May 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

Players race to get rid of the cards in their hands by creating sets and runs in the middle of the table. Don’t have the right cards? No problem — grab from a set or run already on the table, or play your cards on any existing set or run. It's "the fastest Rummy game available," Leah Osterhaus, VP of marketing for Out of the Box Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.
Awards: 2009 Major Fun

Force Play capsulizes the excitement and strategy of baseball: Run or hold up? Steal or play it safe? Pitch to the slugger or walk him? While taking only five minutes to learn and 20 minutes to play, Force Play is a fast and fun way to enjoy the game of baseball indoors. "Force Play is the funnest and easiest baseball board game ever made, incorporating real play-action decisions in a fluid format that allows for three exciting innings in only 20 minutes. This game has been tested extensively on baseball players and non-baseball players alike [and] on gamers and non-gamers alike, and the consensus is the same — it's exciting, easy and launches you into the thrill of baseball immediately," Riley Drake, president and inventor of Force Play LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 8, 2009.

This kit includes printed cotton canvas, a doll pattern, scissors, needle, thread and stuffing so that kids can make their own dolly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2009.

Where to Buy: Creative Kidstuff

Kids can make eyewear fun, fashionable and fresh with Ficklets charm huggers. They're versatile and are made to be easy to attach and remove. With a wide selection of designs, kids can mix and match depending on their interest, outfit or mood. "Ficklets is the first and original interchangeable/removable charm hugger or adornment for eyeglass frames," President and Founder Ros Guerrero of Ficklets LLC told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007.

Punky Pets are a group of characters who have a message of unity through music. The Pets are in a Punk Rock Band and sport tattoos, piercings, mohawks and rocker clothes. They are designed to appeal to cool kids and their hip parents. Launch date: 2009.

Minymini storytelling products are designed to teach children about the objects around them. The functional plush toy has a suction cap on the back for hanging. It may be used as an educational, decorative or collectible item. Launch date: 2009.

These mini collectible designer figures each stand 2.5" high and come with a metal chain, making them usable as accessories for backpacks, bags, purses, key chains and more. The blind-box packaging is designed to encourage customers to be anxious to open the box and find out which figure they purchased. Each POS box contains three units of each Koolby design and two secret Monskey figures. "The affordable MSRP of $3.99 makes Koolby and Friends a great impulse buy item in the current economic climate where customers are looking to make every dollar stretch further," Co-founder Martin New of Saizon told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Kids can scoop up these colorful critters as they glide across the water. The set includes three floating bugs and a mesh net in modern styles and colors. Launch date: November 30, 2008.

Every parent deserves R.E.S.T (Relaxation, Entertainment & Sensory Stimulation for your Tot), and they can soothe and relax baby with delightful animations, adorable puppet scenes and calming visuals. This must-have for anyone trying to quiet a fussy child was created by parenting expert and author of "Baby Prodigy: A Guide to Raising a Smarter, Happier Baby." Baby Prodigy products have won more than 19 national awards. "It is the only product on the market that provides REST to both mom and baby while simultaneously entertaining and stimulating their tot," Barbara Candiano-Marcus, president of Baby Prodigy Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 5, 2009.

These large, foam gliders are now available in three new styles in the rubberband-powered gliders and three new styles bundled with an electric winder. They are not sold to mass-market accounts. "The first launch in this series sold out three times in the first six months of release," Dennis Edlund, marketing director for AG Industries, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 30, 2009.
— “AG airplanes (are) really great products. They’re 8 and up, so they’re great for the older boy,” Diana Gisolfu, co-owner of Sisters Kids in Springfield, Mass., told TDmonthly in early summer 2010.
— In June 2010, five percent of 40 retailers cited AG planes as a top seller for boys 4 to 12.

Jane Jenni's custom-fit personality buttons come assorted in a container of 300 buttons. There are more than 112 designs that describe various personalities. Are you a "queen bee" or a "big cheese"? There's a button to fit nearly everyone, and the colorful and fun buttons can appeal to all ages. The combination of the word and picture to illustrate the phrase is designed to stimulate conversation between generations. "The word and picture illustrations engage the customer, and capture their imagination. The collection of various personalities offers the customer a fun item to give to their assortment of friends and relatives," Designer Jane Jenni told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.
— Buttons and pins, including ones from Jane Jenni, were best sellers at Twirl Toystore & Playspace in Taos, N.M., in early 2009, according to Owner Molly McMullin. “We’ve had great success finding both companies and individuals making cute, funny or artsy buttons,” she told TDmonthly. “They’ve been our most consistent seller, and are also great for preteens through young adult.”

Girls can decorate their lives with these 1" (2.5 cm) to 1-1/4" (3.2 cm) vinyl Shimmering Jewels Puffy Stickers. There are eight different fade-resistant stickers in each package, an illustrated plastic sleeve. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Press Pass Football kicks off the 2009 collecting season with a 100-card premium base set highlighting the top rookies from the NFL draft. Every hobby box will deliver at least five autographs. Collectors can also find Gridiron Gamers, which features rare, game-used collegiate jerseys. Other subsets and inserts are included. Press Pass Football is the first football card set available for 2009.

Press Pass Premium Racing 2009 is the first trading card release to feature all new photography of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. In 2009, Premium Racing will include one race-used firesuit card and one autograph card in every hobby box. With its 90-card tiered base set, Premium Racing captures all of the sponsor and team changes that have taken place during the off-season as well as the early 2009 race action, beginning with Daytona Speedweeks.

A beautiful spotted Owl in miniature?  What a hoot!  As a puppet, he perches on your finger, ready to dispense owlish wisdom.  Whooo could be cuter?

A favorite of the finger puppets, this charming Mini Field Mouse has mottled brown plush and big soft ears.

This tiny woodland creature appears to be alive when nestled atop your finger.  With lifelike detail, this miniature Chipmunk finger puppet will bring to your home the charm of a walk in the woods.

The sheer wings of this finger puppet, silk screened with the realistic orange and black markings of the Monarch Butterfly, flutter gracefully up and down with the motion of your hand. Its stretchy nylon fabric body fits fingers of many sizes.
— In a May 2012 survey, three out of 11 retailers said that Folkmanis Butterfly finger puppets were their best selling plus or puppet item. Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barstons's Childs Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly that they sell approximately 23 each month.

He’s a lean, scaly green eating machine.  The giant Tyrannosaurus Rex continues to fascinate young and old alike, retaining his legendary status as king of the dinosaurs.  Animate his jaws (of course) and feel the raw power of the mighty 'Rex.

He pants, he barks, he hunts for fleas, he wags his tail, he tilts his head quizzically, he sniffs your sleeve—and he makes your friends believe he's real, all with your help, of course.  But a hidden entrance and long fur hide the secret of your participation, so prepare to charm and be charmed by the magic of one of our most popular puppets

With its movable beak, this Raven puppet will crow "Nevermore!" from the treetops until the dawn breaks.  This highly intelligent bird is a prevalent figure in traditional mythology and fairy tales around the world. Often depicted as a trickster or a creator, this Raven will make a perfect storytelling companion.

This long and lanky desert dweller, a fellow known for his dry wit and large feet, awaits animation by your hands.  So, hop to it!  Jack Rabbit puppet features movable head and arms, back opening.

This long and lanky desert dweller, a fellow known for his dry wit and large feet, awaits animation by your hands.  So, hop to it!  Jack Rabbit puppet features movable head and arms, back opening.

This incredibly soft Dutch rabbit feels like a real bunny. With cream and coffee colored markings and the design of the ears and haunches, she looks like she could hop off at any moment. She has to be held to be believed. Ultra huggable.