January 2009 Notable Toys — All

With this project kit, teens and adults can build a pathway of light. They'll be amazed at the way the glass stars in the kit glow. It includes letter stamps for stamping a perfect personalized greeting. The kit offers a "fun and creative way to set your memories in stone and create a fully functional decoration for your lawn or garden," Jeff Clark, sales and marketing associate for Milestones Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Everyone loves rapping along and learning multiplication with D.J. Doc—the Hip Hop Hamster. Positive lyrics, super-cool rap music, and high-energy action make these multiplication rap songs irresistible. Multiplication facts through 12 are easy to learn and remember with these fun rap songs — a different one for each set of rap facts. The DVD run approximately 50 minutes and now includes Skip Counting songs. Choose from DVD video or audio CD & book programs. Launch date: November 2008.

In How To Host A Murder®, the world's best-selling mystery dinner party game, the host and guests assume the roles of humorous suspects — each with a motive and opportunity to commit the crime — in a lighthearted murder mystery. How To Host A Murder® provides everything needed to bring a murder mystery to life, from detailed player guides, maps and secret clues, to costume suggestions and recipes tailored to the era featured in each episode. Contents include a comprehensive Host Guide; eight invitations and envelopes; name tags; a CD, which sets the scene and details the crime; and a diagram of the crime scene. "HTHM is the original Murder Mystery game; it has been unavailable for two years but WorldWise Imports is bringing it back," Stephan Brissaud, partner at WorldWise Imports, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Calculated chances and strategic choices will place the odds in favor of players as they let the five dice roll them to a win with Yamslam. After each roll, a player chooses the dice that will get the best combination. Each combination is worth a different value and has only four chips, so it's important to take the best ones before they run out. Players race to get special bonuses before their friends do, keeping the suspense rolling until the end. The game has appeal for all ages and is convenient for travel, as it is "self contained in a beautiful tin box," Adeline Bertrix, sales manager for Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009; 2012 TDmonthly Top Toy Award. Why it won: This dice-rolling game from Blue Orange is fun for both kids and adults. With each roll of the dice players must strategize how they can win the chip with the highest point value. Without even realizing it, kids are learning basic math skills like addition and probability. The game is self-contained in a red tin, making it easy to play on the road or tote along to a party.  
— Yamslam is on the best-seller list at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly in summer 2009.     
— "Right now, a game called Yamslam is our best-selling game," said Sue Banducci of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., in late 2009. She was anticipating sales of about 250 units during December.    
— Three of 38 retailers cited Yamslam as a best-selling game in Feb. 2010.

Gobblet Gobblers utilizes the awesome strategy of Gobblet and adds personality and character to the game. Players pick their Gobblers family and line up three in a row to win the game. The Gobblers have a strong appetite and can gobble up smaller Gobblers. These cute little characters will test strategy and stimulate memory. The all-wooden game has a bright, distinctive design and is earth friendly. "We plant two trees for every tree used in creating our games," Adeline Bertrix, sales manager for Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2009. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Where to Buy: Poopsie's

Even the early bird needs a little help now and then. These charming alarm clocks play the sound of a songbird when the alarm sounds. To snooze or illuminate the clock face, simply press down the perch at the front of the house. "This is the only birdhouse-shaped alarm clock that plays a birdsong when it sounds. [It's] perfect for birdlovers and those who want to bring in a bit of the great outdoors," Daniel Koval, general manager of HeadsUp Design Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 25, 2009.

Peggy Flores explains and demonstrates relief printing by using flat cardboard, small pieces of corrugated cardboard, styrofoam and string, which are glued onto cardboard, painted, and inked. She also carves images on vinyl blocks to create images which she then prints. The film also demonstrates a variety of simple tools such as brayers, carving tools and bench hooks. Many student examples are shown. Running time is 26 minutes. "An art teacher actually demonstrates how these particular prints can be made simply with basic techniques and shows actual student work," President Amy Woodworth of Crystal Productions told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 17, 2008.

In 1958 Chr. Flensted designed a mobile with one red and three black disks. The mobile was named "Flying Saucers" and was very popular for years, but it was discontinued after two decades. The new version consists of six discs that are not only flat but also three-dimensionally shaped, and the mobile is delivered with extra discs in white, red, black and light grey, so that kids can build their own color scheme. The mobile can be watched from below and from the sides and top. The design is by Ole Flensted. Launch date: January 25, 2009.

The anti-Barney, the Wiggles' worst nightmare ... the last great hope for real rock n' roll for kids. This debut album by the Boogers was conceived by a punk rocker with a Ph.D in developmental psychology. The Boogers bring chord-driven rock and catchy melodies to kids with age-appropriate lyrics and subject matter. The cover art is by legendary underground comix artist and children's book author Jay Lynch. "Critics have hailed the Boogers as the first true Ramones-inspired band for kids," Paul Crowe, president of Spire Records, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

"Happy Accidents," the latest Billy Jonas recording, offers funky folk music for the whole family. It’s musical medicine for the mind, body and spirit — a splendiferous sonic sojourn into the near and far reaches of fun and fantasy, possibility and purpose, word-play, wonder, heart and hope. Jonas’ seventh recording and second “family” CD contains 19 songs (15 originals; four adaptations of traditional tunes) based on voice, percussion and strong, memorable melodies. "'Happy Accidents' includes Jonas’ trademark homemade 're-percussion’ drum set, as well as a glorious panoply of found sounds (rubber bands, body percussion, door squeaks, apple cider jugs), exotic kalimbas and marimbas, conventional instruments (guitars, bass, piano, banjo, accordion and tuba) and two-, three-, four-, and five-part vocal harmonies," Billy Jonas of Bang-a-Bucket Music told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 28, 2009.

"American Heroes #3" educates and inspires children with original songs about some of America's greatest citizens. Award-winning singer-songwriter Jonathan Sprout's careful research and creativity have led to this top-notch collection of pop-rock tunes with an educational focus. Launch date: January 13, 2009.

This exclusive bonding adhesive will work great on most materials. Tanner's Bond Water-Based Contact Cements are non-flammable, non-toxic and low VOC. Available in a 4-oz. size, quarts and gallons, all are safe for retail consumer sales. "Due to regulation by the CPSC, TLF has developed a water-based cement line [that] is compliant in all 50 states, Canada and Europe, and ha[s] a low enough level of VOCs to be sold in CA. Our line is made exclusively for TLF and co-branded with Barge Cement," Tony Hernandez, national sales manager for Tandy Leather Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This hand-gilded scrapbook is made with eco- and photo-friendly Kraft pages and insert sleeves that are free of acid. Decoupage is used to apply the picture to the front of the album, where it is framed in acrylic and then sealed. Each scrapbook accommodates from 100 to 300 4" x 6" or 5" x 7" photos. "Our products are handmade in the USA by fine expert artisans with the utmost care," CEO Helena Honovich of Terra Traditions told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 15, 2008.

Replicating an M8 6x6 armored car employed during World War II, this 1/72 scale die-cast model features an opened-top metal turret with a metal 37mm M6 gun and a coaxially mounted .30-caliber M1919 machine gun; a ring-mounted .50-caliber M2 machine gun; separately applied plastic detail parts; realistic wheels with treaded tires; the authentic markings of A Troop, 25th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Armored Division; and more. It measures 2¾" long and includes a removable plastic display base with a clear cover. "The first armored fighting vehicle from Hobby Master is executed with the quality and accuracy you've come to expect from a brand you love," Sarah Broadwater, marketing manager for Historic Sales, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Snuggle up with a toddler and explore these themed picture books with
soft covers and sturdy cardboard pages. Other titles include "My Toys" ($8) and "Good Night" ($8). Launch date: February 2009.

Unlock this treasure chest using a unique magnetic closure and behold shiny gold coins and number cards. Spend the next 15 minutes in a delightful battle over addition, subtraction and multiplication for 2 to 4 players. Children will be able to challenge older siblings and adults by combining numbers 1 to 10 in simple equations. Find the two gold coins that show the correct mathematical answer. A calculating disc is included as a self-check mechanism. Instruc-tions are included as well for a solo game variation. Launch date: February 2009.

Kids (and adults) will give two paws up for this risk-taking game where being sent to the “dog house” actually makes you the winner. Come inside the “Hot Dog” casino and roll the dice. Each player has a bag of numbered poker chips and a “doggy doo doo” chip. Simultaneously, players blindly pull a chip from their bag and reveal which chip they pulled. But don’t pull the “doggy doo
doo” or you lose your turn. Players can take a chance and keep going back to the bag for additional chips. At this casino there can be two winners each round. Players move their dog across the board until someone reaches the winner’s circle – the dog house. Designed for two to four players. Launch date: February 2009.

There’s no crying over spilled milk or in this hilarious game a “spilled cow”. Pile up the hay/flower cards and carefully pull on the cow’s tail and balance him on top of the cards. Each
player uses the hayfork to harvest a card while trying not to tip over the cow. Whoever collects the most cards wins! The rules permit the cow to tip up to 3 times during a round. A more challenging variation of the game can be played with older children. Designed for 1 to 4 players. Launch date: February 2009.

The animals want to show how capable they are at making a tall pyramid. Who will position the penguin on top of the crocodile, the sheep on top of the penguin, the serpent on the sheep, the tucan... A wobbly stacking game for 2-4 players ages 4-99. With variation for one player. Now available with English packaging.
Awards: A Spring 2011 Parents Choice Recommended Award

No drippy mess with these delectable ice creams. Play and share three icy desserts, including a waffle ice cream sandwich, dairy ice cream “Spirello” plus a “Big Choc” popsicle. Launch date: February 2009.

PB & J no longer rules at lunch; big kids need a baguette. Watch
them ponder over the many stuffings to make one delicious snack. Includes baguette, 3 slices of cheese, 4 slices of salami, 2 onion rings, 2 leaves of lettuce plus 2 tomato slices. Launch date: Feburary 2009.

Dinner is already done with this adorable grilled chicken. Prefer a drumstick or a wing? Each poultry part is detachable by hook-and-loop strip. Made of soft
velour, cleanup at this dinner table is quick. Launch date: February 2009.

Whether it’s whipping up crepes or hotcakes, future chefs will flip when they try this aluminum pan with wooden handle. Comes with 3 foldable crepes, chocolate “syrup” and a ripe strawberry. Launch date: February 2009.

Youngsters can dress up their favorite doll for an adventure in the meadows with this matching pink and grey 6-piece riding outfit complete with black boots and black riding hat. Launch date: February 2009.