August 2011 Notable Toys — All

Almost real-life version of Juno Baby's adorable puppet character. This Bunny features an adorable necklace and pom pom hair clips. For every Juno product purchased, the Juno Company donates a music education DVD to a child in need.

Almost real-life version of Juno Baby's puppet character. Part of the Juno Baby plush collection, a huggable extension of the Emmy award winning characters. For every Juno product purchased, the Juno Company donates a music education DVD to a child in need.

Featuring the Emmy Award winning original classical music of mom and composer Belinda Takahashi, PhD, young children laugh, sing and learn as they interact with Juno and her puppet friends. Sing out loud with the Juno Baby cast of characters as they joyfully sing to our very own original music performed by live orchestral musicians. For every Juno product purchased, the Juno Company donates a music education DVD to a child in need.

Shhh…it’s time to listen and enjoy this beautiful instrumental collection of Juno Baby songs performed by live orchestral musicians. Perfect for lighthearted listening and quiet time. For every Juno product purchased, the Juno Company donates a music education DVD to a child in need.

Featuring the Emmy Award winning original classical music of mom and composer Belinda Takahashi, PhD, young children laugh, sing and learn as they interact with Juno and her lovable puppet friends.  The best of all worlds: a collection of your favorite Juno Baby sing along tunes, as well as our original instrumental pieces performed by live orchestral musicians. Also, includes two bonus tracks by Handel and Debussy. For every Juno product purchased, the Juno Company donates a music education DVD to a child in need. Includes collection of Sing Along tunes as well as original instrumental pieces.

Cards Against Humanity is a "party game for horrible people." The game is simple. Each round, one player asks a question from a Black Card, and everyone else answers with their funniest White Card. Includes 550 cards (460 White cards and 90 Black cards); over 13 duodecillion possible rounds (10^40) with 6 players; professionally printed on premium playing cards; includes game rules and alternate rules; shrink-wrapped in a custom box.
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 865 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Very interactive; humorous; great party game. Cons: One reviewer said some of the cards were "a bit too much;" some references might not be known by everyone.

Fully automatic for maximum speed, this blaster lets users just pull the trigger to begin the drenching action. Fill the water clip, attach it to the blaster and begin sending soaking streams up to 25 feet away. Requires no pumping action.

Pump-handle water blaster blasts a spinning stream of water up to 20 feet away. Detachable stock adjusts to different reaches. Water blaster comes with spinning barrel, detachable stock, tactical rails and a water clip.
— As of 6/14/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Gets opponent very wet; spinning barrel is amusing.  Cons: Uses water in the clip too fast; extra clips are expensive.

Groovy Girl "Midnight Star" Horse is a black stallion that makes realistic horse sounds. With the push of the Groovy Girls flower on her hip, this poseable horse makes galloping sounds, whinnies and snorts. Dimensions: 15" H
— As of 06/14/2011 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com.

Go the F**k to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don't always send a toddler sailing off to dreamland. Profane, affectionate and refreshingly honest, it captures the familiar and unspoken tribulations of putting your child to bed for the night. Colorfully illustrated and hilariously funny, this is a breath of fresh air for parents new, old and expectant*. (*You should probably not read this to your children.)
— As of 06/14/2011 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Humorous; Relatable for parents.  Cons: Some scorned the "juvenile humor;" one review said its concept was "shameful"/"horrifying;" some did not realize it was a parody.

This new backpack is stylish and functional. It's the ideal size for children to store books and a snack or anything else for school or play. It comes with a matching pencil case that can hold crayons or collectibles. Comes in 5 styles.

CirKis is a fun, award-winning game in which players take turns placing pieces and compete for control of point-scoring zones. Played on a beveled, circular board, the game challenges players to use their spatial reasoning to strategically place their pieces. The game is governed by a single, simple rule: each piece must touch -- or "kiss" -- the piece placed before it. As the game progresses, players have to devise strategies to corner their opponents and achieve victory. Designed for ages eight and up; game time is 15 minutes.
— As of 06/14/2011 this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Scoring track is on the board; easy but requires strategy; visually striking. Cons: Some said it was boring; several said it was too complicated.

A battery-operated bump and go train with lights, sounds and moving picture panel has bubbles that shoot from the smoke stack. Bubbles included. Requires five "AA" batteries, not included. Measures 6.75"L x 9"W x 5"H.

The Papo toy line features beautifully crafted figurines and animals. Papo toys come in a wide variety of colors, all hand painted and bursting with imagination. We carry a wide selection for hours of play. Scale 1:20 True to life modeling. Meticulously hand painted figurines.

These stuffed seals are based on the popular Japanese Kawaii characters. They feature soft, cuddly fur and a bean bag belly.

Aurora World 10" Keep me comfy Gerome Giraffe Neckrest. This neckrest features giraffe design to wrap around neck with cute face. Aurora only uses lock washer or embroidered eyes and nose for safety.

Aurora World 10" Keep me comfy Cheeky Charlie Neckrest. This neckrest features monkey design to wrap around neck with cute face. Aurora only uses lock washer or embroidered eyes and nose for safety.

One of Disney's biggest and most fondly remembered hits, the screen version of the literary classic SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON is full of South Seas scenery, hundreds of exotic animals, and treacherous pirates. This heroic tale chronicles the courageous exploits of the Robinson family after they are shipwrecked on a deserted island. Using teamwork and ingenuity, they skillfully overcome the obstacles of nature and transform their new home into a "civilized" community. But the ultimate challenge lies ahead when a band of cutthroat pirates threaten to destroy the Robinson's Makeshift paradise. 2-Disc DVD, widescreen, closed-captioned, run time of 126 minutes.
— As of 06/14/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 120 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros:  Great scenery; offers many different genres for the whole family; special features are informative and entertaining. Cons: Not as good as the book; too much suspension of belief required for enjoyment by adults.

Laffy Laffalot is an innovative, interactive toy designed to bring laughter back into the lives of sick children. With its bright orange body and big engaging eyes, Laffy Laffalot is heart-warming and fun, but can take the tough love kids have for their favorite toys – withstanding a drop of up to 6 feet. Laffy Laffalot also can stand upright on a bedside table or desk - always a smiling companion, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  When kids touch one of the 20 pre-programmed blue buttons, they can hear a hearty belly laugh, the giggle of an infant or a silly snort. The contagious laughs will instantly put a smile on kids' faces and help distract them from the pain and challenges of medical treatment. Laffy Laffalot was created to lift the spirits of anyone who may be feeling blue or just needs a good laugh. Laffy Laffalot's unique features include: Four buttons to record and play custom, comforting messages from mom, dad, friends or loved ones; a hilarious helium effect dial that alters any laugh or custom message for endless hours of fun. Laffy Laffalot also comes with a built-in speaker, MP3 quality sound, headphones that won't hurt small ears and two AA batteries.

Trevor is one of the newest additions to the Douglas collection. He is a Bernese Mountain Dog with realistic markings of his breed. He is very soft, 16" long with a generous, solid body, and nearly the size of a live puppy.
— Lisa LeStrange, owner of Lucky Duck Toys in Wayne, Pa., said her best-selling plush was from Douglas Cuddle Toy; specifically, "All the dogs, because they carry many different breeds and people can come in and ask for a particular one, like a Bernese Mountain Dog"  she told TDmonthly when surveyed in late Spring 2011.

Made of soft huggable plush fabric, Goober has a loveable face and silky chocolate-brown fur accented with cream-colored fur on his belly and muzzle. Measures 11" tall. Surface washable.
— In late Spring 2011, 30% of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly said that plush and puppets from Gund were best-sellers in the category. Mike DiAndrea, manager of Ace Hardware & Toy Center in Paoli, Pa., said he sells about 6 Goober Bears each month.
— As of 6/10/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com.

The Bitty Buttons are rag dolls that magically come to life, taking on the personalities of the fabrics used to make them. This Bitty Button Doll lives in a colorful, silly world full of magic. Tippy Tumblelina was sewn from a Ballerina's Tutu; she's a girly girl who loves being on stage even though she falls off it every once in a while. Includes pet swan. Full articulated head arms and legs. Shoes and clothes can be removed for fashion play.

Cars 2 Siddeley the Spy Jet Transporter is Inspired by the new hit Disney/Pixar film, Cars 2. This Spy Jet that can hold up to three 1:55 scale die-cast vehicles and “secret” surprises inside. Twist the jet’s turbine to reel in the tow hook, roll it along, or prepare to aim and fire the projectile missiles.

This 152-piece set includes 4 minifigures: Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, Hector Barbossa and Skeleton Barbossa. Features the Black Pearl rowboat, treasure chest, gold bricks, gold coins, gems and apple. Turn the door to reveal cursed Skeleton Barbossa. Kids can flip the mast and row with the oars. Measures over 7 (17cm) wide (Rowboat measures over 4 (10cm) long and 1.5 (3cm) wide). Includes free poster.