December 2008 New Specialty Toys — Novelties

Lick to reveal the hidden message.

Snoopy Gumball Dispensing Jack-In-The-Box. Plays music and dispenses edible gumballs.

This 10" melamine plate features illustrated letters by artist Shelley Dieterichs, spelling out the word COOKIES for Santa. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

Silver shimmery Snowflakes from FunToSee are the simplest way to create beautiful feature walls or simply add a tasteful touch of color and fun around a room or on furniture. Easy and fun, removable and re-usable, and splash-proof and washable, a package of 30 FunToSee Snowflakes provide hours of holiday decorating fun. The product is "re-usable and will not damage walls," Elizabeth Marquis, account director for Serendipity Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Top Race promises hours of racecar thrills. Players send the racing cars down the track, ready for anything in their quest to get to the top of the podium, and use the advanced rules to thwart their opponents. They go on to win if they bet on the right drivers. The easy-to-learn game was created by German designer Wolfgang Kramer. Launch date: September 2008.

Each player receives a card that lists three secret challenges to be carried out during the play period in front of other players without getting caught. With family or during a party, players then try to expose other players in order to win. The small box takes up little counter space and is easy to take along. Launch date: March 2008.

Magical fairy dust reveals the fairy's treasure. Kids read Claresa's story of Fairy Treasure Stones, follow her instructions, and in the morning, the stone's treasure is revealed. The product is made in America. Claresa is "a fairy that is dedicated to bringing fun, imagination and quality into the lives of little fairy believers. Claresa has the highest standards because she believes they are an extension of her and a representation the fairy world," Clare Grindy, owner of Claresa the Fairy: Authentic Fairy Gifts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 11, 2003.

The Mommy and Me collection features one-of-a-kind pieces and makes wonderful gifts for "Daddy's Girls." Both are made from the same fabric and coordinated with appropriate shoes. The company loves doing custom work and is happy to work with any décor. The "handcrafted, one-of-a-kind, whimsical footstools ... are finished with REAL shoes and socks," Owner and Designer Nancy L. Brown told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2004 Best New Product at the New England Products and Trade Show. Launch date: October 2008.

This spinning top, with a diameter of 4 cm, is available in pear, maple, cherry, walnut and plum woods.

It's a bird... It's a plane...no, it's AirShark, the glider with attitude. Soft and safe, with rubber-band propulsion it flies over 50 feet. "It is a simple glider with attitude.
Any one can make it fly," said Laura T. Brewer, VP of marketing, Play Visions. Launch date: July 28, 2008.