January 2009 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

Decked out in green, this truck carries the message of recycling in its very construction, as it's made from 100-percent recycled milk jugs.  It is free of metal axles and measures 12" L x 6.25" W x 7" H. Launch date: February 15, 2009. “We're sticking to our strategy that served us well in 2008,” said Robert von Goeben, Co-founder and President of Green Toys Inc. “Our customers say they love who we are, and want more safe, earth-friendly, U.S.-made toys. We've responded by adding some cool new products, yet staying true to our core mission.”
— "[We're] doing extremely well with trucks, particularly the Recycling Truck from Green Toys," Rick Henry of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Mass., told TDmonthly when discussing best sellers in late October 2009.

Made from recycled plastic milk containers, this energy-efficient dump truck features a functional dumper and measures 10" L x 7 1/2" W x 7 1/8" H. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— "The new trucks from Green Toys will be big hits with 2- to 4-year-olds," Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Books & Games in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly following the 2009 ASTRA Marketplace.

This 66-lb. cube features acrylic, distortion-free mirrors on the top, bottom and sides, and measures 29" on each side. Part of the company's collection of early learning furniture, it is designed to offer a fascinating perspective of self-awareness. Launch date: January 2009.

The animals want to show how capable they are at making a tall pyramid. Who will position the penguin on top of the crocodile, the sheep on top of the penguin, the serpent on the sheep, the tucan... A wobbly stacking game for 2-4 players ages 4-99. With variation for one player. Now available with English packaging.
Awards: A Spring 2011 Parents Choice Recommended Award

This 6" x 4" x 5.5" bag is available in various styles and features waterproof nylon so that it can be used indoors or out. It has pockets around the outside and can be filled with toys, supplies and accessories in the main compartment as well, helping to keep things organized.

The 8" Rain Babies feature bean-filled plush bodies and embroidered faces, and come with an adoption certificate plus a collectible hangtag that includes the raindrops name and the date it was formed. Four styles are available: Drench (blue), Sprinkle (pink), Splash (yellow) and Dewy (green).

The rich colors and patterns of the We-Blocks will evoke a child’s curiosity and desire to explore as well as fulfill their imagination. There are three sets in this series: the Tactile Cube, the Reflector Cube and the Construction Tower. The Tactile Cube set consists of 6 blocks, 2 pink with dot pattern, 2 green with grid pattern and 2 blue with concentric circles and have anti-slip pads to allow use as a walkway. The Reflector Cube set consists of 6 anti shatter mirrored blocks in yellow, pink and green. Mirrors include concave, convex, and funhouse. The Construction Tower set consists of 4 green blocks with a solid square design, 2 yellow blocks with an open square "window" design, 2 blue blocks with an open "rectangular" design and 2 pink triangular blocks. Blocks fit together like puzzle pieces.

Characteristic that sets this product apart:
The dot, grid and concentric circle patterns of the Tactile Cube are tactile stimuli with different intensity. The mirrors of the Reflector Cube are concave, convex and funhouse to give different ways to visually explore. The Construction Tower set adds windows and triangle pieces for another level of play.

The wooden Magnetic Number Match Up Puzzle is a great interactive activity that helps children develop math skills. It comes with 30 colorful wooden pieces that fit together to form three-piece number tiles. Children learn to count the number of objects illustrated on one piece of the tile and match it to the correct number and the right number word. Launch date: December 2008.

The MagnaPlay Magnetic Activity Travel Set includes one MagnaKase and one magnetic wooden activity, such as the Alphabet Picture Puzzle or the Number Match Up. Children can use the top of the MagnaKase as a dry-erase magnetic activity board while they're on the go. The MagnaKase also comes with two magnetic strips that secure coloring pages to the activity surface. Launch date: November 2008.

The “Writing Made Simple” Kids are part of a larger curriculum that will include a child’s and teacher’s workbooks. This tin product is the fun, manipulative part of the program. The object is to teach the correct letter and numeral formations through play (utilizing a strong emphasis on a multisensory approach) using magnetic caricature puzzle pieces. Through initially forming the letters and numbers with manipulatives, the child will have ingrained the steps that will properly translate when using crayons/pencil and paper. Our four caricatures are performing an action (strong visual) as to how to form the shapes. Launch date: 2009.

These cards provide a simple format to teach the important safety principles around food allergy management. Specific examples help children and those who care for them learn that staying safe with a peanut or tree nut allergy goes beyond the nut product itself. These flashcards introduce cross-contamination, the importance of label reading, and the importance of always carrying emergency medication. There are 36 color-coded cards with eye-catching illustrations on the front and important safety information and tips on the back. The cards have been recommended by allergists, school nurses, day care providers and families of children with nut allergies. Launch date: November 10, 2008.

God saved Noah and his family from a great flood by giving him a very special assignment. He told Noah to build a BIG ark, with room for two of every kind of creature, one male and one female (Genesis 6-9). Children can make the story come to life with this interactive Noah's Ark playset that includes Noah, 14 animals and an ark. Launch date: December 2008.

This adventure of good, old-fashioned fun features an upbeat collection of songs by Michael Plunkett that moves children from high-energy action to quiet-time. The songs are easy-to-sing and memorable, and offer valuable early learning opportunities, as well as activities that encourage creative movement and imaginative play. There’s also attention to building relationships, eating healthy foods, hygiene, manners and more. Shenanigans is great for the family to share, as well as a special resource for schools and libraries. "It offers a music style and lyrics that today's kids can relate to, and adults will also enjoy," Elaine Murphy, director of sales and marketing for Kimbo Educational, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

In addition to the colorful sheep, hare and bear hand puppets, this set includes a die and a memory game for one to four players. It encourages role play, language development and comprehension of rules. Launch date: 2008.
— Lisa McMartin, co-owner of Wonderment Inc. in Minneapolis, told TDmonthly in late 2008 that HABA is one of her most-liked vendors because “they'll take individual orders in their dating program." Nearly 10 percent of 52 retailers named HABA as one of their favorite suppliers.

These colorful wooden blocks, featuring all sorts of creatures from both land and sea, stack up to almost 3'. Package size is 5.75" x 5.75" x 5.7".
— “Melissa & Doug are phenomenal. They have great margins for volumes and are supportive. I wish we had five more of them,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer’s Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in late 2008 when naming the company one of his favorite vendors. Forty-eight percent of 52 retailers surveyed praised Melissa & Doug as a favorite supplier.

This fitness DVD gives offers parents a way to work out with their children from birth to 6 years old, while having fun at the same time. It features real moms and kids alongside cartoon scenery background to catch children's attention. There are three workout options: cardio; toning and abs; and cardio, toning and abs. Launch date: 2008.

This game comes with a colorful spinner and corresponding shapes that fit into puzzle board with color-corresponding cut-outs. Launch date: 2009.
— “eeBoo is excellent,” Elizabeth Ryan, owner of Tales & Toys in Venice, Calif., told TDmonthly of this preferred vendor in late 2008. One other retailer, out of 52, also mentioned eeBoo as a favorite.

This comfy beanbag chair features two detachable, machine-washable covers, soothing micro beads on the interior, and a gentle vibration system designed to relax the body and stimulate circulation. It is available in black with a baby blue or pretty pink top.

The hottest European trend for kids has arrived in the USA. The immensely popular Kiddimoto balance bikes have the unique look of real motorcycles and are hand crafted of 100-percent birch plywood. Kiddimoto bikes do not have pedals or training wheels; therefore children learn to balance and steer very quickly, improving motor skills, increasing strength, and developing confidence on two wheels earlier than they have been able to ever before. "Our unique, British-designed wooden balance bicycles look like real motorcycles," Liz Roth, for Kiddimoto USA, distributed by Rocat LLC, told TDmonthly. Awards won include a 2007 Practical Pre-School Award, a 2007 Right Start Best Toy Award, a 2006 Hamleys Toy Award and a 2005 Baby Gear Gold Award. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

This light blue elephant functions as both a toy and a backpack, with eco-friendly features that include non-toxic dyes, recycled plastic parts, sustainable wood accents, and canvas and rope made from organically grown cotton. Measuring 14" x 10" x 5", the bag also has inside pockets and padded shoulder straps.

This travel-friendly playmat is made to fit airplane tray tables and also functions as a child's backpack, with adjustable straps, for easy portability. It offers a clean space for eating and playing, features accessible side pockets, and can hold more than 20 small toys, games and even snacks.

This padded, reversible coffee table cover is designed to "protect kids from tables and tables from kids," offering childproofing value for a safer home as well as protecting furniture from nicks and scratches. The themed side of the cover encourages creative play as well as recognition of colors and shapes, and with roadways and railroads, is ideal for pairing with wheeled toys and figurines. The reverse side is gray, and the cover is machine washable. Kids can draw on the reverse side with Crayola Washable Markers, then throw the pad into the wash for a clean slate. Two sizes are available: 20" x 48" and 40" x 68".

Created by Rob and Lisi Wolf, this 14-track, 42-minute album features acoustic version of songs by Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles and others. The product is made in the United States, using recyclable materials.

This fierce T-Rex add light to a dark room with the included 4-watt bulb. It's on a swivel plug and measures 5" W x 6" H x 1.25" D. Launch date: November 2008.