December 2008 New Specialty Toys — All

This bouquet crinoline chiffon petticoat tutu has sequin appliqué and comes in lavender, pink and hot pink. Launch date: December 2008.

This dress features a panné velvet leotard and a glitter topskirt over the tulle and organza skirt. It is available in light blue and pink, and comes in four sizes: XSC, SC, MC and LC. Launch date: February 2009.
— Two of 52 retailers mentioned costumes and accessories from A Wish Come True when asked by TDmonthly about best-selling Halloween items in fall 2008.

Flying Wish Paper is a wishing kit for birthdays, holidays, weddings ... anything from a prayer meeting to a bachelorette party. Just write a wish on the special paper, shape it into a tube, and light the top. The wish burns down and, at the last second, dramatically rises into the sky. Write it, light it, watch it fly! It comes with 50 sheets of Flying Wish Paper, 25 platform cards, pencils, matches and instructions. Launch date: August 8, 2008.

Comet® The Fast Path to Learning - Family Edition is an exciting and stimulating game based on spelling. The Family Game offers the best knowledge in Science, Geography, History, Health and much more. Based on multiple choice answers, choose the correct word, spell the word, state the number of vowels…win a Bonus Card. Roll the dice, everyone has a chance to win! Launch date: August 8, 2008.

This much-anticipated first album from New York City’s favorite kindie rockers, "The Jimmies," has already met with wide acclaim and plenty of toe tapping, with music running the gamut from rock, funk, pop and blues to reggae, hip-hop and even Dixieland. The group's clever lyrics, catchy hooks and sophisticated melodies add up to an album full of songs listeners won’t mind getting stuck in their heads. Launch date: April 22, 2007.

Step into an adventure of a little girl who turns green from her head to her toes and learns that doing her part for the environment really shows. "I'm Turning Green" teaches young readers tips for conservation of energy, water and natural resources. It is made from 100-percent recycled papers and offer a 100-percent eco-friendly product at a reasonable price. Launch date: November 24, 2008.

Go! Go! Sports Girls are plush, sports-themed dolls for girls. They are designed to be a fun and educational way to promote self-appreciation and the benefits of daily exercise, healthy eating, good sleeping habits and overall healthy life-skills. A portion of profits are donated to organizations that encourage girls to develop healthy lifestyles. Launch date: November 11, 2008.
— Dana of Feeling Fit with Dana praised Dream Big for representing many sports and making the Go! Go! Sports Girls “look like dolls, not models, not movie stars, just dolls.”
— Reviewers from What the Stuff Toy Review found that girls loved the dolls and were easily able to identify with the variety of sports, looks and personalities. Adult reviewers appreciated the positive values and healthy habits encouraged by the dolls. The review did caution that the dolls’ small accessories were likely to be misplaced.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010

This doll is part of a line of handmade Afro-American, Hispanic and Caucasian baby dolls. Handmade baby outfits, Christening gowns and various pajamas are also available. Launch date: September 10, 2008.

This costume comes complete with a deluxe, oversized mask with helmet that allows the user to gain an extra 12" in height by looking out of the neck. The costume also comes with hand/arm extenders, Sasquatch feet, muscle-suit padding and an attached latex chest piece. Launch date: 2009.

These cards provide a simple format to teach the important safety principles around food allergy management. Specific examples help children and those who care for them learn that staying safe with a peanut or tree nut allergy goes beyond the nut product itself. These flashcards introduce cross-contamination, the importance of label reading, and the importance of always carrying emergency medication. There are 36 color-coded cards with eye-catching illustrations on the front and important safety information and tips on the back. The cards have been recommended by allergists, school nurses, day care providers and families of children with nut allergies. Launch date: November 10, 2008.

God saved Noah and his family from a great flood by giving him a very special assignment. He told Noah to build a BIG ark, with room for two of every kind of creature, one male and one female (Genesis 6-9). Children can make the story come to life with this interactive Noah's Ark playset that includes Noah, 14 animals and an ark. Launch date: December 2008.

Charge Large comes along just in time to provide society with an educational and entertaining board game about credit cards. The goal of Charge Large is to increase competition among players as they battle against each other to be become part of an elite class of Black Card Members.  Players begin with their entry level Gold Credit Card and Cash to set forth on their journey to purchase companies, stocks, buildings and most importantly to Charge Smart while Charging Large. Ultimately, Charge Large teaches players not to fear credit cards, but simply learn how to leverage themselves wisely. It is therefore time for society to practice how to Charge Large Responsibly!

The Marine Life Grow-a-Head assortment includes goldfish, crab, penguin, leopard and tiger styles. Kids just add water and watch them grow "hair," or grass. It's a "great educational tool with info about plant biology, seed germination and more," Lori Wrubel, national sales manager for Sourcing International LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This fun camouflage pen hooks onto a belt loop or backpack. It comes in assorted colors.

Designed for children who are accustomed to saying, "Five more minutes, please," or interpret "right now" to mean at the commercial break, The My Time Activities Timer helps children complete tasks in a timely manner, self-monitor their leisure activities, and take more responsibility to manage their time. Features include Main Activity icon buttons (TV Time, Video Game Time, Computer Time) and a customizable interchangeable button (far right button on timer). The timer is easy to set up and use, and comes with instructions for pre-programming. "This product is ideal for children who need that extra help to limit their exposure to too much TV, video games and computer time, but also encourages [them] to spend more time reading, practicing music [and] doing physical activities," Veronique Bella, owner of My TIme Timer LLC, told TDmonthly. The timer requires 2 AAA batteries. It received a 2008 Seal of Approval from The National Parenting Center. Launch date: 2008.

Featuring famous “firsts” in African American history — Barack Obama, Bessie Coleman, Oscar Micheaux, Rebecca Lee Crumpler and Toni Morrison — this kit is both a fun craft activity and an inspired teaching resource. It contains the following: five blank corrugated bodies, 10 blank arms and legs, five blank heads, five themed faces, five sticks, 20 fasteners, five sheets of decorative paper, 50ml of glue, easy to follow directions and synopses of included historical figures. Completed stick puppets stand 14" tall and have movable arms and legs. "Our product features famous "firsts" in African American History, including President-Elect Barack Obama!" Tiger Kandel, president of Tigercandy Arts, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This cool and hip food-themed bib has a 100-percent cotton fabric front and soft and absorbent towel backing. It is handcrafted in the USA of all new materials, and the backing is made from repurposed towel remnants from the company's hooded towel collection, resulting in less landfill waste. Fabrics inclue Sushi, Pizza, Ice-cream and Melon. "The TAKE-me-OUT bib, by Frog Kiss Designs strives to help the environment one small step at a time," Owner and Designer Ruta Leonard of Frog Kiss Designs told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 20, 2008.

This adventure of good, old-fashioned fun features an upbeat collection of songs by Michael Plunkett that moves children from high-energy action to quiet-time. The songs are easy-to-sing and memorable, and offer valuable early learning opportunities, as well as activities that encourage creative movement and imaginative play. There’s also attention to building relationships, eating healthy foods, hygiene, manners and more. Shenanigans is great for the family to share, as well as a special resource for schools and libraries. "It offers a music style and lyrics that today's kids can relate to, and adults will also enjoy," Elaine Murphy, director of sales and marketing for Kimbo Educational, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

Polliwalks' fun and colorful fish-shaped sandals feature squishy fishy lips that change from white to purple when exposed to UV rays. They are also waterproof, lightweight, super comfy, incredibly easy to clean, and easy for little ones to put on and take off by themselves. Polliwalks' Fish Lips Sandals have built in arch support, a deep heel cup and a removable back strap for a great fit. As with all Polliwalks' shoes, they leave a trail of fun footprints behind when kids step in firm sand, dirt or water. "Polliwalks has created a whole new category for children's shoes: Toys for Feet!" Cheryl Andonian, co-founder of Polliwalks, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

"Moey’s Music Party" is a 17-song CD with fun songs that entertain and educate children — and get parents dancing, too. The songs are about manners, sharing, listening to parents, getting dressed, tasting sushi, and being a kid in New York City. They were inspired by award-winning, Off-Broadway songwriter Melissa Levis's (aka Moey’s) own experiences as a mother. “I Gotta Go Potty” was her son’s potty training mantra, and “Pierre Wouldn’t Wash His Hair” was her solution to his six-month hair-washing strike. The CD is a winner of Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Product 2008. Launch date: June 2008.

PakNaks are decorative accessories that transform plain backpacks, bags and other stuff into personalized, ever-changing, colorful works of art. With more than 40 designs that are interchangeable, weather resistant and quickly and easily adhere (no ironing, sewing or pinning!), PakNak makes changing style easy, especially since they stick on with super-strong, custom, self-adhesive Velcro. PakNaks make terrific birthday party giveaways, tooth fairy leave-behinds, incentives, gifts, luggage identifiers and more. The newest designs are made from recycled plastic and are phthalate free. Launch date: January 8, 2007.

There are two sizes and two styles of Quiltis — bouquets of fresh color in hand-picked designer fabrics. Quilti Dogs are 12" and There are four prints of 12" Quilti Dogs and three prints of 9" Quilti Horses. Mini Quilti Dogs and Horses are called "Lil' Buds." There are three prints of each. Amaryllis is a bright crimson paisley with coordinating striped mane and chest. "There is a freshness in the fabric and the design that is very desirable. The Quiltis are gently weighted so they flop anywhere," Erika Radich, marketing manager for Douglas, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2009.
— Tim Hayes, owner of Learning Express in Sudbury, Mass., named Douglas as a preferred vendor in fall 2008 because they are “local, high quality and [have] good turnover.” One other retailer, out of 52, also pinpointed Douglas as a favorite supplier.

Two to 36 players match color photographs of rocks, minerals and gemstones with relating trivia facts or physical/chemical properties. With two levels of play, students will unearth three rock types and dust off some interesting trivia. The game involves practice with 70 different rocks, minerals and gemstones and includes color game boards, calling cards, plastic markers and an instructional guide. It teaches the physical characteristics of rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, and the characteristics, uses and names of rocks, minerals and gemstones. "All our games offer multiple levels of play and are aligned with national standards. They are made with the needs of every learner in mind," Alyssa Brown, product development manager for World Class Learning Materials, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

These personalized, fun retro boxes come in 12 boy and 12 girl designs. Custom designs are available on request. The boxes measures approximately 8" x 7" x 4". Each has a waterproof vinyl label. Launch date: August 3, 2008.