June 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

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.

This kit is designed to make it easy to create six stunning tiaras with sparkling jewels and foam stickers. Ideal for birthdays, slumber parties or make-believe, the kit includes six tiaras and more than 1,000 sticky foam sparkle, foil and jewel pieces. "Twinkle Tiaras represent a new take on the make-believe market. It allows children to create their own tiara to help them rule over their very own magical kingdom. Not only does this product help promote creativity, but also provides a huge sense of accomplishment," Damien Crocker, sales and marketing representative for The Orb Factory Limited, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2009.
— "[It's] great for a party activity or just [to] wear around the house," Elisabeth Dahl of Calico Cat Toy Shop in Bainbridge Island, Wash., told TDmonthly following the 2009 ASTRA trade show.

Everyone takes turns to spin the hamburger to see how many bites the pig will take. Players move the pig's hand to his mouth each time he takes a bite. With every bite the pig's stomach gets bigger, bigger and bigger. But the player who feeds him too much loses the game. This game has no loose parts, making it ideal for fun on the go. Launch date: July 2009.

There is a fly hidden in the trash can. Players take turns filling up the trash can by pushing the buttons on the outside of the trash can with different types of trash on them. At random, one of the buttons will make the trash can spring open and release the fly. To reset the game, players just push the fly back down and close the lid. Each time, the button that opens the trash can randomly changes so players never know when the fly is going to fly out. This game has no parts to lose, so is ideal for trips. Launch date: July 2009.

Designed to be cute, functional and economical, these diapers feature the following: a wide range of fit, for babies from 10 to 35+ lbs.; three body layers and a snap-on soaker that provides absorbency even for heavy wetters; the company's trademark ruffled legs and proprietary elastic; which almost guarantee no blowouts; a designer print cotton outer and a bamboo velour inner fabric; a simple, snap-on design; two lovely, chic prints, one of which was especially printed for Kissaluvs. "The diapers are one size, and fit kids from birth through potty training," Noelle, business manager for Kissaluvs, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2009.

Designed to spark a child's imagination, these natural wooden toys feature assembly that engages the child's mind and promotes learning a new skill in the coordination of mind and hands. Pairing quality and design, the VARIS LOCK system is created to ensure tight construction that derives from precise design of the single pieces. Launch date: July 2009.

Designed for older girls (ages 4 to 10), Junior BanZ feature UV400 polarized polycarbonate lenses and sturdy frames, while offering new shapes and temples for protection and style. Junior BanZ come with their own solid pink neoprene carrying case complete with zipper clasp, as well as a removable neoprene strap for active girls on the go. Launch date: April 2009.

Everyone takes turns to roll the die to see how many chomps the pig will take. Players push down the pig's head to chomp the burger. With every pump, the pig's stomach gets bigger, bigger and bigger. When he pops on a player's turn, that person loses the game. Launch date: July 2009.

In this colorful family game of strategy and bluffing, players try to capture all the STIXX of their own color. They can bluff by also taking different colored STIXX in an attempt to thwart opponents. Players who believe they know their opponent's secret color can call them out but will lose a turn if wrong. Launch date: 2008.

This family oriented strategy game for two to four players is simple to learn and comes in a plastic case that snaps shut and is designed for ease while traveling. The object for each player is to surround their opponents' playing pieces and switch them to their color. The person who has made the most pieces of their color at the end of the game is the winner. Launch date: 2008.