June 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

This biodegradable steamer made from recycled cardboard is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. It includes six non-toxic, washable markers and may be used as a birthday party craft, as a school project or in goodie-bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This airplane is designd to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable and comes with six non-toxic, washable markers. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This fire truck is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard, it is 100-percent biodegradable. The truck comes with six non-toxic, washable markers. It is "perfect for a fire fighter-themed birthday party or school project," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This 100-percent biodegradable racecard made out of recycled cardboard is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Six non-toxic, washable markers are included. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

Made from recycled cardboard, this 100-percent biodegradable carriage is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. It comes with six non-toxic, washable markers, and could be used as a birthday party craft or as part of a school project. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

This dinosaur is designed to be easy to fold, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard and 100-percent biodegradable, it comes with six non-toxic, washable markers and may be used as a craft for birthday parties and goodie-bags. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

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.

The CALAFANT spaceship is designed to be easy to build, easy to color and great for play. Made from recycled cardboard and 100-percent biodegradable, it comes with six non-toxic, washable markers. "[It's] easy to sell as a goody-bag item for birthday parties: It's a craft-activity and something for the kids to take home," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2008.

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.

This is a complete, all-natural prenatal supplement system. "It's the most complete and only all-natural prenatal supplement on the market. All others are incomplete and/or include many to all synthetic ingredients that many can't absorb," Birgitta Lauren, president of Expecting Fitness Inc., told TDmonthly. "Whether you miss some nutrients and or you can't absorb the synthetic ones, you may end up deficient in some nutrients or get toxic high levels of others; either way, baby will suffer. Prenatal nutrition molds the health or lack of it, of a baby for the rest of its life." Launch date: August 2007.

The bladder stores pee until an individual is ready to go. Most bladders hold as much liquid as a can and a half of soda. Nerves in the bladder wall tell when it’s time to go. "This super-soft, bright yellow 6" x 4" urinary bladder plush is perfect for telling someone when urine love," Founder Wendy Bryan of I Heart Guts told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

The spleen keeps the blood tidy and fresh. This queen of clean serves as the primary blood filter and largest lymph organ. It brings blood into contact with lymphocytes, which happily attack foreign bodies, and cleans worn-out red and white blood cells. "This adorable 6" x 6" plushie is perfect for the lymph enthusiast lurking within us all," Wendy Bryan, founder of I Heart Guts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

The stomach creates a highly acidic environment used to digest cookies, ice cream, bacon and more. This lil' guy's digestive juices help break down food for the intestine, which absorbs the actual nutrients. This orange 8.5" x 5.5" tummy is part of the I Heart Guts collection, which is "icky yet adorable," the company's founder, Wendy Bryan, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

Behold, the intestine and appendix in soft plush form. The small intestine absorbs nutrients from food while the large intestine takes in water and excretes solid waste. The tiny appendix, seen here sticking out at lower left, doesn’t do anything, but adds to the I Heart Guts plush collection. This 9" x 7" pillow-like plush "is cute, yet slightly disgusting," Wendy Bryan, founder of I Heart Guts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 5, 2009.

Kids may use this product to discover the continents, countries and captials of the world utilizing dry erase cards. Each card comes with an answer overlay for easy reference. The United States and its state captials are included. "It is a fun kid kit with an educational bonus. Great for students who are trying to memorize states and capitals," Carolyn Pickup, marketing assistant at EDC Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.
— EDC Books were on the top-10 best-seller list at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., according to Owner David Hesel in late 2009.

This four-DVD set in the Scholastic Storybook Treasures collection features nearly five hours of colorfully animated, action-packed stories-on-video based on classic children's picture books. The series has won numerous awards. Many of the stories on both sets also feature an enhanced Read-Along function, making it easy for early readers to follow along. "The series features carefully crafted adaptations of classic children's story books that stay true to the original text and illustration," Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR/Foundry Communications told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 18, 2009.

Players work together as a team to give the audience the best show possible. Animals are included in this game, but since it is the players' circus, they can put on a show with or without them. Each player spins to see what moves are to be made — such as an acrobat across the spotlight, or a performer on the trapeze — and tries the guide the performer from start to finish without taking a fall. The game includes four, 6" x 12" boards illustrating special circus performances; a set of cards depicting safety nets, clown acts, animal acts, and main performers; a ringmaster's spinner; and rules for regular and hard games. Launch date: April 22, 2009.