November 2011 Notable Toys — Pretend Play

This pirate ship sails over the Seven Seas and the pirates are always looking for loot to fill their treasure chest. This amazing cardboard pirate ship is easy to build and so much fun to decorate. A project for all little pirates 3+. Sturdy construction and fun details like canon holes and a treasure chest. Made from recycled cardboard!  Item no.: D 2513X Assembled size: 18" x 8" x 18." "It's a craft activity AND a toy! This Pirate Ship provides hours and hours of fun - building, decorating and playing," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

A classic tale revisited to amaze, captivate and amuse. All 3 heroes can be found in just 1 creation. In a flash, Little Red Riding Hood transforms into Granny or the Big Bad Wolf. The path through the woods taken by our adventurous heroine is shown on her dress. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: 2011 Seal of Excellence Award Creative Child Magazine; Tillywig Toy award - Best family fun 2011.

All the fun of the grill with no fire hazard. Kids can become a barbeque expert just like their parents, no matter how cold it is outside. Meats even come with realistic grill marks. Dinner options are a juicy steak, crunchy chicken drumstick, sizzling sausages, fresh fish, and shish kebob. Set comes with grill tongs, slices of tomato garnish, “fire” insert, stand-up grill with grates and 5 charcoal briquettes. Launch date: September 2011.

This classic style has a beautiful layered pink skirt. The pink velvet bodice, decorated with silver sequin and accented with a blossomed pink flower, will make any princess feel majestic. "We use only soft, durable clothing-quality fabrics, which makes all of our dress ups comfortable. The seams and hems are completely finished and there are no itchy underskirts or fabrics, adding to the comfort," Andrea Farrell from Little Adventures told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.
— Kim Emigh, vice president of e—commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that she sells a few brands of costumes, but that Little Adventures tends to do the best because of their relatively lower price point.

This pink rainbow fairy dress up is sprinkled with pixie dust and sequins. The shimmery spandex is embellished with pink rainbow flowers with gems at the center. The knee length, layered tricot skirt is sewn directly into the leotard, making it perfect for daily wear. Launch date: February 2011.