November 2007 New Toys — Educational

Barney & Friends™: Celebrating Around the World by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

For his 20th year anniversary celebration, Barney and his friends take a magical train ride on Barney’s Imagination Unlimited and explore the different types of celebrations around the world. This product received a 2008 Parents' Choice Approved award, a Dove Family Approved Seal, a Parent to Parent Adding Wisdom Award and The Toy Man Product Guide Award of Excellence and Seal of Approval. Launch date: January 29, 2008. 11/30/2007 (Price: $14.98)

Clap & Sing Board Book by KIDS PREFERRED INC.

The sing-along board book features cute little animal “tags,” making it easy to find animal-themed nursery rhymes. Under the dog tag is “Hey, Diddle, Diddle,” under the sheep tag is “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and under the spider tab is “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” The fully illustrated book also comes with a CD equipped with 30 minutes of nursery rhymes. The book is intended for babies between the ages of 6 and 18 months. 11/30/2007 (Price: $13.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hopscotch by Learning Carpets, Inc.

The classic hopping game never goes out of style. Toss a stone, coin or bean bag and hop your way through the numerical maze. 11/28/2007 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

City by Learning Carpets, Inc.

There’s always lots to see and do in the city—and plenty of opportunities for young imaginations to enjoy creative play. 11/28/2007 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SnackerTracker™ Nutritional Tracking System by SNACKERTRACKER

The SnackerTracker Nutritional Tracking System is a large colorful magnet that sticks to refrigerators or any magnetic surface. Each day, the child or parent can cross items off the tracker as the child eats the appropriate servings of food and performs some physical activity. "We are the only nutritional tracking system that starts at age two, when critical eating habits are being formed," Gina Luttrell of SnackerTracker told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007. ( Watch Video) 11/28/2007 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Steps for New Parents: Birth to One Year by PERSONHOOD PRESS

This “weekly guide for developing your baby’s intelligence” gives parents practical instruction on encouraging baby’s emotional, intellectual and physical development. The simplicity, quality of information, and opportunity to actively enjoy being a family right from the beginning make this journal something to use and then treasure for a lifetime. "For each week’s informational guide page, there is an accompanying page for the parent to write their observations about their child that week, which provides them with a wonderful keepsake of their child’s first year," Publisher Cathy Winch of Personhood Press told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2003. 11/28/2007 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Parents' Lives, Children's Needs by PERSONHOOD PRESS

Written by Beth Roy, the lessons taught in these accounts build a framework for parenting with kindness and communication, using specific steps for empowering children and resolving conflict constructively. Through relationship-building strategies, today's parents will learn concrete ways to create a comfortable environment for raising a child, as well as how to overcome their own self-doubt regarding parenting skills and how to multitask through every stage of childrearing. "This book emphasizes sound principles of communication, examining the process of parenting in the contest of culture, race, gender, class, history, and ideology," Publisher Cathy Winch of Personhood Press told TDmonthly. This product received an iParenting Media Award. Launch date: May 2007. 11/28/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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][?]

Little Laureate Presents My World Adventure by LITTLE LAUREATE

This interactive, cross-cultural journey, in a DVD and CD gift set, takes viewers and listeners to all seven continents, teaching them about art, animals, architecture, geography and climate, as well as how to say “I Love You” in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Japanese.
The set includes a 30-minute DVD, a 60-minute CD of classical music performed by the Moscow International Orchestra, and a 24-page parent book. Launch date: November 15, 2007. 11/27/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Laureate Presents My World Gallery by LITTLE LAUREATE

The moveable feast of art and music explores more than 500 years of art, from Van Gogh to Picasso to artists living today. The set includes a 30-minute DVD, a 60-minute CD of classical music performed by the Moscow International Orchestra, and a 24-page parent book. Launch date: November 15, 2007. 11/27/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Laureate Presents My World Colors by LITTLE LAUREATE

In English, French and Spanish, this DVD and CD program presents the colors of the rainbow using art, architecture and international street signs. It also uses Chinese characters. The set includes a 30-minute DVD, a 60-minute CD of classical music performed by the Moscow International Orchestra, and a 24-page parent book. Launch date: November 15, 2007. 11/27/2007 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Will it Blow? Become a Volcano Detective at Mount St. Helens by SASQUATCH BOOKS

Readers of this book are encouraged to solve the mysteries surrounding the latest eruption of Mount St. Helens. Based on interviews with USGS scientists, the book includes quotes from volcano detectives and fun, hands-on activities. 11/27/2007 (Price: $13.95) [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][?]

The Body Box by BARRON'S EDUCATIONAL SERIES

A human kidney, a brain, a heart, an eyeball and a plastic skeleton with removable parts are assembled in this unusual and instructive kit for budding junior biologists. The shapes of all organs are accurately rendered, and an accompanying book is filled with full-color illustrations and descriptions of the human body’s organs and functions, described on a level that is understandable to older children. Launch date: October 2007. 11/27/2007 (Price: $24.99)

Blunders™ - Make Learning Manners Fun by SUCCESSFUL KIDS INC.

The adorable characters of Becky, Bobby, Brenda and Billy Blunder revolutionize the way manners are taught. The game includes a game board, a story book and 300 fun and interactive charade, multiple-choice, scenario and true/false questions covering social and dining etiquette. “Blunders™ is the only board game on the market today that makes learning manners interactive and fun!” Successful Kids Inc. President Aimee Symington told TDmonthly. This game has received the following awards: Dr. Toy, National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, iParenting Media, Creative Child Preferred Choice, Mr. Dad Seal of Approval, eChoice, and The Toy Man Award of Excellence and Seal of Approval. Launch date: February 17, 2008.
— "I've loved the Blunders Game from the moment I was introduced to it.  Now you can reinforce manners at one of the places where manners are key.  Manner Mats takes the blunders concept and turns it into a set of 38  table mats. The mats include tones of games including word searches, challenges, multiple choice, what is wrong with the picture, complete the sentence and many more. Another innovative way to teach manners without having to point your finger," Jennifer Shuman, owner of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009 ( Watch Video) 11/27/2007 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teach Me Time! Talking Alarm Clock and Nightlight by AMERICAN INNOVATIVE LLC

The dual-color alarm clock and nightlight timer lets parents appoint a time for the nightlight to change from yellow to green – teaching young children when it’s okay to get out of bed. The built-in interactive talking time-teaching game is a fun activity designed to foster an educational dialog between parent and child before bed. The product’s functional alarm, kid-friendly shape and interchangeable colored bezels make clock and nightlight duo a good fit in any room at any age. "Teach Me Time! is a unique educational time-teaching tool that grows with the child, beginning from the day he or she is first out of the crib," Rachel Zinser, of American Innovative LLC's strategic sales and marketing department, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 17, 2008.
— As of 8.24.10, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Target.com and was listed in the top 30 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Educational, entertaining and not too loud. 11/21/2007 (Price: $49.95)

Waverly, the Water Drop Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

A little dreamy, very sweet and loves a good laugh. He even makes fun of himself – often saying he may be all wet, but he is certainly no drip. Of course, as an Idbid, he also has a serious side. Waverly is particularly – and deeply – concerned about protecting the Earth’s water resources and keeping them clean.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Oceans, seas, rivers and lakes
INTERESTING FACT: A fan of 60s music who is known to turn up the volume a little too high

Waverly is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!.

Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lola, the Flower Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

She’s pretty, a fact it is best not to forget. Happily, she also believes that “pretty is as pretty does.” She has a lot of patience with the boys (which is particularly helpful when Waverly loses his focus). She is wise, sees both sides of an issue, is a natural mediator, and offers well-reasoned advice.

AREA OF EXPERTISE: Trees, plants and flowers
INTERESTING FACT: An art lover who draws, collects pictures of shells, and loves bright colors

Lola is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!

— The kit, packaged in a window box that breaks down for use as a game, comes with one Idbid, a book, a field guide to fill out and a cinch-sack backpack. Launch date: February 2008. 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scout, the Cloud Idbid Kit by IDBIDS LLC

Yes, he’s a little out there. But that’s a good thing. It gives him a “big picture” view of what’s happening on Earth. (The reason he claims to be group leader – much to the chagrin of the others.) He’s loyal, honest and a good listener. But fair warning, he can get a little cranky on the subject of air pollution.
AREA OF EXPERTISE: The air we breathe
INTERESTING FACT: A bird watcher of great renown (he runs into them all day, every day)
Scout is a huggable, soft, plush toy handcrafted in Egypt with 100% organic Egyptian cotton. No two are alike - just like children!
— “Idbids are made of organic cotton and all kit components are made from Earth-friendly materials – and they’re incredibly adorable!” Idbids LLC representative Tracey Smith told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. The product line received a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. 11/19/2007 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Matthew Alexander Henson by HISTORY IN ACTION TOYS

Matthew Henson was the first American to discover the North Pole alongside Robert Peary. The articulated action figure wears fur, goggles and snow shoes, and carries a grappling hook, an ice axe, a sextant and a rope. “This action figure is helpful in teaching African-American history to kids,” History in Action Toys Sales and Marketing Officer Geda E. Fernandez told TDmonthly. 11/15/2007 (Price: $24.95)

Benjamin Banneker by HISTORY IN ACTION TOYS

Benjamin Banneker built a clock in the middle of the 18th century, and that clock continues to keep perfect time. The famous mathematician, astronomer and surveyor published an almanac and became a strong advocate of the emancipation of slaves. The Banneker figure is poseable and comes with a miniature telescope and almanac. 11/15/2007 (Price: $24.95)

Bessie Coleman by HISTORY IN ACTION TOYS

Bessie Coleman was the first Black woman to get a U.S. pilot license. Trained in France, she became famous for her spectacular air stunts. The articulated figure comes with goggles, a vintage scarf, a map and interchangeable heads. Emphasizing the importance of child safety, History in Action Toys Sales and Marketing Officer Geda E. Fernandez told TDmonthly that History in Action Toys’ products are “safe from harmful materials.” 11/15/2007 (Price: $24.95)

Defense Incorporated: Live to Tell About It by THE ILLUSION FACTORY

Instruction is taught by black belt martial arts expert Noel Gyro and seven-time world champion Johnny Gyro. The 50-minute women’s self-defense DVD is packed with simple self-defense techniques that are effective, yet easy to learn. Students will learn step-by-step how to defend against choke holds, arm grabs, handguns and knives, all without any martial arts experience. Launch date: January 2006. 11/15/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Count and Learn Cookie Jar (2 play mode) by THE LEARNING JOURNEY INTERNATIONAL

The portable jar comes in a two play modes: one mode allows kids to count with the cookie jar as cookies are placed inside the jar, while the other mode tests math knowledge by asking kids to place a specific number of cookies inside the jar. Kids can also count the number of colorful chips on each cookie, and then flip the cookie over to see if they are correct. This product is a 2005 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award winner. Launch date: February 2007. 11/14/2007 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]