December 2012 Notable Toys — All

This series is great for little readers who love to build and repair things. Sam is not only a skillful builder, but also a good teacher. In these books he shows kids how to repair a car or build something special. Each book include the sounds of tools, amusing melodies, and colorful pictures.

This exciting series introduces kids to the wonders and dangers of many worlds: underwater, forest, jungle, savanna, and the land of dinosaurs. 3D pictures and realistic sounds bring to life the atmosphere of nature in all its wildness. Detailed pull-out cards provide lots of information about each creature.

A motion controlled video game equipped with wireless controllers in the shape rakes, dust pans, frying pans and pooper scoopers. Extreme Chores races kids against the clock as they complete important household tasks like raking, doing the dishes, digging holes and emptying the litter box. Exteme Chores promises to make chores fun.

An animal-powered debris removal system. Each kit comes with four dust boots (one size fits most paws). PetPlow, PetDustpan and PetBroom sold separately.

A hamster-like water bottle that allows parents to relax while the baby learns to feed itself. It also comes with a $4 dollar off coupon for "Infant Energy Drink." With the Crib Dribbler feeding system, baby will have the alone time it needs and its parents can enjoy some quiet time without having to tend to a hungry baby.

We are excited to launch our line of licensed Monsters University products. We'll have cute laplander style hats of Mike and Sulley and several other headwear and accessory items to create your own costume or play dress up. Launch date: January 2013.

This is the Conductor Carl 80 piece piece train set with table. Wooden train sets are great for any curious child. Children can build train sets from scratch and then role play with the various characters. Children have to use problem solving skills to build their set and will act out real world situations with the pieces. It's fun and enjoyable for kids and parents alike. This Conductor Carl Train Set includes 43 pieces of track, 9 vehicles, 10 people/signs, 18 trees and houses, and of course the Conductor Carl table. Launch date: October 2011.

This is the Conductor Carl 100 piece piece train set. Wooden train sets are great for any curious child. Children can build train sets from scratch and then role play with the various characters. Children have to use problem solving skills to build their set and will act out real world situations with the pieces. It's fun and enjoyable for kids and parents alike," Yi Sun, Graphic Designer at Brybelly Holdings Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2011.

Get on board the Sock Monkey School Bus as they go on a field trip to Banana Farm. Children will love playing with this set of eight plush sock monkeys, including one teacher, a principal and six lively students. Innovatively packaged in a box designed to look like a school bus, there are eight cut outs for the monkey's heads to pop through. Launch date: July 2012.

This sock monkey family is perfect for any child. These stylishly dressed monkeys provide classic twists on retro toys. The family consists of Mr. Coconuts, his wife, Cupcake, and their two children, Daisy May and Joey. This family enjoys a typical sock monkey lifestyle. Mr. Coconuts spends his days working at the local banana factory while Cupcake enjoys crocheting banana blankets for baby sock monkeys at the zoo. Daisy May is an active member of Banana Scouts while her younger brother, Joey, enjoys eating banana-cream pudding pies. Both children attend Banana Elementary School. The monkeys come housed in a cardboard car so your child can enjoy hours of driving them to their daily activities. Each car has four cutouts so the monkeys can see out the window. The cars also have cardboard tires that pop out for added fun. These cute sock monkeys are made from polyester fibers and are recommended for ages 3 and up. Launch date: December 2011.

From building a tower, to a fortress or a maze, eco-build a block set™ will inspire imaginations to soar. These blocks are fun for all ages; they build confidence, teamwork and help with gross motor skills. Get ready to watch worlds come to life. These 100% recycled cardboard blocks come packaged in a reusable carrying case and are ready for play. With four unique sizes, use them as is or add an artful touch for hours of creative play. eco-build a block set includes 2 extra large boxes, 4 large, 8 medium and 16 small boxes. Carrying case measures 16.5"H x 20"W x 4.25"D. Launch date: August 2012.

These encyclopedias are designed to stir kids' imaginations and drive their desire to explore new things. Each book presents fascinating facts, bright, colorful pictures, and a special feature: pages contain well-hidden flaps that contain even more information underneath them. Look closely to find them. Eye-catching illustrations broaden horizons. Action-oriented hidden flaps encourage kids to learn more.

This series helps children learn to think logically, count, and distinguish among different shapes, colors, fruits, and vegetables by flipping through the cards and matching pairs. Kids will be easily entertained playing this colorful matching game.

Classic fairy tales given a modern twist with pop-up pictures and magical sounds! These books unlock the enchantment of the past and keep children eager for the next turn of events as they read one page after another. They'll want to read these classic stories over and over again.

This set of customizable gizmos includes a book of games, pranks, and jokes that make the most of them. The 16 different sound-and-gizmo combinations offer limitless opportunities for immature humor. Follow simple instructions to wire a door alarm, motion sensor, light sensor, or push-button device; then program it with one of four funny sounds. Comes With: circuit board, speaker, LED, battery clip, photoresistor, switches, project wires, alligator clip, gadget dock, gadget case, 4 gadget covers, 2 doorbell hangers and 2 door alarm hangers. Launch date: September 1, 2012.

This gigantic marble run features 103 pieces with 12 marbles. Kids can build their structure any way they like, then drop the marbles and watch them race through the run.
— In a May 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that marble runs were one of their best-selling construction toys.

The Wild Core brings motorized, electronic chaos to any battle. Be the first to spin Monsuno Cores (sold separately) into impact with the Wild Core for a powerful payoff. Each Wild Core comes with an exclusive collector game card.

Kids can unleash the power of their Monsuno monster with the Monsuno Metal Die Cast Core. The collectible die cast metal Monsuno cores are based on battling monster creatures from the Monsuno animated TV series. Awesome, extended spin performance. Approximately 1.25" long.

Girls will want to play out their favorite Believix moments from the show with these beautiful Winx Club Believix fairy dolls. With 11 points of articulation, girls can recreate any fashionable pose they want. The dolls come with a pair of sparkly Believix wings that plug into the Winx "X" on their back allowing for magical transformation from girl to fairy.

The story of Cleopatra’s life has captured the imagination of countless writers and artists for centuries. As one of history’s most enduring figures, much lore has obscured the real woman behind the myth. Was she a beautiful and heartless schemer who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted? Or was Cleopatra a tragic victim of her own heart? This next volume in the acclaimed Notebook series offers a fascinating look into the world of one of Egypt’s most notorious leaders. Featuring a fictional journal that invites us into Cleopatra’s inner world, this is an exquisite guide bursting with gorgeous illustrations and packed with fun interactive extras such as flaps featuring historical facts and pop culture references.This is a riveting volume rife with battles, passion, and even murderous intrigue — an exclusive look into the legendary queen’s dramatic life. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

The jungle is warm and steamy. What kind of animal might live there, a snow goose or a sloth? What about a still, cool pond -- could that be home for a howler monkey? Find out why meerkats like dry sunny grasslands (hint: they like to dig holes to hide in) or why clown fish feel right at home in a coral reef. Small flaps and a matching spread at the end make learning about habitats fun. Lift the flaps and learn about animal life with two new books in a fresh, fun-filled series for curious preschoolers. Launch date: November 2012.

Here’s a hungry chameleon with a long, long tongue. And here’s a big juicy caterpillar. Can you guess what happens next? What if a honeybee comes upon a beautiful patch of flowers, but the members of her hive don’t know how to find her? Or if two chimps want to munch on termites that are out of reach deep inside a mound? Peek under large flaps to find out - and refresh your memory at the end! Lift the flaps and learn about animal life with two new books in a fresh, fun-filled series for curious preschoolers. Launch date: November 2012.

DOWN AT THE ZOO is a 10 song album for children featuring songs about different animals. Launch date: 2002.
Awards: Parent's Choice Approved; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award

A catchy melody and a rhyming lyric invite singing along, no matter what the language. The Putumayo Kids team searched worldwide for songs that are easy to sing along with. World Sing-Along includes familiar tunes like Jorge Anaya’s cumbia version of "La Cucaracha," and the Fiddler’s Green Bush Band’s sprightly arrangement of "Waltzing Matilda" as well as Father Goose’s Jamaican rendition of the American folk song "Jig Jog Jee." Top U.S. children’s music artist Dan Zanes is featured on that song as well as "Jamaican Farewell," which he performs with Anjelique Kidjo. As they sing along, kids will learn a little Portuguese with the greeting song, "Como Vai" (by Brazilian artist Hélio Ziskind, some Spanish with Jorge Conde y Ola Fresca, with their salsa tune "Pititi y Titi," and even "A Little Mandarin" with Shàng Xué Gē. Frances England and Asheba, are among the other familiar artists with songs featured on World Sing-Along.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval