June 2009 New Specialty Toys — Infant & Toddler

Specially designed for bathtime fun, Tidoo is soft and posable and so light that it floats. It's filled with polystyrene "beads" that can dry. It has sleeping eyes and can even suck its thumb. 12" tall Tidoo baby dolls can wear any fashion from the Mon Premier collection.
— “Corolle Calin and Tidoo dolls, and most recently Corolle’s Lia doll, are top sellers,” said Candace Gooch of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine in spring 2009.

This 11" machine-washable puppet doll is designed to be soft and snuggly for baby.

Featuring a bright color palette, this 11" puppet is soft and snuggly.

This little duck in an inner tube is designed to make bathtime fun for kids.
— "I sell a couple of dozen a month" of the Bath Buddies, Fran Anaya, owner of Golden Aspen Toys in Flagstaff, Ariz., told TDmonthly in May 2009.

Suitable for babies 0 to 3 months and up, this teether and discovery toy features a contrasting spot pattern that offers visual stimulation, plus a squeaker for amusement. It is made of natural rubber from Hevea tree and colored with food paint. Sophie is distributed in the United States by Calisson.
— Retailers surveyed by TDmonthly have been naming Sophie the Giraffe as a best-seller since 2009.
― Nicole Boomhover, assistant manager of Learning Express in Cahaba Heights, Ala. told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that they sold between five and ten Sophies a month.
— In an April 2012 survey, three out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Sophie the Giraffe was their best selling infant & toddler product.
― “Sophie giraffe is a great baby product that we order over and over again,” Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, Co., told TDmonthly in June 2010. “I can't keep them on the shelf,” agreed Keith Schumacker, general manager at Talbot’s Toyland in San Mateo, Calif.
― During a March 2010 survey of 39 retailers, seven said Sophie the Giraffe is a top-selling toy for infants. Sales averaged 24 per month.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Learning Express of Cahaba Heights, Ala.
AWARDS: 2014 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award, 2010 TDmonthly Top Seller

These trendy cowboys (and cowgirl) add a little twist to the classic rubber duck. Four designs are available.
— “We have Cowboy Rubber Ducks from Schylling. People like the cowboy theme in Wyoming,” Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, Wyo., told TDmonthly in March 2006. She said she sells about six per month of this particular line of rubber duckies.
— Four of 64 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that rubber ducks are a best-selling bath toy in their stores.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this set of colorful garden squirters for bathtime includes a flower, snail, ladybug, bee and butterfly. The products are phthalate free.
— “Most of my bath toys are Alex, and their bath squirters do really well,” Elizabeth Ryan, owner of Tales & Toys in Venice, Calif., told TDmonthly in March 2009, noting that she sells four to six of the squirter sets per month.
— Two of 64 retailers noted strong sales of Alex’s squirters in the bath category in spring 2009.
— “I can't miss on my bath toys for toddlers … the Alex line,” Linda Hanzelko of Timmy’s Toy Chest in Lake Mary, Fla., told TDmonthly in June 2010, citing sales of 30 a month.

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this picnic set includes a soft, flip-top basket, plus colorful fabric and phthalate-free plastic accessories, including an ice cream treat, a bottled fruit drink, a watermelon wedge and a sandwich with removal ingredients.
— Linda Rocco of Gummy Lump Toys in Medford, N.Y., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 that her store sells about 20 units per month of items from the Fill & Spill series.
— Melissa & Doug was mentioned five times during a March 2009 survey of 64 specialty retailers about best-selling infant and toddler toys.

This cuddly infant toy features a peaceful duck face and decorative yellow ribbon ties. It measures 13” square and is machine washable.
— “I sell 20 to 30 a month,” Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly about the Lil’ Snugglers in spring 2009.
— Two of 64 retailers named this product as a best-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009. Two of 40 retailers cited Lil’ Snugglers as a top seller for babies in June 2010.

These funny looking glove puppets measure 9.5" H x 5.5" W. There are four varieties available colors: yellow, green, orange, and blue and red combo. The machine-washable puppets are made of cotton plush material and meet all CPSIA requirements. "Child can make-believe puppets are anything they want them to be," Mariann Wedel, sales manager for Children's Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This product is designed to teach children the English alphabet, spelling and pronunciation. It has a suction cap on the back and can hang from any smooth surface. The colorful product has a small size of 4" x 3". Launch date: 2009.

This soft, plush puppy features an earthy color palette, is made with organic cotton, and has pure silk ribbons. Launch date: 2009.

This set of colorful, squeezable bathtime friends includes eight animals that each measure around 2" x 2" x 2". They come in a vinyl bag that zips closed.
— “The little Squirties come in and go right out,” Barbara Paeth-Haas, owner of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., told TDmonthly of this strong seller in spring 2009.
— Two of 64 retailers named Elegant Baby’s Bath Squirties as a best-selling bath toy in March 2009. Cheryl Richmond, owner of Punkin Doodles in Havre, Mont., cited sales of 12 per month.

This bright, cuddly butterfly measures 3" x 5".

These plush robots are available in 10 varieties. Each Bunk Bot has its own story and REAL ROBOT JOB printed on its hang tag. "In addition to industry-standard polyester fiber, each Bunk Bot is stuffed with a microscopic amount of AWESOME. This ingredient gives it an edge over most plush toys," Jason Hilbourne, general manager of Huge Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 15, 2008.

This soft bunny rattle contains a soft bell that sounds when shaken. The machine-washable, air-dry rattle was designed in Germany. Launch date: June 2009.
— Elizabeth Ryan, owner of Tales & Toys in Venice, Calif., sells “a lot of Haba rattles,” she told TDmonthly in spring 2009.
— Four of 64 retailers named Haba when discussing best-selling infant and toddler products in March 2009.

Made in Germany, this beechwood wagon is not only a multi-play-value toy but also a walker wagon. The front wheels have adjustable brakes to allow parents to adjust the ease of movement based upon their child’s ability. It offers role-play activities, including operating a hand saw, hammer, screwdriver and wrench. The wagon consists of solid beechwood with natural, water-based, non-toxic stains. Launch date: July 2009.

This little baby doll with a big smile is made in the USA of 100-percent phthalate-free material.

Designed to help young children learn balance and coordination, the inflatable Rody Horse is made of strong, latex-free vinyl. Its ride-on qualities and softness make it suitable for therapy, too.
— “The Rody is good for little guys — definitely No. 1 there,” Linda Hamm, owner of Early Work Toy Station in Petaluma, Calif., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 of the top-selling ride-on toys in her store.
— “People love them for the age range,” added Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noting that Rody’s high weight limit contributes to its status as a customer favorite. It’s been a best seller for a year at Pufferbellies in Staunton, Va., Co-owner Susan Blanton in fall 2009.
— Of 60 retailers surveyed in March 2009, seven named the Rody Horse as a best-selling ride-on. Three of 64 retailers named Rody as a top-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009.

Where to buy:
NORTH WEST

Classical pull toys encourage kids to walk. This colorful pull toy is designed to grab children´s attention. It is tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Preparing your children for school is so important today, you´ll want to give them the best start possible. Combining colorful fun and learning and designed for little ones age three and over, this whimsical case contains everything your child needs to begin learning the alphabet and numbers. Your little one can draw and write on the white board or create words and numbers with the 52 wood letters and 10 wood numbers. And, when you are ready to pick up, the pieces fit nicely in the attractive case, featuring a contemporary smiling cow. Tested to meet European and U.S. afety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

Healthy imagination is part of any happy childhood. Designed for toddlers 24 months and older, this high quality, colorful and attractive puppet theater will help your little one create new worlds while feeling good about putting on a show for Mom & Dad. This brightly colored set features 4 wood Boikido stick puppets and a theatre with electronic sounds. The thoughtful design includes a handle so you can take your young one´s show on the road. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED since July 1, 2010.

Winner of 2009 Creative Child Seal of Excellence Award!
This environmental friendly wooden turtle is made of wood from FSC monitored source, painted with water based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials and printed with soy bean ink. Parents and gift givers will be proud to have made an environmental friendly purchase. This whimsically painted Tina The Turtle is happy to help kids to figure out how things fit together. Just the right size for little hands, the three colorful pieces of Tina’s shell nest inside each other – a terrific activity to improve motor skills and get your tiny tot thinking. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.

Winner of Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award 2009! Building hand-eye coordination is an exciting part of being a toddler. Designed for children 18 months and older, this unique and colorful bead maze features a nautical theme, with two wire bead coasters and a maze – featuring a fun whale and boat to spur your little one’s imagination. Children love to play with these toys in doctors’ offices and waiting rooms – now you can have one at home. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.