November 2011 New Specialty Toys — All

The Crayola Glow Book lets kids create glowing, moving, animated art. Six glow marker colors and four removable drawing surfaces allow kids to draw, layer, and arrange images, and then light them in sequence so that the images appear to move. And since glow marker drawing surfaces wipe clean with a damp cloth, kids can create new images as often as they like. Variable lighting effect options maximize the glowing contents.
— As of 11/16/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 17 customer reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Helps develop fine motor skills; easy clean up; versatile. Cons: Only comes with one sample template to trace; hard to find refills for the markers; the plastic sheets can be difficult to put in place or remove.

Even infants can enjoy building and repairing with these soft tools. This nine—piece set contains a hammer, a drill, a screwdriver, saw, and more, all of which make a variety of delightful noises and are soft enough for the tiniest construction workers.
— As of 11/16/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; the vibrating drill is fun; soft yet durable; Machine washable. Cons: Toolbox seems flimsy.

Crayola Model Magic Jewelry Studio lets kids fashion fun and fabulous handmade trinkets, bracelets, necklaces and much more. The bead spinner mashes small amounts of Model Magic into marbled beads and baubles. Kids can make handmade gifts for friends and family, host a jewelry—making party or create their own line of colorful accessories. Includes: Crayola Model Magic Jewelry Boutique workstation, 8 packs Model Magic, 5 bracelet charms, 18 sticky gems, 3 pendant charms, 5 toggle sets, 2 48—inch necklace cords, 2 shape cutters, 4 earring posts and ear wires, 1 36—inch elastic cord, Peacock dryer rack, bead bunch, bead glaze, and instructions.
— As of 11/16/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Comes with lots of modeling dough; easy; nice gift idea. Cons: the dough can stain; only 4 storage compartments for 8 colors of dough.

Creating fun scenes with Disney characters is easy. Light Up surface makes tracing a snap. Comes with 20 tracing sheets, 10 scenes stickers and coloring pencils.

The finish line of the city stage is fast approaching and the red team holds a slight lead. To take the lead, the green team Formula One racer fires its missiles, but can the driver avoid the red team's spikes and stay in the race long enough to win? Includes 4 minifigures: 2 Backyard Blasters: Bart Blaster and Billy Bob Blaster; 2 X-treme Daredevils: MAX-treme and REX-treme.

In this game, only one player will ultimately become the LEGO Champion and win the trophy. Find out who will win the many challenges, claim the trophy. A multi-challenge family game for 3–8 players. Contents: 1 buildable LEGO dice, 9 LEGO microfigures, 206 LEGO pieces, rules booklet, building instructions.

A great variation on the classic ring stacker. This one has 7 rings and the top one spins like a windmill. The round pieces have 2 holes so kids can learn about 3D. Height is 18cm. Launch date: September 2011.

A deliciously beautiful patisserie tea set with 15 pieces and made from 100% plantation wood and non-toxic paints. Launch date: September 2011.

Introduce young children to water-color painting with Palette Pages Painting Books. Each painting page comes complete with its own palette of watercolors, ready to use. Just dip the brush in water and apply. Books feature 12 pages of black and white line art for painting and early-learning themes. Each book includes a sturdy fold-under painting page protector sheet, as well as a few handy painting tips for young artists. Launch date: February 2012.

Phone Mat Fun is an interactive 3D Animated DVD and activity mat that prepares young children for school.  Phone Mat Fun teaches children basic concepts of letters, colors, and numbers in both English Spanish while moving around the Learnercise Phone Mat. Launch date: 2011.

TeeGee is a fully interactive, customizable stuffed animal capable of telling stories, singing songs, and playing games with children. TeeGee is able to interact with the world through smart accessories, speech recognition, and other modes of communication. Parents can customize TeeGee's behavior by downloading age-appropriate apps from our online app store or the iTunes app store. Launch date: August 2011.

This is a one of a kind educational sandbox fossil find, featuring a tasteful faux rock design.Comes with an on-line field manual that makes it educational and fun as it explains the dinosar bones that are uncovered. Kids can sit all the way around the sand box, and the bones are arranged in a 360 degree format so no one gets left out. Launch date: September 2011.

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime.  In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole? Launch date: November 8, 2011.
— As of 11/11/2011 this book had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com.
— As of 11/11/2011 this book had 4.22 out of 5 stars from 179 ratings on Goodreads.com.

This new adaptation of Dee Brown's multi-million copy bestseller, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, is filled with photographs and maps to bring alive the tragic saga of Native Americans for middle grade readers. Focusing on the Sioux nation as representative of the entire Native American story, this meticulously researched account allows the great chiefs and warriors to speak for themselves about what happened to the Sioux from 1860 to the Massacre of Wounded Knee in 1891. This dramatic story is essential reading for every student of U.S. history. Launch date: October 25, 2011.

These 5 stories feature narration by Mem Fox, David de Vries… and others. ONE ZILLION VALENTINES (Written and illustrated by Frank Modell) Two enterprising friends, Milton and Marvin, prove that valentines are for everyone. A LETTER TO AMY (Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats) The wind spoils Peter’s attempt to mail a special invitation to his special friend Amy. GOGGLES! (Written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, narrated by Geoffrey Holder) Peter and his friend Archie call upon faithful dog Willie to outsmart a gang of tough bullies who want Peter’s goggles. WILFRID GORDON McDONALD PARTRIDGE (By Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas, narrated by Mem Fox) In this gentle, moving story about caring and sharing, a small boy helps a friend remember her past by sharing his own special items. WILL I HAVE A FRIEND (Written by Miriam Cohen, illustrated by Lillian Hoban, narrated by David de Vries) On the first day of school Jim worries that he won’t make any friends. Will he meet anyone who feels the same way? Launch date: January 10, 2012.

23 Award-Winning Stories in a 3-DVD collection. Caldecott award winners including Ezra Jack Keats’ The Snowy Day, Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling and Denise Fleming’s In the Small, Small Pond come together for the first time in Caldecott Favorites. Launch date: November 15, 2011.

Teach geometric shapes and reinforce fine motor skills as kids put the correct shape into the pegboard. Five shapes including square, circle, triangle, star and hexagon come in five colors. Large 1.5" x 1.25" pegs for easy handling.
Awards: 2005 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award
— In a November 2011 survey about best selling education toys, Martha Bimblich, owner of Twinkles of Bay Harbor in Bay Harbor Island, Fla., told TDmonthly that she sells 20-30 of these each month.  “I think it's a great manipulative toy for kids, especially if they're having trouble using their hands," she said.

Regular crush resistant polyester stems come in a poly bag with header. Available in a variety of colors, sizes and quantities.
— In a November 2011 survey, Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month. "People, especially teachers, like them because they are versatile," he said.

These Start to Finish Mazes Sets are teacher-created books that combine age-appropriate mazes with challenging activities such as counting practice, letter recognition and more. Lightweight paperback volumes are great for taking along on road trips or filling time at restaurants. 100 puzzles in all.
— When asked about her best selling educational products in November 2011, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that "Just about everything in our store is educational, so this is a tough question to answer," but that "Workbooks from Mindware do well," in particular.

This little crimson bird is waiting to perch on kids' hands. Bring the wonder of nature to children fingertips with this Cardinal Finger Puppet from Folkmanis. 5.5" long. Launch date: July 2011.
— In a May 2012 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Folkmanis was their best selling brand of plush or puppets.

Johnny is an airplane with friction-powered, rotating propellers, and a cargo hold with 3 secret compartments.
— Gladys Griffin, owner of Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga., told TDmonthly in a November 2011 survey that the Johnny Jungle Plane is her best selling aircraft/flying toy.

Made of genuine balsa wood. Rubber band powered. Easy to fly.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly in a November 2011 that Balsa airplanes are among her best selling flying toys.
— Geoff Pendexter, owner of Whirlygigs in Brentwood, N.H., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell about 15 of these planes each month, making them a best selling aircraft toy in the store.
— Gregory Faith, owner of Hobby Town USA in Nashua, N.H., told TDmonthly in a February 2013 survey that these gliders were their best selling wooden toy.

Launch like a Copter - Fly like a Plane. This uniquely styled cutting edge airplane shoots up like a helicopter with a simple pull of the launcherﾒs rip cord. One quick pull of the cord and watch this lightweight bird-like plane fly straight up reaching peaks of 25 feet. Featuring a unique centrally mounted rotor then watch as it re-directs and glides forward for another 30 feet. Two high flying experiences in one utterly original airplane. No batteries required.
— In a November 2011 survey Chris Lowe, owner of Beanhead Toys in Sandy Springs, Ga., told TDmonthly that she sells 10 of this item each month. “It's simple. Kids enjoy it, and parents buy it for birthday presents," she said.

BeamOs are 30” in diameter, 1½” thick with a 15” center opening and weigh 13 oz. They are made of a soft spandex fabric that covers a foam and fiberglass hoop. The washable sleeve may be hosed off when dirty and should be cleaned after pool or salt water use.
— In a November 2011 survey Mike McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly that he sells 6 BeamOs each month.