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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:

Norman PhartEphant™ - the Farting Elephant by FIERCE FUN TOYS LLC

Norman PhartEphant™ - the Farting Elephant by FIERCE FUN TOYS LLCThe soft, squeezable, 10"-round Norman PhartEphant produces eight different fart sounds with each gentle squeeze of his tail. "Norman PhartEphant appeals to all ages, and brings silly to any situation. He has become a gift of choice in hospital gift shops and even hit the corporate world as a gift to give the person that has everything. Really, who doesn't want a farting elephant?" Angela Larson, in sales at Fierce Fun Toys, told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: Great Dad Recommended: Seal of Approval - 2009; The Toy Man: Seal of Approval - 2009; and The Toy Man: Editors Choice Award - 2009. Launch date: June 2009.
 8/19/2009 (Price: $24.95; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Katie's Get Started Pack - Small Necklace Base on Stretch Choker by MAG-TAGZ DESIGNS LLC

KatieMag-tagz are magnetic “tagz” that can be changed regularly to reflect a girl’s ever-changing mood and style. Mag-tagz begins with a large or a small necklace base that sports a magnetic center. Girls just pop in the tagz that suits the look and mood of the moment, from bees and butterflies to slang and slogans. They can be worn, traded and collected. Mag-Tagz received two 2009 Seal of Excellence Awards from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2009.
 8/19/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 5 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Adina's Deck by ADINA'S DECK

AdinaAdina's Deck is a group of 8th-grade friends who use technology to solve a different mystery in every episode. In episode 1, the team is on the case to figure out who has been Cyber Bullying Skye, the most popular girl in the 8th grade. In episode 2, Adina's Deck tries to find out if Ally's online boyfriend is really a dream come true. In Episode 3, someone plagiarized his/her paper in Mr. B's class and the club investigates to find the cheater. "Adina's Deck is the first DVD series of it's kind addressing the social challenges that arise with increased technology use amongst teens," Debbie Heimowitz, co-founder of Adina's Deck, told TDmonthly. "The show is action-packed, filled with comedy and fun for students and parents alike." Adina's Deck has received these awards: International Family Film Festival, Best Educational Film, 2009; Eugene, Oregon, Best Film For Youth, 2009; Kid's First Film Festival, 2nd place, 2008; Honolulu Film Festival, Silver Lei Award, 2009; Approved by the Coalition for Quality Children's Media; and Dr. Toy's Best Summer Vacation Products, 2009. Launch date: August 2009.
 8/19/2009 (Price: $19.95; Age: 9 to 15) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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The Wonder Bib by MUM 2 MUM

The Wonder Bib by MUM 2 MUMDesigned to be every parent's solution for droolers, teethers, eczema, reflux and everyday feeding, Wonder Bibs are made from super-absorbent cotton towelling and have a water-resistant nylon backing. A double-snap adjustable neckline means one bib will last from infant to toddler. The bright color bibs are machine washable and dryer safe. A standard Wonder Bib holds 1/4 cup of water. This product received 2008 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award, a 2008 iParenting Media Greatest Product Award, and a 2008 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: February 2008.
 8/6/2009 (Price: $8.00; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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We Both Read Books by TREASURE BAY INC.

We Both Read Books by TREASURE BAY INC.We Both Read books feature an interactive format designed for a child to take turns reading aloud with a parent or tutor. The left-hand pages feature more sophisticated text for the parent or tutor to read. Then, the child reads the right-hand pages, which feature text written at a specific early reading level. With beautiful illustrations and photos, the books are leveled for children in grades K-3, and the series includes a total of 45 fiction and nonfiction titles. Paperback: $4.99, Hardcover: $9.95. "Designed for shared reading, the We Both Read series brings parents and children together for a wonderful reading experience and faster reading development," Gloria L. Scott, office manager for Treasure Bay, Inc., told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: 2005 - The National Parenting Center; 2008 - Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award; 2007 - Institute for Childhood Resources (1 of 10 best Educational Products); and Mom's Choice Award (finalist for Best Children's Series). Launch date: 1997.
 8/6/2009 (Price: $4.99; Age: 3 to 10) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Nap Pack - Monkeys by CRAFTY BABY

Nap Pack - Monkeys by CRAFTY BABYIdeal for a growing 2- to 7-year-old who may have a nap/rest time at preschool, kindergarten or day care, the Nap Pack is now available in Monkeys, Pink Dots and Daisy Allover prints. Durable, warm and cozy fleece is used for this blanket with attached pillow. It is designed to fit on a standard preschool cot, kindermat or carpet, and fits snuggly into a cubby or hangs on a hook. When rest time is over, the child simply rolls up his/her nap mat, Velcros the straps and grabs the handle to go. This product is made in the USA. It received a Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award and a Toy Man Award of Excellence in 2008. Launch date: December 2002.
 8/6/2009 (Price: $39.99; Age: 2 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Cash Cache - Beginning Personal Finance Organizer by MONEY SAVVY GENERATION

Cash Cache - Beginning Personal Finance Organizer by MONEY SAVVY GENERATIONThis planner is designed to help young adults set short- and long-term goals and demystifies the world of banking, investing and credit. It features a 36-page handbook, four sturdy, zippered pouches for saving, spending, donating and investing, convenient storage pockets, and a privacy padlock. It is available in durable ballistic silver nylon. "This personal finance organizer is simple and easy-to-use. ... A perfect product for the current economic environment," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly in summer 2009. This product has received the following awards: 2004 Parents' Choice Silver Award, 2008 NAPPA Gold Award, and 2008 Product of the Year (Creative Toy Awards) from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: March 2004.
 8/6/2009 (Price: $21.99; Age: 12 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Money Savvy Football Bank by MONEY SAVVY GENERATION

Money Savvy Football Bank by MONEY SAVVY GENERATIONThis distinctive bank has a patented, four-chambered design created to help kids (ages 4-11) and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It helps teach basic money skills (Fiscal Fitness Training for Money - Smart Kids™) by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. It is available in brown with white stripes and laces. The Money Savvy Football Bank received a 2008 NAPPA Gold Award and a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: December 2006.
 8/6/2009 (Price: $16.99; Age: 4 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Moolah, the Money Savvy Cow Bank by MONEY SAVVY GENERATION

Moolah, the Money Savvy Cow Bank by MONEY SAVVY GENERATIONA cousin to the award-winning Money Savvy Pig® piggy bank, this four-chambered bank is designed to help kids (ages 4-11) and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It helps teach basic money skills by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. It is available in clear with black cow spots. "Its unique four-chambered design allows children to deposit their money through four separate slots on the top of the bank — one slot for each money choice — and empty each money chamber individually through the feet on the bank," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: 2004 Parents' Choice Gold Award and 2008 NAPPA Gold Award (National Parenting Publications Awards). Launch date: November 2004.
 8/6/2009 (Price: $16.99; Age: 4 to 11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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Disney Cars - Slot Cars by CARRERA

Disney Cars - Slot Cars by CARRERAThese slot cars let kids feel they are reliving scenes from the Disney flick "Cars." This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: 2009
 8/6/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]


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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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