July 2011 New Specialty Toys — Gifts

Engage developing minds with active play to keep little wheels turning with curiosity.  Farm Animal Activity Mat is a complete gift-to-go that opens to reveal 12 familiar barnyard friends in tricot with their own silk-screened pocket prompting counting fun.  Features padded velour and cotton construction with zipper closure and appliquéd barn on front.  Handled carrying case 17” x 18½” is perfect for travel and can be hung as nursery or playroom décor. Launch date: February 2011.

An estimated third of the world's population watched The Royal Wedding on April 29th, 2011. This puzzle shows Will & Kate, the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, on their wedding day. Piece Count: 550. Piece Jigsaw Puzzle Finished Size: 24"x18". White Mountain Puzzles are made in the U.S.A. with recycled materials.

Baby Diner attaches to any smooth table top or structure and allows a parent or guardian to secure all types of smooth-bottom plates, bowls and any other dinnerware to prevent young children from accidentally knocking or throwing dishes on the floor. "Baby Diner can be used with all types of dishware such as: Ceramic, Glass, Plastic, Melamine and Stoneware dishes," Jesse Mills, Owner/CEO of Lil Diner, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 Best of Utah.

Merry Christmas Microbes! Tree Ornaments: Trim your tree with Common Cold, Brain Cell, Kissing Disease, E. coli and the limited-edition Red Amoeba, festively adorned with a Santa hat, reindeer antlers, winter scarf, candy cane, and mistletoe.
Launch date: November 2010.

Made of soft huggable plush fabric, Goober has a loveable face and silky chocolate-brown fur accented with cream-colored fur on his belly and muzzle. Measures 11" tall. Surface washable.
— In late Spring 2011, 30% of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly said that plush and puppets from Gund were best-sellers in the category. Mike DiAndrea, manager of Ace Hardware & Toy Center in Paoli, Pa., said he sells about 6 Goober Bears each month.
— As of 6/10/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 20 reviews on Amazon.com.

The Wheely Pig is the latest addition to the Prince Lionheart award-winning, ride-on toy line. The Wheely Pig teaches children balance and motor skills with castor wheels which will allow children free movement. Easy to clean and durable. Launch date: June 2011 Awards: Mother & Baby, Top Gear, 2005 Baby Gear Gold, 2005 Practical Pre-School, 2010 Fat Brain Best of the Best

This set includes 60 Crayons, 24 color pencils, 24 oil paint tubes, 24 watercolor cakes, 3 mixing pallets, 2 sketch pencils, 2 paint brushes, 1 pencil sharpener, 1 eraser, and 1 wood carrying case with drawer. This set includes everything needed to satisfy any budding artist. This item is notable for "The quantity and quality of the products used for the price. This set also includes a drawer for greater aesthetics and functionality," Alisha Kennedy, sales coordinator at Art 101, told TDmonthly.

People just can’t get enough of pirate jewelry.  Many new styles from Cool Jewels® offer your children a great variety to choose from.  Each pirate skull key hangs on an adjustable black slider cord, so one size fits all.

These fun bracelets can also be worn as anklets, and are a great item for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

Another new and unique style from Cool Jewels®.  Each magnifying dome butterfly pendant hangs on an adjustable slider cord – one size fits all.

This new 2011 style is out just in time for the new pirates movie!  Each pendant is two sided, and hangs on a 24” adjustable slider cord necklace.  Each dozen includes an assortment of gold and silver tone finish pendants.

Suddy is a very busy girl with a lot going on. She’s got no time for slow pokes and doesn’t want to wait around for laggards. If you want to keep up with her, you’ll have to live life in the fast lane. That means waking up in the morning and going to bed having lived your life to the fullest! But what does that mean? It means she loves you and also candy. Uglydoll Suddy is approx. 12" tall.
— Dean Smith, Co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J. told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that as far as action figures go, "We don't sell a lot of those." Plush Uglydolls are as close as they come, and JaZams sells 15-18 each month.
— Powell Phillips, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., and Kim Emigh, manager of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., both told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that Ugly Dolls were their best-selling tween item, though they both said that tweens are not a big presence in their store.

This fantasy ball claw necklace remains popular with the boys.  Each pendant hangs on an adjustable slider cord necklace.

This design is a must have for girls.  Each horse pendant hangs on adjustable silver chain.  A variety of different colored flowers surround dazzling rhinestones throughout the body of the horse pendant.

Rhinestone Lock and Key Necklaces will have your registers ringing. Each rhinestone key hangs on a silver rope chain. Each dozen includes a key with green, purple, blue, and pink rhinestones hanging alongside a matching colored rhinestone heart. The center of the heart features a lock.

These Best Friends Americana Wish Bracelets (two piece set) are new to the Cool Jewels® line. One bracelet is for you to wear, and the other share with your best friend! Each bracelet is adjustable. Great for Memorial Day and the 4th of July!

New from the Les Classiques collection is Bebe Amour, a huggable baby dressed in a cute corduroy dress, print blouse, striped leggings and knitted hat. Like all Corolle dolls, she's softly scented with vanilla.  Launch date: 2011.
— While the latest high-tech toys offer new ways to amaze and sometimes educate children, the fundamentals of doll play have been around for centuries,” said Liza Grando for Corolle. “Whether it's dressing it, styling its hair, or having a conversation, these tasks allow children's creativity to flourish, offering them a constant companion and creating memorable play that will last a lifetime.”
— In a summer 2011 survey, Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly that Corolle Dolls are her best-selling line of collectibles.

Owl jewelry is hot for Summer 2011! Each pendant measures 2.25” in height, and hangs on an adjustable black slider cord necklace.

Brand new for Spring 2011, this rhinestone crown necklace is a hot selling item. Enjoy an assortment of different colored pendants within each dozen, including clear, pink, and assorted. Many other crown necklace styles can be found on the Cool Jewels® website.

Brand new to the Cool Jewels® line, this mermaid necklace comes in an assortment of pink, blue, and purple within each dozen. Each pendant hangs on an adjustable silver snake chain necklace.

Each adorable turtle necklace hangs on an adjustable silver ball chain necklace. Rhinestones surround the pendant, and each dozen comes with pink, purple, and blue assorted colors. This item is perfect for any souvenir locations, including aquariums and beach shops.

This hardcover picture book by Hallie Durand tells the story of Mitchell, who hates going to bed. Or at least, he does until he gets a license to drive there. Mitchell's car turns, honks, and can go really fast, but it's a little different than other cars- it's his Dad. This adorable story is illustrated by Tony Fucile, an animator who has worked on such films as The Lion King and The Incredibles. Mitchell learns how to drive his "car" and things go smoothly- until car and driver disagree on what sort of fuel they need.

Daisy Dawson is a normal girl, except for one thing- she can talk to animals. In this, the fourth book from Steve Voake about Daisy, she spends the summer at the beach.  Daisy makes friends with two rabbits and a crab, but when they band together to save a dolphin, it's Daisy and the rabbits who end up needing rescue. The 88-page chapter book will keep elementary grade readers interested with black and white illustrations by Jessica Meserve on every page.