July 2012 Notable Toys — Infant & Toddler

Walking's more fun when you have a friend to pull along. Walk-A-Long Croc is from the Early Explorers range of the Hape Collection.  Measuring 11.61”L x 4.33“W x 4.25”H, Walk-A-Long Croc is age graded for children 12 Months +. The toy is beautifully crafted of FSC certified wood from sustainable forests and colored with safe water based paint. Launch date: July 2012.

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. Bouncy BoBo is back, leaping through bright, cheerful scenes, and discovering all kinds of amazing opposites—from big elephants and tiny mice to a noisy drum kit and a quiet balloon ride. The super-colorful artwork, bold design, and funny antics will make this a read again favorite for the youngest set. Launch date: April 24, 2012.

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. From the moment he gets up to the time he goes to bed, lovable (but accident-prone!) BoBo bounces through his day. A big, bold clock face on each spread will help preschoolers learn how to tell the time, and the super-colorful design and silly antics will keep them engaged. Launch date: April 24, 2012.

The numbers 1 to 20 are creatively counted in this companion to the critically acclaimed Basher: ABC Kids. Witty, rhythmic text and Basher’s bold, appealing artwork highlight the gallery of unforgettable characters like two cheeky monkeys playing tennis, three messy piggies baking cakes, and five cool caterpillars blowing bubbles who dance across the pages. But there’s some learning that comes with all this fun—each double-page spread features a number line from 1 to 20, which combines with the language to give children essential tools to learn how to count quickly and with confidence.

Banz swimsuits were originally designed in Australia for one of the world’s toughest UV environments. Our Beach Kickers swim shoes provide kids with outstanding protection against pebbly beaches, hot sand, and slick pool areas. Lightweight and flexible, with a high-traction sole. UPF 50+. Each pair comes with a black mesh carry bag that can be used to tote shoes, sunscreen, glasses and any other treasures. Size 3 - 9-12 months, Size 5 - 18-24 months, Size 7 - 3 years. Comes in pink or blue.

BIT is the ultimate machine to help children take their first steps in the world of two wheels, run on their own and develop their balance and coordination. BIT features wide wheels to help keep balance and stability, while the ergonomic, innovative handlebars are integrated into the chassis to ensure a good driving position. The handlebars become a convenient carrying grip as well as a hanger in small spaces. Made from curved wood, aluminum and EVA.

The unique grippable texture of Tobbles Neo awakens touch. See those gentle, playful curves? They truly enliven tactile experiences. Young minds revel in stacking, toppling, and the discovery of endless ingenuity with Tobbles Neo. Six uniquely weighted pieces balance, neatly nest, and incessantly spin beyond your expectations. Includes 6 vibrant, weighted spheres & stacking base. Launch date: July 2012.

Includes 44 magnetic pieces. Children can play and learn alphabet, spelling and reading words with pictures. Extra pieces included for free-writing.

Plan Toy Sort and Count stacking toy can move preschoolers to the next level of basic math skills through play. It is designed to challenge children's sorting and counting skills. The natural wood frame has collapsible rods for safety and the large bead-like rings fit nicely into small hands. Kids sort the beads by color, counting as they stack the beads. Children will make basic math discoveries as they experiment and see that two yellow beads and one blue bead goes as high as three green beads.

Stuffed toy, 24 cm/9.5 inches tall with a smooth vinyl face and body made of soft velvet fabric. The cherry Lutin doll is very charming in its vibrant-colored clothing. Very lightweight, this adorable stuffed toy with its life-like face will attract both babies and their mummies. The pointed hat makes it easy to hold for babies. Additional features: a label to write the child's name and a small bell to stimulate the senses.
— In a June 2013 survey, five out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Corolle is their best-selling doll brand.

Stuffed toy, 9.5 inches tall with a smooth vinyl face and body made of soft velvet fabric.  Very lightweight and featuring soft colors, this adorable stuffed toy with its life-like face will attract both toddlers and their mummies. The pointed hat makes it easy to hold. Additional features: a label to write the child's name and a small bell to stimulate the senses.

Loveable stuffed toy, 9.5 inches tall with a smooth vinyl face and body made of soft velvet fabric. Blue in color, it is an ideal toy for little boys. Very lightweight, this adorable stuffed toy with its life-like face will attract both babies and their mummies. The pointed hat makes it easy to hold for babies. Additional features: a label to write the child's name and a small bell to stimulate the senses.

This doll is dressed in soft blue fleece and has a sewn-on green and blue striped hat. He can also be made to sit and has cute freckles sprinkles across both rosy cheeks. Approximately 8 in. Features are embroidered so as not to present a choking hazard to youngsters. Also available — "Luisa," in pink.

This doll is dressed in soft pink fleece and has a sewn-on bonnet. She can also be made to sit. Approximately 8 in. Features are embroidered so as not to present a choking hazard to youngsters. Also available — "Luis," in blue.

Baby's first book unfolds for a zoo full of surprises. Pull their tails and tug their ears—these animal friends don't mind. Unfold each zoo animal's page and find multiple tactile activities, with embroidered letters, textures, flaps, a mirror, teether and more.

Liz the Fairy and Josephine the caterpillar adorn this teething rattle. It also features a bright orange teething ring to sooth sore gums and a nicely decorated tag with which to hold the child’s own dummy. The smart, red corduroy with ribbons attached offers a selection of textures to entertain and educate.

Made from the new collection of PlanWood materials, the classic Dancing Alligator has been remade using this new sustainable wood to delight children. When pulled along, the alligator moves his head and tail up and down making a click-clack sound. Created to maximize the usage of the reclaimed rubber trees, PlanWood uniquely provides an even safer, higher quality and more affordable product, while maintaining the eco-minded excellence and unforgettable design consumers have come to expect from the PlanToys brand. PlanWood is made from the sawdust and wood chips left over from regular PlanToys production. By adding some organic pigments for color, mixing it with less than 1% of their non-formaldehyde E-zero glue and pressure molding the mix, a new safe and non-toxic material was born. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Green Toys

Made from PlanToys new collection of PlanWood materials, the Pull-Along Snail is made using this new sustainable wood to delight children ages 1 and up. Encourage those beginning stages of walking with this adorable pull-toy. Pull the snail along and the snail body inches forward in a rolling motion. Created to maximize the usage of reclaimed rubber trees, PlanWood uniquely provides an even safer, higher quality and more affordable product, while maintaining the eco-minded excellence and unforgettable design consumers have come to expect from the PlanToys brand. "The product is beyond green, made from the sawdust of the reclaimed rubberwood trees we use for all PlanToys products," Ashley Cao, Marketing & Sales rep for PlanToys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2012.

Hold-On Handles is the new, fun and stylish tool to help moms teach young children to stay within arm’s reach in the mall, at the amusement park, or while running errands around town.  Moms share many things, including the stress of their children wandering off. And with all the juggling that mothers have to do, especially if they have multiple children close in age, ensuring that the kids are always safely within arm’s reach and out of danger when out and about is a priority. That’s why we created Hold-On Handles the first stroller accessory and walking rope designed for up to three children ages 18 months and older.  With a quick click of the unique, oversized carabiner, it can transform from stroller accessory to a reinvented walking rope that can be worn comfortably on a parent’s wrist, bag, or through a belt loop. Children befriend the whimsical, colorful handles, freeing up mom or dad’s hands to push the stroller, hold the bags, or open doors. Unlike with restraining and embarrassing harnesses or “leashes,” parents can teach their children to stay “in line” and “hold on” while allowing them their physical liberty.  With Hold-On Handles, moms will feel more confident, and their children can be safer, more active, and happily independent – a far better option, we believe, than a leash or harness. Launch date: September 2010.
Awards: 2011 Top Choice of the Year Award, Creative Child 2011 Four-Star Certified, WTS Toy Review 2011 Cribsie Award Finalist

Bizzy Bear's going on vacation, but he has to take a taxi, then a train, then a plane before he arrives at the beach and can set sail on his boat. With chunky sliders to push and pull, this robust little board book is perfect for active toddlers. Illustrated by Benji Davies.

It's summer, and the meadow is in full bloom. As some bunnies hop along, they see blue sky, white clouds, and yummy green grass. How many more colors can be found? Look for an explanation of tonal marks at the end of the story, along with pinyin translation of the Chinese characters. Launch date: April 2012.

A day at the park. A ride on Daddy's back. Run, Daddy! Faster! Faster! How fast can Daddy go? Faster than a dog? A horse? How about a cheetah? Must his feet even touch the ground? Leslie Patricelli reprises the duo from Higher! Higher! in another humorous riff on a favorite pastime - a laugh-out-loud-funny tale of few words about doting dads and high-energy kids whose imaginations know no bounds.

With touch and feels for little paws. Noodle loves to eat all sorts of things. With bumpy peas and shiny cheese, this is sure to encourage even the fussiest of eaters. 10 pages. Illustated by Marion Billet.

A small papery bundle hangs under a leaf by a silken thread. Can you guess what it will be one day? Butterflies, polar bears, turtles, frogs, birds - they all have a fascinating life journey to follow. Peek under each large flap and look at colorful spreads to find out how each animal develops. A final spread invites readers to match each full grown creature with its beginning stage. Illustrated by Marc Boutavant. 24 pages.