July 2009 New Specialty Toys — Gifts

From the company's New Yorker collection comes this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the December 8, 2008, cover of The New Yorker magazine. Finding the humor in politics, this puzzle features art by Barry Blitt, with a drawing of President Barack Obama interviewing dogs to find his new pet. It is made in the USA from post-consumer recycled materials. "We make puzzles you'll want to frame and hang as art," Adam Silver, co-president of New York Puzzle Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

From the company's vintage magazine collection comes this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the November 1931 cover of Good Housekeeping Magazine. It features artwork by Jessie Wilcox Smith, well known for her paintings of classic childhood experiences, and is made in the USA from post-consumer recycled materials. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

From the company's vintage magazine collection comes this 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the May 1925 cover of Good Housekeeping Magazine. It features artwork by Jessie Wilcox Smith, well known for her paintings of classic childhood experiences, and is made in the USA from post-consumer recycled materials. "We make puzzles you'll want to frame and hang as art. Relevant puzzles that have broad cross market appeal from general gift buyers and casual puzzlers to even the most discerning of jigsaw enthusiasts," Adam Silver, co-president of New York Puzzle Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

These heavy cardboard banks have a metal clasp, a color-coordination padlock and two keys — they don't have to be smashed to make a withdrawal. Each bank has three slots so the money can be sorted into Spend, Save and Share compartments. The bank measures 4" high x 4.5" in diameter. The product is printed with nontoxic inks and CE tested to ensure safety. Launch date: February 2009.

This 16" x 20" tote is designed to stores baby necessities and toys. It has double long straps, a magnetic snap closure, folds and packs for travel, and is available in six designer cotton canvas prints. It is also washable and has a zipper and double elastic pockets inside. The tote is made in the USA and comes with a carabiner key ring and padded diaper pad. Launch date: June 30, 2009.

This monkey-faced bank eats and saves coins. The size is approximately 10 cm x 10 cm x 10 cm. Launch date: June 6, 2009.

These fun wooden medals celebrate children's everyday achievements. Each medal comes with matching ribbon with Velcro at the top. The backside has a space for the child's name and date. Launch date: January 2009.

This colorful trio of crocheted balls features interior rattles and bright spots on the outside. They are handcrafted, and Yellow Label is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

This tall treasure box is excellent for tiny treasures. Earrings, bracelets, charms and sachets are all safe and comfortable inside. Four drawers, one in front and one on each side. It measures 6” x 4” x 6”.

Featuring two classic Christmas stories, Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas" and Saviour Pirotta's retelling of "The Nutcracker," this large hardcover is illustrated with watercolor art by Susanna Lockheart and features several changing picture windows for added intrigue.

These organic terry cloth bath mitts come with a matching baby mitt so kids can join in the bathtub fun. Designed to offer bath time fun for kids and adults, the mitts are made with 100-percent organic cotton and non-toxic low impact dyes, and produced under Fair Trade. Launch date: January 1, 2009.

This colorful hardcover relays the story of what happened before the tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" — when Mama Bear and Papa Bear wanted Goldilocks to influence Baby Bear for the better. It includes a pop-up house, envelopes with removable letters, and a page that features Goldilocks with soft, touchable hair. Launch date: August 2009.

These three animals, an ox, elephant and hippo, have embedded magnets that allow kids to mix and match their head and tail components. Each measures about 5" L x 3" D.

This jolly, plush Santa Claus is 9" tall and features a white beard along with red and green fabrics of varying design. Launch date: June 2009.

This 9" reindeer boasts an array of red and green against striped and floral fabrics. He has plush antlers and spearmint green piping for an extra bit of detail. Launch date: June 2009.

Ecotronic toys were developed to function just like regular electronic toys but with a different kind of energy. Dynamo technology inside of each toy converts a shake, squeeze or crank into energy that powers lights and sounds and other electronic functions. The crank-powered Eco Mic helps kids become eco-pop stars. Using four different buttons to activate voice amplification, music to sing along to, and two different drum sounds, the Eco Mic is an all-in-one music band with a color-changing light show. "Since kid-powered energy is a highly renewable energy source, Ecotronic toys will never run out of juice. Also, all Ecotronic toys are packaged in their specially developed Gekopak™ packaging, which is made of recycled paper and is completely bio-degradable," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Ecotronic toys were developed to function like regular electronic toys, but they use a different kind of energy. Dynamo technology inside of each toy converts a shake, squeeze or crank into energy that powers lights, sounds and other electronic functions. The Ecotronic Farm Flashlights, featuring four assorted animals, are squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights. Using the side lever that stores inside the body, kids can release and squeeze to charge up the light. Also, when switched on, each animal’s nose lights up. "Also, all Ecotronic toys are packaged in their specially developed Gekopak™ packaging, which is made of recycled paper and is completely bio-degradable. It’s easy to open and free from ties, wires or other packing materials," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

The Smart Bank sorts, counts, dispenses, deducts and always knows the balance. A patented "Balance Guard"™ feature locks and remembers the balance even when batteries wear out or when changing batteries. Launch date: 2000.

The Monsterbooks are illustrated rhyming books for all generations. The books were created as a response to parents' desire for books to read to their children that adults can also enjoy. They draw upon themes that resonate with adults, including the Beatles, presidential politics and baseball. Launch date: June 2009.

KinderCone’s namesake product is a large, colorful cone filled with inspiring and educational gifts for young children, which parents give to their children to recognize the transition from kindergarten to first grade. KinderCone’s guiding principle is about inspiring young children to enjoy learning by celebrating this special milestone in their lives. KinderCones are 28" tall, handmade in Germany of sturdy box-board printed paper, and feature a limited edition design. Each KinderCone comes pre-filled with a Kinderjournal, Kalri, the plush main character of the journal, five pencils and temporary tattoos. The cones are offered in two main colors, red and bright green, and offer eight color options of the felt enclosure on top. "KinderCone is the first and only American company to re-create this concept outside of Europe," Vivian Lie, owner of KinderCone LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

To play, a child selects one of five colorful, two-sided match cards and place it in the tray. Then, he places the magic monkey in the center on the left side of the card and points his banana to the picture, letter, shape, or color he wants to try and match. Then, he selects the image on the right side of the card that best matches his selection. To see if he's correct, he'll place the monkey in the center on the right side of the card and let go. He will mysteriously spin and point to the correct match. "This little monkey's actions will even amaze adults and he does it all without batteries," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award. Launch date: 2009.

Playsam's Strollers are packaged in a white box with silver lettering. "These are touted to be the 'Best Baby Shower Gift Ever' under $70," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

From Scandinavian design company Playsam, this rocket is created to be both classic and contemporary, fanciful and functional, simple and sophisticated. "The products are beautifully packaged — ideal for gift giving," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This wooden dollhouse was designed by Eva Schildt. "With its beautiful packaging, Playsam makes an ideal gift; it is for the sophisticated customer with an understanding and appreciation for the unique and well made," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.