May 2010 New Specialty Toys — Pretend Play

Lilly Bean's play food line is made of super-soft fleece and velour, with stuffing made entirely from recycled soda bottles. The Market Sandwich Lunch is American made and features two slices of wheat bread, one slice of lunch meat, lettuce, cheese, tomato, a carrot and a cream-filled cookie. "Our play foods are more life-sized than play foods currently available in the market. We believe that it makes our product more fun, safe and easy for little hands to play with," Lilly Bean Owner Hilary Karnatz told TDmonthly.

This refrigerator, stove and sink set provides generous storage space. The sink features a realistic pull-out "sprayer," and the "burner" stove has wood turn-button controls. The four-piece set includes an additional cupboard, and each item is available for individual purchase.

This set includes a corn broom, push broom, whisk broom, dust pan, and two wet mops. The unit is 11" x 11" x 18" and features an ultra-violet KYDZTuff finish that "is as tough as a gym floor and allows marks from common items to be simply wiped away," Jonti-Craft Marketing Associate Melissa Gustafson told TDmonthly.

The Imagination Station features a stage, store and drive-up window. Shelves in back can hold toys, puppets and other play items. Wooden braces are attached for stability. A curtain rod is included, but optional curtains are sold separately. Available with a Write-n-Wipe, Flannel or Chalkboard front, the station measures 49"x15"x49" and features an ultra-violet KYDZTuff finish that "is as tough as a gym floor and allows marks from common items to be simply wiped away," Jonti-Craft Marketing Associate Melissa Gustafson told TDmonthly.

Children can rock their dolls in this roomy 14½" x 27" x 12" cradle. The head and footboards are made of sturdy Birch plywood and the side rails are made with rich Maple wood. The cradle features an ultra-violet KYDZTuff finish that "is as tough as a gym floor and allows marks from common items to be simply wiped away," Jonti-Craft Marketing Associate Melissa Gustafson told TDmonthly.

Young puppeteers can hang their puppets on the 16 branches of this puppet tree. Each branch is 8" long, allowing for maximum puppet storage. The unit is 11" W x 11" D x 48" H, and is made of rich maple and sturdy birch wood. The puppet tree's ultra-violet KYDZTuff finish "is as tough as a gym floor and allows marks from common items to be simply wiped away," Jonti-Craft Marketing Associate Melissa Gustafson told TDmonthly.

This realistic kitchen and dining counter has a dual-sided design for multi-child use. Its modern features include a "stainless steel” oven, refrigerator and serving utensils. Also included are a 39-piece accessory set, lots of storage, two electronic sound features, and a deep sink.

This sleek European-influenced styling uses gender-neutral colors to appeal to both boys and girls. “Stainless steel” appliances and accents add to the clean, modern look. A special frying pan and boiling pot with lid activate electronic frying and boiling water sounds in the stove’s cook top burner. Additional electronic sounds in the oven, microwave and phone add to realistic play. The set also includes a refrigerator, coffee maker, faucet and sink.

Made of washable suede cloth, this set includes a full hood with tassel and a velcro closure. The hat is lined with wool blend felt and is accented with pheasant and ostrich feathers.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Product of the Year.

Great for make-believe in Camelot, on the High Seas or even at Hogwarts, these swords are crafted from hardwood plywood, highly sanded with gently rounded edges, and finished with an earth-based naturoil finish. Each sword measures about .25” thick and 20” long, and the handle is designed to fit comfortably in a child’s hand. Barbara Rainville, Marketing Manager at Maple Landmark Woodcraft, told TDmonthly, "The swords are American-made and singles are available." Launch date: Feb. 10, 2010.

Designed to “Start” with the green light and large enough for your fellow racers to join you in some action filled imaginative fun. Tunnel port comes with roll-up flaps that secure with Velcro tabs. Add a Tunnel before and after the big race, to help you navigate. 70 Denier Nylon 190T with PE Coated fiberglass shock corded poles. Comes complete with it’s own carry bag and can be easily maintained by cleaning it with warm water and mild soap. Each in color display box.

With a completely covered top and mesh sides and front, you will be protected from the sun and any flying insects. Water proof floor will keep you dry while on the beach and will also prevent any spills from getting out. Easy clean up polyethylene floor and see through mesh make this an ideal Cabana take along. Collapsible poles make this easy to set-up and store as well as carry along to the field. Fabric is UV Protected SPF 30 rated. This cabana is large enough for 2-3 kids to rest inside. Free carry bag.

Easier than a magic wand, simply remove the tent from the carry bag, unfold it and then lift it up and with just One Touch™ the tent is set up. No more parts or extra hands needed to enjoy the benefits of this new patented technology. This is the perfect companion for any trip to the beach, park, lake or back yard. Easy to carry and even easier to set up. Due to the engineering of this ultra high quality tent, it has the structural stability to withstand wind and provide protection from the harmful UV rays. Each tent is UV treated; SPF 30 rated, and has a water proof floor. Simple to set up and take down, easy to store and carry… One Touch™ is the last name you will need to know in outdoor children’s sun protection.

Series 2 Uglydoll Action Figures feature Uglydog, Big Toe, Poe, Trunko, Uglyworm and Peaco. Each action figure is available in two colors. The series is packaged in a clear window box for a clear view of all the action. Launch date: April 2010.

Mynus is an addition to the UGLYDOLL plush family. Mynus' distinct personality traits are that she is quiet, shy and engaged in deep thought. Mynus is also known for her brilliant ideas and helpfulness. Karen Laureigh, Marketing Manager at Pretty Ugly, told TDmonthly, "These loveable, hip, huggable plush characters each have a distinct personality sure to capture your heart and are not a bit UGLY at all...because UGLY means unique and special!" Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: February 2010.

Picksey is an inter-dimensional being. He can be in many places at the same time and despite his ability, Picksey has a lot on his mind and seems to be stressed out all the time. Marketing Manager Karen Laureigh of Pretty Ugly LLC told TDmonthly, "Kids can help him keep his cool through hugs, kisses, and contributions to his chocolate bar fund." Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.

This hand-painted Black Bear by Papo is a high-quality animal figure. Operations Manager of Hotaling Imports Brian Shackelton told TDmonthly, "The design of all Papo products is realistic and natural, which enables you to experience the large variety of nature — from domestic animals on a farm to wild animals in the jungle." Launch date: March 2010.
— Papo Figures were best sellers at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in late summer 2010, according to owner Brett Sommer. “Customers love the quality and selection,” he noted.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, four out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Papo was their best-selling brand of action figure.

Add an outdoor patio to any dollhouse with bamboo plants, decking, a patio set with a working umbrella, and a miniature grill with four shish kabobs. Hape International Marketing Manager Robin Lehnert told TDmonthly about the company's "use of bamboo to create a very unique and realistic dollhouse furniture set." Launch date: Feb. 2010.

Children can prepare a cup of joe for themselves or a guest with this modern coffee maker and sugar and cream. They can insert the single-serve coffee filter in the basket and push the button to pretend the coffee is brewing. This product is constructed with a combination baltic birch plywood and maple. Robin Lehnert, Marketing Manager at Hape, told TDmonthly this product features a "modern realistic design in lifestyle colors." Launch date: Feb. 2010.

The Gourmet Fridge is a modern white wood cabinet-style refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer and six ice cubes ready to provide instant refreshment. Hape Marketing Manager Robin Lehnert told TDmonthly, "High-quality Baltic Birch plywood materials combine with a modern, realistic design in lifestyle colors for this working ice-maker." Launch date: February 2010.

The Big Picture is a socially conscious salute to Uncle Rock’s musical heroes, including 12 original songs and two covers. Known for his rockabilly style and lyricism inspired by Roald Dahl and Shel Silverstein, Uncle Rock offers a musical variety show here with songs about recycling, acceptance of differences and the importance of shopping locally. Publicist Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR told TDmonthly, "These songs are fun but also provide food for thought." Launch date: April 13, 2010.
— Jenn Savedge of Mother Nature Network praised the CD for being “socially conscious” but not “sickeningly sweet.” She told fellow parents, “You'll honestly be glad when your kids want to hear it again and again.”
— Jeff Bogle of Out With The Kids was equally impressed by the mellow and more upbeat songs featured on the CD. He proclaimed, “If you’ve never owned an Uncle Rock album before, now is the time to rectify that situation.”

With the ZipBin® Mini Space Playset, child can keep toys neatly stored together. When unzipped, there is a colorful planet and a space station ready for fantasy play. When play is done, capture all the toys inside. This mini play set includes one astronaut and space shuttle and also serves as a travel toy.

Kids can make movable dinosaur action figures with this activity book from Figures in Motion. Kids can move their jaws, clash their teeth and make their powerful legs run as they act out their own dinosaur battles. It includes Allosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex, plus dinosaur facts. This creative learning tool features easy to assemble dinosaurs in pre-colored and colorable versions, using only crayons or colored pencils, scissors, a hole punch and fasteners. Owner of Figures In Motion Cathy Diez-Luckie told TDmonthly, "Dinosaurs on the Move is an engaging, hands-on activity book that will captivate children for hours." Launch date: April 16, 2010.

This CD features 10 kid-tested tunes by Debbie and Friends designed to get everyone in the family playing and dancing along. The release from the Boston-based artist, More Story Songs & Sing Alongs, features familiar themes like “I Think I Can,” “Simon Says” and “Little Red,” as well as songs featuring goofy wordplay or that encourage movement. Each song promotes social interaction and creative and physical activity. Even Sesame Street’s legendary music teacher Bob McGrath joins Debbie for a good-bye song. Launch date" March 30, 2010. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010