August 2011 New Specialty Toys — All

Accident statistics confirm that an unborn child can be harmed in a collision when the seat belt is positioned incorrectly over the mother’s abdomen. The Bump Belt from Dreambaby helps protect an unborn baby by positioning the lap seat belt below the baby bump to reduce pressure on the uterus. The Bump Belt features a soft, comfortable fabric cover, can be used in any seat in the car, and is effective without affecting the structural integrity of the seat belt. "The Bump Belt consists of a cushion pad that attaches to the car seat on to which the pregnant mother sits, to the front are a pair of velcro fittings - it is these that secure the lap section of the adult 3 point seat belt in a low position across the hips away from the growing infant," Tracey Rosen, a rep for Dreambaby, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011.

Tivoli Couture's latest innovation is the NuComfort Memory Foam Stroller Pad and Seat Liner: the first smart stroller liner offering orthopedic support. Chiropractor recommended to avoid musculoskeletal stress and support the correct anatomical development. This Thermo sensitive NASA invented technology uses the child’s natural body heat to activate a contouring process that relieves pressure points. Memory Foam molds to the child’s unique body shape to provide personalized comfort & support. It helps absorb stroller shock for a comfier ride and the reversible Cotton to minky design is perfect for child's comfort in any season. Launch date: 2008.
Awards: iParenting Media

Only multi-functional 7-N-1+1, organic and reversible car seat cover with Ultra-Soft Cotton Technology, solving the problem of carrying around multiple products when leaving the house. Can be used as a car seat, restaurant high chair, swing and shopping cart cover along with nursing shawl, car seat shade and stroller cover, with a UV protection shade. The super soft, moisture-wicking fabric blocks 95% of the sun's harmful rays while keeping baby cool and comfortable. "It is the only multi-functional and organic product  made from material that is OekoTex certified to be free of any chemicals, metal or phthalates, so you can be confident that nothing toxic is touching your baby," Susan Kiley, owner/founder of Splendipity Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2008.

Our original artwork is created by an artist and mother. Features inspirational statements.  Comes ready to hang with an attached shadow mount. Launch date: January 2011.

Keep your kid’s drinks safer from the elements with our Sweatless Technology.  Our chic designs easily identify cups, minimize furniture rings and make it fun. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards: Nickelodeon's Parent's Connect "Deals and Steals" featured item, April 2011

This spoon and fork set matches the patented Baby Dipper bowl. The ergonomic design fits perfectly with the lower corner of the triangular Baby Dipper bowl. The curved non-slip handles of the spoon and fork make for easy handling by toddlers who are learning to feed themselves. "The curved non-slip handle is just the right size for toddlers," Barbara Schantz, president & CEO of Baby Dipper, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2011.

This young helper with delicate yellow wings is a real addition to the elf wedding. Harp Elf is a talented musician and will gently strum the  harp resting on her knees to create beautiful music for the bride and groom’s first dance. She will play late into the night providing the perfect atmosphere for a Bayala celebration. Launch date: May 2011.
— Erika Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys Limited in Hendersonville, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells 5 Schleich figures each day. She sites the figures' "museum-quality resin," and the store's large display, as reasons for their popularity.

This 32-piece set features a one-level roundhouse with an over-the-top track layout. Includes Koko, Brewster, Vee, Chuggington sign and 2-in-1 tunnel. Compatible with other wooden track systems.
Awards: 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio "Gold Seal" winner
— Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Inc in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that her best-selling collectibles are Chuggington trains and sets. "It's something that can be expanded and passed on to the next generation," she explained.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in a February 2013 survey that Chuggington wooden railways were their best selling wooden toy.

Misty and Stormy are together again along with the book that introduced them to the world. Since the publication of Misty of Chincoteague in 1947, Misty has become one of the most beloved equines in children’s literature. Marguerite Henry’s novel weaves a true story with warmth and imagination. The result is an exciting tale about children’s love for horses and the real wild ponies that still roam Chincoteague Island off the Virginia coast. Includes two model horses. Launch date: July 9, 2009.
— As of 08/22/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks Toys and Children's Books in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that this item was a best-selling collectible.

This glass figurine is Papa from the Smurfs in miniature. Each Tynies figurine is no larger than 1"x1".
— Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that Tynies are their best-selling line collectibles.

The all-new LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar comes with 24 unique gifts, including an exclusive Santa Claus Yoda minifigure plus vehicles and accessories from the Star Wars universe. Features 8 minifigures, mini Millennium Falcon and X-wing Starfighter, and is 266 pieces total.

Die Cast & Plastic Space Shuttle Pullback Toy. Length: 4.75 inches. Height: 2.5 inches. Width of Shuttle 3.5 inches. Pull back and release: Shuttle is propelled by spring wound mechanism.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells dozens of these shuttles each month.

5107D Kinsmart - School Bus. 5"L x 1.5"W x 1.75"H die-cast metal yellow school bus with openable door & pull back motor action. This yellow school bus is manufactured by Kinsmart. 12 pcs per display box. 
— When asked about best-selling die-cast items in a Summer 2011 TDmonthly survey, Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. said of the Kinsmart School Bus "We sell a lot of them: about 30 to 40 per month. It will pick up in the next 2 months. It's our biggest single die cast item."
— In a Summer 2012 survey about die-cast toys, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that they sell 15 school buses from Toy Wonders each month.
— In an August 2013 survey, two out of nine retailers told TDmonthly that yellow school buses were their best-selling type of die-cast toy.

Die-cast construction for durability. Powerful pull-back-and-go motor. 5" long. Yellow.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, two out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith school buses were among their best-selling die-cast items.
— In a Summer 2012 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Toysmith was their best selling brand.
— In an August 2013 survey, four out of nine retailers told TDmonthly  that Toysmith was their best-selling brand of die-cast toy.

These Hot Wheels™ puzzle erasers are totally "FUNctional." These car shaped erasers are the size of Hot Wheels cars and kids can decorate them with foil decal stickers included in the pack. Take them apart, put them back together, and collect or trade. Launch date: 2011.

Kids can design dream cars for Hot Wheels with the Light Box Design Set. The light box makes drawing easy: simply use the sketch pages and films with the light box tracing table to outline car decals and logos to make them look like they are ready for speed. Use the Tree-Free colored pencils and instructions for tips and inspiration on how to color and shade to make each car ready for the street or racetrack. Finish off the designs with the foil stickers for extra-cool detail. This kit includes the light box tracing table, 40 car design sketch pages, 10 Tree-Free colored pencils with pencil sharpener, 15 films, 38 stickers, and instructions. Launch date: 2011.

Explore the beautiful, historic landmarks, fascinating cultures and musical traditions of Europe with this unique collection of reusable stickers, a fold-out landscape, full-color map and glossary. Launch date: July 2011.

Curious kids will have hours of fun with this captivating sticker collection which features a fold-out African landscape, African animal and instrument glossary and colorful, informative map. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards: 2011 Parents’ Choice Award

Children are invited to explore and color the pastoral countryside, famous landmarks, musical instruments, animals and people of Europe. The coloring book features a monument and musical instrument glossary and a page of European flags to encourage children to learn as they play. Launch date: July 2011.

Children will have fun illustrating the fascinating people, animals and musical instruments of Africa with this oversized, high-quality coloring book. It includes a map of Africa and full-color glossary to help children learn as they color. Launch date: October 2010.

Kids can trace, bake, shrink and build their own Christmas ornaments in 3D. Classic Shrinky Dinks with a new 3D twist. Create trees, reindeer, presents and more. The new SmArt Studio 3D Shrinky Dinks® Christmas kit comes with 10 Shrinky Dinks Sheets and tracing sheets. Just follow the easy to use illustrated instructions and kids’ll be making their own 3D Christmas in no time. Smart Studios Shrinky Dinks are 100% Made in America. Launch date: August 2011.

The Worry Chest System opens the door of communication between parent and child. The Worry Chest System will bridge the gap that exists between a child's thoughts and the parent's awareness of their problems. Worries will be written down and addressed as soon as they occur so they won't snowball into stress and anxiety. Children quickly learn how to manage and control negative thinking. Through tracking their worries, children can emotionally bond to the understanding that most problems workout, and that we grow from the problems that are more challenging. The Worry Chest System teaches children how to think positive, both about themselves and eventually even about the problems they face. It's fun, and won't seem like "work" for a child. Includes The Worry Chest, The Worry Chest, Instruction Guide, Worry Slips, The Worry Tracker, WCS Gratitude Journal, Quick Start Guide. Launch date: 2010.
Awards:  2010 Grant from the State of New York; 2010 Creative Child Magazine Award Winner.

This bag is a stylish alternative to bulky diaper bags, designed with luxurious details and convenient features that allow modern parents to change baby in a snap.  It holds and conceals essential baby gear including diapers, wipes, ointment, and snacks inside a unique tri-fold bag.  Easily convert the strap.  Wear over the shoulder, as a handbag, wristlet or clutch. Feature snap closure outer pocket to hold wallet and phone. Patented. Launch date: August 2007.

Exciting animation, catchy songs, sentence practice, and fun stories help students apply phonics rules and read for meaning. The on-screen mouth helps learners check pronunciation. Covers long vowels, r-controlled vowels, diphthongs, syllables, ending sounds, rule breakers, common sight words, and words with silent consonants. After students master the lessons on both Volumes, they have the skills to read any book.  Approx. 78 min. Launch date: June 2010.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year Award (Classroom DVDs for Reading Category); 2010 The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval; 2010 Parents’ Choice Recommended.