December 2012 Notable Toys — All

What's a day without adventure? Polly and her friends wouldn't know since every day is an adventure, particularly when play moves off the floor and onto the wall. This treehouse play set features safe for walls command strips from 3M to really elevate play, a suction cup piece count adds even more upside-down fun. With multiple levels for play, the treehouse has plenty of built-in adventure. Polly doll can travel between floors in the basket lift or use the slide for a quicker move. A trap door can hide Polly doll or her pet, while a satellite space features two hanging sleeping bags for when there's a break in the action. Set includes Polly doll, 2 sleeping bags, kitty and other piece count. Use the enclosed 3M Command Strips to create a variety of interchangeable destinations with just one complete set. Launch date: 2012.
— As of 12/05/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon.com.

The ghouls are ready for one of their favorite classes at Monster High - Dance class. Of course, each ghoul brings her own unique style to class. Lagoona Blue is graceful sea-monster chic in her flowing ballet outfit. Includes doll, brush, and accessory. Launch date: 2012.

Gandalf the Grey has invited the Dwarves to Bag End - the Hobbit home of Bilbo Baggins. Uncover the Hobbit hole to entertain the Dwarves with food and drink accessories. Then invite Bilbo Baggins on a great journey to The Lonely Mountain and begin the epic LEGO The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey adventure. Includes Gandalf the Grey and 5 exclusive minifigures featured only in this set: Bilbo Baggins in his Shire outfit, Balin the Dwarf, Dwalin the Dwarf, Bombur the Dwarf and Bofur the Dwarf, all with assorted weapons. Launch date: 2012.

On the shores of an underground lake beneath the Misty Mountains, Bilbo Baggins, armed with Sting, discovers a magic ring that was recently lost by the creature Gollum. Use the reveal function to take the golden Ring! But beware - only Gollum, aboard his boat of Goblin skin and bones, knows the way out. Can our Hobbit hero solve the riddles asked by Gollum and escape to freedom with the Ring before Gollum realizes it's gone? Kids decide as they build and recreate this famous scene from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Includes 2 minifigures: Bilbo Baggins and Gollum. Launch date: 2012.

The ghouls are ready for one of their favorite classes at Monster High - Dance class. Of course, each ghoul brings her own unique style to class. Howleen is rocking a cute hip-hop fashion and pink hairdo. Includes doll, brush, and accessory.
— As of 12/05/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com.

Time to dust off the FURBISH dictionary because FURBY is back and ready to take the world by storm. Kids had better be prepared because FURBY has A MIND OF ITS OWN. Feed it, speak to it, tickle it, play music for it, and shake, tilt or turn your FURBY upside down. But be warned - how kids treat their FURBY will shape its personality.Kids can also download a free app to help them translate FURBISH, as well as virtually feed their FURBY and other interactive features. App is optional and works with iPad, iPod touch and iPhone with iOS 4.2 or later. Launch date: 2012.

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven? The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery... With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,072 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that they sell 8 copies of this book each month, making it a best seller in their store.

From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened...Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale. Launch date: October 2012.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that This is Not My Hat is a recent bestseller.

Have fun with Olivia...dressing up, singing songs, building sand castles, napping (maybe), dancing, painting on walls and — whew! — going to sleep at last.
— Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Olivia books are perennial bestsellers.

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur...and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go...someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not! This new take on a fairy-tale classic is so funny and so original—it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this is one of their best selling books.

This delightfully illustrated nursery rhymes book offers parents and children the joy of reading all the best-loved rhymes, as well as discovering some of the less familiar ones. My Nursery Rhymes Collection is divided into 12 themes, such as farm animals, numbers, and action rhymes — creating shorter sections to suit the attention span of young readers. Settle back together and enjoy all the merry old souls. 184 pages with beautiful, full-color illustrations. Elegant gilded spine and cover highlights. Themed sections for easy reference. Padded hardcover edition.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month.

Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. But Awesome Man also has a secret...Can you guess what it is? The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon perfectly captures the fantasy life of young superhero fans. Launch date: September 6, 2011.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this books sells well and is on "constant reorder."

When Betty Bunny eats chocolate cake for the first time, she declares, "I am going to marry chocolate cake." She loves it so much that she takes a piece to school with her in her pocket and refuses to eat anything else. Mommy tells Betty that she has to eat healthy food first, and have patience because cake is for dessert, not pockets. But Betty doesn't want to have patience; she wants to have chocolate cake. In this hilarious and spot-on tribute to the chocolate lover (and picky eater) in all of us, a new kindred spirit to Olivia, Eloise, and Ladybug Girl makes her stand.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 25-30 copies of this book each month.

These reusable books introduce the alphabet, letters and first writing skills.   Wipe-clean pages and pen offer lots of opportunities for practice.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month.
— Mike Snyder, owner and manager of Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.
— Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly in a November 2014 survey that Usborne books are a year-round best-seller in the educational category.

Progressive puzzles grow with kids. As preschoolers master the 3-piece puzzle, they then progress to the 4-piece, 5-piece, and 6-piece puzzles. Four puzzles included in each set. Easy slide box allows for quick clean-up. Large chunky puzzle pieces measure about 2x3" each. Made with 80% recycled content and printed with vegetable based inks. Conforms with CPSIA and ASTM standards.

The first dedicated, pocketable Wi-Fi app gaming system for the Android market. Kids won’t even want Mom’s smartphone anymore. The MG is the first of its kind – an Android gaming system designed just for young people. Now get more than 60,000 app games; a 4-inch touch screen; cool and slim pocketable design; and a simple easy way for kids to load it with parents’ money...or their own. It’s designed for kids, designed for games, designed for some serious, and not-so-serious play. Play MG and get More Game.

It’s time for a hilarious Angry Birds squawk attack against the porkers of Tatooine. Gear up to bombard villainous hogs in the sandblasted terrain of Tatooine with this awesome Jenga Tatooine Battle Game. Take turns being the builder and the launcher. One player will set up the structure while the other uses the Millennium Falcon launcher to hurl the Luke Skywalker bird at the Jabba the Hutt and Rancor pigs on the blocks. Or, kids can play by themselves and see if they can knock all the pigs off with the fewest number of shots. Players can combine this game with the Jenga Death Star Battle Game (sold separately).

It’s time for a hilarious Angry Birds squawk attack against the pigs of the Empire. Gear up to bombard Imperial hogs in the frozen terrain of Hoth with this awesome Jenga Hoth Battle Game. Take turns being the builder and the launcher. One player will set up the ice blocks while the other uses the Snowspeeder launcher to hurl the Luke Skywalker bird at the Snowtrooper pigs on the blocks. Or, kids can play by themselves and see if they can knock all the pigs off with the fewest number of shots. Can be combined with the Jenga Death Star Battle Game (sold separately) for even more epic battles.

This youth-sized version of the popular '70s style Elvis sunglasses is perfect for a young Elvis Tribute artist.

How cool is this Elvis Presley Blue Hawaii Mr. Potato Head? Combining the spirit of the musical film Blue Hawaii, starring everyone's favorite crooner Elvis Presley, with the classic fun of putting together Mr. Potato head, the 6-inch tall Elvis Mr. Potato Head features The King of Rock and Roll with his trademark pompadour, in a red Hawaiian shirt. He's got a ukulele in his left hand, in case kids feel like having him bust out some tunes. And what kind of Hawaiian would Elvis be without that yellow lei flower necklace? Elvis fans will love the mini parody album cover included inside the packaging, too.

The rugged and ready for action chrome detailed helicopter features motorized main and tail rotors, a set of jet propulsion turbo engines, retractable landing gear, and 3 authentic sounds for ignition, take off and fly by. The working lights include running lights that work in flash or steady mode and a set of high powered, pivoting searchlights. The see through, illuminated cargo bay has a push button release for the cargo door, which lowers as a ramp for the Rescue vehicle, a 6-door SUV style truck featuring a friction motor, real working lights, retractable emergency roof lights, and chrome detailing. Launch date: 2012.

Preschool perfect matching game. Sized large, pieces are just right for small hands. Bright, graphic illustrations encourage interaction. 24 cards makes 12 pairs. Easy slide box allows for easy clean-up. Made with 80% recycled content and printed with vegetable inks. Conforms to CPSIA and ASTM standards. Cards measure 3x3".

A great introduction to modern art. Ten durable nesting and stacking blocks combine bright graphics with a classic developmental toy. Learn your ABCs and numbers. Each nesting block contains 10 cubes printed on 5 sides with vegetable based inks and measures close to 3 feet tall when fully assembled. Made with 80% recycled content. Conforms to CPSIA and ASTM standards.

This kit provides hours of fun creating amazing innovations ranging from the ridiculous to the very practical. This system is designed to teach the power of interactive innovation, creative problem solving and social innovation. Compete online with other kids or post your idea and have it rated by the Hänz innovation community. This is a very fun construction set that is simply addictive. Made in the USA with fair trade and the environment in mind.