June 2011 Notable Toys — Tween

WallPops is a Peel & stick, repositionable and totally removable wall art designed for kids of all ages, including baby, toddlers, tweens and teens. WallPops is affordable, easy to apply and can dramatically transform a room in minutes, without harming the wall. "WallPops offers an extensive array of colors and designs that allows one to create their own signature style," Paula Berberian, Creative Services Manager at Brewster Home Fashions, told TDmonthly.

Illuminate your message with Shains Glow in the Dark Starter Kit with 30 Glow in the Dark elements. Perfect for the Halloween season. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2010.
Awards: 2010 Women in Toys Green Award
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Shains bracelets are one of her top-2 best selling jewelry items. "This is a great new line," she told us.

Got Something to Say? Want to keep your thoughts in writing? Kids can let their inspiration and imagination flow with Shains Notebook. Personalize the cover with their name, class subject, or decorate and change it whenever you want. Use the unlined paper as a journal, sketchbook or scrapbook. Portable. Available with 30, 60 or 100 elements. Price quoted is for 30 elements. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.
Awards: 2010 Women in Toys Green Award

This recycled cuff bracelet features two rows to display colorful, snap-on Shains letters and icons. The cuffs are now available in our favorite Popsicle colors; Blue Hawaiian, Grape, Cherry and Lime. "What sets these apart is the ability to change your message whenever you want and the ability to mix, match and combine various Shains products to create new cool looks," Chris Ohama from Shainware told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.
Awards: 2010 Women in Toys Green Award

These 60” scarves that can be coordinated with Christine Clarke Posh Purses are available in Twilight Purple Swirl, Boho Chic Magenta Stripe, Lucky Pink Leopard, Safari Hip Tan Leopard, Rhapsody Midnight Blue, Dawn Tan Swirl or Electric Love Hot Pink/Gray.

Over the shoulder Posh Purses include a number of styles, including Twilight Purple Swirl Bag, Boho Chic Magenta Stripe Bag, Lucky Pink Leopard Bag, Safari Hip Tan Leopard Bag, Rodeo Cow Print Bag, Rhapsody Midnight Blue Bag, Dawn Tan Swirl Bag and Electric Love Hot Pink/Gray Bag. There are eight new 7” by 7” bags in the initial collection. The bags feature faux fur and other details.

These new pooch shaped over the shoulder bags include Poppy Pug, Karina Shih Tzu, Harper Golden, JJ Chihuahua, Piper Black Lab and Elle Yorkie. Each bag is designed in the complete body image of a fancy prancy puppy dog.  Each design has its own deep rich coloring and affluent pattern choice, such as argyle, leopard print, fleur de lure or simply rich purple or pink brocade fur. Each Furry Couture bag is embellished with a posh feather boa or swanky satin accent. There is even a sparkly gemstone here and there. “Furry Couture is simply elegant and playfully fun for little girls, but don’t be surprised if fashion savvy moms enjoy them, too” Erika Radich, marketing manager, told TDmonthly. “Douglas Company has an extensive line of award winning handbags and totes for young ladies, and Furry Couture offers something a little bit upscale.” Launch date: February 2011.

The Silly Bandz 24-piece Justin Bieber Bracelet Set includes 6 shapes with 4 of each style; Headphones, Music Note, I Heart JB, Bieber Heart, Justin Singing and Justin's Hat. Silly Bandz are made of silicone and die molded into these Justin Bieber shapes. All can be worn as bracelets or used as a rubber band.

In this novelization of the upcoming Judy Moody film, Judy and her friends decide to make their summer vacation the best summer ever. Then, her parents announce they are going away and leaving Judy and her brother, Stink, with their Aunt. Judy comes up with an elaborate "Thrill Points" system and a list of daring activities that she and her friends in the T.P. (Toad Pee) Club must accomplish in order to earn points. But Judy must pull out all the stops when she realizes that she's earned less points than her friends. The book, written by the author of the original series and co-author of the screenplay, stays true to the character of Judy and her brother Stink, and Judy's unique language and penchant for misadventure keep the story going through all 136 pages. The book includes an interview with "Judy," a glossary for readers who want to speak like Judy, and information on the author.

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.

These Aqua Pets are updated versions of eight fan favorites from the original line. They feature redesigned aqua pods, offering new games and increased interactivity. Each Aquapet has its own look, sounds and songs. The creatures come alive when kids, or other Aquapets, interact with them. A microchip, microphone and speaker housed in the toy's base enable Aquapets to register and respond to sound. Each character replies with movement and melody. The more kids play with their Aquapets, the more songs they will perform and the livelier they'll become. Aqua Pets can also play three new interactive games: - Memory Moov (a memory-building sequence game) - Aqua Speed (a fast-paced reflex challenge) - Bubble Boogie (a fun and silly way to make your mini marionette dance) Place two or more Aquapets together for an AquaParty and the buoyant buddies will dance, chirp and converse with each other. Each energetic character has a sleep function, because even the most interactive friends need to rest.

These loveably freaky, ghoulishly cute zombies are the newest additions to the Creepy Cuddlers family. The trio of characters includes : Deathmittens- an undead feline with an exposed radius bone and bandaged tail; Zach and Ophelia- both feature real cloth clothing and skin that has “decayed” patches exposing the corduroy “sinew” below. Set includes all three figures. Launch date: September 2011.

Roxie the Doxie, a new character line whose life inspires adventurous young girls to learn more about the world’s most interesting cities, features plush animals, stationery and room décor for girls. Roxie the Doxie takes tweens along for the ride as she travels the globe to meet new friends and explore the food, fun and fashions other cultures have to offer. The smart and inquisitive Roxie likes exploring, discovering, learning new things, trying new foods, sharing with her friends and journaling about all her adventures. She travels a lot because her parents are diplomats and take her all over the world. Roxie keeps in touch with her friends by sending them postcards and emails. Each product offering will highlight the different locations Roxie visits; the first being Paris (next stop, London). The “dream” plush with journal has an MSRP of $20. Plush is safe for ages three and up.

Each PetCakes animal features a "frosting" hat, comes nestled in its own cupcake wrapper and has its own whimsical backstory. At first look, children will see a delicious cupcake but will then be surprised by the pet they find snuggled inside. PetCakes are collectible and provide hours of open-ended imaginative play.

Made of 100% hypo-allergenic silicone, SLAPlets and SLAPlinx are customizable, tradeable fashion. The SLAPlet is a bright silicone slap bracelet that can be customized with slip-on SLAPlets. There are currently 6 fun colors available (blue, black, red, white, purple and pink) with six more on the way. Each SLAPlet comes with three SLAPlinx. SLAPlinks can also be bought separately in twelve-packs for $5.99.

Purse Switchables are purses that change in a snap. A little girl can change the style of her purse by snapping on a new cover. The purse handles and liners are 12inches x 8inches. The handles are easy to grasp. The covers are easy to snap on and off. There are 12 colorful covers to choose from with different textures, materials and designs.Daisy is green with quilted petals, Rasta is a shaggy pink and green striped, Cuppy is pink with a quilted cupcake, Rosy is a lavender satin with a row of colorful roses. The base purses, which are purse liners with handles, are $15 each and come in three color options: Aqua, Pink and Purple. The Purse Covers are $10. This is where the fun and creativity comes to play. There are 12 different 8inch x 8inch covers to choose from and collect.

Friendship Linkz are colorful friendship bracelets hand-made in Peru using Fair Trade practices.  Each one comes with a silk-screened clay bead at the end. On one side of the bead "lives" a totem animal; on the other side "lives" a special word that relates to each animal. Friendship Linkz can connect kids to things that matter most in life: their friends, favorite animals, and words to live by.

Kachooz are an all new collectible line of unique and furry pencil toppers that come with different hair textures and colors. Launching with 36 new characters consisting of 20 different kinds of creatures, Kachooz!™ live in six little groups –  tiny tribe clusters they call Moops. The Moops are Nervous, 2Faced, Highlights, Mohawk, and Punk. Come in packs of two or four.

The Laser Game Khet 2.0 has arrived. The completely redesigned game for 2011 combines lasers with classic strategy for an experience enjoyed by players ages 9-99. Players alternate turns moving Egyptian themed mirrored pieces, after which they fire their real, eye-safe laser with the goal of illuminating their opponents' pieces and winning the game.