June 2009 Notable Toys — American-Made

Stevia is known to produce a sweetener twenty to thirty times sweeter than sugar. The Sweet Leaf Plant is a sub-tropical plant that will grow 2' to 3' tall. "This product contains a plant that actually works! It is made in the United States and is guaranteed to grow," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

Individuals can grow ingredients to make their own herbal teas. Plants include Lemon Balm, German Chamomile and Spearmint. These three herbs have many medicinal qualities, including promoting sleep, encouraging relaxation and lifting spirits. All make light, refreshing, aromatic teas. Decorative accents include natural gravel, decals, planting stakes, an instructions and recipe booklet and more. "The Tea House is completely manufactured in the United States, contains three types of herbal teas that can be harvested right from the terrarium, and has great educational value," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. It received a 2009 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: February 2009.

Jacquard Products’ popular Medium Point Tee Juice Fabric Marking Pens are now offered in a boxed set which includes: Yellow, Blue, Red, Green and Black pens. Tee Juice Fabric Art Marking Pens are also available in Fineliner and Broad Tip Pens; all are available in eight vivid colors: Golden Yellow, Red, Blue, Black, Chocolate Brown, Orange, Purple and Emerald Green. The pens can be used on a wide variety of natural and synthetic fibers. Any piece of fabric, from t-shirts to lampshades can be transformed into a unique piece of art. Launch date: June 2009.

These Uncle Goose multi-color alphabet blocks have bug pictures and names, and are made in the USA. This set includes four complete alphabets, two upper case and two lower case, and numbers from 0 to 10 and math symbols. Uncle Goose blocks are 1-3/4" and are handcrafted from sustainable Michigan basswood with child-safe inks.

An addition to the NameTrain Wooden Railway System created by Maple Landmark, the four-car Santa Train Car Set is crafted from locally harvested maple with whimsical images of Santa, Mrs. Claus, reindeer and elves. The finishes and inks are all non-toxic. The car pieces are not sold separately. Launch date: June 15, 2009.

Brought back to celebrate Maple Landmark's 30th anniversary, Danish Solitaire is a mind-challenging math game crafted from locally harvested maple (in Vermont) and finished using a non-toxic clear lacquer. Measuring 5" x 7", Danish Solitaire comes with pegs numbering from one to 10. The object is to follow the lines and make the pegs add up to the same number. Directions are on the back. "The Danish Solitaire is an original, very rarely copied," Barbara Rainville, marketing manager for Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Crafted from sustainably harvested, local hardwood maple, this train includes 6"-long cars, fat wheels and an easy to connect "knuckle hitch." Each car is sanded super smooth to the touch and has engraved detailing. No finishes or chemical coatings are used. As an added bonus, the train comes with a "pull stick" to make the whole train a pull toy. "The train is designed for the 3 years and under. There are very few products on the market that for that age group," Barbara Rainville, marketing manager for Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Preferred Choice Award, Classic Wooden Toys Category, from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: January 23, 2009.
— Maple Landmark wooden trains are a big hit at Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., Owner Shana Hack told TDmonthly in June 2009.

Crafted from locally harvested hardwood maple, this set of 16, 1 3/4" blocks can spell more than 250 words, phrases and names. Each letter is engraved using a clean, simple font for ease of reading. The Simple ABC Blocks are sanded smooth to the touch but left unfinished for a truly eco-friendly toy. They are made in Vermont. Launch date: January 25, 2009.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Magazine Toy of the Year Award, Classic Wooden Toys category.
— Any kind of stacking alphabet blocks, no matter the maker, do well for James Dello Stritto, manager of Magic Box, Ltd., in New Orleans.

A child-sized spin on a classic design, Holgate's Adirondack Chair is made in the USA out of Pennsylvania black cherry hardwood. Most of the chair is finished in the wood's rich, natural color, while the back slats are painted in bright primary colors. The chair can be personalized with a name on the front slat as shown (silk screened; upper-case letters only), and arrives fully assembled.
— “Holgate is our best seller,” said Angel Stahl, owner of Angel's Toy Barn, during a May 2009 survey of best-selling kids’ furniture and play house items.

A member of the order Ferrous Lepidoptera. Easy to set free, but can you net the ring? A prize specimen for any collection. The object of this puzzle is to remove the ring.

Captain Teach gave no quarter when he plundered and pillaged. Likewise, this hook will leave you hanging. The object of this puzzle is to remove the shuttle.

The name is American slang for fortified wine. This vintage puzzle is just as intoxicating. The object of this puzzle is to remove the ring.

Designed to be cute, functional and economical, these diapers feature the following: a wide range of fit, for babies from 10 to 35+ lbs.; three body layers and a snap-on soaker that provides absorbency even for heavy wetters; the company's trademark ruffled legs and proprietary elastic; which almost guarantee no blowouts; a designer print cotton outer and a bamboo velour inner fabric; a simple, snap-on design; two lovely, chic prints, one of which was especially printed for Kissaluvs. "The diapers are one size, and fit kids from birth through potty training," Noelle, business manager for Kissaluvs, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2009.

Inspired by the author’s childhood memories of receiving notes in his lunchbox, Lunchbox Stories were created as an innovative way for kids to enjoy reading. With more than 40 chapters in each book, readers experience the twists and turns of each adventure through a series of suspenseful Chapter-Cards™. Four titles are available, and each story includes full-color illustrations and packaging. "The Chapter-Cards have approximately 200 words, and are written with just enough suspense to encourage the child to read the next card. The unique design makes Lunchbox Stories effective for quick and consistent reading before bed or during the day, and teachers find they can use the short chapters to playfully regain the attention of the class after recess and lunch," Brian Martin, president of Lunchbox Stories, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 5, 2009.

Approximately 8" tall, this magnetic paper doll comes with outfits and accessories, most of which are interchangeable on other critters in the collection. They are made to cut out easily with regular scissors. "MAGNETIC PALS teach dexterity while expanding the imagination in all age groups from tots to older adults needing physical therapy," Jan Gardner, partner of Gardner's Gatherings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

These Christmas clothes will fit all but three of the MAGNETIC PAL critters and dolls. They do not fit Rita, the frog or the monkey. The designs are made to be cut out easily with regular scissors. "MAGNETIC PALS teach dexterity while expanding the imagination in all age groups from tots to older adults needing physical therapy," Jan Gardner, partner at Gardner's Gatherings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Rita is magnetic and comes with clothing and accessories that are interchangeable with other critters in the collection. She is approximately 8" tall and can be cut out with regular scissors. Launch date: April 2009.

This is a complete, all-natural prenatal supplement system. "It's the most complete and only all-natural prenatal supplement on the market. All others are incomplete and/or include many to all synthetic ingredients that many can't absorb," Birgitta Lauren, president of Expecting Fitness Inc., told TDmonthly. "Whether you miss some nutrients and or you can't absorb the synthetic ones, you may end up deficient in some nutrients or get toxic high levels of others; either way, baby will suffer. Prenatal nutrition molds the health or lack of it, of a baby for the rest of its life." Launch date: August 2007.

Fashion prints in the softest flannel on one side and a sumptuous organic cotton velour on the other make these wipes hip and green. They are available in a relaxed, beach-y stripe or a colorful infusion of energetic blooms. "They offer endless uses: use as burp cloths; tuck at neck for an instant bib; excellent as traveling towels; use to clean up eating messes, drooling mouths and more," Tashi Nibber, president of Kissaluvs, told TDmonthly. The wipes are "hand-sewn by moms and grandmoms with love in Houston, Texas." Launch date: April 2009.

This soft, pliable, moldable dough is made from water, flour, salt, cream of tartar, canola oil and citric acid. The company uses colors that are made using only all-natural plant and vegetable extracts; no artificial colors or chemicals are used. The Super Mega Fun Pack contains one 4-oz. container of each of the colors (natural, brown, green, orange, pink and yellow) and a little rolling pin in a reusuable cotton bag. "When Happy Fun Dough has come to the end of its long and fruitful life, just put it on your compost pile and reuse or recycle the cute tin container," Christine Stewart, owner of For My Kids, told TDmonthly. This product received Dr. Toy's Best Classic Toys of 2009 award. Launch date: November 2008.

These natural wood construction sets are made using wood from sustainable forest management practices and are packaged in a cotton duck canvas bag. There are also sets in canisters and tubs to make cabins, forts and treehouses. The interlocking pieces require no tools and provide hours of safe and educational fun. The sets are made in the USA. Launch date: 2008.

Exercising for a good cause, Moo and her cowpal participated in a walk-a-thon in New York City! Cowpletely Moorific!

Surfs up and Moo is ready to spend the day at the beach making cowpals and building the perfect sand castle!