July 2009 Notable Toys — Educational

This laptop has 60 educational activities in English and Spanish, and a working microphone allows kids to sing along to their favorite songs. Interactive funny games are designed by using the microphone or directional joystick. It's created to help kids learn upper and lower case letters, math, logic, music and singing. Launch date: October 2009.

This product is bilingual (English/Spanish) with a total of 140 activities. All activities are designed with a Web-browser format and user-friendly screen-scrolling function to enhance young users' computer skills. It has built-in, one-touch keys for direct access to main modes with real laptop simulated applications included. It's created to help kids learn grammar, math, drawing, logic, music, translation and personal organization. "[A] unique circular touch panel allows for quick file search," Jackie Tam, senior sales manager for Hanzawa, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

This Learning Center can connect to TV or unplug for portable fun. It includes a start-up learning book, a game cartridge, and a double-side learning card. It features a large drawing area and creations can be saved or printed out, as it supports SD cards. It's designed to help kids learn vocabulary, letter and number formation, math, translation, music, drawing and trivia. "The built-in, non-touch technology allows detection of your location and movement even you are not touching the drawing area with the stylus," Jackie Tam, senior sales manager for Hanzawa, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

KinderCone’s namesake product is a large, colorful cone filled with inspiring and educational gifts for young children, which parents give to their children to recognize the transition from kindergarten to first grade. KinderCone’s guiding principle is about inspiring young children to enjoy learning by celebrating this special milestone in their lives. KinderCones are 28" tall, handmade in Germany of sturdy box-board printed paper, and feature a limited edition design. Each KinderCone comes pre-filled with a Kinderjournal, Kalri, the plush main character of the journal, five pencils and temporary tattoos. The cones are offered in two main colors, red and bright green, and offer eight color options of the felt enclosure on top. "KinderCone is the first and only American company to re-create this concept outside of Europe," Vivian Lie, owner of KinderCone LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

To play, a child selects one of five colorful, two-sided match cards and place it in the tray. Then, he places the magic monkey in the center on the left side of the card and points his banana to the picture, letter, shape, or color he wants to try and match. Then, he selects the image on the right side of the card that best matches his selection. To see if he's correct, he'll place the monkey in the center on the right side of the card and let go. He will mysteriously spin and point to the correct match. "This little monkey's actions will even amaze adults and he does it all without batteries," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award. Launch date: 2009.

This is a fast-paced, fun Spelling Board Game that teaches spelling, vocabulary and reading as it's played using spelling words taken directly from any child's grade-appropriate spelling list. Also available in challenging Adult level for those who think they can spell but might find out otherwise.The fast-paced game teaches spelling, reading and vocabulary. "There are no other board games on the market which allow each player to spell words selected from their own grade level and which combine elements of chance, strategy and spelling knowledge in a way that makes learning to spell fun and easy," Richard J. Sullivan, president of The Spelling Bee Game, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: July, 2009.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Game of the Year, Children's Educational Board Game Category; 2011 Creative Child Magazine, Game of the Year, Children's Educational Board Game Category.

Featuring authentic cultural styles, original compositions and fun sing-a-long songs, the album helps parents nurture cultural awareness in their children by exploring new rhythms and musical genres from around the world. The CD includes the Global Wonders Theme Song ("A Great Big World") featuring a catchy sing-along chorus with layers of instruments from eight different countries, including an Indian sitar, Australian didgeridoo, Japanese koto, a Ghana log drum and a Scottish bagpipe. In "Global Wonders Hello," children are introduced to words and phrases to say “Hello” in 10 different languages. Launch date: June 2009.

Kids can learn to appreciate the highest achievements of civilization in painting, sculpture and architecture. This product is designed to cover the world of art across time and culture, introducing children to basic terminology and famous artists. The Professor Noggin series has won more than 12 awards. Launch date: July 30, 2009.

Wild Animal Baby is created to have kids laughing and smiling at the antics of Izzy, Rosie, Sandy and Skip as they solve mysteries and learn about the natural world. Brought to you by the National Wildlife Federation and Sunwoo Entertainment featuring high-quality animation and live action footage, these endearing animals aim to make learning fun and keep children glued to every educational episode. "Wild Animal Baby helps preschoolers develop important skills through 3-D animated characters, footage of real-life animals, animal sounds and intriguing puzzles. This multi-sensory approach is a feast for the eyes, ears and the entire body!" Aaron Zeigler, national account manager for TOPICS Entertainment, told TDmonthly. Single titles received a 2006 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 9, 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 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.

"ALLEY LOO: A Spooky Swamp Tale" is the children's picture book written by C. E. Walz. It was the winner of the "2008 DFP Award for Best Children Book" manuscript. "Written in a delightful rhyming style, ALLEY LOO takes children on a spooky tour of the swamps of the southeastern United States. It was illustrated in full-color by Pamela Wedel, who also did the artwork for 'GRIZZELDA GORILLA,' the EPPIE 2008 Best Children's Book," Terri Branson, publisher for Dragonfly Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

This DVD includes six award-winning music videos, a 45-minute live concert, six karaoke videos, an in-depth, behind-the-scenes "Film 101" documentary, and a bonus 45-minute live audio concert CD. Launch date: September 29, 2009.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Gold Award; 2009 Independent Music Awards Best DVD of the Year

Girls can make their own bracelets, hair ornaments and flower bouquets with fun snapping blocks in pretty pastel colors. The 260-piece Hobby Kit Flower comes with an instruction guide to make 12 interchangeable models from seven types of blocks. "LaQ is an innovative construction toy block with a patent for the cleverly angled block pieces which allow a child to create flat, two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and spherical objects from just seven types of blocks! The infinite possibilities of creating geometrical shapes through play is highly educational and enjoyable for children and adults," Mo Saeki, manager, overseas division, Yoshiritsu Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

These four lightweight, easy to use rollers offer a way to get creative. Children can roll out borders for note paper, party decorations, designs on wrapping paper and anything else that their imagination will allow. Using the circular paint pads or washable tempera paint will yield the best results, along with a shallow pan for the paint and a lesson in holding the handles properly. Each roller is 8.5" long. The themes for this set include teddy bears, butterflies, gingerbread men and frogs. Each design is a different color. Launch date: June 2009.

From the "It's Our Planet" series, this DVD is designed for kids to learn about the animals, people and plants that call this region home. They can discover what a rainforest needs to survive, and how this beautiful natural resource is disappearing. In collaboration with rainforest conservation organizations, One Smart Cookie has compiled an educational and informative DVD that uses imagery and video. "The DVDs in the 'Let's Explore' series and in the 'It's Our Planet' series use a multi-level format to cover background knowledge, as well as appealing to a wide age group (pre-K through age 10). Multi-level learning (or differentiation of instruction) is a critical factor in our children's education. Being able to move at their own pace allows your child to feel a sense of pride as they complete a level and move onto the next. Each level in the 'Let's Explore' series expands on the teachings of the previous level, adding more facts, vocabulary and scientific knowledge," Keli M. DiRisio, CEO of One Smart Cookie Productions, told TDmonthly. It was named a 2009 Dr. Toy Vacation Product of the Year and was a 2009 Gold Award winner in the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA). Launch date: May 2008.

This album boasts a collection of food-themed songs from around the world. Launch date: July 28, 2009.

All four seasons come alive with this collection of 15 original and classic songs and activities. Row, Row Your Boat to a fun adventure, rock around the Mulberry Bush and bounce to a new London Bridges beat. This musical celebration of the seasons will invite listeners into movin', groovin', singing and dancing. Also includes songs for Kwanzaa and Hanukah. Runtime - 49:57

La Di Da La Di Di is designed for dancing. It prompts listeners to start toe tapping, hand clapping, finger snapping, twisting and actively participating as they step and move and groove to these dancing songs. This collection of 12 tunes are set to a variety of contemporary jiving dance beats with interactive partner dances, circle games and activities that encourage socialization skills, making friends and a positive self-image. Other concepts include following directions, listening skills, left/right discrimination, body identification, creative expression, rhyming and so forth. Includes lyrics and movements. For school and home use.  Runtime - 41:11

This collection of 20 interactive songs, dances and activities are designed to motivate children to read, and foster a lifelong love for reading. The Learning Station has chosen some of the most popular children’s books (primarily Caldecott Medalists) and designed movement songs that correlate to each story. Children will be invited to dance and get wild to Maurice Sendak’s, “Where the Wild Things Are”, make something out of nothing with Simms Taback’s, “I Had a Little Overcoat”, learn how to whistle (“Whistle for Willie”), tap dance with Bojangles, count to ten in Swahili and more. Runtime - 63:19

Heritage Alphabet Blocks are classic toys designed to last generations. The solid-wood blocks are oversized, measuring 3” square, and they are all natural, non toxic and 100-percent organic. Each set of 12 blocks features 48 engraved characters, including the numbers 0-9. Heritage Alphabet Blocks come in three finishes: Color, Oil Only and Raw. Each Color Set utilizes real milk paint and a polymerized linseed oil rub. The blocks are made in Bend, Ore. "Promise Brand has made it our No. 1 goal to manufacture wooden products that exceed every toy test imaginable. Our materials set us far and above our competition," Alisha Alway Braatz, manager at Promise Brand LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

A mini Ferris wheel, the Sensation Station has four activities that spin and rotate on a center axis. The toy features the full spectrum of colors to appeal to the well-developed vision of a child 6 months or older. Lots of bold, bright patterns are designed to engage baby visually, too. A bright red bug with high-contrast eyes sends showers of beads in motion as it spins, making a pleasing sound. A cylinder is filled with colorful rattling beads and makes a cheery sound when baby bats at it. A textured disk is split in the middle, allowing the two parts to spin together or independently. Bumpy dots on the ridges invite exploration by finger and mouth. The toy is two-in-one: secured into the wide suction cup base, it is a high chair toy; when removed from the base, baby can grasp the black-and-white-striped, textured handle and play with the toy using both hands. "All the moving parts encourage baby to manipulate, explore and investigate this toy," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.