December 2008 New Specialty Toys — All

The Wildlife Animals Grow-A-Head Collection includes five styles: parrot, elephant, panda, leopard and tiger. Kids can just add water and watch them grow. Launch date: 2009.

This beautiful nap mat is for the "girly girl" that not only appreciates plush comfort with the highest quality luxury minky fabrics, but also custom designed appliqué work and embroidery in the theme of the perfect day in Paris — with the Eiffel Tower and adorable French Poodle. The plush blanket is attached to a soft, comfortable, quilted nap mat. Also attached is the satin pillow, enveloped in a soft pink minky fabric pillowcase. It folds and rolls up easily to form its own beautiful bag with shoulder straps, making it fun and easy to take to Grandma’s or to a sleepover. "Napping or overnight parties have never been so easy for young children, with the plush sleeping mat, blanket and pillow all attached," President Jamee Mionie of Cavichi told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 30, 2008.

These mini suede duffle bags are perfect for keys, coins and other small items. "Each bag is handmade and available in 13 distinct, unique colors of suede," Juniper Guerrero, owner of Tigo Gifts Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Picture Pockets are inexpensive hanging photo/artwork display galleries that have proved incredibly popular with children and adults alike, for many years, all over the world. Kids love seeing themselves in photos on the wall and seeing their artwork, placed by their teachers. Picture Pockets can be hung in nurseries, kitchens, bedrooms, offices and schools, and used to record happy events, such as births, weddings, holidays, anniversaries or retirements. "Picture Pocket photos are kept clean and undamaged, continually on display, and are easily interchangeable. As soon as you fancy a change, just turn the Picture Pocket over to reveal up to 80 more photos," Director Jon Goldsmith of Clever Little Ideas Ltd., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

This new line is "the next best thing to bare feet" for children ages 1 to 5+ years. Available in EU sizes 20-29 (U.S. children's sizes 6-12), pediped Flex is perfect for children that have outgrown pediped Originals and are ready for the next stage. There are more than 30 adorable Flex styles, including larger versions of many pediped Originals. "They are the only toddler shoes with the Flex Fit system. An additional insole is included with every pair. Put the additional insole in the shoe when it is first bought, [and] when the shoe feels too snug on the child's foot, remove the additional insole and the shoe will have an added half-size of wear," Diane Edgeworth, marketing coordinator for pediped footwear, told TDmonthly. This product received an APMA Seal of Acceptance and a 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: 2009.

From the leader in language instructional videos for children, Language Tree introduces Italian to kids in a way that engages them from start to finish. Blending 3D animation, sing-along songs and interactive games, this DVD clearly demonstrates conversational Italian used in everyday situations. Topics include meeting and greeting, counting, colors, eating and playing. "To enable children to learn faster, we employ a unique methodology,the Multi-Cognition Approach, developed by a Stanford University PhD in Cognitive Sciences. Our DVDs also makes learning fun by incorporating 3D animation, original sing-along songs and interactive, remote-control games," Ana Leung, president of Language Tree, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 6, 2007.

Shains Bracelets are part of the Shains line of fashion accessories and an easy way to begin stylizing one's own fashion. Comes with the full alphabet and seven icons. Available in a variety of colors. Shains are cool, recycled fashion accessories that empower people of all ages to make their own statements — and change them anytime. "Shains are unique in using recycled materials and in their cool colors and new product selections, including unique ponytail holders and backpack keyclips," Owner Ewa Martinoff of Shainsware told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

This handcrafted toy box is available in three colors: natural oak, dark cherry and espresso. The child's name is laser engraved into the front panel for a beautiful effect. The customer also has an option to add a solid aromatic cedar base to the chest for a cedar chest application. The customer can choose from countless designs and font options. This toy chest comes with two lid supports for safety. "Nobody on the planet personalizes toy boxes like we do," President Bob Beck of Wood Creations told TDmonthly. Launch date: 1999.

KAUZBOTS is passionate about inspiring kids and adults to change the world — one kause at a time. Each 18” plush toy robot is handcrafted by a human and passionate about a specific kause. For each KAUZBOT (or accompanying apparel) purchased, 10 percent of the retail price is donated to the kauze that is close to that robot’s heart. More than just a cool robot, KAUZBOTS inspire action and support kauses. Launch date: December 2008.
— Clifford Jackson, manager of The Wizard's Chest in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly in July 2010 that his store sold about a dozen KAUZBOTS over the last month.

This high-quality, framed nursery art makes for a personalized keepsake. Launch date: 2004.

This eco-friendly animal stool is chemical-free, recycled and recyclable. The sculpture piece also has a very real purpose — to be sat upon ridden like a horse. "The product is done in a very humorous way. We have many more styles with an animal table," Cathy Henszey, executive creative director of cardboardesign, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

This creative and fun fashion accessory comes with a Web address and decoder card. It introduces online banking for kids to save for free prizes, and is a great impulse item. It received a 2008 Creative Child Award of Excellence. Launch date: February 14, 2008.

Endango™ is an environmental board game that teaches kids how to go green.  With a unique game strategy, it links children's behaviors to their indirect environmental consequence – the fate of endangered animals. When playing the game, each player is responsible for three endangered animals in an environment.  The points players earn as they navigate the human track affect the fate of the endangered animals in their environment.  Positive points for “green behavior and knowledge” help save the animals; negative points for “less environmentally friendly behaviors” move the animals toward extinction. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Recommended Award.

Thirty-seven easy-to-say singable chants and songs from around the world. Traditional and original. Interesting sound effects, games and clapping, field holler, warm-ups, welcomes, fingerplays, chain gang, sea chantey, celebration, dance, language arts and more.

The Let’s Learn series of Puzzle Doubles! combines a puzzle with additional activities into a highly educational, interactive learning experience for your child. The Let’s Learn puzzles introduce numbers, letters, animals, transportation, foods, and colors & shapes in a bright and colorful way. After assembling the colorful “talk about” puzzle, turn the puzzle over for an entertaining learning activity! Color in the illustrations using the enclosed write- on/wipe-off crayons, and practice those hand writing skills by tracing and writing the letters and words as shown. Each 50 piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ X 2’! Recommended for ages three years and up.

The Create A Scene series combines a puzzle with additional activities to create a fun and interactive learning experience for children. After assembling the puzzle, children can create their own scenes and stories by placing the reusable static stickers on the surface of completed puzzle. Then turn the puzzle over for a big coloring activity. The bright illustrations encourage parent-child conversation. Each 50-piece puzzle measures a giant 3’ X 2’! Recommended for ages three years and up.

Never has early learning been so much fun! These portable, hand-held talking animals are cute and colorful and as much fun as they look. Kids can learn ABC, 123, colors & shapes, animal sounds and favorite nursery rhyme melodies. Each Early Learning Animal Pal teaches something different! The animal pals feature an auto shut-off feature and requires two “AA” batteries (included). With light up buttons and fun, friendly voices and activities, these Early Learning Animal Pals will soon become your child’s favorite toy. Recommended for ages 18+ months and up.

Let Telly The Teaching Time Clock help your child learn to tell both analog and digital time using two quiz modes in two languages. In the learning mode, Telly teaches time in five minute increments by moving his hands and updating his LCD screen. In the quiz mode, Telly asks your child move the hands on his face to match the time displayed on its screen. Telly also features a night-light and comes with a fun digital watch. Learning to tell time has never been so much fun!  Requires three “AA” batteries (included), or an optional 4.5 V AC Adapter (not included). Recommended for ages three years and up. Telly The Teaching Time Clock is available in yellow or pink.

This 15-piece set includes a serving tray, teapot, four plates, four saucers and four cups.
— "They offer good dating and reasonable amounts," Owner Katie Frederick of The Wooden Rainbow in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, said of Schylling in fall 2008. Thirteen percent of 52 retailers named Schylling as a preferred supplier.
— The Schylling Children’s Tea Set was listed as a best seller by Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, in spring 2009. “I love the fact that it looks like Fiesta Ware (for girls or boys),” she said. “It is a nice size, and easy to handle … even dads or grandfathers can pick up a tea cup with their big hands, but they need to learn to sip and not gulp.”

Suitable for ages 6 months and up, this snail is outfitted with a shell that spins as it rolls. It comes with a five-piece stacker shell and one with colorful beads that move all around.
— “They're very easy to communicate with [and] their billing is straightforward,” Pat Cooley of Cooleykatz Toys in Livermore, Calif., said of this preferred vendor. Seventeen percent of 52 retailers named International Playthings as a favorite supplier in fall 2008.
— Two of 64 retailers named this product as a best-selling infant and toddler toy in March 2009.
— “It grows with the child and lasts,” pointed out Theresa Oppenheimer, owner of Toy World in Wayzata, Minn. Janet Hoo of Hoomade Toys in Phoenix, Ariz., told TDmonthly in spring 2009 her store sells about 40 of this item each month.

This colorful, translucent ball rattles when bounced.
— "I like that they have such a large selection of merchandise. They have a low level for free freight,” Fred Gross of Multi Kids Toys Inc. in Boca Raton, Fla., said of Toysmith in fall 2008, when 19 percent of 52 retailers named the company as one of their favorite vendors.

This undercover fingerprint kit comes with file cards, an ink pad, a fingerprint speciman card, fingerprint lifting tape and powder, a magnifying glass and a paint brush so that little kids can record and identify fingerprints.
— “Deliveries are very quick,” Tim Hayes, owner of Learning Express in Sudbury, Mass., told TDmonthly of this preferred vendor in fall 2008. “The pricing is fair. They're easy to do business with and the product sells extremely well.” Nearly 10 percent of 52 retailers named Alex as a favorite supplier.

In addition to the colorful sheep, hare and bear hand puppets, this set includes a die and a memory game for one to four players. It encourages role play, language development and comprehension of rules. Launch date: 2008.
— Lisa McMartin, co-owner of Wonderment Inc. in Minneapolis, told TDmonthly in late 2008 that HABA is one of her most-liked vendors because “they'll take individual orders in their dating program." Nearly 10 percent of 52 retailers named HABA as one of their favorite suppliers.

These colorful wooden blocks, featuring all sorts of creatures from both land and sea, stack up to almost 3'. Package size is 5.75" x 5.75" x 5.7".
— “Melissa & Doug are phenomenal. They have great margins for volumes and are supportive. I wish we had five more of them,” Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer’s Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly in late 2008 when naming the company one of his favorite vendors. Forty-eight percent of 52 retailers surveyed praised Melissa & Doug as a favorite supplier.