October 2011 New Specialty Toys — All

2-in-1 Junior X Rider has a seat connected with our Rider, this Rider can be used on most of strollers sold in the market. This new item is an unique Rider with a seat in the market. Launch date: September 2011.

The HEXBUG® Larva is a micro robotic creature that slithers forward on smooth surfaces using a slow, rhythmic flexing motion. Just like real larvae, each of these creepy crawlers reacts to its environment, instinctively changing direction upon sensing an object in its path and wriggling off to explore a clear, undisturbed path ahead. Its behavior is eerily mesmerizing to watch and interact with. The HEXBUG Larva is CPSIA approved for kids ages 8 and up. The HEXBUG Larva features a forward facing infrared sensor that allows it to detect fellow squirming larvae and other objects in its path. When the HEXBUG Larva encounters a road block, it spins around on two micro robotic wheels hidden beneath its hard exterior shell and heads off in a new direction. Three button cell batteries are included. Available in various translucent colors including Red, Green, Indigo, Orange and Black. Launch date: mid-August 2011.

The HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set is the first transportable environment that enables HEXBUG Nano architects to customize the design and layout within a HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set. The Hive Habitat Set features an integrated center ramp for multi-level Nano interaction and a floor spotted with attachment points that kids can build off of, further extending its creative play pattern. Each attachment point can be filled with a variety of new playground accessories including pegs, which act as bump points for the HEXBUG Nano, rotating flags, which direct the HEXBUG Nano toward ramps or other obstacles including merry-go-rounds and even a seesaw for the playfully energetic HEXBUG Nano to explore. The HEXBUG Nano Hive Habitat Set can be connected to any pre-existing habitat set or used as a stand-alone product that kids can simply pack up to go with a convenient carrying handle. The Hive Habitat Set comes with one extremely rare HEXBUG Nano mutation and 35 easy-connect construction pieces including 16 pegs, 16 adjustable flags, two merry-go-rounds and one seesaw. HEXBUG Hive is CPSIA approved for kids 3 and up.  Launch date: mid-August 2011.

Known as "The Grateful Dead for Kids," this live album features Ben Rudnick & Friends performing their blend of bluegrass, folk, country, and rock at the Town Green in Lexington, Mass. The total running time of the album is 78 minutes.

Old MacDonald had a … pond? Come along with Jo MacDonald and learn about the wild creatures at the farm pond, including fish, frogs and ducks – and a few surprises. This riff on “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” introduces youngsters to the concept of ecosystems. Author Mary Quattlebaum engages little ones with rhythm, repetition, wordplay, and onomatopoeia, while illustrator Laura Bryant charms them with lively watercolors of a pond community. A resource section in the back features both outdoor and indoor activities and games sure to encourage young naturalists at home and school. Jo MacDonald’s pond discoveries closely resemble those that Mary discovered, too, when she grew up in the country with fields, gardens and ponds.

Arrow-shaped footprints lead a young backyard naturalist to a flock of funny-looking birds with big strong feet: Wild Turkeys. Once nearly extinct, these comical critters now gobble their way across North America. Follow Jenny through a year of enchantment as she shares her discovery of these wonderful birds. Gobble, gobble! Jenny wrote a journal, too, with lots of fascinating stuff about a distinctly American bird. Although it once numbered in the millions, wild turkeys nearly disappeared with over-hunting and habitat destruction, but are now making a comeback. The unique illustrations are block prints over collages. The collages are made from cut and torn paper plus all sorts of things from nature – bark, leaves, feathers, even wasp nests. Author Cathryn Falwell also offers tips for children to make their own cut-paper pictures and how to keep a nature journal. Also available in Hard Cover.

Mark-My-Time offers a discounted party pack for birthday or classroom party favors.  Each party pack is 12 assorted bookmarks assorted to match your party theme colors.  Available exclusively on ToyDirectory!

Enjoy lots of games with SpongeBob and friends. Each tin consists of a color game board printed on the inside of the tin, an activity book with 5 additional play scenes and 2 sheets of magnets.

Enjoy lots of games with Dora and friends. Each tin consists of a color game board printed on the inside of the tin, an activity book with 5 additional play scenes and 2 sheets of magnets.

Follow Barbie on her shopping adventures to all of the best boutiques with her friends in this 16-page sticker book. Each starter pack comes with one collector’s book and a pack of numbered stickers to place inside. There are 7 mystery sticker packs to find to complete the collection, and plenty of places to showcase designs as well. Each blind pack of stickers includes a 3-D water sticker, plus a combination of epoxy, foil, puffy and glitter stickers. There are 224 stickers to collect in all. Additional refill packs available and are sold separately. "This is a new, girly twist on the old baseball card collecting concept. Girls have to collect the additional sticker packs to finish their books. If they get duplicate stickers, they can trade them with friends for the ones they need to complete their StickerZine," Sarah Malchow, PR Manager at Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011.

Follow Barbie on her shopping adventures to all of the best boutiques with her friends in this 16-page sticker book. Each starter pack comes with one collector’s book and a pack of numbered stickers for you to place inside. There are 7 mystery sticker packs to find to complete your collection, and plenty of places for you to showcase your designs as well. Each blind pack of stickers includes a 3-D water sticker, plus a combination of epoxy, foil, puffy and glitter stickers. There are 224 stickers to collect in all. Additional refill packs available and are sold separately. Launch date: July 2011.

Barbie and fashion are made to go together. Style and design clothing, accessory and beauty looks for Barbie with the Fashion Design Super Sketch Portfolio! Use the removable plastic stencils to trace the perfect clothing, accessories, and hair and make up looks. The instructions provide tips and inspiration on how to color, shade, and add details to make each outfit perfect for Barbie. Finish off and embellish your beautiful designs with the stickers included in the large spiral bound portfolio book. This sketch portfolio includes 40 Barbie formatted sketch pages featuring 5 different scenes, 4 removable plastic stencil sheets with 162 stencil designs, 164 stickers, and instructions. Launch date: 2011.

Barbie® enjoys pampering herself with a day at the spa. Create a spa atmosphere and a line of beauty products to go with it at home using this Make Your Own Natural Beauty Products kit. Create sweet smelling body lotions, soaps, lip balms, and more with helpful hints and recipes from the full-color guide book. Finish off products with the prefect packaging by using the gift tags, stickers, containers and pink raffia. The best part of all: the recipes use ingredients found at a grocery store or home so they are totally natural and safe to use. This kit includes beeswax, 2 cosmetic tins, 2 bottles, 56 stickers, 16 gift tags, pink raffia, 16 recipe cards, and a guide book filled with recipes, beauty tips, ideas and more. "Young fashionistas love to experiment with make-up and what better way than with one of their favorite beauty icons, Barbie! They can customize Barbie's make-up using real tools and make-up items on the sketch sheets. The design guide is great for beginners to learn about how to apply make-up properly too," Sarah Malchow, PR Manager at Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011.

There are so many fun things to do in the Costume Club Treehouse. Play on the tube slide. Have a turn on the tire swing. Gaze through the swivel telescope. Share a cup of tea with a friend, or take a snooze on the comfy bunk beds. Paddywhack Lane® Costume Club Treehouse can be Combined with the Costumed Kids Figures & Accessories. INCLUDES: Tube Slide, Tire Swing, Table & Chairs, Swivel Telescope, Bunk Beds, Fleece Pillows, Gingham Sheets, Circular Area Rug.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, August 2011.
— Why it won: This play set for adorable child figures is high-quality and stimulates imaginative play in girls and boys.

Fun and easy to sew, colorful wool felt is perfect for making your own fuzzy caterpillars, dragonflies, ladybugs and more! With easy to follow tips and lots of examples for inspiration, use craft thread, beautiful ribbon and beads to make wings, eyes and antennae.  Make up to 7 creepy-crawly bugs! Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award; 2010 NAMTA (National Art Materials Trade Association) Best New Kids' Product

The P'kolino Book Buggee is a fun way to make books a part of everyday play. This fun-loving friend helps introduce and develop a playful bond with books through the self-directed acts of selecting, loading and pulling books. This incorporation of books into play nurtures a child's love for books. "In addition to the P'kolino Book Buggee being super cute, it is easy to use. Specially designed book holders make loading and unloading a snap, while the extra "head" room provides plenty of space for other treasures. See how much you can fit into your Book Buggee, its quality wood construction can carry the load," J.B. Schneider of P'kolino told TDmonthy. Launch date: June 2011.

Encourages creative problem solving and more. Develop a child's ability to creatively solve challenges with this Multi-Solution Puzzle. Offered in a variety of designs, these easy to use puzzles challenge children 2 years and older to come up with creative alternatives. "With as many solutions as a child can imagine, these puzzles hold their attention longer than the standard one-and-done puzzles," J.B. Schneider of P'Kolino told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards: 2010 Parents' 55 Best Toys

Encourages creative problem solving and more. Develop a child's ability to creatively solve challenges with this Multi-Solution Puzzle. Offered in a variety of designs, these easy to use puzzles challenge children 2 years and older to come with creative alternatives. "With as many solutions as a child can imagine these puzzles hold their attention longer than the standard one-and-done puzzle," J.B. Schneider of P'Kolino told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards: 2010 Parents' 55 Best Toys

Shalom Sesame is a brand new series of 12 episodes from the creators of Sesame Street starring the loveable Sesame Street cast of furry pals, new friends from Israel and celebrities. Each episode introduces Jewish holidays, traditions and culture to viewers of all ages. Join Grover as he explores Israel, its people and places, and learns new things. Launch date: October 2011.

Take the Lalaloopsy dolls on a day of imagination and fun! Each tin consists of 2 characters printed on the tin, activity card to be used on the tin and 1 sheet of magnets.

In this game, the players are prep cooks in a Pizza Shop and have to help Chef fill the pizza orders coming in while keeping an eye on how hot the oven is getting. Players don't want to burn any pizzas. Often one player on a turn will set up the next player for a good move. Next time round, they may get help from someone else. That's the fun of co-oper­ative play. It allows different ages to play together. Comes with three levels of play- The red dot game is for beginners and young players. Add the green dot cards for a tougher game. Add the yellow dot cards for the most challenging version. Includes 36 Cards, consisting of 6 Pizza Orders, 5 Ovens, 25 Ingredients and Rules.

Illuminate your message with Shains Glow in the Dark key clips. Come in flower and heart shapes. Shains Key Clips allow individuals to express themselves through letter and icon elements that easily attach through the holes. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch Date: Summer 2011.

Based on the popular website (ranked in the Top 10 comedy websites by CNN), Awkward Family Photos combined classic and never-before-seen Awkward Family Photos with open-ended questions to inspire laughter and creative discussion among players. 4-6 players.

KATATU, which means ‘three’, is a unique abstract strategy board game, very rich in history, that takes its roots from a 3000 year old game that was played originally in Italy and Egypt and eventually made its way to Southern Africa. KATATU is adapted from this ancient game that has never before been available in a packaged form to the Western part of the world until now. Very easy to learn, but hard to master, KATATU can take some surprising twists and plays in about 15 minutes. Ages 5 and up. Where Tic-Tac-Toe leaves off, KATATU picks up.
Awards: 2012 Game of the Year and 2012 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Play Magazine; 2012 Seal of Approval National Parenting Center; Dr. Toy 2012 winner Best New Products; 2011 Preferred Choice Award Creative Child Magazine; TDmonthly Magazine Staff Pick August 2011