January 2010 Notable Toys — All

The Clingy Cord is an adjustable, decorative elastic cord that secures sippy cups, bottles, blankets, toys, pacifiers, stuffed animals and other go-everywhere items to the stroller, high chair, car seat, diaper bag, shopping cart, etc., so when a child throws their belongings they don't hit the floor. The Clingy Cord eliminates the need to retrieve an item over and over again for a child and reduces the risk of losing belongings. It is designed to be soft, safe and durable. "It is the only one on the market that is completely adjustable to fit a variety of products. ... You can also add additional links to hold more than one object," Carolyn Carter, owner of CaitiMac Creations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2007.

This puzzle disc spins back and forth on a string, mixing colors and shapes. It's designed to help kids develop their creativity while they play. "It is the first product of its kind. It makes kids stay active and at the same time learn principles of physics, color and composition. Even adults can find this product as a relaxing and calming object to play with," Junior Mendez, President, JJ Mendez Studio, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 6, 2010.

Kids can discover the complex inner-workings of a pirate ship, from the roaring raids on a Spanish galleon to the salvage mission of a sunken vessel. From the outer decks to the crew’s quarters, this book reveals various parts of the pirate life. Intricate illustrations show the smallest details and may cause some laughs as readers notice funny scenes hidden inside the ship. It features naval battle scenes, a sunken ship panorama, and even pirates dropping cannon balls. Kids can peek behind decks, windows and hulls to unfold panoramic foldouts. The following page gives a breakdown of each scene with clear explanations, interesting facts and more illustrations. "Panoramic gatefolds and wonderfully engaging illustrations reveal the rich and colorful scenes of a pirate ship," Jessica Lemp, Marketing Assistant, Langenscheidt Publishing Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Girls can peek behind foldouts and flaps to uncover a treasure of royal secrets from favorite fairy tale princesses, such as Cinderella, Thumbelina and Snow White. The life of a Princess is one of diamonds, ball gowns and handsome princes, but it’s also filled with little secrets. How did the Princess feel the pea? What lies in Sleeping Beauty’s spell book? Launch date: November 2009.

Kids can discover the complex inner-workings of a castle, from the lavish banquet hall of the lord and lady to the soldiers arming the battlements, and from the outer moat to the inner chamber. Intricate, full-color illustrations show the minute detail, and funny scenes are hidden in the art behind the castle wall. Readers can peek behind doors, windows and walls, and open panoramic foldouts, then find a breakdown of each scene on the next page. Launch date: 2010.

This handbook covers everything from when dinosaurs lived to when they disappeared, how they grew up to the different varieties that existed, and more. Foldout pages and flaps that lift reveal further information to make discovering facts about dinosaurs a fun and educational experience. "This unique book combines fresh, interactive design and eye-catching illustration to make an educational topic fun," Jessica Lemp, Marketing Assistant, Langenscheidt Publishing Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2009.

This handbook is designed to explain global warming in a simple-to-understand, fun-to-read way. Kids will discover how global warming affects us all, what a carbon footprint is, what greenhouse gases are, and more. Foldout pages and flaps lift to reveal further information to make discovering facts about global warming a fun and educational experience. Launch date: November 2009.

This fold-out handbook answers kids' questions, such as, "Where do clouds come from? What is wind? Why does it rain? How are rainbows formed?" Foldout pages and flaps that lift to reveal further information are designed to make discovering facts about the weather a fun and educational experience. Launch date: November 2009.

Parents can use one solid decanter to easily serve a balanced meal in a clean, simplified and relaxed way. It is BPA free and won a 2009 iParenting Media Award. "It is an easy to use, versatile food dispenser that can be used at home or on the go," Elizabeth Meuser, President, Baby Banquet, LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 18, 2008.

This portable, all natural bottle warmer provides for multiple feedings on an airplane or just while running errands. It provide a tepid temperature that increases the nutritional value of breast milk or infant formula. It also offers slow, natural warmth that increases tryptophan, which naturally produce relaxation and sleep. It can also be used with sippy cups. Awards: 2010 National Parenting Center; 2010 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: September 19, 2009.

Inspired by babies who like to tug on jewelry, Teething Bling is patent-pending teething jewelry that looks like real gemstone but is actually soft and flexible because it's made from the same material as most teething toys. The pendants and bangles are designed to look great on the adult wearer but are safe for curious babies to handle and chew. They contain no harmful chemicals and are CSPIA compliant and CE marking approved.

The award-winning, patented Golfer’s Footprint® Swing Trainer is designed to help golfers learn ball control. Recommended by top PGA, LPGA, and Natural Golf® instructors, the Golf Swing Trainer takes golfers back to the fundamentals — simply point and shoot. "The Golfer’s Footprint® works with all your clubs from driver to wedges and is an excellent trainer for focusing your chipping game around the green. You can even use the trainer in the bunker to master those difficult sand shots. The trainer is designed to fit in your golf bag, so no matter where you go, you have a professional golf lesson with you. Simply point and swing and you’re on the path to a better golf game and lower scores. The trainer is available in left- and right-handed models," Marshall Townsend, President, Golfer's Footprint, told TDmonthly. Awards: iparenting Media Outstanding Products of 2007. Launch date: June 2001.

Nanodots are sets of spherical magnets (dots) held together by magnetic force. You can use them as a stress ball, putty, or constructor to build fascinating creations. Inspired by the miniature craft of nanotechnology, Nanodots are designed to supply players of all skill levels with endless fun and creativity, wherever they go. The magnets are protected by a shiny resilient surface with anti-bacterial properties, offering the benefit of industrial, kid-proof strength in a lightweight form. "There is no predefined set of rules one has to follow. As the players advance their skill levels, they experiment with magnetic properties and discover a diversity of unique applications. Nanodots can be rearranged into an infinite number of formations and original compositions," Tim Szeto, Director of Sales & Marketing, Nano Magnetics Ltd., told TDmonthly. Available in Original ($29.99), Black/Silver ($34.99), and Gold ($39.99). Launch date: September 2009.
— Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean 's Toys and Treats in Montclair, N.J., sells about three Nanodots per week, she said in autumn 2010.

This 1,000-piece puzzle features illustrated arachnids from all over the world, from big tarantulas to tiny scorpions. This high-quality puzzle includes educational information to make assembling both fun and fascinating. Launch date: February 2010.

Handmade using the same soft fur that's used to make the company's world-famous bears, the Pajama Pillow is designed to be soft, cute and cuddly. The Pajama Pillow is a great place for kids to tuck their PJs so they always know where to find them at bedtime, and makes a great bed decoration by day. "Vermont Teddy Bear Pajama Pillow is handcrafted in Vermont and Guaranteed for Life. It can be personalized up to 12 characters," Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator, Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

This combat card game with a martial arts theme contains 54 cards and is for two or more players. Participants can choose to use one or more deck for this fast-paced game of attack and defense that simulates the discipline of martial arts sparring. Opponents may spar cooperatively or competitively. Players can expand play with an add-on deck, and fly, spin, duck and dodge their way to victory. It includes rules for single-round play through a six-belt tournament, and there are special rules for beginner, intermediate and advanced play. Launch date: December 2009.

This stretchy rubber band is shaped like anything, from adorable animals and pretty butterflies, to fashionable shoes, clothes and rock star shapes. Tweens can stretch them, wear them, trade them, and collect them all. "The Banditos line is so affordable, and they are the latest craze. We are going to come out with several series, and even throw in some licensed styles that are truly unique to Fashion Angels," Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

Crazerasers Series 2 by Fashion Angels features funky shoes and handbags, unusual food items and crazy creatures. "Series 2 is going to be limited edition, so when they are gone, they are gone! The whole eraser fad is continuing strongly, and Fashion Angels will add to the line throughout 2010," Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly in December 2009. Launch date: December 15, 2009.

Girls get to design their dream wedding wardrobe for four Fashion Angels paper dolls. The kit includes clothing patterns, fabric, glitter, gems, buttons, appliques, and more to make fabulous wedding attire. "Most young girls dream about their wedding they will have some day — this kit will help them have control and think outside the box of what wedding dresses and tuxedos can look like. They can just have fun and even be silly with it. The best part is, on all of our Design a Heavenly Wardrobes, we are able to lower the wholesale cost in 2010!" Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fahion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Note: This product has been discontinued.

The Fashion Angels Interior Design Sketch Portfolio is created to teach tween girls about designing their dream bedroom, furniture and more. They can use the removable stencils with the sketch pages, along with the tips at the front of the book to make a remarkable room. The kit has more than 100 stencils to help get the sketches started, plus tons of sketch pages for fun on the go. "The Fashion Angels Sketch Portfolio series debuted in 2009 with the Fashion Design and the Hair and Make Up Design portfolios. They were such a runaway success because they are a great value for retailers and consumers. Fashion Angels has passed along other areas of the design world so girls can learn about other facets like interior design, and it makes it so easy," Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.

The Fashion Angels Fashion Design Artist Tote lets girls create their own dream wardrobe with the markers, pencils and Fashion Angels model sketch pad. A design guide included with this kit will teach girls inside tips and tricks of how to be a fashion designer, including shading techniques and the names and simple outlines for different styles of clothing. They can store all of the designs in the artist portfolio tote that comes with the set. The tote "has a really cool modern design that will get girls in the designing mood. They can also use the tote to take their homework in to school," Sarah Koth, PR Coordinator, Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Awards: Creative Child Awards 2010 Preferred Choice Award

Jordan Weisman, co-creator of the acclaimed Cathy’s Book series, launches an interactive trilogy based on the 2012 end-of-world Mayan prophecies. Nathan Richards learns on his 13th birthday that his destiny is to be challenged by the Mayan god Kukulkan in a game that decides the fate of the human race. Read the Book - Play the Game - Save the World. "The combination of book and game board with 11 game pieces and dice engages the reader to interact with the story — as our hero plays the game, so can the reader. Play the game online in a single player mode against the computer or a two player mode against anyone anywhere in the world. The online game will also act as decoder ring where specific locations on the board will give players background fiction on the book's characters and teaser fiction about what happens in the next book," Geri DiTella, Marketing Coordinator, Running Press Book Publishers, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2010.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Anomia is a  game where common knowledge becomes uncommonly fun. Anomia plays off the fact that our minds are positively brimming with all sorts of random information: things to eat, pop songs, websites, etc... Sure, under normal circumstances, it's easy enough to give an example of a frozen food, or a dog breed; but you will find that your brain works a little differently under pressure. Easy to learn, fun to play over and over again, Anomia will have any group of friends, family, even perfect strangers, shouting and laughing out loud as they try to beat each other to the punch. It can be your turn at any time and anyone can be your opponent.  For 3 to 6 players. One round lasts about 30 minutes. Launch date: Fall 2009.
—  They sell "15 to 20" Anomia games per month at Magic Box in New Orleans, said manager James Dello Stritto in early 2011.
—  Four of 12 retailers who attended ASTRA 2010 named Anomia as one of their favorite products at the show.
—  “Anomia is really great; I’ve been told for the last year to get it,” said Kristen Pollard, owner of Mudpuddle Toys in Marblehead, Mass., in summer 2010.
— In an August 2010 survey, nine percent of 43 retailers said Anomia is a card game best seller. Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore, Md., told TDmonthly the same month that her store sold 89 Anomia games in one month.

Meet James with Dancing Bells, a Holsteiner Stallion. They are performing an upper level Dressage movement. Dancing Bells measures approx. 4.75" L x 3.75"H and James is approx. 3 inches tall. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010