June 2010 New Specialty Toys — School Supplies

Early Years are four cooperative card games for the younger ages. Each game is designed to nurture and encourage a blend of close observation, communication, imagination, and some academic, social and memory skills in a non-threatening, self-esteem-building atmosphere. The pack includes four sets of 35 cards each: a “domino” word game, an animal memory game, a number/math skills game, and a storytelling game. Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly Early Years is "a big bargain with lots of play value, and just plain fun to play! Special group game rules are included for accommodating as many as 36 players."

In this game, children work together to solve world and human problems presented in a simplified way. Players are divided into simulated social groups (tribes, nations, etc.). Each group gets World Problem Cards and a share of Solution Cards. Through discussion, trade agreements and world councils, the players try to solve all the problems facing them. The debriefing session at the end allows for everyone to learn from each other. Together includes two decks of cards, grouping tokens and rules for teacher preparation, interaction and final evaluation. Launch date: 1971.

In this game, six "Nations" must solve internal affairs without creating conflicts within their own borders. As the game progresses, hot spots can develop — and by game’s end several or all of the Nations may be at war. The game is then lost. Each Nation creates a balanced territory so that a balanced world results in which population does not exceed land and resources and work is available for everyone. On the religious, cultural and political side, all sectors are also in balance with no particular sector dominating another. The key to achieving this balance is Right Education, in which intelligence and compassion are nurtured. How well the players use Right Education and deploy the other factors within their borders while making trades to assist each other across borders will determine the degree of success in establishing firm and lasting peace in our time. The game includes six nation charts, two sets of cards (110 total) consisting of population, land/resources, work/technology, religion/culture, politics/military and right education, one die, and rules of play. Launch date: 2006.

These tie dye bags come in more than 12 assorted colors and many different appliques such as heart, peace signs, smiley face, etc. Each bag also comes with a free necklace. VP of TOP TRENZ Jamie Glassberg told TDmonthly, "Most backpacks are not fashionable as these!" Launch date: May 2010.

The ErgoSleek is the PenAgain with a polished aluminum and metal underbody that provides the perfect weight to a pen. The hand-painted body comes in four stylish high gloss colors. The pen features a subtle twist mechanism to open and close the cap, along with a laser engraved clip.

Along with enhancements like a pocket clip, retractable cap, easier refilling and more streamlined ergonomics, the Ergosof PenAgain is also finished with a soft rubber coating that adds extra comfort and style. All Ergosof pens come with two additional black refills. Available in red, silver, blue and black.

The original PenAgain includes features such as a pocket clip, retractable cap, easier refill replacement along with streamlined ergonomics. Comes with a translucent top and clear bottom. Available in purple, red, blue and green. ($4.99 for 3 pack).

This fully insulated preschool lunch box has an easy to wipe clean interior. Kids can enjoy wearing it as a backpack or it can be carried with the padded carrying handle. Launch date: 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."

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.

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.

This 24-pack of collectible, glow-in-the-dark rubber bands features the following shapes in various colors: Captain Jack the Pirate, Petey the Parrot, Crossbones, Pirate Ship, Anchor and Sword. These bands are designed to be worn around the wrist and traded. When not in use, they bounce back to their original shape.