November 2007 New Toys — All

Star Rocket by SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER

This 23” rocket takes only minutes to assemble and can soar up to 300’ in the air. Experiments with baking soda and vinegar offer an introduction to chemistry and physics. 11/8/2007 (Price: $23.99)

Make A Plate® Kit by MAKIT PRODUCTS

Make-A-Plate® has been a family fun memory maker since 1969. Preserve a memory by capturing the imagination of the artist in a usable product that is dishwasher safe and break resistant. Each Make A Plate® Kit contains 5 drawing sheets and markers, plus one pre-paid certificate for processing artwork into one 10" melamine plate at the Magic Factory™. Awards: TDmonthly Classic 2009.

Past Videos: Toy Fair 2008

Where to Buy: Poopsie's

( Watch Video) 11/7/2007 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DC MiniMates Wave 7 - Starfire & Nightwing by DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS

The action figures range in size from 2-1/8" to 2-1/2" in height. Starfire and Nightwing come as a pair, blister-carded on a four-dolor card. Also available in the DC MiniMates Wave 7 series is Batman and Clayface, Gorilla Grodd and The Flash and Lobo and Ambush Bug. Launch date: March 5, 2008. 11/7/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Battling Water Toys - Octopus by FROLICKING FLOATERS

The inflatable toy floats on water, with an open head cavity for swimmers to place their head. There are two handles under the toy for gripping the two squirt guns. Other available varieties include turtle, killer whale, helmet and more. Launch date: January 2008. ( Watch Video) 11/7/2007 (Price: $25.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

First Impressions by FAMILY PASTIMES

The game that has everyone talking!

Often we form first impressions of each other based on what someone likes or dislikes, or how they look or speak. This game, in a non-competitive, relaxed and friendly format, allows players to describe these first impressions using the Special Idea Cards provided. The Cards are sometimes serious, sometimes playful and humorous. Always thought-provoking.

Some suggested uses:

Ice-breaker & socializer
Focus point for conferences
Classroom aid to nurture communication skills
Seniors recreation time

Get to know each other! Share some laughs. A great resource for groups of young & old. Play quickly or take your time. Easily adapts to all situations. Never worry about being eliminated or losing.

Includes: 10 personal charts, 220 card themes, rules.

4-20 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $7.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Taxi! by FAMILY PASTIMES

Everyone is a driver working for the Yellow Bird Taxi Company. Each driver takes a shift driving the Taxi, doing your best for the company and leaving the Taxi in good shape for the next driver.

The object of the game is to deliver as many of the 15 customers as you can to their destinations, and earn as much money as you can.

The game ends in one of two ways. All the customers get delivered, or your taxi gets hauled off the road with too many Demerit Points against it.

There's lots to do before the night is over besides just delivering fares to their destinations. Events are happening all over the city, while there are speeding tickets to deal with, grabbing that necessary cup of coffee when you get tired, getting through traffic jams, past construction sites, watching out for thieves, keeping an eye on the gas gauge or fixing failing brakes.

It will be a night to remember, no matter what happens!

Includes: 17 x 17" board, Yellow Bird Taxi card, sets of where, event, special places and gear cards, money, taxi mover, pawn, daily record card, rules for easy and hard games.

1-8 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $16.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hotel Ritz by FAMILY PASTIMES

The players are a team of House Detectives coordinating their efforts to prevent a gang of sophisticated Thieves from stealing the Hotel Guests' Valuables, worth Millions.

We have Surveillance Cameras, Burglar Alarms, Handcuffs, sets of Fake Valuables, and Brilliant Minds (that's us) to assist in our fight against Crime. With a bit of luck, lots of cleverness, and good Teamwork, losses will be little or nil.

But we must not underestimate those Thieves. Just look at their plush Hideout loaded with Goodies. They know how to use the Elevators and Hallways to advantage. They are Specialists in thieving particular Valuables — although there is one who knows no limits and will steal everything.

Millions of dollars are at stake, not to mention lots of Reward money. It is up to us to outfox the foxes and teach them that Crime doesn't pay, no matter how slick and greedy you are.

Includes: 17 x 17" board, 8 kinds of valuables, 6 thieves, 6 thieves' hideouts, 9 stopper cards, jail, rules for basic and harder games.

1-8 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $12.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Eyes of the Jungle by FAMILY PASTIMES

Trouble is stirring in the jungle. Village children have disappeared, temples have been robbed, rare animals captured...

A call for help reaches our hidden camp. We slip into the dark and dangerous Interior. Our mission is to protect and save. We are the eyes and ears of the jungle — the Jungle Rangers. Skill and cleverness will be needed to make the rescues and return alive. Imaginations will be challenged because we must use whatever resources we find to overcome the deadly dangers. But our very best resource is ourselves, working as a team, eyes and ears for each other. Careful thinking, bold imagination and cooperative teamwork are encouraged.

A different adventure each time. Tricky strategies entice adults as well. Take great care, amigos!

Includes: 13" x 18" board, valuables, dangers, resources, special chart.

1-10 Players 11/6/2007 (Price: $10.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Futurama - LEELA & ROBERTO I-MEN 2-Pack by TOYNAMI

LEELA & ROBERTO I-MEN 2-Pack are packed together on blister card. Though only 2.5” tall, each features 10 points of articulation. 11/5/2007

Inuyasha - Kagura by TOYNAMI

Kagura - Kagura is a demon created from a portion of Naraku's body. However, she rebels against Naraku and secretly has designs on his life. She can command the wind freely with the magical fan that she holds in her right hand. She comes packaged on a blister card. 11/5/2007

Emily the Strange by TOYNAMI

The original good kitty gone bad! Emily is a leader, a troublemaker, a dreamer and a link to the stranger in all of us. Celebrate that link with two new action figures from Toynami feature classic Emily poses: “Armed & Strangerous” and “Problem Child”. Each figure comes with a stand and Emily’s cat Mystery. They’re packaged on a blister card. 11/5/2007

Bleach – Rukia by TOYNAMI

Rukia is a soul reaper from the Soul Society who transferred all her power to Ichigo and must stay in the human world until she gets them back. She comes with a Kon action figure and is packaged on a blister card. She features movable arms. 11/5/2007

Action Sorter & Conveyer by ROKENBOK

This motorized conveyer carries ROKs to the Action Sorter, where they can be sent in four directions for either reloading or storage. It requires three AA batteries. 11/5/2007 (Price: $64.99)

Color-a-Messenger Bag by ALEX BRANDS

Decked out with designs of pets, fruits, stars and flowers, this bag, measuring 14” W x 11” W x 4” D, allows kids to custom-color to their heart’s content. It is large enough to carry school books and binders, and comes with six permanent markers in a pouch. This product was named one of Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Creative Products and 100 Best Children’s Products.
— “The Color-a-Messenger Bag from Alex is a good one for us,” said Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., of the strongest-selling items for girls in her store in summer 2009.
— In late 2007, 40 percent of retailers singled out Alex-Panline USA Inc. as their best-selling arts-and-crafts manufacturer. Two of 47 retailers told TDmonthly in June 2009 that the Color-a-Messenger Bag is a best-selling gift item for girls.
— Ken, working manager at Toys Unique in Dallas, Texas, told TDmonthly previously that his store does well with Alex’s Color-a-Messenger Bag, selling just under 50 per month. Explorations Inc. Owner Chuck Harper in Granger, Ind., had named this item as his store’s best-seller. ( Watch Video) 11/5/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Constructive Eating Utensil Set by CONSTRUCTIVE EATING

This set, designed to “feed kids creatively,” includes one Fork-Lift Fork, one Front-Loader Spoon and one Bull-Dozer Pusher. ( Watch Video) 11/5/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Baby's First Blocks by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this simple set includes 12 colored cubes in six different shades. Each measures 1.75” square. 11/5/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Chalkboard and Dry Erase Board by MELISSA & DOUG

This two-sided board allows kids to release their artistic expressions either on a chalkboard or dry-erase surface. It comes with colored chalk, a dry-erase marker, and 36 magnetic letters and numbers. The board measures 16” x 12” x 0.75”.
— As of fall 2007, new art supplies by Melissa & Doug rank as a top seller at Brain Station and Tree Town Toys in Ann Arbor, Mich., said Owners Hans and Tricia Masing.
— “Melissa & Doug has some cute new travel games they just came out [with], and we are selling one or more a day,” Andre Truso, a longtime salesperson at The World of Mirth in Richmond, Va., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
— “New travel games by Melissa & Doug…We just got them in, but they are selling pretty fast,” Mary Fortier, a longtime salesperson at The Toy Palace in Jackson, Miss., told TDmonthly in March 2008. 11/5/2007

Padme Amidala - Ilum Mission by SIDESHOW COLLECTIBLES

The 12” Star Wars figure is a limited edition doll, with only 3,500 pieces produced. She features over 30 points of articulation and is modeled after the likeness of Natalie Portman, who portrays Padme Amidala in the “Star Wars” movies. She also comes dressed in full costume, complete with accessories and a display base. Launch date: Early 2008.
- “Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith” generated over $380,000,000 in the U.S. Box Office.
- In the Chicago-Sun Times, late movie critic Roger Ebert wrote, “‘Star Wars’ taps the pulp fantasies buried in our memories, and because it's done so brilliantly, it reactivates old thrills, fears, and exhilarations we thought we'd abandoned.”
- Golden Globe-winning actress Natalie Portman has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards and one Oscar. 11/5/2007 (Price: $54.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shrek the Third: Kung Fu Princess Fiona by MGA ENTERTAINMENT

The Shrek princess doll comes with a karate outfit underneath her dress. Raise the doll’s right arm and a kick will automate. Princess Fiona also comes with body art on her arm, with an additional temporary body art tattoo for children.
- The 2007 release of “Shrek the Third” garnered over $320,700,000 million in the U.S Box Office.
- Fiona’s face is interchangeable, with an ogress mask included for more expansive play.
- The Shrek Kung Fu Princess line also includes Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Cinderella and Snow White. 11/5/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wonder woman Series 1: Agent Diana Prince by DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS

The articulated figure stands 6-5/8” tall and comes with its own display base. Launch date: December 5, 2007.
- Designed by Terry Dodson, the Wonder Woman Series 1 line also includes Wonder Woman, Circe and Donna Troy as Wonder Woman.
- A full-length, big screen adaptation of Wonder Woman is scheduled for release in 2009.
- Wonder Woman possesses many special gifts endowed by the Olympian gods, including the Lasso of Truth and bulletproof bracelets formed from the shield of Aegis. 11/5/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Warbird Action Figure by MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT GROUP INC.

The 6” tall PVC figure features rubber hair and a rubber sash. The figure also comes with a Giant Man lower torso piece. Launch date: July 2006.
- Highly unusual for a female figure, Warbird boasts 44 articulations, including ball joint shoulders, bicep twists, double articulations at the knees and elbows and more.
- Originally known as Carol Danyers, the character became Ms. Marvel in the first issue of her own series, and then came back as Warbird in The Avengers.
- Marvel comics was founded in 1939, and released its first issue, Marvel Comics #1, the same year. 11/5/2007

WWE ECW Series 3 Layla by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

The miniature version of leather-clad Layla stands 6” tall. It even comes with accessories to help her act out her signature WWE moves. Launch date: December 2007.
— The figure features 25 points of articulation.
— As of 2007, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is the largest professional wrestling promotion in the world.
— Layla was an NBA Miami Heat dancer before she joined WWE in 2006. 11/5/2007 (Price: $7.99)

POTC At World's End Elizabeth Swann Action Figure by NECA

The 7” tall action figure is modeled after the likeness of Kiera Knightley’s character, Elizabeth Swann, in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End.” The figure comes with two swords and a bath house base. Launch date: September 2007.
— “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” the third installment in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series, generated over $112.5 million its opening weekend alone.
— The movie features an ensemble cast, including Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Kiera Knightley, Geoffrey Rush and Jack Davenport.
— The “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie series is based on the Disneyland park ride by the same name. 11/5/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sakura Kasugano Action Figure by DIAMOND COMIC DISTRIBUTORS

Sakura, from the video game “Street Fighter” stands approximately 8” tall. She comes with a personalized display base, full-body articulation, real cloth costume pieces, variant parts and blister card packaging. Launch date: January 2006.
— The original Street Fighter game debuted in 1987.
— The video game inspired several movies, including the full-length action movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
— In the game “Street Fighter,” players from around the world, each with his or her own unique special moves, fight one another. 11/5/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Family Guy Series 4 Lois by MEZCO TOYZ

Lethal Lois stands 7-1/2” tall and comes armed with a set of concrete blocks, a break-apart board, an extra set of fisted hands and a display stand. The display stand features a clear rod that holds Lois in the air in a flying kick pose. Launch date: 2005.
- The figure features multiple points of articulation, including a cut neck, ball-jointed shoulders, cut wrists, cut ankles, a cut waist and a cut arm.
- During the first six seasons of “Family Guy,” the show won three Emmy awards and was nominated for four additional Emmys.
- Initially cancelled in 2000, and then again in 2002, “Family Guy” marks the first time a television series was reinstated due to a high volume of DVD sales. 11/5/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]