October 2011 New Specialty Toys — All

This set includes 10 assorted colorful trees to decorate Citiblocs creations. This set of 10 vibrantly colored trees in a variety of shapes and sizes lets kids expand their Citiblocs environment. Launch date: July 2011.

Chaostle is a board game that has many levels of strategy, from picking a starting army to moving throughout the multi-level castle towards victory. Chaostle has many fates that constantly effect the game, ranging from mild setbacks to cataclysmic earthquakes. These unpredictable twists of fate can be either from the card of happiness or the card of doom. Chaostle offers a wide range of fantasy characters to strategically build an army. The game comes standard with sixteen of these custom collectible miniature characters. Chaostle features 23 three-dimensional castle walls that are secured onto the game board. The fantasy fighters can move any direction throughout the castle including up and down stairways to change levels.

With this kit, kids can investigate crime scene clues and learn about how science plays an important role in solving crimes.  They'll also learn how to make & match DNA, analyze mysterious fingerprints, decode secret messages, and more. Launch date: August 2011.

With this kit, kids can make gruesome fake cuts, burns, and bruises, just like in the movies, use tricks professional make up artists use, and learn the science behind the movie make up. Launch date: September 2011.

Kids can create over 300 different color combinations with this set of Blendy Pens.  Just insert any 2 Blendy Pens into the fusion chamber, and click, twist, fuse.  Includes 12 original Blendy Pens, 12 Magic Blendy Pens, and 10 mini Blendy Pens, PLUS 20 bonus Surprise Art posters. Launch date: October 2011.

Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock is the first Gustafer Yellowgold DVD/CD package to have a storyline, unfolding in graphic novel fashion and weaving together ten thought provoking, melodic soft-rock music videos in the inimitable Gustafer Yellowgold style, ranging from sublime alt-pop to gentle acoustic. Launch date: March 2010.

Gustafer Yellowgold's Mellow Fever is the third in the award-winning series of DVD/CD sets released by Apple-Eye Productions.  Each song is accompanied by a series of hand-drawn, minimally animated illustrations set to melodic and catchy tunes ranging from mellow acoustic to crackling-pop.  Mellow Fever features guest-star performances by WILCO’s John Stirratt and Pat Sansone, as well as Lisa Loeb. "Gustafer Yellowgold's DVD/CD set are the only series of musical moving story-books," Brian Pearl, in marketing at Apple Eye Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

This 300 piece puzzle glows in the dark for extra value once the puzzle is completed. Each piece is unique and fully interlocking.
—In a Summer 2011 survey, Syd Clarke, owner of Ali Cat in Carrboro, N.C., said that this Glow-in-the-Dark unicorn puzzle from Ravensburger was a best-seller.

This 1500 piece puzzle  features one of Van Gogh's most iconic works. Each piece is unique and fully interlocking.
— In a Summer 2011 survey about best-selling puzzles, Donna Frederick, owner of The Play House Toy Store in Durham, N.C., said that Ravensburger puzzles over 1000 pieces were a best-seller. “There are not a lot of [companies] who cater to older people who like puzzles but not kiddie pictures,” she told TDmonthly.
— In the same Summer 2011 survey, Syd Clarke, owner of Ali Cat in Carrboro, N.C., said that this Van Gogh puzzle was one of his best-sellers in the category.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: "Outstanding quality;" durable; beatiful artwork; challenging.

Featuring detailed images of 8 favorite noisy vehicles, this wooden peg puzzle makes the vehicle sound when a piece is placed correctly in the puzzle board. Eight sounds in all. Full-color, matching picture under each piece. Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.5" x 11.7" Assembled. AAA batteries not included.
— Michael O'Dell of Toys from the Attic in Rehoboth Beach, Del., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells 10 Melissa & Doug sound puzzles each month.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Affordable; engaging. Cons: Many reviewers said the sounds were poor quality.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, three out of 14 retailers said that puzzles from Melissa & Doug were their best sellers in the category. “Melissa and Doug has been a core of the store for years and years," Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly.

The object of the game is to be the first player to fill the Shains bracelet with the most stars by using their intuition and how well they know their friends, to figure out “WHAT SHE SAID!” Each game comes with a set of 200 elements (letters, numbers and stars), six orchid tabs with seven holes and six bracelets in pink and orchid, 36 “WHAT SHE SAID!” cards, eight cardboard element holders and carrying pouch. Each player takes a small purple strip and a larger bracelet strap. The bracelet will be used for scoring and is worn on the wrist. The smaller strip will be used to plug in letter elements, to create a word that corresponds to the card played from the deck on each turn. The deck of cards are placed face down in the middle of the playing area, along with the cardboard element holders. Letters are for making words that answer the “WHAT SHE SAID!” cards, numbers are for betting, and stars are for scoring. Launch date: September 15, 2011.

Teachers can use these handy magnets in a pocket chart or any magnetic surface in the  classroom to show the class routine. Illustrations are simple enough for non-readers of any age to understand. Created by a teacher. No more having to make a routine out of laminated paper! 18 durable magnets. Includes 3 blanks to fill in with a permanent or dry erase marker. Great for kids with special needs. Launch date: 2010
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Top Choice of the Year Award (Parenting Aids-Teaching Responsibility & Educational Products); 2010 PTPA Award (Parent Tested Parent Approved).

Engage developing minds with active play to keep little wheels turning with curiosity.  Farm Animal Activity Mat is a complete gift-to-go that opens to reveal 12 familiar barnyard friends in tricot with their own silk-screened pocket prompting counting fun.  Features padded velour and cotton construction with zipper closure and appliquéd barn on front.  Handled carrying case 17” x 18½” is perfect for travel and can be hung as nursery or playroom décor. Launch date: February 2011.

Think chores and schedules are boring and restrictive? Think again! Wizarday is an  adventure story that will help the whole family – big and small – understand what an important role family schedules play in a happy, healthy life. Play the game and bring the Wizarday book to life creating your own daily family routine. Ages: 8+ .An 80 page chapter book and/or 3 interactive board & card games.  "This product doesn't simply deal with helping parents program their children into doing their chores. It emphasizes the role of structure and boundaries as the foundation of a family's wellbeing, preparing children for a responsible adolescence," Dr. Sarah Itzhaki, Co-founder of ToysNTayls, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011. Book plus game: $37.50; Game only - $25.00; Book only - $14.50.
Awards: 2011 Creative Child Game of the Year Award; 2011 The Toy Man eChoice Award.

Jurassicmorphs #14: Jurassicmorphs, new for 2011, is part of the Zoomorphs pop-together building system. The child can build animals that exist or have existed in nature; or easily pop the pieces apart to make all sorts of friendly, poseable fantasy creatures. There are six characters in this set:  Diplodocus, Pilosaur, Coelophysis, Rhamphorhyncus, Pterosaur and Triceratops All sets are interchangeable.  All animals have hinged jaws.  Also available: Junglemorphs #15. There are four characters in this set:  Tree Python, Bird of Paradise, Tiger and Tropical Beetle.  All sets are interchangeable.  Some animals have hinged jaws.
Awards: Family Fun TOY of the Year

Control the flow - control your opponents. Game for 2 to 4 players. Game time: 30-45 minutes. Control the flow by altering the flow directional tiles. Gain a reward token each time you either push an opponent's pawn out of the board or into an existing infinite loop. Collect most tokens at the end of the game to win.

Burning bridges behind you is not all bad! In this game it's the only way you can win.
Game for 2 or 3 players. Game time: 15 - 30 minutes. Take turns in moving from island to island across a bridge. After crossing the bridge set the bridge on fire. Once the fire is set no one can move or jump over it. The game continues until there are no more bridges remaining, all the scorch points have been awarded. The player with the highest count of scorch points wins.

Each player is a daemon that guides and influences the main character. The game is a struggle between daemons to control main character's mood by using the environment surrounding the character. Daemons take turns playing cards to trigger the environment to shift the mood. Each player's actions directly affect decisions and strategy of the other players. The game ends when Moody enters the mood wheel. Players uncover both mission cards and check how close they are to Moody's final mood determined by the mood marker. Each space gives 1 point. Count how far is the distance from your mission mood to the final mood marker. The player with the least points wins the game. Each game can end up in a draw between 2 players. Play more than one game to truly establish who is the MOOD MASTER.

Players move on a 6 x 6 game grid. Movement is determined by roll of dice and coordinates embedded in each game place. Along the way players can pick up booster cards which can help them get to the target area or hinder the efforts of their opponents. The seemingly simple concept of transferring the game pieces from start to finish takes a different shape in Avodome. The game “twists and turns” after each move and is never decided until the last playing piece of one player lands on the target area. No player is ever in the lead since the boosters add a special dynamic to the game where a player seemingly “in the lead” can be blocked, forced back and actually loose the game to a player who appears to be “dead last”.

Features 36 party gras bead strings, 300 party gras cards, 1 rule sheet, for ages 13 and older. 4 to 12 players. Party gras is a perfect way to spice up any social occasion. Unlike other games, you won’t be stuck sitting around a table. Players stand up, move around and try to cleverly complete the lively mission on their cards. Mind control: make someone refuse to throw away the trash. Caught in the act: catch someone text messaging. Talk it out: find someone who likes werewolves better than vampires. Players must use charm and wit to get those sparkly beads away from others, all while they’re trying to get beads from their opponents. Collect the most beads to win. 10 or more minutes to play. Created by GaZima Games.

An estimated third of the world's population watched The Royal Wedding on April 29th, 2011. This puzzle shows Will & Kate, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, on their wedding day. Piece Count: 550. Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Finished Size: 24"x18". White Mountain Puzzles are made in the U.S.A. with recycled materials.

The nationally acclaimed and award winning HKS KETTRIKE® HAPPY® AIR NAVIGATOR™ simply is the smoothest, safest and most prized tricycle ride available.  This tricycle continues the KETTLER® tradition by being the Best of the Best.   Our customer’s ultimate compliment is that our trike is “built like a tank.”  KETTLER®’s team of certified engineers is in constant pursuit of perfection to incorporate the latest in safety, innovation and quality in our products. This is well documented by numerous patented and exclusive tricycle features from KETTLER®.  The HKS Kettrike® Happy® Air Navigator™ is well worth the investment in order to provide your children and grandchildren many years of safe and enjoyable triking.  When you invest in KETTLER®, you invest in peace of mind for present and future generations.
— In a March 2013 survey, two out of 13 retailers told TDmonthly that the Happy Navigator is their best selling ride on toy.

Aspiring puppeteers can move the mouth and arms of this plush baboon puppet. Launch date: July 2011.

These wooden noise makers are made from beech wood. Dimension: approx. 14 x 9 cm. Suitable for children ages 2 and up. Made in Germany.