November 2008 New Specialty Toys — Construction

This set includes 16 hard maple blocks that measure 1.75" and can collectively be used to spell more than 350 words. Each unfinished block features a letter, and its background has a detailed, laser-designed image of an object that begins with that letter — S for snowflake, for example. Launch date: 2008.

This decorative construction toy consists of nine pieces and is designed to symbolize the smallest unit within a cell. It measures 10 cm cubed.

This miniatures building, showing rubble and a demolished interior, measures 13.25" L x 7" W x 8" H. Launch date: October 13, 2008.

Hyperspace, the final frontier. Think of this as a mental spaceship that will help you project your consciousness straight into the fourth dimension.  The first Hyperdo ever built took over two years to construct. Measuring 14" (35cm) in diameter, this 120-cell model will take a lot less time, but you still won't want to take it apart.

This 89-piece set measures 3.5” tall and includes a functional mast and forks that lift a cargo pallet. Please check with LEGO directly to see if this particular item is available for the specialty market.
— “Lego's been a big huge boost,” Ron Banducci of Games Unlimited told TDmonthly in early fall 2008 when discussing hot-selling tween items.
— “The kids like the challenge of building all the pieces,” said Linda Kapnick, owner of Ambassador Toys in San Francisco.
— Twelve percent of 51 retailers said Lego is a best-selling item for tweens.

Developed from the ROBOTIX Parts Catalog exclusively from www.roboticsandthings.com is a replica of the Mars Spirit and Mars Opportunity Rovers. Based upon the actual designs with schematics and diagrams from NASA, an instruction Manual and other collateral materials have been created for this set.

Indiana Jones has the treasure map but will first have to make it through the gate if he wants a chance at finding the Holy Grail. The set includes the following: Indiana Jones with accessories (hat, whip and bag), Professor Henry Jones, a guard, a motorbike with a detachable sidecar, and a gate that moves up and down. Please check with company, as not all LEGO sets are available in the specialty market.
— Nine of 66 specialty retailers named LEGO as a best-selling gift for boys in a July 2008 TDmonthly survey.
— "Any new LEGO that comes in is out the door,” said Tina Benoit, operations manager for Kidstown in South Burlington, Vt., which sells about 50 units of LEGO per month.
— LEGOs are a top-10 best seller for Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., she told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

When precision wooden shapes and vibrant color meet, expect nothing less than masterwork. Twig features natural wood, carved with care and colored with brilliance. Light plays its way through the windows of Twig - illuminating lines, contours, space and arrangement, opening the mind and imagination to new exercises in visual spatial development. Each Twig set consists of 72 wooden pieces; all are compatible with one another. The interactivity between components means limitless combinations in open-ended play. Launch date: February 2009.