April 2012 Notable Toys — All

This little giraffe from Moulin Roty is part of the “Les Loustics” collection. Designed around four diverse and friendly jungle animals, the giraffe, the lion, the elephant, and the monkey, the Loustics characters travel the world looking for new friends and adventures. The giraffe is the tallest (12 in) which sometimes allows her to see what lies ahead. Can you imagine what the special talents of the other three are?  Moulin Roty, the creative French company behind the “Les Loustics” line, celebrates their 40th anniversary in 2012. The Loustic giraffe is recommended for children from birth and up.

The Sevi workbench is what every little carpenter dreams about. Each detail is carefully designed by the toy designers from Sevi, a company with a tradition of making great children’s products since 1831. The bench has a nice big work surface (about 18 by 19 inches). There is also a vice and a place to put your tools when finished. The tool bench is designed as a companion product to Sevi’s full range of construction toys. There are five different sets in the construction series (sold separately). In addition to the workbench, the set comes with 20 pieces including nuts, screws, and a set of five tools: mallet, wrench, screw driver, saw, and a square. The size of the pieces are ideal for little fingers just learning to manipulate and develop dexterity. The Sevi workbench is recommended for children ages 3+.

A classic memory game made only the way Sevi could. Beautiful hand-painted daisies are the prize for uncovering matching pictures found beneath. The hardwood base of the game holds 5 templates, so players choose a game, place the cover on top and begin. With five levels of difficulty and different configurations, kids may never remember if they played the same game twice. Did we forget to tell you that Sevi is Europe’s’ oldest wooden toy maker? Oh, sorry if we did. Then you probably remember that they use only vegetable-based paints and smooth hardwoods, right?  We have a feeling you are going to be very good at this game.

Ahoy Mates! Walk the plank! Arggggg! are just a few of the play sounds children will be uttering as The Sevi Buccaneer play set occupies their imagination. This 23 piece set comes complete with Captain, mates, grain, anchor, crow’s nest and of course, a treasure chest with map. Designed to be played with on the floor, this ship really rocks to provide realistic learning and fun for the child. Did we mention that Sevi is Europe’s’ oldest wooden toy maker? Since 1831 Arrr… well, shiver me timbers!

What could be better than a puzzle kids can actually play with? This 28 piece puzzle only fits into the hardwood storage box one way but don’t worry, the images are painted in bright colors on the inside and outside. A great on-the-go gift since all pieces fit snuggly in its box and latch shut. Children can build skyscrapers as the roofs of all the building pop off and are stackable. An excellent developmental building toy, pieces are perfect for little fingers and big imaginations. Sevi is Europe’s’ oldest wooden toy maker – since 1831 – using only vegetable-based paints and smooth hardwood.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Giddy-Up!! Sevi's award winning design on this Pull Along Cowboy is sure to set children's imaginations soaring. When pulled the cowboy and horse have a realistic gallop and clickity-clack sound. Along with various fabrics and smooth quality hardwood, this little wrangler will surely become a toddler’s best friend. Sevi is Europe’s’ oldest wooden toy maker – since 1831 – using only vegetable-based paints and smooth hardwood.

The Bussi Cat from Trudi is made with two colors of fur: black and cream. Created by Trudi of Italy, this sweet cat is part of the Bussi collection. Embroidered “Bussi” adorns one of its paws, Bussi means “little kisses” in German. She is about ten inches tall and machine-washable. All Trudi brand products come with a life-time warranty. Imported exclusively by the Magicforest Toy Company.

Pop up tent that can easily be folded down into a circle and slipped into its convenient carrying case. Perfect for Grandma's house. 18 mos+
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Our classic "Orchard" for the youngest ones. Can the children harvest the fruit into the basket before the raven reaches the Orchard? Cooperative game.

These construction sets offer exciting insights into the world of technics and also foster the technical skills of all amateur craftsmen. Thanks to the pre-cut wooden pieces budding craftsmen have immediate construction pleasure without having to do any sawing. Thanks to the easy to read instructions assembling the pieces is very simply. The construction sets bring physics within easy reach and are real fun to assemble, and then to observe and test the results.

Small knights can easily put this armor on thanks to the hook and loop fasteners. The armor comes with an extra chest protector showing a fiery dragon and an adjustable belt. Material: cotton/polyester. Dimensions: for children age 3 to 6.

Solid beechwood blocks still made in Germany. Perfect for little architects with the 6 building block clamps, 6 wheel clamps, 3 building block clutches, 11 building blocks. 26 pieces.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

A cuddly glove puppet with many extras. She likes to snuggle up and is always ready to play, with one of her many surprises for small explorers. Her mysterious rustling arm and wind-up fidgeting hair make everybody laugh. The hands are magnetic and a little mirror is hidden underneath her waistcoat. The bangle is a circular rattle that can be removed.

The HABA doll family keeps growing and growing. We now have 15 dolls in our family in all sizes for all ages. Uncomparable to anything else on the market these dolls are value priced. Washable dolls with Chenille hair, soft bodies and beautiful fashion accessories. Yui is one of new dolls that is wearing a Japanese Kimono and carrying a fan. Launch date: February 2012.

Soft, huggable, washable Lilli doll. 18 mos +
— Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids LTD in Madison, Wisc., told TDmonthly in a June 2015 survey that Lilli and Friends is one of their best-selling doll lines.

A little buggy with a driver and six different building blocks each with its own surprise, acoustic or visual, for playing, building, assigning, discovering.

Hours of colorful creative fun with these 32 colored pegs and rings. Stack the rings and pegs to make taller structures! Ideal for free play.

Rattles and spins when pushed - stimulates walking.

Friendly dragon pull toy stimulates crawling and walking. Special playfulness -  when pulled the funny wings wobble and rattle.

Colorful wooden rattle, made in Germany using water based stains so the woodgrain shows through. 6 mos +

Taking children on a fun-filled jaunt through springtime, this book highlights the Easter holiday’s traditions along with the beauty of the season. The new leaves on the trees and blooming flowers are illustrated in vivid colors, and the various sounds of the baby animals born during this joyous time are captured in detail. The Easter Bunny’s job is described as he gathers and decorates eggs, hops to children’s houses with his brimming basket, and hides them for the hunt. Launch date: April 1, 2012.

From Basher, the illustrator who showed the periodic table in a whole new light and gave us his fresh spin on physics, biology, astronomy, rocks and minerals, planet earth and chemistry, comes a book that shines its light into our magical and mysterious oceans. Not content to stay on dry land, Basher takes to the high seas in this friendly guide to everything above and below the oceans. Meet the members of the Shoreline Gang, the Deep-down Dandies, and the characters in the Open-water Crew. Encounter deep trenches, curious creatures, mountains taller than any one will find on land, and the mixers and stirrers that keep the water flowing. Throughout it all, Basher’s bold, cheerful artwork pairs with rock solid scientific information to personalize readers’ understanding of Earth’s mysterious underwater world. Bonus: includes a pull out poster of the oceanic characters. Launch date: March 27, 2012.

SPIN and SEEK On-The-Go hidden-object games are a must have for any road trip. Spin the wheel then find the 3 objects hidden within thousands of squiggly lines. Play with a friend to see who can find the objects first. Launch date: 2012.

The Void is puzzling to comprehend because there’s a hole right in the middle of it. Consumers can literally put their finger right through the center of the Void. The object is to solve each side, much like one would a standard Rubik’s Cube, but that’s where the similarities end. The Void has different colors, rounded edges, and requires a different solution. Launch date: February 2012.
Awards: 2012 ASTRA Best Toys For Kids Nominee