December 2009 New Specialty Toys — Licensed Products

Captain America stands approximately 12 ½ inches tall (1/6th scale) with one foot on a rocky stone base decorated with the classic Avengers “A” logo. The deluxe motif base connects to those of the other members of the Avengers Reborn series, Thor and Iron Man. Sculpted by master artist Junnosuke Abe, Captain America is constructed of high-quality cold cast porcelain and is a limited, numbered edition. Created in 1941 by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America started from humble beginnings as Steve Rogers, who enlisted into the U.S. military and recruited into the "Super Soldier" program. After receiving the "Super Soldier" serum, Rogers was transormed him into a paragon of human athleticism. With a red, white, and blue costume and special aerodynamic shield, Captain America burst onto the superhero scene. Throughout his illustrious career Rogers would team up with other heroes and fight alongside the Avengers on multiple occasions. Though he was thought dead at the end of the Civil War storyline, the original Captain America was displaced in time and is destined to return as a member of the Avengers Reborn with Thor and Iron Man.

This 32-piece wooden railway set includes 15 pieces of track to connect into the figure 8 pattern, a couple of trees, a conductor, three vehicles, a bridge and a Stop & Go Station.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in late 2009 his store sells about two per week of this item.
— "I started doing a lot better with Thomas when they brought back reps," Steve Levy, owner of Toy City in Keene, N.H., said in fall 2009.

Made in collaboration with ASUS, this Disney netbook computer for kids is designed to be Web-safe and easy to use. It has a sturdy design, various options for parental control, an 8.9” LCD screen, Wi-Fi capabilities, Windows XP Home, and child-friendly software that features Disney. It is available in Princess Pink and Magic Blue. Launch date: Summer 2009.

The wide tracks of this tactical slot race track provide optimal racing in bends with sensational drifts and power slide action—you can accelerate, brake, even pass and change lanes at full speed with the touch of a button. Maximize the action by racing up to six cars at once on a stable track system with perfect track contact every time. Both the track and cars are made to scale (1:24 and 1:32 respectively). Cars are individually codable with five speeds and are controlled digitally.

The Jane Goodall Save the Animals Kit features 50 icons of species that have been brought back from extinction. With each purchase, 10 percent is donated to the Jane Goodall Institute to continue to raise awareness and support the animals of the world. "[It's] the only kit to feature these 50 species and the kit bracelets and elements are made from recycled materials," Ewa Zielinski, owner of Shainsware, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

The Project Runway Rockstar Style Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio lets girls create a look for their favorite musician or their own future rock band. Girls use the stencils to start the design, then follow the instructions for inspiration and how to shade the design to make it look like it was done by a professional. This portfolio includes 40 fashion design sketch pages and 50+ stencils. "The stencils that can be easily taken out, and popped back into the portfolio (so they won't get lost!) will help girls start their designs with a real shape and form to work with," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009.

The Project Runway Make-Up & Hair Design Sketch Portfolio allows girls to create their own hair and make up looks on pre-printed Fashion Angels model sketch pads. The set includes removable plastic stencil cards with more than 100 shapes to start girls creating the next wild hair color streaks, what color lip gloss will be the next hot trend, or how to wear make-up and hair to a rockin’ concert. The book also has easy-to-follow instructions on how to draw like the pros with shading techniques and funky details. Launch date: August 2009.

The Project Runway Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio allows kids to create their own portfolio book of clothing and accessory designs on the pre-printed Fashion Angels model sketch pads. The set includes removable plastic stencil cards with more than 100 shapes to start girls on their way to creating finished looking designs. The book also has easy-to-follow instructions on how to draw like professional designers with shading techniques and funky details. "The sketch portfolio has an awesome section in the front that walks kids through how to do different shading techniques so they can make their drawing look realistic and three dimensional. The stencils can be taken out, and placed back into the portfolio so kids won't lose them," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009.

Kids can learn to style trend-setting runway hair-dos with this deluxe studio set. They get started with the step-by-step design guide on how to use different hair accessories to create many funky hairstyles. The included headband, scarf, clips and many more hair accessories offers a great start to create fab hair to complement any look they want to achieve. "The design guide is what really makes this kit. It has everything about hair styling from how to create volume to how to use the scarf and clips included in the kit to make dramatic up-dos," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Girls can challenge their skills, or their friends', as a fashion accessory designer by creating new, fresh accessory looks worthy of any runway. They use the accessory challenge spinner to give them the elements, and then take inspiration from the design guide and sketch. "Girls love purses and shoes, so this kit will challenge them to come up with some outrageous designs. This kit is just like the television show, with an unusual challenge to create the designs around," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Ever wonder about the techniques make-up artists use to create the extreme looks you see on the runway? Girls can learn to do fun high-fashion make-up with this deluxe studio set. They plan and record the high-fashion looks by using the pre-printed sketch pad. The sketch pads and make-up palette allows them to create the best looks for any face shape. The make-up style guide illustrates make-up looks throughout history to use in their own looks. "The kit includes a 21 color make-up artist palette, plus the make-up brushes and applicators so you can really get into the techniques of how to apply make up. The full color make-up guide shows all the make up trends throughout history, so girls can learn and be inspired from trends of the past and combine them for future trends," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Girls can customize and redesign T-shirts, tanks and hoodies to create their very own funky, personalized look with the Project Runway Graphic T-Shirt Design Studio Set. They can use the style guide for tips and ideas on how to redesign their clothes to make them unique works of art. The stencils, ribbons, fabric markers and Cooler Jeweler stud setting tool will get girls on your way to making the freshest shirts around for them and their friends. Launch date: 2009.

Girls can push your skills as a fashion designer by challenging themselves to create fabulous outfits suitable for the runway. The “Fashion Design Challenge Sketch Book Set” takes inspiration direct from the show’s weekly challenges. The spinner will tell girls where to start; the rest is up to them. They spin the included wheel and then design a garment based on an endless combination of challenges, such as creating a formal gown, out of corduroy, with an astrological theme in 30 minutes. This set includes a challenge spinner, colored pencils, two fashion sketch pads, a style guide and a pencil sharpener. Launch date: 2008.

This kit is based on the premise that the key to learning how to draw fashions is to understand the body shape that is under them. Girls can pose and sketch the mannequin, then gradually add on their own unique fashion designs. "The design guide show step by step techniques on how to understand proportion of the body. The posable mannequin is a nice addition to the kit for a visual item to sketch and practice from," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Girls can learn how to design and construct fashions with the Project Runway Dress Making and Draping Set. The deluxe design guide will teach basic sewing techniques plus more advanced draping methods to help girls discover the world of sewing and garment design in 3-D. The kit includes a 12” dress form, pattern, material, ribbon, needles, thread, and much more to help create gorgeous dresses suitable for any runway. "With the dress form, and all of the items needed to create a few different dress styles, it is one of the next steps in all of our Fashion Design Sketch Books. Taking design into the third dimension, so girls can learn how to create their designs on a "real" person and learning all about sewing and garment construction," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

The Project Runway Fashion Design Projector Kit is created to make it easy to design fabulous runway-worthy outfits. Girls project and trace clothing and accessory shapes onto the model sketch sheets, then add their own color and details to complete a look. The kit includes 125+ fashion image slides and unlimited ideas and tips in the design guide. Users can store pencils, image wheels and drawings in the compartment within the projector to take the kit on the go. "Girls love this kit because with the slide images of the clothing, they can start their designs with a professional looking base or outline drawing, and customize it with their own twists. The design guide provides great tips on shading techniques to really make the drawings look polished," Sarah Koth, PR coordinator for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

It’s bedtime and Llama Llama is snuggled under his covers ready for sleep. Suddenly he feels so alone! He needs his mama. Where is Mama!!! She soon comes back with a hug and a kiss — “Mama Llama’s always near, even if she’s not right here.” Now, at last, Baby Llama can fall asleep. Llama Llama Doll is a soft and warm bedtime companion. "Llama Llama Red Pajama," "Llama Llama Mad at Mama" and "Llama Llama Misses Mama" are written by Anna Dewdney and published by Viking.

Everyone needs to have a friend at school. But when it’s the first day of school and the friend you bring along is a mouse and your school is for cats, things might not go as planned ... Join Splat as he makes new friends and takes care of his old ones in the best-selling books by Rob Scotton. Coming this fall: Merry Christmas, Splat.
—"It's a known series, and it's good and not too scary," said Mary Walsh-Martel, owner of Magical Child in Greenfield, Mass. It was one of her 2010 Halloween sellers.

When aliens fly down to Earth,
They don’t come to meet YOU . . .
They simply want your underpants –
I’ll bet you never knew!
Are you perhaps missing some underpants? Kids can see this one-eyed monster, clad in briefs, in action in the zany, hilarious book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. "Aliens Love Underpants" is published by Barron’s Educational Series.

This famous pig has a sassy personality and a big imagination, and has delighted readers for years in the books by Ian Falconer. This doll, dressed in her classic red dress, is full of charm and wit, designed to delight Olivia lovers of all ages.

This plastic case features Hello Kitty on a background with strawberries and polka dots. It’s designed to fit fourth-generation Apple iPods, 8GB or 16 GB. The case measures 6.5” x 0.5” x 3.25”.
— Three of 39 specialty storeowners mentioned Hello Kitty items when asked about best-selling products for tween girls in fall 2009.

This one-size-fits-all bracelet has a textured football design with white lacing and features the Philadelphia Eagles logo in the center. Other teams are available.
— LB Toys in Media, Pa., sells both football and baseball wristbands from Gamewear, going through about 24 per month, Owner Jamie Burdette told TDmonthly in fall 2009.

In this kit built around eco-friendly activities, kids get to shrink plastic, make a compost tube, make paper, decompose food, learn about reducing, reusing and recycling, and more.
— Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly in August 2009 that her store sold 36 of the Magic School Bus series kits in one month.