July 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

This award-winning set of magnetic words makes it easy to practice writing complete sentences, master difficult grammar concepts, and enhance creative writing skills. The set includes 205 magnetic words, which are color-coded for grammar, and punctuation marks. By simply replacing a green word with another green word, your students can instantly see what a noun’s job is in a sentence. Repeat the exercise with verbs, adjectives, pronouns, etc. and watch their reading and writing ability soar. The words included in this set are a well-researched mix of the most commonly used words in the English language (from both the Dolch and the Fry word lists), sight words, rhyming words, and nouns that begin with every letter of the alphabet (great for teaching phonics and letter recognition). The individual magnets are large enough to be easy to handle (they measure 1" high and the lengths vary depending on the word but average about 2" wide) but small enough so you can write complete sentences on a 9" x 13" lapboard (see our wonderful magnetic-receptive Kidboards). We offer a complete line of color-coded word sets that can be used in combination with this set making our Learning Magnets line a very powerful, effective, and versatile tool. "Correlates to over 25 Common Core State Standards," Candi Thoresen, customer service rep at Barker Creek Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2012.

Created in response to customer demand, our workbooks give students the opportunity to write and illustrate their own books. Our workbooks are printed on quality, white paper. The horizontal format gives children a long line on which to write and a large drawing area. Each 48-page workbook will hold all of the lessons in one of our Draw Write Now books with a few extra pages for practice. "Perfect for handwriting practice," Candi Thoresen, customer service rep at Barker Creek Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1994.

Measuring a whopping 11" wide by 18" tall, this tablet includes 50 pages of high-quality matte art paper. Each page has a 10" x 7" area for drawing and five sets of ruled lines for writing. Launch date: 1995.

These exotic Africa Pop-Outs will have children feeling wild. Perfect to create that safari feel in the class room, these Pop-Outs are sure to stand out wherever they are used. The next decorating project will "pop" with these colorful 4" letters from Barker Creek. Super chic and easy to read, they are perfect for your next project, presentation, report, poster, or display. Designed to coordinate with our NEW Africa-themed decor, this set includes 245 zebra, giraffe, leopard and tiger-filled letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and punctuation marks. Launch date: 2010.

Super fun and bright, our Italy Pop-Outs feature a beautiful flowering design. Your next decorating project will "pop" with these colorful 4" letters from Barker Creek. Super chic and easy to read, they are perfect for your next project, presentation, report, poster, or display. Designed to coordinate with our fun and funky Italy decor, this set includes 245 colorful letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and punctuation marks. Launch date: 2010.

Our Neon Pop-Outs are a great way to add some fun, bright, and bold colors to your project or room. This design matches perfectly with our Neon Stripes products. Your next decorating project will "pop" with these colorful 4" letters from Barker Creek. Super chic and easy to read, they are perfect for your next project, presentation, report, poster, or display. Designed to coordinate with our top-selling Neon-themed decor, this set includes 245 neon color-filled letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and punctuation marks. Launch date: 2010.

Our top selling Draw Write Now series is a great way to develop students’ writing, drawing, and reading skills. Our Draw Write Now books each have 21 theme related drawing and writing lessons with easy to follow step-by-step instructions on 64 full color pages. Each drawing lesson has four handwriting practice sentences that relate to the drawing as well as questions that prompt discussion. In On the Farm experience life on a farm while drawing and writing about horses, cows, tractors and more.In Kids and Critters learn fun, new ways to draw children and their favorite animal friends. Storybook Characters allow you to practice handwriting and learn how to draw popular storybook characters like The Little Red Hen and The Three Bears. Launch date: 1994.

Our top selling Draw Write Now series is a great way to develop students’ writing, drawing, and reading skills. Our Draw Write Now books each have 21 theme related drawing and writing lessons with easy to follow step-by-step instructions on 64 full color pages. Each drawing lesson has four handwriting practice sentences that relate to the drawing as well as questions that prompt discussion. This set includes all 8 of the books in our Draw Write Now series. "Integrates reading, handwriting and art in a multifunctional and fun way," Candi Thoresen, in customer service at Barker Creek Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2001.

Like a piece of Op Art, this arrangement by Lewis Johnson is sure to make kids smile. Artist: Lewis Johnson. Finished size 18" X 24".

Six large pieces make this puzzle ideal for those beginning puzzlers with Little Hands. Six colorful farm shapes with a colorful associated piece to match up and a farmer to help.

Pack the ice so that every puzzle tile can fit on the game board and all the penguins are in the right spot. A super cool game of logic with 5 unique shape-shifting pentomino playing pieces. 60 challenges from easy to difficult.

Playful Puzzles featuring Artwork of Pop Artist Romeo Britto. This puzzle features a bold and vibrant birdhouse and bird in the sunshine. Color variances, playful patterns and bold, black lines are the ideal reference points for a fun and challenging puzzle. 24 x 36 inches; 24 big, color pieces.

Three great, rugged puzzles of increasing difficulty. 6-piece, 9-piece, 12-piece. Perfect for little fingers. Comes in a wonderful, brightly-illustrated storage/carrying case. Puzzles are 8 X 10. Package is 6”W X 6”H X 6”D. Ages 2+. Crocodile Creek products conform to all of the appropriate safety standards.
— In a July 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Ravensburger was their best-selling puzzle brand.

This large format jigsaw puzzle features a photograph by Brian Lawrence of Big Ben in London, England. The puzzle contains 300 pieces and measures 21.25 by 15 inches. Large format puzzles feature over-sized pieces that are easier to handle than regular puzzles, making them easier for children.

Chunky Puzzles are 2-in-1. Put the fat chunky pieces in place on the board, matching by picture and shape. Or stand them up, move them about, and play pretend.

Aeroplanes™ explores the dawn of commercial aviation, an exciting era between 1919 and 1939. Players experience the difficulties and triumphs of commercial airlines in Europe, pioneering airports and service in continental Europe and around the world. Aviation spurred the growth of intercontinental travel, and airlines struggled to dominate the regions of the globe that they served. Rapid technological advances in planes play a vital role in this development as players compete to purchase newer more efficient aeroplanes, build airports and move passengers around the globe. Earn bonuses and prestige for being the first to fly to North or South America, and win by maintaining the most airports around the world, and running  airlines profitably. For 3-5 players; game time is about 2 hours.

Nutrition plays a fundamental role in maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle. This program explains the dangers of unhealthy diets, which can lead to nutritional disorders. It also explores the diversity of diets around the world. When we eat, we eat in the context of our body types, cultures, diets and, believe it or not, our moods. This program explores the many contexts in which we eat and what they mean for nutrition. Light Speed Video Learning is a comprehensive video course designed to teach core curriculum subjects. Our rapid-fire approach keeps students engaged while our cast of young actors, humorous skits, mnemonics, and on-screen graphics present step-by-step examples to teach students the essentials to master a subject.

For many students the study of algebra is similar to learning a new language, it can be very confusing and daunting. Our cast of young actors define those difficult algebra terms and use on-screen graphics to present step-by-step examples. This program puts the FUN into functions and other difficult algebra topics and is a must see for any student who is starting algebra or needs a refresher. Each Standard Deviants - Light Speed Algebra: The Powers and Functions video program includes a digital workbook with an outline, video notes, graphic organizers, games, and quizzes. The subject matter correlates directly to state standards and is produced and designed by an academic team of professors, students, actors, comedians, and teachers. Topics include: What is Algebra, anyway?, Kinds of numbers, Order of Operations – PEMDAS, Rules of exponents, Properties of operations, Cost Functions,Input and Output,Scatter plots, Trend Lines, Graphs, Domain and Range.

Light Speed Video Learning: Multiplying & Dividing is a fun and effective way for students to understand a subject. Lively presentations by actors and comedians combined with colorful graphics teach students skills they use in real-life applications. Each video program includes a digital workbook with an outline, video notes, practice questions, games, and quizzes. The subject matter correlates directly with state standards and is produced and designed by an Academic Team of professional scriptwriters, students, professors, actors, comedians, and teachers. Topics covered include: Multiplication basics, Multiplying bigger numbers, Distributive property, Word problems, Multiplying using a calculator, Problem-solving, Division basics, Long division, Factors.

From Basher, the illustrator who made science too-cool-for-school, comes a fun and funky poster and sticker book to introduce the youngest readers to the wonderful world of Basher Science. Featuring some of the friendly and iconic superstars of the best-selling titles in the series—Rocks and Minerals, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Planet Earth, Oceans, and Physics—as well as four pages of reusable stickers and gentle, child-friendly text, this book is an appealing, interactive treat for the youngest science hounds. Launch date: July 2012.

Inspired by the design of a lacrosse stick head combined with the functionality of a baseball glove, when wearing a Myachi Battle Paddle on the back of one’s hand, players will be able to catch a hand sack thrown from much greater distances and heights as well as successfully perform more difficult tricks rather than when attempting the same feat bare handed. Now, players can compete harder, faster, and longer. Battle Paddles can be worn on both hands and used by one player while performing tricks alone or play with 2 or more players and battle it out 1 on 1 or make teams. Compete at any of the numerous games developed to play with a Myachi Hand Sack and Battle Paddles: Myachi Pong, Myachi Football, Myachi Lax, Myachi Golf, and many others.
Awards: 2012 Creative Child Magazine Product of the Year Award

Ravensburger’s Augmented Reality technology makes puzzles come to life. Download the free AR Puzzle app from the App Store that utilizes the camera function of the iPhone or iPad versions 2 and 3 to animate the scene. Experience a totally new visual reality and reveal audio details, sound effects and factual information. Watch these fascinating animals roam through their natural habitat and listen to the sounds of Africa.
— As of 07/23/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Great picture quality; has a nice mix of easy and difficult sections; AR component can help encourage kids to play with a more traditional toy (you have to complete the puzzle before you can unlock the digital components). Cons: One reviewer said the interlocking pieces were looser than is usual for a Ravensburger puzzle; only works with iPhone or iPad.

Place the puzzle pieces inside the trucks so that they don't stick out. There is only one solution, yet 48 challenges. These little trucks combine a great puzzle with a fun toy. Trucky 3 is made from sustainably-harvested, eco-friendly wood from rubber trees, and plastic.
— As of 07/20/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Portable; fun even for younger kids who don't understand the challenges; variety of challenges provide lasting fun for kids of different skill levels. Cons: Answer key is easy for kids to see.

This mobile construction bench includes a wooden saw, hammer, screwdriver, and wrench. Made of birch plywood, wheel treads made of silicone. L 43 x w 33 x h 49 cm. Brake can be adapted according to individual needs.