November 2011 New Specialty Toys — Pretend Play

This is a one of a kind educational sandbox fossil find, featuring a tasteful faux rock design.Comes with an on-line field manual that makes it educational and fun as it explains the dinosar bones that are uncovered. Kids can sit all the way around the sand box, and the bones are arranged in a 360 degree format so no one gets left out. Launch date: September 2011.

Defend the LEGO Star Wars Hoth Echo Base (7879) from the evil Imperial forces. Imperial forces have discovered the Rebel base hidden on the ice planet of Hoth and are preparing to crush the Rebel Alliance. Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and protocol droid R—3PO get ready to fend off the attack as 2 snowtroopers approach. Luke Skywalker is in the bacta tank being treated by medical droid 2—1B. The LEGO Star Wars Hoth Echo Base (7879) includes: Tauntaun stable with locking gate, tauntaun, rotating radar dishes, falling icicle trap, working cargo crane, and medical bay with bacta tank; Han Solo, injured Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, 2—1B, protocol droid R—3PO, Chewbacca and 2 snowtroopers; flick missile gun turrets; repeating blaster and blaster rifle weapons; Measures over 21" wide and 5" tall; Imperial speeder bike measures over 5" long; Contains 773 pieces.

Stop the prisoners from escaping the police station through the pipe drain. They won't get far on foot. Use the police car to chase them down and transport them back to prison in the police van. Help keep LEGO City safe with this feature-packed set. The LEGO City Police Station (7498) features: Set Contains 783 Pieces; Includes 4 police officers, 2 robbers, a police dog and lots of accessories; Modular building make building easy; Includes police car, prisoner transport van, and bicycle; Station features 2 jail cells, command center with computers, helicopter landing pad on the roof, garage for two vehicles.
— As of 11/07/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Lots of accessories; fun to build; very detailed. Cons: Expensive; took one reviewer two days to assemble completely.
— As of 11/07/2011 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Paul Sahagian, owner of Learning Express in Needham, Mass., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that this Frozen Coloring book is one of the best-selling books at their store.

Each set includes a fashionable pet carrier purse and fuzzy blanket for celebrity naps.  Paired with Pet Personality Sets and Celebrity Pet Play Sets these couture purses pull the whole Pawparazzi look together for only $7.99. Launch date: September 2011.

Choose from 6 themes: Winter Fun, Celebrity Sleepover, Beach Boogie, Fun in the Sun, Celebrity Wedding, and Diva Ballerina. These accessory sets expand the pretend play experience for Pawparazzi fans. Launch date: September 2011.

Pawparazzi Pet Personality Sets are the newest addition to the Pawparazzi line. 6 new 'mini' Personality Sets offer kids their Pawparazzi pet fix at a retail price of only $9.99. Each set includes a plush pet, clothing accessory, sticker, and trading card with fun facts about the famous pet. "Kids become engaged in the fantasy world built around Pawparazzi. Every pet has a personality that is enhanced through the product accessories and offerings and online at PlanetPawparazzi.com," Susan DeCoste, marketing coordinator at Noodle Head,Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

Smart Mat multi-purpose play mats are ideal indoors or out; for playrooms, story time, snack time, the beach, backyard, even classrooms. Children will engage in hours of imaginative play using their own vehicles, such as PlaSmart’s Wonky Wheels, as well as play figures. With a giant play surface (minimum 78” x 46”), Smart Mats are easy to clean, travel, and store. Made from high quality, coated, EVA foam.

The product is a Face mask based on the V for Vendetta movie. The white plastic mask fits most teens to adults.
— As of 10/10/2011 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 138 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Good replica of mask from V for Vendetta. Cons: Several reviewers said the item was flimsy and scratched easily; a bit large for kids.

Playsilks are simply pieces of beautiful colored cloth that are used to make capes, skirts, and doll carriers, over and over again in different combination. Blue silks can be spread on the floor to "sail" boats on; green can be grass for horses to "graze" on. These toys are sustainable, eco-friendly and reusable so moms feel good about having them around the house. Sarah's Silks is proud to be Green America certified. Launch date: July 2011.
Awards: 2011 Green America

This box can be decorated with the custom stickers to look like a fire station. They can also be drawn on and erased using washable markers. The play box consists of six (6) pieces: a front panel, a back panel, two side panels, the roof and the floor, which locks everything into place. The play box weighs approximately 16 lbs. Once assembled, the play box's dimensions are 55.75" L x 36" W x 57.5" H. Once stored, the play box and carrying case's dimensions are 53.25" L x 20.5" W x 3.5" H. The play box is 100% corrugated plastic, made of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE).

Playmobil Figures Series 1 Pink contains twelve different girl figures that can be collected, assembled, and interchanged.  Each Figure comes unassembled in its mystery pack, so children can put them together, or interchange its parts to create a new character. Each counter display contains 48 figures, four each of the twelve figures. Recommended for ages five and up. Launch date: 2011.

Playmobil Figures Series 1 Blue contains twelve different boy figures that can be collected, assembled, and interchanged. Each Figure comes unassembled in its mystery pack, so children can put them together, or interchange its parts to create a new character. Recommended for ages five and up. Launch date: 2011.

Ambre is the perfect fashionable doll to delight fans of Miss Corolle! Dressed in a bright red coat with pink skirt, coordinating striped scarf, trendy boots, and an unbelievably soft fuzzy hat, she is ready for the chilly weather of the season! Ambre's bright blue eyes and long, rooted hair make her the perfect new friend for girls ages 3 and up. Launch date: January 2010.

This adorable soft-bodied baby doll comes complete with its own feeding bottle and soft bunny. Thanks to the mini picture book that is also included, little girls can learn how to take care of Bebe Do Mode just like a real mommy. Dressed in a bright new outfit for the new year, this classic 14" Corolle doll will be treasured for years to come. Launch date: January 2004.
Awards: 2011 Oppenheim Platinum Ableplay
― In a May 2012 survey about dolls, 5 out of 11 retailers said Corolle was their best selling brand.

The first Corolle doll ever made, Bebe Cheri is relaunched every year with a new outfit to celebrate. At 20 inches tall, Bebe Cheri is sized like a real 3 month old baby. This year (2011), she comes dressed in an adorably bright flowered jumper. She can even wear real baby clothes (size 3 months), making her a treasured heirloom to be passed down for generations. Launch date: 1980.

Soft and light, this adorable snuggly will delight the very young.  It jingles softly when shaken and has lots of "handles" for tiny fingers to grasp. 9.5 inches tall. Machine washable. Available in 2 more colors: Elf Sky (blue) and Elf Apricot (peach). Launch date: January 2011.

This Little Helper Broom Set has three pieces, sized for kids. Includes a Broom, a Hand Broom and a Dust Pan.
— As of 09/09/2011 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 91 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Ginger Milligan, co-owner of Fantasy Island Toys in Fairhope, Al., told TDmonthly in September 2011 that they sell 2-3 dozen of the Schylling Little Helpers Broom Set each month. “We sell those every single day. It's one of those things we're never out of,” she said.

Junglemorphs, new for 2011, is part of the Zoomorphs pop-together building system.  The child can build animals that exist or have existed in nature; or easily pop the pieces apart to make all sorts of friendly, poseable fantasy creatures.  There are four characters in this set:  Tree Python, Bird of Paradise, Tiger and Tropical Beetle.  All sets are interchangeable.  Some animals have hinged jaws. Launch date: August 2011.
— Karin Evick, manager of Kids' Ketch in Lewes, Del., told TDmonthly in an April 2012 survey that Zoomorphs are one of their best selling construction toys.

Lil' Cutesies are play dolls that are dressed in the cutest outfits. Cutesies encourage creative play. Each doll is sold separately, or they can be purchased in sets of three. Launch date: January 2011.
Awards: 2011 DOTY (Doll of the Year) Industry Choice Play Doll

This pirate ship sails over the Seven Seas and the pirates are always looking for loot to fill their treasure chest. This amazing cardboard pirate ship is easy to build and so much fun to decorate. A project for all little pirates 3+. Sturdy construction and fun details like canon holes and a treasure chest. Made from recycled cardboard!  Item no.: D 2513X Assembled size: 18" x 8" x 18." "It's a craft activity AND a toy! This Pirate Ship provides hours and hours of fun - building, decorating and playing," Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2011.

A classic tale revisited to amaze, captivate and amuse. All 3 heroes can be found in just 1 creation. In a flash, Little Red Riding Hood transforms into Granny or the Big Bad Wolf. The path through the woods taken by our adventurous heroine is shown on her dress. Launch date: June 2011.
Awards: 2011 Seal of Excellence Award Creative Child Magazine; Tillywig Toy award - Best family fun 2011.

All the fun of the grill with no fire hazard. Kids can become a barbeque expert just like their parents, no matter how cold it is outside. Meats even come with realistic grill marks. Dinner options are a juicy steak, crunchy chicken drumstick, sizzling sausages, fresh fish, and shish kebob. Set comes with grill tongs, slices of tomato garnish, “fire” insert, stand-up grill with grates and 5 charcoal briquettes. Launch date: September 2011.

This classic style has a beautiful layered pink skirt. The pink velvet bodice, decorated with silver sequin and accented with a blossomed pink flower, will make any princess feel majestic. "We use only soft, durable clothing-quality fabrics, which makes all of our dress ups comfortable. The seams and hems are completely finished and there are no itchy underskirts or fabrics, adding to the comfort," Andrea Farrell from Little Adventures told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.
— Kim Emigh, vice president of e—commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that she sells a few brands of costumes, but that Little Adventures tends to do the best because of their relatively lower price point.

This pink rainbow fairy dress up is sprinkled with pixie dust and sequins. The shimmery spandex is embellished with pink rainbow flowers with gems at the center. The knee length, layered tricot skirt is sewn directly into the leotard, making it perfect for daily wear. Launch date: February 2011.