June 2008 New Toys — Educational

Critter Carnival® by INSECT LORE

Kids will enjoy finding bugs and observing them play and perform in the miniature amusement park. The park is equipped with a slide, a swing, a maze, a tightrope, a Ferris wheel and a teeter-totter. The escape-proof domed habitat provides 360-degree views and features an extra-large built-in magnifier lid. The play park is suitable for ladybugs, pillbugs, grasshoppers and more. ( Watch Video) 4/24/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hydraulic Mini Scissor Lift by AG INDUSTRIES

The kit takes approximately 30 minutes to build and will allow kids to observe and learn all about how the lift is powered by water. Everything needed is included in the kit except for scissors, a ruler and water. Launch date: April 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/24/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alphabet Flash Cards by GOOD BUDDY NOTES

This set of laminated, 6" x 8" flash cards gives kids a fun way to learn while also providing wall art for a bedroom or nursery. Each card features artwork by Shelley Dieterichs in the form of a boy or girl alphabet letter. 4/21/2008 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Brain by I HEART GUTS

What doesn¹t the brain do? As the body¹s command center, it keeps all the organs in check. Of course, it also takes care of memory, imagination, speech and dreams. Fire up those neurons! “I Heart Guts’ icky-yet-cute style mixes the earnestness of an educational toy with the quality design and irreverence of a limited-edition toy. It's Giant Microbes meets Ugly Dolls,” Creator Wendy Bryan told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008. 4/21/2008 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Uterus by I HEART GUTS

When it's "that time of the month," you may not like your uterus much, but hey, you wouldn't be here without one, so give props to this special reproductive organ. Besides, if you think cramps are bad, you should try childbirth. Launch date: February 2008. 4/21/2008 (Price: $18.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pancreas by I HEART GUTS

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes so you can eat, but it is best known for making the hormone insulin, which processes glucose and sugar from the bloodstream. Isn¹t that sweet? Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/21/2008 (Price: $18.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gallbladder by I HEART GUTS

The gallbladder collects and concentrates bile, a substance made by the liver and used to digest fats and acids. Gallstones develop over time if we eat too much fat. So give your gallbladder a break and lay off the burgers. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/21/2008 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WePlay Infinite Loop by WEE BLOSSOM INC.

Grip the Infinite Loop with both hands and open and close it to move the ball along the track. The object is to control the ball without dropping it while manipulating the loop. See who can go the longest without dropping the ball! The Infinite Loop comes with a “slow” and “fast” ball for different challenge levels. Suitable for ages 4 and up. 4/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WePlay Forever Up-Down by WEE BLOSSOM INC.

Grip the Forever Up-Down with both hands and practice turning it inward and outward repeatedly. The object is to control the ball without dropping it! Begin with the “slow” ball, then advance to the “fast ball”. Improves hand-eye coordination as well as hand muscle control. Suitable for ages 4 and up. 4/18/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Angles Flash Cards by WORLD CLASS LEARNING MATERIALS INC.

The 105 double-sided, easy to read, triangular-shaped 6-1/4” x 3-3/4” cards feature four levels of difficulty and practice solving for unknown angles. The cards address supplementary, complementary, vertical and right angles. Students will also learn to identify types of triangles based on the triangle’s angle measures – scalene, equilateral, isosceles and right triangles. Launch date: February 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

World Tour Medallions Set by COMPASS KIDZ

The compact set gives kids a glimpse into three diverse cultures from a child’s point of view. The set includes 24-page photographic passports for Egypt, Italy and Mexico, three golden medallions and FactZ cards featuring famous landmarks and cultural icons. “Compass KidZ World Tour Medallions Set offers kids the chance to get a glimpse into other cultures, in a kid-relevant way, Compass KidZ Co-Founder Jennifer Apy told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $22.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smart Snacks® Counting Fun Fruit Bowl™ by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

The plastic play fruits separate into pieces to help children learn number sense, number recognition, counting (one to five) and part-to-whole relationships — a key early fractions concept. The five-piece set also encourages fine motor skills, healthy snacking and imaginative play. Embedded magnets (orange, apple and plum) and friction fitting (banana) make numbered pieces easy to assemble. All five fruits store in 7-3/4" bowl. Launch date: January 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pretend & Play® Explorer Set by LEARNING RESOURCES INC.

The set invites kids to discover and observe bugs and plants, using a magnifying observation box, a viewer with tweezers, a butterfly net and more. The set also includes a write-and-wipe matching activity and fact page. All pieces in the set are durable, and come packaged in a convenient 14"L x 12"W x 3-1/2"H storage and carrying case. Launch date: January 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $32.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Count Out Loud Froggy by ALEX BRANDS

Froggy helps kids learn to count, right in the tub. Dip him in the water and hear him count. Children get to add fish every time they repeat a number. The toy comes with ten colorful EVA fish that float in the tub or stick to the tub wall. Launch date: February 2008. 4/17/2008 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

lil' aloha babies™ - waves 'n wonders by LOCAL GIRL PRODUCTIONS, INC.

waves 'n wonders, takes children on a virtual tour of the islands' beautiful ocean and magnificent marine life. By combining stunning underwater photography, fun animation with unforgettable characters, colorful graphics, and original music from some of Hawai'i's most popular musicians, children will delight in a truly unique virtual tour of paradise! 4/16/2008 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

NoteWorks FUN KIT! by NOTELOGIC LLC

With NoteWorks, it is possible for non-musical parents to teach an elementary understanding of the principals of music. A method for teaching music reading regardless of one's own experience in music. One can purchase the NoteWorks kit for the first year and purchase the additional books in the series for the following courses as needed. The NoteWorks FUN KIT! contains first year lesson book, one roll out vinyl staff, one set of NoteBlocks, and a 6 hole flute. Additional flutes can be ordered separately. 4/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetic Notes by NOTELOGIC LLC

These colorful magnetic notes enable music instructors to creatively teach students about note placement. Magnotes encourages students to create their own melodies through the manipulation of notes on the staff. Magnotes are sized to fit most school boards where the staff lines are 1" to 1.5" apart. 4/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Music PortaBoards Dry Erase Music Boards by NOTELOGIC LLC

PortaBoards Dry Erase Music Boards are Portable, Magnetic, and Light Weight. Reversible and Dry-Erase on both sides. Made with GatoFoam cores, these music boards are sturdy and available in two sizes, large (24"x36") and small (18"x24"). 4/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnetiques Piano Keyboard by NOTELOGIC LLC

With MagNetiques, you just slap the magnetic chart on the board and write on it. They will stay where you put them until you remove them. Then erase it and write again. All nine Magnetique charts styles are dry-erase so you can write on them. The Piano Keyboard is available in Large (3.5" x 24") and Small (2.75" x 14"). 4/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alphabet Think & Blink by SCHOOL ZONE PUBLISHING CO

The game’s 26 flash cards come in a handy carrying case and feature an innovative combination of letters, pictures and picture words. Each card also features specialized lenticular printing, which allows for multiple 3D images on each card. The game helps children master essential reading skills, such as recognizing letters of the alphabet, learning the alphabet order and identifying beginning sounds. Launch date: October 1, 2007. 4/11/2008 (Price: $6.99)

State by State, Picture Playing Cards of the USA by U.S. GAMES SYSTEMS, INC.

The versatile 52-card deck cleverly incorporates the suit marks into the charming artwork. Each state card features an illustration and informative caption about the state’s history or natural beauty, and identifies the capital and abbreviation. Kids will have fun not only playing their favorite card games, but will be happily occupied spotting the hidden suit marks on the extra-large cards. Launch date: 2006. 4/11/2008 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dino Dig – Tyrannosaurus Skeleton by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

This kit allows kids to excavate, restore and display a 12" replica of a Tyrannosaurus skeleton. The kit comes with a skeleton replica embedded in a 12" x 9" slate-like slab of rock, an excavation tool, two brushes, two paint tablets and instructions. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/11/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Twilight Sea Turtle™ Constellation Night Light by CLOUD B

The plush is also a nightlight that projects an entire night sky onto the ceiling and side walls of any room. Additionally, it brings awareness to five endangered wildlife creatures, each highlighted on the turtle’s shell. Simply press on each button to learn about a different creature, such as the California sea otter and the blue whale. A little storybook is included to provide facts about each endangered creature. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/11/2008 (Price: $38.00)

Ultimate Education Set by BRAINY BABY

The set comes with a variety of items to help children learn their numbers, ABCs and more. The contents of the set are powered by the cipher pen, which will translate anything on a piece of paper for a child. Launch date: February 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/11/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Numbers League: Infinity Level Expansion by BENT CASTLE WORKSHOPS

Infinity Level is a 60-card expansion deck to the original Numbers League: Adventures in Addiplication game. It adds 33 Superhero body parts (11 heads, 11 chests, and 11 legs) , 15 devices, and 24 villains. These expand the math skills used to incorporate addition and multiplication of simple decimals and multiplying by negative numbers. 4/10/2008 (Price: $9.95)