November 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

When Marge Graziano met the "Lost Lady" of the Honeymoon Cottage, her life's course took an unexpected twist of fate. Committed to saving a piece of Jerome's remarkable history, Marge enlisted the help of her family and newfound friends to restore the home to its original grandeur. Little did she realize what treasures she'd find as she dug through the past to save a fading Arizona landmark. Her courage undaunted, Marge pressed forward through astounding odds to bring the "Lady" renewed hopes and dreams for the future. Today, the Honeymoon Cottage shines forth in unabashed splendor, the elegant "Jewel of Jerome." Launch date: June 15, 2009.

"Dave Pratt, Behind the Mic: 30 Years in Radio" is the life story of a small-town boy who beat the odds to become the most prolific name in the history of Arizona radio. Over three decades, The Morning Mayor has been honored with more than 100 awards, sold-out arena and stadium concerts, topped ratings in three different formats, become one of the highest paid radio personalities in the nation, defeated cancer, and has raised millions of dollars for charity. More important, Dave has never forfeited his personal beliefs and has never sacrificed his personal character. The loyalty of his listeners and the love of his family have continued to be his driving force. Refreshingly, Dave Pratt has proven that an incredibly successful career and a deep love for family can find balance in one of entertainment's most turbulent industries. Enjoy this sometimes tear-jerking, sometimes humorous, but always sincere ride with one of radio's legendary performers. Launch date: November 1, 2008.

These 20" jointed bears are made in America and designed with lifelike features and special fur colors and combinations that help make these bears look just like the real bears that inspired them. The realistic look of the Wildlife Bears is designed to help inspire creative play and lends itself to investigative play by older children. Just like all Vermont Teddy Bears, 20" tall Wildlife Bears feature signature "Born in Vermont" eyes and the "tush tag" confirming their unconditional lifetime guarantee.

Jam-packed with emotional conflict, trials and tribulations, romance, and humor, "The Attitude Girl" follows outspoken, materialistic 17-year-old Vicky on her rocky road to becoming an adult as she struggles with bullying, financial setbacks, idealism, loss and forgiveness. Her attitude is her rock! Author Ludmila “Mila” Bernadkin draws on her experience as a teacher, mother and advanced graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature to create this compelling, award-winning story, which unveils the tremulous world of confusing emotions and mixed messages of “maturity” today’s teens live in as they feel their way through the process of becoming young adults. Awards: 1st Place Winner in the Arizona Authors Association Literary Awards Contest.

"Legends in the Kitchen" is designed with delicious recipes to make it possible for chefs and novice cooks alike to impress friends and family with the same dishes celebrities prepare for their guests. Imagine the conversation around the table when diners discover they are noshing on the Beef Stew with Walnuts that Betty Ford makes for former President Gerald Ford, Victoria Principal’s Jade Empress Chicken or Dick Clark’s Cajun Corn Chowder. A portion of the book’s sales supports the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Launch date: January 2010.

"It’s Not Leap Year this Year" is a story about a boy named Miles who was born on Feb. 29. There is just one problem: Feb. 29 does not come this year. What would you do if you were told that you could pick any day you want to celebrate your birthday? That’s exactly what Miles’ mom told him he could do. What day does Miles pick? "It’s Not Leap Year this Year" is the second book in her leap year series and is arriving just in time for 2010, which is not a leap year. The first book, "It’s My Birthday Finally" is also available. "Although there are other books written about leap year, this is the second in the leap year year series I've written," author Michelle Winfrey told TDmonthly. "This one is about what 'leapers' may do when it is not a leap year." Launch date: November 16, 2009.

Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay is an all-natural play clay scented with organic essential oils and available in six scents, including soothing lavender, relaxing chamomile and tension-easing bergamot. "I'm confident there is no other product like Mama K's Aromatic Play Clay currently on the market," Mama Made It owner Kari Erickson-Valenzuela told TDmonthly. "It is high quality, 100-percent natural, gluten-free, beautifully colored using only natural ingredients and subtly scented for aromatherapy with the highest quality organic essential oils. It's lovely." Awards: 2009 Goddard Systems Best Green Toys Under $30.00. Launch date: 2009.

The Fun Facts! series of Puzzle Doubles combines a beautifully illustrated floor puzzle with twelve fun animal facts into a high-quality educational experience. Children will first enjoy assembling the large, colorful puzzle. Flip the puzzle over to learn fun facts about the pictured animals, which encourage parent-child discussion. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3' x 2'. Launch date: November 16, 2009.

The Fun Facts! series of Puzzle Doubles combines a beautifully illustrated floor puzzle with twelve fun animal facts into a high-quality educational experience. Children will first enjoy assembling the large, colorful puzzle. Flip the puzzle over to learn fun facts about the pictured animals, which encourage parent-child discussion. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3' x 2'. Launch date: November 16, 2009.

Puzzle Doubles Create A Scene Farm combines a puzzle with additional activities to create a fun and interactive learning experience for your child. After assembling the puzzle, children can create their own scenes and stories by placing the reuseable static stickers on the surface of completed puzzle. Then turn the puzzle over for a big coloring activity! The bright illustrations encourage parent-child conversation. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3' x 2'. Launch date: November 16, 2009.

This fun memory game will challenge problem solving and develop memory skills of young children as they try to find a pair of matching cards. Bright, colorful illustrations teach upper and lower case letters of the alphabet. It's a great family game for all ages. Launch date: October 2009.

In the award-winning game ItzaBitza, drawings truly come to life. Kids help their Sketchy by using Living Ink — a drawing recognition system — to draw one-of-a kind interactive objects that form the centerpiece of the game's action. They can draw a house and watch the character shrink to fit in the door, or draw flames and watch the rocket ship kids drew blast off. Since the environment is created through each player's personal drawings, the possibilities are endless. Awards: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009; Creative Child Game of the Year Award; Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Award; Editor’s Choice and Gold Award from The Children’s Technology Review; 5-star review from USA Today; The Toy Man Seal of Approval, eco-Recognition Seal, Award of Excellence and eChoice Award; an Editor’s Choice Game Award from the Computer Times; and a “Best Tech for Kids” mention in BusinessWeek. Launch date: November 2008.

Meet Skiff, a playful Sheltie. In "Little Skiff Copes With Valley Fever," Skiff learns all about Valley Fever firsthand. Author Dany Pierard-Deviche hopes Skiff will teach children how to stay confident in the face of adversity and change. "As a former research biologist, Pierard-Deviche hopes to trigger reflection in children and inspire them to conduct their own research on things that interest them," said Lisa Goldman of Five Star Publications. "The Little Skiff books are the perfect blend of fiction and nonfiction. They are simultaneously instructional and entertaining." Launch date: January 15, 2010.

This wooden set of two, 15” cubes is made in the USA of sustainably grown Baltic birch plywood and uses eco-friendly paints and finishes. The front panel can be customized from a variety of colors and shapes. The cubes can be connected in various ways.
— Through Via Toy Box and its sister line, Via Wine Cubes, KD PRODUCTS combines form and function into sensible storage solutions. The Via Toy Box line features modular cubes with a variety of openings that can be used to create fully customized storage. Shelves, casters, cabinets, and more can be added to the basic cubes for more possibilities. The units can also be rearranged to meet changing display needs. The cubes can keep floppy plush and difficult to stack items neat and orderly while the array of colors and intriguing shapes can draw attention to products held within. Since children tend to climb, it’s probably a a good idea to anchor the cubes to the wall for safety. The reviewer on Daddy Types ordered the product online and was thankful it “turn[ed] out to be good after all.”

Nichols Oldland’s “Big Bear Hug” tells the story of a gregarious black bear that hugs everything in the forest. Humorous illustrations show how nothing, be it moose, snake, rabbit, or tree, can escape the bear’s displays of affection.
— Parents praise the book because it teaches children the importance of making good decisions and showing compassion. A confrontation with a human looking for lumber adds minor tension and provides the book with a subtle yet important environmental message, making it green-friendly as well.
— It received an average of 4.5 of 5 stars from three reviews on Amazon.com, and an average of 4.26 out of 5 stars from 39 reviews on Goodreads.com, as of November 2009.

This set includes 216 powerful rare earth magnets that can be molded, shaped and snapped together in an endless variety of configurations. Each Buckyball has two poles — one repels, one attracts. Not intended for children. Watch video
— ''Pun's has sold about four dozen in the last month alone,'' Joe Berardoni, Sr., owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., shared with TDmonthly in the fall of 2010.
—Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., sold nine of 24 units in two days after opening a box for display, she told TDmonthly. Two of 39 retailers named Buckyballs as a best-selling travel toy in March 2010.
— Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that he sells "probably 50" sets of Buckyballs each month.
— May 27, 2010 RECALL of 175,000 sets (prior to March 2010) with 13+ labeling violating a federal standard that powerful magnets not be sold to children under 14.

Crazyoleez blend various colors of crayon into a single decorative shape, for a distinctive artistic experience while coloring. Other shapes and sizes are available.

This 200-piece puzzle shows a vast space scene and provides the names of the planets. Once assembled, it measures 19 1/3” x 14 1/4".
— Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga., sells about 30 Ravensburger puzzles per month, Owner Gladys Griffin told TDmonthly in fall 2009 when discussing best-selling educational items.
— "Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles; a dozen per month" Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly.

The JUMBO Grip features the same shape as The Pencil Grip to place fingers in the correct stance for gripping, for both right- and left-handed writers. It’s about 40-percent bigger than The Pencil Grip, designed to offer comfort and support up to the second knuckle.
— Joan Machlis, owner of Wind Up Here in Olympia, Wash., told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that the store sells about 50 items per month by the Pencil Grip.
— ''We sell maybe 75 per month,'' Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Centre, Inc., in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly.

Centered on basic math skills and beginning reading, this workbook includes activities with color illustrations that allow kids to practice for reaching first-grade goals while strengthening their critical thinking.
— Seven of 40 specialty retailers referenced books or study guides of some sort when asked about best-selling educational toys and school supplies in fall 2009.
— Annie’s Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., sells about 18 School Zone books per month. “Tourists grab them and use to keep the kids thinking on breaks,” Owner Teresa Derry told TDmonthly in late 2009.

Designed to teach girls about cosmetic chemistry, this kit includes ingredients to make custom scents and indulge in a crystal mud treatment and a sea salt scrub. Girls can also buff and shine their nails for a finished look.
— Two of 40 retailers cited Scientific Explorer as a best-selling educational brand in fall 2009. The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., sells dozens of Scientific Explorer kits per month, Owner Mary Porter told TDmonthly.

This picture-filled wooden puzzle of the United States includes 40 pieces created to help develop map skills. When each puzzle piece is placed in the correct location, the puzzle speaks the names of the states and capitals. It measures 0.8” x 15.8” x 11.9”. It requires three AAA batteries (not included).
— Ten percent of 40 retailers named Melissa & Doug as a best-selling brand when it comes to educational products. LB Toys in Media, Pa., sells about 30 per month of the U.S. wooden map puzzle, Owner Jamie Burdette told TDmonthly in fall 2009.
— Michael O'Dell of Toys from the Attic in Rehoboth Beach, Del., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that they don't sell many electronic or battery operated toys, but of those they do have, sound puzzles from Melissa & Doug sell best.

856 Motorhead Miniatures Figurines - 1:18 scale Vintage Vixens #1 Set of 4 . Hand painted cold-cast resin. These figures are great for decorating 1:18 scale cars and dioramas. This set includes four approximately 3.5" lady figures. Manufactured by Motorheads. Packed in a window box. Box size: 10.5"Lx 2.25"Wx 5"H. Note: Vehicle is not included.

5342/2D Kinsmart - Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. 1:42 scale diecast collectible model car. This Ford Crown Victoria is a 5"L x 1.75"W x 1.75"H die cast metal car with pull back action, and openable doors. This Ford Crown Victoria Police car is manufactured by Kinsmart. 12 pcs per display box in assorted colors. 72 pcs per inner.