June 2011 Notable Toys — All

These pencils are designed for children to use at home and in school: 33% thicker leads than regular colored pencils; 4mm lead is encased in a standard size barrel. Thicker lead means longer lasting pencils and smooth, rich color lay down. Leads are 20% more break resistant. New formula is stronger and has more pigment for brighter colors and easier blending. Leads will not fall out - SV-bonding means leads are glued the entire length of the barrel and glue is double applied for further reinforcement. 40% easier to sharpen - New radial cutting of wood slats aligns the wood grain for easier sharpening. Ergonomic - Triangular shape is easier to hold and gives better control and pencils will not roll. Eco-Friendly and Non-toxic - Pencils are made from reforested wood preserving natural forests and conforms to ASTM D-4236.

This game is set up as a reading race through the southwest. Players pick their cards, gallop around the board to round up all their words, and must giddy up home before the other players to win. Game features the top 25 building block words. Includes game board (16.5"W x 16.5"H), 50 word cards, and 4 game pieces. For 2-4 players.

Kids can grow their own organic vegetables, guaranteed. The pot, soil-less planting mixture, even the seeds- are certified organic. The interest in edibles has been soaring and is only increasing. All the plants are quick to sprout and easy to grow and will produce their harvest early. Sprout inside and plant the whole pot in the ground after a month or two and let the bountiful harvest begin.

This cleverly designed set comes complete with everything kids need for play and pretend; from fuzzy flocked animals and a tree full of monkeys to a realistic looking fish-filled aquarium. The easy-to-assemble zoo includes animal enclosures, entrance arch, 12 markers, color-in stickers, aquarium accents, pre-printed paper backgrounds, punch out people, animals and plenty of zoo accessories - more than 100 pieces in all. The zoo measures 30"w x 17.5"d x 15"h. Kids can use the supplies included or go "green" and turn everyday items into fun accessories. Even the package becomes part of the play experience.

This cardboard playhouse is made in the U.S.A using 100% recycled cardboard material. The Adventure Castle will take any child on an enchanting adventure every day. The unique design allows for a sturdy drawing surface and reliable stability during play.  From brave knights in shining armor to carriage riding princesses, every child will enjoy creating there own.The Adventure Castle is eco-friendly and encourages creative play. This playhouse is perfect for birthday parties, play dates, everyday play and rainy day fun. Made from very sturdy 44ECT corrugated cardboard. Measurements (Assembled): 48"L x 48"W x 48"H

Kids can save the planet and make a fashion statement, too, when they make sweet bracelets, headbands and belts from candy wrappers. Just fold and link. Includes over 200 precut candy wrappers, glue stick with burnishing cap, hole puncher, 9 cords, 9 beads, 4 elastic loops, 30 sticky gems and easy instructions.

The PlanetBox comes with everything a parent needs to pack their child the lunch they will love. All children have their own likes and dislikes when it comes to their lunches. One child likes variety and surprises, while another likes the familiarity of that same PB&J sandwich every day. But neither child likes it when their sandwich touches their fruit. We have found that most kids like a variety of foods that stay in their own compartments and don’t “touch each other.” Parents can pack any food in any compartment. The lid has raised compartments so foods can be piled high, yet the box can still be closed. The hinge is designed to keep top and bottom together, while making sure little hands won't get caught. Measures 10 inches x 7 ½ inches x 1 ½ inches.

Dress Your Doll is a unique fashion designer craft kit. The doll is actually a fully articulated fashion mannequin. The clothes come in an assortment of patterns with different difficulty levels, and are $15.99 each. One pair of scissors indicates a low difficulty level, two indicate a medium difficulty level, and three indicate a high difficulty level. The patterns in each kit can be reused with different fabrics or leftovers from another project. The kits are designed to use very basic stitching patterns that can be sewn by hand, so even youngsters who have only a basic understanding of sewing will be able to participate. The scissors, needles, and threads are not provided with the kit.

Non-Trivial Quest challenges players by asking questions about all the things they need to know for real life- it's trivia that isn't trivial. For instance, what does one do with a computer one no longer needs? The cards have the question and provide the answer. Aimed at families and friendly groups, Non-Trivial Quest is educational and helps stimulate conversation. The first person to get to the finish line wins. The game includes 300 Questions & Answer cards, a game board, 2 dice, 8 pawn tokens, a card tray, and an instruction sheet. The categories include Health & Nutrition; Math, Science & Technology; Money & Economics; Law, Civics & Sociology; Computer & Internet; and History & Geography. For 2-8 players.

Fiesta plush introduces colorful and fun tie-dye print animals in brilliant rainbow hues and unique patterns. 12” to 18” penguin, monkey, and dolphin, feature embroidered “Peace, Love” design. 8” to 16” tie-dye in teddy bear, snake, monkey, penguin, monkey, and dolphin. SRP: $8 to $12. Ages 3+.

Fiesta Couture™ plush from Fiesta is chic, fun, and fashionable. Soft 9” to 10” plush toys in classic black and white houndstooth, paisley, and floral, patterns. Teddy bear, jungle animals, sea life, horses, and puppies. SRP: $15. Ages 3+

Adorable graphics, colorful cards, and easy-to-learn game play come together in this great new family game that provides “flippin’ good fun for everyone.”

In Flip Six, even young players learn adding and subtracting strategies as they get rid of their high cards. Starting each round with six cards, players try to reduce their points by getting rid of cards and/or swapping them for lower cards. After ten rounds, player with the lowest cumulative score wins.

Game includes 55 cards, including negative numbers.

Adorable graphics, colorful cards, and easy-to-learn game play come together in this great new family game that provides “flippin’ good fun for everyone.”

In Flip Six, even young players learn adding and subtracting strategies as they get rid of their high cards. Starting each round with six cards, players try to reduce their points by getting rid of cards and/or swapping them for lower cards. After ten rounds, player with the lowest cumulative score wins.

Game includes 55 cards, including negative numbers.

Owl jewelry is hot for Summer 2011! Each pendant measures 2.25” in height, and hangs on an adjustable black slider cord necklace.

Brand new for Spring 2011, this rhinestone crown necklace is a hot selling item. Enjoy an assortment of different colored pendants within each dozen, including clear, pink, and assorted. Many other crown necklace styles can be found on the Cool Jewels® website.

Brand new to the Cool Jewels® line, this mermaid necklace comes in an assortment of pink, blue, and purple within each dozen. Each pendant hangs on an adjustable silver snake chain necklace.

Each adorable turtle necklace hangs on an adjustable silver ball chain necklace. Rhinestones surround the pendant, and each dozen comes with pink, purple, and blue assorted colors. This item is perfect for any souvenir locations, including aquariums and beach shops.

Evie has been homeschooled by her counter-culture mother her whole life, but it's the beginning of her senior year and she's going to public school for the first time. Evie maks friends, but is puzzled by the new system of authority she encounters in her teachers, who she is shocked to see abusing their power and discriminating against their students. She and her friends start an anonymous blog to speak out against the injustice she sees, but it gets taken over and turned into a forum for online bullying- the last thing Evie wanted. The book examines freedom of speech, friendship, authority, and independence, as Evie navigates her new school and the blogosphere she helped to create. Hardcover, 315 pages. Launch date: May 2011

Koogles are very tiny magical creatures who have been sent from Mother Nature to help those in need. They each have their own personality and talent. Each small, round fuzzy creature has four tiny paws, wings, and antenna. Each comes with an icon that demonstrates their special talent. Koogles are 6" each and come with a personality tag with their name and a description.

Word Braniac includes 120 Letter Cards, 1 Game Timer and 1 copy of Word Brainiac Games Booklet-Volume 1, featuring 5 entertaining and educational word games- all contained in a handy re-closable plastic pouch. There are also instructions to 45 more games on Word Braniac's website- players can play a different game every time. Kids can enjoy a game alone or play with their friends, and can compete against each other or battle as teams. There are games for kids, adults and older folks. There are games for students and those wanting to learn English as their second language. All games are excellent vocabulary-builders. Some focus on English grammar and general academic subjects. Most entail abstract and logical thinking. Each game rewards individual risk-taking while some games promote team building.25% of your purchase will fund youth-oriented development projects.

A World of Beautiful Colors comes alive as players choose commission cards picturing 34 of the finest European art works of the past six centuries. Players score their commissions by mixing primary colors through clever tile placement, and recreating the palette of colors used by the masters who created these works. Explore the paintings, palettes and pasts of the artists in this unique and challenging game for the whole family. While placing hexagonal pieces to gain palette (color) cards, players become familiar with the different color combinations that produce the many hues of an artist’s palette... all listed on the Player Reference Card. Players also learn to recognize many great artists and their works as they complete commissions.

The 3-in-1 All Terrain Robot is a multi-function tracked mobile robotic kit. Kids can utilize different track modules to create either a forklift, rover, or gripper. Using the wired controller, kids can command the robot to move forward, backward, turn, grip, and lift. In forklift mode, the ATR can lift up to 100 g in weight. The rover's tank-like treads can traverse all types of surfaces. In gripper mode, the ATR can grab and lift anything up to 100 g and move it to a new location. The kit can be taken apart and put together again many times. Contains 157 pieces; average assembly time of 1.5 hrs.

The Eco-Biker is a wind turbine toy that helps kids understand this form of alternative energy. Kids can clip it to a bike's handlebars or anywhere in the breeze, and watch as the fan powers a LED light. The stronger the wind, the faster the Eco-Biker pedals, and the brighter the LED shines. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, and energy-consciousness are the focus of this toy. Similar kits are purely for experimental purposes; but this small kit with a compact and highly efficient design makes it easy for kids to play and learn at the same time. 45 pieces; takes an average of 20 minutes to assemble.

It's Shavuot, a holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai. Avigail and Brosh want to stay up all night observing the holiday, like the grown-ups. But will they be able to do it? They try their best, along with the help of a dancing cow and their friends. Shalom Sesame is a brand new series of 12 episodes from the creators of Sesame Street. Grover and his friends explore Israel, its people and places, and learn new things. Launch date: May 10, 2011.