March 2010 New Specialty Toys — Pretend Play

Princess slippers are made from metallic sequin knit with a foam sole and non-skid vinyl bottom. Decorated with marabou and roses. *Winner of the 2010 Children's Choice Award- Best Toy In Pretend Play", by the Canadian Toy Testing Council.

Designed after old-fashioned farms in Germany and Holland, this high quality cardboard farm from Calafant USA is a pretty large home for the farmer, his family and all his animals. Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable.

This Halo has a comb to affix it to a child's head and is adorned with bows, flowers, ribbon and rhinestones.

A companion doll for young riders, Camille Equestrienne is dressed in a riding outfit complete with cap, jacket and boots. She has long rooted hair for styling fun and can wear any 13" fashion from the Les Cheries collection. "Headquartered in the Loire Valley, the storybook region of Langeais, France, Corolle is a brand that embodies all the values of childhood. The extraordinary attention to detail in all their dolls and accessories reflect the company’s reputation — established over three decades — for quality materials and classic design," Liza Grando, Account Executive, Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2010.

This charming, soft-bodied baby doll has sleeping eyes and can suck on its thumb or his pacifier, just like a real baby. Suce-Pouce can wear any 14" baby doll fashion from the Corolle collection. Launch date: 2008.

This 12” charmer is designed to encourage hugs and capture hearts. Dressed in a bright polka dot dress with coordinating headband, Calin has a soft “beanbag” body that can be posed just like a real baby. "Headquartered in the Loire Valley, the storybook region of Langeais, France, Corolle is a brand that embodies all the values of childhood. The extraordinary attention to detail in all their dolls and accessories reflect the company’s reputation — established over three decades — for quality materials and classic design. Each doll’s expression, hair, skin tone and limb features are realistic and natural, and a light scent of vanilla is added to the vinyl for sensory appeal. Designed for durability and playability, Corolle dolls are created for a lifetime of hugs," Liza Grando, Account Executive, Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, 5 out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Calin from Corolle was their best-selling doll.  Paula Bolte, owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co. in Blacksburg, Va., said she sells a few Calins a month, and a dozen a month during the holidays.
— As of 06/27/2011 this product had 3.5 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Durable; well-made; machine washable. Cons: Two reviewers said the doll's teeth were yellow.

When unzipped, it becomes an activity center perfect for buildings and fire fighters with LEGO Bricks. When play is done, four quick zips and all the bricks are captured inside. The LEGO® CITY FIRE ZipBin® Large Toy Box Playmat features cut handles and fabulous artwork. It is designed to be sturdy, strong, stackable and portable. LEGO blocks are not included. LEGO, The LEGO logo, the Brick and Knob configuration are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2009 LEGO Group. "It is a large playmat that zips up into a sturdy, portable, toy box that has amazing artwork," Robin Leighty, Marketing and Sales Specialist, Neat-Oh! International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Bright, fabric-covered, build and play mat for playing fun adventures. Children can invent many of their own adventures using the adventure-themed elements on the mat. Includes a map, Leo along with his treehouse and yellow convertible, Fishing pole with velcro hook, Trees and flower bushes, Wishing Well, Rainbow Rock, and Purple Mountain, Troll and Troll Bridge, Hot Air Balloon, Sticky Tape, Chocolate Tree, Castle and Castle Draw Bridge.

Made of fleece covered foam, these plush blocks provide children with a safe construction toy. Children can make tables, towers, bridges and forts.

This family set is designed for the Emerson House by brinca dada. The Modern Family is sleek, minimalist, and striking; the dolls' beauty is only matched by their equisite functionality. Not only are they posable and fully articulated, the dolls' biceps and calves flex realistically. The Modern Family turns playtime into an art.

This living room set serves as a collection of accessories for brinca dada's Emerson House. It creates the perfect atmosphere for entertaining guests, reading a good book or relaxing with family. The set features eleven pieces including TV console, lamps, HD television, sofa, chairs, coffee table, console, side table and rug. Launch Date: Spring 2010.

This realistic-looking barbecue set features a hood that opens and a collapsible side table. It includes red knobs to pretend adjusting the heat during play, and wheels to roll it around to different locations. Primary materials are plywood, MDF and non-toxic paint. It measures 47 cm x 37.5 cm x 60 cm.
— This BBQ set was one of the top-two products mentioned by specialty retailers during ASTRA's Share the Fair event at Toy Fair 2010.

Kids can use the icing tube-shaped dry-erase markers to color four wooden cupcakes that come with a baking tray, cupcake sleeves and decorative wooden candles. The package measures 10.5" x 13.25" x 3.13".
— Play food sets and cutting food from Melissa & Doug were named as a best-selling wooden toy by seven of 38 retailers in February 2010. "The Melissa & Doug cupcake set did really well," Lesa Smith of Whiz Kid Toys in San Luis Obispo, Calif., told TDmonthly.
― Michael McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly in spring 2010 that the Bake and Decorate Cupcake Set is his best-selling playset. “One of my employees absolutely loves it,” he said of what helps drive sales.
― “All year, [the best seller] is food sets from Melissa & Doug,” said Bill Rayment, owner of Toy Crossing in Harbor Beach, Mich., when asked about his top-selling playsets and activity kits during an April 2010 interview.
― Six of 43 retailers listed Melissa & Doug as their top supplier of playsets in April 2010.

10pc girl's wild west play set includes two 8" clicker guns, holsters, badge, and more. Comes in a 8"x13" blister card.

Join Captain Owen on the open seas! Our rugged boat playset is great for the bathtub, beach, and pool. A complete playset. It includes an 2 boats - Explorer Boat and Rescue Boat, a Life Preserver, two Dolphins - Mother and Baby, an Adventure Guide - Captain Owen, an Adventure Hat (interchangeable with other characters), and a Backpack Accessory. 2010 TOTY Award Winner.

Box-O-Mania puts a modern twist on the traditional cardboard box - the inspiration behind imaginative play and creative learning without complicated instructions and power charges. Inspired by this timeless toy, Box-O-Mania play boxes and specially-designed reusable stickers provide kids with the creative space in which they can use their fantasy through a variety of themes: a fire station, a beauty salon, a home, a clubhouse and more. Made of lightweight, yet sturdy corrugated plastic, Box-O-Mania play boxes offer more than twelve square feet of interior space for up to three children; they are easy to assemble, convenient to transport and store away.
— "My daughter is going to love this one. Fun, interactive child sized houses made from correlated plastic panels that velcro easily together. Available in 4 colors and several different themes. Use dry erase markers or the included sticker collection to decorate and personalize. When your done, wipe it off and start anew. Great for imaginative play," Jennifer Shuman, of 1SmartNoodle, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

The super-soft fleece is gentle for baby's sensitive skin and the colors are bright and stimulating. One can bring out a child's imagination with these semi-abstract characters. There are five characters in all, and they range from 4" to 9" tall, so they can be effortlessly packed into a diaper bag or purse. Their size also makes them easy for little ones to handle. "Muddy Cloud is a character-driven line featuring bright colors and abstract shapes. Most uniquely, the characters have no prescribed storylines, inviting children to become the storyteller with their ever-precious creative imagination," Matt Anaya, Owner Muddy Cloud, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

Part of the hands-on line of Silly Sam & Friends talking role-play toys, this is a shape sorter with personality. Kids press on his nose or push the front door to insert something and let him talk. There are four shapes, each with a different color and representing a different material to recycle. There are two modes of play. This product is not in the mass market, according to Kelly Christensen, Director of Sales, Kidz Delight. Launch date: May 15, 2010.

Silly Sam Broom is part of hands-on line of Silly Sam & Friends talking role-play toys. Kids sweep and move the bristles or press the nose to hear one of six random speech and sound effects. Awards: American Baby Toy of the Year, Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products. Launch date: 2002.

This set includes an apron (size 4-8), an adjustable cotton chef's hat, and a silicone flower trivet. It is machine washable. "The included child-size hat and silicone trivet make this kit one-of-a-kind. Kids can really dress to play the part, and use the trivet to help in the kitchen or use for pretend play," Lisa Grass, Graphic Designer, Sassafras Enterprises Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2010.

With this playhouse and paper doll set in one, kids can open the box and unlock hours of imaginative play. It includes four stand-up mermaids, 80 reusable stickers, a castle topper, peek-a-boo flaps, and a tea table. "Reusable stickers add a special element to this item. The stickers provide for multiple use and encourage imaginative and inventive play since they can be moved around and mixed and matched," Donna Modrell, Marketing & Operations Manager, Peaceable Kingdom Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Girls can peek behind foldouts and flaps to uncover a treasure of royal secrets from favorite fairy tale princesses, such as Cinderella, Thumbelina and Snow White. The life of a Princess is one of diamonds, ball gowns and handsome princes, but it’s also filled with little secrets. How did the Princess feel the pea? What lies in Sleeping Beauty’s spell book? Launch date: November 2009.

This hip press-out family includes 5 freestanding people, a cat, a dog, a doghouse, and over 150 mix-and-match vinyl cling pieces of clothing! Combine this with the MoMA Modern Play House for a completely modern experience. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Create a delightfully modern house with this innovative set of modular nesting boxes! Aspiring architects and designers of all ages can create modern spaces, arrange furniture and accessories, and then remodel again to create endless variations of their unique and distinctive homes. Includes 7 nesting boxes, 8 mix-and-match furniture pieces, and 12 removable vinyl cling accessories. WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.