April 2011 Notable Toys — All

This card game that casts players in a contest to build the mightiest Gub colony. Player seek wisdom from The Esteemed Elder or take shelter from a Toad Rider as they fend off a myriad of traps, lures, and other surprising events. Victory lies down an ever-changing path and no one is safe until the final card falls. Contents include  70 cards and Rules of play. For 2-6 players; game time is approximately 20 minutes.

Go head-to-head against your opponent in this tactical game of city planning. Draw a shape card and then simultaneously try to fit the matching tile into your city grids. Plot wisely, as you must always have space to play your next piece. Build your city without going over the limits and consider yourself the master planner. Contents include 42 city tiles, 21 cards, 4 starter tiles, 2 game boards, Rules of play, and Rules in Spanish.

Roll the die and then drop the wooden pebble into the pond. Did any colorful shapes splash out? If so, match them up to your playing board. Be the first to fill up your board and then dry off with a win. Contents include 50 wooden droplets, 4 character boards,1 custom die, 1 wooden pebble, 1 game board, Rules of play, and Rules in Spanish. Estimated game time is 15 minutes.

Swim along with Swirly Shirley, Betsy Bubbles, Rip Rider, and a colorful cast of undersea characters as you try to collect the most seashell cards. Watch out for sneaky waves and icky seaweed along the way. Most of all - don’t get caught holding the sea monster at the end of the game. This card game was invented by 8 year old Emily Ehlers.

Including a unique light table that illuminates every outfit, this kit helps kids create a full fashion line using acetate wardrobe pieces. Just add color, patterns, and texture. Comes complete with the fashion-forward light table, over 30 acetate wardrobe pieces, ten artist grade color pencils, and ten sheets of drawing paper.

This fun, colorful set comes with Racal Rally the cat and 6 accessory. The transparent spinning wheel can be used with your other Furry Frenzies pets. — As of 1.07.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars on Walmart.com and was the #14 bestselling item in the Dolls & Dollhouses category. Pros: Easy assembly; works with other FurReal pets; many accessories. Cons: Batteries not included; must apply decals before use.

It's a bidding and headhunting game. A card game where one bids to hire the best people with a limited amount of money they have in hand. The player who manages to gather the 12 best people and meets the designated tasks shall be the winner.

Composed of 216 individual high-energy rare-earth magnets, the NeoCube allows you to create and recreate an nearly infinite number of shapes and patterns. Can be used to create complex designs and puzzles, or for simple fun and relaxtion. As of 1.06.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 84 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 2 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. PROS: Challenging; stimulates both brain hemispheres; many variations. CONS: Not suitable for children under 14; can be difficult to master.

This historical fiction/fantasy mash-up explores romance and the afterlife, set during the chaos of the Russion Revolution. Offering an imaginitive explanation for the whereabouts of Princess Anastasia and Prince Alex when the rest of their family was murdered, author Laura Whitcomb creates a world in between worlds where Calder, a Fetch, attends the dying and excorts souls to heaven. This romance with Christian themes escalates when Calder and the young royals are pursued by the malicious Rasputin and a host of lost souls.  Ultimately, goodness and love prevail. This book received a Booklist starred review

Simple, fast-paced rhymes and watercolor illustrations tell this story about a group of mice delivering valentines to the other woodland creatures on a snowy day. The adventure escalates when the smallest mouse gets left behind. He's found just in time for a warm Valentine's Day group hug. This book comes in a durable board book format with decorative red foil accents. Written by Bethany Roberts, illustrated by Doug Cushman.

This book explores the everyday life of babies and their families. A multi-cultural cast of characters experiences the joy, exhaustion, and love that plays out during a typical day just being a family. Gentle rhymes and pencil and watercolor illustrations tell this tale that is ultimately about love. In the send-a-story format, you can affix three postage stamps to the book and send it to someone in the mail, no packaging required. Written by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee.

This reasurring tale explores the bond between parent and child. A little fox named Small asks his parent if he will be loved, no matter how gruesome his behavior. As Small's scenarios become increasingly unpleasant, his parent is unwavering in his expression of love for his child.  In the send-a-story format, you can affix three postage stamps to the book and send it to someone in the mail, no packaging required. Written by Debi Gliori

Easy rhymes and soft watercolors tell the story of a little lamb's birthday and the surprises he gets from his loved ones throughout the day. The book explores the loving relationship between parent and child and also the natural progression of the day. In the send-a-story format, you can affix three postage stamps to the book and send it to someone in the mail, no packaging required. Written by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.

This book about friendship and love can be sent to friends or relatives in the mail, no packaging needed. Written by Sandol Stoddard Warburg and illustrated by Jacqueline Chwast, this book is unabridged from its original format — but now, you can affix three stamps and drop it in the mail.

Young readers can help Curious George and his friends celebrate with decorating, baking, and card making.  Ruby-red foil and fold-out flaps provide interesting textures and colors for children to explore while reading.

These Pediatrician-invented, fingerless bathing gloves make baby's bathtime easier. The slip resistant terry fabric helps to securely grip your slippery baby while also doubling as a washcloth. The Palm Mitt is available in pink, blue, brown, and white.

This 1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia is part of the Black Bandit series of 1:18 scale die-cast automotives from GreenLight Collectible. This car features black body paint, black interior, and black rims. This model features real rubber tires, detailed engines, custom license plates, and is officially licensed.

This Shelby Cobra CSX3034 is part of the Auction Block series of 1:18 scale die-cast automotives from GreenLight Collectible. This car is modeled after the famous 1966 Shelby Cobra CSX3034. The car was bought, sold, and remodled several times; it even competed in some motocross until 1970. The car is fully documented in the International Shelby Registry and is still in excellent condition today. This 1:18 scale, fully licensed model is a tribute to that famous car.

These child-sized sleeping bags feature plush material and a cute stuffed animal for a pillow. Slumber Pets come in a variety of colors and animals.

New Blanket Pets feature a soft plush animal that turns into a soft and cuddly blanket for children. The Blanket Pets come in a zebra, frog, camel, and gazelle.

This plush Good Night Moon Bunny Storytime Pal features a stuffed animal with a child sized blanket folded inside. When the blanket is removed children can snuggle up and use the stuffed animal as a pillow. The blanket zips on and off and is machine washable; the Zoobie stuffed animal is held in shape by two velcro tabs.
— In late Spring 2011, Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids in in Columbia Ill., said of the Storytime pals from Zoobies: "They did a real good job transporting the character to a Zoobie,” and they're only $1-2 more than the non-licensed characters. She told TDmonthly that these were among her best-selling licensed products.

This plush Curious George Storytime Pal features a stuffed animal with a child sized blanket folded inside. When the blanket is removed children can snuggle up and use the stuffed animal as a pillow. The blanket zips on and off and is machine washable; the Zoobie stuffed animal is held in shape by two velcro tabs.
— In late Spring 2011, 8% of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly mentioned Zoobies as a best-selling toy for infants & toddlers.
— In a May 2012 survey, one out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Zoobies were their best selling plush/puppet item.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Magic Box Toys.

This child's beach  chair features a bright design of pink butterflies and green accents. The collapsible chair features a cup holder in one arm rest, a brightly striped seat, and a metal frame. As of 1.06.2011 this product was listed as a bestseller in the Pretend Play & Dress Up category on Toysrus.com. As of 1.06.2011 this product was listed as a bestseller in the Specialty Toys category on Toysrus.com. Pros: Colorful yet functional; cup holder.
— Bebe Feimster, owner of Big Smile Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in a June 2015 survey that Melissa and Doug’s Sunny Patch beach chair is one of their best-selling furniture items.

Kids can talk to Dora and her friends when they use the colorful Dora the Explorer Talk And Explore Cell Phone. The phone contains pre-recorded, bi-lingual messages, and includes a blue butterfly phone charm. As of 1.06.2011 this product was listed as a bestseller in the Pretend Play & Dress Up category on Toysrus.com. Pros: Colorful; comes with phone charm; bilingual.