June 2011 New Specialty Toys — School Supplies

Pedestal Pets are sold as "Pencil Toppers".  Each series includes 4 animal pencil toppers, 4 coordinating pencils and 4 fun fact trading cards. "The similar items on the market are sold as squishie toys and are not made specifically to be a pencil topper, although they sometimes market them that way. Similar products on the market either tear, or won't stay on the pencil at all," Lisa Jo Scherfel, owner of Inspired Design LLC, told TDmonthly.

Each pack of Twisty Stix Scented Erasers comes with four fragrant Twistys. There are six different scents to choose from, each with bright colors and a design on both ends. Scents include grape, watermelon, apple, banana, peach and strawberry. These unique erasers will last longer than other erasers- they are 6.5"" long, almost the same length as a standard pencil.

The Pic N Color is a PC software program that converts any photo into an outlined image that can be printed out and colored. Kids or parents can choose an image, then print it out for coloring fun. The software is "Very child friendly," Dominick Testa, president of Rocko Unlimited LLC, told TDmonthly.

Tell Tale is a portable story telling game. Players pick from the 60 included cards, then spin a story based on what has been picked. Packaged in a sturdy round tin, the game is good for travel. There are nearly an infinite amount of unique card combinations to pick, and four variations to spice up the game. "Tell Tale offers a new option to traditional storybooks. Your little one can choose a few cards for you to improvise and tell your own short bedtime story," Nicole Britton from Blue Orange Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.

The Steps4Kids multiplication DVD provides engaging graphics and animation to help children memorize their math facts. Practice tests, memorization strategies, and parent/teacher section included. "The Steps4Kids multiplication DVD teaches math concepts, properties, single digit by double digit math and self help strategies to help children memorize their math facts of numbers 0 through 12," Nancy Holt from Steps4Kids told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.