June 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

These four lightweight, easy to use rollers offer a way to get creative. Children can roll out borders for note paper, party decorations, designs on wrapping paper and anything else that their imagination will allow. Using the circular paint pads or washable tempera paint will yield the best results, along with a shallow pan for the paint and a lesson in holding the handles properly. Each roller is 8.5" long. The themes for this set include teddy bears, butterflies, gingerbread men and frogs. Each design is a different color. Launch date: June 2009.

From the "It's Our Planet" series, this DVD is designed for kids to learn about the animals, people and plants that call this region home. They can discover what a rainforest needs to survive, and how this beautiful natural resource is disappearing. In collaboration with rainforest conservation organizations, One Smart Cookie has compiled an educational and informative DVD that uses imagery and video. "The DVDs in the 'Let's Explore' series and in the 'It's Our Planet' series use a multi-level format to cover background knowledge, as well as appealing to a wide age group (pre-K through age 10). Multi-level learning (or differentiation of instruction) is a critical factor in our children's education. Being able to move at their own pace allows your child to feel a sense of pride as they complete a level and move onto the next. Each level in the 'Let's Explore' series expands on the teachings of the previous level, adding more facts, vocabulary and scientific knowledge," Keli M. DiRisio, CEO of One Smart Cookie Productions, told TDmonthly. It was named a 2009 Dr. Toy Vacation Product of the Year and was a 2009 Gold Award winner in the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA). Launch date: May 2008.

The objective of this product is to allow children as well as adults the opportunity to clearly allow others to see how they are feeling. Each wrist band has a character and a mood in writing that shows emotional states. These wristbands are designed as a fun way for kids to learn about emotions, colors and how to connect with themselves and others through feelings. "Moody Bands are an ideal tool to be incorporated in any school curriculum. This product is perfect for children, but what sets Moody Bands apart is that adults of all ages love them as well," Naif J. Faris, president of Moody Bands, told TDmonthly. Moody Bands received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Children's Vacation Product Award, a 2009 Toy Man Award of Excellence, a 2009 Toy Man E-Choice Award, and a 2009 Toy Man Seal of Approval. Launch date: September 9, 2008.

Each LovBun & Friends plush character features a poem on the hangtag: "Meet LovBun, the love bunny who comes from outer space! They live on hugs so remember to give them lots of hugs each day!" Launch date: August 15, 2009.

This album boasts a collection of food-themed songs from around the world. Launch date: July 28, 2009.

Created for the budding fashion designer, this activity comes with a dry-erase board and wipe-off markers to allow the young designer to come up with several combinations of wild and wacky outfits. On one wheel, the designer will spin to choose the type of bottom (i.e. pants, skirt, etc.) and top (i.e. sweater, tank-top, etc.). On the other wheel, the designer will spin to choose the footwear and an accessory. Then, the designer goes to work with the different colors to create an outfit on the pre-modeled body. "SQUIGGLE Style is not about only creating a hip and fashionable outfit; it’s about being creative and engaging children’s imagination," John Kiely, president of RandomLine, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

These are crystal clear display cases for diecast cars, dolls, sports items, figurines and more. The displays come with "cut out" background images on retail boxes. The sports items come with a grass image and a basketball court floor image on the retail box, and diecast car displays come with the classic car garage image, a modern (Nascar) garage image, and a "ROUTE 66" neon sign image on the retail box. Launch date: June 8, 2009.

With this collection of 3D, kid-friendly décor, kids can transform spaces by applying the peel-and-stick pieces to walls or other decorative elements. There are various cool colors and designs to choose from, including flowers, birds, butterflies, hearts, mirrors, bulletin boards/picture frames, letters and more. Launch date: May 2009.

This 12" duck is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The duck can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to help kids fall asleep naturally. Launch date: June 2009.

This 12" pig is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The pig can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to naturally help kids fall asleep. Launch date: June 2009.

One morning, Michael decides that he wants to be someone different. Someone exciting! So with the help of some dress-up clothes, he becomes Michael the businessman, Michael the knight, and Michael the pirate. He has a day full of adventures. But who is his favorite Michael? Come along for a day of play and pretend in this exuberant picture book about a child's boundless imagination! by Laura Heiman and illustrated by Sophie Keen. 32 Pages. Also available in Hardcover for $15.95.

By day, Eliot is quiet. He reads his books, feeds his goldfish, and watches Mr. Smith wash his car.  "Eliot is such a quiet little thing," say all the grown-ups. But the grown-ups don't know that when the clock strikes midnight . . . Eliot is a SUPERHERO! One night, Eliot receives an urgent message from the world's most important scientists. A gigantic meteor is about to smash into the Earth! Readers will laugh out loud as they follow Eliot Jones, midnight superhero, on his most important mission ever! by Anne Cottringer; illustrated by Alex T. Smith. 32 Pages. Also available in Hardcover for $15.95.

All Boris wants is a long catnap in his new cardboard box with no trouble whatsoever.  But suddenly--STAMP, STAMP, scribble, scribble--the box is taped up and zoomed off to doorsteps all over the earth and beyond... Every time Boris drifts off to sleep, someone opens the box and wakes him up. Beady eyes peek inside and loud voices shout, "This is NOT what I ordered! I DON'T want this cat!" This quirky cat tale proves there's no place like a loving home—especially if that home happens to have a plumpish pillow perfect for snooooooozing! by Leigh Hodgkinson. 32 Pages.

Emma can’t sleep a wink!  She tries drinking warm milk and even reading lots of books—but nothing seems to help.  So she decides to count sheep to help fall asleep.  All goes well until Emma reaches number 108.  Sheep 108 cannot make it over the bed!  Emma, along with 109, 110 and all the following sheep must try to find a way to help 108 jump over the bed or none of them will get to sleep.  Luckily Emma has a plan… by Ayano Imai. 32 Pages.

Designed to help children stop sucking their thumbs, this puppet and storybook includes stickers and weekly calendar to chart successes. Ballerina Sue can be worn at bedtime and throughout the day. There's also a Fireman Fred version.

These flexible hand puppets will let dino-buffs take their play to a new level. Assortment of three, approximately 8” long.

This hard plastic miniature set includes parts for 20, 28mm Imperial Roman Praetorian Guard. It includes two sprues — one with command elements, including Centurion, Standard Bearer and Musician, and the other with the majority of the troops. It also comes with shield transfers.

With 20+ felt pieces, this story board includes a sturdy handle and back pocket for storage of the pieces. This particular theme highlights sea life and various other characters for play. Launch date: 2009.

This colorful, themed set includes a carry handle and a storage pouch on the back for toting the various pieces included. It features felt fairies, flowers, insects and more. Launch date: 2009.

Outfitted with 19+ pieces, this felt storyboard set measures 12" x 15" and has a sturdy, attached handle. Pieces include pirates, weapons, treasure and other accessories. Launch date: 2009.

The Wood Grain Style Qee Collection features figurines in a variety of sizes in both light wood and dark wood designs, each created with a unique pattern like real wood. The collectibles are available in 2.5" with keychain attachment, 8", 9" and 16". Launch date: 2009.

Double Ladderball consists of placing each ladder 25 feet apart, and each team consisting of one or more players stands at one ladder and  tosses their colored bolas (either red or blue) at the other ladder. Bolas that hang onto any of the crossbars scores points for the tosser. Top bar is 3 points, middle bar is 2 points, and the bottom bar is worth 1 point.

Metal Ladderball is exactly like Ladderball, but built tough for durability against wear and tear. Similar to the rules of Double Ladderball, Metal Ladderball consists of placing each ladder 25 feet apart, and each team consisting of one or more players stands at one ladder and tosses their colored bolas (either red or blue) at the other ladder.

BinkiBear is a teddy bear with a pacifier attached, allowing for both baby and parent to find the pacifier. If baby loses the pacifier while sleeping, he or she can easily locate the pacifier via BinkiBear and fall back asleep, allowing for better sleep for both child and parents.