TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Eco-Friendly

Aminals - Dinasor by DREAMING LION LLC

AMINALS are "100%-certified" organic inside and out, from their world for their world! 3/3/2008

Aminals - Dady by DREAMING LION LLC

AMINALS are "100%-certified" organic inside and out, from their world for their world! 3/3/2008

Treetures® Sprig by RUSS BERRIE

Treetures are eco-themed plush characters that come complete with recycled hangtags and give kids the opportunity to explore the Treetures website, where they earn "Green Hearts," learn about the ecosystem, play games and become familiar with the names and responsibilities of each Treeture character. This line is based on characters from a book series by Judith Hope Blau. 2/29/2008 (Price: $15.00)

Eco Angels "I Re-Made It" Fashion Accessories Kit by FASHION ANGELS

This kit is designed to show girls how they can make fashionable jewelry and accessories in a way that's friendly to the environment — by reusing buttons, beads, candy wrappers, soda can tabs and more. It comes with U.S.-made, painted wooden beads and "cause" charms, enabling girls to make up to 10 bracelets for the green cause. The set is part of the "green"-themed Eco Angels line that also includes a "Make-Your-Own Natural Beauty Products" kit and a "Be an Environmentalist" kit. 2/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eco Angels Threatened Species Necklaces - Panda Bear by FASHION ANGELS

Featuring a tiny charm of a panda bear, this necklace is designed to raise awareness about animals that are endangered. It also comes in the following varieties: polar bear, cardinalfish, river dolphin, blowfish, Galapagos penguin, hawksbill turtle, African bush elephant, three-toed sloth and gouldian finch. 2/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aminals by DREAMING LION LLC

Based on children's drawings, these scribbly characters are made with organic cotton farmed through eco-friendly processes. The line consists of Momey, Eflong, Dady, Dinasor, Liun and Duggy. Launch date: February 2008. 2/20/2008

H2Go by CORGI USA

Developed by Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies, this car runs on hydrogen power supplied from a charger unit that stores the water (fuel). It comes with a handset for controls and offers five to seven minutes of playtime per two-minute (full) charge. Whereas similar models, such as the H-Racer, were more for education and demonstration purposes, this model is designed for play, according to Mark Bawtree of Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies. Launch date: September 2007. 2/19/2008 (Price: $99.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ecotronic™ Eco Rocket by Russimco Limited

This toy rocket lights up for flight and makes realistic rocket sounds, but doesn’t require batteries. It simply needs to be wound. The product comes in biodegradable Gekopak™ packaging made completely from recycled paper.

— Caitlin from Toys on the Brain was immediately stricken by the refreshing package the Eco Rocket came in. Both environmentally friendly and attractive, the package allowed for quick removal of the rocket to move on to play. Her kids heartily approved of the rocket, with one even exclaiming, “I love the toy you got me!”
— Amanda Robinson of Natural Mommie was thrilled by the fact that the rocket’s noises were not too loud or annoying. The rocket’s large handle was perfect for her son to hold.

( Watch Video) 2/18/2008 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rapid 4® More by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

Available in wood only, Rapid 4 More® adds more excitement and strategy to the fast-paced game of Rapid 4, with the addition of an entirely new, large playing surface. Play both sides of the board in your pursuit to grasp victory while foiling your friends along the way. Rapid 4 More also allows up to 4 players, extending the level of zany enjoyment to all involved.
— "This is a perfect game!" raved 7-year-old Ben Christensen, a reviewer in TDmonthly's Grade-School Roundtable, which collectively awarded Rapid 4 More four out of five TD stars.
— "For about age 8 and up Rapid 4 More is a fast fun interactive game for 2 to 4 players.  Get 4 balls in a row in any direction, but be careful because you have to drop your balls from a maze to do it.  A fun strategy game.  Recommended!" Jennifer Shuman, of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010. 2/7/2008 (Price: $89.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rapid 4® Wood by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

The wooden version of the quick-connection game involves both luck and strategy. Players take turns dropping marbles through the maze of levers in order to get a winning combination of four marbles in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal. The removal of a fifth marble in a column allows for continuous play and unexpected twists. The beautiful, fold-up wood design makes Rapid 4® Wood attractive when left out in a den and a snap to pack up and take on vacation. This product is a Dr. Toy Best Product Award winner. Launch date: June 2008. 2/4/2008 (Price: $44.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spindow© by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

The spinning wheel strategy game is as simple as checkers, yet as intriguing as chess. The game’s creative design allows players of all ages to spin the color wheel and try to get a winning combination of five across or down. Launch date: September 2008. 1/29/2008 (Price: $54.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rapid 4® Plastic by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

The quick connection game involves both luck and strategy. Players take turns dropping marbles through the maze of levers in order to get a winning combination of four marbles in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal. The removal of a fifth marble in a column allows for continuous play and unexpected twists. Launch date: January 2008. 1/29/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Destruct 3© by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

Players build the tower, roll the dice to determine the destructive device and then knock down the tower with the Catapult, the Pendulum or the Ramp. The entire set is made from beautiful, sustainable rubber-tree wood. This game received a 2007-2008 Informal Education Products Award. Launch date: June 2008. 1/29/2008 (Price: $69.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EcoDolls™ - Anna by EcoDolls

Eco Dolls are 11” fashion dolls that are constructed with 80-percent cotton and natural fibers and minimal plastic on the head and hands. These adorable dolls inspire play and support the innovative and curious nature of girls. Anna encourages young girls’ interest in science and environmental responsibility through a beautifully-illustrated storybook, a learning adventure about her summer in Alaska with her uncle and a talking polar bear cub named Sourdough. Launch date: January 2008. 1/24/2008 (Price: $49.95)

EcoDolls™ - Tanya by EcoDolls

Eco Dolls are 11” fashion dolls constructed with 80-percent cotton and natural fibers and minimal plastic on the head and hands. The dolls inspire play and support the innovative and curious nature of girls. Tanya encourages young girls’ interest in science and environmental responsibility through a beautifully illustrated storybook, a learning adventure about how trees help make air quality better. “The ‘eco’ focus of the Eco Dolls truly sets this product apart — from the environmentally friendly construction to the dolls’ environmental learning adventures,” Kelli Matthews of E-Innovative Ideas told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2008. 1/17/2008 (Price: $49.95)

Sprig Adventure Series by SPRIG TOYS, INC.

Sprig Toys is a new, environmentally responsible toy company created by award-winning industry veterans (former Mattel and Radica designers). Its line of kid-powered, totally green adventure vehicles for preschoolers is made from Sprigwood™, a child-safe bio-composite material derived from 100-percent recycled wood and reclaimed plastic. The Sprig Adventure Series harnesses the natural energy of push- and pump-action play to power lights and other electronics — all without batteries. Adventure Guide characters wearing LED-lit hats plug into durable, attractively designed vehicles and engage preschoolers with audio that guides them through exciting adventures as they play. Launch date: Fall 2008.
— "The sets were attractive, nicely packaged in recycled/biodegradable material, and had a rugged, tactile quality," said TDmonthly reporter Marie Raven, also a buyer for Over the Rainbow in Anchorage, Alaska, at Toy Fair 2008. "It's a small line but felt to me like an appropriate number of items for a nice in-store presentation while appealing not only to the eco-sense of our customers, but also providing active and stimulating educational play."
— “I was really impressed by all the angles that it covered,” said Jennifer Klein, who in early 2008 ordered all three Sprig Toys vehicles for her store, Earth Child, in Sebastopol, Calif. Five of 24 retailers told TDmonthly this was one of their favorite lines at Toy Fair. ( Watch Video) 1/17/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bamboo E-Racer by HAPE

The E-Racer is part of the "bamboo collection", a line of fun, eco-friendly toys produced by HaPe. Children will be intrigued by the colors and design of the E-Racer while parents will appreciate the natural bamboo shape, water-based colors and sustainable materials. The E-Racer is naturally fun! Launch date: February 2008.
— “It's made of eco-friendly bamboo, a highly sustainable, replenishable material,” Robin Lehnert of HaPe International told TDmonthly. ( Watch Video) 1/3/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bambooga® - The Human Puzzle Game by UNCLE SKUNKLE TOYS, INC.

In this human-puzzle game, players use color wristbands to bind their hands and feet to one another, leading to a sticky mess of people. The goal of the game is to crawl, walk, scoot or jump one’s way towards the finish line, all the while maintaining the connections determined by a shake of the Bambooga Shaker. Bambooga is safe and eco-friendly, adhering to "green-" manufacturing practices with second-generation, sustainable bamboo construction. “Bambooga is the result of a social-entrepreneurship project sponsored by Kids Ark Foundation of Thailand,...an organization that hopes to find a solution to the AIDS epidemic in Thailand,” Uncle Skunkle Toys Inc. Marketing and Communications Director Maya Cardoso told TDmonthly. A portion of "the proceeds from the manufacturing of Bambooga [is] recycled back to Kids Ark and [goes] towards projects to raise education and standards of living.” Launch date: April 2008.
Awards: Bambooga is a winner of "Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Picks Children’s Products for 2009" and also won Creative Child Magazine's "Toy of the Year Award" for 2008. Bambooga has also been recognized with a favorable review by The Old Schoolhouse, a magazine for homeschooling families. ( Watch Video) 11/30/2007 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bobs & Lolo: On Your Feet by BOBOLO PRODUCTIONS

This musical DVD features 10 songs from Bobs & Lolo's award-winning CDs, “Musical Adventures” and “Sea Notes,” and full-length videos that will get kids dancing, singing and playing along in an exciting world filled with bikes, gardens, rocket ships and more. The packaging is made from 100% recycled materials. “Bobs & Lolo are dedicated to connecting kids to the natural world with music, movement and make-believe,” Lorraine Pond (aka “Lolo”) told TDmonthly. “Produced by Playground Media Inc., the videos give life to Bobs & Lolo's songs through creative imagery, energetic performances and engaging animations.” Launch date: November 2007. 11/27/2007 (Price: $17.99)

Waverly, the Water Drop Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

A little dreamy, very sweet and loves a good laugh. He even makes fun of himself – often saying he may be all wet, but he is certainly no drip. Of course, as an Idbid, he also has a serious side. Waverly is particularly – and deeply – concerned about protecting the Earth’s water resources and keeping them clean.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Oceans, seas, rivers and lakes
INTERESTING FACT: A fan of 60s music who is known to turn up the volume a little too high

Waverly is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!.

Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lola, the Flower Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

She’s pretty, a fact it is best not to forget. Happily, she also believes that “pretty is as pretty does.” She has a lot of patience with the boys (which is particularly helpful when Waverly loses his focus). She is wise, sees both sides of an issue, is a natural mediator, and offers well-reasoned advice.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Trees, plants and flowers
INTERESTING FACT: An art lover who draws, collects pictures of shells, and loves bright colors

Lola is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!

— The kit, packaged in a window box that breaks down for use as a game, comes with one Idbid, a book, a field guide to fill out and a cinch-sack backpack. Launch date: February 2008. 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scout, the Cloud Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

Yes, he’s a little out there. But that’s a good thing. It gives him a “big picture” view of what’s happening on Earth. (The reason he claims to be group leader – much to the chagrin of the others.) He’s loyal, honest and a good listener. But fair warning, he can get a little cranky on the subject of air pollution.
AREA OF EXPERTISE: The air we breathe
INTERESTING FACT: A bird watcher of great renown (he runs into them all day, every day)
Scout is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!
— “Idbids are made of organic cotton and all kit components are made from Earth-friendly materials – and they’re incredibly adorable!” Idbids LLC representative Tracey Smith told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. The product line received a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EcoRanch by ENLIGHTENED PLAY

The game is one of strategy, based on inner and social awareness. It celebrates Earth Day every day and invites everyone to think about their choices and actions and the larger community around them. By answering questions and engaging in discussion, players learn how their choices affect the earth and its inhabitants. "[This is] the only game on the market where a player wins by using a 'pay-it-forward' strategy," Elightened Play! Owner Eileen Thournir told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 17, 2008. ( Watch Video) 10/25/2007 (Price: $34.95)

Build-It Space Explorer Kit by The Little Experience

This kit includes everything required to build a space rocket and more. It comes in an eco-friendly box with printing on the inside so that children can create a project out of the box itself, and is designed to encourage manual dexterity, parental interaction, creativity and recycling. It includes seven language translations. ( Watch Video) 10/4/2007 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Lauren and Theodore by HEALING TREE ARTS

This environmentally friendly book is printed on high-quality recycled paper and processed chlorine free. The story is based in part on real life events, and the four seasons are playfully introduced while children learn the important role that trees play in the environment. “Baby Lauren and Theodore” is a story of friendship, love, loss and renewed hope that is sure to warm the hearts of children of all ages. “With global warming being a major issue … this is a very timely book. It teaches children at an early age to love and respect nature, while instructing on basic earth science,” Author Deborah Sherrell of Healing Tree Arts told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2007. 8/30/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]