November 2010 Notable Toys — All

Soaring in front of a beautiful fantasy castle, the majestic Pegasus takes flight as if it might launch right off the surface of this 1500 piece puzzle from Ravensburger. The finished puzzle measures 33” x 23.5”, and a full picture of its detailed image is on the front of the box. The many details in the high-quality graphic will keep puzzlers interested from start to finish.
— In an August 2011 survey, 5 out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles were their top-selling puzzles.
— As of 7/12/2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Challenging but not frustrating; "gorgeous." Cons: One reviewer said the puzzle was too large when completed.
— Three of 44 retailers told TDmonthly that puzzles are a top-selling item in their stores in September 2010.

In this innovative kit from Toysmith, kids harness the natural, clean, free energy of the sun to accomplish practical tasks. Complete supplies and instructions are provided to cook an egg and purify water. Through these products, children can learn about the powerful energy all around them and become more conscious of the environmental concerns in their world.
— “They're low price points, and they're doing really well,” said Martha Burrows, owner of Timeless Toys  in Chicago, Ill., of Toysmith's Solar Science kits during a September 2010 survey of 44 retailers. Burrows listed Solar Science as a top seller for tweens.
— In a November 2013 survey, Yamil Castillo from The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly that Toysmith science and experimenting kits are best-selling educational toys in the store.

Friend 2 Friend contains all the material needed to make two different styles of friendship bracelets in an infinite combination of colors and patterns. Bright embroidery floss in ten colors, glass seed beads and a beading needle are supplied, as well as instructions for how to make two different styles of bracelet: a flat band, and a round band. Kids can pick their colors, add beads, and create one of a kind accessories for all their friends.
— Four out of 44 retailers surveyed in September 2010 said friendship bracelets were a top-selling item for tweens.

Written by Karen Phillips as a fun, inspiring journal to celebrate the lives of tween-aged girls, My [Not So] Perfect Life invites a young lady to overcome the blank page. It is filled with fun, often humorous writing prompts in a 'fill in the blank' style. The journal contains prompts about parents, friends, school, love, destiny, and many other subjects, and is written in a smart, funny voice sure to make any girl feel great about herself. The book comes with a sparkly pencil that fits in the elastic holster right beside the pages to keep it always handy.
— “A lot of Klutz sells really well for the with the tweens,” said Kristie Lash, manager of Leapin' Lizards Toy Company in Bend, Ore., in September 2010.
— “Anything in the Klutz line … is a good standard  seller,” said Terri Soelter, owner of Teri's Toy Box in Edmonds, Wash., of her best sellers for tweens during a September 2010 survey of 44 retailers.
— “I find them a boost for self image and promote them that way,” remarked Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toy Shop in Bryn Mawr, Pa., of what makes Klutz books a best seller for tweens in his store.

Styled like a miniature treasure chest hauled up from a sunken ship or unearthed on a dangerous deserted island, this Pirate Lunch Box is made of durable plastic and snaps shut for easy transport of a healthy meal, or gold doubloons. The gloss finished box is available in white, red, blue, hot pink, purple, silver and clear. It is ready to be personalized for – or by! - a child.
— Lori Hershman, owner of Evan's Toy Shop in Hamden, Conn., said she personalizes and sells approximately 18 Romanoff lunch boxes per week during a September 2010 interview.

Painted on all sides with colorful butterflies, the Monarch Treasure Box from Enchantmints contains a multitude of places for tiny keepsakes. Jewelry, craft supplies, or any ephemera that has captured a girl's imagination can be tucked into its various drawers and compartments. Closed, the box measures 6” x 4” x 6”. The underside of the lid is mirrored, and when open a delicate Monarch butterfly slowly rotates while music plays.
— Two out of 44 retailers interviewed in September 2010 said jewelry and treasure boxes from Enchantmints are a best-selling keepsake in their stores.
— In an October 2011 survey, Powell Phillips, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that jewelry boxes from Enchantmints were his best selling keepsake item.

Writer Susan Reed and illustrator Rachel Oldfield bring to life three kids’ aerial adventure via hot air balloon in Up, Up, Up! from Barefoot Books. This hardcover edition of the book includes a sing-along CD with Up, Up, Up! sung by Susan Reed.
— “Everything is so cheery and happy and the color scheme is wonderful,” raved Jody from Simply Stacie.  She found the sing-along CD to be a nice change from just reading a book since “you can’t help but tap your toes and clap your hands” along with Susan Reed’s “very catchy tune.”
— Up, Up, Up! was a big hit with Melissa and her daughter at Mommy Living the Life of Riley:  “As with all Barefoot Books, the illustrations are hard to look away from.  The pictures are so lively, colorful and interesting that you just want to delve further and further into the book to see what happens next.”

Snoozles, Zeez and Dozie take kids on an adventure to The House of Snooze in Shushybye: Sleepover Surprise from author Steve Syatt and illustrator Frank Caruso. The book comes with an audio CD containing the full story and three original Shushybye songs.
— Larry H. from CakeBlast  struggled at bedtime with his son, River, “but Shushybye is making a difference. River looks forward to Shushybye Sleepover Surprise at night” because “The story is imaginative, the characters are memorable, and the songs are exemplary.”
— According to Kathryn of Mommy Kat and Kids,  “Sleepover Surprise shows an incredible attention to child-friendly details. The lyrics to the brand-new song, Shushybye Blues, are included on the final page of the book so that children can sing along and the colorful cover of the book glows in the dark.” Kathryn said that after reading the book, “The music was the perfect way to settle down at the end of the day, and, sure enough, both boys were asleep about fifteen minutes after laying down.”

Chatimals are the latest in hamster entertainment. Just speak to Chatimals for up to 60 seconds and they will repeat what you say back to you. Available in hamster and meerkat varieties.
— Jenny of Mummy Reviews brought Oscar the Chatimal home and shared that her son “just giggles at it over and over again and it giggles back.” She reported great success using Oscar “to repeat instructions for our Little Garden Helpers when I need them to do something for me.”
— In her video review of Chatimals Oscar, Bubbles from Sweet Craftiness told of her son playing with Oscar and his grandfather; the hamster’s mimicry “had everybody in stitches,” young and old alike.

Families are rolling in fun with Ligretto Dice from Playroom Entertainment. Players roll and reroll their dice early and often to play their dice in numerical order. The player who gets rid of all their dice first wins!
— As an enthusiastic gamer, Dice Tower’s Tom Vasel enjoyed Ligretto Dice but found the game too simple. His daughter, however, “loves it,” leading Tom to conclude that “It’s a very good family game and it’s one we’re all equal at.”
— “It's so pure in concept and execution, I can only give it the highest recommendation,” proclaimed Mark Schildberg of Examiner.com.  Mark added, “Ligretto Dice is habit-forming fun for two to four players, and most rounds finish in two minutes or less, so the game progresses quickly.”

This playset comes with Lauren (dressed in her embroidered ladybug costume), flower pots, a watering pail, a wheelbarrow, a garden fence, a fold-out play scene and much more.
— Paula of Frosted Fingers described Lauren as one of the “cutest little positionable figurines.” She found herself playing with the “adorable” playset even without her daughter.
— At Shop with Me Mama, Kim “really liked” the “tough and strong feeling” durable plastic used for the doll and her accessories. With so many pieces, the “cute and fun” set was “reasonably priced” in Kim’s opinion.

“Ambassador of Zydeco” Buckwheat Zydeco combines organ, accordion, guitar and more to craft this tribute to Creole music. Guest stars aplenty and hip updates (like “Zydeco In Space”) add to the spicy musical stew.
— “If you can name a single zydeco artist -- a big "if" for most people -- I would bet money that it's Buckwheat Zydeco,” wagered Christopher Healy of ParentDish.  Christopher described Bayou Boogie as a “definitely different” “raucous party CD” where the “Cajun sound is layered over classic kid tunes ("Hokey Pokey"), '60s hits ("Twist and Shout") and original songs.”
— Midwest Book Review admired Bayou Boogie for being “an enthusiastic, joyful cacophony” that “introduces young listeners to the musical traditions of the bayou.” Midwest Book Review recommended this “delightful children's album” as “an excellent choice as a gift CD.”

Actor David Ogden Stiers narrates this CD featuring The Story of Ferdinand the Bull, The Carnival of the Animals, and Mother Goose Suite. Over 72 minutes long, the cello and piano arrangements make Ferdinand the Bull and Friends a perfect record for bedtime.
— 29 reviewers on Amazon gave Ferdinand the Bull and Friends five out of five stars. Raved Amazon user Ken N., “Mark Fish has created a modern classic that doesn't sound out of place alongside the works of Saint-Saens, Ravel and Bach. David Ogden Stiers breathes life into these wonderful stories and poems, and Nina Flyer and Chie Nagatani display strong, thoughtful musicianship throughout.” Alex B. Houston “really enjoyed the arrangements in the funny Ogden Nash section, which had individual drawings/poems for us to follow along with.” Allan C. “curled up and listened to it all, like spending the evening getting into a great book. Fish's arrangements are glowing and gracious, and the players do a wonderful job bringing them to life, playing with wide-ranging orchestral color.”

Mind of My Own is the third album from kindie artist Frances England. With a little help from the Mates of State and songs like “Jacques Cousteau” and “Cookies & Milk,” Frances England appeals to kids and parents alike.
— “Frances England’s song writing truly reflects the life of a family and all of the fun moments both children and parents share!” explained Kristin of Take It From Me. Kristin added that she “loved the song "To Be," which reminded me off my daughter’s aspiring and hopeful spirit!”
— Amber Bobnar from Hilltown Families queried: “You know when you hear an artist for the first time and they just grab you? That’s what happened for me when I heard Frances England’s new CD Mind of My Own.” Amber praised the CD for its “a frenetic energy that is exciting and contagious.”

Maria Muldaur’s Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music for Kids strives to create a musical party with upbeat and carefree jug band style. The twelve homegrown tracks include “I Love To Ride My Camel” and “Under The Chicken Tree.”
— “If there's a more passionate purveyor of American musical tradition than Muldaur please do me a favor and send me their names,” requested Mike Jurkovic of the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.  According to Mike, “Muldaur's beautiful gift of bringing the past alive” ensures that anyone “within hearing radius will be hummin', strummin', kazooin', and kickin' up their heels when they hear this swinging, breathing collection.”

These stylish slippers allow babies and toddlers to move freely yet safely. The secret is the non-skid soles made of soft, machine-washable leather.  Slippers really do stay put thanks to the added elastic cuff. The 100% leather sole is coordinated with a fashionable sock made from 80% cotton, 15% spandex and 5% elastane. Choose from blue Cowboy, pink Cowgirl, Gothic Cross Slip Ons or Love Rocks Sneaker.

This packaged set features a one-size-fits-all for an adult and a size 0-12 months pair for baby. Now Mommy and Baby Girl can share the same style and soft comfort down to their toes. Made from fluffy feather yarn, these look-a-like MaryJanes make cuddle time with baby a little cozier. Both feature JazzyToes’ non-skid soles. Each pair has 3% spandex for a snug yet perfect fit.

Spiffies wipes, which contain the natural cavity-fighting ingredient xylitol, have been found to significantly reduce the development of cavities in kids. The individually-packaged wipes come in child-friendly flavors, so kids actually enjoy using them.
Awards: 2010 National Parenting Center Products for Babies award

You’ll find this removable, reusable elephant chalkboard especially helpful because it can migrate to wherever you need the most help remembering, without trampling the walls. If your own little calf is busy building an animal community in his or her bedroom, this particular pachyderm is the ideal addition to a herd of chalkboard animals waiting for an oversized friend who’s good at remembering birthdays and what week the circus will be in town.

These darling forest friends have left their tree houses to gather ingredients for a mushroom and acorn stir-fry with a lovely leaf garnish. Frolicsome graphics and nature-inspired pastels make it easy for this friendly forest to pal around with any bedroom or nursery décor.

With the help of this contemporary growth chart illustrated with bright, contrasting graphics, kids can measure themselves as often as they like. Parents can’t always pack up a notched doorframe when moving day arrives, but this family-sized wall decal is removable and reusable at every new house. Whether your baby beanstalks aspire to be taller than a horse or a modest 5’2” like Mom, it’ll be easy to keep track as they grow up faster than the sunflowers in the yard

Crystal Growing Trees is a fun educational activity for children of all ages. The kit is very affordable and the experiment is easy enough to complete that even young children can enjoy it. The kit comes with materials for growing five trees full of crystals (the two inch trees are made of paper and the crystals develop from a small liquid substance provided). The crystals start to grow in a few hours and by the next day the tree is full of crystals. The directions are simple and the activity is easy to clean up.
Awards: Parents’ Choice Fun Stuff Award.

The new GIANTmicrobes® vinyl figures are inspired by real microscopic images of the microbes that they represent. GIANTmicrobes® characters are perfect for vinyl and toy collectors, kids of all ages, science buffs, teachers, college students, medical students and professionals, and anyone with a healthy sense of humor. Each box contains one highly collectible vinyl figure, an animation flip book, and an action pose sticker.

Children can laugh along as Pigeon, the befeathered star of the fast-selling book franchise, and other wry Willems’ characters come to life in colorfully and carefully animated video adaptations found on DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! …AND MORE STORIES BY MO WILLEMS. The first-ever DVD featuring three animated adaptations of Willems’ stories is headlined by the title tale, winner of a 2010 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. The other two Mo Willems stories on the DVD include Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale (presented both in English and Spanish) and Leonardo, the Terrible Monster, plus the bonus live-action feature Mo and Pigeon Visit a School, in which the author reads his book before an audience of children.