November 2010 Notable Toys — Science & Nature

Root-Vue Farm® Refill Kit includes eight expanding soil wafers, carrot, radish & onion seeds, I.D. labels, and experiment booklet.

Children can make mass accelerating launch balls and discover the science of elastic collisions with this kit. Users can even mix and mold a supercharged planet collision accelerator that fires a small "moon" into orbit. The kit includes four graduated-size molds and instructions and materials for over six activities.
— In August 2010, Jessica Wood, buyer for Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, Vt., told TDmonthly her store sells “Approximately six (Hyperlaunchers) per month. I just got them back in, but I sold out right away."

This kit lets children grow up to nine large crystals, including "golden citrine," "emerald green" and "aquamarine blue." It includes a bag of granite stones, LED display stands, goggles and detailed instructions.
— As of September 2010, this product had 3 out of 5 stars from 2 reviewers on Amazon.com. One reviewer described the kit as "amazing," but consumers complained the crystals took too long to grow.
— In summer 2010, four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly that rocks and crystals are best selling science and nature products.

This kit is designed to teach children scientific principles while recycling common trash to create toys. Projects include a hover device and a cyclone tube. Parts and instructions are included.
— In an August 2010 survey, 12 percent of 43 retailers named Toysmith science kits a top seller in the science and nature category.
— “The Eco Science Toys from Toysmith have done pretty well … the whole line.” Jeff Oslick of The Enchanted Toy Store in Fullerton, Calif., told TDmonthly in late summer 2010.

Snap Circuits allow children to create electronic projects including AM and FM radios, digital voice recorders, burglar alarms, doorbells and more. All pieces are mounted on plastic modules and snap together with ease. This Pro version contains over 75 parts and an illustrated manual for building over 500 experiments. The set uses four AA batteries.
— In late summer 2010, six of 43 retailers named Snap Circuits a science and nature best seller.
— In August 2010, Jim and Retha Davis, owners of Kid’s Center in Tucson, Ariz., told TDmonthly their store sells “about 100 (Snap Circuits) a month.”
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, four out of 12 retailers said that Elenco was one of their best selling Science & Nature toy brands.

This small aquarium comes with "live" gravel filled with beneficial bacteria, which means that no external filter is required. Snails and African Dwarf Frogs are included, and a one-year food supply is available.

This third and final volume of the "Earth Heroes" books features the youth and careers of eight of the world’s greatest environmentalists who championed the protection of wildlife. It includes the historic and contemporary figures of William Hornaday (saved the bison from extinction), Ding Darling ("A Duck’s Best Friend"), Rachel Carson (author of Silent Spring), Roger Tory Peterson ("Inventor of the Modern Field Guide"), R.D. Lawrence ("Storyteller for Wolves"), E.O. Wilson ("Lord of the Ants"), Jane Goodall ("Champion for Chimps"), and Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton ("Saving the Elephants"). This highly readable volume with illustrations and photographs calls attention to the waves of influence that spread from the ideas and actions of these heroes for the Earth.
Awards: 2010 Mom's Choice Award - Gold Medal

In this second of the BLUES Go Birding series, five adorable cartoon bluebirds go on another bird watching adventure. This time they follow in the footsteps of the famed Roger Tory Peterson, and see birds on every coastline of America. Filled with both information and entertainment, the BLUES are a delightful introduction to birdwatching and the major shorebird species for children.

Which planet spins backwards? When is a star not a star? If you miss your flight to Mars, how long will you have to wait for the next one? All answers are revealed in this kit’s activity cards and fold-out solar system guide. "This deluxe kit lets you explore the solar system, planetarium and moon with the mars rover model and launch an expedition with the remote control rocket," SmartLab Toys Director of Sales and Marketing Darcy Morris told TDmonthly.

What mystery material is on a toothbrush? Where is the coldest place on Earth? Why are frogs famous for being slimy? This kit’s 12 activity cards reveal all. "This deluxe kit combines our You-Track-It Weather Lab, Indoor Outdoor Microscope and Extreme Secret Formula Lab all into one," SmartLab Toys Director of Sales and Marketing Darcy Morris told TDmonthly.

With this kit, kids can explore the science behind weather using this interactive station to track wind, rain and temperature. Five experiments take children from challenging the local weatherman to predicting the weather using crickets. "A full-on forecasting station," SmartLab Toys Director of Sales and Marketing Darcy Morris told TDmonthly.

Young readers are introduced to the alphabet and corresponding animals at the same time. Wild Animals literally jump, slither, and fly off the page in this illustrated pop-up featuring 26 creatures hidden within the pages of the book. Antelope bursts through the letter A; Leopard lurches from behind L; Giraffe reaches its long neck over G; Koala peeks from behind K; and Penguin waddles out from behind P. The book also includes accompanying playful first-person text designed for reading aloud with a young child and photographs of each animal.

Kids can explore one of the most destructive forces on earth with this kit. Children can paint and display seven different types of volcanoes and a geyse, and create eruptions up to 6' high. The kit also includes a 32-page fact booklet.

These short mysteries have a clever twist — readers have to tap into their science wisdom to solve them. Each story, just one page long, tests readers' knowledge of earth, space, life, physical, chemical and general science. Written by a father/daughter team, this educational book is designed for anyone who loves engaging mysteries, challenging science or both. These "clever one-page stories turn curious kids into scientists," Science, Naturally! President Dia Michels told TDmonthly.
Awards: NAPPA Honors; 2008 Nattional Best Books Award Finalist; 2008 NSTA Recommends; Library Media Connection Editor's Choice

This 19" x 13" jigsaw puzzle illustrates over 20 popular dinosaurs. The puzzle features 100 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 26.5" x 19.25" jigsaw puzzle illustrates a modern map of the world. The puzzle features 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 26.5" x 19.25" jigsaw puzzle illustrates the Atlantis space shuttle taking off at Cape Canaveral. The Space Shuttle became the first vehicle to not only take off for space, but also to return from space to be reused. The puzzle features 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 26.5" x 19.25" jigsaw puzzle illustrates detailed views of the major systems of the human body. The puzzle features 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces made from recycled cardboard, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This science toy includes a 50-page illustrated Book of Science, a toy polariscope and glow in the dark and soft flexible toys that show beautiful prismatic rainbows when viewed with the polariscope. It includes Red Dolphin, Yellow Butterfly and Luminescent Dolphin color combinations.

This science toy includes a 50 page illustrated Book of Science, a toy polariscope and glow in-the-dark and soft flexible toys that show beautiful primatic rainbows colors when viewed with the Toy Polariscope. This set includes Green Dolphin, Blue Butterfly and Luminescent Dolphin color combinations.

This science toy includes a 50 page color illustrated Book of Science, a toy polariscope, and glow-in-the-dark and soft flexible toys showing beautiful prismatic rainbow colors when viewed with the polariscope. This set includes Dolphin, Red Butterfly and Luminescent Dolphin color combinations.

This 26.5" x 19.25" puzzle illustrates more than 35 antique fire engines and fire trucks. The 1,000 durable, easy-fit pieces are made from recycled board, recycled paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This 1,000-piece World War II Aircrafts jigsaw puzzle features many of the greatest warbirds such as the Hurricane, the Supermarine Spitfire, the Messerschmitt BF-109 and the Boeing B-29 SuperFortress. Aircrafts of seven different countries from both Allied and Axis forces are featured with detailed information on each plane. The puzzle measures 26.5" x 19.25" and is made from recycled cardboard and paper and vegetable-based ink. Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.

This jigsaw puzzle features a beautifully rendered image with scientific charts of the solar system's planets, complete with full data on spin, distance from the sun, gravity and much more. Made from recycled board and paper and printed with vegetable-based ink, it includes 1,000 durable easy-fit pieces and measures 26.5" x 19.25." Puzzles feature detailed illustrations and text in multiplie languages. "Assembling puzzles improves fine motor skill, picture recognition abilities and task completion; promotes both cooperative and independent play," Erich Fellinger, sales manager, EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly.