October 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

Where did the animals go? The animals are attached by a stretchy band that softly snaps back when pulled. Included are rustling foil and a squeaker. Washable, air dry.

Yuko-chan and the Daruma Doll, a gorgeous book by author/illustrator Sunny Seki, takes readers on a journey into ancient Japan and the story behind the famous Daruma Doll. Yuko-chan, an adventurous blind orphan, is able to do amazing things. She confronts a temple burglar in the dead of night, and crosses treacherous mountain passes to deliver food to hungry people. During her travels, Yuko-chan trips and tumbles down a snowy cliff. She discovers a strange thing as she waits for help: her tea gourd, regardless of how she drops it, always lands right-side-up. The tea has frozen in the bottom of the gourd. Inspired by this, she creates the famous Daruma doll toy, which rights itself when tipped—a true symbol of resilience. Thanks to Yuko-chan's invention, the villagers are able to earn a living and feed themselves by selling the dolls. Yuko-chan never gave up, no matter the obstacles she faced, and the Daruma doll is a charming reminder of the power of perseverance.

Everywhere in the world, there are poems and songs especially for children—rhymes that are sung from generation to generation and never forgotten. In Japan, nursery rhymes speak of nature, of everyday joys and of Japan's own special culture. In Japanese Nursery Rhymes fifteen well-loved verses are colorfully presented in a format that makes language learning easier. The included audio CD features kids singing in both Japanese and English.

Bible Origami kit is a new boxed set from well-known papercrafter Andrew Dewar. It contains everything kids need to fold the figures from famous Biblical stories. A full-color, 64-page booklet provides detailed, step-by-step folding instructions for each figure. Custom-designed papers are provided for each person, animal and object that comprise the 72 models. Each project is introduced by a simple retelling of the biblical story that inspires it, followed by an explanation of the significance of each accompanying origami figure.

This kit contains 8 types of origami toys and 16 karakuri models. The origami toys and games include models such as the determined Robot Wrestlers, which you can pit against one another in a battle to the death. The karakuri models are constructed using pop-out paper that are easily assembled and include performing toys that tumble, balance and jump, as well as pieces like the comical Waddling Penguin and 6 additional models that walk down a gentle incline.

The Color & Collage Origami Art Kit is a unique new product that allows children to fold, assemble, compose, color and display large collages. Author Andrew Dewar provides all the custom-designed folding paper and backgrounds needed to complete these origami collages. Kids will have fun folding the individual models for stand-alone play as well as arranging the pieces on the six included backgrounds—conveniently printed in color on one side, with the reverse featuring just the outlines for coloring fun. Double-sided origami paper with folding lines incorporated right into the playful designs will have everyone—regardless of skill level—folding like a pro right out of the gate.

Peek into the underground world of earthworms and discover their earth-saving secrets. See how they turn waste into soil and dig tunnels to create drainage for plants. Perform experiments to demonstrate how worms live and work underground. Have fun with the "Super Squirmin" character cutouts. Made in the USA and Safety Approved. Double-sided viewing, Worm Facts and Anatomy Poster, experiment booklet, and 2 foot Super Squirmin worm cut-out with Superhero hats. Mail-in certificate (send $12.95) for live worms, soil wafers and starter food shipped Priority Mail year-round in the USA, excluding Hawaii.

Made entirely of child-safe foam, these huggable, squeezable, touchable favorites are designed to get kids learning while playing in the bath. Perfect for bath time, playtime, anytime fun and learning.
Fairy-tale fantasies come to life in royal fashion as kids pop out a princess, prince, enchanted castle and more from a beautiful magical kingdom. Launch date: April 2012.

The land of dinosaurs comes back to life in an amazing detailed scene filled with all types of favorite dinosaurs. After completing the giant floor puzzle, kids will have a blast naming all the different dinosaurs. Launch date: March 2012.

Soft Shapes® Tub Stickables are made entirely of child-safe foam. These huggable, squeezable, touchable favorites are designed to get kids learning while playing in the bath. Perfect for bath time, playtime, anytime fun and learning, These fun filled sticker sets contain 20 chunky foam bath stickers that float in water and stick to the tub, packaged in a reusable tote-along tube that suctions to the wall. Other sets include Mermaids, Trucks, and Pirates.

Each fun animal piece is the same shape, but four are large and four are small. Kids can match the big pieces with the little pieces or mix them up to make different pairs or patterns. Skills in this puzzle: Recognition of size relationships; Understanding of sorting, matching, pairing, and patterning; Slight visual support in wells.

Iconic James Bond luxury car designs feature a watch-style remote controlled that triggers full-function driving actions with working lights. Models available: Aston Martin DBS (Casino Royal), Lotus Esprit (The Spy Who Loved Me) and the featured car from the latest installment of the James Bond franchise, Skyfall. Launch date: November 2012.

This set consists of 6 blocks Goodwood deconstruction blocks are a new system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite real creative play. The beautiful, precisely crafted blocks are intentionally packaged without instructions or other prescriptive guidelines, in order to cultivate open-ended exploration. Unlike most modern toys, this puts the child in complete control of the child-toy relationship, and encourages them to come up with their own ways to play. The different shapes allow for building outwards in every dimension, and the creation of structures which are both architecturally and geometrically interesting, as well as visually pleasing. They are suitable as a construction toy for children, and increasingly popular as a desk toy for design-minded adults as well. The ever-growing goodwood system currently includes seven original designs. Each set is designed to be fun and interesting on its own, and to provide new features when combined with the other sets as well. All sets come with pieces in six vibrant colors (water-based acrylic paint), made from forest-friendly rubber wood, and CPSIA tested. Care has been taken to ensure that the product reflects responsible social and environmental decision-making, and the developer's website provides a mechanism for purchasing discounted sets for donation into orphanages and kindergartens in the developing world.

Goodwood deconstruction blocks are a new system of innovative wooden blocks, designed to invite real creative play. The beautiful, precisely crafted blocks are intentionally packaged without instructions or other prescriptive guidelines, in order to cultivate open-ended exploration. Unlike most modern toys, this puts the child in complete control of the child-toy relationship, and encourages them to come up with their own ways to play. The different shapes allow for building outwards in every dimension, and the creation of structures which are both architecturally and geometrically interesting, as well as visually pleasing. They are suitable as a construction toy for children, and increasingly popular as a desk toy for design-minded adults as well. The ever-growing goodwood system currently includes seven original designs. Each set is designed to be fun and interesting on its own, and to provide new features when combined with the other sets as well. All sets come with pieces in six vibrant colors (water-based acrylic paint), made from forest-friendly rubber wood, and CPSIA tested. Care has been taken to ensure that the product reflects responsible social and environmental decision-making, and the developer's website provides a mechanism for purchasing discounted sets for donation into orphanages and kindergartens in the developing world.

Mashoonga! Sabers by Revel King are the original soft, durable foam dueling sport-toys for people of all ages. Mashoonga! is a new twist on ancient martial arts that is a game of endurance, skill and agility. The structured play pattern enhances eye/hand coordination, strategic skills, speed and sportsmanship. It is extremely aerobic and helps players to get fit, stay in shape and build self-confidence. Mashoonga! Sabers are constructed of the highest quality materials available and are made to be safe and to last. If they break due to defect we replace it. They will provide hours of entertainment and fun for the entire family. Mashoonga! Sabers are an ideal boffer for those new to the sport of battle gaming.

Triple Talk is a fast-paced card game for improving vocabulary, comprehension, and reasoning skills by presenting students with words that may have different meanings based on their context. For example, one can swim in a pool, play a game of pool, or pool one's resources. Each of the 60 Word Cards in Triple Talk has three different corresponding Photo-Definition Cards (180 Cards). There are three levels of Photo-Definition Cards. Level 1 Cards have a definition most familiar to students. Levels 2 and 3 gradually increase in difficulty by using the words in contexts that may not be as familiar to students. The definitions present the words as simple nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

The new Dice Dude brings more excitement and fun to every game. It comes with four different dice, giving kids tons of options for game play. Choose the interchangeable die/dice that they wish to use, twist and remove Dice Dude’s clear dome hat, insert the die/dice, twist the dome hat back into place, and then start shaking away. Watch Dice Dude’s big, green eyes move side to side as he is shaken. This dude stands 5 1/2” tall and has a diameter of 3 1/4”. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Anger Management Board Games explores questions like: are players annoyed by drivers who don't notice the light has changed because they're yakking on their cell phones? Does a trip to the beach make you think of cleaning sand out of your car? Have you ever yelled at the tv even though you know it can't hear you? If so, then everyone will love playing Anger Management, the subversively humorous board game that encourages players to lighten up and laugh at all the things that drive us all crazy as they whine their way to victory.

Fun is the destination once kids hop on the VeggieTales bus. Sturdy enough for hours of play, it features bump-and-go action so that no matter what gets in the way, it keeps on rollin'. Honk the horn and hear the Veggies sing "The Wheels on the Bus." For ages 3 and up. Requires three AA batteries (not included). Measures 8" x 6.75".

VeggieTales' first remote control car just for little ones. Kids can have fun with Junior Asparagus & Laura Carrot in the front seats. Features easy controls for small fingers, working headlights, and controls that move car forward, backward, left and right. Remote control works within a 20 foot radius so the car never gets away. Uses 6 AA batteries (not included).
— As of 12/6/2012 this product had 2.5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Children who like Veggie Tales will like the toy. Cons: Reviewers reported the car was of a poor quality.

Join LarryBoy and his sidekick Alfred as they whirl away to help save the day in Bumblyburg. Equipped with real helicopter sounds and the voice of LarryBoy saying "LarryCopter to the rescue," kids will love playing with their favorite Veggie hero. Features spinning propellers and actual shooting plunger.

Pair game develops memory/concentration skills and visual discrimination in a fun way. The 24 activity cards include: Early Learning, the Body, and the Animal World (6 cards for each area); It includes recognition of Shapes and letters; It encourages recognition of objects; It helps in teaching how to follow rules and respect others; It can be played individually or in a group; Big pieces for small hands. Launch date: January 2011.

Fun way to learn essential math skills about money. Each set includes 3 game series - total of 18 full color activity cards to reinforce visual recognition and discrimination, and actual size plastic bills and coins (14 bills and 24 coins).  Activity Dollar includes actual size and accurately designed play money, as well as 3 matching games to: - reinforce recognition of each coin and bill (dollar bingo), - market games to support the values of each bill and coin to arrive at the correct price and - comparison game to introduce the concept of greater and less than. Launch date: January 2012.

Activated by clapping, Humerus the joke-telling Funny Bone tells dozens of hysterical knee-slappers that will have everyone falling down from his hilarious stand-up.  Packaged in a Comedy Stage gift box, Humerus the Funny Bone makes the perfect gift for kids, adults, teachers, doctors (know any orthopedists?), and anyone with a funny bone. Launch date: November 2012.