May 2009 New Specialty Toys — Educational

The goal of this game is to help everyone from Mom and Dad to Granny and Grandpa have a great day and not get caught by The Blues. Players can pass on a hug, make others laugh with goofy faces, tell someone what they like about them, dance, sing, share a joke, and more. Feel-Good Cards have lots of things to do to chase away The Blues, but players must be careful, as The Blues can sneak up very quickly. Participants can personalize the game's supplies by adding various books and music of their own. Suggestions are included. The games includes a 12" x 12" board, feel-good cards, a neighborhood card, people movers, the blues and dice.

Kids 18 months and older can use these wooden stacking blocks to learn colors, numbers and letters and more! Launch date: Early 2009.

Each card in this geography themed deck sports a detailed custom map of one of the fifty states. The cards deliver facts about the states, including flags, important cities and towns, rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, national parks, historic sites, and other fun features. All of this information is displayed on the delicately shaded relief maps that are the heart of TerraCarta. The District of Columbia and U.S. territories are included in the playing card coverage. A two-sided map and playing card index, an informational key card, and a wild card that shows the entire United States in striking global perspective fill out the complete deck of 55 cards. With a full set of traditional suits and ranks, TerraCarta can replace standard playing cards for popular games, such as gin rummy, hearts, and crazy eights. It can also be used as a set of quiz and flash cards.

P’kolino’s Puzzle Stacker increases the play value of the classic stacker by adding the benefits of puzzles. This 6 ring stacking toy helps develop a baby’s hand-eye coordination and recognition of sizes and colors. The puzzle fine-tunes motor skills and teaches spatial logic through joining the interconnecting pieces, resulting in doubling its developmental value within a single toy. Also available in a 10 ring version. Launch date: June 2009.

This adventure game is designed to encourage thought and imagination in young children. On their journey to Granny's, players go through dark woods, cross a stream, need to be very careful passing a sleepy bear, etc. Players decide what to bring along — a dog, a basket of food, perhaps some sticks and a rope — and must use these items to invent ways to deal with whatever obstacle they meet. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, a team mover, a die, and good things tokens. "This is a cooperative game in which all the players use their imaginations to get by the obstacles on their path to Granny's house in the country," Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 28, 2009.

In this game, the players all help farm dog Harley find and bring back home as many of their favorite things as possible. Harley will have to look out for fellow prowlers, such as the bear, raccoon, skunk, porcupine and nasty briar Patches, and it might be necessary to call in the vet. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, rules for easy and hard games, a dog house card, favorite things tokens, a bark and sniff card, and a Harley mover. "Players work together to help the old dog, Harley, out of a variety of problems. This is a game of sharing and helping eachother," Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 27, 2009.

The chickens are hanging out on their colorful wooden perch. But if one of them decides to leave, the whole perch will teeter. The goal is to collect as many chickens, hay bales and wagon wheels before the rocking perch topples. The chickens, hay bales and wagon wheels have different weights, meaning different point values. The player with the highest score wins the game. Selecting a heavier piece receives more points but entails more risk of making the perch topple. If a player causes the perch to topple, five points will be deducted from his or her total. "Two trees are planted for every tree used in the creation of this game," Adeline Bertrix, sales manager at Blue Orange Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— Chickyboom is a top seller at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly in summer 2009.
— Three of 44 retailers named this game as an overall best seller in late fall 2009.

Approximately 8" tall, this magnetic paper doll comes with outfits and accessories, most of which are interchangeable on other critters in the collection. They are made to cut out easily with regular scissors. "MAGNETIC PALS teach dexterity while expanding the imagination in all age groups from tots to older adults needing physical therapy," Jan Gardner, partner of Gardner's Gatherings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Designed with colors, features, and simplistic yet detailed designs to draw all age groups, each critter in this collection is approximately 8" tall and comes with outfits and accessories. The critters are made to cut out easily with regular scissors. Launch date: April 2009.

These Christmas clothes will fit all but three of the MAGNETIC PAL critters and dolls. They do not fit Rita, the frog or the monkey. The designs are made to be cut out easily with regular scissors. "MAGNETIC PALS teach dexterity while expanding the imagination in all age groups from tots to older adults needing physical therapy," Jan Gardner, partner at Gardner's Gatherings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.

Rita is magnetic and comes with clothing and accessories that are interchangeable with other critters in the collection. She is approximately 8" tall and can be cut out with regular scissors. Launch date: April 2009.

Made of treated rubber wood and painted with non-toxic, lead-free paints, these teaching aids are designed for use in the home and at Montessori schools. Launch date: February 2, 1973.

Players try to make sure that everyone has a Merry Christmas. They help each other get all the pieces to make their own Merry Christmas puzzle picture. This involves sharing and giving. In the center of the board is the manger scene. Players must be careful not to let the manger get clouded over by such events as people being mean to one another, or they might all lose the game. The game includes a 12" x 12" board, movers, die and Merry Christmas puzzles. Launch date: April 26, 2009.

In this active pantomime game, players move around the board, helping each other bring all the things needed for a party. Command cards get turned, describing an action to be done. Co-operative play allows everyone to get into the actions without worrying about losing and being eliminated, and because players keep up their mime until the next turn, many funny interpretations happen at once. It includes a 12" x 12" board, die, party favor movers and command cards. "The children get to play together and do a mime show together without being against each other," Jim Deacove, president of Family Pastimes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 22, 2009.

In this game, players are forest rangers trying to help the animal and human families get past the spreading crevices caused by an earthquake and to their homes. Their job is to work together as a rescue team, sharing ideas and giving a helping hand to all creatures. The random set-up makes each game different and is designed to get children thinking. The games includes a 12 x 12" board, rules for easy and hard games, quake pieces, bridge tokens, and a collection of human and animal cards. Launch date: April 25, 2009.

In this highly condensed, fully illustrated version of the world's greatest and most tragic love story, the author supplies thought-provoking discussion questions that allow readers to explore this tale from any age or perspective. The same discussion questions may be used to explore other plays from a similar perspective. "Written for grades three and up, it makes the classic play inviting to this age group," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

With a clear and simply laid out approach, this book by Cass Foster and Lynn G. Johnson is designed to take the trepidation out of teaching Shakespeare's works. Professor Foster, a professor of Theatre at Central Arizona College, provides background information that includes a discussion of the value of Shakespeare's legacy, what life was like in the Middle Ages, and warm-up activities. With consideration to a whole-language based approach, the book includes activities across the curriculum and a journal. "You won't need to be a Shakespeare Scholar to fascinate students with activities across the curriculum, including crossword puzzles, a scavenger hunt, scale models, costume and scenery suggestions, and warm-up games. This book is a must for every school library and for anyone teaching Shakespeare, whether in the elementary grades or high school," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series offers an 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 that 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.' Not if you raise the curtain on The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare ... 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.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is analternative 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 that 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. Launch date: 2003.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an 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 that 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. Launch date: 2003.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an 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 that 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.' Not if you raise the curtain on The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare ... 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.

This DVD promotes fitness and imaginative play while teaching children about letters. Young learners may enjoy performing new and traditional exercises, developed with a certified fitness trainer. It runs approximately 37 minutes. "Children get exercise and build coordination while learning their ABCs," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. The product received a Best Vacation Product award from Dr. Toy. Launch date: 2003.

Each group of facts through 12 has its own distinctive song to keep students tuned in and motivated. The CD runs approximately 30 minutes. "Energetic songs make learning fun and one of our best sellers still today," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. This product has won the following awards: Parents' Choice Recommended; Dr. Toy Best Classic Products; and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: 1997.

This product is designed so that as students sing along, they can quickly learn sums up to 18 and differences from 18. The CD runs approximately 40 minutes. "Upbeat music, energetic performers and a delayed answer section helps students learn facts quickly. [This is] one of our top audio best sellers," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media and Dr. Toy's 10 Best Educational Products. Launch date: 2003.