April 2011 Notable Toys — Tween

These Aqua Pets are updated versions of eight fan favorites from the original line. They feature redesigned aqua pods, offering new games and increased interactivity. Each Aquapet has its own look, sounds and songs. The creatures come alive when kids, or other Aquapets, interact with them. A microchip, microphone and speaker housed in the toy's base enable Aquapets to register and respond to sound. Each character replies with movement and melody. The more kids play with their Aquapets, the more songs they will perform and the livelier they'll become. Aqua Pets can also play three new interactive games: - Memory Moov (a memory-building sequence game) - Aqua Speed (a fast-paced reflex challenge) - Bubble Boogie (a fun and silly way to make your mini marionette dance) Place two or more Aquapets together for an AquaParty and the buoyant buddies will dance, chirp and converse with each other. Each energetic character has a sleep function, because even the most interactive friends need to rest.

These loveably freaky, ghoulishly cute zombies are the newest additions to the Creepy Cuddlers family. The trio of characters includes : Deathmittens- an undead feline with an exposed radius bone and bandaged tail; Zach and Ophelia- both feature real cloth clothing and skin that has “decayed” patches exposing the corduroy “sinew” below. Set includes all three figures. Launch date: September 2011.

Roxie the Doxie, a new character line whose life inspires adventurous young girls to learn more about the world’s most interesting cities, features plush animals, stationery and room décor for girls. Roxie the Doxie takes tweens along for the ride as she travels the globe to meet new friends and explore the food, fun and fashions other cultures have to offer. The smart and inquisitive Roxie likes exploring, discovering, learning new things, trying new foods, sharing with her friends and journaling about all her adventures. She travels a lot because her parents are diplomats and take her all over the world. Roxie keeps in touch with her friends by sending them postcards and emails. Each product offering will highlight the different locations Roxie visits; the first being Paris (next stop, London). The “dream” plush with journal has an MSRP of $20. Plush is safe for ages three and up.

Each PetCakes animal features a "frosting" hat, comes nestled in its own cupcake wrapper and has its own whimsical backstory. At first look, children will see a delicious cupcake but will then be surprised by the pet they find snuggled inside. PetCakes are collectible and provide hours of open-ended imaginative play.

Made of 100% hypo-allergenic silicone, SLAPlets and SLAPlinx are customizable, tradeable fashion. The SLAPlet is a bright silicone slap bracelet that can be customized with slip-on SLAPlets. There are currently 6 fun colors available (blue, black, red, white, purple and pink) with six more on the way. Each SLAPlet comes with three SLAPlinx. SLAPlinks can also be bought separately in twelve-packs for $5.99.

Purse Switchables are purses that change in a snap. A little girl can change the style of her purse by snapping on a new cover. The purse handles and liners are 12inches x 8inches. The handles are easy to grasp. The covers are easy to snap on and off. There are 12 colorful covers to choose from with different textures, materials and designs.Daisy is green with quilted petals, Rasta is a shaggy pink and green striped, Cuppy is pink with a quilted cupcake, Rosy is a lavender satin with a row of colorful roses. The base purses, which are purse liners with handles, are $15 each and come in three color options: Aqua, Pink and Purple. The Purse Covers are $10. This is where the fun and creativity comes to play. There are 12 different 8inch x 8inch covers to choose from and collect.

Friendship Linkz are colorful friendship bracelets hand-made in Peru using Fair Trade practices.  Each one comes with a silk-screened clay bead at the end. On one side of the bead "lives" a totem animal; on the other side "lives" a special word that relates to each animal. Friendship Linkz can connect kids to things that matter most in life: their friends, favorite animals, and words to live by.

Kachooz are an all new collectible line of unique and furry pencil toppers that come with different hair textures and colors. Launching with 36 new characters consisting of 20 different kinds of creatures, Kachooz!™ live in six little groups –  tiny tribe clusters they call Moops. The Moops are Nervous, 2Faced, Highlights, Mohawk, and Punk. Come in packs of two or four.

The Laser Game Khet 2.0 has arrived. The completely redesigned game for 2011 combines lasers with classic strategy for an experience enjoyed by players ages 9-99. Players alternate turns moving Egyptian themed mirrored pieces, after which they fire their real, eye-safe laser with the goal of illuminating their opponents' pieces and winning the game.

Each starter pack comes with one collectors book and a pack of numbered stickers to place inside. There are over 1,200 stickers to find to complete the collection, and plenty of places to showcase the child's own designs as well. Each blind pack of stickers that comes with the book includes a water sticker, plus a combination of epoxy, foil, puffy and glitter stickers. Additional refill packs available (Note: It will take approximately 9 sticker packs to fill each StickerZine).

Inspired by the popular 90's toy, these silicone watches can be slapped onto wrists. They come in a variety of vibrant colors and in two sizes, small or large. The analog watch face is backed in the same vibrant color as the watch band, and the watch face is framed by a metal in the same shade as well. These watches can be collected, swapped, or worn in multiples to create a bold fashion statement.
— Kay Emigh of Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in late Summer 2011 that small Silly Slapz! Slap Watches were a top-three best-selling item in the store.
— John Taylor, owner of O.P. Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that he sells 250 slap watches a month between his three stores.

The Fashion Diva line includes many different styles of nail art including glittery stickers and press-on nail decorations.

LockerLookz Wallpaper for lockers comes in eight fun patterns. The wallpaper is held up by 20 super-strong magnets, making sure no damage is done to the locker itself. The LockerLookz line of Wallpaper and accessories allows kids to personalize their space at school.
— Betsy Ordemann, owner of Magic Box LTD in New Orleans, La., told TDmonthly that she sells dozens of each piece of the LockerLookz line each month, and up to 3 dozen of the most popular pieces. “It's unbelievably popular. It's totally different than anything else in the market,” she said.
— Christine Osborne, co-owner of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that LockerLookz was their best selling tween item. "We don't know how many" are sold, she said, "because it sells out too quickly!"
— William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell 100 LockerLookz products each month, making them a best seller in the tween category.

The Real Hairstyle Dolls feature fashion collections based on Justin’s lifestyle from beachwear to performances to red carpets, and each doll comes with several cool accessories such as a skateboard, backpack or sunglasses.

Make bracelets, charms, and necklaces anyway you want. Give the jewelry a twist and it turns into a cute animal figure. There are over 60 characters to choose from, and the different beads are interchangeable.

This beautiful Barbie ZipBin®Clutch is a girly accessory for any outfit.  With Barbie-pink woven designs on the front dressing room on the inside, the Barbie ZipBin Clutch  lets every girl make a statement. Launch date: June 1st, 2011.

Players form words with the letters in their hand. They add a letter, build a new word, and capture their opponent's word, all in one turn. Players score points and earn 'royalties' for words of all one color. The player with the most points at the end of the game wins. "Gameplay allows players to capture cards to build bigger, better words," Lynn Araujo, communications director for U.S. Games Systems, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.
Awards: A Games 100 Selection (2008, 2009, 2010)

Aurora's 14 all-new 12.5-inch sassy Mood Monkeys allow tweens and teens to express who they really are. The 14 styles include Book Worm, Catty, Soo Silly, Bad Hair Day, Chatterbox, Boy Crazy, Sweet Tooth, Ray of Sunshine, Oops Clumsy, I Love Shopping, Giggly, Sleepyhead, Party Girl and Spa Girl.

This historical fiction/fantasy mash-up explores romance and the afterlife, set during the chaos of the Russion Revolution. Offering an imaginitive explanation for the whereabouts of Princess Anastasia and Prince Alex when the rest of their family was murdered, author Laura Whitcomb creates a world in between worlds where Calder, a Fetch, attends the dying and excorts souls to heaven. This romance with Christian themes escalates when Calder and the young royals are pursued by the malicious Rasputin and a host of lost souls.  Ultimately, goodness and love prevail. This book received a Booklist starred review

The Connectors are the new "Connectable and Collectible" silicone string bracelets that can interlock to form various fashion accessories. Made from stretchy, hypoallergenic silicone, kids can use these 7 inch long multicolored strings alone or connect several together. The Connectors come in packs of four in a variety of colors and patterns. Variations include translucent Crystal Connectors and Team Spirit Connectors in all color combination that show team pride.