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:
The Rumpster Q One-Size Cloth Diaper by CJ SWAG LLC
 The Rumpster Q is a quintessential earth-friendly diaper that makes diapering less expensive. Velcro closures and an adjustable rise allow it to fit a child from birth through potty learning. It received a Spring 2007 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center. “The Rumpster Q looks like a trim and well-fitting single-sized cloth diaper, but adjusts to fit like a one-size-fits-all. This makes diapering a budget-friendly and earth-friendly solution for everyone,” Lea Anne Daughrity of CJ Swag told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007.
6/25/2007 (Price: $14.95; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There by NAXOS OF AMERICA
 This three-CD set covers the enchanting conclusion to Alice’s adventures. It is narrated by David Horovitch and Jo Wyatt, and the cast includes Richard Wilson, David Shaw Parker, David Timson, Teresa Gallagher, Sean Barrett and others. This product was named to the American Library Association’s Notable Children’s Recording List in 2007.
6/25/2007 (Price: $22.98; Age: 1 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
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Floating 3D's – Amusement Park by EDUSHAPE LTD.
 This wet-and-stick floating three-dimensional amusement park is fun to use in the tub. The pieces included float in the water or stick to the walls, and the ferris wheel goes round and round. Kids can race with the cars, pet the pony and more. This product received a 2007 iParenting Media Award.
6/25/2007 (Price: $11.95; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Handwriting Instruction Guide – Transitional Manuscript Lowercase by SCHOOL-RITE
 This instruction guide features 1” letters on an 8 ½” x 11” template that includes sample letters for identification, numbered stroke sequence and arrows showing proper stroke direction. Ruled lines illustrate correct letter proportion, spacing and placement. A sample word is included, showing how letters can be combined to make words.This product received a 2006 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine.
6/25/2007 (Price: $10.95; Age: 4 to 9) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Giant Alphabet Set – Manuscript Lowercase by SCHOOL-RITE
 This set is offered in a 2” format and features letters on individual templates in manuscript style. Each template displays sample letters for proper letter identification. A numbers set is also available. This product received a 2007 Teachers’ Choice Award.
6/25/2007 (Price: $24.50; Age: 3 to 6) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Builder's Bay Sand and Water Table by LITTLE TIKES INC.
 Realistic design and styling bring imagination to life in this harbor town experience. The table comes fully equipped with a large interactive crane system and water motion control systems. The accessory set includes dump and semi trucks, ocean containers and bridges. The table also includes a large umbrella to protect it and little ones from the elements. This product received a Spring 2007 Parents’ Choice Award. Launch date: February 2007.
6/25/2007 (Price: $99.99; Age: 2 to 6) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Little Adventurers by THE LITTLE PLAYDATES COMPANY
 Created by parents, this DVD is the second DVD in the Little Playdates video program series for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. This second installation will bring kids on a playdate adventure with over 130 new friends. Kids will learn about kindness, sharing and friendship at visits to museums, floral gardens and fire stations. “[Our DVD series] is now being credited with helping some young children with Autism and other developmental disabilities,” JoAnne Pettry, CEO of The Little Playdates Company, told TDmonthly. This product was featured in Parenting Magazine’s Best Products Picks in March 2007. It is a winner of the Dr. Toy Best Products 2007 Award, the 2007 Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award and the Dove Foundation Seal of Approval. Launch date: February 28, 2007.
6/22/2007 (Price: $14.98; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Little Friends by THE LITTLE PLAYDATES COMPANY
 This DVD/CD combo is the first DVD in the Little Playdates video program series for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. The video focuses on positive social and emotional growth through child-to-child interaction and play. “Our DVDs are being endorsed by the President of the National Autism Association, Wendy Fournier, as well as parents everywhere,” JoAnne Pettry, CEO of The Little Playdates Company, told TDmonthly. “We are being told our DVDs are helping children break out of their shells and become more social.” This product is a winner of the 2006 iParenting Outstanding Products Award.
6/22/2007 (Price: $9.98; Age: 0 to 3) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Mully's Lullys by TAMARA BEATTY
 The voice and melodies on this CD will soothe, relax and delight parents and children. Named after her golden retriever dog, Mulligan (Mully for short), artist Tamara Beatty made every effort to create a CD that families look forward to listening to over and over again. The CD is perfect for relaxation, naps, car rides and snoozing. Kids can even visit the website to meet the real Mully. This product is a winner of the Parent’s Choice Approved Award. Launch date: January 2007.
6/22/2007 (Price: $13.99; Age: 0 to 6) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Griddly Headz Baseball Game by GRIDDLY GAMES INC.
 Griddly Headz Baseball Game will hit a home run with any family. Dice rolling and sports-related challenges combined with strategy, alliances and a bit of luck make these games action-packed from the first roll of the dice to the final frenzied seconds. The game's strong and sturdy construction will make it last from one generation to the next. This game received a Dr. Toy Award for Best Products for Summer 2008. And the deluxe version is a 2007 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: June 2007.
6/22/2007 (Price: $49.95; Age: 8 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.
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