May 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

The MOOV by BERG is both a construction toy and a rideable vehicle for children, ages 5 to 12. Children can construct MOOV by themselves without the use of any tools or help from parents. The wooden parts, rings, shafts and frames are multi-functional. Once the model is complete, the fun continues. MOOV construction toys are available in three kits: Starter, Advanced, and Street. The Starter kit ($210.00) can create three wooden models, the Advanced ($300.00) seven models, and the Street ($376.00) up to 10 models. For each new construction, the old model must be taken apart.

Healthy eating can be child’s play...even for picky eaters! Once engaged in an entertaining meal, children won't notice that they are actually eating healthy food. Kids spin the spinner and eat food from the designated section of the plate where the spinner lands. The matching mug completes this gift set that will have children Playing with their Food (and eating it, too). Dining set includes: Plate, Mug, Spinner. Plate and mug are made of melamine. Not for use in the microwave. Dishwasher safe.  Available themes include Fairy Princess, Dinosaur, Transportation and Farm Animals.

Rebelle's classic Blue Victorian bag is fun and fashion forward. The bag features a delicate Victorian pattern on laminated spandex, hidden magnetic clasp, lavendar faux suede lining, silver faux leather trim, rhinestone accents, and silver hearts.

This Rebelle butterfly bag features a distinct fuchsia pattern on laminated spandex with silver faux leather trim, buttercup yellow faux suede lining, hidden magnetic clasp, and sparkling rhinestone accents. Finished off with silver hearts laid over the print.

The Signature Bag features extra space and extra pockets for those who need it. Made with laminated spandex, lavendar faux suede lining and contrasting frosted faux leather trim, it also features Signature Rebelle hearts with rhinestone accents and a hidden magnetic clasp.

Show style with the Rebelle Red Matrix backpack. Can be used as a book bag, a backpack, an overnight bag or a sports bag. The backpack features laminated spandex and colorful accents as well as detachable, tradeable wristlet and belts.

Produced in a detailed 1:16 scale, this die-cast replica of a John Deere tractor demonstrates a high degree of attention to realistic features. The classic John Deere green and yellow color scheme is accented with chains on the oversized back tires so that this heavy duty farm equipment can take on any terrain to get the work done.
— “We don't do much license product, but we do some, like John Deere. That does well for us,” said Phil Wrzesinski, owner of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, Mich., during an April 2009 survey of 49 retailers about their sales of licensed toys.

Sanrio's popular character Hello Kitty comes to little girls in an 8” tall plush toy. Dressed in a candy-pink tutu and leotard with matching ballet slippers, this little ballerina is accessorized with Hello Kitty's recognizable bow in matching satin material as well as a tiny gold crown for her performance. 
— “I know it is a good product when people never return them,” Barbara Vininsky, owner of Jack and Jill, said of the Hello Kitty merchandise in her Montreal, Quebec, store.
— Hello Kitty products were popular at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., at the end of 2009, according to Owner David Hesel.

A favorite childhood character, Dora the Explorer is an adventurous little girl who loves to explore and learn. In this interactive toy, Dora wears a jacket with patches from four countries around the world that she visits in the television show. Upon pressing each patch, children can learn the words for “hello” and “goodbye” in the language for each country. Dora also speaks other phrases in English and Spanish, and sings the Friendship Song. Included are four collectible friendship bracelets from each country.
— “Dora the Explorer … even beats out Elmo,” remarked Tracie Meadows, owner of Whippersnappers in St. Simon's Island, Ga., of her best-selling licensed toy in April 2009.

The right size for a school lunch or a few essential treasures, this tin keepsake box features Curious George, the charmingly precocious monkey, flying along on a blue bicycle complete with the wide grin to tell what a good time he's having. The bright yellow box has a plastic handle and a metal latch to hold it closed in transit.
— Two of 49 retailers surveyed in April 2009 said Curious George is their top-selling licensed toy.

Part of the “Since 1959” collection to commemorate the most famous vintage fashion dolls, Southern Belle Barbie is designed with feminine sophistication in mind. Her delicate pink dress is edged in intricate lace, with special heed paid to realistic garment details. She sports a sleek bob haircut and elegant makeup, and represents a modern take on the classic Plantation Belle doll fashion. 
— Cathy Gabay, owner of The Toy Parade in Salina, Kan., told TDmonthly in April 2009 that Barbie is one of only two licenses she chooses to sell in her store.

In this ready-to-play set from International Playthings, children help 4-year-old Olivia's older sister Ashley set up a birthday party for the special girl. Designed in detail to fit in with International Playthings' extensive Calico Critters line, the kit includes a cake, drinks, presents and party hats to enrich the fantasy-play and include all of a child's favorite Calico Critters characters.
— The Calico Critters line from International Playthings accounted for the top licensed toy sales in three of 49 stores surveyed in April 2009.

Modeled after the agile one-pilot fighting crafts in the original Star Wars movie, this kit builds into a detailed TIE fighter. The nose of the ship opens to access the cockpit, which houses the included Darth Vader figurine.  Flick-firing missiles, Darth Vader's red light saber, and other movie details add to the building activity in this set.
— Three of 49 retailers named Star Wars Lego sets as their best-selling licensed toy in April 2009.

Thomas, Sodor's cheeky favorite train car, comes all decked out in birthday finery. Covered with streamers and confetti, this engine comes packaged pulling a special boxcar whose panel door slides back to reveal a load of wrapped presents. This festive addition to a child's train table is compatible with all of Learning Curve's wooden rail line, as well as many other major brands.
— “There's definitely a group that's really into it,” said Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., of his persistent sales of Thomas the Tank Engine in spring 2009.
— “Thomas is about all we do in licensed toys, and it's still selling. We're getting requests again,” Peggy Sebert, owner of Becky & Me Toys in Glenview, Ill., told TDmonthly in April 2009. 
— Six of 49 retailers named Thomas as their best-selling licensed toy line in spring 2009.

With his bright yellow feathers and familiar, wide-eyed face, Big Bird is a staple character for many children.  Gund captures one of Sesame Street's cardinal characters in a soft, flexible hand puppet where little players or big can move both his wings and his long beak to act out favorite or original stories. The puppet measures approximately 12” tall.
— “The Gund plush [is] the only licensed product that's ever done really well,” Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Centre in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 of his top-selling licensed toys, Gund Sesame Street characters.
— “The Sesame Street 11" dolls are selling very well,” Fran Anaya, owner of Golden Aspen Toys in Flagstaff, Ariz., said, reporting sales of 15 to 20 plush characters per month in spring 2009.
— Nine out of 49 retailers named Sesame Street as their best-selling licensed character line during an April 2009 survey.

The Jing Joe Cooling/Warming Infant Pad is a 9.5" x 14" nylon pad with a built-in fan that draws in ambient air and delivers it out the front mesh spacer. The pad is design to fit easily in a car seat, stroller, swing or bouncer to provide a cushion of air for a child to sit up against that will keep them dry and comfortable without compromising the safety. "[An] opening on each side of the pad accommodates [the] shoulder strap so as not to compromise intended safety features, and also allows use of accessories, such as [the] padded head support and shoulder strap padding. Adjustment to the shoulder straps is required depending on size of the child," Anthony Tong, president of PaTongco LLC, told TDmonthly. The Jing Joe has received the following awards: 2009 Mom's Best Award; 2009 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2009 The Toy Man Award of Excellence; and 2009 The Toy Man Editor's Choice. Launch date: February 17, 2009.

JazzyToes Bright Mary Janes Baby Socks with non-skid soles are created to match vibrant outfits of little girls. The Mary Janes come with a silver, sparkling flower on the buckle. Included in the set are six colors: Red, Pink, Orange, Purple, Green and Yellow. The product comes in a ready-to-mail gift box. Size: 0-12 months, 12-24 months. "Our sizing is more generous than other socks in the market that they truly fit babies up to 24 months. Our socks come with non-skid soles, and are compliant with CPSIA. The socks come with ready-to-mail packaging, so [it] makes gifting a breeze," Lisa Dunkerley, manager of JazzyToes, told TDmonthly. JazzyToes have received the following awards: 2008 Creative Child Award, PTPA Award and iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009.

Chuckle Buddies are motion-activated rolling and laughing plush friends. Once activated, the Chuckle Buddy will roll around from side to side three or four times, filling the room with an hysterical, contagious laughter. Once he stops moving, an individual simply waves a hand in front of the sensor located directly above the eyes to reactivate. There's an on/off switch located on battery compartment. The product required 3 AA batteries (not included). A Dog, Monkey and Cat are currently available, and other styles are in development. Launch date: February 2009.

EZ-Fort is an open-ended building toy that just requires the addition of sheets. The easy to use, 54-piece building system can transform into a playhouse, a ship, or even an obstacle course. Also, it's designed as an educational toy for developing critical thinking skills and nurturing the creative thought process. Launch date: September 2009.

Idolz are wearable, stackable, poseable, colorful action figures with interchangeable parts. Kids can customize Idolz by collecting and swapping accessories. "This product has all the qualities of a stylish collectible, while remaining durable enough to play with or display in many different ways. It's designed to be fun and fashionable for both boys and girls of nearly all ages," Damien Noble, president of Idolz Toys LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

The 100-percent Silicone Bottle has no open pores to harbor bacteria, thereby ensuring baby is getting nutrition as pure as nature intended, without the harmful leaching of harmful chemicals. It is BPA Free, phthalate free and latex free. This bottle won a 2009 Top Gear of the Year Award from Shape You. "[The] 100-percent Silicone Bottle collapses as air is released, giving baby a bubble-free feeding, reducing the likelihood of colic, reflux and spit-up," Nicole Strand, in sales administration at Prince Lionheart, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

An update on our classic Sticky Mosaics® Jewelry Box design, this product features a beautiful fairy and flowers to decorate it. It includes one numbered Jewelry Box and more than 1,000 sticky foam and jewel pieces. "While there are many other Jewelry Box kits on the market, ours stands above. Our easy to use number-to-color matching system creates perfect results every time, providing a child with an unparalleled sense of accomplishment," Damien Crocker, sales and marketing representative for The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009.
—John MacDougall listed Sticky Mosaics as best sellers in his store, Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., in summer 2009.

The pottyPOD is designed to help create a hassle-free potty experience that makes potty training easier for parents and their child. The soft, cushiony seat provides comfort while the rigid base provides strength and stability. "The pottyPOD is the anti-microbial potty on the market!" Nicole Strand, in sales administration at Prince Lionheart, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Kids can create four fabulous designs with this kit, which includes numbered templates and a number-to-color matching legend designed to make it fun and simple. It comes with four templates, four wall hangers and more than 3,000 sticky foam and jewel pieces. "Our number-to-color matching system ensures a perfect picture every time. A child does not need to be artistic to create their own masterpiece to give as a gift or hang on their wall," Damien Crocker, sales and marketing representative for The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2009.