September 2012 New Specialty Toys — All

Itzabots are robot shaped ceramic planters that kids can customize with any of the included mix and match stickers. Create and recreate new companion as many times as kids like. When kids fill the planter with water and give it a little light, their itzabot will begin to sprout a thick head of grass "hair" within 5-7 days. The hair will continue to grow for 2 months with continued watering and styling. Available in three styles/sticker kits: Monster, Girl, and Robot.

This easy-to-assemble, sturdy wooden play table is ideal for trains, dollhouses, arts & crafts projects, blocks, puzzles and more. It also features a double-sided play board and jumbo-sized drawer for convenient storage.
— In a May 2012 survey, Andy Ricks, owner of My Imagination Station in Hattiesburg, Miss., told TDmonthly that they sell one of these items each month, "but much more around the holidays."

The Savannah Dollhouse is an elegant, large six-room mansion designed for children ages three and up. The dollhouse is decorated like a true southern mansion and is fully furnished, with beautiful, handcrafted wood furniture. With four levels and six rooms of open space, the Savannah Dollhouse is decorated in a southern style, and includes wide-open windows for easy visibility into the rooms from outside the house. The Savannah Dollhouse fits any 12-inch fashion doll. There are 14 pieces of handcrafted, hand-assembled, and hand-painted wood furniture included with the house to furnish the six rooms. The beds have actual linens, while the couch and love seat come complete with cushions.
— In a May 2012 survey, Mary Horne, owner of J. Christopher Toys in Jonesboro, Ark., told TDmonthly about the Savannah that she sells "upwards of 20 during the holiday season, but it's only a holiday item."

A best-selling concept — children's dramatic play kitchens — just took a great leap forward with the addition of the Hideaway Playtime and Country Kitchens. In a few simple steps, the Hideaway Kitchen compacts to a depth of 6", allowing it to be efficiently stored when not in use. Offers plenty of features including a sink, a stove; an oven; a dishwasher; functioning knobs, clock and more. Adult assembly required. 30"W x 15.25"D x 38"H
— In a May 2012 survey, Maryalice Miner, co-owner of Miner's Doll & Toy Store in Ocean Springs, Miss., told TDmonthly that she sells 3-4 of this high-ticket item each year.

Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone from soy, easing untold people's pain? These are just some of the black inventors and innovators scoring big points in this dynamic look at several unsung heroes who shared a desire to improve people's lives. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more - inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter. Authors: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's all-time leading scorer, champions a lineup of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book. Raymond Obstfeld is the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction and is a professor of creative writing. He lives in California. Launch date: January 2012.

Her parents don't live together anymore, so sometimes the child in this book lives with her mom and cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house, and she keeps some toys in one place and some in another. But her favorite toys she takes with her wherever she goes. In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever. Launch date: June 2012.

The weather is hot, hot, hot, and the farm animals are getting grumpy. The pigs are arguing with the chickens, and the ducks and newts are sad because their pond has dried up. Where will the water animals live? Luckily, they have the help of Daisy Dawson and her old pals - Boom the farm dog, Conker and Hazel the young squirrels - plus a crowd of farm animals and a group of water voles. But it may take the elegant and snooty cat Trixie to make the rain fall at last. Warm up to another adventure featuring Daisy Dawson, the ordinary girl with an extraordinary gift: she can talk to and understand animals. Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. Launch date: June 2012.

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. Meadow Count explores one-to-one correspondence and counting.

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. This book explores repeating patterns.

Autumn de Forest is ten years old and loves to paint. She has been an avid painter for most of her life, but it was not until her parents placed fine art quality oil paints and canvases within her grasp that her output became not only prolific — but eerily beyond her years. DVD, 20 minutes.

Luis Perez, educator, ceramist, and musician gives a brief history of Pre-Columbian musical instruments – wind and percussion, and shows the materials used in a demonstration of clay whistle construction. He explains the basic principles of sound and how symmetry and asymmetry is applied to the making of finger holes for sound production. He makes an acoustic chamber, creates an aperture for sound, the mouth piece, and the finger holes. He produces the sounds of a clay whistle using various types of finished whistles. Many examples are shown. Grades 6-12. DVD, 23 minutes.

Peggy Flores sets up several still lifes using a variety of subjects, and shows how to display them for the best perspective. She also cuts out templates of various shapes to show how students could compose a still life on a piece of paper. She draws the still lifes in pencil or outlines the paper cutouts and colors them with watercolor, tempera, markers, and colored pencils. Many finished examples are shown. DVD, 18 minutes.

Folkmanis Little Puppets are small hand puppets that are perfect for younger children. This puppet is 7" tall and 5" wide. Fluffy golden lion has an orange tufted mane and expressive, movable mouth.
Awards: 2012 Dr.Toy Best 20 for $20
— In a May 2012 survey, four out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Folkmanis was their best selling brand of plush or puppets.