October 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

Watch and listen to the beautiful stream of beads as they gently cascade down the clear plastic 8.5-Inch tube. Playtime with this easy to grip toy helps improve gross motor skills and is safe for ages 6 months and up. BPA free. Launch date: August 2012.

This 5" red monster with embroidered face details is made of soft velour. A great travel companion for kids.

Matisse's Red Studio was a breakthrough in modern art with its flood of vibrant red color and white sketch lines. The different perspectives Matisse used have been studied and debated by artists since the painting first debuted in 1911. The Red Studio Master Kitz includes all the tools children need to create their own masterpiece along with learning materials to deepen  their understanding of the Red Studio and its impact on modern art. Each Red Studio Mater Kitz includes: A sturdy, re-usable art tool box with magnetic closures; 1 re-usable stencil; 2 pieces of high quality art paper; 2 sticker sheets; 1 acrylic paint; 1 oil pastel; 1 foam brush; Fun, easy-to-understand Matisse learning materials; Easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.
— Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in a May 2013 survey that Snap Circuits are one of their best-selling activity kits.

This hands on kit includes supplies for kids to recycle and make their own paper. Includes 6"X8" mold and deckle, supplies to make patterned & textured bookmarks, a notebook, and greeting cards.

These magnetic flower pieces can be assembled into beautiful blooms. Compatible with other SmartMax building sets.

Chocolate cards are played and nabbed, and played and nabbed right back. Players score points by reasoning out which confectionary card combinations will give them the most sweet satisfaction. TOOTHACHE cards, CARROT cards, and BOX-O-CHOCOLATES cards keep the game lively and surprising.

Packed in a gift box the model is approximately 3" and consist of 26 pieces. Museum quality fine detailed sculpturing and hand painted. Collect the series - great gifts for the future marine biologist.

Sugary-scented bubble gum cards and bubble blowing thrills in a playful strategy game. Kids lay down their bubble gum cards in number order, and watch their bubble grow. If opponents play a "POP" card, the other player's bubble will burst. Luckily, they've got snitch cards and special bubble protector tokens on their side. Launch date: August 2012.

With this kit, kids can grow amazing crystals that change color. Learn about the chemical reaction that causes the beautiful shift in colors, and examine the factors that influence the reaction. Conduct a chemical analysis to better understand why the color change occurs. Show off the crystal creations in two special locking display cases.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Thames & Kosmos was a best-selling brand of science toy.

The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Adventure, (the 17th book in the Greatest Dot-to-Dot series) by David Kalvitis, carries on his tradition of skillfully utilizing dots to create the most amazingly complex and artistic dot-to-dot puzzles to ever hit the market. The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Adventure - Book 1 begins following a guide, an imaginative young boy searching for the missing pieces of a mysterious gift. Together, visitors will navigate challenging puzzles and unearth secret clues to discover new species of dots and spectacular views. The new Adventure Book also contains two triple page foldouts, and one jaw dropping four page foldout with over 2,600 dots, the largest Dot-to-Dot in print to date. Kalvitis' new book also boasts a couple new puzzle styles as well as puzzles that give clues to other puzzles in order to solve them. Because of these interacting puzzles in addition to the new story line (both of which have never been done in an activity book of this type before), The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Adventure Book is even more interactive and exciting than ever before. Contains 39 puzzles. Launch date: 2012.

These red hearts are decorated with intricate silver designs. Two sheets of stickers come in each pack.

These fancy red and pink heart stickers are all wrapped up in silver streamers. Each pack contains two sheets of stickers.

These Valentine Expressions are highlighted with silver reflections, and make a festive addition to gift cards and other craft projects.

Here is everything crafters will need to say "I Love You" to their favorite valentine. These colorful phrases in red, pink, purple and silver are a festive way to decorate greeting cards and other projects.

Now children can musically discover the mysteries and wonders of the Universe with Beth Nielsen Champan's new CD, The Mighty Sky. As rich and varied as the galaxy she sings about - and just as exciting to explore - The Might Sky blends accurate science, creative astronomy-based lyrics and the striking songwriting that Beth is famous for. Launch date: October 9, 2012.

In 1939 Robert L. May, a copywriter working at Chicago's Montgomery Ward & Co., wrote a holiday story at the request of his employer. Almost two and a half million copies of the little tale about a reindeer with a shiny red nose were given away to children who visited Montgomery Ward stores that year. The rest is history. Over seventy years later, the beloved classic is once again available in a faithful, hardcover facsimile of the original 1939 Rudolph, with original text and illustrations by Denver Gillen.

CHOCOLALALA is a collection of original, bilingual songs from award-winning musician Mister G. Inspired by his concert tours throughout Latin America, the album spans a wide range of musical styles from bossa nova to ska, funk to folk, rap to pop. With captivating Latin rhythms and melodies, the songs appeal to parents as much as their children. Catchy and educational, the songs teach about counting, colors and nature, and celebrate the joys of eating chocolate, dancing and riding on the school bus with friends. CHOCOLALALA was produced, engineered and mixed by Mister G (Ben Gundersheimer). The album features world-class musicians, the voices of bilingual families, and performances by Mister G's former elementary school students. In addition to writing and singing the songs, Mister G played acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, tres and percussion. Launch date: September 10, 2012.

petzombIeRock is a unique, collectible artwork hand painted and crafted in the USA by the artist, KC. PetzombIeRock makes a great Halloween gift. petzombIeRock arrives in its own coffin.

Urbania is a game of city renewal where players try their hand as a famous urban planner who is working on the re-development of a run-down city. To accomplish the job players must: hire the best specialists and designers. They must submit plans and create blueprints. Players must construct new and dynamic buildings to bring the city back to its former glory. If players can manage your projects well, they will become the most renowned planner and take credit for the city’s amazing turnaround. Launch date: 2012.

Each color printed tin contains 10 colored pencils, 10 stamps and 3 inkpads, plus a color 'idea sheet'. Kids press their fingers into the non-toxic ink pads, then stamp their fingertips onto a piece of paper. Kids then can use the included stamps (featuring eyes, dinosaur teeth, and more) and colored pencils to add detail to their prehistoric creations.

Festive Wintery Pull-along Penguin & Polar Bear toy. Improve hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, and movement abilities. 5 Stackable penguin and polar bear blocks.

Holiday robot captivates kids with rapid skittering motion. Decked out for holiday fun in red, green, snowflake & antlers. At home in a crystal-clear ornament bulb tied with festive ribbon (for a bit).

Keeping family and friends gathered around the holiday table doesn't take a miracle - just great questions. "What three values does your family cherish most?" and "What is the best Chanukah gift you have ever received?" are two of the 82 questions on these conversation-starting cards. Make way through the deck to share holiday memories, and create a new tradition with this box of 82 conversation-starters.

Kids of all ages can experience traditional holiday fun with the Fisher-Price GeoTrax Christmas Train. The train features working lights in each of the cars and automatically activates lights in the mini-sites as it passes. There are 2 moveable street lights, a bridge that plays holiday music, and a skating rink with spot lights. The Easy-Rail Station lighted features include: a 3-faced clock tower, 2 lamps, 2 street lights, and station windows. Pull into the station to unload passengers and listen as they are welcomed by a fun holiday tune. The station's lights and music can also be activated by pressing the button on the clock tower or either of 2 buttons on the track. This cool set includes 16 pieces of durable, Snap-Lock track, holiday decor that snaps onto the guard rails, street lamps, a bridge, a station, and signs that can be placed throughout the set. Compatible with other GeoTrax train sets.