October 2012 Notable Toys — All

Join Nellie and Gus and their family - plus all manner of other families - for a day at the zoo, where they see animal families galore! To top off their day, Nellie and Gus invite friends and relatives for a fun dinner at home. Accessible, humorous, and full of charming illustrations depicting families of many configurations, this engaging story interweaves conversations between the siblings and a matter-of fact text, making it clear to every child that whoever makes up your family, it is perfectly normal - and totally wonderful. Trusted New York Times best-selling author Robie H. Harris continues her series for preschoolers with a look at the many kinds of families that make up our world. Launch date: September 2012.

Why does Maisy keep a Big Box of Everything, filled with glitter, sequins, foil, stickers, paint, brushes, paper, and tons more stuff? Because she loves to make things. Children as young as two will be thrilled to follow her lead, thanks to a brand-new Maisy format featuring both familiar illustrations and photographs by Lucy Cousins. Here are crystal-clear steps for creating seventeen simple crafts, highlighted by photos of the end result. Enjoy making things from painted pebbles to paper lanterns, food collages to feathered masks, and wax-relief paintings to wonderful vegetable animals. As spectacular looking as it is hands-on, here is an activity book sure to please parents as much as it does Maisy’s little fans. Launch date: September 2012.

Because Amelia smiles as she skips down the street, her neighbor Mrs. Higgins smiles too, and decides to send a care package of cookies to her grandson Lionel in Mexico. The cookies give Lionel an idea, and his idea inspires a student, who in turn inspires a ballet troupe in England! And so the good feelings that started with Amelia’s smile make their way around the world, from a goodwill recital in Israel, to an impromptu rumba concert in Paris, to a long-awaited marriage proposal in Italy, to a knitted scarf for a beloved niece back in New York. Putting a unique spin on "what goes around comes around," David Ezra Stein’s charmingly illustrated story reminds us that adding even a small dose of kindness into the world is sure to spur more and more kindness. Launch date: September 2012.

It’s chaos! It’s pandemonium! And it’s definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humorous details, Bob Kolar’s colorful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis’s snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own. Launch date: September 2012.

Tonight Maisy and her friends are playing in a band. Pull the tabs to see Maisy play drums (rat-a-tat-tat), Charlie play bass (tum-te-tum! tum-te-tum!), and Tallulah tickle the ivories (plinkety-plonk). Sound words fill this joyful, exuberant read-aloud, giving little listeners a taste of onomatopoeia as more friends rehearse their root-a-toots and tings. The excitement builds up to a final pop-up stage show starring Maisy and all of her pals. Maisy and her friends love music - and so do her fans. Interactive pull tabs and a 3D stage scene make this Maisy presentation boogie-woogie. Launch date: September 2012.

Budding geographers will love to immerse themselves in this fun, bright, fact-packed first atlas with lots of detailed illustrations. Each continent has its own spread, with pop-ups, flaps, booklets, and sturdy pull-tabs introducing the world’s countries, inhabitants, and famous landmarks. Launch date: September 2012.

Moshi love to dress up and love to be seen. At first glance, all Moshi look the same - but look again, and you’ll see they’re all different. In these activity books, help Strawberry Moshi and her friends do puzzles and activities like: search and find coloring, spot the difference, mazes, connect the dots, design your own Moshi, and a page of more than twenty stickers. Launch date: August 2012.

Moshi love to dress up and love to be seen. At first glance, all Moshi look the same - but look again, and you’ll see they’re all different. In these activity books, help Strawberry Moshi and her friends do puzzles and activities like: search and find coloring, spot the difference, mazes, connect the dots, design your own Moshi, and a page of more than twenty stickers. Launch date: September 2012.

First read this beautifully detailed pop-up book, then unfold it to transform it into a 3D farmyard landscape playmat, with stand-up cardboard animals and a tractor that kids can move all around the farm. A unique novelty book that folds away again in its own box. Launch date: September 2012.

Prepare to find: A striking new jacketed cover, an original poster on the underside of the jacket, a spot-the-difference game between the jacket and the self-cover designs, a gatefold with a new visual checklist on every spread, a never-before-seen section of artwork revealed on every spread, and new things to search for. Launch date: September 2012.

Jane Ray’s layered cut-paper artwork elegantly retells the time-honored tale of a scullery maid turned royalty. Six meticulously detailed tableaux include a shabby kitchen, a gorgeous nightscape in a magical garden, and a sparkling ballroom filled with nobles, as well as Cinderella’s iconic gilded pumpkin coach. Side panels unfold to reveal the story’s text and evoke an evening at the theater. Little girls who dream of fairy godmothers will adore this unique portrayal of the world’s most famous princess - no glass slippers required. Launch date: September 2012.

48 sturdy game pieces depict Noah and a boatload of colorful animals waiting for kids to match them with their mate. Our keepsake reusable container is TWO toys in one - doubling as a kaleidoscope when empty. Pieces 2 1/4" round. Recommended Ages 3+. Launch date: September 2012.

Noah and his bubbly aquatic friends (16 pieces) will transform your tub into an enchanting water wonderland - and once your child's adventure has come to a happy end, drying and storage is a breeze with the included suction cup mesh bag. Pieces 3" to 6". Recommended Ages 3+. Launch date: September 2012.

Inspired by real-life Navy SEAL Missions, HOOYAH lets players experience the intense drama of Special Ops action. In this cooperative card game, players choose their Navy SEAL roles, select a Commander, then work as a single team to complete each mission.  The HOOYAH team must collect all required Skills & Equipment cards before time runs out, and face dangerous events without loss of life. 10 Navy SEALS, 5 Mission, countless challenges. Launch date: 2012.

Place the cubes on the boards to create 3-D snakes that will keep you rattling for hours. Follow the clues on the challenge boards, and place the cubes accordingly Develops 3-D logical and spatial vision. Launch date: May 2012.

The moment a card is drawn,quickly imitate the card hands pattern. The last one is the loser. Be aware of any illogical hand combinations. Can be played by up to 8 players...or even more. Launch date: February 2012.

Developed under the guidance of a wide range of doctors, teachers and child development specialists, and approved by babies and parents of all ages, Baby Blanket Music takes songs from parents' favorite artists and arranges them just right so that now they can be babies' favorites too.  Albums feature songs made famous by The Beatles, Billy Joel, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Michael Jackson, John Mayer, Garth Brooks, Simon & Garfunkel and more. Launch date: April 2012.

The other car re-engineered by Carroll Shelby, powered by a Ford V-8 with a stellar racing record. Fans of the TV spy-comedy series "Get Smart" will fondly recognize Maxwell Smart's ride of choice. Launch date: October 2012.

In 1966, legendary racer John Fitch had lofty goals for his Fitch Sprint, a European-influenced GT car based on Chevrolet's Corvair. Hand-signed by legendary racer, constructor and safety advocate John Fitch. Launch date: July 2012.

In 1966, lengendary racer John Fitch had lofty goals for his Fitch Sprint, a European-influenced GT car based on Chevrolet's Corvair. Hand-built, resin cast in limited numbers. Launch date: October 2012.

Satsuma Designs' new Bootlegs are a totally innovative solution for baby's footwear. Our fully-lined velour baby bootie is lined in SOFT and COZY velour and neatly attached to a stretch bamboo and organic cotton jersey legging in one of five versatile colors. Launch date: September 2012.

The 26 piece brightly stained But erfl y teaches children let ers with fun puzzle play. One side of this puzzle teaches upper case let ers and turn it over to learn lower-case. The But erfl y A to Z Puzzle is carefully craf ed & stained with child-safe stains. The But erfl y A to Z Puzzle comes packaged with an easy clean up storage box made from Beech wood. Made from Natural Rubber wood, stained with child safe stains, box made from Beech wood, manufactured in China.

Inspire younger minds with this great LEGO Duplo Bricks & More Brick Box - Pink (4623). Designed especially for young girls, this cute starter set features rabbits, carrots, flowers and an assortment of basic LEGO DUPLO bricks in both pink and classic DUPLO colors. Comes in a sturdy LEGO brick storage box and includes an inspirational idea booklet.

The perfect foundation for creative LEGO® DUPLO® play. Kids can start all of their LEGO® DUPLO® creations on the right foundation with 3 brightly colored Building Plates in different sizes.