TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Novelties Product Category

Food Flippin' Mario by ROCKET USA

Food Flippin’ Mario is a 5.25"-tall tin wind-up action figure. Simply wind him up, flip the on-off switch, and watch Mario as he vibrates, flipping a pan of pasta and meatballs in one hand while shaking a bottle of his famous olive oil in the other. It’s not only a great toy but also a great option for kitchen décor for any fan of Mario’s show. 6/8/2006 (Price: $15.95)

light:night by EMPHASIS PRODUCTS INC.

The light:night can be used in any space to light a pathway for safe passage or provide a colorful glow. For safety, the light:night boasts an auto-on feature in case of power failure and the cradle sits on the nightstand with a 3’ cord to detract toddlers from electrical sockets. While on the recharging cradle, the light:night emits a dim-colored glow, signifying that it is recharging. Once removed from the cradle, the light:night automatically shines a bright white light and can be controlled by its button. The button allows the light to be toggled from off to bright white light to colored glow. The LED’s will never get hot and they last up to 100,000 hours. For additional security, the battery lasts up to 14 hours on a full charge. The light:night comes in red, blue and green. ( Watch Video) 5/25/2006 (Price: $40.00)

Great Lakes' Lighthouses Scramble Squares® by b. dazzle, inc.

Some of the oldest and most beautiful lighthouses in America are on the Great Lakes of the United States. This Scramble Squares® puzzle depicts four of the most famous and the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. 5/23/2006 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Buddha Buddha Bank by ROCKET USA

Buddha was born in Nepal some 2500 years ago, but he is still a revered and loved figure in all cultures. Soon after he was born, it was evident to all of those around him that he would be a very enlightened soul. Rocket USA hopes to capture this enlightenment with its six 8" tall figurine/banks made of durable poly resin, each of which represent not only a different color but a state of being for which Buddha himself would strive. The Buddha Buddha Bank comes in six assorted colors/enlightened states: blue (serenity), red (love), pink (peace), gold (happiness), yellow (praise), and green (faith). 5/22/2006 (Price: $16.95)

Corporate Zombies by ACCOUTREMENTS

The mindless tedium of employment at GigantaMegaCorp has crushed the workers' spirit and turned these bright, flowering young go-getters into hopeless Corporate Zombies. They spend their days staring blankly at computer monitors and shuffling through the cube maze, occasionally grunting something about brains. Each set of four posable plastic figures with eerie green glow-in-the-dark skin includes seven plastic office accessories. 5/22/2006 (Price: $13.49)

Cold War Unicorns Play Set by ACCOUTREMENTS

This intelligently designed unicorn playset is an excellent educational tool that can provide hours of fun in teaching children about the Cold War. The set comes with Commie, a red unicorn with a yellow horn and scythe and hammer tattooed on his hip, and Freedom, a red, white and blue unicorn painted in stars and stripes. Can Commie's horn of classless social structure hold up against Freedom's hooves of capitalist opportunity? Play and find out. 5/22/2006 (Price: $9.95)

Em Dog Cell Phone Cover by FUN FRIENDS

Fun Friends are cute and cuddly critters that cover cell phones. Fun Friends define novelty … they make ordinary cell phones new, original and different, which gives Fun Friend owners a feeling of being unique. Fun Friends can be changed for all the different holidays and seasons, or even every day! There are Halloween monster, Santa Claus, Valentine’s bear and Easter bunny models, as well as animal characters to keep cell phones looking posh and plush. ( Watch Video) 5/19/2006 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Holiday Magnet Mailer by SUNSHINE GIRL CREATIONS

Magnet Mailers transform any 4" by 6" photo into a personalized photo postcard and magnetic photo frame all in one. Simply insert a photo between the plastic cover and paper postcard backer, seal shut, add a message and send through the mail. The embedded magnet enables recipients to instantly stick it to any metal surface. 5/19/2006 (Price: $2.50)

Bobble Bouncer by COW-EGG LLC

The Bobble Bouncer (TM & Pat. Pending) is a new electronic bobblehead display case with a base that nudges your bobblehead doll so the head bounces (as life intended). The base contains state-of-the-art electronics specifically programmed to nudge a bobblehead doll approximately every 10 seconds for a 15 minute period and then automatically shut off. Base of the unit measures approximately 3.75" square with a 3.5" cushioned platform designed to accommodate most standard-size bobblehead dolls. Several units can be linked together to run off one plug-in adapter. Plastic molded dust cover also included. It debuted at Toy Fair 2006. 5/19/2006 (Price: $34.95)

Rudolph by BOBBLEUSA.COM

Can Rudolph pull Santa’s sleigh? Yes, he can, he says, by bobbing his head up and down with conviction. This little bobble-headed reindeer will keep the holiday spirit alive and in motion, as he has for many Christmases past. 5/19/2006

Word Play Board by MAGNETIC POETRY

The Word Play Board lets kids indulge in Magnetic Poetry word play without having to stand in front of the refrigerator. Instead, kids of all ages can create their own phrases, poetry and messages on this colorful round metal play board and stand, which are perfect for kids’ bedrooms, playrooms and even beside the computer (just not on it, please!). With 200 word magnets, words and stories almost magically appear. Kids just add their creativity and imagination. Launch date: November 2006. 5/19/2006 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kids Word Stamp Kit by MAGNETIC POETRY

This is the newest version of Magnetic Poetry’s popular Word Stamp Kits — especially for kids. The kit contains 85 magnetized rubber stamps with kid-friendly words to make their own birthday invitations, thank you cards, gift tags and anything else they can think of. The message is arranged magnet side up, then kids pick it up with the metal-plated stamping block and stamp away. The kits, complete with ink pad and storage tin, include word and icon stamps such as a birthday cake and smiley face. It was launched in early 2006. 5/19/2006 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shake n Shimmer Light by FUNWORKS

This mini metal lava lamp is more than groovy — it shakes and lights up, too. “It’s a great office present,” suggested Scott Henderson, president of Funworks. Gift stores should place them at point of purchase, he suggested, because their hand-holdable size makes them the perfect impulse item. Batteries are included. 5/19/2006 (Price: $5.95)

Betty Boop by CELEBRIDUCKS

Boop Boop Be … Duck. It's Betty Boop, the cartoon legend, in a lovable rubber duck form. Celebriducks are classic rubber ducks that float and squeak along with the best of ‘em, and they look like celebrities. Cool. This duck is approximately 4" across and intricately hand painted. 5/9/2006 (Price: $11.99)

Glow in the Dark Galaxy Bubbles by GALAXY BUBBLES

These glow-in-the-dark bubbles look like spectacular iridescent planets floating around. As the bubbles burst they look like an explosion and create an atmosphere of shooting stars and stardust. No blacklight is required. 5/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Extreme Stars by WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL CO.

Westminster is the leading supplier of Glow in the Dark Stars, Cosmic Shapes, Stickers and other Glow in the Dark products. Our Best Selling Xtreme Stars contains 40 assorted glow stars, wall friendly, reusable adhesive putty and an interactive Cosmic Charger mini black light. For more Glow products please visit us online at www.westminsterinc.com/oob 4/26/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mega Cosmos by WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL CO.

Learn about the Solar System and create a glowing galaxy in any room with the Glow in the Dark Mega Cosmos. The set contains 9 3-D glowing planets and over 220 assorted glow stickers. Additional box sets include: Starry Night Book & Prisma Glow Kit which contains a 24 page constellation book, and over 600 glow in the dark pieces; the Xtreme Star Universe is the ultimate Glow in the Dark star kit with over 800 glow star pieces. For more Glow products please visit us online at www.westminsterinc.com/oob 4/26/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pocket Sudoku by WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL CO.

The world’s most popular number and logic game is now in a pocket size. This wildly popular hand held electronic game has over 10,000 ready to play games, 4 Skill Levels, Timer, Hint, and an option to manually enter in a Sudoku game from your favorite magazine or newspaper. In addition to Sudoku, Westminster has other hand held electronic games such as Solitaire, Sudoku for Kids, Pocket Casino Games, Pinball, 256 Games and Virtual Pets. For more products please visit us online at www.westminsterinc.com 4/26/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Crazy Chicken by WESTMINSTER INTERNATIONAL CO.

Love to hate the "Chicken Dance"? This humorous plush chicken gives you the best of both worlds. Activate The Crazy Cluck Chicken and it dances to the "Chicken Dance". Heard enough? Grab his neck and the Crazy Cluck Chicken gasps for breath, squawks and thrashes its feet. From laughing and giggling Plush Pigs to Sundance the Playful Pony, Westminster Inc has a wide variety of mechanical plush. Scotty Dogs, Chi-Chi the Chihuahua and Hoppy the Floppy Ear Rabbit can all be found online at www.westminsterinc.com 4/26/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tri Write Crayons by THE PENCIL GRIP INC.

Never be without a point. These pyramid-shaped crayons are the first that let little kids put their hands in the "dynamic tripod position" for easier drawing and scribbling. Five colors come in a package. ( Watch Video) 4/20/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Moxy by PRETTY UGLY LLC

Moxy’s got a lot of moxy. She’s a real get-up-and-go Ugly, with far more energy than her older brother Ox. Moxy’s favorite activity seems to be bouncing off the walls and jumping in and out of mischief. Her giant antennae are always on the look out for a good time, and she can hear a party from miles away. Launch date: May 2006.
— When asked for the surprise hit for 2006, Denis Hofstetter, owner of The Toy Store in Atlanta, said “The Uglydoll. We’ve been carrying them for more than just this year, but they've done extra well this year.”
— “Uglydolls — I’m shocked that they’re still selling as well as they are,” said Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Childs Play in Baltimore.
— “’Surprises’ is a perfect category for the Uglydolls,” Victoria George, public relations representative for Pretty Ugly LLC, shared with TDmonthly. “They first capture your attention by their name — Ugly — and then you hold one and you’re surprised by how incredibly soft and cuddly they are. Upon further inspection, their stories make for an additional surprise with their funny anecdotes.” ( Watch Video) 4/20/2006 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Komodo 3000 by BJ ALAN COMPANY/PHANTOM FIREWORKS

With over a four-minute burn time, this is one of the longest consumer fountains available. It is a spectacular multi-effect fountain with brilliant color combinations, whistling effects and a crackling barrage finale. ( Watch Video) 4/20/2006 (Price: $39.99)

Brew HaHa by BJ ALAN COMPANY/PHANTOM FIREWORKS

Loaded with effects including; pine needle, crackle, whistle, chrysanthemums, and pearls. ( Watch Video) 4/20/2006 (Price: $24.99)

My Li'l Aquarium by PRECIOUS KIDS/FUN TOYS

My Li'l Aquarium is a 4.5” x 4.5” snow globe filled with several tropical fish that actually swim in their underwater world. You can move the magnetic fish with the help of an included “magic stick.” Two AA batteries are included. 4/12/2006 (Price: $12.99)

L.E.D. Upgrade Kit for the AA Mini Maglite by NITE IZE INC.

Nite Ize, Inc., designer and manufacturer of Innovative Accessories, introduces the first L.E.D. Upgrade Kit for the AA Mini Maglite flashlight. There are millions of AA Mini Maglite flashlights in use today; however, many of these standby flashlights have laid dormant over the years due to broken incandescent bulbs and quick battery drain. Until now. The two-pin, three-bulb L.E.D. module from Nite Ize easily replaces the standard incandescent bulb in the AA Mini Maglite with a higher performing white, red, green or blue L.E.D. light. In addition to producing a better quality light, the L.E.D. Upgrade extends AA battery life up to 20 hours, which is four times longer than the incandescent bulb. Consumers will appreciate saving money on new batteries as well as not having the hassle of replacing batteries and bulbs so frequently. The L.E.D. Upgrade module is also shockproof. An upgrade is also available for C and D cell Maglites. 4/12/2006 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]