June 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

All four seasons come alive with this collection of 15 original and classic songs and activities. Row, Row Your Boat to a fun adventure, rock around the Mulberry Bush and bounce to a new London Bridges beat. This musical celebration of the seasons will invite listeners into movin', groovin', singing and dancing. Also includes songs for Kwanzaa and Hanukah. Runtime - 49:57

La Di Da La Di Di is designed for dancing. It prompts listeners to start toe tapping, hand clapping, finger snapping, twisting and actively participating as they step and move and groove to these dancing songs. This collection of 12 tunes are set to a variety of contemporary jiving dance beats with interactive partner dances, circle games and activities that encourage socialization skills, making friends and a positive self-image. Other concepts include following directions, listening skills, left/right discrimination, body identification, creative expression, rhyming and so forth. Includes lyrics and movements. For school and home use.  Runtime - 41:11

This collection of 20 interactive songs, dances and activities are designed to motivate children to read, and foster a lifelong love for reading. The Learning Station has chosen some of the most popular children’s books (primarily Caldecott Medalists) and designed movement songs that correlate to each story. Children will be invited to dance and get wild to Maurice Sendak’s, “Where the Wild Things Are”, make something out of nothing with Simms Taback’s, “I Had a Little Overcoat”, learn how to whistle (“Whistle for Willie”), tap dance with Bojangles, count to ten in Swahili and more. Runtime - 63:19

Heritage Alphabet Blocks are classic toys designed to last generations. The solid-wood blocks are oversized, measuring 3” square, and they are all natural, non toxic and 100-percent organic. Each set of 12 blocks features 48 engraved characters, including the numbers 0-9. Heritage Alphabet Blocks come in three finishes: Color, Oil Only and Raw. Each Color Set utilizes real milk paint and a polymerized linseed oil rub. The blocks are made in Bend, Ore. "Promise Brand has made it our No. 1 goal to manufacture wooden products that exceed every toy test imaginable. Our materials set us far and above our competition," Alisha Alway Braatz, manager at Promise Brand LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Finely sanded and left either au natural or finished with a light polymerized linseed oil rub, this set of 30 Classic Building Blocks features rounded corners and exposed full wood grain. Each all-natural, organic block measures approximately 1.5" square. "Promise Brand Classic Building Blocks are 100-percent non-toxic [and] organic. Sure, they are also the most aesthetically pleasing block on the market, but what really sets them apart from the competition is their all-natural status," Alisha Alway Braatz, manager for Promise Brand, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Dandelion’s ReUsables are made from a formula derived primarily of corn-based bioplastic. The ReUsables include divided plates, bowls and utensils for toddlers. Each ReUsable is durable and lightweight for use at home or on-the go. Designed with ease-of-use in mind, the divided plate keeps foods separate, the bowl has deep sides to reduce spills, and the utensils are ergonomically designed for baby’s tiny hands. Plates and bowls are sold in packs of two. The utensil pack comes with four spoons and four forks. "Dandelion’s line of ReUsable tableware is made primarily from renewable and sustainable corn-based bioplastic, which is free of bisphenol A and phthalates, and offers an inspired alternative to conventional plastic," Anthony Pinkett, account executive for Productivity PR, told TDmonthly. The line received an iParenting Media Best Product for 2009 Award and the PTPA Media Seal of Approval. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Parents can secure the Activity Attacher onto any handle to let baby happily play without dropping. The attacher is machine washable. The Dangle has rattle, squeaker and crinkle sounds, plus a variety of textures, including velour, waffle weave, terry and canvas. "The Attacher, like all of the Dandelion Earth Friendly Goods, is a developmental toy made entirely using eco-friendly materials and processes; from the organic cotton to the plant-based fibers used for stuffing," Anthony Pinkett, account executive for Productivity PR, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. The whimsy of the designs aims to help encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. "Because of their natural fibers, they scratch absolutely nothing!" Launch date: January 25, 2009.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent, all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. With natural fibers, they are designed to not scratch surfaces, and with whimsy designs, aim to encourage children to care for their skin. Launch date: July 2008.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "Because of their natural fibers they scratch absolutely nothing! The whimsy of our designs helps encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2004.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers' performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. This item was finalist for "Best New Product" at the New York Gourmet Housewares Show in October 2004. Launch date: May 2004.

Whenever there is an awkward pause, individuals can push the button on the key chain-sized theCRICKETtoy™ to hear "Chirp. Chirp." (crickets chirping). "There really is no other item out there like this designed for those awkward moments. It's a great conversation piece and it gets people asking, "Hey, where did you get that?" That's GREAT marketing and branding with multiple impressions throughout the week!" Jeff Anderson, owner of Kardandak Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 5, 2008.

A mini Ferris wheel, the Sensation Station has four activities that spin and rotate on a center axis. The toy features the full spectrum of colors to appeal to the well-developed vision of a child 6 months or older. Lots of bold, bright patterns are designed to engage baby visually, too. A bright red bug with high-contrast eyes sends showers of beads in motion as it spins, making a pleasing sound. A cylinder is filled with colorful rattling beads and makes a cheery sound when baby bats at it. A textured disk is split in the middle, allowing the two parts to spin together or independently. Bumpy dots on the ridges invite exploration by finger and mouth. The toy is two-in-one: secured into the wide suction cup base, it is a high chair toy; when removed from the base, baby can grasp the black-and-white-striped, textured handle and play with the toy using both hands. "All the moving parts encourage baby to manipulate, explore and investigate this toy," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

This clear, lightweight barrel is filled with an assortment of brightly colored soft plush monkeys, plastic barrels and bunches of bananas. The monkeys have symmetrical, smiling faces, designed to have a calming effect on babies and young children. The soft monkeys are easy to grasp, squeak when squeezed, and encourage baby to reach out and strengthen gripping muscles. The wide mouth jar encourages baby to fit the pieces back in. "The toy encourages baby to play using fill and spill activity, which helps develop motor-cognitive processing skills and is a precursor to shape-sorting," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

Parents can attach this little apple, banana, onion or eggplant to the handle or side of the shopping cart to entertain baby. The fruit and veggie characters have smiling, symmetrical faces with high-contrast eyes. Black and white striped leggings and tethers provide visual stimulation and focus for even the youngest babies. Each little character wears tennis shoes and has interesting textures to touch and teethe on. Smooth teethable rings circle one leg on each character for added tactile exploration. Each character makes a soft rattling sound and most have leaves, or petals, that crinkle to the touch. The toys come two to a pack and hook on to shopping carts, strollers, infant carrier handles, high chairs, and other surfaces with simple plastic clamps. Launch date: July 2009.

This mirror allows babies to gaze at their own faces and also encourages parental interaction with baby: “Who is that?” “Look at your happy smile!” “Your eyes are so blue!” The mirror straps on to the handles, placing it at the right height and angle for baby to see his reflection. Two spinning balls, one on each side of the mirror, feature reflective surfaces and bold geometric patterns in high-contrast black and white. A smiling caterpillar in bright colors sits on top of the large mirror. He has a symmetrical smiling face designed to engage and calm baby. "This mirror can be adjusted so that even very young babies can see the patterns, colors and mirror to help develop vision," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

This rattle is designed to catch the eye of even the youngest babies with high-contrast black and white geometric patterns and bold orange and red accents. Like a mini barbell, the rattle has a thin handle with a ball on either end. One side features a black ball with white polka-dots. The other is a clear ball with a rotating disk showing three eye-catching images. These bold visuals encourage baby to track the rattle as eye muscles develop. Three thin rings in tones from yellow to red rattle around the handle. Baby is encouraged to finger these rings and to touch and mouth the raised bumps on the handle to cultivate tactile sensitivity. The toy "provides auditory, visual and tactile stimulation," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

These electronic feeding bowls make fun animal sounds as baby eats. Each bowl is activated by the "magic spoon" and makes one of four sounds each time the spoon leaves the bowl. The insert bowl is removable, can be placed in the microwave, and is dishwasher top-rack safe. A large suction cup holds the base firmly in place, making the bowl useful for self-feeding. Animal Snackers come in two varieties, Dog and Cow. "[It] allows children to be in control of activating the lights and sounds of the animal snackers while they eat," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This 12" sheep 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. It is designed to remain warm for at least an hour, and may stay warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "This sheep can be microwaved thousands of times," CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, "and his aroma is designed to help kids naturally fall asleep." Launch date: June 2009.

This 12" bunny 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's designed stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The bunny 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.

Mark-my-time digital bookmarks in neon blue, green and purple are fun and easy to use. A simple and easy way to monitor reading times for either a countdown session with alarm or cumulative sessions monitoring and storing up to 100 hours of achieved reading time.

Launch date: Summer 2009
JAKKS is flexing its muscles with today's best wrestlers. There are 6 in each assortment, and new waves will be released every other month. Each figure boasts patented technology to craft realistic face sculpts, plus 25 points of articulation for life-like action and poses. Accessories help kids act out the moves and get into the action.

Launch date: Spring 2009
These 3-3/4-inch figures star Wolverine and the best heroes and anti-heroes comicdom has to offer. Kids can recreate scenes from the movie with the figures, which boast great detail and incredible articulation. Pictured is the Logan figure with bone claws.

Launch date: Fall 2009
Marvel has some of the best-known and best-loved characters in comics, and 34 of them are coming to stores this year, including Spider-Man, Daredevil, X-Force Wolverine and Ultimate Captain America. Each single-packed figure has exceptional articulation and poseability, unique accessories and their own “top secret” file card.