February 2013 Notable Toys — Gifts

This book comes with all the plastic pieces, paper parts, and special pages you need to experience 25 impossible things. These objects work like magic, but there are no tricks. All this weirdness has a solid scientific basis and we tell you why — from the mathematically amazing Möbius strip (a band of paper with only one side), to cardstock acrobats with amazing balance, to a color-changing spinning top.

BrainstormProducts shows their new Glass World products, including a new Hello Kitty line that will join their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ugly Doll, and Angry Birds collections. Made 100% of glass - no paints or dyes.

This highly usable collection of 30 songs invites children to sing, move and learn. With seven songs for each Season - Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall - plus hello and goodbye songs, children will be up and moving from the get-go. Launch date: December 2012.

The ALEXANDER GIRARD COLOR board book celebrates the vivid, playful, and sophisticated world of 20th century design icon Alexander Girard. Especially known for his textile designs for Herman Miller, Girard's wide-ranging repertoire also spanned many disciplines, including interior design, graphic design, and furniture design. This chunky board book is another wonderful addtiion to our series that features both design greats and up-and-coming new talent. ALEXANDER GIRARD COLOR features the vintage 1972 illustration "Girls" on the cover, as well as 26 classic Girard designs. Launch date: February 2012.

The EAMES MEMORY GAME features the iconic designs of Charles and Ray Eames. From their furniture design, graphics, textiles, toy design, architecture, exhibit design, and film, these modern masters are considered the pre-eminent pioneers of mid-century design. Most recently, their story is told in the 2011 documentary, Eames: The Architect and The Painter, and their living room, and all its contents, have been rebuilt and installed at Los Angeles County Museum of Art as part of the Pacific Standard Time Show. Launch date: January 2013.

These pink plush animal friends swing and chime with a shake. Colorful fringes add texture and explorability. Best of all, baby can take the fun anywhere as the toy's easy-grip rubber clip attaches to almost anything.

Aurora’s award-winning Miyoni™ line features adorable animals from popular domestic, woodland, farm and jungle categories that are incredibly realistic and made with exceptional attention to detail. The collection boasts over 200 styles with new introductions throughout the year. Ages 3+ MSRP: $15.50

These Sidekix Toys are just like the pets kids have at home — only they can take them anywhere and they're a lot easier to clean up after. When these little furry friends are zipped into a ball they are ready for action. They can be tossed, kicked, thrown or anything a ball can do. By pulling on the custom made Sidekix Toys zipper pull kids can transform their sidekix back and forth from the ball to their lovable and furry friends.

A velvety-soft security blanket for your baby. Each Cloud b character has a comforting expression that suggests it's time for sleep. Playful design allows Peekaboo Lovie to come out for play or be tucked in for sleepy-time. Features: 100% Polyester; Measures 13" x 13".

This laugh-out-loud funny and devilish send-up of Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline is for little monsters everywhere. Frankenstein is the scariest of all the monsters in Miss Devel's castle. He can frighten anything-animals, parents, even rocks. Until one night, Miss Devel wakes up and runs downstairs to find that Frankenstein has lost his head.
— As of 12/5/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com
— In a Winter 2012 survey Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that this was their bestselling Halloween book.

From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened...Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale. Launch date: October 2012.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that This is Not My Hat is a recent bestseller.

Have fun with Olivia...dressing up, singing songs, building sand castles, napping (maybe), dancing, painting on walls and — whew! — going to sleep at last.
— Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Olivia books are perennial bestsellers.

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur...and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go...someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not! This new take on a fairy-tale classic is so funny and so original—it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this is one of their best selling books.

This delightfully illustrated nursery rhymes book offers parents and children the joy of reading all the best-loved rhymes, as well as discovering some of the less familiar ones. My Nursery Rhymes Collection is divided into 12 themes, such as farm animals, numbers, and action rhymes — creating shorter sections to suit the attention span of young readers. Settle back together and enjoy all the merry old souls. 184 pages with beautiful, full-color illustrations. Elegant gilded spine and cover highlights. Themed sections for easy reference. Padded hardcover edition.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month.

Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. But Awesome Man also has a secret...Can you guess what it is? The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon perfectly captures the fantasy life of young superhero fans. Launch date: September 6, 2011.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this books sells well and is on "constant reorder."

When Betty Bunny eats chocolate cake for the first time, she declares, "I am going to marry chocolate cake." She loves it so much that she takes a piece to school with her in her pocket and refuses to eat anything else. Mommy tells Betty that she has to eat healthy food first, and have patience because cake is for dessert, not pockets. But Betty doesn't want to have patience; she wants to have chocolate cake. In this hilarious and spot-on tribute to the chocolate lover (and picky eater) in all of us, a new kindred spirit to Olivia, Eloise, and Ladybug Girl makes her stand.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 25-30 copies of this book each month.

How cool is this Elvis Presley Blue Hawaii Mr. Potato Head? Combining the spirit of the musical film Blue Hawaii, starring everyone's favorite crooner Elvis Presley, with the classic fun of putting together Mr. Potato head, the 6-inch tall Elvis Mr. Potato Head features The King of Rock and Roll with his trademark pompadour, in a red Hawaiian shirt. He's got a ukulele in his left hand, in case kids feel like having him bust out some tunes. And what kind of Hawaiian would Elvis be without that yellow lei flower necklace? Elvis fans will love the mini parody album cover included inside the packaging, too.

Dream International USA, Inc. launched its own designed plush toys targeting high-end specialty gift market. Our stuffed animals are diverse and we use high quality and unique fabric that are soft and huggable.

Kids will meet friendly animals in their home environments: farm, pond, forest and yard. Each book introduces readers to other animals that the main character meets along the way. The pages are filled with sounds, lively text and beautiful illustrations.

This series is great for little readers who love to build and repair things. Sam is not only a skillful builder, but also a good teacher. In these books he shows kids how to repair a car or build something special. Each book include the sounds of tools, amusing melodies, and colorful pictures.

This exciting series introduces kids to the wonders and dangers of many worlds: underwater, forest, jungle, savanna, and the land of dinosaurs. 3D pictures and realistic sounds bring to life the atmosphere of nature in all its wildness. Detailed pull-out cards provide lots of information about each creature.

A motion controlled video game equipped with wireless controllers in the shape rakes, dust pans, frying pans and pooper scoopers. Extreme Chores races kids against the clock as they complete important household tasks like raking, doing the dishes, digging holes and emptying the litter box. Exteme Chores promises to make chores fun.

An animal-powered debris removal system. Each kit comes with four dust boots (one size fits most paws). PetPlow, PetDustpan and PetBroom sold separately.

A hamster-like water bottle that allows parents to relax while the baby learns to feed itself. It also comes with a $4 dollar off coupon for "Infant Energy Drink." With the Crib Dribbler feeding system, baby will have the alone time it needs and its parents can enjoy some quiet time without having to tend to a hungry baby.