July 2009 New Specialty Toys — School Supplies

This set for portraits contains a 12-piece selection of smooth, blendable oil pastels to create natural skin tones. Expressionist oil pastels are formulated with extra-fine quality pigments, wax and oil. Artists blend to create genuine complexions for portraits. The product is ACMI Non-toxic certified and may be used on paper, cardboard, canvas and wood. Also available is Expressionist Extender, a unique oil pastel medium that extends a color’s hue range. "Expressionist oil pastels are the standard by which all other oil pastels are judged," Linda Lyon, marketing specialist for Sakura of America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 24, 2009.

KinderCone’s namesake product is a large, colorful cone filled with inspiring and educational gifts for young children, which parents give to their children to recognize the transition from kindergarten to first grade. KinderCone’s guiding principle is about inspiring young children to enjoy learning by celebrating this special milestone in their lives. KinderCones are 28" tall, handmade in Germany of sturdy box-board printed paper, and feature a limited edition design. Each KinderCone comes pre-filled with a Kinderjournal, Kalri, the plush main character of the journal, five pencils and temporary tattoos. The cones are offered in two main colors, red and bright green, and offer eight color options of the felt enclosure on top. "KinderCone is the first and only American company to re-create this concept outside of Europe," Vivian Lie, owner of KinderCone LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

Mark-my-time digital bookmarks in neon blue, green and purple are fun and easy to use. A simple and easy way to monitor reading times for either a countdown session with alarm or cumulative sessions monitoring and storing up to 100 hours of achieved reading time.

These colorful, non-toxic crayons do not need sharpening as they simply twist from the bottom to expose more crayon. The package measures 5.5” x 3” x 1”.
— The Hello Kitty brand is a consistent top seller at Melody’s Choices in Fayetteville, Ark., Owner Steve Melody told TDmonthly in April 2009.

In this highly condensed, fully illustrated version of the world's greatest and most tragic love story, the author supplies thought-provoking discussion questions that allow readers to explore this tale from any age or perspective. The same discussion questions may be used to explore other plays from a similar perspective. "Written for grades three and up, it makes the classic play inviting to this age group," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

With a clear and simply laid out approach, this book by Cass Foster and Lynn G. Johnson is designed to take the trepidation out of teaching Shakespeare's works. Professor Foster, a professor of Theatre at Central Arizona College, provides background information that includes a discussion of the value of Shakespeare's legacy, what life was like in the Middle Ages, and warm-up activities. With consideration to a whole-language based approach, the book includes activities across the curriculum and a journal. "You won't need to be a Shakespeare Scholar to fascinate students with activities across the curriculum, including crossword puzzles, a scavenger hunt, scale models, costume and scenery suggestions, and warm-up games. This book is a must for every school library and for anyone teaching Shakespeare, whether in the elementary grades or high school," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series offers an alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. "Reading or performing Shakespeare doesn't need to take 'forever and a day.' Not if you raise the curtain on The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare ... Cass Foster has done a superb job of cutting the text while retaining the sense of the story and the poetic rhythm of the words," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is analternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. Launch date: 2003.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. Launch date: 2003.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. "Reading-or performing Shakespeare doesn't need to take 'forever and a day.' Not if you raise the curtain on The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare ... Cass Foster has done a superb job of cutting the text while retaining the sense of the story and the poetic rhythm of the words," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003.

Each group of facts through 12 has its own distinctive song to keep students tuned in and motivated. The CD runs approximately 30 minutes. "Energetic songs make learning fun and one of our best sellers still today," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. This product has won the following awards: Parents' Choice Recommended; Dr. Toy Best Classic Products; and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: 1997.

This product is designed so that as students sing along, they can quickly learn sums up to 18 and differences from 18. The CD runs approximately 40 minutes. "Upbeat music, energetic performers and a delayed answer section helps students learn facts quickly. [This is] one of our top audio best sellers," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media and Dr. Toy's 10 Best Educational Products. Launch date: 2003.

This product offers hospital technology direct to oral appliance. It's designed to combat a growing fear of sickness, infection, and even death from antibiotic resistant germs recently found to thrive in micro-fissures and cracks in mouth guards, night guards, veneers, dentures and pacifiers. It also eliminates odors from used oral appliances. This battery operated product is portable and has an 8000-hour bulb life. "Incorporating ozone ions into the UV sanitizing process increases effective destruction of infectious germs that are harbored in and on oral appliances," Joseph Manzo, president of BRAIN-PAD, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an ideal alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. "Reading-or performing Shakespeare doesn't need to take 'forever and a day.' ... Cass Foster has done a superb job of cutting the text while retaining the sense of the story and the poetic rhythm of the words," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003.

Spanish Volumes I & II is designed to offer an easy way to learn greetings, counting, colors, survival phrases, subject pronouns, travel phrases and more. It was created with energetic performers that entertain and motivate while delayed answers make it convenient for students to check their progress. The DVD runs approximately 55 minutes. It has received a Parents’ Choice Recommended Award and a Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award. Launch date: 1993.

The "Sixty-Minute Shakespeare" series is created as an ideal alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. It "allows teachers to introduce the language more easily to wary students, while each play retains its integrity and beauty," Sue Defabis, project manager at Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1990.

"Granted!" is written to simplify the application process for novice grant seekers and to reveal strategic advice to veteran grant writers. Educators are expertly guided through proven methods for writing and winning grants. Worksheets organize and record research, actions and data, saving time and giving grant seekers’ their best shot at securing grant money. "Invaluable worksheets organize and record grant seekers’ thoughts, research, actions and data to give them the best possible chances of securing grants for school projects, supplies and anything else a grant might help fund," Sue Defabis, project manager at Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2009.

Global Ody-see is a strategic educational game designed to teach geography and history by using competitive fun and stunning images. It can be played by children and adults alike. There are two game versions, Time Limit and Home City, that may be played in school, in homeschool settings, or for family time at home. Launch date: July 2009.

American Ody-see is a strategic educational game designed to teach American geography and history by using competitive fun and stunning images. It can be played by children and adults alike. It includes reference to all 50 states plus the territories of the USA. "American Ody-see boasts two versions in each game (Time Limit and Home City), as well as being able to be played by children as young as 8 who can outplay adults, so it has an extraordinarily wide market appeal from schools, homeschooling, families and adults, even to 'serious' gamers," Len Wicks, chief executive of ody-see.com ltd, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Global Ody-see is a three-dimensional educational game designed to teach geography and history by using competitive fun, stunning images and kinaesthetic learning. It is a model of the Earth, as well as a game that can be played by children and adults alike. "Global Ody-see boasts two versions in each game (Time Limit and Home City), as well as being able to be played by children as young as 8 who can outplay adults, so it has an extraordinarily wide market appeal from schools, homeschooling, families and adults, even to 'serious' gamers," Len Wicks, chief executive of ody-see.com ltd, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

The Mini Excavator is made of precut pieces of wood that are designed for easy assembly. The product is created to teach the technology of the same machines seen in the construction site. No batteries are required. It was honored in the 2008 Creative Play Awards. Launch date: 2008.