntozake Shange, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, narrated by Phylicia Rashad). A poetic tribute about growing up amidst many of the great figures in African American History; "Ella Fitzgerald": The Tale of Vocal Virtuosa (based on the story Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, narrated by Billy Dee Williams). The dramatic story of how Ella got her sound, on the way to a most remarkable and inspiring career; "John Henry" (based on the story by Julius Lester, illustrated by Brian Pinkney, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson). Based on the famous African-American folk ballad, this story tells of the legendary contest between a spirited man with a hammer and a steam.

Wi$eMoney is a fun learning game for ages 13 to adult. Two to twelve players in two to four teams follow footprints in and around the fictitious Town of Financial Literacy. The entire family learns about banking, investing, budgeting, payday, financial responsibility, financing, credit, and identity protection. Players face real world situations and challenges as they learn the secrets of money management. "We created Destina...Wi$eMoney, a team-based board game, to give families a fun, engaging way to help everyone learn and remember financial basics for a successful life," Elizabeth Treher, founder of Destina, Inc., told TDmonthly.