November 2007 New Toys — Award Winners

Parenting Well in a Media Age by PERSONHOOD PRESS

This book by Gloria DeGaetano provides clear and compelling information for parents about the long-term impact of media immersion on our kids. With common sense answers to concerns for children’s exposure to violence, questionable values, and consumerism, the author offers hopeful alternatives for parents on meeting kids’ real needs in a culture dictated by impersonal corporate business and industry. "The author takes a firm stand on the importance of educating parents on the effects of media on their children’s social, emotional, physical and ethical development. What messages do you want to be most influential in shaping the emerging identity of your child — yours, or an industry-generated culture?" asked Publisher Cathy Winch of Personhood Press. This book received an iParenting Media Award. Launch date: May 2004. 11/28/2007 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Parenting with Purpose: Five Keys to Raising Children with Values and Vision by PERSONHOOD PRESS

Written by Robert W. Reasoner and Marilyn L. Lane, this guide for parents, grandparents and other caregivers offers strategies and suggestions that can contribute to raising children who are responsible, respectful, happy, motivated, caring and successful. "The ideas, suggestions and strategies in this book offer a roadmap to allow a family to choose their destination and truly enjoy their journey together," Publisher Cathy Winch of Personhood Press told TDmonthly. "Readers will find chapters that focus on specific needs and situations such as parenting the gifted child, the foster child, and the child with learning disabilities, special physical needs, ADHD or the spectrum of Autism." This title received an iParenting Media Award. Launch date: May 2007. 11/28/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

You Can Dance! by THE LEARNING STATION

This 69-minute dance fitness CD features 19 songs that go with various styles of dance — ballroom, disco, hip hop, free form clogging and much more. It includes a 24-page booklet with lyrics and dance instructions, and is designed to introduce children to basic dance moves that help with natural rhythm and motor skills. “Creative movement and dance is an enjoyable way for kids to develop their physical strength, channel their energy, stimulate their imagination, promote their creativity and foster their social skills — especially if adults and other children get involved,” Laurie Monopoli of The Learning Station told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 31, 2007.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite children's product. 11/27/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wild Animals Personalized Floor Pillow by OLIVE KIDS DIRECT LLC

Ideal for the bed, floor or travel, this 20" x 26" x 2" pillow features an embroidered elephant on its machine-washable outer shell. It can be personalized with a child's name and is available in 10 designs. This product received a 2007 iParenting Media Award for Greatest Products. MSRP is $54.99 for non-personalized and $59.99 for personalized. “Our emphasis is on color and fun. Our designs have a nostalgic quality yet are fresh and relevant. We aim our designs at nature, play, toys, music and classical kids themes,” Kim Poirier of Olive Kids told TDmonthly. 11/9/2007 (Price: $59.99)

Rathbone the Rat by ANIMALATIONS

Rathbone the Rat is a mischievious rat. He travels through the town of Paris doing his mischievious deeds. Finally his friends help him and he learns a lesson. The text is sung to an original song. 10/19/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Montgomery the Moose by ANIMALATIONS

With five distinct musical styles, Montgomery the Moose shakes his caboose for his friends.Young readers will learn to appreciate different kinds of music and participate in movement activities. Original musical CD sings the words in the text. Children will get up on their feet to dance to the "toe tapping" music. 10/19/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Sly the Dragonfly by ANIMALATIONS

Sly the Dragonfly loves to fly high. "I hear the wind whistling through my wings. It makes my heart wake up and sing". Sly encourages young readers to be the best that they can be. Text is sung to an original musical CD. 10/19/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Dody the Dog has a Rainbow by ANIMALATIONS

Dody the Dog is lost. As he tries to find his way back home, he looks for his rainbow.He finds his rainbow behind the darkest cloud. His rainbow gives him hope and inspiration. Dody learns to follow his rainbow for a brighter tomorrow. Musical CD sings words to text. 10/19/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Farley the Ferret of Farkleberry Farm by ANIMALATIONS

When a drought threatens the boysenberry crop-which would mean no fresh jam and bread at the County Fair- area children respond to Farley's pleas for help. The musical CD sings the words to the text using a delightful "toe tapping" original melody. 10/19/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Learning Resources - Gears! Gears! Gears! Beginners Building Set by UNIVERSITY GAMES

Help kids work on their logic and creativity with this ingenious set. Made up of brightly-colored gears that fit together, it's a great exercise for both sides of the brain! 10/5/2007 (Price: $21.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learning Resources - Teaching Cash Register by UNIVERSITY GAMES

The lights and sounds of the Teaching Cash Register engages and entertains kids as they learn math and money skills. Features four interactive games and multiple levels of play.
— In autumn 2010, Marc Holcomb of Toys & Co. in Greensboro, S.C., said he sells 8 per month. “It's in our top 5 every year as far as dollars sold,” he shared with TDmonthly.
— ''It's a great way for the kid's to learn math,'' added Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho. 10/5/2007 (Price: $29.48) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learning Resources - Doctor Kit - Pretend Play Set by UNIVERSITY GAMES

Is there a doctor in the house? This doctor kit features enough medical tools for a whole team of young "doctors" to play at the same time, and everything fits into a handy plastic clamp-tight case. 10/5/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learning Resources - Pretend & Play® School Set by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

Playing school is fun and prepares kids for learning. This set has everything a kid needs to let his or her imagination run wild in the ultimate pretend classroom: grade book, clock, bell, calendar, map, pointer and much more.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that the Pretend & Play School Set was their best selling educational toy. 10/5/2007 (Price: $28.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Country USA-Z by TEAM BABY ENTERTAINMENT LP

NAPPA award winning “Our Country, USA to Z” is a delightful, educational video storybook created to introduce children to The United States of America and the alphabet! USA-Z features narration by Whoopi Goldberg and beautiful footage showcasing the diversity, history, scenery, pageantry and symbols of the United States of America. USA-Z is only one of Team Baby’s 32 edu-taining titles. 9/28/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Me by Me by ALEX BRANDS

Beautiful gift box packed with keepsake projects. 15 page album includes 10 printed activity pages and 5 more pages for custom layouts. Growth chart with printed frames keeps track of child's height and age. Make a handprint with air hardening clay. Includes album and activity pages, growth chart, punch outs, stickers, clay (1 lb./454 g), 12 markers, glue stick and instructions. 9/27/2007 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Happily Ever Crafter by ALEX BRANDS

Learn the essentials of crocheting, embroidering, and sewing in one awesome kit! Comes with everything you need to make 9 separate projects plus materials to use your skills on your own. Includes materials and instructions to make a stuffed dog, coin purse, felt brooch, embroidered bandana, wall hanging, sewing pouch, hair ribbon, bracelets and a scarf. 9/27/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Photo Kit Junior by APTE INC

Give your kids the joy and pleasure of their very own digital camera. With this loveable, squeezable camera, taking a picture is a snap. Get award-winning photo-project software designed just for kids. Photo Kit Junior is packed with photo projects to energize the thinking and creative skills of every kid. In minutes your kids will be creating talking storybooks with their own words and photos. Click on the Puppet Center and customize puppets with photo of your friends …or play in the Art Center, Game Center or Special Effects Center. Your kids will have endless hours of fun with this loveable camera and Photo Kit Junior software. Software includes both an English and Spanish version. 8/22/2007 (Price: $38.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ani's Rocket Ride by APTE INC

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach to early learning, Ani's Rocket Ride strengthens the multiple languages of children. Players (ages 3-6) help Ani, a friendly alien, learn all about school by exploring natural environments, uncovering hidden objects and examining them in a preschool classroom. Three science centers, an art center, a drama center and two "pretend" Internet centers stimulate creative exploration. A "Help for Grown-Ups" button provides guidance for adults, and a built-in e-mail connection lets children send their artwork home. Mac/Windows compatible. 8/22/2007 (Price: $48.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beaser the Bear's Rocky Mountain Christmas by ANIMALATIONS

Beaser the Bear's cubs learn to feel the joy of Christmas by giving their extra stuff to other cubs. While they grow their hearts by sharing, the cubs do something extra that surprises Beaser and fills their den with love on Christmas night. Grow your heart by sharing with others. 8/2/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Riley the Rhinoceros by ANIMALATIONS

Riley the Rhinoceros gives rides to baby animals but he can't give rides to all the animals, because that would be pre-pos-ter-ous. Children will giggle as they imagine Riley giving rides to a giraffe, a python, and other jungle animals. Musical CD sings the words in the text of book. 8/2/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Rickity and Snickity at the Balloon Fiesta by ANIMALATIONS

In this book written by Patricia Derrick and illustrated by J-P Loppo Martinez, two Rocky Mountain cubs sneak a ride in a hot air balloon and dream about taking another ride the next year. The book comes with a CD that follows the story, and it also includes a musical score, teacher-parent activities and science notes on bears. The product is designed to support the three R’s before reading: rhythm, rhyme and repetition. Launch date: February 2007. 8/2/2007 (Price: $18.95)

Mr. Walrus and the Old School Bus by ANIMALATIONS

Mr. Walrus drives friends around town in the old school bus. They make exciting stops, but, they must hurry and not be late for their 5 o' clock date. The musical CD sings the words in the text to an original "toe tapping" beat. 8/2/2007 (Price: $18.95)