TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--School Supplies Product Category

Rulers & Patriots by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES

This 12” ruler includes inches and centimeters on one side and chronologies of famous people on the other. “They are great for use in class for measurement and drawing straight lines as well as inspiring children (and adults) to think about some of the famous people listed on the other side,” John Gallagher of Rich Frog Industries told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007. 7/26/2007 (Price: $1.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Great Women Rulers of Music by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES

This 12” ruler includes inches and centimeters on one side and chronologies of famous people on the other. “With 25 themes to choose from, there are a wide variety of subjects and interesting people to learn more about,” John Gallagher of Rich Frog Industries told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007. 7/26/2007 (Price: $1.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

24-ct. Connector Markers by FABER-CASTELL

The new design for the Faber-Castell markers features an end cap that lets kids snap together the markers and draw with multiple colors in their hand. Now kids can draw or write with their favorite colors all at once. Also new are the connecting clips that let kids build shapes with the swoop of their hands. The non-toxic markers contain washable inks and are ACMI-approved safe for children.
— "It’s probably some of the markers [from] Faber Castell," said Lori Lind, owner of Brainwaves Toy Shop in Narragansett, R.I., when asked by TDmonthly for popular school supply items with her customers.
— Lind said she sells about 10 units a month of the Faber-Castell markers. Nine of 45 retailers said that markers, pencils, erasers, pads or other drawing-related products are the hottest-selling school supply items in their stores.
— "The Connector Markers have a unique end cap design that lets you snap together the markers and draw or write with multiple colors," said Heather Lambert-Shemo, children's brand manager for Faber-Castell. "The connector clips that come in each package let you build all kinds of wonderful shapes." 7/23/2007 (Price: $11.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Froggy Fun Lunch Box by BAZOONGI KIDS

Lunch Boxes from Bazoongi make lunch on the go fun for both kids and parents. This lunch box, which measures 10" x 8" x 4", is made of a waterproof material that's easy to clean inside and out. The shell fabric is 100-percent laminated cotton, while the lining fabric is PVC. Other Bazoongi lunch box themes include Lil' Ladybug, All Star Sports and Princess Toss.
— Lunch boxes from Bazoongi are among the best-selling school supply items at Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., Manager Gwen Bowden told TDmonthly in summer 2007.
— Bowden said she sells one lunch box a week from January to June, and four a week from June to September. Five of 45 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly cited lunch boxes as among the best-selling school supply items in their stores.
— "The bright colors and tropical theme are attractive and distinctive. The handle has a convenient snap to allow the child to attach it to his/her backpack to aid in transporting," said Bob Muniz, vice president for Bazoongi Kids. 7/23/2007 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Crossover Grip - Metallic by THE PENCIL GRIP INC.

The Crossover Grip uses a revolutionary applied technology that works with the body’s natural physiology to gently place fingers in the proper position for gripping. It uses the same great design as The Pencil Grip, but has added wings to prevent fingers from crossing over each other. Launch date: November 2005.
— Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys & Books in Scottsdale, Ariz., told TDmonthly that Pencil Grip items are among the hottest selling school supplies in her store.
— Tanner said she sells dozens of Pencil Grips per week during the short back-to-school selling season.
— "The Crossover Pencil Grip improves upon the original design, making the one proper position for pencil holding even more stable than ever," said Alex Provda, vice president of The Pencil Grip Inc. 7/23/2007 (Price: $1.79) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Addition & Subtraction 1-2 Write and Reuse Workbook by SCHOOL ZONE PUBLISHING CO

School Zone Write & Reuse Books allow children to practice activities over and over. Each activity can be used to reinforce curriculum objectives or introduce new ones. The books are great for summer activities, to help retain skills already learned or to introduce new ones for the next year. Dry-erase markers are recommended for the 26 pages that measure 11" x 8.5".
— "Best-selling school supply item would be ... workbooks. We get them from School Zone," said Tristan Hewitt, manager at Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle.
— "We sell 50 units a month,” he added.
— Four of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly cited workbooks as the school supply item favored by customers. 7/23/2007 (Price: $3.79)

8 Stick Beeswax Crayons - Tin Case by STOCKMAR

Stockmar wax crayons meet the highest artistic standards. Through the addition of pure beeswax as a binding agent, the light-resistant pigments display their purity and full brilliance. The wax allows the colors to be used in a wider range than any other coloring material. The wax itself contains natural transparency and the lack of additives enhances the color value. The eight stick markers in a tin case are paper wrapped, come with one scraper and measure 83mm x 12mm fully packaged.
— "Beeswax crayons are our best-selling art supply. The manufacturer is Stockmar," said Anita Demetropoulos, owner of Island Treasure Toys in Yarmouth, Maine.
— Two of 45 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly in summer 2007 said Stockmar crayons and pencils are favored school supply items.
— Both retailers citing the Stockmar brand were located in the Northeast. 7/23/2007 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Soccer Lunch Bag by Wildkin

The Soccer Lunch Bag comes with durable exterior polyester fabric, a detachable shoulder strap, an interior mesh pocket with Velcro closure for a cold pack, and an interior elastic strap with Velcro for a beverage container. The interior is made of washable fabric and the exterior has a zippered compartment. The lunch bag measures 10 1/2" x 9" x 3.5” and complies with 16 CFR 1303 for lead content. It's safe, durable and full of functional features.
— "I’m real excited about Wildkin — the red and green soccer backpacks and lunch packs. We’re ready to bring in a shipment for back to school," said Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys & Books in Scottsdale, Ariz.
— Two of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly specifically cited lunch bags from Wildkin as best-selling school supply items in their stores.
— "We make products with themes that both the parents and kids can relate to,” said Peter Hart, president of Wildkin Inc. 7/23/2007 (Price: $12.95)

Dinosaur Lunchbox by CROCODILE CREEK

This beautifully designed, well-priced lunch box measures 10" x 7.5" x 3". Special attention has been given to ensure that Crocodile Creek lunchboxes conform to U.S. & European consumer product safety standards. The lunchboxes are completely phthalate and PVC free.
— "For camp lunchboxes, Crocodile Creek is who we usually order from. They're beautiful," said Liz Rosenburg, owner of Toy Box in Amherst, Mass.
— Two of 45 retailers TDmonthly spoke with in summer 2007 said that lunchboxes from Crocodile Creek are best-selling school items. Rosenburg said she sold 30 lunchboxes a month, while another retailer cited monthly sales of four to 16 units.
— "The graphics for Crocodile Creek lunchboxes aren't typical. They're soft-sided and easy to clean and store. They have a front zipper for neat storage space," said Bill Corcoran, marketing manager for Crocodile Creek. 7/23/2007 (Price: $14.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Drawing Pad by MELISSA & DOUG

Who says paper can't be functional and fun? The Drawing Pad from Melissa & Doug contains 50 9" x 12" sheets of premium heavy weight bond paper. It's great for use with pencils, markers, paints, crayons or anything else with which kids want to leave their mark.
— “The 9” x 12” plain white paper by Melissa & Doug” is the best-selling school supply item at LittleBits Toys in Wellesley, Mass., Owner and Manager Billy Thelander told TDmonthly in summer 2007.
— Thelander said he sells about 36 of the Melissa & Doug Drawing Pads on a monthly basis.
— Five of 45 retailers cited Melissa & Doug as a popular brand in school items. 7/23/2007 (Price: $1.99)

Hello Kitty Backpack: Boutique by SANRIO

The Hello Kitty clear vinyl backpack is for kids who need to have everything in plain sight without opening the bag. The clear front pocket allows for easy viewing and access to smaller supplies. The backpack measures 14.25" x 11.75" x 4.25".
— “I don’t do school supplies but the closest would probably be Sanrio: Hello Kitty — things for back to school and some backpacks," said Peter Scott, owner of Perfect Toy in Avon, Conn. He told TDmonthly he sells about 100 units a month of Sanrio year round.
— Six of 45 retailers said in summer 2007 that Sanrio is among the bestsellers in school supplies, with the Hello Kitty line being most prominent.
— "As unfortunate as it is, the clear backpack is extremely important because of safety issues in schools today. This one is easy for kids and parents to agree upon," said Andrea Sobel, vice president of marketing at Sanrio. 7/23/2007 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Qee Sushi Calculator by Toy2R

This calculator, from the Qee Style Collection, comes with a matching 1.5” tall Qee Bear. Designer Alan Yip has created the world’s first flexible calculator that can be rolled up for easy transport and storage. The calculator measures 100mm x 135mm x 17mm and is available in transparent black or white. Launch date: Fall 2007. 7/20/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Drillbooks – Addition by EDUPRESS

More than 10,000 hours of government-funded studies have proven that drill is the best way to teach basic skills. Sized for photocopiers (yet affordably priced for individual use), these new drillbooks offer lots of skill-building pages and value-added features. Answer keys provide easy opportunities for self or peer-checking. Instant notebook charts aid fact memorization. Step-by-step instructional pages reinforce operation skills, and quick-look reference tables build concept understanding. Clean, bold drill pages allow room for answers and computation. This product is great for remedial and adult education. It qualifies for Title I funds. 7/17/2007 (Price: $3.99)

Sight Words in a Flash – Word Searches by EDUPRESS

Sight Words in a Flash – Word Searches offers a fun and challenging way to reinforce print awareness, enhance literacy and build spelling skills. The puzzles can reinforce the sight words students have been exposed to through our distinctive, color-coded flash card system. The books are geared to grade-level standards and encourage individual practice. Students will feel a sense of accomplishment as they work through each set of sight word searches. Answer keys provide a quick and accurate reference for checking student work. Each reproducible 32-page book measures 8½" x 11". 7/17/2007 (Price: $5.99)

Critical Thinking Literature Flip Centers by EDUPRESS

Critical Thinking Flip Centers strengthen critical thinking skills by creating opportunities for students to think about everyday objects in new ways! As they answer questions based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, students progress though the levels of knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Centers can be used individually or in small groups and include removable answer keys. Each center features and easel-backed stand that allows it to remain upright while students flip pages to work from front to back. Questions can be completed using basic classroom supplies. 32 pp, two sided. Measure 5½" x 6". 7/17/2007 (Price: $4.99)

Math in a Flash – Multiplication by EDUPRESS

This product's classroom-tested, kid-selected flash card size invites learners to pick up, play and learn. The set includes 169 flash cards for every operation and all number families, 0-12. Each two-sided flash card has a colored border, rounded corners for durability, a pre-drilled hole for the storage ring and bold black numbers on a crisp white background. A self-checking answer to the problem is on the reverse side. The UV-coated cards measure 2½" x 4". Two sort-and-store rings are included with every set. 7/17/2007 (Price: $11.99)

Orange Eraser by IWAKO

Fruit? Eraser? Collectible? Erasable? Try all four. These brightly colored erasers come in many types and sets for increased collectibility.
— “Little Japanese-made erasers from Iwako” are popular at Izilla Toys in Seattle, Co-owner Jude Larene told TDmonthly in mid-2007. “These really took off a few months ago. All the kids at local elementary schools are collecting them.”
— "I sell thousands and thousands of them — probably a couple hundred a month," added Larene.
— In early 2008, three of 45 retailers singled out Iwako erasers as their stores’ hottest selling item. 6/26/2007 (Price: $0.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My First Lab™ DUO-SCOPE by C & A SCIENTIFIC

This two-in-one combination microscope has two built in light sources: one shines up through the slide and another shines down on solid objects.  The lenses are made of real optical glass, which produces a very clear image.  The microscope uses AA batteries, which makes it portable and usable outdoors.  Launch date: December 2006. 6/12/2007 (Price: $86.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Britepack by TOMORROW INC.

Triggered by movement or impact, the water-resistant Britepack sets off a pattern of LED lights and shuts off when not in use. An added fun feature to an ordinary school item, the Britepack serves as a safety feature in urban areas so kids can be more readily seen in traffic or other low-light situations. Designs are available in various styles and sizes and include 16” wheeled and non-wheeled (all Britepacks are equipped with shoulder-straps) for toddlers, kids and adults. "Parents who worry about their kids carrying a heavy backpack often lean towards rolling bookbags…unfortunately, kids don’t think they’re very cool," Christine Simmons of Tomorrow Inc's media department told TDmonthly. "But with the Britepack, parents get what they want (a safe bookbag that can also be seen at night) and kids get what they want (a trendy and fun school accessory)!" Launch date: December 2007. 6/8/2007 (Price: $39.99)

You Rule Wooden Ruler by RICH FROG INDUSTRIES

These brightly colored wooden rulers make measuring and drawing lines fun. Made of a very solid wood, these rulers are highly durable and will not bend or break easily. Available in two different themes (Kids Rule and Teachers Rule), kids and teachers alike will love these rulers. Launch date: July 2007. 5/21/2007 (Price: $3.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Box Bands in Bulk by FLYING BUFFALO

These rubberbands are available in bulk bags of 50 bands each. Small, medium and large sizes are available. Launch date: 2007. 5/15/2007 (Price: $35.00)

Mini Eraser Collection by ITASHO

Detailed in design, these erasers can be taken apart by each color and can be assembled and played with in many ways. The parts are individually molded color by color and not painted. They don't just look like erasers; they actually do erase. There are more than 300 designs available, ranging from food to animal characters. 3/21/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Hands Art Studio — Large by ALEX BRANDS

This kit includes everything kids need to create beautiful artwork and keep it neat and organized, too. A durable carrying case (18" by 8") includes 16 broad-tip markers, 10 fine-tip markers, 14 crayons, 12 colored pencils, 8 watercolor paints, a paintbrush, scissors, a drawing pencil, sharpener, eraser, note pad, ruler and glue. The kit won an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. 7/10/2006 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

24 Game Double Digits by SUNTEX INTERNATIONAL INC.

This set includes double-sided, 4" by 4" cards that come in three levels of difficulty.  The object of the game is to make 24 using all four numbers displayed on the card, using each only once.  Players can add, subtract, multiply and divide.  There is at least one solution to every card.
— In a November 2013 survey, Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly that the 24 game is a best-selling educational toy in the store. 7/10/2006 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Our Nation's Capital Jingo by 1st QUALITY SCHOOL SUPPLIES INC

This educational game is played just like Bingo, only kids cover pictures instead of numbers. It helps children to develop listening skills, visual discrimination and critical thinking skills. It’s great in the classroom as a positive reward or to expand a theme unit and can be played by 3 to 30 players in  kindergarten through fourth grade. Each game contains 30 player cards and 36 50-question cards. Reading skills are not required. 7/10/2006 (Price: $12.95)