December 2009 Notable Toys — All

This book of goofy ideas and pranks includes a discussion of wedgies as well as instructions on sliding down a banister and how to send someone a toiletgram. It received a National Parenting Publications Honors Award.
— Two of 44 retailers mentioned this title when asked about best-selling books in late 2009. Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly her store sells about four per week of both Volumes 1 and 2.
— "We sell Klutz all day long," said Erika Evers of Dancing Bear Toys in Hendersonville, N.C., citing sales of eight Klutz books per day. "We tend to order different ones every time."

This book full of all things pink focuses on a girl who turn pink herself after eating too many cupcakes! It also teaches that it's best just to be yourself. Launch date: May 23, 2006.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers referenced the Pinkalicious series when discussing best-selling books in late 2009. "Those are good ones," Kristen Pollard of Mud Puddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., told TDmonthly.
— In a December 2011 survey about books, three out of 12 retailers said Pinkalicious was one of their best selling titles.

This 32-page hardcover tells the classic story of the caterpillar who eats, eats and eats, and then transforms into a lovely butterfly. Launch date: October 15, 1981.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named this as one of their best-selling books in late 2009.
— As of 8.12.10, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 21 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Engaging, interactive and easy for children to understand.

This 40-page hardcover tells the story of how Llama is frightened going to his first day of preschool, and wonders if Mama Llama will come back. The other kids, though, show Llama that school can be fun. Launch date: March 19, 2009.
— "What is doing well is the 'Llama Llama' books by Anna Dewdney," Rebecca Goblish, co-owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly when discussing best-selling titles in late 2009. She added that her store sells about a dozen "Llama Llama" books per month, with a plush llama
— Two of 44 specialty retailers commented on the popularity of this book series in fall 2009.

Part of the "Good Night Our World" series for babies and young children, this 6" x 6" board book explores the sights of Atlanta, Ga., including the zoo, Georgia peaches, Piedmont Park, the Atlanta History Center and much more. The 32-page book has rounded corners. It is written by Adam Gamble and illustrated by Joe Veno.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers mentioned titles from this series when discussing with TDmonthly best-selling books in late 2009.

Cobra Cubes is a stimulating 3 dimensional puzzle that facilitates the development of logic and spatial vision. Reading and following the directions make the snake twist around the cubes. Cobra Cubes consists of 40 challenging puzzles in increasing difficulty. For 1 player, ages 6 and up.

With a small island and a large population, guarding your territory is of the utmost importance. Rally your Army of Frogs into one troop and win the fight for territory using strategic planning and tactics. Each player’s goal is to bring their frogs together while keeping the opposing frogs far apart. New frog tiles are being added to the colony with each turn. The first player to reach critical mass wins. From the creators of HIVE. 2-4 players. Ages 8 and up

Conceal the scarabs within your pyramids to impede your opponent’s assault. Plan your strategy and attempt to get your opponent to reveal their pyramid's hidden secrets. Movement of the pyramids on the board requires close attention to both you and your opponents' pyramid location. Advance planning and careful execution will keep you ahead of your opponent and will eventually secure the battle for you. Combine the principles of strategic thinking, tactical planning, memory, and surprise to expose the opponent's pyramid secrets and win the battle. “Battle of the Pyramids” is a strategic game for two players ages 8 and up.

World Passport is a single player logical trip challenge. Take the trip in familiar as well as exotic countries and find your path through the country's icons and landmarks. World Passport includes 40 thinking challenges ascending in difficulty. Each challenge contains a country map with trivia facts about the country (such as flag, currency, capitol, famous landmarks, etc.). Put those facts together to find your way around the country.

This hardcover classic written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak follows the imaginative journey of a little boy named Max who is sent to bed without his dinner.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named "Where the Wild Things Are" when asked about best-selling books in late 2009. Bill Sartain, co-owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, cited sales of about 24 per month.
— Maryalice Miner, co-owner of Miner's Doll & Toy Store in Ocean Springs, Miss., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that this book, along with other evergreen titles, sell well year round.

These animal-shaped rubber bands come in 12 piece blister packs. Themes include sea animals, farm animals, dinosaurs, zoo animals, cars, and shapes. These rubber bands can be used for many different functions including a bracelet around the wrist.

Available in chokers or bracelets, these bottle caps are reversible with different designs on each side of the bottlecap. The Nylonz material is made of a stretch nylonz pantyhouse material. Each bottlecap also comes with a rhinestone stone on each bottlecap.

Snap bracelets have push buttons at the ends of the straps that you snap together to form the bracelet. Available in various designs and assorted charms.

These lanyard necklaces, bracelets and anklets come in assorted colors and charms.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Octopus Kit features a Opus the Octopus costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Shark Kit features a Mark the Shark costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Jelly Kit features a Julie the Jelly costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly.

This Halloween calendar outfitted with a haunted house, ghosts, jack o' lanterns and more, lets families count down to the 31st of October. They can put tricks on treats in the pockets of the calendar for a fun family tradition. The calendar may be personalized (optional).

This 32-piece wooden railway set includes 15 pieces of track to connect into the figure 8 pattern, a couple of trees, a conductor, three vehicles, a bridge and a Stop & Go Station.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in late 2009 his store sells about two per week of this item.
— "I started doing a lot better with Thomas when they brought back reps," Steve Levy, owner of Toy City in Keene, N.H., said in fall 2009.

This 32-piece set of transparent tiles in various shapes makes for a colorful building project. It comes with 14 small squares, two large squares, four isosceles triangles, four right triangles and eight equilateral triangles.
— Four of 44 retailers told TDmonthly in late fall 2009 that Magna-Tiles is one of their best-selling products. Isaac Judd, CEO of Magic Beans in Brookline, Mass., estimated his store sold about 100 Magna-Tiles sets in November 2009.
― “[An] item I do very well with is from Valtech, their Magna-Tiles,” said Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star  in Lexington, Mass., of best-selling construction toys in April 2010.
― Three of 43 retailers surveyed in spring 2010 told TDmonthly Magna-Tiles are a best-selling construction item in their stores.

This quirky, 14" plush pet is a helpful little fellow who aspires to be just like his owner. Launch date: 2009.
— Four of 44 specialty retailers named Uglydolls when asked about their best-selling toys and games in late fall 2009, citing sales from 25 to more than 100 pieces per month.
— Uglydolls are top sellers at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., Owner David Hesel told TDmonthly at the end of 2009.

Go, Matria! is an educational word game based on the ancient Kaballah system of numerology, Gematria, where each letter has a numerical value based on its placement in the alphabet. As time begins, players roll the die and race each other to collect letters, but they must be careful – players can steal each other’s letters! Once a player collects ten letters they must yell out, “Go, Matria!” to be safe from having their letters stolen by another player. They then race the timer and each other to create as many words as possible with the highest point value, using each letter only once. For 2-4 players.

Enter the world of word strategy with Word for Word. Players embark on a race of wits from one side of the board to the other with their pawns by correctly answering the designated, category questions. Armed with an arsenal of 1,500 razor-sharp questions, Word for Word challenges players to spell words, provide definitions, identify antonyms and synonyms and solve word puzzles hidden in rhymes and scrambled letters. For 2-4 players.

Show your baseball team spirit with the Baseball Car Kit for vehicles. One baseball for your car window and a baseball for the front grille make the look complete! Weather resistant.