November 2008 New Specialty Toys — All

The Kanoodle case holds two solitaire games that challenge the player to build colorful 2D puzzles and 3D pyramids. Once a child picks a design from the included puzzle book, he or she puts some of the pieces into place as shown, then fills the empty spots with the remaining pieces. Only one of hundreds of possible combinations actually completes the puzzle.
— Three of 68 specialty retailers named Kanoodle when asked about their top-selling toy or game in October 2008.
— Dean Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Pennington, N.J., told TDmonthly in October 2008 his store sells about 24 units of Kanoodle each month.

For a preschooler’s first foray into gardening, Sprig offers Honey Bee’s Garden Home. “Plantable” packaging grows into  wildflowers and herbs in the flower pot and beehive that double as a sand strainer and water bucket. Kids can help the included Honey Bee character grow a beautiful garden for the Sprig Hollow community.

Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter is a durable vehicle that cleverly transforms into a sturdy sand tool. Sized for 
“take along” fun, this water resistant, five-in-one play set includes a Sprig Hollow insect character with interchangeable wings.Dragonfly’s Heli-Scoopter is also a shovel and the helipad is a sand strainer.  Launch date: 2008.

Butterfly’s Farm features a water-resistant “farmhouse” with four play/garden shelves.  When assembled by an adult, a large funnel and chute fit into slots on the shelves, ready to be filled with sand or water for plenty of flowing fun. The two insect characters—Bee and Butterfly—have chunky bodies with soft, interchangeable wings and a simple slot that allows them to “sit” on the shelves and in the sturdy Farm Truck.  The hood of the truck doubles as a sand rake or plow. “We want parents to get outside and spend time with their kids,” says  Sprig Toys co-founder and toy industry veteran Chris Clemmer. “And, 
since Sprig Hollow is made from recycled materials, the toys provide an opportunity to talk about caring for the earth.” Launch date: 2008.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2009

Shout! Factory releases the ground-breaking collectible 6-DVD box set "Liberty's Kids: The Complete Series" packed with colorful and entertaining bonus features. The DVD brings America's history to life and depicts key events from the American Revolution as seen through the eyes of kids  who work in Benjamin Franklin's print shop. The kids may be fictional, but all of the history is accurate and authentic. Walter Cronkite, Annette Bening, Whoopi Goldberg, Dustin Hoffman, Billy Crystal, Ben Stiller, Liam Neeson, Michael York, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and General Norman Schwarzkopf headline the all-star voice cast. Launch date: October 14.
 

The cuddly, sleepy doll with a pattern that softly glows in the dark.  The 13” baby has sleepy eyes and her patterned sleepwear is designed to retain a soft glow in the dark, as lights go low and eyes grow heavy. Her aroma-therapy fragrance is lavender based, designed to quiet and relax babies at bedtime.  Machine washable.  Launch date: 2008

Munipals' first train and track set is a great starter set for any subway fan. The set comprises two 42 Street Shuttle cars and 19 track pieces, enough to build ovals, loops, and straight shuttle runs over 6' long. Being the only IRT shuttle in the system, the real 42 Street Shuttle carries nearly a quarter million people every week. It runs on tracks only 20' beneath the street, with each of the three shuttle trains making an average of 360 runs each day.

The 1-Train runs from Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, all the way to the South Ferry at the southern tip of Manhattan. This Broadway/7 Av Local 1-Train is based on the R-62 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. 4-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older.

The A-Train runs from Inwood at the top of Manhattan, to Far Rockaway in Queens; more than 31 miles, the longest line in the system. This A-Train 8 Avenue Express is based on the R-143 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. Realistic signage--just like current in-service subway cars. 5-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older.

The F-Train runs from 179 St. in Jamaica, Queens into Manhattan, and then down to Coney Island in Brooklyn. This F-Train 6 Avenue Local train is based on the R-64 model. Features a solid hardwood upper body with magnetic connectors to play on all standard wooden railway tracks. Realistic signage--just like current in-service subway cars. 5-inches long. Safe, sturdy and fun for ages 3 and older.

Kristelle is the other seven-year old polyglot in the Vanange group. She is also a great tennis player! She was born in Paris and moved to Italy with her parents when she was two years old. That’s how she and Analisa became best friends. Kristelle is now back in Paris after five years and she is discovering the city of Paris for the first time. Take Kristelle home and discover Paris along with her. Let her take you to all her favorite places such as Notre Dame, Le Sacré-Coeur, La Tour Eiffel and more. Tour her neighborhood of Rue Mouffetard and envision yourself there. Find out what Analisa told Kristelle in her last letter that has gotten her so motivated to help the children of the world!

Analisa is a happy and smiley red headed seven year old Italian girl who loves to play soccer. She enjoys helping her mom cook the most delicious foods in the kitchen. They chat a lot while they cook and Analisa likes to discuss everything with her mom. Analisa is a real multi-cultured girl! Her best friend and neighbor of five years, Kristelle moved back to Paris where she was born. They are both heart broken and they miss each other. They write to each other all the time. Analisa is learning a lot about the French culture, including the language from her friend Kristelle. So both girls speak French, Italian and English! Analisa found out that she also has a cousin who lives in the Seychelles Islands. The two of them write to each other too and they are learning so much from each other. Take Analisa home and discover her world of multiculturalism. Find out what Analisa learned from her mom about the children of the world and what she and Kristelle want to do to make the world a better place for all children.

Bella is a multi-ethnic girl from Roosevelt Island, New York City who enjoys to roller blade with her friends along the East River. She has beautiful cascading curls. Bella’s mom is African-American and her dad is Caucasian with blond hair and green eyes. Bella knows all about the beauty of cultural diversity. Take her home and be dazzled by her life-like beauty. Be captivated by her loving and caring spirit and her vibrant personality. In her book, she also talks about the event that happened in her beloved New York City and changed the whole world: September 11, 2001. Learn why Bella believes that forgiveness is important!

Marybelle, (MB) is a real southern belle beauty who loves to play basket ball. She is seven years old and lives in Atlanta Georgia in a big mansion with her mom and dad. MB thought that all children around the world had the same privileges as she. Take MB home and find out how her views of the world have changed because of her new pen-pal. Through a new pen-pal program at MB’s school, she and Vannah become pen-pal and best friends even though they have never met face-to-face. Be part of this inspiring life-changing experience that will touch your life. Read the letters that MB and Vannah write to each other. MB’s hair is a high quality wig, strong, beautiful and ready for you to style her anyway you choose.

Luz is a quiet and loving seven year old girl from the Philippines. She has a yellow belt in Tae-Kwon-Do. Luz believes that you should never give up on your dreams, no matter what! She loves to spend quality time with her family including her grand parents. Luz loves to help her mom prepare foods and serve them in the Soup Kitchen.

Apolonia has the most exciting and heart-wrenching life experience for a seven-year old track-and-field runner! She was born in the Dominican Republic where she had a normal and quiet life. But one day, her dad announced that he has accepted a job offer to be a Marine Biologist in the Seychelles Islands - a place far, far away.

Vannah is a seven year old girl full of love - who lives in the Seychelles Islands with her family. These are some of activities she enjoys: dancing ballet, running up and down the hills of her islands, playing beach volley ball with her friends and family and rope jumping. She knows that when she grows up she can do anything she chooses to because she believes in herself.

This classic Cow Rocker is crafted from durable hardwood and a beautiful fine silk screen finish. A comfy seat with a cloth safety strap and sturdy handlebar. 32" long x 13" wide x 20" high Assembly required Adult supervision advised

Hayden, an 8 inch full vinyl poseable little girl is dressed in a floral pastel yellow play outfit, trimmed in delicate Venice lace. Her hair is up in pigtails but can be restyled to the delight of little girls.

Cailyn is a 12 inch full vinyl poseable lttle girl, dressed in raincoat and rain hat. She is also wearing jeans trimmed with ruffles and finishes the “raining cats and dogs” theme with a kitty and puppy in her arms.

My Girl in Strawberry colored hair is an 18 inch doll with vinyl head and limbs and cloth body. Perfect for playing dress-up, most standard 18” doll clothes will fit her. Clothing will also be available through the My Girl line. My Girl Strawberry is dressed in jeans with floral appliqués and trimmed in lace and chffon. Her blouse is of delicated sheer fabric, with layers of ruffles, ribbons and bows and flowers.

Ashton is an 8 inch full vinyl poseable doll that comes packaged in a handbag. She comes dressed in trendy jeans that are trimmed in lace and patchwork appliqué and will be just the play doll for every little girl who loves the world of fashion. She carries a mirror, comb and purse of her own. Her long dark hair can be styled in the latest fashion.

Designed in Italy, this lightweight, aluminum-frame stroller features a reversible seat so that baby can face outward or toward the operator, front swivel wheels, a five-point seatbelt system, height-adjustable handles, a cup holder, and a hood that changes into a canopy via a two-way zipper. The stroller folds easily, has a side carrying handle, and has an adjustable leg rest and backrest that reclines to several positions. In addition, an older sibling can ride on the non-skid footrest on the back.

This light, Styrofoam airplane is simple enough for easy flight and durable enough for an eventual nosedive. It has the distinctive double wings of biplanes, and a bright red color detailed with checkered stripes on the wings and tail. Charging off its launcher in less than a minute, the plane is just a trigger-pull away from flight. The charger-controller requires six AA batteries.
— “[It's] Kid Galaxy by far. The Backyard Flyer,” said Kate Tanner, owner of Kidstop Toys & Books Store in Scottsdale, Ariz., when asked about best-selling flying toys in October 2008.
— “The Red Biplane is actually our best seller,” Ava Allen, owner of Be Beep a Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly.
— About 25 percent of 68 retailers named the Backyard Flyer from Kid Galaxy as a top-selling toy.