December 2011 New Specialty Toys — All

This premium edition game features the great fun of Monopoly with many premium upgrades including a solid wood cabinet in a black painted finish with a recessed flocked silver foil stamped rolling area.  Other upgrades include an integrated storage area with lined compartments and a wooden banker's tray.  This deluxe set also includes a silver foil stamped game path and Chance and Community Chest cards, Monopoly money with silver ink printing, wooden houses and hotels and plated die-cast tokens.

For game fans who like nostalgia and style, Winning Solutions’ Library Classic Collection includes special editions of MONOPOLY, SCRABBLE and CLUE board games, packaged within a luxe faux-leather “book” that makes a decorative addition to any bookshelf. Each game design is inspired by original graphics and game pieces that made these brands cultural icons, such as wooden houses and hotels in the MONOPOLY Library Classic game, and die-cast metal “weapon” play pieces in the CLUE Libary Classic version.

Players of all ages and abilities will enjoy the new BIG scale Scrabble, which is 50 percent larger than the original version, making the print easier to read and letters easier to manipulate for older (and even younger) players. The Giant SCRABBLE game features an oversized, rotating wooden game board. The tiles and rack are also made with wood and the gold-foil raised grid keeps letters in place during play.

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 Cassie brings plenty of charm to a doll's neighborhood. The second floor has two dormers with gable windows, while the first floor features a transom-lit door and three-over-four windows for well-lit living spaces. An open back makes designing and decorating easy. This superior-quality dollhouse comes as natural, unpainted wood, and is ready to be assembled, shingled and decorated by its owner. Shingles and paint not included in kit. 1:12 scale. Dimensions: 18" x 20.5" x 24" Assembled
— In an October 2011 survey, Robert Lightburn from Cville's Hobbies, Games and Toys in Charlottesville, Va., told TDmonthly that "Collectible doll houses, like Melissa and Doug's House that Jack Built," are their best selling keepsake items.

In this game, players build a railroad empire in the land of the rising sun. Players use their initial investment to build track. Then pick up commodities where they are grown, mined, or manufactured and deliver them to a lucrative place of demand. Players complete a delivery and make the money they need to buy larger, faster trains, and expand their railroad empire. Win the game by building the most effective railroad empire. Obstacles are rival tracks and Japan’s great mountains, channels, and rivers and restrictive coastline.
Nippon Rails is geographically accurate. The game depicts Japan’s rivers, plains, and mountains, as well as its natural resources. It’s a great way to learn about the geography, business, shipping, and transportation of Europe while having fun with friends or family. For 2-6 players. Playing Time: 120-240 minutes. Launch date: October 20, 2011.
— As of 10/20/2011 this product had 6.7 out of 10 stars from 358 ratings on BoardGameGeek.com.

Watching the rising and falling colored blobs in these lamps is hypnotizing. They measure 13.75 inches tall and come in three assorted colors: pink, green and blue.
— Mary Porter, owner of Curiosity Zone in Ashburn Va., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that she sells several of these lamps each month, making them her best selling tween item.
— Marc Slotin, owner of My Imagination Station in Spartanburg, S.C., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2013 survey that lava lamps were a big seller with tweens.

This bracelet features a pink band covered in orange rhinestones, and bright orange ties. 7" long.
— Joanne Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that jewelry from Natural Life is a best selling product for tweens at her store.

A class trip to a local natural history museum  takes a  dangerous turn for the characters of this book, the fifth and allegedly final installment of The Secret Series, when a mummy with a missing finger goes missing. Launch date: September 2011.
— As of 10/19/2011 this book had 5 out of 5 stars from 155 reviews on BarnesandNoble.com.
— As of 10/19/2011 this book had 5 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on Amazon.com.
— As of 10/19/2011 this book had 4.39 out of 5 stars from 106 ratings on GoodReads.com.

There’s a conga in the Congo with these 10 wild instruments. Includes Leopard conga drum with 10-bell tambourine lid; Antelope slide whistle; Hornbill water whistle; 2 giraffe maracas; Croc cabasa & clacker; Twister hand drum and 2 snake drumsticks.

Designed by a physician to assist in developing a child’s oral-motor alertness. The Busy Bee Baby Buzzer stimulates auditory senses with blinking lights and music. The bee gently vibrates and plays soothing and calming classical tunes. The bee’s soft ears are ideal for the orally-dependent child. The color buttons let caregiver or child select what they’d like to hear.

Place the last puzzle piece into the emergency vehicle to see the lights flash and hear the sirens. This 9-piece wooden peg puzzle features three 3-piece emergency vehicles, with a full-color, matching picture under each piece.

Crayola Super Tips Markers have unique, durable tips for drawing thick or thin lines. Use the sides for coloring in large areas and the tips for adding details. Super Tips are great for school projects, doodling, and coloring fun.These markers use ink that's formulated to easily wash from skin and most children's clothing. As an added bonus, these sets include some Silly Scent markers. The set of 50 contains 12 markers with silly scents.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 3.9 out of 5 stars from 5 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros:  Very washable; scented markers smell good. Cons: Yellow marker is actually orange; colors aren't true to their cap colors.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 4.2 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Glides smoothly; good color variety; comfortable grip. Cons: Messy; two reviewers said that the markers were not, in fact, washable.

Take home this LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean The Black Pearl (4184). After 13 years, Davy Jones has come to take Jack Sparrow back to the Flying Dutchman. As his tentacled adversary boards the Black Pearl with his brackish crew, Maccus and Bootstrap Bill, Jack and his friends Will and Joshamee are in no mood to surrender just yet. The LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean The Black Pearl (4184) includes: Jack Sparrow MiniFigure; Will Turner MiniFigure; Joshamee Gibbs MiniFigure; Davy Jones MiniFigure; Maccus and Bootstrap Bill MiniFigures. Contains 804 pieces. Launch date: October 2011.

Kids can transform, configure, and manipulate Block Builders for endless building and perpetual design. Fold and unfold the six distinctively hinged blocks to create skyscrapers, modern art sculptures, geometric marvels - just about anything imaginable. Includes 50 puzzle challenge cards. Block Builders puzzle challenge cards range from beginner to expert. Look at the design on the front of the card and recreate the shape using the indicated number of blocks. The solution is provided in an exploded view on the opposite side of the card.

Kids can watch ants create 3-D tunnels in nutrient-rich, translucent gel with the brand new Ant Farm Revolution from Uncle Milton. Ant Farm Revolution is the next generation in ant farm technology, with integrated LED light and projecting lens. This new ant habitat not only provides a home for ants, but also illuminates from within and projects GIANT ant shadows onto the wall or ceiling. Ants need to be ordered online.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: "Feels more like art than a toy;" interesting to all ages.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 1 out of 5 stars from 1 review on ToysRUs.com. Cons: Reviewer said the ants got out of their container.

This Pigeon plush toy, from Caldecott Honor Award Winning Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, has a bean-filled body of soft chenille with embroidered eyes, and velour feet and legs. Squeeze Pigeon and hear him plead "Let Me Drive the Bus!!!"... in author Mo Willems' own voice.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 7 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Cute; good for kids who are fans of the book. Cons: No off switch.

Kids add friendly insects from their yard, watch them grow into giant supersized shadows on their ceiling, and move as they crawl about in the magnified-projector dome. The spacious observatory chamber is safe for bugs and kids. The projector’s buggy eyes light up, too.

These helium-filled shark balloons are remote controlled to "swim" through the air. The infrared remote functions include climb, descend, and tail fin control. Up to a 40 ft range. 57 inches long, 36 inches high.
— As of 10/14/2011 this product had 2.8 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews on ToysRUs.com. Pros: Visually striking. Cons: Difficult to assemble; flimsy; does not stay inflated very long.
— Mike McCollum, owner of Learning Express in Hoover, Ala., told TDmonthly in November 2011 that Air Swimmers are becoming one of his best selling flying toys. He said that since September 2011, he has sold 16 of the sharks and 7 of the clown fish.

OMG! Hand painted tin charms bring fashion and fun together. The adjustable necklace makes the perfect fit for any girl. Each one comes in an organza bag. 16" long, adjustable necklace. On the back of each necklace is a text expression, such as "BFF," "I<3U" and "LOL." 12 styles available.
— Joanne Smith co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in October 2011 that they sell 3-4 dozen items from Natural Life each month. They have "lots of quirky jewelry and accessories for teens and tweens," she said.

Clear directions for ten different kinds of bracelets, with all the colorful floss and beads needed to make them. A built-in clipboard provides the ideal work surface for this craft.
— Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly in October 2011 that they sell about 8 of these kits each month, making them a best seller in the jewelry and accessories category.
— In a January 2012 survey about arts and crafts toys, two out of 13 retailers said that Klutz's Friendship Bracelets book was a best selling toy.
— In a December 2013 survey three out of 10 retailers said that Klutz made their best-selling books.

90632A Jada Toys Bigtime Kustoms - 1959 Chevy Impala Hard Top. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This 1959 Chevorlet Impala is a 9.25"L x 3.25"W x 2.25"H with openable hood, doors & trunk, KMC SS 5-spoke rims. This 1959 Chevrolet Impala is a diecast metal and street lowrider. Manufactured by Jada Toys. Big Time Muscle. 4 pcs per display box in assorted colors. GM is a trademark of the General Motors Corporation.

1002 Sun Star European - 1963 Aston Martin DB5 Hard Top. 1:18 scale diecast collectible model car. This Aston Martin DB5 is a 9.75"L x 3.5"W x 2.75"H die-cast metal car with openable doors & hood. Mounted on a display stand. European collectibles. This Aston Martin DB5 is manufactured by Sunstar. Individually packed in a window box. Box size: 14"L x 6.5"W x 5"H. 1002 is in DARK RED.

96320 Jada Toys Heat - Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Police. 1:24 scale diecast collectible model car. This Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Police car is an 8.25"L x 3.75"W x 2"H die cast metal car with openable hood, doors & trunk, free wheeling, and HRE 542R rims. This Lamborghini Murcielago LP-640 is manufactured by Jada Toys. 4 pcs per display box in BLACK color with white doors, roof & hood. 16 pcs per inner box.