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:
Andy's Airplanes Episode 1 by ANDY'S AIRPLANES
Andy Meets the Blue Angels is the first in the series of Andy and his best friend Yaygrr the black footed ferret as they travel the world to meet new kids and learn about history, geography, culture, science and of course about aviation. Andy’s Airplanes company mission is to “teach kids without ever having them feel like they are learning”. Episode 1 finds Andy meeting The Blue Angels and learning about Aircraft carriers. Episode 2, coming summer of 08 will have Andy going to Hawaii to learn about volcanoes and Hawaiian culture.
3/27/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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KID K'NEX Country Friends by K'NEX BRANDS
 The colorful, 45-piece set is packaged in a convenient build-on storage case that comes with a handle for easy transport. The set also includes building ideas and instructions on how to create familiar animals from land to sea. This product is a 2007 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award winner.
3/26/2008 (Price: $9.99; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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The Breastfeeding Diaries by MEADOWBROOK PRESS
 In this funny and true-to-life book about breastfeeding, readers will find 50 “diary” entries written by nursing mothers (and one dad) recounting their funnier-than-fiction misadventures. Whether you’re an experienced mom with your fair share of embarrassing nursing moments or a mom-to-be with no clue for what’s in store once you start breastfeeding, you’ll find this anthology of short stories charming, amusing and hilarious. It is edited by Kate Davis, “The Funny Mommy.” This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: October 2007.
3/26/2008 (Price: $8.00; ) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Last Day of Work - Fish Tycoon by LDW SOFTWARE LLC
 In this virtual fish breeding game, players breed and cross breed fish until they find the seven Magic Fish of the island of Isola and solve the genetic puzzle. Players will need to buy supplies such as medication, eggs and special plants and then sell some of fish in your virtual pet store. “This game runs in true real-time meaning that your fish will keep growing even when your computer is off or you are not playing,” Last Day of Work Executive Producer Carla T. Humphrey told TDmonthly. This product won a 2006 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: November 14, 2005.
3/25/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Last Day of Work - Virtual Villagers: A New Home by LDW SOFTWARE LLC
 The village simulator allows players to care for and nurture a tribe of little people by teaching them the basics of survival. The object of the game is to teach the inhabitants to become farmers, builders, researchers and parents and make decisions on unpredictable island events. “This game runs in true real-time meaning that your little villagers will keep living even when your computer is off or you are not playing,” Last Day of Work Executive Producer Carla T. Humphrey told TDmonthly. This product won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 14, 2006.
3/25/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 7 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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MySims by ELECTRONIC ARTS
 The simulation game introduces a cast of whimsical characters while delivering creativity, customization and classic open-ended game play. Players build towns, grow communities and discover new worlds. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: September 2007.
3/25/2008 (Price: $49.99; Age: All Ages) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Adorable Girl - The Sporty Girl by ADORABLE ORIGINALS INC.
 The soft-bodied doll instills in girls the value of beauty inside and out. Each doll comes with identity tag that invites parents and their daughters to log onto a fun and interactive website. “Each doll in the collection is uniquely expressive in her fashion flair and trademark hair,” Melanie Corpstein of Adorable Originals Inc. told TDmonthly, “but it is the positive esteem message carried by each huggable doll that makes them so popular with parents.” This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: Spring 2007.
3/25/2008 (Price: $39.95; Age: 3 to 9) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Family Online Safety Guide by SYMANTEC CORPORATION
 The guide helps parents keep their family safe online. It provides information about online risks and dangers, as well as tips to keep children safe online. A free copy is available on the Norton website. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award.
3/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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HealthRock® Lullabies For Kids of All Ages by HEALTHROCK LLC
 Each original soothing and melodic track is intended to help children relax and fall asleep. “The music was created by an award winning physician/musician and the order of the songs [was] chosen to optimize relaxation” HealthRock LLC Creator and Producer Machelle Seibel, MD told TDmonthly. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: October 1, 2007.
3/25/2008 (Price: $16.98; Age: 0 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Toad Toss'n by DRIVEWAY GAMES COMPANY LLC
 The floating bean bag toss game consists of a 36” x 24” wedge target that inflates and floats like a raft and eight frog-shaped waterproof bean bags. Lilly pad scoring zones add a fun, new twist to the game. The game can be played on land or in a pool. "It takes the fun and huge popularity of traditional lawn bean bag toss to the swimming pool, indoors and beyond with the first-of-its-kind inflatable, floating target and toss bean bags," President Justin Greiwe of Driveway Games Company told TDmonthly. This product was named a 2008 Toy of the Year by Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: June 1, 2008.
3/17/2008 (Price: $16.99; Age: 3 and up) [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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