November 2007 New Toys — Preschool

The Great Gonzo by DISNEY

The authentic, fully poseable Gonzo “photo” puppet features wire armatures instead of hand openings. He also comes with mouth expression capability and full articulation in his neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles and fingers. A custom display stand and numbered plaque are included. Production of this edition is limited to 2,500 pieces. Launch date: Spring 2008. 11/30/2007 (Price: $299.00)

University Games - Dr. Suess The Cat in the Hat Game by UNIVERSITY GAMES

In this 50th anniversary edition, players help the Cat clean up the house by matching colors and letters. “What makes Cat In the Hat so unique is its amazing ability to take the fun and excitement located within the pages of Dr. Seuss' “Cat In the Hat” and create a cool game that maintains that same pleasure and laughter. This board game will keep children intrigued and enthusiastic about reading and playing games,” Alexis Evans of University Games told TDmonthly. 11/28/2007 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Twilight Ladybug by CLOUD B

This plush planetarium projects a starry night sky onto bedroom walls and the ceiling, illuminating with red, blue and green lights.
— Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toy & Book Store in Scottsdale, Ariz., was impressed with this product at Toy Fair 2008, noting, “the Twilight Turtle was extremely popular over the holidays.”
— “I love this collection,” Owner Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly of this good seller at the end of 2008.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. SEE THE RE-LAUNCHED TWILIGHT LADYBUG HERE. ( Watch Video) 11/28/2007

Sesame Street: Old School Volume 2 by GENIUS PRODUCTS INC.

Featuring popular Sesame Street characters, this 489-minute DVD trio gives viewers a glimpse of 1974 to 1978, when friends such as Don Music, Roosevelt Franklin, Guy Smiley and Fat Blue were on the street, and songs like “Telephone Rock!” and “What’s the Name of That Song?” brought out the boogie shoes. 11/27/2007

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][?]

Rok Jr. Beginning Builder Complete Play Set by ROKENBOK

The playset comes with a front-loading, wireless controlled dump truck, large construction blocks, easy-to-assemble roadways pieces and an automatic motorized conveyor that sorts the red and blue “ROKs”. Launch date: October 1, 2007. 11/21/2007 (Price: $99.99)

Elmo - T.M.X.™ Extra Special Edition™ by MATTEL INC.

Elmo is back and more ticklish then ever, and he’s laughing like he’s never laughed before. T.M.X.™ Extra Special Edition™ is so popular that Mattel is limiting orders to five per customer. 11/16/2007 (Price: $40.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Peek-a-Boo Zoo by TRANSGLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP INC.

Written by Dian Curtis Regan and illustrated by Amanda Gulliver, this bright, lift-the-flap book lets little ones explore fun animal characters. “One, two, peek-a-boo! I may be small but I’m not a runt. I am baby …” The interactive book for toddlers is filled with riddles about the zoo, and the correct answer for each makes the stanza rhyme. "Gulliver’s art includes painted cut-paper collage illustrations which are bold, rich and practically palpable. This unusual style complements a toddler’s curiosity with the interactive lift-a-flap adventure and is the perfect pairing for Regan’s catchy stanzas. Simply lift-the flaps to reveal the clues," Kimberly Walsh of Transglobal Communications Group told TDmonthly. 11/12/2007 (Price: $8.95)

Under Construction Digger & Bull Dozer Magnet by OLIVE KIDS DIRECT LLC

Olive Kids magnets are an attractive way to post kids’ art, photos, reminder notes and chore lists on the refrigerator. They are made of hand-painted resin with a strong magnet on the back, and 15 designs are available for girls and boys. Note: Magnets are not toys. Broken magnet pieces can be a choking hazard for children under 3 years old. “Olive Kids was created to offer parents and their kids an alternative to the character-based high profile entertainment licenses. We feel kids should be able to surround themselves with art, design and decoration that encourages creativity and fun without all the hype and sales pressure of TV and movies,” Kim Poirier of Olive Kids told TDmonthly. 11/9/2007 (Price: $5.99)

Hip Hop Harry by ALLUMINATION FILMWORKS

The DVD features three episodes: “My Favorite Things,” “Making New Friends” and “Words Have Power.” The DVD is based on the show by the same name on Discovery Kids and The Learning Channel. The format of Harry’s show fosters growth and development of preschool-age boys and girls by combining music, creative play, physical activity, pro-social life lessons and related educational experiences. The show is a 2007 Parents' Choice Award Approved Winner and an “Outstanding Preschool Children’s Series” Emmy Award nominee. Launch date: December 11, 2007. 11/5/2007 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Winter Wonderland DVD by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

HIT Entertainment and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment introduce this collection of six winter-themed adventures featuring preschool favorites Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, Kipper, Fireman Sam and Pingu the Penguin. Launch date: November 20, 2007. 11/5/2007 (Price: $14.98)

Thomas & Friends: Thomas and the Toy Workshop by HIT ENTERTAINMENT

In this DVD, Thomas and his friends learn about the “Spirit of Sodor” and the secret of the cliffs as they get ready for the Toy Workshop’s grand opening. Launch date: September 18, 2007. 10/31/2007 (Price: $12.98)

My First RC GoGo Auto Taxi by KID GALAXY INC.

Ideal for little hands, this squeezable, radio-controlled vehicle has a chunky build and comes with a two-button controller. It makes bump-and-go sounds and requires 3 AA batteries and one 9V battery. 10/31/2007

Simple Words Puzzle Pairs by eeBoo corp.

These pre-reading puzzles are designed so that children can match each picture to the appropriate word, simultaneously working on fine motor skills and learning consonant and vowel combinations. Launch date: 2007 10/31/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animal Sounds Puzzle Pairs by eeBoo corp.

These colorful puzzles are designed so that children can match each animal to its sound while developing vocabulary and fine motor skills. Launch date: 2011. 10/31/2007 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

French Bingo by eeBoo corp.

This classic game, featuring nature, vehicles, market, animals, clothing and colors themes, is designed to promote encourage vocabulary enrichment and enhance perceptual skills. Launch date: 2007. 10/31/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Classic Bingo by eeBoo corp.

This classic game, featuring nature, vehicles, market, animals, clothing and colors themes, is designed to promote encourage vocabulary enrichment and enhance perceptual skills. Launch date: 2007. 10/31/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Giselle Chocolate Brown w/ Polka Dots by PEDIPED

The American Podiatric Medical Association-approved shoes are designed for active, growing preschoolers and early school-age children. The soft, rubber soles are suitable for running, jumping and playing indoors and outdoors. It features shock-absorbing air cushion technology, as well as an ultra-flexible pedi flex-zone to support natural foot motion. Mary Janes, open-toe sandals and white patent shoes are available for girls, while runners, slip-on sneakers and flip-flops are available for boys. The shoes are available in sizes 6 to 12. Launch date: February 2008. 10/26/2007 (Price: $38.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Play With Me Sesame – Good Night Sesame by GENIUS PRODUCTS INC.

This two-disc handle case features a DVD in which Sesame Street friends teach little ones about naps, encouraging them to use their imaginations and sing along to “Boogie Woogie Sheep.” It also comes with a bonus 60-minute CD-ROM. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95)

Play With Me Sesame – Playtime With Grover by GENIUS PRODUCTS INC.

This two-disc handle case features a DVD in which Grover, along with friends Bert, Ernie, Prairie Dawn and others, encourages preschoolers to take part in interactive play while being educated about concepts such as size relationships and opposites. It also comes with a bonus 60-minute CD-ROM. Launch date: October 23, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95)

Kubit2me Lil' Scholars All About Me Bonus Box by KUBIT2ME INC.

Designed to extend play with the Kubit2me Lil’ Scholars game, this box includes 60 All About Me Cards featuring fun and engaging games that help children learn about body parts and emotions, plus 135 reward stickers. Launch date: September 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kubit2me Lil' Scholars ABC's & 123's by KUBIT2ME INC.

This game for two to eight players makes communication more physical, exciting and fun as participants toss the 6” multi-colored plush cube to one another and pull cards from the denim pockets. Designed to encourage self expression, develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination, it introduces kids to their ABCs and 123s through plenty of energy-charged social interaction. Complete with 26 alphabet cards, 20 number cards and 108 colorful reward stickers, it even has a secret compartment for storing all game components. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009 and 10 Best Socially Responsible Products 2009. Launch date: September 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

365 Activities You and Your Child Will Love by KEY PORTER BOOKS

This book of activities – one for each day of the year — is full of creative play ideas that will help children develop math and reading skills, improve logical thinking and concentration, open up to science and nature, and much more. It is written by award-winning author Nancy Wilson Hall, in consultation with two developmental psychologists, Drs. Roni Cohen Leiderman and Wendy Masi, specialists in early education. Launch date: November 2007. 10/4/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A to Z Activities for Kids by KEY PORTER BOOKS

This set of 26 extra-thick activity cards — perfect for trips, for use at home and for decorating kids’ rooms — features bright letters paired with everyday objects and fun-filled play ideas. It is designed to help children increase coordination, explore language, practice cooperation, make music, create art and more. “When consumers see the name ‘Gymboree,’ they feel comfortable and know they’re selecting a book or toy that’s been created by child-development experts who understand what children need to grow and have fun,” Deborah Sloan of Deborah Sloan and Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2007. 10/4/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My 1st RC Go Go Auto Fire Truck by KID GALAXY INC.

This squeezable soft preschool RC vehicle is ready to put out any fire or respond to any emergency. Made in a safe, child-friendly design, this simple function RC fire truck drives with an easy, two-button remote control. Chunky style is perfect for little hands. Added to the excitement is the "Bump-and-Go" sound of the siren. This product is a 2007 Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award winner.
— “These remote control rubbery trucks for 2-year-olds have simple controls and [the] best variety: school bus, garbage truck and fire truck,” said Michele and Ken Gietz of Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass. They listed the vehicles among their top-10 best sellers at the store in September 2008. 10/3/2007 (Price: $22.00)