June 2008 New Toys — Educational

Illumiworld by REPLOGLE GLOBES

The 12” globe features a battery-powered illumination that can be turned on or off with a simple press of a button. The globe is fun, educational and portable. Launch date: 2008. 3/25/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

HealthRock® Lullabies For Kids of All Ages by HEALTHROCK LLC

Each original soothing and melodic track is intended to help children relax and fall asleep. “The music was created by an award winning physician/musician and the order of the songs [was] chosen to optimize relaxation” HealthRock LLC Creator and Producer Machelle Seibel, MD told TDmonthly. This product won a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: October 1, 2007. 3/25/2008 (Price: $16.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

HealthRock® Kid's Edition by HEALTHROCK LLC

Original fun music with a health message. Award winning physician sings about nut allergies to wearing a helmet, from dealing with bed wetting to eating healthy. A delight for kids, parents, caretakers and teachers. Listen, laugh and learn. Recommended if you like Sesame Street, Raffi, Schoolhouse Rock. 3/25/2008 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

HealthRock® Preschool Edition by HEALTHROCK LLC

Songs about potty training to hand washing, from dealing with monsters under the bed to eating healthy. A delight for kids, parents, caretakers and teachers. Listen, laugh and learn. Recommended if you like Sesame Street, Raffi, Schoolhouse Rock. 3/25/2008 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Solar System 48pc Floor Puzzle by MELISSA & DOUG

The 48-jumbo-piece puzzle depicts the planets and the moon in the solar system. The puzzle is educational and also teaches kids matching and motor skills. Each puzzle piece is made of extra-thick cardboard for extra durability. The puzzle measures 24” x 36” when assembled.
— “Melissa & Doug’s solar system puzzle – we sell at least one a day,” Steve Ricks, owner of My Story House Toys in Roswell, Ga., told TDmonthly.
— “Floor puzzles by Melissa & Doug – [we sell] at least one a day,” Bob Colbert, owner of The Toy Box in Searcy, Ark., told TDmonthly.
— Over 11 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in early 2008 shared that large floor puzzles by Melissa & Doug are their stores’ best-sellers when it comes to puzzles. ( Watch Video) 3/24/2008 (Price: $11.99)

TwigJig® Starter Kit by EPSILON INDUSTRIES INC.

Used to position toothpicks precisely for gluing into strong trusses, the TwigJig makes short work of otherwise tedious projects, allowing individuals to easily build complex designs. The Starter Kit contains one TwigTrimmer for cutting toothpicks to the right lengths, one Square TwigJig with a rubber core for making square trusses, one Triangle TwigJig with a rubber core for making triangular trusses, 16 TwigClips for holding trusses together before gluing, 200 rubber bands, one bottle of Elmer's glue, 800 toothpicks, and instructions for making trusses.  Plans for projects may be downloaded from the TwigJig website. “It is truly a brand new idea and a 100-percent unique product,” Chris Naramor of Epsilon Industries told TDmonthly. “[It’s] the only product that uses ‘jigs’ and lets you build structures out of something as simple as toothpicks.” Launch date: January 2008. ( Watch Video) 3/24/2008 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Green Teen by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING NOVEMBER 1, 2008: This is the perfect "on-the-go" guide for every teenager who wants to save the planet! It's filled with great ideas they can implement in their schools, homes, and ways to even get their parents motivated. The Green Teen features projects, interviews with other "green" teens, and advice for the teen who feels overwhelmed by all the "eco-rhetoric" being thrown around today. ISBN: 978-1934087-23-7 (Paperback, 5X7, 184 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

My Green Halloween Treasures by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING OCTOBER 1, 2008: My Green Halloween Treasures is a wonderful story of a sweet little pumpkin who is trick-or-treating. She is surprised when, after brushing her tooth, she realizes her candy basket has disappeared and in its place is a basket of treasures. In conjunction with the Kedzie Million Tree-A-thon, KP will pay to have one tree planted for each copy sold. ISBN: 978-1-934087-54-1 (Paperback, 8 ¾ X 11 ¾ , 32 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

The Kedzie Press Coloring Book by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING APRIL 1, 2008: The Kedzie Press Coloring Book coloring book features a comical glimpse into the eco-friendly, everyday lives of Kedzie Press authors, staff, and business associates, as they work, live, and mingle with endangered species. In conjunction with the Kedzie Million Tree-A-thon, KP will pay to have one tree planted for each copy sold. ISBN: 978-1-934087-12-1 (Paperback, 8 X 10, 16 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

The Green Parent by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING APRIL 1, 2008: The Green Parent is the perfect book for parents who would like to teach their children about living green. From how to save energy, to how to reuse and recycle everything, this resource offers advice for getting children involved in the environment, as well as products and services that can help parents raise more environmentally conscious children. Through a series of fun activities such as how to start a “light patrol,” how to make a “waste-free” school lunch, and how to build a “green” bird house—parents and kids will learn ways to make the biggest impact, save the most money, and discover how making even the smallest of changes can make a big difference. In conjunction with the Kedzie Million Tree-A-thon, KP will pay to have one tree planted for each copy sold. ISBN: 978-1934087-22-0 (Paperback, 6 X 7, 222 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

Language Littles Minis - Ricky by LANGUAGE LITTLES

This soft, 12” doll speaks English as well as a second language. Kids can press his tummy to hear four phrases. 3/20/2008 (Price: $12.00)

Cranium - Lets Play Count & Cook Game by HASBRO INC.

The game will have children counting, matching, imagining and cooperating both in and out of the kitchen. The game includes a game board, 20 ingredient tokens, four chef movers, a recipe book and die. 3/19/2008 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Animals DVD by BABYGENIUS

The video features little kids, baby animals at the zoo and lively sing-along-tunes. The baby animal featured in the video run the gamut from baby tigers to baby orangutans. ( Watch Video) 3/18/2008 (Price: $12.95)

Alphabet and Phonics Flash Cards by GALLOPING MINDS

Each postcard-sized flash card features beautiful images and is built to withstand chewing by babies and toddlers. The alphabet flashcards have upper and lowercase letters, with a few words associated with each letter. The phonics flashcards blend consonants and vowels, with approximately three words associated with each blend. The entire set has covers over 200 words. Launch date: March 15, 2008. 3/17/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How Soccer Works by MAPLE TREE PRESS

How does the turf on a soccer field affect play? Why are goalie’s more out there with their style? And what strategy for defense did Italy create around 1950? This book, written by Keltie Thomas and illustrated by Stephen MacEarchen, answers those questions and many more as it delves deeply into the sport of soccer. 3/17/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How Baseball Works by MAPLE TREE PRESS

Written by Keltie Thomas and illustrated by Greg Hall, this book answers questions such as “Does a curve ball really curve?” and “Where is the ‘sweet spot’ on a baseball bat?’” It includes diagrams, photos and illustrations to help explain various aspects of the sport of baseball, as well as a glossary to get kids familiar with important terms. 3/17/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Equivalent Trios by WORLD CLASS LEARNING MATERIALS INC.

The game will help kids enhance their mathematical skills by solving and finding equivalents of percents, decimals, fractions, reduced fractions and pictures. In this domino-like game, players must pair equivalents until all the trios are matched. Each game comes with 36 trios. Launch date: March 2008. 3/17/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

See-N-Read® Reading Tool by See-N-Read® Reading Tools

See-N-Read is a tool that helps readers smoothly focus on and track five to nine units or “chunks” of text. Text is viewed through a transparent, clear reading window that helps readers to easily focus on the information being read. This window is surrounded by a non-glare, tinted transparent area that enables simultaneous tracking ahead to upcoming information or review of prior information by merely glancing from the clear reading window through the transparent tinted area of the See-N-Read. This feature allows readers to efficiently and smoothly transition from line to line. 3/14/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rock of All Ages by DADDY A GO GO

The 12-track record about modern family life is sung by a father with the help of his two children. The rock record includes songs about everything from vacation tips to teaching kids the value of money to teaching kids about growing up. “This CD starts with a lyrical reference to Chuck Berry in the song ‘Rock of Ages’ and ends with a Chuck Berry, “John Boydston of Daddy A Go Go told TDmonthly. “What other kids CD released this decade can say that?” Launch date: March 13, 2008. 3/12/2008 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Wall Words for Second Grade by MRM CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS LLC

The educational activity kit helps kids practice and learn high frequency words for reading and writing. Children color a graphically designed sight word and “find” the hidden word. “This product is packaged with a handle so children can bring it [and be entertained] on road trips, or to restaurants or fast food places—even to grandma’s for the weekend stay,” Maria Rios-Marrero of MRM Classroom Connections told TDmonthly. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Best Product of the Year Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Wall Words for First Grade by MRM CLASSROOM CONNECTIONS LLC

The educational activity kit helps kids practice and learn sight words for reading and writing. Children color a graphically designed sight word and “find” the hidden word. “The product is creative and artistic,” Maria Rios-Marrero of MRM Classroom Connections told TDmonthly. “Children who love to color or create an artistic product will love this kit. Children who are having trouble reading will interact with words in a fun manner.” This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Best Product of the Year Award winner. Launch date: September 2007. 3/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SeeMore's Playhouse Fire Safety & Dental Health DVD by SAFETY 4 KIDS LLC

The television series is full of loveable characters, animation, guest celebrities, live action and infectious sing-along music to teach preschoolers the basics of safety and wellness. This product is a 2008 iParenting Media Award winner. Launch date: January 15th, 2008. 3/12/2008 (Price: $12.98)

Presidents Playing Poker – True Blues by SUNSOUT INC.

The 500-piece puzzle depicts eight former Democrat presidents playing a friendly game of poker. The puzzle measures 13” x 19” when completed. Launch date: November 2007. 3/10/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Presidents Playing Poker – Grand Ol' Gang by SUNSOUT INC.

The 500-piece puzzle depicts eight former republican presidents playing a friendly game of poker. The puzzle measures 13” x 19” when completed. Launch date: November 2007. 3/10/2008 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

If You Don't Take Care of Your Body, Where Else Are You Going to Live? by PORCHLIGHT HOME ENTERTAINMENT

The self-help DVD is part of the Trevor Romain DVD series. Combining animation, live action, humor and character-building messages, Romain teaches children to be empowered and how to deal with both everyday issues and tough situations. The DVD has an approximate running time of 30 minutes, with bonus features. Launch date: April 29, 2008. 3/10/2008 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]