July 2009 New Specialty Toys — Puzzles & Skill

Butterfly Puzzles are Consumer Product Safety Commission 2009 tested and approved. All Wee Organics products are hand rubbed with natural oil that is FDA approved. Designed for early learning, the 7" x 5" puzzles measure are 1" thick, and each of the four to five pieces is 2" to 3" high. Wee Organics recommends that parents help their child initially and then let them progress on their own. "Wee Organics hand rubs each wood piece for a smooth, tactile experience. Each puzzle can also stand up on its own," Ed Bogosian, president of Wee Organics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.

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

P’kolino’s Puzzle Stacker increases the play value of the classic stacker by adding the benefits of puzzles. This 6 ring stacking toy helps develop a baby’s hand-eye coordination and recognition of sizes and colors. The puzzle fine-tunes motor skills and teaches spatial logic through joining the interconnecting pieces, resulting in doubling its developmental value within a single toy. Also available in a 10 ring version. Launch date: June 2009.

With facts, trivia, puzzles and more, this kid-friendly book is all about America's 44th president. It includes interesting facts about Barack Obama’s childhood, parents, educational background and career, while also introducing the First Lady Michelle Obama and following her journey to the White House. Readers will also meet their daughters, Malia and Natasha, who have a story all their own. Launch date: November 5, 2008.

With these three activity books, children and students can learn about different holiday traditions surrounding Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, while participating in engaging activities, delicious recipes, seasonal trivia and more. Launch date: June 2003.

This 160-page, reproducible activity book covers all 50 states, plus U.S. Territories, and lots of activities in history, geography, people and more. It may be used in the classroom or on the road. "It's the biggest, coolest, funniest, smartest, greatest USA Activity Book you've ever seen," Camille Chansteen, marketing manager for Gallopade International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Made in England, this colorful, 20-piece fire truck puzzle features firefighters preparing for action. It measures 17" x 25" when assembled.