April 2011 Notable Toys — Preschool

Dressed in a concert style tee, Elmo takes the stage singing and making music. Elmo comes with his very own microphone and two instruments, a tambourine and a drum set. Preschoolers can choose which instrument Elmo plays, and he recognizes which one he is given. Kids can also play along on Elmo's instruments. Elmo also interacts with other Let's Rock instruments (each sold separately); he knows when kids are playing the instruments, and plays along. The Let's Rock Elmo toy sings six songs. Requires six 'AA' batteries, included.

Shaun the Sheep is back for more wild adventures from the Oscar®-winning creators of Wallace & Gromit. Fun on the farm with Shaun and his barnyard buddies springs to life, from bouncing sheep and a super-sized Timmy to bagpipe buddies and a short-sighted farmer, there’s no limit to the wild things these animals will do. Shaun the Sheep™: Spring Shenanigans, features seven wacky new episodes from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.  Shaun the Sheep is the second fastest growing children’s brand in 2009 (Source: Nielsen), and a new preschool spin off series, Timmy Time™, featuring one of the characters from Shaun the Sheep, debuted in the U.S. on Playhouse Disney in September 2010.  Five minute shorts of Shaun the Sheep currently air in the U.S. on the Disney Channel, but full-length episodes are available ONLY on DVD. Launch date: January 25, 2011.

The Wonderworld Rapping Kangaroo Sound Producing Push Toy makes a rapping-snappin­g sound and bobs its head up and down when it is pushed. The handle and wheels are wooden and the rapping giraffe is plush.
— The Rapping Kangaroo is a best seller in the wooden toys category for Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va.

Let's get ready to read with I Spy! Players read the riddle on their gameboard, find the objects the riddle refers to, and punch them out. The game can be played in reverse by reading the riddles, naming the objects, and placing them back into your board. The game develops necessary pre-reading, verbal, and visual skills. "I Spy Ready To Read uses unique I Spy imagery and riddles to encourage kids into learning to read," Carol Comes, senior product manager at Briarpatch Inc., told TDmonthly.

This plush Curious George Storytime Pal features a stuffed animal with a child sized blanket folded inside. When the blanket is removed children can snuggle up and use the stuffed animal as a pillow. The blanket zips on and off and is machine washable; the Zoobie stuffed animal is held in shape by two velcro tabs.
— In late Spring 2011, 8% of retailers surveyed by TDmonthly mentioned Zoobies as a best-selling toy for infants & toddlers.
— In a May 2012 survey, one out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Zoobies were their best selling plush/puppet item.
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Magic Box Toys.

This new worldwide hit television series is about eager young engines Wilson, Brewster and Koko as they learn to become working trains in the land of Chuggington. In these six episodes, the trainees find fun and excitement as they get lost in a deserted town, handle an important responsibility in the safari park, and discover that the repair shed isn't such a scary place after all. There's plenty of action and laughs along the way with lessons about overcoming fear, responsibility and problem solving, all while discovering social-readiness values like friendship, teamwork, courtesy and more. As the trains practice their skills and complete daily tasks, they learn to ride the rails of life.
— Christine Osborne, co-owner of Wonder Works Toys in Charleston, S.C., said Chuggington was her best-selling licensed line of toys. "It's selling great without a display table set up," she told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 11 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Engaging characters; teaches positive peer interaction; bright and interesting graphics. Cons: Some reviewers wished it had been longer; the theme song is almost too catchy.

Wow! Wow! Love is in the air! Watch Wubbzy, Widget, Walden and Daizy in these Valentine-themed episodes full of friendship and appreciation! What happens when Wubbzy uses Cupid’s bubble-blower to bring together Wuzzleburg's oddest couples? Can Wubbzy and friends find the fastest way ever to make their own valentines?