December 2009 New Specialty Toys — All

This red T-shirt is 100-percent cotton and features a shiny silver lightning bolt plus a detachable cape in shimmery silver. Since Little Capers are not licensed or specific, children are free to imagine their own super hero identity and powers.
— Shannon Komsky, owner of Tough Cookies in Sherman Oaks, reported strong sales of Little Capers in her store in fall 2009, and recommended them as an ideal gift for kids who already have everything. “Technically its clothes,” she told TDmonthly, “but kids get to use their imagination and play with it.”
— Online Reviews: Leighann of Multi-Minding Mom appreciated the gender-neutral shades and the potential for imaginative play, and MomGadget Eliza liked that the superhero outfit is small enough to drop into a purse on the go, so her little girl could become a superhero at any time. On Thingamababy, a reviewer described the apparel as awesome and well made, but noted the capes could perhaps be a bit wider, and the shirt sizes seem to run a tad small.

This set contains more than 40 pieces, including sizeable tools, nuts and bolts, that little builders can use to construct creative figures and objects.

This one piece design is made for a Knight on the go. Just slip this soft, comfortable shirt on and you are back in the dark ages. It has a hood and sleeves made from a black, soft fabric with a hint of metallic to give it the look of true chain mail. The front is made of black and red crushed velvet with a royal crest.

This environmentally friendly wooden activity board is made of wood from an FSC-monitored source, painted with water-based paints, packaged in a box made of recycled materials, and printed with soy-bean ink. It is colorful, fun and has cute moving eyes, designed with a 1-year-old in mind. It teaches hand-eye coordination, colors, shapes, numbers and characters. It also works like a shape sorter and color-matching game as each of the different shapes has its own home (slot) and can be placed on the wooden pegs of the gears for added color matching and spinning fun. Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards. Launch date: February 14, 2010.

The Adventures of Tommy the Tomato is an alphabet book geared towards ages 4-9. It follows Tommy the Tomato through his days in school where he learns from his classmates as well as his teachers. When reading "The Adventures of Tommy the Tomato", children go on an educational adventure alongside Tommy the Tomato. Throughout the book, Tommy encounters other fruits and vegetables, all of whom explain how they are beneficial to Tommy, and in the same breath, to the child reading.

This green coin features various shades of green with the phrase "Green Revolution" printed on the coin.

This coin is decorated with dandelions traditional to the "Loves Me, Loves Me Not" reference, with the exact phrase printed on the coin.

This Flipoutz™ Bracelet features a solid orange color and comes with a random Flipoutz™ coin. Flipoutz™ are bracelets you can wear and personalize with Flipoutz™ coins. Trade your coins with friends and other Flipouterz. Set up your profile online and tell everyone about yourself and your coins while also tracking traded coins as they are traded from one person to the next.

This Flipoutz™ Bracelet glows in the dark and comes with a random Flipoutz™ coin. Flipoutz™ are bracelets you can wear and personalize with Flipoutz™ coins. Trade your coins with friends and other Flipouterz. Set up your profile online and tell everyone about yourself and your coins while also tracking traded coins as they are traded from one person to the next.

Flipoutz™ are bracelets you can wear and personalize with Flipoutz™ coins. Trade your coins with friends and other Flipouterz. Set up your profile online and tell everyone about yourself and your coins while also tracking traded coins as they are traded from one person to the next. The Flipoutz™ Super Starter Kit includes a bracelet of your choice, a random coin, and two random 2-coin packs (making a total of 5 coins to fill up the bracelet).

Designed for 5- to 10-year-olds, the Fleurville messenger comes in three colors. It has backpack straps and includes a removable, insulated lunch bag. The bag is PVC-free, Teflon-free and lead-free. "The Kid's Messenger bag is extremely stylish and functional, which is hard to find," Analese Belle, in marketing and PR for Fleurville and parent company JJ Cole, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

The Shailie Prom includes 20 assorted jewels, as well as designer taffeta and satin fabrics, designed to give any girl the tools to create her dream prom dress. NO SEWING REQUIRED.

Using VELCRO brand closure, petals, flowers, jewels and skirt pieces simply attach to the base skirt and top. Girls can mix and match skirt tiers, layered petals, jewels and flowers to create and recreate their own good fairy. Fairy includes a total of 54 pieces. NO SEWING REQUIRED Awards: TDmonthly Innovations 2009

Girls can design their own gown for the ball, and then redesign a dress using the same pieces for their next night on the town. All Shailie dress kits can mix and match to create endless designs. NO SEWING REQUIRED. Pink Princess includes a total of nine pieces: two skirts, two sleeves, a bodice, two peplums, a collar and a pink jewel. Awards: 2009 TDmonthly Innovations.

The SandLock 5x5 Sandbox has a patented interlocking design, a CoverLock system and a variety of other one-of-a-kind features. "The SandLock brand is known for it's quality and now we bring all that and more at an affordable price," Chris Freres, Owner, SandLock Sandbox, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

Zipped, this small-sized tote looks like a LEGO mini figure’s head. Unzipped, it’s a landscaped designed specifically for building and playing with LEGO bricks. "ZipBin products unzip to transform from toy tote to playmat in an instant," Dee Farrell, SVP, Neat-Oh! International, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 30, 2010.

This one-person costume is made to create a scene wherever it goes. The wearer appears to be trapped in a bamboo cage being carried by a full-grown gorilla. "This is the first year [it's] offered anywhere for under $1,000. And it attracts LOADS of attention," Brian Kelly, President, HouseHaunters, told TDmonthly. It won 1st place (most creative) at the Maplewood Halloween festival in New Jersey in 2008. Launch date: May 2010.

Players help the mighty polar bear navigate the ice caps of the Bering Sea to find his way back home. This game features endangered wildlife species and includes a manual for kids to learn more about them. Approximately 5 percent from the sale of this product will be donated to support WWF’s global conservation efforts. "The Wildlife Conservation Collection is an assortment of classic, timeless, family-friendly games and puzzles that are made from sustainable materials," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

Under a licensing agreement with World Wildlife Fund, Terra Toys introduces the Wildlife Conservation Collection. Players can challenge themselves in strategy and conservation with the 8-in-1 Combo Games Set, learning about some incredible species. Illustrated game boards and pieces are designed to bring endangered species and habitats to life. Games featured include: chess, checkers, backgammon, dominoes, ludo, pick-up sticks, and salamanders and ladders, plus playing cards and instructions for all games. The games teach strategy and teamwork, improve numbers skills and provide social companionship. The set is portable and compact. The components, including the playing cards, wood pieces, boards and the storage unit, are made from Forest Stewardship Council materials. The pick up sticks are made from bamboo. Package size is 10.5" L x 2" W x 10.5" H. "The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, international non-profit association established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. Approximately 5 percent from the sale of the product will be donated to support WWF’s global conservation efforts. In addition, the products are beautifully designed to stimulate empathy for and understanding of the animals and the unique habitats depicted," Sean Tyrrell, Category Manager, Terra Toys, told TDmonthly. Awards: Dr. Toy Green Toy of the Year 2009. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

These miniature kits are packed full of creativity. All components are food grade and dishwasher safe. Launch date: April 2010.

Kimochis are small pillows with a feeling (happy, sad, silly, brave) printed on one side and a corresponding facial expression on the other. Each Kimochis plush character comes with a set of three feelings and a how-to Kimochis Feel Guide. The characters — Cat, Huggtopus, Cloud, Bug and Lovey Dove — have a special pocket where kids can store their "Kimochis" or feelings. Using the characters and their Kimochis, kids can get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. “Getting back to the basics by playing and communicating with Kimochis™ is a simple, yet powerful way to teach children how to: be aware of feelings, choose how to communicate in emotional moments, and redo mistakes. Children will be drawn to the fun, adorable, accessible characters. Parents will be drawn to the high-quality craftsmanship and the valuable educational content," Susan Schroeder, director of marketing and communications for Plushy Feely Corp., told TDmonthly. Awards: 2009 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence, Best Vacation Products by Dr. Toy, and Kaboose.com's Top 13 Amazing Toys for Preschoolers. Launch date for Lovey Dove: 2010.

Ever wondered if the light in the fridge stays on when you close the door? Fiber optics can light the way. It may sound like some supercomplicated electronic technology, but the basics are quite simple. Author Jim Becker helps kids understand what’s going on as they use the power of light to build 10 high-tech electronic projects, including a burglar alarm, an electronic rooster, and a flexible flashlight. The kit includes two preassembled workbenches (transmitter and receiver), three optical fiber rods and a connector, 26 hookup wires, two LED couplers, 12 activity cards , and a 12-panel fully illustrated booklet. "The retail feedback we have received tells us that there is not a similar product on the market," Darcy Morris, Director of Sales & Marketing, SmartLab Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 30, 2010.

Itsy Bitsy Hearts offers 100-percent organic cotton and each garment comes on a 100-percent recycled hanger. The company's slogan is "Clothing with Heart" because 20 percent of profits are donated to the Heart Gallery in an effort to help foster children find families. They offer hip stone art creations, including adoption designs and black organic styles, for newborns and young children. They are hand pressed in the United States. Launch date: 2009.

This family board game celebrates the important heritage of American county fairs. Designed for two to four players ages 8 to adult, the illustrated game includes many of the fun activites, contests, events and livestock featured at county fairs from coast to coast. "The game appeals to all reading ages and can be played several times in a row; its base idea is national and new and attracts men, women and children alike," Joanne Zwingler Farinacci, owner of J. Bell-Jones LLC, told TDmonthly. Awards: Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award 2009. Launch date: August 27, 2008.