August 2010 Notable Toys — School Supplies

"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.

The Safari Friends Pedestal Pets collection includes a gorilla, lion, hippo, and elephant. Pedestal Pets are sets of pencil toppers featuring a variety of animal figures. Each package comes with 4 animal pencil toppers, 4 matching pencils and 4 fun fact trading cards. Children can also go to the Pedestal Pets website and "adopt" their pets and print out coloring pages of all the animals.

The Barnyard Friends Pedestal Pets collection includes a horse, pig, sheep, and duck. Pedestal Pets are sets of pencil toppers featuring a variety of animal figures. Each package comes with 4 animal pencil toppers, 4 matching pencils and 4 fun fact trading cards. Children can also go to the Pedestal Pets website and "adopt" their pets and print out coloring pages of all the animals.

The Neighborhood Friends Pedestal Pets collection includes a cat, turtle, frog, and dog. Pedestal Pets are sets of pencil toppers featuring a variety of animal figures. Each package comes with 4 animal pencil toppers, 4 matching pencils and 4 fun fact trading cards. Children can also go to the Pedestal Pets website and "adopt" their pets and print out coloring pages of all the animals.

This magnetic dry-erase boardand chalkboard provides a large work area. Each board includes a clip to hold paper. The set includes four detachable storage bins for holding art accessories and a folding easel for easy storage, and comes with an eraser and 77 magnetic letters and numbers.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 130 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 6 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Educational, long-lasting, engaging. CONS: Messy; some parents questioned its quality.

This set includes ten plastic bottles of washable paint designed for children.
 — As of 8.12.10, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 8 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to use and store; long-lasting. CONS: Some parents questioned its quality.

These unicorn erasers have removable puzzle parts so they can be taken apart and reassembled. The collection includes six pastel colors.
— In summer 2010, Margy Peine, owner of Tree House Toys in Cumberland, Md., told TDmonthly her store sells about 75 Japanese erasers per month.
— Thirteen percent of 38 specialty retailers named Japanese erasers a best-selling product in July 2010.
— Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that they don't sell many tween items other than collectible erasers, which they sell about 4 dozen of each month.

These donut erasers have interchangeable parts that can be removed and reassembled. They come in six colors and are available in "vanilla" and "chocolate" versions.
— In summer 2010, nine of 38 specialty retailers told TDmonthly that Japanese erasers are a top-selling collectible item. Nancy Hanson of The Toy Box in Friday Harbor, Wash., cited sales of four to five Iwako erasers each day.

Designed for viewing solid or three dimensional objects rather than glass slides at 20X magnification. Binocular head allows comfortable viewing with both eyes (no more squinting) and built in light illuminates all specimens for premium viewing every time. Real glass optics provide high quality images and battery power makes it portable for outdoor use to explore nature. Also ideal for collectors: view stamps, coins, gems & rocks, etc. Uses 2 AA Batteries (not included).

This set of 24 crayons comes in a convenient tuck-box and features educator-preferred color selection
— As of 8.03.2010, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon.com and was #34 in the top 100 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Durable, with a variety of colors. CONS: None listed.

Squishlanders are fun, 3/4" rubbery animals in a plastic capsule that can be found in more than 300,000 vending machines around the world.  The squishie characters were first introduced 4 years ago as Pet Friends, and more than 55 million of the little creatures have been sold since that time.  Each Sqwishlander comes with a code for access to a new kid-friendly virtual world, www.Sqwishland.com.
— Squishies pencil toppers were on the top-10 best-seller list at Totally Thomas Toy Depot in San Diego in July 2010. “They are the hottest trend in Southern California as of this spring,” President Cynthia Wyatt told TDmonthly. “’Regulars’ and ‘Rares’ — they collect them all!”

This plush rabbit is designed to store pencils and other school or office supplies.

These backpacks, lunch bags and boxes are available in 12 assorted tie dye colors and appliques.

Backpacks version 1- $19
Backpacks version 2- $20
Backpacks version 3- $20
Lunch Box-INSULATED version 1- $12.50
Lunch Box-INSULATED version 2- $12.50
Lunch Bag- INSULATED- $10

In this card game, when a player gets four-of-a-kind in his hand, it is just like the music stopping in a traditional round of musical chairs. The player grabs a chair and all other players react and grab for a chair, too. There is one less chair than the number of players in the round and the player without a chair is out.

This easel is designed for smaller spaces or paper. It comes with a standard hardboard panel, and has optional acrylic, chalkboard and Write-n-Wipe panels. The maple frame is 46" high while the adjustable work panel measures 24" x 24".
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

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.

The Rainbow Accents 2 Station Easel is designed to foster children's creativity. Write-n-Wipe easel panels come standard with this 25.5" x 20" x 46" easel unit; acrylic and chalkboard panels are optional. Clips and paint trays are included.
Awards: GREENGUARD indoor air quality certified.

The 24-count, beach-themed Sillybandz pack includes Message in a Bottle, Crabs, Palm Trees, Sail Boats, Surfers and Seashells. These bands are UV activated and change color under sunlight, and can be collected, worn, or traded with friends. Launch date: June 2010.
—  Diane Gervais, manager of Amato’s Toy & Hobby in Middletown, Conn., described Silly Bandz as “hotter than hot” in May 2010.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in late spring 2010 that his store sells 1,500 Silly Bands monthly. Other retailers from the 13 of 43 that named the product as an overall best seller, cited sales of anywhere from dozens to hundreds of packs per month.

Each of these colorful erasers measures about 1.25" and resembles a fruit-filled jar of jam. The jam erasers are made in Japan and are sold separately or in a themed pack.

Each of these colorful erasers measures about 1.25" and includes a removable pencil sharpener backpack. The teddybear erasers are made in Japan and are sold separately or in a themed pack.
— Iwako erasers were best sellers at Dancing Bear Toys in Asheville and Hendersonville, N.C., in summer 2010. “These are so cute!” owners and sisters Sarah and Erika Evers told TDmonthly. “They are also inexpensive, and they pop apart and are like puzzles.”

These tiny puzzle erasers feature cute cow faces and bright pastel accents.
— In a June 2010 survey, three of 40 retailers told TDmonthly that Iwako erasers are a best-selling product.

Available in pastels, these pig erasers are collectible and have removable puzzle parts.
— Iwako erasers were best sellers at Dancing Bear Toys in Asheville and Hendersonville, N.C., in summer 2010. “These are so cute!” owners and sisters Sarah and Erika Evers told TDmonthly. “They are also inexpensive, and they pop apart and are like puzzles.”

These small, dessert-themed erasers with removable parts are available as a group and in single packs.
—  Twelve percent of 43 specialty retailers named Iwako erasers as a best seller in May 2010.
—  Karlene Rearick, owner of The Alphabet Garden in Cheshire, Conn., told TDmonthly in spring 2010 that Japanese novelty erasers are their “top seller.” Owner Molly McMullin of Twirl in Ranchos de Taos, N.M., cited sales of at least 100 units a month.

This easy to use three-in-one (Microscope, Telescope, and Magnifier) is ideal for the budding Spy or Scientist. Get bright, sharp images without blurry edges around the viewing area with these high quality optical lenses. This unique, slick, lightweight multi-use instrument is also great for sports fans, spy enthusiasts, or bird and animal watchers.

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