May 2009 New Specialty Toys — Collectibles

This hand-painted dragon is wearing armor and has fire coming out of its mouth. "Hotaling Inc. believes that in a world full of too many passive play options, children should be encouraged to engage in self-driven play. That's why they distribute simple and attractive toys with child friendly designs that encourage them to actively use their imagination and develop through active play, stimulation and, above all, fun," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

This handpainted figure shows intricate detail, from its facial features down to the fierce ax in the tiger's hand. Launch date: April 2009.

This handpainted figure is decked out with armor and weaponry. "Hotaling Inc. believes that in a world full of too many passive play options, children should be encouraged to engage in self-driven play. That's why they distribute simple and attractive toys with child-friendly designs that encourage them to actively use their imagination and develop through active play, stimulation and, above all, fun," Brian Shackelton, operations manager for Hotaling Imports Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Creation By Design brings together the “greatest story ever told” with original, 3D computer-generated artwork and a fresh narrative voice. The cards are designed to relay the concepts and stories of the Bible without without preaching the ideas of any particular denomination, and may appeal to parents who want to minimize their kids’ exposure to violent video games and TV programs. The back of each card features three sections: Narrative, which relates a snippet of the story associated with that card in everyday language; Fun Facts, which relates trivia facts about the card topic, encompassing such subjects as art, literature, history, science and animals; and Timeline, which places the events of that card in relation to the other trading cards and world history, taking Bible stories out of the realm of myth and into fact and history. "Not only is the Bible the best-selling book of all time; it is [also] the best-selling book of the year, every year. Now, we have presented the stories in a manner that kids want to see and read," Steven Kaye, managing director of Creation By Design, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 7, 2008.

Designed to teach children about the names of food and dining utensils, these plush toys have a suction cap on the back and can be hung from smooth surfaces. Kids can choose which food they want to eat the next day, and place it on a window before they go to sleep. The colorful pieces may also serve as decoration in a baby's room. Size is 4" x 3". Launch date: 2009.

Designed to teach children about the names of animals, nature and wild living things, these plush toys have a suction cap on the back and can be hung from smooth surfaces. The animal figures might be used to tell stories or teach kids about the food chain. Size is 4" x 3". Babies can pick up, drop and bite these toys easily. Launch date: 2009.

This is a heat and cold therapy item that looks like a stuffed animal and is part of the Toasty Wild Animal Collection. It can be a calming, soothing aid for children, and also may comfort those with Alzheimer's, anxiety or sore muscles. The elephant can be warmed in the microwave to deliver heat therapy, or placed in the freezer to deliver cold therapy for up to two hours. Launch date: 2007.

This 8" fairy doll is available in three different dress colors and has wings on her back.

Aurora is commemorating Lamb Chop’s 50th Anniversary with its special edition puppet (15” MSRP $13.99), closely fashioned after the original Lamb Chop that caught the eyes of millions of viewers. The larger brown eyelashes, more prominent nose, and ribbed white sweater with three red buttons are a reminder of the Lamb Chop who have kept us laughing for more than 50 years.

These one-of-a-kind, handmade fabric friends are fair trade and stand 1.5" tall. They feature large mouths and variety of colorful designs.

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.

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.”

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.

This small collectible is handmade out of polymer clay and even features a tiny spider on the base. It measures 2" to 3" tall, and no two are alike.

This premier collection of Bella Sara minis features small, velvety horse figurines that come with a stand for display. Each miniature comes with a checklist and a bonus code that gives the user an virtual statue for her cottage online at the Bella Sara website. The figurines may also be used as pieces for a board game. Launch date: March 2009; Series 2: October 2009.

Pig Lubie is just like its traditional counterpart; pink and round, but smaller and softer. The Lubies collection received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: 2009.

Lion Lubie sports a cute and peaceful face. Have this Lubie be the king of the plush jungle. The Lubies collection received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: 2009.

To go along with the Pink Bear is the soft, plush Blue Bear Lubie.

No longer an egg, but not quite a full chicken yet, the Chick Lubie is soft, round and cute.

Let Rabbit Lubie be that cute and loveable silent companion. Soft and round, this softball-sized plush animal is part of the Lubies collection.

The elephant is nature's largest mammal. Lubies brings it down to roughly the size of a softball.

Penguin Lubies wobble around just like the real thing with its plump and plush design.