July 2010 New Specialty Toys — All

This BPA-, PVC- and nitrosamine-free cooling teether can be chilled in the refrigerator for a soothing effect. The soother is filled with sterilized water for baby's health and comfort.

BPA and PVC free, this biodegradable plastic teething rattle is made from cornstarch resin. It is made with Natureworks EcolGreen cornstarch PLA biopolymer with silicone teether parts and comes in a fun shape for exploring fingers. Noelle Brown, marketing associate for iPlay, told TDmonthly, "We think about both baby and the environment and consider both when creating our products."

Puppy Dog Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: August 2007.

Lamb Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: February 2010.

Pink Bear Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: December 2006.

Pink Bear Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: December 2006.

The Sandkidz Beach Guide contains games and crafts for a full day or weekend of beach fun for the whole family. All items come in a vinyl pouch attached to the guide and can be replaced as needed for more beach activities. The Sandkidz Beach Guide was awarded the 2009 "Seal of Excellence" by Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: June 12, 2008.

The Ghost Nano Train Action Dome is a cast resin art piece that employs a revolutionary technology to move a train smoothly around a very thin narrow track. It comes packaged in a secure Styrofoam nest that fits snugly in a decorative colored display box. Ghost Train Action Dome features the following: a medieval castle Illuminated from within; a steam locomotive and three train cars that have an eerie glow when viewed in subdued light; locomotive sound that can be silenced for quiet night time operation; and a quality, hand-blown glass dome that protects its contents from dust. The 110 �] 230 VAC 50/60Hz power adapter provides endless hours of enjoyment.

This album is a blend of classic and original lullabies sung by Celeste over an accompaniment of keyboards, strings and harmonica. Classic titles include "Edelweiss," "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and "All Through the Night."  Awards: 2009 Nappa Gold Award; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2009 Family Choice Award.
— The National Parenting Center gave “Celeste Sings, Kids Dream” its Seal of Approval award and labeled it as “an ideal CD for ‘wind down’ time or to enhance the pre-bed ritual.” Celeste’s “soothing voice” fosters a “gentle feel” that is both “engaging” and relaxing.
— Winner, Family Choice Award
— Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards NAPPA GOLD

Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem is an acclaimed American string band that released "Ranky Tanky" nationwide in 2010. This release is meant for all ages as family listening and reflects Rani Arbo’s journey into motherhood, as well as her love of American music. The tracks cover songs from various genres, times and traditions, so listeners of practically any musical taste can pick their favorites, from the raucous “Tennessee Wig Walk;” to the swingy “Kemo Kymo;” the Mardi Gras parade styled “They All Ask'd For You,” or the rousing rendition of  “Purple People Eater.” Sugar Mountain PR Publicist Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly, "Modern arrangements and traditional instruments, plus a collection of familiar songs that invite singing along, make this a great choice for families that love non-commercial acoustic music."

The Friendliest Bugs Lacing Cards enhance hand-eye coordination and sharpen fine motor skills. The heavy duty cards have faux silk laces. Roisin Ross of eeBoo told TDmonthly, "Laces will not unravel!"

Kids can learn geography, countries, states, capitols and industries with these giant 18" x 27" puzzles made from thick, sturdy board with a beautiful finish. Roisin Ross of eeBoo told TDmonthly, "Beautiful illustration with vibrant colors set these apart from the standard puzzle maps for kids."

This rectangular 100-piece puzzle measures 18" x 12" when complete. Mudpuppy's 100-piece puzzles come in a hinged storage tin. Mudpuppy Press Public Relations Assistant Shanya Lewis told TDmonthly, "The artwork is great and the puzzles are fun!"

The 63 pieces form an 18" x 14" jigsaw puzzle and fit into a 6"-high, 5"-diameter cylindrical canister with a colorful rope handle. The Monsters puzzle greyboard contains 90-percent recycled paper and its packaging contains a minimum of 70-percent recycled paper. All materials are printed with non-toxic, soy-based inks, and CE and ASTM tested for safety.

Mudpuppy 42-piece puzzles measure 16" square when assembled. The pieces are packed in a sturdy, 5" cube box with a colorful rope handle and are CE and ASTM tested to ensure safety. The puzzle's greyboard is made of 90-percent recycled paper, and the packaging is 70-percent recycled paper and printed with non-toxic, soy-based inks. Mudpuppy Press Public Relations Assistant Shanya Lewis told TDmonthly, "With themes like robots, princesses, cars, animals and classic characters like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the Rainbow Fish, Mudpuppy 42-piece Puzzles make great gifts!"
— Kristin Dolle, manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky., said that puzzles from MudPuppy were a best-seller in the category.

This 24-piece, two-sided puzzle has a sturdy 5.5" x 9.75" x 2.75" sliding drawer box. It features a full-color front and black-line reverse and includes five wipe-off crayons. The completed puzzle measures 10" x 15". It is printed with non-toxic inks and CE tested for safety, and the puzzle greyboard contains 90-percent recycled paper.

This 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle features a delicious assortment of berries and jams from the cover of Gourmet Magazine. Adam Silver, CEO of New York Puzzle Company, told TDmonthly, "The Gourmet line of jigsaw puzzles includes three free recipe cards based on the puzzle theme to make at home."

The Car Crazy Floor Puzzle is packaged in a sturdy, stackable box. The product features 24 jumbo pieces and a colorful rope handle. Puzzle dimensions are 24" x 36". Box dimensions are 8" x 3.5".

This bustling beach has plenty of detail to satisfy even the biggest of puzzle aficionados. The 1000-piece Beachgoing puzzle features the July 8, 1939 cover of the New Yorker.  Adam Silver, CEO of New York Puzzle Company, told TDmonthly, this product is "made in the USA from extra-thick puzzle board to ensure for better play and a better fit."

The Jigsaw Puzzle Board has two slide-out trays for sorting and storing puzzle pieces, and comes with a clear, acrylic cover and four plastic clips to protect the puzzle when not in use. The puzzle board is made from Oak wood with a hand-rubbed oil finish and is available in three sizes: 500 pieces, 1,000 pieces and 1,500 pieces. Ed Weber, owner of Jigsaw Puzzle Board, told TDmonthly, "The 1,000 piece puzzle board is our most popular."

Counting Animals 3-Piece Puzzles are constructed from 90-percent recycled greyboard and designed to develop basic math skills. There are 10 three-piece puzzles and each puzzle shows a group of friends for young children to count, from one to 10. Roisin Ross of eeBoo told TDmonthly this product features "beautiful artwork by Kevin Hawkes."

This game is part of eeBoo’s eco-friendly board games series and is designed to develop patience and number skills. Each player works his way around the solar system (game board) and collects one element from each of the planets to complete a space lab. Children can learn counting, judgment, cooperative play and taking turns, as well as strategy, planning ahead and how to win a race. Along with learning the names of the planets, their gases and the solar system, the game includes additional facts about each planet.

Puzzles are a great quiet-time activity to hone fine-motor skills and spatial perception. eeBoo’s versions of this classic format are made of extra sturdy 90-percent recycled board and printed with non-toxic inks. Roisin Ross of eeBoo told TDmonthly, "eeboo's tray puzzles are made using recycled board, have a vintage look and are multicultural."

This all-in-one recycled tote is designed for today's busy lifestyle — ideal for baby, work and travel. From working, traveling, running errands and changing diapers, parents can have one bag that does it all. Contemporary style allows both men and women to stay organized and stylish. Michelle Herbert of Amy Michelle Go Totes told TDmonthly, "Each bag recycles 11 plastic water bottles and 8.5 oz. of fabric."