October 2009 New Specialty Toys — Animal Figures

This rocking horse is 29"L x 12"W x 26"H with 17" seat height. It features real horse sounds (clippity clop & neigh) and moving mouth when pinch the ears of the horse. JR612 is in a tan color. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For ages 3 years and up. Each Rocking Horse is individually packed in a box. Box size is 24"L x 7.25"W x 21.75"H.

This rocking horse is 29"L x 12"W x 26"H with 17" seat height. It features real horse sounds (clippity clop & neigh) and moving mouth when pinch the ears of the horse. JR607 is in a dark brown color. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For ages 3 years and up. Each Rocking Horse is individually packed in a box. Box size is 24"L x 7.25"W x 21.75"H.

This rocking horse is 29"L x 12"W x 26"H with 17" seat height. It features real horse sounds (clippity clop & neigh) and moving mouth when pinch the ears of the horse. JR602 is in a beige color. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For ages 3 years and up. Each Rocking Horse is individually packed in a box. Box size is 24"L x 7.25"W x 21.75"H.

This rocking pony is 29"L x 12"W x 25"H with 16" seat height. It features real horse sounds (clippity clop & neigh) and moving mouth when pinch the ears of the horse. JR400B is in a golden brown color. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For ages 3 years and up. Each Rocking Horse is individually packed in a box. Box size is 23.5"L x 7.25"W x 21.125"H.

This rocking pony is 29"L x 12"W x 25"H with 16" seat height. It features real horse sounds (clippity clop & neigh) and moving mouth when pinch the ears of the horse. JR400A is in a dark brown color. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For ages 3 years and up. Each Rocking Horse is individually packed in a box. Box size is 23.5"L x 7.25"W x 21.125"H.

This Hair style rocking pony is 29"L x 12"W x 25"H with 16" seat height. It features real horse sounds (clippity clop & neigh), moving mouth & flashing light when pinch the ears of the horse. JR311/2 is in brown and beige colors. Requires 3 "AA" batteries (not included). For ages 3 years and up. Each Rocking Pony is individually packed in a box. Box size is 23.5"L x 7.25"W x 21.125"H.

This pair of elephants is outfitted in baby clothing. Sweet Ellie loves to be around her family, and Evan has tons of energy and loves to play outside.

This see-through tube features a collection of small river animals, all of which are phthalate free and sized from 1.5” to 3” H. It includes a beaver, bald eagle, snapping turtle, salamander, frog, snake, river otter, alligator, mallard and cottonmouth snake.

This zebra is part of Schleich’s extensive collection of wild animal figurines. Launch date: January 2009.

Kids can make five shaggy canines with this kit that includes pipe cleaners, novelty yarn and materials for decoration, as well as instructions, style and grooming tips, and punch-out dog carriers. The book was written by Theresa Hutnick and Megan Smith.
— When asked about the best-selling arts and crafts items in her store, Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., told TDmonthly, “Klutz books are definitely up there.”
— “All of the Klutz kits do really well,” said Julie Vaughan, manager of Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., when asked of their top selling craft kits in January 2010.
— “Klutz books are still really, really popular,” said Steve Ellerhoff, manager of Finnegan's Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore. Ellerhoff was one of five retailers, out of 48, who listed Klutz as their top-selling craft supplier at the beginning of 2010.

Little ones can sit or bounce on this bright pink cow that comes in classy packaging.

These 2" rubber animals have hard plastic eyes that pop out when the character's head is squeezed. The eyes then go back to their normal position. This series includes Holly the Hippo, Mickey the Monkey, Bobby the Bear and Parker the Penguin. Launch date: 2009.

These soft flexible mini edulocks include 6 soft animals that attach to the blocks, too. This toy can enhance shape and color recognition plus help develop fine-motor skills. There are 28 pieces in a set.

Leah May’s soft hair is ideal for hours of brushing and braiding, while her pink highlighted eyes and silver sparkly hooves are sure to delight any girl’s fancy. Leah May comes with her own hairbrush and a sweet pastel-patterned saddle blanket.

This tiny little animal figurine is a racehorse handmade of porcelain clay. Launch date: October 19, 2009.
— “We sell about 400 [Clay-mates] in a month,” Marianne Kearns, owner of Second Star to the Right in Bridgehampton, N.Y., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.

These colorful rubber bands function like traditional bands  but feature fun animal shapes when not holding something together.
— "We got 270 packages on Thursday and were sold out by Saturday morning. High school, middle school and elementary school kids are all buying them," Katie Rook, owner of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Editors Note: This item is very similar to the Animal Rubber Bands by Eastern Accent Int'l, first reported by TDmonthly in 2005.

This whimsical giraffe has a poseable neck for playtime fun. It is made from naturally sustainable rubberwood and organic cotton fabric. "Our toys educate children, encourage them to use their imaginations, and provide knowledge to help make eco-conscious decisions," Michael Daner, president of I Love My Planet Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 7, 2009.

This twist on the classic jack in the box features the king of the jungle in an intricate, wood-burned design on the rubberwood box. It is made from naturally sustainable rubberwood and organic cotton fabric. "At I Love My Planet Toys, we pride ourselves on offering eco-friendly toys that retain quality without compromising affordability!" Michael Daner, president of I Love My Planet Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 7, 2009.

The Texan Bull is part of the Farm Life Series by Papo, featuring detailed artwork on hand-painted figurines. Launch date: April 2009.

This hand-painted Turtle Caouanne is a 2009 addition to the Papo Sea Animals Collection. "The realism, poses, movement, detail and quality that Papo offers," set these figurines apart, Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

The Papo Lioness with cub is created with detail and designed to authentically display how lionesses really carry around their cubs. "[The] Papo wildlife series is easily the best-quality figure for the price," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2006.

Gentle Giraffe On The Go helps recreate sleep time routines by bringing familiar soothing sounds while away from home. Gentle Giraffe’s unique Serengeti sounds aim to take a child on a magical journey while effortlessly transforming unknown surroundings to a more familiar environment. It features four peaceful sounds, push-button sound selection with volume control, and two sleep-timer options, plus more, and may be used for all ages. Gentle Giraffe On The Go is part of the Cloud B Endangered Species Series, which helps bring awareness to animal friends who need our attention. A portion of every purchase goes to Conservation International. This product received a 2009 NAPPA Honors award, a 2009 iParenting Media Award for Outstanding Product in the Toy Category, a 2009 Creative Child Top Choice of the Year Award in the Travel-Soothing Sleep Aids for Kids Category, a 2009 Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center, and a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Product Award. Launch date: June 2009.

The Cats of Baseball is an original character series depicting teams of cats playing baseball and their ongoing stories in cartoons, figurines, games and trading cards. "No character series has ever featured stories about cats with baseball cards, playing team baseball. The Cats of Baseball collection is designed for a wide range of children's toys and apparel," Victoria Oldham, co-president of Trade Winds Advertising Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 10, 2009.

The soft, squeezable, 10"-round Norman PhartEphant produces eight different fart sounds with each gentle squeeze of his tail. "Norman PhartEphant appeals to all ages, and brings silly to any situation. He has become a gift of choice in hospital gift shops and even hit the corporate world as a gift to give the person that has everything. Really, who doesn't want a farting elephant?" Angela Larson, in sales at Fierce Fun Toys, told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: Great Dad Recommended: Seal of Approval - 2009; The Toy Man: Seal of Approval - 2009; and The Toy Man: Editors Choice Award - 2009. Launch date: June 2009.