March 2009 New Specialty Toys — Collectibles

The inaugural release of Press Pass Speedway features a photography-driven base set that provides an up-close look at NASCAR’s stars as they prepare to take the track. In addition to the 100-card comprehensive base set, collectors can look for exclusive autograph and memorabilia cards that are only available in Speedway. For the first time ever, Press Pass has paired top drivers and their winning crew chiefs together on an autograph card.

This black-and-white Pinto is a horse at Pine Hollow Stables in "Horse Sense," a book in the Saddle Club series written by Bonnie Bryant.
— "Shipping has been really good" with Breyer, noted Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Center in Paoli, Pa., in fall 2008. Two of 52 retailers told TDmonthly Breyer is one of their favorite vendors.

The genuinely antique-looking Mankala Game Board has to be excavated, painted and polished in order to display the antique look. It includes 50 scarab game pieces, a wooden chisel, brushes, paints and intstructions (as well as the ancient history of the game). Launch date: November 3, 2008.

For fans of all ages, mascot backpacks are designed to depict a favorite team's mascot. Each is made of a quality plush material and comes with adjustable nylon straps and a zippered storage compartment. Launch date: August 2008.

These plush pet beds are a fluffy, fashionable and fun addition to the Pawparazzi line. They are available in Leopard Print and Pink & Black styles. "Accessories like our Plush Pet Beds expand the Pawparazzi play experience and bring girls into the world of these miniature superstar pets in a way other plush toys don't," Susan DeCoste, marketing manager for Noodle Head, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006.

This set is filled with pets, purses, fashion and more — everything little girls need to spark their imaginations and pamper their favorite celebrity pets. It includes two pet sets, two dress-up sets, two plush pet beds, a doggy dining set and the Hotel Pawparazzi playset and carrying case. "Pawparazzi pets’ unique personalities (artists, writers, actors and more!) encourage young girls to use their imaginations to unlock and explore the exciting world of these tiny superstars. The pets inspire individual expression and creativity and encourage social interaction and collaborative play with friends at birthdays, parties and play dates," Susan DeCoste, marketing manager for Noodle Head, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

This beautiful mermaid duck comes in an individual gift box and is designed to float upright. Rubba Ducks come in many different styles.

Girls can easily start collecting and trading ChatterChix cards with this set that includes the following: a ChatterChix binder with five pages to store cards, flower stickers, a tracking map and three card packs.

This doll is part of a line of handmade Afro-American, Hispanic and Caucasian baby dolls. Handmade baby outfits, Christening gowns and various pajamas are also available. Launch date: September 10, 2008.

KAUZBOTS is passionate about inspiring kids and adults to change the world — one kause at a time. Each 18” plush toy robot is handcrafted by a human and passionate about a specific kause. For each KAUZBOT (or accompanying apparel) purchased, 10 percent of the retail price is donated to the kauze that is close to that robot’s heart. More than just a cool robot, KAUZBOTS inspire action and support kauses. Launch date: December 2008.
— Clifford Jackson, manager of The Wizard's Chest in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly in July 2010 that his store sold about a dozen KAUZBOTS over the last month.

Schleich is building off the success of its popular World of Elves series by introducing eight new hand-painted figurines. Zahor is one of two new fantasy figurines specifically targeted to boys. Launch date: March 15, 2009.

This adorable Smurf is ready for the Big Screen and is part of the 2009 Smurfs movie thematic, for which there are eight new Schleich models. Launch date: January 2008.

America’s No. 1 horse breed is one of 33 new animals available. It is extremely realistic and hand painted for a natural finish. "Schleich is the world’s leading designer of high-quality, realistic animal and historical figurines and fantasy play worlds for children and collectors of all ages," Martin Gour, marketing director for Schleich North America, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2009.
— Schleich animals were listed as top sellers in spring 2009 at At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, by Storeowner Candace Gooch. “This June, my store will take part in a merchandising program with Schleich,” she told TDmonthly. “I will be putting in two, 4’ backlit Schleich displays for farm and wild animals.”

A first! Yamato presents fully functioning, fully customizable 1/9 scale bicycle models and accessory sets. Think you've seen scaled bicycle models before? Not like these! Check it out! With Yamato's PEDAL ID you can create the bicycle of your dreams. Take it apart, mix and match with a host of accessories and put it all back together to build your own, one-and-only custom bike.

Dare you gaze into the face of Medusa? Legend has it that even a fleeting glance will turn a man to stone. But perhaps the real question is: can you resist? Fear not! And feast your eyes upon the exquisite beauty of Yamato USA’s Fantasy Figure Gallery: Medusa's Gaze. Inspired by the art of Luis Royo, Medusa’s Gaze stands approximately 11.80” tall, features amazingly intricate paint details, and comes complete with display base.

TONNER has given new life to the action-packed, modern-day love story between a teenage girl and a "good" vampire, with these authorized likenesses of "Twilight" stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Bella Swan is 15" tall; Edward Cullen is 17". Each is designed by renowned artist Robert Tonner and fully authorized by Summit Entertainment. They're available only from TonnerDirect. Launch date: Spring 2009.