TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: American-Made

Classic Neighbohood Trolley by PEPPERELL BRAIDING / HOLGATE TOYS

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood... a beautifully crafted replica of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Trolley. A full 11" long and 6-1/2" high, this finely detailed trolley comes with four wooden play pieces to help extend children's play. This collectible toy has our lifetime guarantee. The Classic Trolley brings memories to parents and grandparents, it makes a great desktop conversation piece about the Neighborhood and all the good things it stands for. Guess what? (...as children say) it can be personalized! Holgate has been the exclusive maker of the Neighborhood Trolley since 1990. 9/27/2007 (Price: $60.00)

Classic Bingo Bed by PEPPERELL BRAIDING / HOLGATE TOYS

Originally designed and patented by Holgate in 1934. Time-tested pounding board is one of Holgate's most recognized and popular toys. The same size and number of pegs as the original one in 1934. Why change a classic! Sturdy size for the active toddler.. and they will enjoy for hours of play. Includes 8 colorful wooden pegs, 4 different diameter pegs, and hammer. 9/27/2007 (Price: $26.00)

Con-Way Transportation Semi Tractor Trailer by WHITTLE TOY COMPANY

Con-Way Transportation Semi Tractor Trailer: Just introduced this fall, Whittle Toy’s Con-Way Transportation trailer with sleeper cab. This “Big Rig” replica weighs over ¾ of a pound and is nearly a foot long. It’s solid hardwood construction promises years of “Puttin the hammer down” fun. (Price: $24.99) 9/27/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Amtrak Genesis Three Car Set by WHITTLE TOY COMPANY

Amtrak Genesis Three Car Set: Amtrak has been operating our nation’s railroad passenger service since 1971. This Amtrak Superliner three piece set is replicated with outstanding detail and is a perfect addition to any wooden railway system. The set consists of a P-40 Genesis Engine, Baggage Car, and Superliner Coach Car. (Price: $49.99) 9/27/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Little Engine That Could™ Set by WHITTLE TOY COMPANY

The Little Engine That Could™ Set: It’s the train that’s kept rolling since 1930. The train that made the phrase “I Think I Can, I Think I Can,” is a permanent part of our American lexicon and continues to teach us the power of positive thinking. This set consists of five cars: The Little Blue Engine, Yellow Gondola, Red Toy Car, White Milk Car, and Red Caboose.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
— As of 7/21/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com. 9/27/2007 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Santa Fe Warbonnet Set by WHITTLE TOY COMPANY

Santa Fe Warbonnet Diesel Set: The Santa Fe Warbonnet design is the most recognized diesel locomotive color scheme in North America. Designed to add a splash of color to the railroad’s new streamliners in the 1930’s, the design was used through the end of Santa Fe’s passenger service, and later re-introduced for inter-model freight service. The set consists of five cars: Santa Fe Diesel Engine, Santa Fe Boxcar, Santa Fe Hopper, Denver & Rio Grande Western Cattle Car, and the Santa Fe Caboose. (Price: $49.99 each) 9/27/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Yackle Ball – Black & Capri by TTALF "TOYS" CORPORATION

America’s new x-shaped ball is great for all athletic abilities. The ball has phenomenal aerodynamics that make it go super far when thrown. It is easy to catch, and its softness makes it safe. Yackle Ball games are fun for everyone and can help with hand-eye coordination and motor skills, as well as encouraging creativity and active play. The Yackle Ball is 100-percent made in the U.S. and is strictly sold in specialty stores. “It’s a great way for children of all ages or whole families to have fun and be active together,” General Manager Charles Littwin of Ttalf Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2007.
— Ever seen a ball shaped like an “x”? The Yackle Ball worked its way up to a TDmonthly Innovations 2007 award based on sturdy construction, attractive design and color options as well as its potential to build coordination and shape active play in a whole new way. ( Watch Video) 9/19/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Merry-Go-Round by BABYDOLL PLAYGROUND LLC

This doll-sized merry-go-round easily accommodates dolls and stuffed toys from 8” to more than 20” in length. The maintenance-free product is easy to assemble and measures 21” W x 13” H. “Our products are unique in that they are made for the outdoors as well as indoors with specially added UV inhibitors to protect from color fade. We stress quality,” President Kenneth Bednar of BabyDoll Playground told TDmonthly about the heavy-duty products. “Children will spend endless hours playing and spinning their dolls on this fun and unique merry-go-round.” 8/29/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Toby: Your Tooth Fairy Pillow (boy) by WHITEPIGEON ENTERPRISES LLC

This educational gift for children celebrates the loss of baby teeth and the growth of permanent teeth. Designed by a dentist mom, Your Tooth Fairy Pillow is an anatomically correct molar with a sleepy, delightful embroidered face. The pocket holds a toothbrush and special toothpaste to help a child establish good habits. The pillow comes with a letter from the Tooth Fairy, and personalization is optional. This boys’ version features a bowtie. The company requires a minimum wholesale order of 10 units. 8/29/2007 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aroma Dough - Lollipop Lime Green by AROMA DOUGH, INC.

Available in both regular and gluten-free (for children with wheat allergies) formulas, this play dough is made in the USA of 100-percent, child-safe, natural ingredients. The specially formulated aromas can lift spirits, calm overtired kids or help in concentration. The non-crumbling formula stays soft and pliable for hours of play and washes easily from carpet and clothing. Other varieties include Ana Banana Yellow, Awesome Orange, Bubblegum Pink, Cherry Cola Fizz, Rootin' Tootin' Root Beer, Groovy Blue and Lemondrops Yellow. “The natural aromatic oils appeal to one of strongest senses, the sense of smell,” Co-developer Diane Scott of Aroma Dough told TDmonthly. 8/29/2007 (Price: $2.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alphabet Train Track by SSCM

Fashioned to be added to an existing train set, this track is made in the USA of high-quality maple wood. It features a colorful display of the alphabet and is 16” long. The depth of engraving and the glossy, non-toxic, bright colors make the letters very visible. “It’s a unique product with engraved colorful letters [to help kids] play and learn,” a representative of SSCM told TDmonthly. 8/29/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alibi™ by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

This whodunit card game makes players use their skills of deduction and reasoning to solve the who, what, where and why of a murder. Players score points for solving the mystery, but also for helping other players solve it, forcing them to make strategic decisions during play. This intriguing family game is excellent for large groups. 8/27/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alchemist™ by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

It is the Contest of the Alchemists! The most talented Adepts of the mystical arts come from around the world to compete. They fill their cauldrons with exotic and rare ingredients, all creating new potions in the quest for fame and honor. In addition to demonstrating their talents by replicating their fellow competitors' potions, each has a secret agenda: to promote the use of the component their school of magic prizes most highly! The person who brings the most fame to his or her school-and for themselves-will win the title of Supreme Adept!

2-5 Players 8/27/2007 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Before the Wind™ by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

A fleet of commerce ships lies aside the quays, waiting to be loaded with valuable goods. An assortment of goods will fill the captain's bill, as his crew readies the ship for the sea.

You are a prominent merchant trying to fill your warehouse with the goods these captains need to fill their holds. A ship's captain will only accept goods from one merchant, so quickly collecting the right combination of goods is the key to victory. Fill your warehouse with care and spend your guilders with prudence!

Tary not, and let not a moment pass before you load your goods, for the fleet will leave the harbor with the whim of the winds! If you wait too long, your precious goods may spoil before you fill a captain's hold!

Can you keep your merchant empire running Before the Wind? Or will the winds of Fortune blow ill upon you?

2-4 Players 8/27/2007 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Patrician™ by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

Throughout the Middle Ages, wealthy and influential men and women across Italy wished to prove their importance. They desired a solid, visible symbol of their power and prosperity. So, they built magnificent tower-like buildings: the more influential the family, the taller the towers! But the competition never let up, and if a family should ever lose influence, newer, taller towers quickly appeared.

As a master builder of these "Patrician Towers," you stand ready to profit from the vanity of these patrician families. You will build their towers, adding floor after floor. And when the towers are complete, you will be there to take the credit!

In Patrician, players compete to build the tallest towers in cities across Italy. You must shrewdly accept the building orders of the patrician families to position yourself in the right place at the right time. Play your cards right, and your name will be famous among the rich and powerful!

2-5 Players 8/27/2007 (Price: $35.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

China Rails™ by MAYFAIR GAMES INC.

For centuries, trade has been a crucial factor of life in China. From the ancient "Silk Road" to modern ocean trade, the flow of goods and cargo was the very lifeblood of the great "Middle Kingdom." Once, bearers traveling on foot or carts pulled by oxen were enough to fulfill the needs of this great society. But the wheel of time cannot stop turning, and thus new means are being called upon to deliver precious goods to the people.

Like a river of iron, the tracks of new railroads begin to cross the tremendous distances of the land, stretching from Shanghai to Urumqi, from Qiqihar to Hong Kong, and to every city in between. Shining dragons rush along these tracks, delivering goods as mundane as grain, as exotic as jade. From time to time, these young railroads will be called upon to transfer people: the noble workers or exalted party officials.

From Tibet to Taiwan, the needs of the Republic call out to you. With your limited resources, can you construct the most efficient rail network? Can you deliver needed goods more quickly than your competitors?

2-6 Players 8/27/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wikki Stix Tons of Fun! Kit by WIKKI STIX

This set includes 96 colorful Wikki Stix one-of-a-kind creatables, wooden shapes, feathers, pompoms, four blank faces and more. The re-usable, non-toxic Wikki Stix stick with just fingertip pressure; no glue is necessary. This product is made in the USA. “The thing that sets it apart from other kits is that there are so many different and varied things you can make, and most of the components are included,” President Kem Clark of Wikki Stix told TDmonthly.
— During a January 2010 TDmonthly survey, two of 48 retailers said Wikki Stix are a top-selling arts and crafts item in their stores, with sales averaging three dozen per month. 8/22/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tammy: Your Tooth Fairy Pillow (girl) by WHITEPIGEON ENTERPRISES LLC

This educational gift for children celebrates the loss of baby teeth and the growth of permanent teeth. Designed by a dentist mom, Your Tooth Fairy Pillow is an anatomically correct molar with a sleepy, delightful embroidered face. The pocket holds a toothbrush and special toothpaste to help a child establish good habits. The pillow comes with a letter from the Tooth Fairy, and personalization is optional. Dr. Jessica A. Rickert, founder of Whitepigeon Enterprises, told TDmonthly that “extremely high-quality workmanship … goes into each and every hand-crafted product.” This girls’ version features a bow. The company requires a minimum wholesale order of 10 units. 8/22/2007 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sizzletoad! by WIZERGAMES

This fast-paced, portable game for two to four players combines the timeless fun of "Rock-Paper-Scissors" and "TIC-TAC-TOE" to create an exciting leapfrog race around the pond. It takes just a minute to learn and only eight to 15 minutes to play. The set includes one folding gameboard, 24 playing cards, four durable, colored glass game pieces and one instruction sheet. This product was on Dr. Toy’s Spring 2007 Best Products List and received a 2007 MAJOR FUN Award. 8/21/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Head1Liners Board Game by KVALE GOOD NATURED GAMES LLC

In each round of Head1Liners, players privately write a news headline to a shared, mysterious "front-page" photo card. Straightforward journalistic attempts or satirical, funny headlines alike are equally encouraged. Headlines are read in random, anonymous order by the round's editor, and every player votes for a favorite headline (not their own). Writers move one space for each vote received. Later rounds include intentionally surprising theme assignments that often result in hilarious headlines. According to Owner Tony Kvale, Good Natured Games is the only eco-friendly board game publisher manufacturing mainstream game concepts locally within the United States. The company’s website offers a free sample round of play. Launch date: November 2006. 8/16/2007 (Price: $38.99)

Grow Your Own Lily Pad by DUNECRAFT INC.

The amazing lily pad features the largest flower of any plant in North America. The lily pad can grow as large as 2’ wide in ponds as deep as 4’. Simply drop the seeds into a bowl of water and the plant will grow within two weeks. The lily pad’s aromatic, light yellow flowers will sprout soon after. Launch date: October 2007. 8/15/2007 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SPROUTZ® Single Storage by JONTI-CRAFT INC.

This caster-mounted storage unit helps keep classrooms in harmony and promote better indoor air quality. The unit measures 48" x 15" x 29-1/2" and offers KYDZSafe edges, KYDZStrong construction and a KYDZTuff finish. It also comes with a five-year warranty. “This product is eco-friendly, as it is made from 100% recycled wood waste,” Jonti-Craft Inc. Marketing Vice President Nick Schwarz told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2007. 7/20/2007 (Price: $268.30) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Morph-O-Scopes Packet - Fairies Fantasy by OOZ & OZ

This captivating little optical illusion coloring activity — the Fairies Fantasy Packet — contains five delightful fairies morphs: a fairy snuggling in a fuzzy caterpillar scarf (shown); fairies gathering dandelion puffs for pillows; hopping a ride on a dragonfly; imps teasing a big bullfrog; and taking a leafy moonlight nap. Each packet comes with one Morph-O-Scope mirror. The brain-tickling fun challenge is crayoning the twisted shapes on the paper to make color appear in the right places in the fairies cartoon reflections. It is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and appeals to all ages. The Fairies Fantasy Packet is made in the USA and meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards. Launch date: May 2007. 7/20/2007 (Price: $7.99)

Zilch™ Zonk™ Farkle™ by KEITH ROBINSON & ASSOCIATES

This original dice game for play with family and friends includes six dice, a deluxe dice cup with a sponge pad for quiet rolling, 100 printed score sheets and an easy-to-read laminated rule sheet. The game can enhance visual awareness, help with math skills, promote togetherness and enhance social interaction. The first person to reach 10,000 or more points is the winner. Zilch Zonk Farkle is made in the USA. Launch date: 2006. 7/11/2007 (Price: $16.98)

Morph-O-Scopes Packet - Distorted Dinos by OOZ & OZ

This captivating little optical illusion coloring activity — the Distorted Dinos Packet — contains five awesome dino morphs: T-Rex charging right at you (shown); Brontosaurus munching his tree-top veggie lunch; Pterodactyls soaring over the swamp; Stegosaurus defending her nest; Triceratops and T-Rex fighting fiercely. Each packet comes with one Morph-O-Scope mirror. The brain-tickling fun challenge is crayoning the twisted shapes on the paper to make color appear in the right places in the dino cartoon reflections. It is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and appeals to all ages. The Distorted Dinos Packet is made in the USA and meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards. Launch date: May 2007. 6/29/2007 (Price: $16.99)