July 2010 Notable Toys — Gifts

This collection for kids who are just developing craft skills shows readers how to transform common household materials into costumes, puppets, toys, games and more. The book contains simple step-by-step instructions and photographs. "I Can Make That! consolidates the 5 books in the original I Can Make... series so this is the ultimate treasure trove of art ideas for crafty kids," Owlkids Marketing Associate Kendal Gerard told TDmonthly.

My Beastly Book of Monsters offers kids the opportunity to scribble, doodle and reconfigure over 150 monstrous creatures. Tie a monster's shoes together, draw a creature that's part monster and part pickle, or scare a monster with a mouse. Each amusing scenario encourages kids to use their imaginations and their budding artistic skills.

My Beastly Book of Silly Things offers young children the opportunity to scribble, doodle, and explore over 150 silly scenarios. Armed with only a pack of crayons or markers, children interpret visual cues and solve funny mix-ups in their own distinctive way. What objects will they throw into the garbage? What's about to be hit by the little man's club? And just what are the silliest things they can think of? The ridiculous possibilities are endless.

Everyday childhood activities, such as an excursion to the park, splashing in the bathtub or fixing a snack in the kitchen, can prompt many questions from young children. This special edition of Why? celebrates the book's 10th anniversary and provides kid-friendly explanations for nearly 100 of the most common questions kids ask. "Each of the questions included in this book was carefully selected from a pool of thousands of questions submitted by real children," Owlkids Marketing Associate Kendal Gerard told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2002 American Association for the Advancement of Science Best Books for Children; 2002 Canadian Toy Testing Council 25 Great Books for Children

Designed to be both entertaining and educational, Animal Babies is an interactive book about the birth and growth of animals. It is full of tabs, flaps and touch-and-feel elements, and includes a 4'6" x 3' pullout poster with life-size images of baby African animals.

These removable, warm, fluffy inserts fit into mY Design paintable boots. They can also be used as slippers and are machine washable.

Aquatic Universe soft toys include a starfish, whale, tortoise and octopus. They are handmade from organic cotton under Fair Trade standards by a small women's association in Lima, Peru.

These Lucky Charm Bracelets comes in assorted styles and colors with one size fits all design.

Charms include Peace, Hearts, Dance, Best Friends, Peace/Love/Happiness.

$60.00 per dozen.

This 2.75" x 2" x 1" flashlight is available in ladybug and honeybee versions, and is designed to be both cute and eco-friendly. It requires no batteries; simply crank the side handle to charge.

This environmentally friendly plastic stapler is designed to be kid-safe and comes in dog and cat versions. It eliminates the need for staples by cutting out tiny strips of paper and using the strips to stitch up to five pieces of paper together.

This 4" by 2.5"  flashlight is designed to be both cute and eco-friendly. It requires no batteries; simply crank the side handle to charge. A bright LED bulb and pink carrying strap are included.

This selection from author Will Dodson consists of six oversized movie poster postcards and a flat-spined book filled with vintage stills. "Cult Films" focuses on the sometimes campy, sometimes gruesome, sometimes thrilling movies that have attracted a small yet dedicated knot of fans over the decades. This collection is vividly illustrated with black-and-white and color images throughout. "There’s something about the quirky and bizarre nature of cult films that appeals to the movie-watcher in all of us. Cult Films strikes that same chord, covering ground never before seen by non-hardcore cult movie enthusiasts," Langenscheidt Publishing Group Marketing Assistant Andrea Sper told TDmonthly.

Israeli designer Merav Flam lets kids become designers, too, with the Manuella Drawing Doll. The blank dolls are made from water-resistant paper so children can use the included permanent markers to create their own keepsake.‬
— Coolil’s Noa Levy called the Drawing Dolls “a dream come true for children and their parents.”
— Designist Dream’s Zeva praised the Drawing Dolls for being the “perfect combination of attention to detail and simplicity.”
— Karin Kloosterman, of Green Prophet, liked that the dolls can be decorated again and again but cautioned that the Drawing Doll is not very huggable due to its water-resistant paper construction.

Sticky Pixies Wall Art Kit comes with 8" x 10" hardboard-framed fairy wall art and a ribbon to attach it to a wall. The fairy wears a Velcro-attached dress that can be mixed and matched with other Sticky Pixies dresses, one of which is included in a tri-fold hardboard armoire. This armoire holds up to three dresses, as well as fairy crowns and hats that are sold separately. "Sticky Pixies is unique in design and is always interactive," Founder Tyanne Hitchcock of Morgan Evan-Thorne told TDmonthly.

StickyPixies fairytale tees are interactive. Each costume is attached with Velcro, and children can remove the costume to add a different costume. The costumes include many different themes, including fairies, mermaids, butterflies and knights.

These fun shaped rubber band bracelets glow in the dark and come in assorted shapes. Sold in 12 piece bags.

These fashionable barrettes come in a variety of colors and patterns and feature a silicone gel grip strip on the inside for no-slip wear. The clip is glueless, made with a special adhesive. The barrettes are made in Canada.

These fully adjustable headbands are designed to fit any head, from infant to adult (26"). They are made in Canada and come in a variety of colors and patterns.

Kids can step into the kitchen for some child-friendly fun with food. The 40 recipes in this colorful, large deck are based around the five main food groups, and offer a healthy and exciting way to learn about cooking. Kids' Kitchen is written by Fiona Bird and illustrated by Roberta Arenson.

This bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, a zipper pocket, two magnetic pockets, an elasticized bottle pocket, and five elasticized compartments. Also included are a cell phone pouch, changing pad and key clip. The bottom panel is removable for easy cleaning. The Diaper Diva bag is "specially designed for hip moms" and "hold(s) those essentials needed for a day out with your little one," Diaper Dude Administrative Assistant Stephanie Moore told TDmonthly.

This bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, a zipper pocket, two magnetic pockets, an elasticized bottle pocket, and five elasticized compartments. Also included are a cell phone pouch, changing pad and key clip. The bottom panel is removable for easy cleaning. The Diaper Diva bag is "specially designed for hip moms" and "hold(s) those essentials needed for a day out with your little one," Diaper Dude Administrative Assistant Stephanie Moore told TDmonthly.

This bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, a zipper pocket, two magnetic pockets, an elasticized bottle pocket, and five elasticized compartments. Also included are a cell phone pouch, changing pad and key clip. The bottom panel is removable for easy cleaning. The Diaper Diva bag is "specially designed for hip moms" and "hold(s) those essentials needed for a day out with your little one," Diaper Dude Administrative Assistant Stephanie Moore told TDmonthly.

The Little D backpack is made of 100-percent polyester, with mesh lining and a PU black accent piece on the front flap. It includes an iPod holder, bottle holder and cell phone holder, along with two zipper pockets and one Velcro pocket. The backpack can also be used as a tote. It is "light weight, but still stylish and functional," Diaper Dude Administrative Assistant Stephanie Moore told TDmonthly.

The Little D backpack is made of 100-percent polyester, with mesh lining and a PU black accent piece on the front flap. It includes an iPod holder, bottle holder and cell phone holder, along with two zipper pockets and one Velcro pocket. The backpack can also be used as a tote. It is "light weight, but still stylish and functional," Diaper Dude Administrative Assistant Stephanie Moore told TDmonthly.