ToyDirectory
April 25, 2024

TDmonthly Magazine

September 2009 | Vol. VIII - No. 9


Fresh Videos Take Flight

New Toys, Games and Baby Products to Watch

By Alison Marek
September 2009

September 8, 2009 — Now's the time to order, so this month TDmonthly has a new batch of toy videos to help you make decisions for fourth quarter. From infant development products to craft kits for tweens, these new videos show you what you need to know for the holidays 2009.

Kid Banz - Little Hunter Gift Set by BABY BANZ

Kid Banz - Little Hunter Gift Set by BABY BANZThe Kid Banz sunglasses & sun hat includes a pool-ready PVC bag to store it in for the child on the go. The lenses are made of durable polycarbonate and offer 100 percent  UVA/ UVB protection. The lenses are also of ophthalmic quality and are capable of being replaced with prescription lenses. The neoprene elastic band matches the chosen color of the sunglasses. The side-adjustable Velcro® allows for years of wear as the child grows. (Watch the Kid Banz - Little Hunter Gift Set Video Watch Video) 8/26/2009 (MSRP: $27.00; Age: 2 to 5)


Project Runway Silk Screen Fashion Design Set by FASHION ANGELS

Project Runway Silk Screen Fashion Design Set by FASHION ANGELSGirls can customize T-shirts, tote bags, hoodies and more with this silk screen set that makes it safe and easy to create their own one-of-a-kind designer looks for themselves and friends. The style guide offers inspiration and instructions on how to use the machine, stencils and paints to create runway-worthy clothing and accessories. "Silk screening is such an easy process — you can just purchase plain clothes and make one-of-a-kind creations that no one else will have," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. (Watch the Project Runway Silk Screen Fashion Design Set Video Watch Video) 5/19/2009 (MSRP: $32.00; Age: 8 and Up)


Color-a-Messenger Bag by ALEX BRANDS

Color-a-Messenger Bag by ALEX BRANDSDecked out with designs of pets, fruits, stars and flowers, this bag, measuring 14” W x 11” W x 4” D, allows kids to custom-color to their heart’s content. It is large enough to carry school books and binders, and comes with six permanent markers in a pouch. This product was named one of Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Creative Products and 100 Best Children’s Products.
— “The Color-a-Messenger Bag from Alex is a good one for us,” said Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., of the strongest-selling items for girls in her store in summer 2009.
— In late 2007, 40 percent of retailers singled out Alex-Panline USA Inc. as their best-selling arts-and-crafts manufacturer. Two of 47 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2009 that the Color-a-Messenger Bag is a best-selling gift item for girls.
— Ken, working manager at Toys Unique in Dallas, Texas, told TDmonthly previously that his store does well with Alex’s Color-a-Messenger Bag, selling just under 50 per month. Explorations Inc. Owner Chuck Harper in Granger, Ind., had named this item as his store’s best-seller. (Watch the Color-a-Messenger Bag Video Watch Video) 11/5/2007 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 7 and Up)


Poppy's Pony Adventure by WOW TOYS

PoppyBright colored and super-chunky for little hands, Polly's Pony Adventure includes six pieces to accompany a child on a horse-riding adventure. The car and horse trailer attach easily with magnets, getting the two characters and their two horses ready to go on the road.  Other arena-side accessories, as well as the push-button tailgate and shape-sorting roof of the trailer, add to the fun.
— “Wow toys are my best seller, bar none,” said Ron Kutchik, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska. Kutchik listed Wow Toys as not only his best-selling playset in an April 2009 survey, but also as a long-time top seller in his entire inventory. (Watch the Poppy's Pony Adventure Video Watch Video) 5/21/2009 (Age: 1 and Up)


Frank Lloyd Wright's 'Pencils' Puzzle by POMEGRANATE

Frank Lloyd WrightThe row of pencils represented on the photo that emerges when this 1,000-piece puzzle is fully assembled were taken from architect Frank Lloyd Wright's desk after his death in 1959. The image is an homage to Wright's renowned talent for drawing, as well as an intricate picture for puzzling.  Completed, the puzzle measures 20” x 29”. 
― “Presently, our best-selling puzzle is a Frank Lloyd Wright piece titled ‘Pencils.’ It also happens to be from one of our best-selling puzzle manufacturers, Pomegranate, which is dominating our puzzle sales this year,” Kevin Pohle, owner of The Wizard's Chest in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly in June 2009. (Watch the Frank Lloyd Wright's 'Pencils' Puzzle Video Watch Video) 7/21/2009 (MSRP: $17.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Squeez-Ease by SPOTLIGHTBABY

Squeez-Ease by SPOTLIGHTBABYThe innovative design and palm cushion of the Squeez-Ease prevents scratching the face and promotes sensory development in newborns. The design of the Squeez-Ease allows fingers to be free for exploration and sucking, allows for tactile development of the fingers, decreases sudden jerking of the hands and calms baby, and improves awareness of hands when cushion is squeezed. Made of an ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton. This product received a 2009 Top Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine.
Past Videos: Product demonstration (Watch the Squeez-Ease Video Watch Video) 7/14/2009 (MSRP: $13.99)


Dittoze Voice Recordable 5" Plush with Online Playground - Frog by BLAYCHON, LLC

Dittoze Voice Recordable 5" Plush with Online Playground - Frog by BLAYCHON, LLCDittoze™ are adorable, fun, plush pets with the unique ability to record personal messages! Each of our cuddly pets will record a personal 12 second message and play it back. Great fun for children and a great way to send personalized greeting of "Hello, I Love You, Happy Birthday" and much more. Easy to record, easy to play and your message can be changed anytime! (Watch the Dittoze Voice Recordable 5" Plush with Online Playground - Frog Video Watch Video) 7/20/2009 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 4 to 12)


Ticket to Ride by DAYS OF WONDER

Ticket to Ride by DAYS OF WONDERBorrowing a Beatles song as its title, this 2004 Spiel des Jahres ("Game of the Year")winner is extraordinarily popular among the board game cognoscenti with sales just over 250,000 and availability in six languages and 30 countries. Players embark on a “track trip,” collecting train cards to connect cities in an effort to claim the longest rail route in North America. - Andrew Robinton
— As of 12/17/2012 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 463 reviews on Amazon.com. (Watch the Ticket to Ride Video Watch Video) 1/18/2005 (MSRP: $39.95; Age: 8 and Up)


World Map 1665 3,000-Piece Puzzle by RAVENSBURGER

World Map 1665 3,000-Piece Puzzle by RAVENSBURGERCompleting to the intriguing image of a mid-1600s map of the world, this 3,000-piece puzzle measures 32” by 48”. Ravensburger puzzles are made out of fully interlocking pieces of durable board cut with precision tools.
― “We get lots of compliments from customers for their quality and prices,” Mary Horne, owner of J. Christopher in Jonesboro, Ark., told TDmonthly about what makes Ravensburger her main puzzle brand.
― “I've always been happy with the quality of the products and the diversity of the line,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska. Gregory was among 24 of 47 retailers who said in June 2009 that Ravensburger is their best-selling puzzle brand.
― “They're great puzzles. We do a lot of them,” said Cathy Albro, owner of Creative Learning Toys in Grand Rapids, Mich., of Ravensburger in early summer 2009. (Watch the World Map 1665 3,000-Piece Puzzle Video Watch Video) 7/21/2009 (Age: 10 and Up)


Uglydoll™ Glow in the Dark Ice Bat Action Figures Set by PRETTY UGLY LLC

Uglydoll™ Glow in the Dark Ice Bat Action Figures Set by PRETTY UGLY LLCIn six colors, Pretty Ugly's Ice Bat character stands at the ready in smooth vinyl. Each figure in this series glows in the dark, adding a little flair to a collection of any size. Launch date: September 2009.
― Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., told TDmonthly in July 2009 that Uglydoll characters are top-selling action figures in her store, reporting average sales of 48 per month. (Watch the Uglydoll™ Glow in the Dark Ice Bat Action Figures Set Video Watch Video) 8/11/2009 (MSRP: $48.00; Age: 4 and Up)


Tatutina Birthday Medal by TATUTINA INC.

Tatutina Birthday Medal by TATUTINA INC.These fun wooden medals celebrate children's everyday achievements. Each medal comes with matching ribbon with Velcro at the top. The backside has a space for the child's name and date. Launch date: January 2009. (Watch the Tatutina Birthday Medal Video Watch Video) 7/17/2009 (MSRP: $5.00; Age: 3 to Adult)


Mermaids Magnetic Figures by MUDPUPPY PRESS

Mermaids Magnetic Figures by MUDPUPPY PRESSThis colorful tin box comes with three sheets of mermaid-themed magnets, including three dolls plus clothing and accessories, and two cards with background images on both sides. The product is printed with nontoxic ink, and the tin measures 7-7/8” x 6 3/10” x 1”.
— “Magnetic paper dolls from Mudpuppy,” are the best-selling travel toy at Twirl in Taos, N.M. “I sold 32 last month,” Owner Molly McMullin told TDmonthly in March 2009.
— Three of 64 retailers named Mudpuppy magnetic sets as top sellers for travel in spring 2009. (Watch the Mermaids Magnetic Figures Video Watch Video) 4/9/2009 (MSRP: $15.00; Age: 5 and Up)


Uberbird by UBERSTIX

Uberbird by UBERSTIXFounded on the idea of a modular construction set that integrates with many other popular systems such as K'Nex and Lego, Uberstix is also intended for use with whatever recycled materials one might have lying around. Mixing Uberstix pieces such as the 60 contained in this set with found materials yields numerous possibilities. This model set is designed to yield a bird that can really flap its wings. The kit also includes a 40-page book of Uberstix basics.

― During an April 2010 survey of best-selling construction toys, two of 43 retailers named Uberstix as their top line. (Watch the Uberbird Video Watch Video) 8/26/2009 (Age: 8 and Up)


Buzzlewords® The Spelling Bee Game Level 1 - 1st & 2nd grade by THE SPELLING BEE GAME INC.

Buzzlewords® The Spelling Bee Game Level 1 - 1st & 2nd grade by THE SPELLING BEE GAME INC.This is a fast-paced, fun Spelling Board Game that teaches spelling, vocabulary and reading as it's played using spelling words taken directly from any child's grade-appropriate spelling list. Also available in challenging Adult level for those who think they can spell but might find out otherwise.The fast-paced game teaches spelling, reading and vocabulary. "There are no other board games on the market which allow each player to spell words selected from their own grade level and which combine elements of chance, strategy and spelling knowledge in a way that makes learning to spell fun and easy," Richard J. Sullivan, president of The Spelling Bee Game, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: July, 2009.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Game of the Year, Children's Educational Board Game Category; 2011 Creative Child Magazine, Game of the Year, Children's Educational Board Game Category. (Watch the Buzzlewords® The Spelling Bee Game Level 1 - 1st & 2nd grade Video Watch Video) 6/29/2009 (MSRP: $14.95; Age: 6 to 8)


Don't Know Beans About... Games by GALLOPADE INTERNATIONAL

DonEach of these question-and-answer games includes 60 question-and-answer cards. As each correct answer is given, players perform a fun task, such as giving the closest person a high-five or hitting an imaginary baseball and shouting, "Home Run!" There are 10 different games: America, American Revolution, Animals, Black History, Conservation, Solar System, U.S. Civil War, U.S. Constitution, U.S. Presidents and Weather. Launch date: January 2009. (Watch the Don't Know Beans About... Games Video Watch Video) 8/19/2009 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 7 to 12)


ReUsies Snack and Sandwich Bags by REUSIES

ReUsies Snack and Sandwich Bags by REUSIESReUsies are a reusable alternative to plastic sandwich bags. They are cotton on the outside and leak-resistant nylon on the inside, sealed with Velcro closures. ReUsies can be machine or hand washed, and each one is designed to replace hundreds of plastic baggies. ReUsies come in two sizes (larger sandwich and smaller snack) and many different patterns to appeal to all members of the family. "We use reusable items in many other areas of our lives (reusable water bottles, shopping bags, lunch boxes, etc.), but there are very few products that replace those plastic sandwich baggies we all use and toss every day," Karen Whorton, owner of ReUsies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009. (Watch the ReUsies Snack and Sandwich Bags Video Watch Video) 8/19/2009 (MSRP: $6.75; Age: All Ages)








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