March 2009 Notable Toys — Gifts

This handmade bookend features a faux leather exterior and is heavily weighted with a filling of natural cotton and iron filings. It measures about 8" x 10" and comes in a non-woven drawstring bag.

The irresistible allure of bacon has crossed over into the world of fashion. Each watch has a 1-1/8" (2.9 cm) round clock face and straps that look like delicious slices of bacon. It features a vinyl strap and metal casing. The watch fits most adult wrists and comes in a plastic case with illustrated sleeve. Launch date: January 15, 2009.

Who needs breakfast when you’ve got Breakfast Floss? Start off your day by using the coffee flavor on your lower teeth, then switch over to the waffle and bacon flavors for your uppers. It's quite possibly the most delicious way to keep yourself out of the dentist’s chair. Each package contains three 1.5" (3.8 cm) plastic dispensers that contain 12 yards (11 m) of waxed dental floss. It comes on an illustrated blistercard. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

These are cuckoo clocks with a delightful twist. On the hour, a wacky farm or jungle character pops out of the doors and sounds with a "moo," "neigh," "bawk," etc. These funny clocks are ideal as children’s clocks or for young-at-heart adults. Coo clocks are usable as wall clocks or mantle clocks. The product was named Gift of the Year 2004 - Best Gift for Kids from the UK Giftware Association. Launch date: September 2002.

Ideal for both indoor and outdoor play, ZARTZ feature a safe, SOFTEK foam suction cup that sticks to windows, metal, walls, asphalt or nearly anything with a smooth surface. The self-releasing suction cup allows the ZARTZ to fall just a few seconds after adhering to a ceiling or other hard-to-reach place. ZARTZ are available in 7" and 9" forms, and come packaged in a durable carry case. There's also a Fun Pack that includes two hand-target catchers and a 9" ZART, which can be launched as far as 100'. Launch date: 2009.
— “The Zing Air Zartz are really good right now,” Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., told TDmonthly in June 2009 when asked about her best-selling gift for boys.
— “Zartz are definitely No. 1,” said Steve Banducci, owner of Games Unlimited in Danville, Calif., when TDmonthly asked about his best-selling sports and outdoor items in March 2010. Banducci reported sales of at least one Zartz per day.
— Four of 37 retailers surveyed in spring 2010 listed Zing as their top-selling brand of outdoor products.

Past videos: WTHRA 2009

So, why call them Rebelle Friendship Bags? Because each Friendship bag unzips to become two bags which can then be shared between best friends. Each style is available in two color ways so each friend gets a different color. Girls can exchange halves to create a dual colored bag which symbolizes that they are BFF's. Each handbag also contains a secret code which gives them special access to the Rebelle website and the Rebelle Girlz...Holly, Rosie Shaye, Lola, Allegra, Sophie, and Kaia. These six girls from around the world, meet at summer camp and instantly became best friends forever. Log on and Say Hello to the Rebelle Girlz! This product received a 2009 PTPA Media Seal of Approval.

These glow-in-the-dark stickers are unlike traditional glow-in-the-dark products due to their photo-quality images. The images are illuminated in true color and illumination can last several hours. Each of the four different sticker sheets comes with repositionable adhesive backing, meaning the stickers can be applied to almost any surface and then removed and relocated, without leaving behind any residue.

Brightec’s PlayGlo Pets Collection puzzles feature three 11” x 15”, 100 piece puzzles. These glow-in-the-dark puzzles feature photo-quality images and can be charged with a few minutes of exposure to light to allow for hours of glow. The puzzle pieces stay together after completion so that the completed puzzle can be hung directly on a wall to provide instant room décor by day and night.

This balanced ecosystem offers a low-maintenance way for children or adults to enjoy an aquarium environment. It comes complete with water, a snail, two little frogs, food and care pack. The water in the aquarium only has to be changed every five or six months.
— ''We sold about 660 during the year,” Marc Holcomb, owner of Toys & Co. in Greensboro, S.C., said in autumn 2010. Dave Campbell of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., sells approximately 12 per month.
— "I brought in 20, and in two weeks it sold out. I brought in 20 more and it sold out," Gage Brownell, manager of Belmont Toys in Belmont, Mass., told TDmonthly in March 2009 about the EcoAquariums he discovered at Toy Fair the month before. Molly McMullin of Twirl in Taos, N.M., reported sales of about 70 a month in March 2009.
— "Everyone was excited about them," Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc., said following ASTRA Marketplace in June 2009.
— In late summer/early fall 2009, three of 38 retailers named EcoAquariums as a best-selling science and nature product, noting sales of 18 to 60 a month. “We were hesitant to bring them in. We didn’t want to be a pet store. But it’s a neat idea. It’s low maintenance. It’s something the parents and kids can agree on,” Gary Green of Toy Box of Asheville in Asheville, N.C., told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Top Fun; Parent's Choice Award 2010
Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009

These card cases have space dedicated to displaying a favorite photo. They come in various colors and also function as a keyring.

This therapeutic plush character features soft, polar fleece on the outside and becomes a warm and comforting friend when heated in the microwave. It is 11" tall and comes with a bedtime story.

As players take turns stacking their pieces on the seven wooden posts, the object is to get four in a row of their winning color or shape. Moves require extra strategy, though, as more than half of each player's pieces are the opponent's shape and can help their game. The game features wooden construction with a box to store all the pieces. It measures 12.25" L x 4.5" W x 4.5" H. Launch date: February 2009.

Designed for both kids and adults, Tail Wags helmet covers come in a variety of styles that not only provide fun expression, but also enhance visibility for safety purposes. MSRP for the styles in the line ranges from $30 to $45.

Captain Corndog and Baron Von Broccoli will settle their ongoing feud once and for all in a knock-down, drag-out battle. The winner will become the undisputed feature dish of the kitchen. Captain Corndog stands 5.75" tall and fights for the delicious legion of carnival food. Baron Von Broccoli is 3-3/8" tall and represents the power of produce. Each vinyl figure has bendable arms and legs. They are packaged in an ilustrated window box. Launch date: February 6, 2009.

Individuals can turn a boring nightly routine into a party with Cupcake Floss. The frosting flavor is contained in a 2.5" plastic dispenser that contains 27.3 yards of waxed floss. It comes on an illustrated blistercard. Launch date: February 6, 2009.

Every fairy is hatched from a tiny speckled egg just like a bird. Very few fairies actually get to hatch, though, because their eggs happen to be one of the tastiest treats known to man or mythical beast. These Fairy Eggs have been freshly harvested and come in assorted fruity flavors. Each 3" x 3" x 1" tin contains 32 bubble gum eggs. Twenty-four shrink-wrapped tins are in each illustrated display box. Launch date: February 6, 2009.

Baby Signing Time sets your baby's day to music with signs and songs for everyday events - playtime, getting dressed, going places, getting ready for bed, manners and more. Baby Signing Time is a great first step into signing or add Baby Signing Time to your existing Signing Time collection for new songs and reinforcement of those beginning signs. Created specifically for babies as young as 3 months old up to 3 years. Features Emmy-nominated host Rachel Coleman, along with animated Baby Alex, Baby Leah, and Baby Hopkins.

Manufacturer's Description: Displayed like a box of fine chocolates, these delicious plush darlings are all of 4" tall and come wrapped in a velvety smooth drawstring bag. There is a palm sized soft character for every occasiob: teddy bears in caramel, chocolate, honey or pink, a monkey, a pink pig with wings, a panda bear, a pink kitten, a lion, a prayer bear, an elephant and a puppy. There are 14 specific words or phrases of inspiration to choose from, "Get Well Soon", "It's a Boy", "It's a Girl", "Happy Birthday" for boy or girl, "Happy Graduation", "Thank You", "Thinking of You", "Courage", "Faith", "Hope", "Best Friends", "Love" and "Prayer". Each colorful drawstring bag is intricately embroidered with the word or phrase as well as a coordinating logo or icon. For example the white bag scripted with "Hope", also has an embroidered pink daisy. Launch date: Spring 2009.

For the bride or hostess at any party, our Make Your Own Petal and Favor Cones are an inexpensive way to create a truly personalized favor.  Each package includes 10 cone forms that are easy to assemble and ribbon to tie them closed.  Easy step by step instructions for assembling them on the back of the package.

Kids can create a one-of-a-kind bowl for their one-of-a-kind pet. The size is perfect for dogs, cats, monkeys, parrots or opossums. The specially coated, food-safe ceramic pet dish comes with six non-toxic ceramic markers and holds three cups of dry food. The kit "provides children a creative way to express their love for a favorite pet. It is a fun, easy and functional project that your child will be proud of," Mike Greenwald, co-president of Bowwowmeow, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.
— "I saw these last year and didn't give them a second thought," said Mary Sisson of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., "but I'm realizing how much kids love their pets and how this fills a niche for the animal lovers among our customer base. Especially the artistic ones." The Bowwowmeow pet products were one of her favorite lines at ASTRA Marketplace 2009, she told TDmonthly.

GOLONG Dice Game is based on America’s favorite sport, football. The game play features many elements of real football. Players roll to gain yardage, make first downs, kick field goals, and score touchdowns. But there are sacks, penalties and turnovers standing between them and the goal line. It’s head-to-head football action at its best. "There is nothing on the market like our dice games. All follow the same successful formula: Fast, fun, addicting, easy to learn, portable, affordable and difficult to master," Patrick Shea, president of GoZone Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008. 

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.

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.