August 2009 New Specialty Toys — Educational

Farmer Samuel can hear a little kitten calling for help. He searches everywhere but he can’t find him. Just when he’s about given up hope of finding the kitten, here comes his dog Stinky Little Scroungy. Scroungy has something gray and furry in his mouth. Is it the kitten? This story is one in a series of real-life tales from a northern California pet sanctuary. Launch date: September 2009.

A kitten flies out of the window of a speeding car and bounces across the road. The kitten is badly injured. Can Farmer Samuel find her in time? Even if he does, would the little kitten let him help her? "In these four inspiring, real-life stories from a pet sanctuary in northern California, young readers will achieve a deeper understanding of the need to care for and about all animals. Author Samuel Lopez writes about taking in unwanted and abandoned animals, restoring them to health and finding them new homes," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

This planner is designed to help young adults set short- and long-term goals and demystifies the world of banking, investing and credit. It features a 36-page handbook, four sturdy, zippered pouches for saving, spending, donating and investing, convenient storage pockets, and a privacy padlock. It is available in durable ballistic silver nylon. "This personal finance organizer is simple and easy-to-use. ... A perfect product for the current economic environment," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly in summer 2009. This product has received the following awards: 2004 Parents' Choice Silver Award, 2008 NAPPA Gold Award, and 2008 Product of the Year (Creative Toy Awards) from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: March 2004.

This distinctive bank has a patented, four-chambered design created to help kids (ages 4-11) and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It helps teach basic money skills (Fiscal Fitness Training for Money - Smart Kids™) by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. It is available in brown with white stripes and laces. The Money Savvy Football Bank received a 2008 NAPPA Gold Award and a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: December 2006.

A cousin to the award-winning Money Savvy Pig® piggy bank, this four-chambered bank is designed to help kids (ages 4-11) and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It helps teach basic money skills by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. It is available in clear with black cow spots. "Its unique four-chambered design allows children to deposit their money through four separate slots on the top of the bank — one slot for each money choice — and empty each money chamber individually through the feet on the bank," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: 2004 Parents' Choice Gold Award and 2008 NAPPA Gold Award (National Parenting Publications Awards). Launch date: November 2004.

An enthralling tale of genius and unbounded creativity.  Discover the world of Mozart's time … what life was like for this brilliant musician, both personally and professionally.  His astonishingly prolific and creative works defined the Classical era of European music.  Hear Mozart's music as performed by master pianist Dennis Kobray, and watch as this historically accurate, motivational and inspirational tale unfolds.

An inspiring tale of courage and perseverance. In the wake of the French Revolution, Beethoven redefined the role of the musician from servant to artist.  His stormy and passionate music clearly mirrors both the joys and struggles of this deaf genius. Dennis Kobray portrays the essence of the man and his music with both dynamic piano performance and insight.
— Educators have praised Kobray’s live performances at schools for his musicality and ability to entertain a wide range of ages, as well as the historical context of his programs. “Holding the attention of our kindergarteners through eighth graders can be challenging,” wrote an elementary school music teacher in Bloomsbury, N.Y., “but it was obvious that everyone was captivated by your fascinating storytelling and enthusiasm for the music and messages.” Aaron Green, who reviewed the “Bach” and “Gershwin” DVDs for About.com, found them worthy of 5 of out 5 stars. He praised the high-quality production and “highly entertaining and informative” nature of the episodes. The series provides a good intro to music and history, he said; however, viewers may need to know some basic theory to grasp certain concepts.

An extraordinary story of a genius whose music helped to break down racial barriers. In 1974, audiences for the film The Sting left theaters humming the effervescent music of Scott Joplin.  A love of ragtime, revived in the mid-70s, continues to this day.  Discover what life was like for an African-American musician at the turn of the twentieth century.  Dennis Kobray portrays a friend and fan of Scott Joplin, whose Maple Leaf Rag and The Entertainer earned him the title of the "King of Ragtime."

A story of success achieved through the "fascinating rhythms" and melodies of this brilliant composer. George Gershwin was the epitome of the American success story.  The son of immigrants, this self-taught icon of music was raised on the streets of New York.  He grew up to write music that captured the American spirit.  Who among us does not recognize Rhapsody in Blue, I Got Rhythm, or Swanee?  These beloved songs are performed by Dennis Kobray in this dynamic portrayal of one of America's most treasured musicians.

A monumental miracle in music, bridging the past & future. The viewer meets Johann Sebastian Bach who was the personification of the Baroque style - a music that was complex and highly embellished.  Bach drew from many sources and produced a vast body of work, steeped in the flavor of the period, yet belonging to all time.  Dennis Kobray brings this magnificent eighteenth century composer to life with exuberant performances of Bach's masterpieces on the clavichord, harpsichord and grand piano.

These cuddly and colorful critters stand 7" tall, with a comfort and global message of helping little kids to become great big kids. "Queetles are equipped with a Talk Back Module, allowing parents to leave a comforting message inside, for playback," Donna, in human resources for Queetles, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

The traditional dress from China is simple and elegant, made from silken brocade with butterflies, which are a symbol of joy and summer in China. It has silk loop buttons in soft purple to complement the butterflies. It fits 18" and 21" dolls. "Our products are unique in their ability to expose children to different cultures through pretend play," Leah Wheelan, director of Little Bridges, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

The Money Savvy Pig® is a four-chambered bank designed to help kids and their parents or grandparents begin a conversation about money. It is designed to help teach basic money skills by introducing four choices: SAVE, SPEND, DONATE and INVEST. "Its unique four-chambered design allows children to deposit their money through four separate slots on the top of the bank — one slot for each money choice — and empty each money chamber individually through the feet on the bank," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly. It is available in six colors.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award; 2002 Parents' Choice Gold Award; 2008 National Parenting Publications Gold Award; 2008 Preferred Choice Creative Toy Award; and 2008 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: 2002.
— As of 05/12/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 34 customer reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Three customers reported that the bank broke when they dropped it.
— The Money Savvy Pig is a traditional piggy bank on steroids. Instead of holding a child’s money in a single chamber, it utilizes four,  labeled save, spend, donate and invest. Reviewers found that it works well with an allowance system. Trent Hamm of The Simple Dollar explains that even if children cannot completely understand the concepts behind the Money Savvy Pig, it can make it “so that saving seems like a completely natural thing.” See also 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires.

The Pocket Referee is a conflict resolution tool that comes in the form of a shiny gold coin. The Ref comes packaged with a protective pouch and handy carrying clip that allows kids to keep it close by. This powerful tool helps teaches kids how to work out conflicts on their own without the help of parents or guardians. When a conflict arises that can only have one resolution (which TV show to watch, where to go for dinner) the holder of the coin can choose to get her way, which means she'll pass the coin on to her counterpart for the next conflict, or she can choose to keep the coin and pass the current choice over to the other child. In all situations both kids win. Also available in antique brass for MSRP $9.95.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner

Created and illustrated by Simon Basher, and written by Dan Green, this 128-page, full-color paperbook dedicates individual pages to profiles of stars and other objects in outer space. It comes with a solar system poster. Launch date: May 2009.

This germ education product for toddlers and preschoolers is designed so that kids quickly go from not knowing they are spreading germs to being equipped with the knowledge of what they can do to stop the spread of germs and illness. "Many in the medical community advocate teaching children the three keys to illness prevention: keeping germs from your face, wash your hands, and cough and sneeze into your elbow. Germy Wormy Germ Smart for Kids does the teaching for you!" Margaret Back, president of Back Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

An educational and environmental addition to a child's room, this nature themed poster with a gender-neutral design is printed on heavy, 100-percent PCW recycled paper using soy ink. The posters are available in size 11" x 14" (MSRP: $32) and 18" x 24" (MSRP: $42). "We consider the environment in everything we do, from design to product creation to packaging. Our art is educational, simple and stylish," Rebecca Peragine, CEO of Art and Philanthropy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

This poster may serve as both an educational and environmental addition to a child's room. The nature theme and gender-neutral design makes it appropriate for both boys and girls. It's printed on heavy, 100-percent PCW recycled paper using soy ink. These posters are available as 11" x 14" prints (MSRP: $32) and 18" x 24" prints (MSRP: $42). "Our products are made from 100-percent recycled, biodegradable and non-toxic materials," Rebecca Peragine, CEO of Art and Philanthropy, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Players will need to know more than their ABCs to play Electronic A to Z Jr. In fact, they'll need to be pretty quick with the entire alphabet, including those pesky XYZs. Players have 30 seconds to list as many different answers for a specific category as possible. Each answer must begin with a different letter of the alphabet. Players turn off letters on the electronic board for each correct answer. The first one to turn off all the letters on their board wins. It includes an electronic game board, A to Z Jr. category cards, and instructions. Launch date: June 2008.

The Gisela doll and book set is based on one of the daughters of Charlemagne, designed to teach young girls about the lives of young girls during the medieval period. The soft-bodied and vinyl doll is dressed for historical accuracy. Launch date: March 2008.

Eco-Snoopers Fun Activity Travel Book contains an array of puzzles, mazes, Q&A's, and activities specifically designed to entertain and educate children on the merits of being environmentally green. The book can be carried anywhere and contains quizzes and challenges created to keep kids occupied for hours. The Eco-Snoopers Fun Activity Travel Book is part of a larger selection of Eco Snoopers stationery and backpack products. Launch date: May 2009.

This two-sided Dry Erase Paddle Board has one lined side and one blank side. It comes with an EZ pen and storage for the pen right in the handle. The durable, lightweight paddles may be used by both young students and adults. They are sold in a four-pack reusable mesh tote with an activity booklet and four extra dry erase markers/erasers. The boards can be cleaned with soap and water. Launch date: July 2009.

Qubits is a simple plastic toy that can be built up using a distinct, patented modular geometry. It is designed to quickly capture the imagination of those who might have visions of becoming architects, engineers, scientists or even nanotech designers. The pieces are flexible to allow for curved creations. The Jumbo Kit comes with 330 pieces. 120 flexible Qubits, 150 connectors and 60 bridges. Molded with high quality plastic featuring bendable pieces that allow curved shapes. Launch date: June 2009.

About 9" in diameter, this colorful ball features outer sections that name the colors represented. It unzips and unties to reveal various activities inside, including the ABCs and 123s with a mirror, ties, a button and elements that crinkle and squeak.