May 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

This is a complete, all-natural prenatal supplement system. "It's the most complete and only all-natural prenatal supplement on the market. All others are incomplete and/or include many to all synthetic ingredients that many can't absorb," Birgitta Lauren, president of Expecting Fitness Inc., told TDmonthly. "Whether you miss some nutrients and or you can't absorb the synthetic ones, you may end up deficient in some nutrients or get toxic high levels of others; either way, baby will suffer. Prenatal nutrition molds the health or lack of it, of a baby for the rest of its life." Launch date: August 2007.

The bladder stores pee until an individual is ready to go. Most bladders hold as much liquid as a can and a half of soda. Nerves in the bladder wall tell when it’s time to go. "This super-soft, bright yellow 6" x 4" urinary bladder plush is perfect for telling someone when urine love," Founder Wendy Bryan of I Heart Guts told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

The spleen keeps the blood tidy and fresh. This queen of clean serves as the primary blood filter and largest lymph organ. It brings blood into contact with lymphocytes, which happily attack foreign bodies, and cleans worn-out red and white blood cells. "This adorable 6" x 6" plushie is perfect for the lymph enthusiast lurking within us all," Wendy Bryan, founder of I Heart Guts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

The stomach creates a highly acidic environment used to digest cookies, ice cream, bacon and more. This lil' guy's digestive juices help break down food for the intestine, which absorbs the actual nutrients. This orange 8.5" x 5.5" tummy is part of the I Heart Guts collection, which is "icky yet adorable," the company's founder, Wendy Bryan, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

Behold, the intestine and appendix in soft plush form. The small intestine absorbs nutrients from food while the large intestine takes in water and excretes solid waste. The tiny appendix, seen here sticking out at lower left, doesn’t do anything, but adds to the I Heart Guts plush collection. This 9" x 7" pillow-like plush "is cute, yet slightly disgusting," Wendy Bryan, founder of I Heart Guts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

Kids may use this product to discover the continents, countries and captials of the world utilizing dry erase cards. Each card comes with an answer overlay for easy reference. The United States and its state captials are included. "It is a fun kid kit with an educational bonus. Great for students who are trying to memorize states and capitals," Carolyn Pickup, marketing assistant at EDC Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.
— EDC Books were on the top-10 best-seller list at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., according to Owner David Hesel in late 2009.

This four-DVD set in the Scholastic Storybook Treasures collection features nearly five hours of colorfully animated, action-packed stories-on-video based on classic children's picture books. The series has won numerous awards. Many of the stories on both sets also feature an enhanced Read-Along function, making it easy for early readers to follow along. "The series features carefully crafted adaptations of classic children's story books that stay true to the original text and illustration," Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR/Foundry Communications told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 18, 2009.

Players work together as a team to give the audience the best show possible. Animals are included in this game, but since it is the players' circus, they can put on a show with or without them. Each player spins to see what moves are to be made — such as an acrobat across the spotlight, or a performer on the trapeze — and tries the guide the performer from start to finish without taking a fall. The game includes four, 6" x 12" boards illustrating special circus performances; a set of cards depicting safety nets, clown acts, animal acts, and main performers; a ringmaster's spinner; and rules for regular and hard games. Launch date: April 22, 2009.

This soft ladybug warms up after just two minutes in the microwave to provide a cozy bedtime companion. It is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender. Launch date: June 2009.

This 12" puppy is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The puppy can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to help kids fall asleep. Launch date: June 2009.

This product offers hospital technology direct to oral appliance. It's designed to combat a growing fear of sickness, infection, and even death from antibiotic resistant germs recently found to thrive in micro-fissures and cracks in mouth guards, night guards, veneers, dentures and pacifiers. It also eliminates odors from used oral appliances. This battery operated product is portable and has an 8000-hour bulb life. "Incorporating ozone ions into the UV sanitizing process increases effective destruction of infectious germs that are harbored in and on oral appliances," Joseph Manzo, president of BRAIN-PAD, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Paci-Plushies are a pacifier holder that connects popular name-brand infant pacifiers with a super-soft and light plush toy using a patent-pending Hug Ring™. When a Paci-Plushie is attached to Baby's pacifier, the pacifier becomes easier for both Mom and Baby to find. Pacifers are fully removable, allowing for proper sanitation of both the pacifier and plush toy. Paci-Plushies are compatible with over 200 varieties of name-brand pacifiers, allowing for usability and versatility. The Nookums™ brand Orthodontic pacifier included with each Paci-Plushie is 100-percent BPA and Phthalate free. "Paci-Plushies are the only plush pacifier holder of its kind with the ability to attach to name-brand infant pacifiers," Stacy Dallman, president of Paci-Plushies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2008.

This 400-ml, 7" bottle is made from 100-percent recyclable, high-quality, food-grade stainless steel so it doesn’t need a synthetic lining like aluminum bottles. It’s BPA-free and designed so it won’t leach chemicals, toxins or funky flavors into beverages. The removable hinged dome lid (an aerated sport lid) is designed to ensure that the leak-resistant pull-up top stays clean. It can be scrubbed with soap and water to clean. Launch date: April 25, 2009.

This battery operated nasal aspirator uses Disposable Reservoir Nozzle Pieces. Thanks to the disposables, no clean-up is necessary after use; just toss away the disposable (one per day). The disposable reservoir protects the inside pump from germs to guard against germ spreading, making Cleanoz a sanitary solution. Replacement tips are sold in boxes of 10. This product received a Creative Child Magazine Award 2008 and PTPA Media Award 2008. Launch date: February 14, 2008.

Revnjenz are fast, sleek and sporty street racers that come to life when the owner enters online his or her personalized "Secret Code" that is hidden on the back of the collectible driver's license. In Revnjenz World, kids can race and play games to earn BoostBucks to trick out their ride. "We have developed a virtual world community of street racers that focuses on an untouched market in the retail product/virtual world tie in. We fill a new, unpaved path for boys that gives them something new and unique to play in and talk about. We also have not left out the girls, as the boys can 'trick out' but the girls can 'accessorize' their rides," Susan Ashford, of the sales and marketing division at Revnjenz, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 3, 2008.

This quality Dobsonian style telescope features a 76 mm aperture reflector optical tube. FirstScope is an ideal entry level astronomical telescope, as it is designed for easy observation. The user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object. The compact design makes it easily portable, and the FirstScope is also stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on a bookshelf or desk. The FirstScope is the Official Product Of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists by displaying their names around the optical tube. Launch date: April 2009.

The museum hires a team of archaeologists to head deep into a aungle to find ancient artifacts. The players of this cooperative fantasy game are that team, which must be up for elements of suspense, careful planning, teamwork, danger and humor. The game has three parts. First, players hack out the paths to the abandoned caves and temples. Second, using the connected paths, they search for and discover the treasures. Finally, they must return safely to base camp with what they gathered. There are dangers and obstacles, such as The Creeping Claw, The Nasty Hairy Thing and Big Boulders rolling over entrances. The team may have to resort to whatever desperate remedy they find in their knapsacks to save them — a Super HeadNet, a Laser Lantern, a Piece of Broccoli, even a Smelly Sock. The game includes a 12" x 12" jungle map, pathways, movers, a tent card, a set of ancient treasure, danger, and remedy cards, and rules for regular and hard games. Launch date: April 2009.

This camper van is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable. It has six non-toxic, washable markers and could make an ideal craft for birthday parties and goodie bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This little house is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable. It comes with six non-toxic, washable markers, and could make an ideal craft for birthday parties and goodie bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an ideal alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. "Reading-or performing Shakespeare doesn't need to take 'forever and a day.' ... Cass Foster has done a superb job of cutting the text while retaining the sense of the story and the poetic rhythm of the words," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003.

Spanish Volumes I & II is designed to offer an easy way to learn greetings, counting, colors, survival phrases, subject pronouns, travel phrases and more. It was created with energetic performers that entertain and motivate while delayed answers make it convenient for students to check their progress. The DVD runs approximately 55 minutes. It has received a Parents’ Choice Recommended Award and a Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award. Launch date: 1993.

Ginger the Cat warms up in the microwave to provide children with a warm companion on cooler nights. Filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, this cat is designed to stay warm for at least and hour, and it can be microwaved thousands of times. Launch date: June 2009.

This series includes six individual preschool books with lessons written in rhyme. It features distinctive new cat and dog characters presented in a hand-carry book box with a plush hand puppet, plus an audio reward activated sound chip allowing the puppet to bark or meow. The packaging has a "capture system that enables the hand puppet or finger puppets and book to stay together in [the] attractive book carry box," Debby Carman, president of Faux Paw Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

"Our die-cut vinyl designs are superior to paper or cardboard pictures. The peel-off release paper can be 're-attached' to the sticky surface to create your own designs. All products are made in the USA," MaryLee Hanson, owner of ArtiSands, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.