January 2009 Notable Toys — All

This 14" plush friend is known for overreacting and isn't known to look before he leaps. Launch date: February 10, 2009.

Angel Heaven™ Plush Dolls & Creatures have been custom designed by Artist/Author Sharon M Hayes. They are embroidered and are made from high quality materials that conform to toy safety regulations. Each 14" Angel doll order will arrive in its very own carryall zippered vinyl bubble with the "Earning Wings" poem printed on the front. Orders also include a shiny silver plush star, removable plush iridescent white wings and halo so children can reenact the "good deeds" steps they learn online at Angel Heaven™ World.com and from the "Earning Wings" poem.  The angels also have their own members-only website filled with games, cartoons and music. Launch date: 2009.

Offering everything one needs to know to start playing, this kit teaches how to play the chromatic and diatonic harmonica through an easy to understand and enjoyable step-by-step system. It includes licks in the style of favorite performers, plus numerous listening suggestions and musical examples. The CD-ROM is for Windows and Macintosh. "Part of Alfred's legendary 'Teach Yourself to Play' series, this kit comes with a real harmonica, book and enhanced CD," Marina Terteryan, marketing coordinator for Alfred Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 1996.

Written for easy recorder, this book and recorder pack gives one everything needed to start playing. The book features big, easy-to-read notes, a beginner's guide to playing the recorder, and a clear, simple introduction to reading music. Seven of the most well-known "Star Wars" themes and melodies are included. Launch date: May 2008.

Children can compose and experience music at the most basic level, before ever picking up an instrument or learning to read. This series of interactive music activities facilitates experimenting with the fundamentals of pitch, rhythm and sounds of various instruments and styles of music. Children can compose their own music using the musical canvas feature, which "lets children experiment with composing music visually — they paint at the top for a high note, bottom for a low note, and use a variety of instruments, including rhythm section," Marina Terteryan, marketing coordinator for Alfred Publishing, told TDmonthly. The series includes "Making Music," "Making More Music," "Hearing Music," "Playing Music," "World of Music" (beginner) and "World of Music" (intermediate). Launch date: April 2008.

This book and CD collection features rich and diverse musical entertainment for young children and grown-ups. Led through "A World of Happiness" by engaging characters such as “Knowa’ the Cat” and “Lady Leo-Lani,” the ladybug, children will discover inspiring stories and toe-tapping, thoughtful songs. lyrics and sheet music are included, and each age-appropriate chapter focuses on a positive, universal character trait and contains a  “Happiness Activity." For teachers, there are accompanying music lesson plans designed and developed by Music Educators National Conference (MENC). "Each of the wonderful performers on the recording truly believes that the world can be a better place and that it all begins with the children," Marina Terteryan, marketing coordinator for Alfred Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

"S.O.S. Songs of the Sea" combines music, creativity and fun for music teachers, classroom teachers, child care providers and kids. Students will enjoy learning about the sea and its creatures through the engaging songs and activities.  "This is an all-in-one activity kit for home or classroom use, with suggestions for ocean-themed decorations, songs, art activities and food. It can be easily implemented by non-musically-trained instructors, and the accompaniment CD lets the children sing along to each song. S.O.S. is created with the Orf philosophy of musical teaching," Marina Terteryan, marketing coordinator for Alfred Publishing, told TDmonthly. The product received a 2008 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: April 2008.

Created by teens, for teens, this set of 50 diverse questions is sure to spark some colorful conversations. The cool carabiner clip attaches to backpacks, sports bags and overnight bags. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Designed for kids heading off to camp or for family camping trips, this fun game was created for kids, by kids.  It’s also a good way for kids to get to know new friends at camp. The handy flashlight and compass allow you to navigate your way back to your campsites or cabin for some fun, late night conversations.  Great around the campfire too. It's "perfect for kids going away to summer camp. This product was requested by specialty retailers," Owner Beth Daniels of Around the Table told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Created by kids, for kids, Buddy Talk is a fun way to get friends talking. Children can find out a ton about their friends at the bus stop, during recess or at a sleepover. They just draw a card, read one of the 50 cool questions, and let the fun begin. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This bright and colorful chart helps children of all ages recognize and share their feelings. Through a colorful and vividly illustrated marine life scene, children and their parents can identify a wide range of feelings. These 11" x 17" charts are double-sided with one side in black and white for coloring over and over again using washable crayons. It was a 2008 Dr. Toy Best Products Winner. Launch date: 2008.

This bright and colorful chart helps children of all ages recognize and share their feelings. Through a colorful and vividly illustrated flower garden scene, children and their parents can identify a wide range of feelings. These 11" x 17" charts are double sided with one side in black and white for coloring over and over again with washable crayons. "The Flower Garden Feeling Chart is a terrific way to help children identify feelings, develop emotional intelligence, and open up to engaging discussions. It's a fun and straightforward way to lead productive discussion of feelings at home, school, or while traveling," Lisa-Marie Arneson, owner and creator of Bright Spots, told TDmonthly. The chart was named a 2008 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Winner. Launch date: 2008.

This fun and engaging coloring book will help children recognize, identify, and talk about their feelings. "The whimsical verse is combined with a creative representation of feelings," Lisa-Marie Arneson, owner and creator of Bright Spots, told TDmonthly. The book was a 2008 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Products Winner. Launch date: 2005.

ChalkTalkSPORTS SportACTION Card Games are fast playing and action packed for popular team sports. Varieties include Baseball, Lacrosse, Football, Soccer and Hockey. These card games provide hours of intense fun as players race to be the first to assemble their winning team. Strategy, skill and fun make them entertaining for the entire family. "Our SportACTION card games play like the real sport. Its a race to pull together your team first as you watch out for penalty calls," President Julie Lynn of ChalkTalkSPORTS told TDmonthly.

Play along with your favorite three monkey characters "Ninja Style' as they try and save their world from pirates, kittens and other scary creatures using the weapons known only to Ninja Monkeys "The Orbs of Doom" "The Orbs of Doom" is a new twist on the old favorite "Marbles". Players shoot their orbs through the portals to the super secret ninja monkey world collecting black belt degrees on their way to becoming The ninja Monkey Master. 2 players or 2 teams, For ages 6 and up. The Orbs of doom will keep your little monkeys and your little ninja's entertained for hours.

Ze Super Heroes have super powers ... but they also have flaws that negate those powers. Zonk the Monkey, for instance, is a self-proclaimed "super climber," yet he's also afraid of heights. There are 6 Ze Superheroes so far. You can clean them by surface washing only. Launch date: 2009.

Naturally scented softdough is scented with essential oils, giving the dough a pleasant scent.  The small 4 oz tubs comes in lemon, rose, peppermint, orange, lavender, vanilla and lime scent.

Large 18oz tubs single color tubs come in red, blue, yellow, green, purple, pink and orange.  Great for group of kids, schools, daycares or pre-schools.     

Small 4 oz tub of glow-in-the-dark for fun in the dark.

Designed to develop strong values and teach children and adults about the Bible by instilling in them scripture, this game accommodates two to six players. Questions range from simple to complex, and the goal of the game is to collect the most angels to win. "They're having fun and scriptures are being installed, and that's why kids like it so much," Michael Neely, inventor of Vice Verses, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

This blank puzzle gives kids freedom to draw their own picture, and then assemble and reassemble their very own design. It is available in 5" x 7" and 8" x 10" sizes with mailing envelopes.

Each Softdough Play Set includes the following: four, 4-oz. tubs of Softdough (in colors red, blue, green and yellow), a hardwood rolling pin and 11 cookie cutters (turtle, frog, squirrel, dragonfly, moon, star, sun, leaf, butterfly, heart and cloud).

A child spends restless nights awakened by distracting sounds, turns them into a symphony, and is finally able to sleep undisturbed. This bedtime story introduces days of the week and elements of music. Enrichment activities that complement this book can be downloaded free from www.wocto.com (Binn, Lara. Illus by Valia Ovseyko, 16 pages ) "A delightful little bedtime story that is music to the ears." — Joan Kurland, Music Teacher; Artist 2008 CD: Looking Up: Songs of Hope

Curious things happen when a brother and sister befriend an eccentric centenarian and invite her home for tea. Online lesson plans to complement this pre-chapter picture book are available for free at www.wocto.com First in the Jakry Kids series. (Jakary, Lin. Illus by Ryan Olson, 28 pages) "As an educational therapist and reading specialist, I found The Jakry Kids: Curiosity Shop to be a jewel. This is a book that you don’t have to urge your kids to read. It’s a book that they’ll be begging you to read." —Christy Hendrickson, MD, CET
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite children's product.
— As of 7/21/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com.