October 2008 Notable Toys — All

These Mary Janes designs come with a flower on the buckle. These socks for girls come with elasticized ankles and non-skid grips that help babies learn to walk without slipping. With six different colors in the set, each ready-to-mail gift box contains six pairs of socks. The full collection includes 12 original designs and a variety pack for both boys and girls.

This sleek, smart (and always safe) shooter sends super durable, specially-designed bands flying in a snap! Load up a band and pull back the firing arm until the spin action release sends the soft ammo soaring. This shooter turns stretch power into super speed! It’s a souped-up, tricked-out rubber band gun with no trigger necessary.

Looking for realistic golf action on a smaller scale? This sized-down, top-performing mini-golf set includes a driver, iron and putter for your pint-sized golfer. Designed with durable construction and detailed workmanship, Li'l Tiger Golf™ features authentic bamboo shafts, leather-like handle grips and a heavy-duty travel bag. Set up a game straight away with the included flags!

The non-stop action of traditional tennis can now be served up whenever, wherever with Top Spin Table Tennis™, the ultimate active indoor game! Serve, smash and volley your way through a manic match in mere minutes. The set includes everything you need for high action tennis on any table and comes with a durable mesh bag for travel or storage.

Get prepared for some extreme bow action with the Surefire™ Compound Bow X2™! These safe, soft foam arrows fly over 100 feet. The guide wire provides easy, accurate aiming while the dual power cords add maximum distance! Just aim your arrow and let it fly! Set includes 1 bow, 3 arrows and 1 arrow holder. Patent pending.

This dapper penguin sports soft fur and vinyl feet.
— Aurora plush, such as huskies, polar bears and penguins, are top sellers at The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

The arm of this colorful excavator is moveable, and the cabin rotates for added play value.
— Six of 66 retailers named Playmobil as an overall best seller in July 2008.
— “[It’s] probably a good 40 percent of my sales each month,” Linda Hanzelko of Timmy’s Toy Chest in Lake Mary, Fla., told TDmonthly.
— According to Randy Austin, owner of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., Playmobil items were best sellers at her store during summer 2008.

Indiana Jones has the treasure map but will first have to make it through the gate if he wants a chance at finding the Holy Grail. The set includes the following: Indiana Jones with accessories (hat, whip and bag), Professor Henry Jones, a guard, a motorbike with a detachable sidecar, and a gate that moves up and down. Please check with company, as not all LEGO sets are available in the specialty market.
— Nine of 66 specialty retailers named LEGO as a best-selling gift for boys in a July 2008 TDmonthly survey.
— "Any new LEGO that comes in is out the door,” said Tina Benoit, operations manager for Kidstown in South Burlington, Vt., which sells about 50 units of LEGO per month.
— LEGOs are a top-10 best seller for Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., she told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

Zoobies are three-in-one plush/pillow/blankets that come in a variety of animals. Now Baby can have her own Zoobie sized just for her with Baby Zoobies. Baby Zoobies have a detachable blanket that measures just 23" x 29.5". They fit nicely in diaper bags. They also feature a furry "comfort corner" to please Baby's love of textures. Diaper bag not included. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

These miniature versions of Zoobie Pets stick to the three-in-one concept, acting as a stuffed animal, pillow and blanket, but are sized for babies. The blanket inside features a furry  "comfort corner" and is 23" x 29.5". Various styles are available: Mashaka the Monkey, Ellema the Elephant, Tama the Tortoise, Hada the Hippo, Kojo the Croc and Jafaru the Giraffe. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

This album's Halloween-themed tracks include "Haunting School," "The Brat Machine," "Ghost Story," "Fear of Little Men," "The Long and Curious Saga of Dr. Trulaine," "The Boogerman," "Has Anybody Heard About the Blob?" "In the Dark" and more. Launch date: 2009.

Tatutina's Olympic-style wooden medals are hand painted and come with a matching ribbon and Velcro on top for easy removal. The "winner" can put his or her name on the back of the medal. Designs include Grandma Loves Me, Good Citizen, New Big Brother, Funniest Kid and more. Launch date: 2008.

Pawparazzi Pets have a nose for style and whatever they’re wearing is what’s PAWpular in fashion! Girls will gasp when they see this tail-wagging collection of stylish clothes and fashionable accessories. They can dress their posh pets up for a night on the town or get together with friends and put on a fashion show. High-profile style for Little Pets Living Big Lives!™

This non-toxic snap-pocket bib is made from PVC-free, phthalate-free, lead-free coated material. It is wipable, machine-washable and eco-friendly. The bib is available in over 20 prints to satisfy any discerning little one. The patented snap-pocket sets is apart from the competition. Launch date: May 1, 2008.

This necklace is part of a rugged line for tween boys called MAJOR. Suggested retail price for pieces in the range, including other chains and bracelets, is $3 to $5. Launch date: Summer 2008.

Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey, this book explores the friendship of Pearl and Charlie, who are so different in just about every single way that it's surprising they are such good buddies. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

Cat-shaped KeyKatz gives children a safe way to carry around a house key. The product features an elastic band in the kitty's tail that secures the key, which can be removed when necessary. KeyKatz can be attached to a backpack, belt loop, binder or zipper pull, and the cat's Velcro-closure head can serve as a coin purse.

This play airport featuring Alaska Airlines includes everything needed for authentic play. There is a die-cast airplane and ground equipment, including signs.
— This playset is a best-selling item at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

This wonderfully illustrated book includes the words to the famous poem, “Twas the Night before Christmas.” Written by Clement C. Moore in 1822,  the poem remains a holiday classic. Parents will enjoy rediscovering it with their kids. Launch date: September 26, 2005.
— This book is popular with customers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, according to Operations Manager Susan Miller.

“Z” stands for zero temperatures in this book that teaches children the ABCs using ice worms, glaciers, goats and more. It is written by Charlene Kreeger and illustrated by Shannon Cartwright. Launch date: 1993.
— Alaska-themed children's books published by Sasquatch Books are top sellers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

In this board book, Little Bear says goodnight to all of his friends on his way to hibernate in his den for wintertime. This is one in a collection of books specifically written to teach children about Alaska and its history, or to commemorate a visit to Alaska by a child or family member. Launch date: about 1997.
— The collection of Alaska-themed books for children offered by this company, written and illustrated by Bernd and Susan Richter, is popular at The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

This child-sized water bottle has a connected twist-on top and a “North Pole, Alaska” snowy pole design. It makes a great stocking stuffer when filled with treats or special goodies. Launch date: 2005.
— The custom water bottle is a best-selling item at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, according to Operations Manager Susan Miller.

These Eskimo dolls are created for a range of ages. Some are soft-bodied with rubber hands and faces (for younger children), and others are porcelain (for the collector).  All are wearing Eskimo parkas, and the porcelain dolls have rabbit fur trim on their parkas. MSRP: $9-$22.
— The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, does well with both the children’s and collectible Kipmik dolls, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

This 59-piece nativity set includes Mary and Joseph, the three wise men, manger animals, and even a storybook that tells about the first Christmas. A cardstock stable is included for display.
— The nativity set and advent calendars by Playmobil are best sellers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, according to Operations Manager Susan Miller.