August 2010 Notable Toys — All

Santa and Mrs. Claus must rush to find a home for a foundling kitten named Cookie. Santa would love to keep the kitten, but he's allergic, and there's a little girl out there with the perfect home. This book offers "A heartwarming peek behind the scenes at the North Pole," Albert Whitman & Company Marketing Director Michelle F. Bayuk told TDmonthly.

This holiday card reads "Happy Holidays" on the front in artist Shelley Dieterichs' fun illustrated Holiday Alphabet letters. The message inside reads "Wishing you all the best."

This holiday card uses artist Shelley Dieterichs' fun illustrated Holiday Alphabet letters to spell out Merry Christmas. The inside message reads "wishing you a holiday that's perfect from A to Z!"

"My name is Buddy. I am a dog. I am also a detective." Dog lovers and mystery fans will be swept up in Dori Hillestad Butler’s appealing, easy-reading chapter books.

This combination game set features popular games including chess, checkers, backgammon, cribbage, dominoes, dice and cards. It comes in a wooden box with an old-world latch.

The yo-yo has been around for 2,500 years and is considered the second oldest toy in history, the oldest being the doll. A yo-yo was also the first toy in outer space. This classic wooden yoyo is designed to delight kids of all ages as it has through all the ages.

With over 194 pieces, Teifoc’s Beginner Brick Construction Set incorporates real, reusable miniature bricks for building, encouraging imaginative play for children interested in constructing up to three of their own designs. Safe and soluble sand and corn extract-based mortar holds the bricks together. To build a new model, simply soak in water, dry the bricks and start again.

Dice can be found in almost every culture in the world, and the number of games that can be played with a set of dice are virtually limitless. Dice games, by their very nature, tend to rely much more on luck than skill. This wooden dice game includes instructions for 10 different games. It comes with a magnetic closure and is designed for travel. The old-world, palm-sized wooden treasure box contains eight wooden dice.

Incorporating real, reusable miniature bricks for building, this set encourages imaginative play for children interested in constructing up to three of their own designs. A safe and soluble sand and corn extract-based mortar creates a house and water mill. To build a new model, simply soak in water, dry the bricks and start again.

With over 394 pieces, this set encourages imaginative play for children interested in constructing up to three of their own building designs. A safe and soluble sand and corn-extract based mortar holds reusable bricks together. To build a new model, simply soak in water, dry the bricks and start again.

Standing 4' tall, the Eitech Eiffel Tower metal building kit lets builders re-create an impressive replica of this famous Parisian structure. The kit can be brightened with the attachable lights combo. Over hundreds of parts and tools are included in each construction set.

The C31 Mega Model Train is a sleek locomotive that features more than 2,560 parts. Step by step illustrated instructions are included for easy-to-follow directions.

Kids can channel their inner creativity with Eitech’s Solar Powered Construction Kit and build an environmental friendly model powered by sunlight. Simply place the solar panel directly under sunlight and watch as it takes off. Each kit builds up to three solar powered models. Illustrations and tools are included for easy assembly. "Solar Panels allow for eco-friendly fun!" Eitech Media and Marketing Coordinator Caitlin King told TDmonthly.

This game is a 5" solid wood set with marbles that store inside the board with a sliding magnetic closure. "This is a high quality game with a great price!" Wood Expressions manager Christine Oda told TDmonthly.

This is a 5" solid wood game set features marbles that store inside the board with a sliding magnetic closure. Designed for travel, Nine Men's Morris is an abstract strategy board game for two players that emerged from the Roman Empire. The game's popularity peaked in Medieval England. This version of this historic game is crafted from wood. The pieces, "or men", store neatly inside the game when not in play.

Hot Wheels™ ZipBin® Wheelie Track Pack resembles a mag wheel with a Hot Wheels rim. It unzips from the mag wheel to a two-lane dragracing track with integrated jump. The backpack includes pockets for six favorite cars, but easily holds 100 cars. Designed for portable play, it interfaces with Hot Wheels® tracks and includes an authentic Hot Wheels® car.

Hot Wheels ZipBin Tool Box is a tote shaped like a mechanic's tool box. This soft-sided case has a chrome exterior with an authentic Hot Wheels raised diamond plate finish. It unzips into a workshop garage for tuning the cars. Designed for portable play, the pack interfaces with Hot Wheels tracks and includes an authentic Hot Wheels car.

Individually handcrafted and designed with detailed sequin work, this diaper bag is versatile and multi-functional. Each bag has numerous gathered pockets for storage and organization on the inside and outside. RaaKha bags can be used for formal occasions as well as daily errands. "Our bags are made of beautiful and vibrant cotton prints with individual hand sequin work," RaaKha Vice President Monty Ahluwalia told TDmonthly.

This limited-edition Hot Wheels Impavido ZipBin RaceCase backpack is a toy backpack that looks just like the included Hot Wheels car. It is designed to carry Hot Wheels vehicles, and is equipped for portable play. Unzipped, it becomes a racing center with drivable roadways.

This 5" solid wood game board includes marbles that store inside the board with a sliding magnetic closure. It is portable and designed for traveling. "Our game is a high quality product at a great price!" Wood Expressions manager Christine Oda told TDmonthly.

Hot Wheels ZipBin Skull Track is a tote with an integrated two-lane race track on the outside. When unzipped, the racetrack doubles in length. The tote easily holds 100 cars and is designed for portable play. It interfaces with Hot Wheels Tracks and includes an authentic Hot Wheels car. "We make it fun to be neat!" Wilson Peters, Neat-Oh1 International sales and marketing specialist, told TDmonthly.

This mail notifier connects to users' private e-mail accounts, Twitter, and Facebook when they cannot, to let them know when they have mail or other notificationa. Webmail Notifier works in the background to inform about personal emails and social media notifications, and even the capacity of unread emails. It comes equipped with red, green and blue illuminators and an optional sound indicator.

This exact replica communicator even produces the coveted "chirp" sound when flipped open. Exact dimensions and real metal mesh casing make this Skype, MSN, AIM and iChat compatible communicator a collector's item. It comes equipped with volume control and a mute button, and plays 21 authentic sound effects on both ends of the line when muted.

This original Starship Enterprise NCC-1701 USB webcam features engines that light up red to give users the full starship effect.