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April 2009 | Vol. VIII - No. 4


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View Play Set, Play Tent and Action Figure Videos

Active and Imaginative Play Get Caught on Tape


Watch the newest play sets, play tents and action figures from Toy Fair 2009. Go to Egypt, go green ... there's a world of possibilities to choose from.

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MSRP: $104.99
Age Range: 5 and up
SKU or Item #: 4240
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play
General Toys
Creative Activities



Keep the Pyramid from being invaded by releasing various traps with your very own amulet.  Intruders will have to overcome the collapsible staircase, chute, and scorpion trap.  There is also a secret treasure chamber, trapdoor with slide, and rotary secret chamber. The pyramid walls are removable. Set includes 4 figures, tomb, and many other accessories. Dimensions: 21 x 21 x 14 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages 5 and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

— "We sold out and are taking orders for it," Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center Inc. in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly of this high-ticket item in late November 2009. He cited unit sales of about 25 per week.

— Eight of 44 retailers surveyed in late fall 2009 named the Playmobil Pyramid as one of their top sellers. Seven others cited the Playmobil line in general as a popular purchase.

ToyDirectory Product ID#: 21620      (added 12/8/2008)
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Age Range: 4 and up
SKU or Item #: 4264
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play
General Toys
Creative Activities



Help the Police monitor the Police Headquarters. Prison cell comes with working door lock and breakout window and wall. The Police Headquarters is equipped with surveillance cameras and has a reception area, interrogation room, and a wall for equipment. Also includes three figures and many other accessories. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., likes Playmobil because its products are "not made in China, customers come back for more [and it offers] good play value," he told TDmonthly in fall 2008. Thirteen percent of 52 retailers named the company as a favorite.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 21632      (added 12/8/2008)
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Age Range: 4 and up
SKU or Item #: 4296
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play
General Toys
Creative Activities



Cheer on the newlyweds as they make their way out the Church.  Press the windows of the church tower and hear the bells and organ music.  Also comes with three figures, many accessories, and a pink jewel case with rings for the child. 2 AAA batteries required. Dimensions: 12.5 x 16.5 x 22 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 21618      (added 12/8/2008)
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Age Range: 4 and up
SKU or Item #: 4046
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play
General Toys
Creative Activities



Keep the roads safe with the Road Maintenance Truck.  The truck comes with blinking lights, removable snow plow, and 190º rotating arm. The loading bin tilts and the cabin roof is removable.  The dispenser also functions to release contents onto the ground.  Comes with a figure and many other accessories. 2 coin batteries included. Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 21622      (added 12/8/2008)
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Age Range: 4 and up
SKU or Item #: 4343
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play
General Toys
Creative Activities



Help the veterinarian treat the animals at the Animal Clinic.  Includes three figures, pony, peacock, birds, puppies, and rabbits. Also comes with ultrasound device, removable cast, bandages, bird cage, and many other accessories. Compatible with Animal Nursery (#4344) and Vet Operating Room (#4346). Dimensions: 21 x 14 x 9.8 inches (L x W x H). Recommended for ages four and up. Choking Hazard. Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 21623      (added 12/8/2008)
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MSRP: $14.99
Age Range: 3 and up
SKU or Item #: 70059
Launch Date: May 2009
Gender: Boys
Category: Action Figures
Collectibles
Action Figures



Schleich is building off the success of its popular World of Elves series by introducing eight new hand-painted figurines. Zahor is one of two new fantasy figurines specifically targeted to boys. Launch date: March 15, 2009.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 21608      (added 12/8/2008)
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MSRP: $24.95
Age Range: 3 and up
Launch Date: February 2009
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play
Educational
Creative Activities



WorkTown Mat™ presents children with images commonly found in industry, including: heavy equipment, workers, safety gear, buildings under construction, and construction materials. When WorkTown Mat™ is placed next to other PlayTown Mats™, roads wind seamlessly throughout. Like all PlayTown Mats™, WorkTown Mat™ has a rigid surface to support action figures and small toy vehicles; and, they are lightweight, readily expandable for play, and fold compactly for easy travel and storage. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22335      (added 1/30/2009)
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MSRP: $9.95
Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Rail Roads & Trains
Wooden Toys



The 1-Train runs from Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, all the way to the South Ferry at the southern tip of Manhattan. This Broadway/7 Av Local 1-Train is based on the R-62 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. 4-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 20951      (added 10/16/2008)
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MSRP: $8.00
Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Girls
Category: Action Figures



Safari introduces a brand new collection of fairy figures for 2009! This delicate and charming collection of butterfly-winged fairies is inspired by nature’s colorful flowers. Figures include Iris, Violet, Jasmine, Buttercup, Bluebell, Rose the Fairy Queen, a Fairy Baby and a Fairy Pony. Figures average approx. 1.5” W x 4” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See the entire collection at www.safariltd.com.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22131      (added 1/22/2009)
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MSRP: $9.50
Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Action Figures
Educational



An amazing replica of an unlikely creature! This armored and armadillo-like anteater inhabits the tropical forests in parts of Africa and Asia. Safari Ltd. brings yet another interesting animal to the Incredible Creatures Collection. Replica measures 7.25” H x 3” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22150      (added 1/22/2009)
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Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Action Figures
Educational



This large-sized collection of barnyard animals features the award-winning Holstein Cow. Realistically detailed down to the copper cowbell around its neck, the new cow is joined by an Irish Draft Mare, a ewe, a Boer nanny goat and a sow. Replicas range in size from 4.5” to 8” in length and from 3” to 5.5” in height. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See the entire collection at www.safariltd.com.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22136      (added 1/22/2009)
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Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Action Figures
Educational



Suited up in his yellow protective gear and ready for action, our new firefighter figure is accurately detailed from boots to helmet. Other details include a fire ax and fire hose. Replica measures 1.25” L x 4” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See the entire collection at www.safariltd.com.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22138      (added 1/22/2009)
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MSRP: $0.75
Age Range: 3 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Action Figures
Collectibles
Novelties



No one will be able to resist these cute, itty-bitty babies. Perfect impulse item as a souvenir for baby showers. Mini babies are available in two variations, pink and blue. Offered loose in sturdy acetate bins with 192 pieces per bin. Minis average .75” to 1” in length. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 5+. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22133      (added 1/22/2009)
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Age Range: 5 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Action Figures



Get your business buzzing with these cute bumble bee mini replicas! Perfect as an impulse item near the register. Offered loose in sturdy acetate bins with 192 pieces per bin. Minis average .75” to 1” in length. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 5+. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See the entire collection at www.safariltd.com.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22132      (added 1/22/2009)
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DinoPack™ is a backpack that looks like a dinosaur’s head when worn on the back and opens to reveal a prehistoric adventureland play surface for imaginative fun. Included with the DinoPack™ is a T-Rex figure.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22241      (added 1/27/2009)
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MSRP: $69.99
Age Range: All Ages
SKU or Item #: CT025
Launch Date: January 2009
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: General Toys
Play Houses
Pretend Play



This tent features four large, closeable windows and door for ventilation and easy viewing by parents, a 58”x45” floor size that easily accommodates several children and their toys, an attached porch that shades the door and gives a little one somewhere to kick back and relax after a hard day, and fiberglass poles that go together easily to make set-up quick. It is designed to be used inside or outside and can keep children busy for hours. The floorless design makes clean up easy, and the home comes with carry bags for the poles and tent and stakes. It is made from durable and fire-retardant coated polyester to last for years. "We design each tent, tunnel and play house to be large enough for more than one child to play in. All of our products are evaluated and tested by seasoned professionals before hitting the open market," CEO Joe Robey of Gigatent told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 22652      (added 2/27/2009)
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MSRP: $34.99
Age Range: 3 and up
Launch Date: January 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Play Sets
Eco-Friendly



Butterfly’s Farm features a water-resistant “farmhouse” with four play/garden shelves.  When assembled by an adult, a large funnel and chute fit into slots on the shelves, ready to be filled with sand or water for plenty of flowing fun. The two insect characters—Bee and Butterfly—have chunky bodies with soft, interchangeable wings and a simple slot that allows them to “sit” on the shelves and in the sturdy Farm Truck.  The hood of the truck doubles as a sand rake or plow. “We want parents to get outside and spend time with their kids,” says  Sprig Toys co-founder and toy industry veteran Chris Clemmer. “And, 
since Sprig Hollow is made from recycled materials, the toys provide an opportunity to talk about caring for the earth.” Launch date: 2008.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 20957      (added 10/16/2008)
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MSRP: $45.95
Age Range: 3 and up
SKU or Item #: 20310
Launch Date: June 2007
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Pretend Play



The easiest tent to set up and take down, the “One Touch” play tent eliminates messing with poles or twisting wires. New patented technology enables the user to pull the tent from the carry bag, set it on the floor and lift it up. The user just “snaps” the hub into place (with the ease of two fingers) to secure a full-sized dome-shaped tent with the same structural strength as a standard two-pole dome tent. Taking down the tent is just as simple. “The innovative design and ease of operation makes this the best quality pop-up tent on the market today,” Executive VP Brian Jablon of Pacific Play Tents told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 1, 2007. Past Videos: Pomona 2007
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 12193      (added 4/3/2007)
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Launch Date: February 2009
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Animal Figures
Plush
Play Sets



So Small Pets moms and dads can take their tiny, posable progeny to the amusement park for fun. There's a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, and a train set for tiny tots. All of the So Small Pets are posable and can stand on their own. Launch date: February 2009.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 23348      (added 4/23/2009)
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Launch Date: February 2009
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Play Sets
Plush



These soft, posable plush pets can form a club in their treehouse, ride a monorail, play on the tire swing  and help the babies up into the tree with a dumb-water bucket.  They can even stand on their own! Launch date: February 2009.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 23347      (added 4/23/2009)
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Videography by Alison Marek and Amanda Wilder. Edited by Alison Marek.





Alison MarekWriter's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ...  Read more articles by this author


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