|
|
 |
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:
Sarah Lee Guthrie & Family - Go Waggaloo by SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS
 Joined by a host of family and friends including Arlo Guthrie, Pete and Tao Rodriguez Seeger, singer-songwriter Sarah Lee Guthrie presents thoughtful yet playful recordings of traditional songs and new compositions. The album includes three songs featuring lyrics by Woody Guthrie never before put to music and eight songs written by Sarah Lee and family. Awards: 2009 Dr. Toy ("Best Picks" Award) and 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio (“PLATINUM” Award). Launch date: October 27, 2009.
2/4/2010 (Price: $11.98; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Think Green! Book and Starter Kit by KIDS THINK BIG LLC
 The Starter Kit includes the following: a signed Think Green! book with an environmental message, a reusable children's shopping bag, a reusable napkin to color, and a Kids Think Big bracelet made from reclaimed climbing rope. It can be all wrapped with a colorful piece of 100-percent PCW wrapping paper. Awards: Moonbeam Children's Book Award 2009, Creative Child 2009 Preferred Choice Award, Garden Club of America’s 2009 Club Conservation Award. Launch date: 2010.
2/4/2010 (Price: $25.00; Age: 3 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
On the Fly by FREE TO BE ME BABY PRODUCTS LLC
 This portable, all natural bottle warmer provides for multiple feedings on an airplane or just while running errands. It provide a tepid temperature that increases the nutritional value of breast milk or infant formula. It also offers slow, natural warmth that increases tryptophan, which naturally produce relaxation and sleep. It can also be used with sippy cups. Awards: 2010 National Parenting Center; 2010 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: September 19, 2009.
1/14/2010 (Price: $35.00; Age: 0 to 4) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Golfer's Footprint® Swing Trainer by GOLFER'S FOOTPRINT INC.
 The award-winning, patented Golfer’s Footprint® Swing Trainer is designed to help golfers learn ball control. Recommended by top PGA, LPGA, and Natural Golf® instructors, the Golf Swing Trainer takes golfers back to the fundamentals — simply point and shoot. "The Golfer’s Footprint® works with all your clubs from driver to wedges and is an excellent trainer for focusing your chipping game around the green. You can even use the trainer in the bunker to master those difficult sand shots. The trainer is designed to fit in your golf bag, so no matter where you go, you have a professional golf lesson with you. Simply point and swing and you’re on the path to a better golf game and lower scores. The trainer is available in left- and right-handed models," Marshall Townsend, President, Golfer's Footprint, told TDmonthly. Awards: iparenting Media Outstanding Products of 2007. Launch date: June 2001.
1/14/2010 (Price: $34.50; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
By the Sword by BOYDS MILLS PRESS
 This 40-page hardcover delves into the Battle of Long Island during the Revolutionary War, as told by teacher Benjamin Tallmadge and other sources. It is written by Selena Castrovilla and illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. The book was named to the 2008 IRA Children's and Young Adults' Book Award Notable Book List. Launch date: April 2007.
1/6/2010 (Price: $17.95; Age: 10 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Torch Fire Truck by WORX TOYS INC.
 The Torch Fire Truck lets children get a detailed look inside to see how it works. The Torch Fire Truck comes with an illustrated Howie Work’s adventure hardcover storybook that takes them through how each of the major parts work in real life. By pushing a simple, three-digit combination of buttons on the vehicle or the included Worx Storybook Transmitter, an infrared signal is sent to the Torch Fire Truck revealing a working engine, emergency lights, fire hose, and much more. Launch date: July 2011.
Awards: 2011 Creative Child Toy of the Year
1/6/2010 (Price: $65.00; Age: 6 to 14) ENTER WORX TOYS INC. TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Fish by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.
 This bright fabric fish with puckered lips has a pull-out skeleton underneath its skin. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Top Fun; Creative Child Magazine Toy Award 2010
1/5/2010 (Price: $20.00; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
CitiBlocs Hot Colors by CITIBLOCS LLC
 This set of 200 precision-cut pine planks for building features red, yellow, orange, pink and natural color planks. Each plank measures 1" x 4.5" x 0.25", and the color comes from water-based stain that is naturally absorbed by the wood. Fifty- and 100-piece sets are also available. Launch date: February 2010.
Awards: The National Parenting Center's Spring 2010 Seal of Approval; 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 2010- Dr. Toy Best Green Products, NAPPA 2010 Honors Award recipient, NAPPA 2010 Best Bang for Buck Award winner.
Watch Toy Fair 2010 Video
1/5/2010 (Price: $22.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
CitiBlocs Cool Colors by CITIBLOCS LLC
 The multicolored 200-piece "Cool Colors" set features four different block colors plus natural wood blocks. This set features redesigned packaging, revamped colors and a lower price.
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products, NAPPA 2010 Honors Award recipient, NAPPA 2010 Best Bang for Buck Award. Launch date: February 2010.
See 2010 TDmonthly Video Demo
1/5/2010 (Price: $43.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
8-in-1 Combo Games Set by TERRA TOYS
 Under a licensing agreement with World Wildlife Fund, Terra Toys introduces the Wildlife Conservation Collection. Players can challenge themselves in strategy and conservation with the 8-in-1 Combo Games Set, learning about some incredible species. Illustrated game boards and pieces are designed to bring endangered species and habitats to life. Games featured include: chess, checkers, backgammon, dominoes, ludo, pick-up sticks, and salamanders and ladders, plus playing cards and instructions for all games. The games teach strategy and teamwork, improve numbers skills and provide social companionship. The set is portable and compact. The components, including the playing cards, wood pieces, boards and the storage unit, are made from Forest Stewardship Council materials. The pick up sticks are made from bamboo. Package size is 10.5" L x 2" W x 10.5" H. "The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, international non-profit association established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Approximately 5 percent from the sale of the product will be donated to support WWF’s global conservation efforts. In addition, the products are beautifully designed to stimulate empathy for and understanding of the animals and the unique habitats depicted," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Awards: Dr. Toy Green Toy of the Year 2009. Launch date: January 10, 2009.
12/28/2009 (Price: $49.95; Age: 6 and up) [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.
|
|
Advertise on TDmonthly
|
