March 2010 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

Fashioned from bright green lamé material, the Dragon Cape transforms a little one into a great, fierce creature of legend. The hood picks up to form horns, and bright yellow plates trail down the back into a long, pointed tail. 
— Ten of 37 specialty retailers who participated in a March 2010 survey said Creative Education of Canada is their top- selling line of dress-up clothing.

Whether used for a multi-media Halloween costume or good frightening fun any time of year, the musical Monster Mash skirt offers a funky dimension to dress up. The skirt, which is knee length and finished with multiple layers of colored tulle, plays music at the push of a button. This piece in Acting Out's line of musical dress up plays the 1960s hit “Monster Mash,” and the music continues with motion but stops automatically if the child is still.
— “We sell Acting Out, their petticoats and things. We sell a lot of those,” said Jill Brown, buyer at Kidoodles Toys in Norman, Okla., of the store's top-selling dress-up clothes in March 2010.
— Out of 37 retailers, two listed Acting Out as the supplier of their best-selling dress-up items in spring 2010.

Made of airy, sumptuous 100-percent silk, the Rainbow Fairy Skirt is designed to create magic with every move. Fully reversible, the skirt is finished with a satin rose detail on both sides, and its multiple layers come to a fluttering pointed hem.  The waist is elastic for ease and comfort of wear.
—  “We do great with Sarah's Silks; they have great skirts,” said Eric Masoncup, owner of Geppetto's Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., of his top-selling dress-up items during a March 2010 survey.
—  Two of 37 retailers named Sarah's Silks as their top-selling line of dress-up clothes in spring 2010.

With details and fabrics selected with careful attention to both look and tactile feel, Creative Education of Canada's Sequins Fairy Dress is a costume and play tool all in one. This sleeveless dress has a skirt of soft, multi-tiered tricot and matching petals over the shoulders. The bodice of the dress is elastic with sequins, allowing a great fit for growing girls.
— “You can't beat Creative Education of Canada,” said Sheryl Guidera, owner of Kaleidoscope the Parent Teacher Store in Capitola, Calif., of her top-selling line of dress-up items in March 2010.
— “We've stayed with Creative Education of Canada for quality and value, delivery and service,” said Barbara Paeth-Haas, owner of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., in spring 2010.

Little Adventures tutus are simply designed in fluffy layers. The two-tone tutus are soft, comfortable and, best of all, 100 percent machine washable. Launch date: 2010.

Transform a little girl into a magical fairy with this Sugarplum Fairy Dress. Featuring 18 individual organza petals, each is finished with rolled over, metallic edge. The petals are attached to a satin underskirt that has scalloped finish. The Sugarplum Fairy dress has a flexible size and good for twirling.

Barbie® doll’s 125th career, as selected by girls around the world is News Anchor! News Anchor Barbie® doll will make her debut this fall in a pink suit with black accents, a news folder, camera and a microphone and the “B News” logo.

Computer Engineer Barbie®, debuting in Winter 2010, inspires a new generation of girls to explore this industry, which continues to grow and need future female leaders. Barbie® designers worked closely with the Society of Women Engineers and the National Academy of Engineering to develop the geek chic wardrobe and accessories for Computer Engineer Barbie®: a binary code patterned tee, smart phone, Bluetooth headset, and laptop travel bag.

Princess slippers are made from metallic sequin knit with a foam sole and non-skid vinyl bottom. Decorated with marabou and roses. *Winner of the 2010 Children's Choice Award- Best Toy In Pretend Play", by the Canadian Toy Testing Council.

Designed after old-fashioned farms in Germany and Holland, this high quality cardboard farm from Calafant USA is a pretty large home for the farmer, his family and all his animals. Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable.

This Halo has a comb to affix it to a child's head and is adorned with bows, flowers, ribbon and rhinestones.

A companion doll for young riders, Camille Equestrienne is dressed in a riding outfit complete with cap, jacket and boots. She has long rooted hair for styling fun and can wear any 13" fashion from the Les Cheries collection. "Headquartered in the Loire Valley, the storybook region of Langeais, France, Corolle is a brand that embodies all the values of childhood. The extraordinary attention to detail in all their dolls and accessories reflect the company’s reputation — established over three decades — for quality materials and classic design," Liza Grando, Account Executive, Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2010.

This charming, soft-bodied baby doll has sleeping eyes and can suck on its thumb or his pacifier, just like a real baby. Suce-Pouce can wear any 14" baby doll fashion from the Corolle collection. Launch date: 2008.

This 12” charmer is designed to encourage hugs and capture hearts. Dressed in a bright polka dot dress with coordinating headband, Calin has a soft “beanbag” body that can be posed just like a real baby. "Headquartered in the Loire Valley, the storybook region of Langeais, France, Corolle is a brand that embodies all the values of childhood. The extraordinary attention to detail in all their dolls and accessories reflect the company’s reputation — established over three decades — for quality materials and classic design. Each doll’s expression, hair, skin tone and limb features are realistic and natural, and a light scent of vanilla is added to the vinyl for sensory appeal. Designed for durability and playability, Corolle dolls are created for a lifetime of hugs," Liza Grando, Account Executive, Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 5 out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Calin from Corolle was their best-selling doll.  Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg, Va., said she sells a few Calins a month, and a dozen a month during the holidays.
— As of 06/27/2011 this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; well-made; machine washable. Cons: Two reviewers said the doll's teeth were yellow.

When unzipped, it becomes an activity center perfect for buildings and fire fighters with LEGO Bricks. When play is done, four quick zips and all the bricks are captured inside. The LEGO® CITY FIRE ZipBin® Large Toy Box Playmat features cut handles and fabulous artwork. It is designed to be sturdy, strong, stackable and portable. LEGO blocks are not included. LEGO, The LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configuration are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2009 LEGO Group. "It is a large playmat that zips up into a sturdy, portable, toy box that has amazing artwork," Robin Leighty, Marketing and Sales Specialist, Neat-Oh! International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Bright, fabric-covered, build and play mat for playing fun adventures. Children can invent many of their own adventures using the adventure-themed elements on the mat. Includes a map, Leo along with his treehouse and yellow convertible, Fishing pole with velcro hook, Trees and flower bushes, Wishing Well, Rainbow Rock, and Purple Mountain, Troll and Troll Bridge, Hot Air Balloon, Sticky Tape, Chocolate Tree, Castle and Castle Draw Bridge.

Made of fleece covered foam, these plush blocks provide children with a safe construction toy. Children can make tables, towers, bridges and forts.

This family set is designed for the Emerson House by brinca dada. The Modern Family is sleek, minimalist, and striking; the dolls' beauty is only matched by their equisite functionality. Not only are they posable and fully articulated, the dolls' biceps and calves flex realistically. The Modern Family turns playtime into an art.

This living room set serves as a collection of accessories for brinca dada's Emerson House. It creates the perfect atmosphere for entertaining guests, reading a good book or relaxing with family. The set features eleven pieces including TV console, lamps, HD television, sofa, chairs, coffee table, console, side table and rug. Launch Date: Spring 2010.

The three-story dollhouse comes with real, working electrical sockets and over 200 pieces to create a dream home. Design the bathroom, three bedrooms, kitchen, and living room using stickers to customize and yarn to make items such as baskets and hampers. Launch Date: February 2010.

This realistic-looking barbecue set features a hood that opens and a collapsible side table. It includes red knobs to pretend adjusting the heat during play, and wheels to roll it around to different locations. Primary materials are plywood, MDF and non-toxic paint. It measures 47 cm x 37.5 cm x 60 cm.
— This BBQ set was one of the top-two products mentioned by specialty retailers during ASTRA's Share the Fair event at Toy Fair 2010.

Kids can use the icing tube-shaped dry-erase markers to color four wooden cupcakes that come with a baking tray, cupcake sleeves and decorative wooden candles. The package measures 10.5" x 13.25" x 3.13".
— Play food sets and cutting food from Melissa & Doug were named as a best-selling wooden toy by seven of 38 retailers in February 2010. "The Melissa & Doug cupcake set did really well," Lesa Smith of Whiz Kid Toys in San Luis Obispo, Calif., told TDmonthly.
― Michael McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly in spring 2010 that the Bake and Decorate Cupcake Set is his best-selling playset. “One of my employees absolutely loves it,” he said of what helps drive sales.
― “All year, [the best seller] is food sets from Melissa & Doug,” said Bill Rayment, owner of Toy Crossing in Harbor Beach, Mich., when asked about his top-selling playsets and activity kits during an April 2010 interview.
― Six of 43 retailers listed Melissa & Doug as their top supplier of playsets in April 2010.

No matter how much fish, fruit and veggies you eat, there’s always room for dessert! Set includes six different fabric cakes, cookies and tarts that look almost beautiful enough to eat.

Peelable fabric banana. Comes in two separate pieces.