January 2010 Notable Toys — Educational

This interactive computer program features games and activities designed to help children practice articulation skills. It uses speech recognition technology that monitors children's speech into a headset; characters respond to their voice in various practice drills. It includes a Lesson Mode and Free Play Mode, and there are easy, medium and hard difficulty settings. The Home Version stores up to three player profiles, while the Professional Version accommodates up to 15.

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.

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.

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.

In Robby The Blue Koala Rides The Discovery Express, Giftofhappiness Media Productions uses fun antics and colorful animation to make learning opportunities out of entertainment. "Parents and teachers see Robby as educational programming disguised as entertainment. Kindergarten fundamentals have never been so easily accessible. But shhh! Let the kids enjoy and keep the secret between us," Giftofhappiness Owner and Founder John Lawrence told TDmonthly.

With coiled tail and mouth wide open, this venomous rattler appears ready to strike. This authentic replica is 40” L x 1” H (100 cm x 2.5 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, it is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.
— Snakes are a big Halloween seller for Shirley Reilly, owner of Let’s Play in Hillsboro, Ore.

Authenticated by the paleontologists of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, this dolphin-like replica measures 8” H x 2.25” L  (20 cm x 5.75 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, it is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and name identification on its underside.

Authenticated by the paleontologists of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, this replica measures 8.75” H x 4” L  (22 cm x 10 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, the replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and name identification on its underside.

From the wrinkled and weathered face to the faceted and inscribed shell, this tortoise is represented as the true hardy desert dweller that it is. It measures 3.25” L x 1.5” H (8.25 x 3.8 cm), is meticulously painted by hand, is phthalate and lead free, and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.      

This opposum depicts mother with babies climbing onto her back. It measures 5” L x 2” H (12.7 cm x 5 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.   

This beautifully sculpted, giant serpentine replica depicts a powerful swimmer with a long, streamlined body. This mosasaurus measures 8.75” L x 3.25” H (22 cm x 8 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside. 

The Liopleurodon’s highly detailed long, sharp teeth display its readiness to attack. Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside. This replica measures 7” L x 4” H (17.8 cm x 10 cm). Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010
— As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3 reviews on Amazon.com. Cons: Two users said they wished there was a larger version available.

Highly detailed from its massive wings to its outwardly-pointed sharp teeth, this pterosaur is meticulously painted by hand, phthalate and lead free, and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside. This replica measures 8” L x 7.5” H (20 cm x 19 cm).

This “King of the Sea” was thought to be extinct until one was caught by a fisherman in 1938. The replica measures 5.75” L x 3” H (14.6 cm x 7.6 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.

The Brachiosaurus, or “arm lizard” is unique to the dinosaur kingdom because of its long front legs and short hind legs. The replica measures 14.25” L x 7.75” H (36 cm x 20 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, it is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.

This set includes the President of the United States, his podium and the American flag in an attractive stand. This lifelike presidential figure stands 4” (10 cm). Platform size: 4.25” W x 3” D x 6.5” H (10.8 x 7.6 x 16.5 cm). Podium size: 1.4” L x 2.5” H (3.5 x 6.3 cm). Flagpole size: 4.25” H (10.7 cm). Items are not sold separately. Meticulously painted by hand, this set is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.

This long-haired, red ape, known as “the old man of the forest” stands on all fours at 5” L x 5.22” H (12.75 cm x 13.5 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.

Past videos: Product Demonstration

This jumbo-sized elephant with its trumpeting nose and lifelike eyes measures 10.25” L x 6” H (26 cm x 15.2 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.

This replica of two adult prairie dogs with baby shows their close family ties. These figures measure 3.5” W x 3” H (8.8 cm x 7.6 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.  

This lifelike baby crocodile is depicted breaking out of its shell. The replica measures 4.75” L x 2.25” H (12 cm x 5.7 cm). Meticulously painted by hand, this replica is phthalate and lead free and meets or exceeds all safety standards. Each figure includes educational information in five languages and also name identification on its underside.