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The Few, The Proud...The Award-Winning Toys!
Who Made the Cut This Year?
By Alison Marek and Julie L. Jones
Thousands
of products are introduced to the toy industry every year, but only a
limited number are good enough, playable enough and innovative enough
to garner an award.
In addition to issuing
TDmonthly
Awards, TDmonthly
Magazine regularly asks manufacturers
to present their award winners to our readers so that retailers can quickly
identify products with great potential and manufacturers can learn and
be inspired by others' successes. Here are the most recent responses:
DIY SqwishLand by SQWISHLAND LLC
 Kids choose the DIY SqwishLand Parrot or Frog and paint their very own rare SqwishLander. Each box set includes a 5” unpainted Sqwishland character, six acrylic paints and one brush. Kids then use the included code to unlock the online gallery at www.SqwishLand.com/diy to register and post their one-of-a-kind soft ‘n squishy design for all to see. The online community at SqwishLand.com will vote on a favorite DIY design each month. Winning designs could become the next Rare Sqwishlander in the game and on store shelves. An Artist’s Guide and detailed instructions are included. Launch date: Summer 2011.
Awards: 2011 Fall Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center
8/23/2011 (Price: $9.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Huggerz by KIDZIES LLC
 Keep your kid’s drinks safer from the elements with our Sweatless Technology. Our chic designs easily identify cups, minimize furniture rings and make it fun. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards: Nickelodeon's Parent's Connect "Deals and Steals" featured item, April 2011
8/23/2011 (Price: $6.00; Age: 1 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Chuggington Wooden Railway Trainee Roundhouse Set by LEARNING CURVE
 This 32-piece set features a one-level roundhouse with an over-the-top track layout. Includes Koko, Brewster, Vee, Chuggington sign and 2-in-1 tunnel. Compatible with other wooden track systems.
Awards: 2011 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio "Gold Seal" winner
— Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Inc in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that her best-selling collectibles are Chuggington trains and sets. "It's something that can be expanded and passed on to the next generation," she explained.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in a February 2013 survey that Chuggington wooden railways were their best selling wooden toy.
8/22/2011 (Price: $119.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Africa Sticker Collection by PUTUMAYO KIDS
 Curious kids will have hours of fun with this captivating sticker collection which features a fold-out African landscape, African animal and instrument glossary and colorful, informative map. Launch date: October 2010.
Awards: 2011 Parents’ Choice Award
8/12/2011 (Price: $11.95; Age: 3 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
The Worry Chest System by THE WORRY CHEST SYSTEM
 The Worry Chest System opens the door of communication between parent and child. The Worry Chest System will bridge the gap that exists between a child's thoughts and the parent's awareness of their problems. Worries will be written down and addressed as soon as they occur so they won't snowball into stress and anxiety. Children quickly learn how to manage and control negative thinking. Through tracking their worries, children can emotionally bond to the understanding that most problems workout, and that we grow from the problems that are more challenging. The Worry Chest System teaches children how to think positive, both about themselves and eventually even about the problems they face. It's fun, and won't seem like "work" for a child. Includes The Worry Chest, The Worry Chest, Instruction Guide, Worry Slips, The Worry Tracker, WCS Gratitude Journal, Quick Start Guide. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2010 Grant from the State of New York; 2010 Creative Child Magazine Award Winner.
8/12/2011 (Price: $30.00; Age: 4 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Phonics Vol. 2 DVD by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.
 Exciting animation, catchy songs, sentence practice, and fun stories help students apply phonics rules and read for meaning. The on-screen mouth helps learners check pronunciation. Covers long vowels, r-controlled vowels, diphthongs, syllables, ending sounds, rule breakers, common sight words, and words with silent consonants. After students master the lessons on both Volumes, they have the skills to read any book. Approx. 78 min. Launch date: June 2010.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year Award (Classroom DVDs for Reading Category); 2010 The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval; 2010 Parents’ Choice Recommended.
8/12/2011 (Price: $19.99; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Sight Words DVD by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.
 Sight words are the most frequently used words in the English language, and this DVD helps students learn to read them automatically. As a supplement to phonics-based strategies, Rock 'N Learn Sight Words boosts reading and spelling skills. Children learn over 60 sight words through engaging characters, entertaining songs, and fun practice. Words are presented in context to help build reading comprehension. Includes all pre-primer Dolch words, the top 20 from Fry's, and more. A bonus section helps kids with word shapes and spelling skills. Pre-k & up. Approx. 50 minutes. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: 2011 National Parenting Seal of Approval
8/12/2011 (Price: $19.99; Age: 4 to 7) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Phonics Vol. 1 DVD by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.
 Learning to read is fun and easy when phonics rules are taught by cool characters using music and games. Kids begin by learning the sounds of letters and letter combinations. Next, the sounds are put together to read words, phrases, and sentences. Soon, students read cute stories and sing songs to build fluency and comprehension. Covers short vowels, beginning consonants, special consonant sounds, plurals, beginning and ending consonant blends, digraphs, word families, and silent e. Approx. 70 min. Launch date: January 2011.
Awards: 2010 The National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval; 2010 Mom’s Best Awesome Products; 2010 Creative Child Magazine; 2010 Media of the Year Award (Classroom DVDs for Reading Category); 2010 The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Honors; 2010 Parents’ Choice Recommended; 2010 Teachers’ Choice Awards for the Family; 2010 Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Audio/Visuals for 2010; 2010 Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 2010; 2010 Mom’s Choice Awards; 2010 Dove Family Approved Seal.
8/10/2011 (Price: $19.99; Age: 6 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Colors, Shapes, & Counting DVD by ROCK 'N LEARN INC.
 Preschoolers join Rollie Roundman and friends for a learning adventure full of songs, laughter, and games. Children enjoy counting and identifying objects by color, shape, or a combination of both. Includes advanced concepts. Approx. 46 min. Launch date: June 2010.
Awards: 2011 Mom’s Best Award; 2011 Creative Child Magazine DVD of the Year
8/10/2011 (Price: $19.99; Age: 2 to 5) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Thermobaby Aquababy Bath Ring by JUVENILE SOLUTIONS, INC.
 The Aquababy is suitable for babies 7-16 months when the child starts to want to sit up. The Rounded shape gently supports the child while giving it freedom of movement. Features include a non slip seat Extra large suction cups for excellent stability (Not suitable for non-skid surfaces). No assembly or accessories needed. Contains no BPA, Phthalates, PVC or Lead. Pkg: Boxed. Case Pack: 3 Units per color. Min order: 12 units, colors can be mixed White/Blue,White/Black,Blue/Green, Lilac/Plum,Dark Pink/Light Pink.
Awards: 2011 Babble.com Best Bath Award
8/10/2011 (Price: $36.00; Age: 0 to 1) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Following are some of the programs represented in TDmonthly.com's section of award winners: Dr.
Toy, iParenting
Media Awards, TIA
T.O.T.Y., Oppenheim
Toy Portfolio, The
National Parenting Center, and Parents'
Choice Awards.
You may also access TDmonthly's review
section to see which products earned 5 TD stars.
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