TDmonthly Magazine!
June 2008 | Vol. VII - No. 6


Tools:


June Staff Picks: Crafts and Critters

Give Customers More to Smile About


Start summer off on the right foot by exploring new products and prepping your mind (and budget) for those ever-important holiday orders. Need help finding new stuff but don’t have time to look through hundreds of products in TDmonthly Magazine’s Notable and New Toys articles? Check out a few options here:



MSRP: $10.00
Age Range: 8 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Collectibles



Maru-bo, the Hero of Gettin' Around, is one of five heroes in the DEBO™ Superheroes team. Production of each superhero is limited to just 50. The figure stands 3" tall and comes with a matching keychain. 
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18504      (added 4/21/2008)
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Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Plush
Gifts



Made of plushest fabric, these adorable Crutch Critters provide a soft, comfortable cushion on any crutch pad. Their feet are filled with beads for extra weight and dangle over the crutch pad adding a touch of whimsy. Crutch Critters are made to easily slip over the crutch pad and fit snugly under the arm. Look for the sports styles coming summer 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18527      (added 4/21/2008)
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MSRP: $20.00
SKU or Item #: gb175
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Educational
Gifts



This set of laminated, 6" x 8" flash cards gives kids a fun way to learn while also providing wall art for a bedroom or nursery. Each card features artwork by Shelley Dieterichs in the form of a boy or girl alphabet letter.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18516      (added 4/21/2008)
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MSRP: $12.95
Age Range: 6 and up
Launch Date: March 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Kits
Books
Educational



The kit includes 16 Stonehenge rocks, a landscaped mat and a 32-page guide about the ancient wonder. Launch date: March 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18567      (added 4/28/2008)
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Launch Date: March 2008
Gender: Girls
Category: Play Sets
Puzzles & Skill
General Toys



The playset resembles the hollowed trunk of a tree and features three spacious levels, a spiral staircase, doors that open and decorative windows. The set’s green “lawn” base is actually a six-piece puzzle. The lodge measures approximately 18” x 24”. Launch date: March 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18541      (added 4/24/2008)
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The kit comes with materials to create an accessorized snowman. Materials include wood fence parts, wood shapes, shovel, felt pieces, raffia and ribbon.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18578      (added 4/28/2008)
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The drawstring pouch is perfect for carrying a child’s favorite toys to the doctor’s office or restaurant. “It even has a carabiner clip for easy access,” Baby Rhys Adventure Gear Inc. CEO Pam Liyanage told TDmonthly.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18576      (added 4/28/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $29.95
Age Range: 4 and up
Launch Date: April 2008
Gender: Girls
Category: Kits
Arts & Crafts
Creative Activities



The kit comes with unique peel-and-stick stencils, fabric paint, glitter and fabric glue, allowing children to easily personalize fabric items such as sneakers, clothes, totes and accessories. “The party-sized kit is packaged in our kid-pleasing hot pink cake box and includes invitations, thank you cards, totes to decorate and enough art materials for a party of twelve,” Storybook Studio Founder Melissa Yamello told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18575      (added 4/28/2008)
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MSRP: $19.95
Age Range: 4 to 8
Launch Date: October 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Books
Christmas
Collectibles



The book tells the timeless classic of the Peanuts gang and their heartwarming quest to uncover the true meaning of Christmas. “This cloth-bound deluxe collector’s edition is faithful to the original television special that airs every Christmas season, and makes the perfect gift for young and old Peanuts fans,” Seta Bedrossian Zink, of Running Press Book Publishers’ publicity department, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18569      (added 4/28/2008)
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MSRP: $15.00
Age Range: 3 and up
SKU or Item #: 111989
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Action Figures



Jumbo-sized and child friendly wildlife wonders of the world. Designed to be lightweight and soft to the touch, this series consists of a tiger, giraffe, lion, zebra, hippopotamus, gorilla and polar bear, as well as an elephant. All are finely hand-painted, phthalate-free and safety tested. Each comes with an educational hang tag in five languages. Hippopotamus size: 10" L x 6" H.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18617      (added 4/28/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $24.00
Age Range: 1 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Wooden Toys
Infant & Toddler



Recommended for ages 6 months and up, these 2" hardwood blocks in a pastel palette are handpainted and handprinted with non-toxic finishes, featuring images of old-fashioned toys, letters and numbers. Six blocks come in a clear drawstring pouch. A bright set is also available. “It is handmade in our small studio in New York,” Owner and Designer Kerri Lee-Sensiba told TDmonthly.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18611      (added 4/28/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $6.00
Age Range: 3 and up
Launch Date: February 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Arts & Crafts
School Supplies
Creative Activities



The drawing book comes with 60 blank pages. A matching oil pastel set is also available. “Beautiful artwork packaging [will] inspire little artists!” Roisin Ross of eeBoo Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18601      (added 4/28/2008)
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MSRP: $199.00
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Dolls
Collectibles



Monika continues to amaze everyone with her beautiful 40" vinyl children. There have been many requests for Monika to create an adorable boy to go with the girls that they have been collecting. Monika has sculpted Michael. He as a beautifully expressive face that will warm your heart. Monika has dressed him in a typical little boy's outfit with slouchy gray tone pants and coordinating stripped shirt. I also love the way she has put on his blue cap. Michael has fully sculpted arms that go into the shoulder plate and legs sculpted well above the knees. His eyes are blue and he has brunette wig. Michael comes with a dark brown wooden based doll stand. Limited Edition 350 pieces.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18665      (added 5/1/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $15.95
Age Range: 4 to 8
SKU or Item #: 1-59702-014-1
Launch Date: October 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Books
Preschool



In this third installment, the Octonauts crew meets a fish with a giant frown on his face. He looks so glum that he's causing everyone around him to feel down also. The Octonauts try music-making, field trips, miniature golf and even a baking marathon to try to cheer up their new friend. “Created by popular illustration and design team, MEOMI, the Octonauts will excite the imaginations of kids and adults of all ages,” Amy Ma of Immedium told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18687      (added 5/1/2008)
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MSRP: $17.99
Age Range: 4 to 9
Launch Date: August 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Vehicles - Small Toy
American-Made
General Toys



HANDTRUX®, a BRAND new, made in AMERICA toy line of safe, imaginative, hand-operated construction vehicle toys. To be released first: the HANDTRUX® Backhoe, along with a film documentary, “Zapped by a Dream: How to make a toy in America” and an original rock music CD by Rough Embrace, “Crush on You.” These unique sandbox sized dirt machines look and work just like the Big Iron, kids can really do precision digging for hours of unstructured playtime. “This is a new twist on a time-treasured category: sand toys. Unlike previous offerings, these are toys that you wear, incorporating the patented, amazing ‘handraulic’-operated power grip,” Ernest Autumn Van Den Heuvel, president of TenTonToys/EVERGREENRIVER Media Holdings LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18933      (added 5/19/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $7.00
Age Range: 7 and up
Launch Date: September 2008
Gender: Girls
Category: Arts & Crafts
Kits
Tween



The kit comes with assorted wood and felt pieces, one sheet of transfer, rattail, gems, three lobster clips and color instructions. “These dangle pals are easy to create…[and] very trendy,” Bojeux Inc. Coordinator Isabelle Grenon told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18676      (added 5/1/2008)
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MSRP: $99.99
Age Range: 8 and up
Launch Date: January 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Science & Nature
Educational
Kits



The kit features 30 snap-together parts, a rock-like base with six plant fossils, a dinosaur jawbone fragment, support rods, a full-color T-Rex action poster and full-color assembly instructions. The skeleton displays beautifully after assembly. “Dinosaurs are very popluar right now and our product is a great quality for the money,” Educational Insights Inc. Advertising and Public Relations Coordinator Heidi Bultman told TDmonthly. “Also, our dinosaur can be put together over and over again, and does not use glue.” Launch date: January 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18716      (added 5/5/2008)
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MSRP: $19.95
Age Range: 5 and up
Launch Date: January 2010
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Arts & Crafts
Kits
Creative Activities



Kits include the Funky Groovy Tie Dye Kit and the Large Tie Dye Kit. The Funky Groovy Tie Dye Kit contains three primary colors of Procion MX dye in applicator bottles, gloves, rubber bands, soda ash and written instructions. Enough product to do up to 5 shirts. The Large Tie Dye Kit dyes up to 15 adult T-shirts and contains primary colors of pre-measured procion dye powder in applicators, soda ash dye fixer, rubber bands, rubber gloves, an extra applicator bottle for mixing secondary colors and simple instructions. Launch Date: January 2010.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18714      (added 5/5/2008)
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MSRP: $27.00
Age Range: 3 and up
Launch Date: February 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Puzzles & Skill
General Games
Wooden Toys



The wood puzzle is very environmentally friendly. It is constructed from two tree bases that fit into one interlocking base. Each piece of the puzzle must be assembled in order, helping children learn the order of the alphabet and numbers. “Children enjoy this puzzle because they feel twice as satisfied when completing the puzzle,” Tony Goonewardenn of Creatively Yours Gift Designs told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18745      (added 5/5/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $12.00
Age Range: 8 and up
Launch Date: May 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Puzzles & Skill
General Games
General Toys



The box contains over half a dozen classic mind-benders, take-aparts and other conundrums to keep the puzzler bemused, busy and happy. “Variety, value, and fun packaging all make this a great product,” Peggy Tobias of Copernicus Toys told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18740      (added 5/5/2008)
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MSRP: $20.00
Age Range: 10 and up
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Construction
Puzzles & Skill
Creative Activities



This is a replica of the Notre Dame du Haut, a chapel designed by world famous Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier. The model is designed on a 1:175 scale and measures 10” x 8” x 5-1/2” when assembled.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18729      (added 5/5/2008)
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MSRP: $12.95
Age Range: 6 and up
Launch Date: September 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Books



The fully-illustrated, step-by-step guide teaches readers how to raise and train a baby dragon, and how to take flight on the wings of their very own dragon mount. Launch date: September 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18732      (added 5/5/2008)
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MSRP: $11.99
Age Range: 4 and up
SKU or Item #: 4178
Launch Date: January 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Travel
Play Sets
General Toys



The convenient, take-along case comes with 69 pieces, including a figure, a shopping cart, three cartons, detergent, canned goods, drinks and more. Launch date: January 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18795      (added 5/13/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $29.99
Age Range: 0 and up
SKU or Item #: NG6013
Launch Date: June 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Licensed Products
Plush
General Toys



The plush elephant comes with a collectible fun fact card featuring gorgeous National Geographic photography and amazing facts about the elephant. The elephant, part of the African and Asian Mammals collection, stands 14” tall and features plush tusks. Launch date: June 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18909      (added 5/19/2008)
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Wholesale Price: (Log in to view)
MSRP: $20.00
Age Range: 4 and up
SKU or Item #: K71103
Launch Date: July 2008
Gender: Boys And Girls
Category: Kits
Play Sets
Pretend Play



The toaster pops out toast, the heavy duty die-cast blender blades spin at the push of a button and the can opener opens cans. The set includes two cans fruit, a can opener, a jar of jam, two pieces of toast, a die-cast metal toaster, a lunch plate, a knife, an ice cream carton, three scoops of ice cream, an ice cream scoop, a die-cast metal blender, a carton or milk, a bottle of soda and four glasses. Launch date: Summer 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18903      (added 5/19/2008)
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SKU or Item #: 1116
Launch Date: January 2008
Gender: Boys
Category: Infant & Toddler
Gifts



The sports-themed socks are 82 percent cotton, 13 percent polyester, 3 percent nylon and 2 percent spandex. The socks are available in child sizes 0 to 5-1/2. The socks come in soccer, basketball, football and baseball themes. Launch date: 2008.
ToyDirectory Product ID#: 18915      (added 5/19/2008)
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Julie L. JonesWriter's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author


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