December Staff Picks

By Alison Marek
December 2010

New craft kits allow kids to batik their own shirts and bake their own cups. Great gift items include sweet new Zoobies and Scare Me Nots plus a finger-puppet theater for Shakespeare fans. Be sure to scroll down for all of TDmonthly Magazine's December picks:

Sniffles Sound Doll by GIANTMICROBES

A great whimsical gift and it's educational too: each doll comes with a multilingual hangtag with phrases you say after someone sneezes in 5 different languages. 11/4/2010 (MSRP: $14.95)

THE SIMPSONS series 2- vinyl toy mini-figures by KIDROBOT

This second series of figures features two alternate versions of your favorite nuclear family and 15 new characters including extended family members and loveable barflies, including Mariachi Homer, Mariachi Marge, Zombie Homer, Zombie Bart, Sideshow Mel, Carl Carlson, Selma Bouvier and many more. Each vinyl figure stands 3-inches tall, includes a character sticker, and comes blind boxed to preserve its identity.
— Tom Levin from Tom's Toys Inc in Great Barrington, Mass., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that minifigures from Kid Robot are a popular choice for tween customers. 11/4/2010 (MSRP: $9.95)

Green Start Storybook & Plush Sets by INNOVATIVEKIDS

There are four different storybooks and four matching plush animals in this series. Each storybook tells a story about the featured animal -- where it lives and how. These are little science books told in simple fashion with clear illustrations. Each is packaged with a small huggable plush animal that fits in a little hand. There's one about Little Gorilla, Little Polar Bear, Little Elephant, and Little Panda. You can't go wrong with any of them.
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal. 11/4/2010 (MSRP: $9.99)

Activa LI-QUA-CHÉ by ACTIVA PRODUCTS INC.

LI-QUA-CHÉ is a paper-fiber reinforced, polymer based compound that is air-cured, not fire hardened. Designed to be used with plaster ceramic molds, it dries to a hard, durable, break resistant product. 11/4/2010 (MSRP: $41.90; Age: 5 and Up)

Steiff Studio Lion Plush Lifesize Replica by ENTERTAINMENT EARTH INC.

The king of the jungle is here in an unbelievable lifesize replica from Steiff in Germany that stands a whopping 43-inches tall in soft brown plush, complete with realistic mane and attitude. This big kitty is certain to intimidate any unwanted guests who cross his path. 11/3/2010 (MSRP: $4000.00)

Lola the Lamb by ZOOBIES

Not only is Lola a cuddly lamb, but also a cozy pillow and super-soft coral fleece blanket all in one. Perfect for road excursions or just snuggling in bed. Lola also makes for the perfect baby shower gift. Features microbead stuffed head for ultimate squishibility, large, super-soft coral fleece blanket, 100% polyester, blanket zips off/on for easy washing, two bottom hook-and-loop Velcro tabs gather Zoobie into animal shape. 11/3/2010 (Age: 3 and Up)

Hiho at Home Kit by HIHO BATIK

Hiho at Home Kit by HIHO BATIK What you get with your kit: pre-treated ready to dye short sleeve tee (adult tee's are a fashion fit), Hiho Batik wax, Batik pen, sponge brush for painting, microwaveable Hiho Batik mug, step by step instruction manual, and fun Hiho Batik stickers for inspiration. 100% Cotton. 11/2/2010 (MSRP: $40.00)

by QUIRK BOOKS

by QUIRK BOOKS Contents include: Sixty finger-puppet cards featuring Shakespeare's most famous characters, including Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, Shylock, and Falstaff. Twelve stand-up sets of castles, forests, balconies, and battlefields. A 96-page "folio" of classic scenes—from Hamlet's "To Be or Not to Be" soliloquy to Romeo and Juliet's classic balcony serenade. Once you've finished staging the Bard's entire canon, you can mix and match masterpuppets to produce your own Shakespearean mash-ups. Perhaps your Romeo will fall in love with Lady Macbeth. 11/2/2010 (MSRP: $14.95)

Hugo the Wild Boar by AREAWARE

A collaboration between Areaware and Monocle, designed by David Weeks Studio. A limited edition of 100 pieces. Made from Sustainably harvested Beech wood, elastic band. 11 x 4 x 5.5 inches 11/2/2010

Freaky Pets- Monket by ABANDON ENTERTAINMENT

Freaky Pets- Monket by ABANDON ENTERTAINMENT Freaky Pets are the first-of-its-kind line of transformable plush creatures that are cute one second, then cranky the next (by turning the plush pet inside out). A passion for everything fast, Monket is also one of the most acrobatic pets. Nothing delights a Monket more revving up and racing. Fiercely loyal to their friends, a cranky Monket turns into a reptilian wrecking machine when it thinks danger is near. 11/1/2010

Rhino Toys Oball 3 'n 1 by RHINO TOYS INC.

This product is a ball full of finger holes that is incredibly easy to catch, and safe to throw. Shiny, Smooth, Flexible, Durable. 100% Dishwasher Safe, PVC, Latex and Phthalates Free. 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 inches ; 1.6 ounces 11/1/2010 (MSRP: $11.99)