July 2009 New Specialty Toys — Wooden Toys

From Scandinavian design company Playsam, this rocket is created to be both classic and contemporary, fanciful and functional, simple and sophisticated. "The products are beautifully packaged — ideal for gift giving," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This wooden dollhouse was designed by Eva Schildt. "With its beautiful packaging, Playsam makes an ideal gift; it is for the sophisticated customer with an understanding and appreciation for the unique and well made," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Wood Grain Style Qee Collection features figurines in a variety of sizes in both light wood and dark wood designs, each created with a unique pattern like real wood. The collectibles are available in 2.5" with keychain attachment, 8", 9" and 16". Launch date: 2009.

With deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large blue wheels, silver top  and other high performance styling cues, this Silver S9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles.

With deck and chin spoilers, rear diffusers, side skirts, large red wheels, silver top and side accents plus other high performance styling cues, this White C9-R of the Automoblox R-Line speaks the language of serious driving fun. Fully interchangeable with other models, R-Line owners can mix-and-match parts to build unique performance models or just add a little horse power to the current Automoblox styles.

Design is in the details and the C9-S will add a strong dose of sophistication to your existing Automoblox collection.

Heritage Alphabet Blocks are classic toys designed to last generations. The solid-wood blocks are oversized, measuring 3” square, and they are all natural, non toxic and 100-percent organic. Each set of 12 blocks features 48 engraved characters, including the numbers 0-9. Heritage Alphabet Blocks come in three finishes: Color, Oil Only and Raw. Each Color Set utilizes real milk paint and a polymerized linseed oil rub. The blocks are made in Bend, Ore. "Promise Brand has made it our No. 1 goal to manufacture wooden products that exceed every toy test imaginable. Our materials set us far and above our competition," Alisha Alway Braatz, manager at Promise Brand LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Finely sanded and left either au natural or finished with a light polymerized linseed oil rub, this set of 30 Classic Building Blocks features rounded corners and exposed full wood grain. Each all-natural, organic block measures approximately 1.5" square. "Promise Brand Classic Building Blocks are 100-percent non-toxic [and] organic. Sure, they are also the most aesthetically pleasing block on the market, but what really sets them apart from the competition is their all-natural status," Alisha Alway Braatz, manager for Promise Brand, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

This red-colored wooden push toy takes the shape of a pig with wheels for feet for a child to push around. The red paint is ultra low in odor and is non-toxic, while the wood itself is composed of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals. This wooden pig push toy measurse 9" x 11".

Made of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals, this push toy takes the shape of an elephant with wheels at the legs for children to push the toy around. Covered in non-toxic, ultra low odor paint, this wooden elephant push toy measures 11.5" x 11".

Featuring a board made from the renewable resource bamboo, this game, a version of the ancient Mancala, challenges players to collect the most pieces.

The Wild West Rocker features a "Good Guy" photo frame in the rocker seat back, where the consumer can place a 4" x 6" photo of any little dude. The top of the seat back has spinning beads, two cowboys on a horse, and a bag of money that spins. Underneath the seat is the company's signature understamp that can be used to personalize the rocker for the child. A photo greeting card is included so the child can say thank you. "Our rockers are designed as a rocker, and with fun things for children to play with and discover as they rock," Cheryl Batzing, PR director for Levels of Discovery, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Designed to spark a child's imagination, these natural wooden toys feature assembly that engages the child's mind and promotes learning a new skill in the coordination of mind and hands. Pairing quality and design, the VARIS LOCK system is created to ensure tight construction that derives from precise design of the single pieces. Launch date: July 2009.

A starter set for our other Montgomery Schoolhouse building blocks, these are excellent quality hard-maple building blocks in all the standard shapes, in proportion to each other. This set has 21 pieces with eight different shapes. The base block is 1" X 2" X 4" Each set comes in a sturdy box for storage. These blocks are unfinished and part of the Schoolhouse Naturals line. The set comes in a white compact box for easy shelf displaying. Launch date: 2009.

These rounded, sanded teethers boast a smooth surface and measure approximately 3.5" in diameter and .75" wide.

This maple wood toy recycling truck is finish-free and measures about 4" long. It includes the word "recycling" and portrays sorting bins for glass, plastic and paper.

German company Holztiger uses native maple and beech woods and water-based paints and sealants in the construction of its wooden toys, such as this giraffe that is one in a collection of many wildlife animal figurines.
— Holztiger wooden animals were recognized as top sellers by Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, in spring 2009.

Tiny tots will enjoy putting the layers of auto back into place with this wooden puzzle. Launch date: Early 2009.

The driving age has been lowered to 18 months with these mini racers and the maple plywood switchback track. Kids can compete to see who has the fastest car. Launch date: Early 2009.

Kids 18 months and older can use these wooden stacking blocks to learn colors, numbers and letters and more! Launch date: Early 2009.

Little kids can practice whipping up nutritional meals with this wooden cook station. Launch date: Early 2009.

Made of treated rubber wood and painted with non-toxic, lead-free paints, these teaching aids are designed for use in the home and at Montessori schools. Launch date: February 2, 1973.

Made from all-natural wood and watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled material, this activity walker includes a block puzzle, working gears, wire beads, a spinning block, a peg maze, a shape sorter and a xylophone, plus a storage space with mesh netting in the back. It's "the only wooden walker on the market that is eco-friendly," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Designed to develop hand-eye coordination, color recognition and basic number skills, the Junior Ramp Racer may entertain children even after the checkered flag is waved. "Made from all-natural wood, painted with watercolor-based paints, and packaged in recycled materials, our EverEarth line of goods is our way of trying to take care of Mother Earth," Kris Millington, VP of marketing and development for Maxim Enterprise, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.