March 2010 Notable Toys — Preschool

Written and illustrated by Ed Young, this book is about a boy who discovers an egg and presents it to chickens. When an eaglet hatches, the boy and the chickens work to help it fly, and it's eventually able to soar into beautiful skies. Launch date: April 2009.

Spirited little Lulu is determined to wear her soft, comfy pajamas to school, but is crushed when a day out in the PJs makes them barely recognizable. Launch date: 2009.

This construction toy designed for little hands allows children to explore their imagination with freeform creations and unlimited possibilities. The three shapes (rectangle, square and octagon) have several slots that lock together to build three-dimensional structures in multiple ways that are simple, challenging and fun. "Locktagons is an excellent introduction into building and is a great way to develop imagination, stimulate logic, develop spatial reasoning skills, and encourage creativity. The magic of these toys is unlocked with a child’s imagination. An activity guide is also included that will give parents suggestions on educational ways to build and interact with their child," Jessica Wineke, Public Relations Coordinator, Patch Products, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

Sneaky Puzzles are full of surprise. Kids put together a colorful under-the-sea scene with funny fish and their silly friends. Then, they can see all the letters of the alphabet and numbers 0–9 hidden in the picture, and wear the included 3D glasses to see the fish and their friends in a whole different way. "Children will be astonished as they watch the sea creatures swim towards them and parents will love the educational value," Jessica Wineke, Public Relations Coordinator, Patch Products Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

Designed specifically for kitchen helpers, Curious Chef® has created a user friendly and functional line designed especially for children. One of each of the small, medium and large nylon knives is designed to let kids safely slice, dice, chop, and cut right next to an adult. The knives have serrated cutting edges to ensure clean cuts, and blunted tips for the child's safety. Launch date: 2010.

Quiet Time Tales is created to offer wholesome, educational children’s programming. Each of the 12 DVDs in the collection contains five complete stories read aloud by the gentle character of Grandpa Read. "Most of the shows on Nickelodeon are full of frenetic animation, frenzied dialogue, frantic sound effects, and don’t encourage a sense of calm in children. From the tone of Grandpa’s voice to the static illustrations and the mellow songs, Quiet Time Tales are soothing and relax children," Brad Juhasz, Vice President, Marketing, Quiet Time Productions, LLC, told TDmonthly. Grandpa Read's Quiet Time Tales received a Kids First! endorsement from the Coalition for Quality Children's Media. Launch date: August 2009.

Based on the well-known interactive LIFT THE FLAP book series by Eric Hill, "Where's Spot?" was first published in 1980 and over 40 million Spot books are in print and read by children all over the world. This 16-inch loveable, huggable plush puppy will delight young readers as they enjoy their many Spot books.

Little kids can Pollywolly doodle all day on this wooden banjo

These little cuties have been individually custom-molded from nontoxic wax crayons. Their faces are then hand-carved into their egg-shaped bodies, one egg at a time. They are ergonomically shaped for little hands, although they are great for all ages. They stand on their own and come in a half-dozen egg crate. Also sold individually. They measure 1.25" wide x 1.6" high.

Gymnic Line’s Rody Horse, a favorite with children to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on their Rody. (Base is available for transforming to a Rocking Rody Horse). Used in Therapy for special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of super strong, latex-free vinyl, inflates according to size and weight of child with a hand or foot pump. Maximum inflated height to “saddle” is 12 inches. Recommended for 3 years and up, with adult supervision.
— Six of 37 specialty retailers named Rody as a best-selling ride-on in March 2010. Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., sells about four Rodys per month, Owner Dave Campbell told TDmonthly.
— 2 of 15 specialty toy store owners said Rody was their top ride-on in 1Q 2011

Made in Italy of high-quality latex-free vinyl, Rody is a classic riding toy that lets kids exercise while having fun. It's for children ages 3 and up, with adult supervision.
— “This is one of the best toys for a 2-year-old,” reported Valerie Elsea, owner of Jillie Beans Toys & More in Westminster, Colo., in spring 2010. She reported that Rodys were on the store’s best seller list, and had been since the store opened in November 2006.

The denim tool belt holds a saw, hammer, screwdriver and pliers. The box also includes four illustrated board books that describe how each tool works. The box is 8.5" x 6.5" x 6.5".

This easily transportable product is two playmats in one, with differently designed spaces on each side. It comes with toys, features a wipe-clean surface, and is available in various themes: DinoLand, Roadville, Farm and Work Zone. Measurements are 28.5" x 22.5". Launch date: January 2010.

Measuring 17" x 12.5", these portable playmats come with toys and are available in five themes: Dino Land, Fly Zone, Sea Life, Space Explorer and Wild Animal Park. They feature wipe-clean surfaces and are about the size of a standard placemat. Launch date: January 2010.

This bright fabric fish with puckered lips has a pull-out skeleton underneath its skin. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Top Fun; Creative Child Magazine Toy Award 2010

This red T-shirt is 100-percent cotton and features a shiny silver lightning bolt plus a detachable cape in shimmery silver. Since Little Capers are not licensed or specific, children are free to imagine their own super hero identity and powers.
— Shannon Komsky, owner of Tough Cookies in Sherman Oaks, reported strong sales of Little Capers in her store in fall 2009, and recommended them as an ideal gift for kids who already have everything. “Technically its clothes,” she told TDmonthly, “but kids get to use their imagination and play with it.”
— Online Reviews: Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom appreciated the gender-neutral shades and the potential for imaginative play, and MomGadget Eliza liked that the superhero outfit is small enough to drop into a purse on the go, so her little girl could become a superhero at any time. On Thingamababy, a reviewer described the apparel as awesome and well made, but noted the capes could perhaps be a bit wider, and the shirt sizes seem to run a tad small.

The SandLock 5x5 Sandbox has a patented interlocking design, a CoverLock system and a variety of other one-of-a-kind features. "The SandLock brand is known for it's quality and now we bring all that and more at an affordable price," Chris Freres, Owner, SandLock Sandbox, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

These child-sized wooden eggs come in an authentic-looking cardboard carton.

This necklace features a colorful bunch of cat's eye beads and Swarovski crystals, plus two charms: a birthday cake and a number to indicate how many years old. It's on a sterling silver chain and comes in the following sizes: 12" (2T-4T); 14" (5T-10 years); and 16" (tween-small adult).