January 2011 Notable Toys — All

It is the dawn of the "Age of Railroading" in America. You're a wealthy investor and speculator betting that the new technology will revolutionize transport. Commerce will no longer depend on rutted roads and slow canals. Instead, it will ride the rails on swift, powerful "Iron Horses." This railroad investment and building game covers the years 1830 to the present. You and your fellow players become the
stockholders of America's first railroad corporations. Since the largest shareholder becomes president, you compete for control of the strongest firms. As president, generate revenue by building track and buying and operating trains-regardless of shareholders' needs. Meanwhile, you pay heed to the volatile stock market. You strive to invest in flourishing companies in order to earn healthy dividends. You try to buy stock in corporations that are rising in value, collect strong, and sell before the stock values drop. For 3-6 players. Playing Time 180-240+ minutes.

The Catan Dice Game is a fast, fun way to experience Catan on-the-go. Discover, explore, and settle Catan. Play time is estimated at 15-30 minutes. It's a great casual introduction to the world of Catan. With six colorful, embossed 16mm plastic dice, a generous pad of full color double-sided score sheets featuring two maps for alternate play. You can roll-and risk-your way to victory. For 1-4 players.

A new addition to the Colours Collection, this little bear has stacking rings, a rattle in the head, crinkle in the paws and many tags to rub. Stacking rings encourage repeated play and hand-eye coordination.  Ages 6 m+.

This spooktacular calendar counts down the days until Halloween - from the 1st of October to the 31st. Upon opening the accompanying "casket" children find a hint, in the form of a question, for each day to help them guess what fun and mildy-spooky, illustration awaits them underneath the corresponding window on the calendar. 11" x 15" Shrinkwrapped.
— "I started carrying [Halloween advent calendars] five years ago, and I would only bring in 6 or 12, and this year, I brought in two or three different styles, and they sold out right away," said Mary Walsh Martel, owner of Magical Child in Greenfield, Mass., in 4Q 2010.

This satiny witch hat gives any hag a touch of class.
—  "We have a store now in Salem, which is the Halloween capital of the world," said Kristen Pollard, owner of Mud Puddle in Marblehead, Mass. "It's very local, market-driven. It's all visitors to Salem. Everyone walks around here in costume or wearing hats. People that come here, if they don't have something, they want something to fit in...to be festive, to join in the fun."

This plush black cat makes "funny Halloween" cat sounds when you press the orange pumpkin on it's tail.
— Maryalice Miner, co-owner of Miner's Doll & Toy Store in Ocean Springs, Miss., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey that they sell items like the Gund Black Cat during the Halloween season. This way, they have a seasonally relevant product, but aren't in direct competition with the nearby Halloween store.

Each soft vinyl set of teeth fits over real teeth, instantly transforming the wearer into a new creepy character. Nine different styles. Illustrated window box.
— Dean Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Pennington, N.J., says kids liked to spook their neighbors with these teeth during Halloween 2010.

This new edition of Face Painting was completely refreshed, revised, and revitalized for a new generation. Klutz added more detailed directions for simple sponge and brush techniques and created tear-out cheat sheets to make painting birthday parties easier than ever. But the biggest change is the Wolfe Brothers face paints. They go on smoothly, dry quickly, last longer, and wash off easily, with bold, bright colors. The book comes with a six-color palette of face paints, a brush, a sponge, and 12 tear-out take-along design cards.
— Her Halloween 2010 crowd liked the Klutz face painting book, reported Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va.
— In a December 2011 survey about best selling Halloween products, 3 retailers said face painting kits were among their best sellers.
— Syd Clarke, owner of Ali-Cat in Carrboro, N.C., told TDmonthly in a December 2014 interview that Face Paint from Klutz is one of their best-selling Halloween toys.

Registering a Hamster Feature Code unlocks access to MAZIN'™ Hamsters where you'll be able to take your Hamsters through many different mazes, trying to complete challenges, or racing to beat the clock! Earn KinzCash, exclusive trophies and more! Use the build tool to create your own mazes and share them with the community! The more Hamsters you own, the more mazes you can create!
— Spooky did well during Halloween 2010 for Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston’s Child’s Play in Baltimore.

This small paperback contains 517 full-color, thought-provoking puzzles and mental games designed to stretch neurons and shake up the usual way of thinking. The puzzles are organized in 12 tuypes with 10 levels of difficulty, each designed to make the reader feel more curious, intuitive, engaged and smarter. It’s written by Ivan Moscovich, an internationally acclaimed inventor, puzzler, toy and game designer and artist.

Box Creations cardboard play huts are durable recycled cardboard pieces, made in the USA, designed to be easy assemble clubhouse styles that are big enough to accommodate three small children, and come with detailed line artwork guidance and four colored non-toxic washable markers for a Do-It-Yourself personalized style.

This rugged stadium truck is easy to use, but it’s also hard to abuse. It’s built from a strong, durable nylon composite material. You can customize the body with the included decal sheet. And thanks to the standard components and mounts, you can hop the Circuit up with additional bodies, tires, and parts and accessories. Nylon composite material gives it high strength and durability. Clipless battery retaining system means there are no body clips to lose. Oil-filled shocks provide great handling that is also adjustable. AA batteries also included.

In this lovely classic, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jane Dyer,  parents of shapes and sizes from mouse to human urge their little ones to sleep. Hardcover, 32 pages.
— This was a best-selling book in 2010, said Gladys Griffin, owner of the Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga.

Gyo Fujikawa has created ten little babies in this rhyming counting book. During each episode, one little baby finds its own bliss (from playing to marmalade smearing) until just one tiny baby is left. The last page reads: One little baby, alone having fun. He became a grownup, and then there were NONE!
— This is one of Gladys Griffin's best-selling books for 2010 at the Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga.

This latest Knuffle Bunny tale from Mo Willems follows Trixie and her family as they travel to Holland. Is Trixie a big enough girl to travel without her favorite toy? Readers will find out in this illustrated book that mixes photos with cartoons. Hardcover, 52 pages.
— Two of 23 retailers said the Knuffle Bunny books were among their best sellers in 2010.
— "We sold 149 from 10/3 to 11/19," said Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore.

Written by Anne Akers Johnson, this illustrated book provides painstakingly clear instructions for five different string figures. Attached to the book is a tie-dyed string loop – all you need to bring is ten fingers. The four-millionth copy will sell any day now and, to prepare for that happy occasion, Klutz has given the book a brand-new cover.

In a brand-new series from blockbuster best-selling author Rick Riordan, fans return to the world of Camp Half-Blood. Here, a new group of heroes will inherit a quest. But to survive the journey, they’ll need the help of some familiar demigods. Hardcover, 576 pages. Launch date: October 12, 2010.
— "We sold145 from 10/3 to 11/19," said Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore.

This book about a lonely dinosaur was penned by Avery Monsen and Jory John. It covers the downside of being everything from a clown to a cassette tape to a zombie. Cute and dark all at once, this hilarious children's book for adults teaches valuable lessons about life while exploring each cartoon character's unique grievance and wide-eyed predicament. From the sock whose only friends have gone missing to the houseplant whose friends are being slowly killed by irresponsible plant owners (like you), All My Friends Are Dead presents a delightful primer for laughing at the inevitable. Hardcover, 96 pages.
— "We've sold 24 in half a month," said Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va. "It just came out and we can't keep it."

These soft-sculpt dolls that give birth features a "baby" that resides in the doll's abdomen, and is then extracted through an elastic vaginal opening. The newborn comes with its own woven umbilical cord and placenta. Mom and babe can snap together at the breast for feeding. The dolls can be custom-made to reflect any race or culture for an additional fee.

This playset features everything needed for a piggie fashion show. The stage has working lights and sounds, an extendable catwalk with a rotating platform, and an interactive piggy starlet with a collection of chic fashion accessories.

ActionJetz are cool diecast planes that each come with a Secret Game Code Card. With it, kids and paretns can chat, play and learn new stuff in the Online World of ActionJetz. Choose from the wide range of die cast planes which are about 3-6 inches small to collect.

A soft and cuddly plush with her name, Tagitha, embroidered on the collar. Approx. 12".

This baseball plush is sized for little hands to play catch with or bring to the ballpark Children will have fun while learning cause and effect, an important part of a child’s development. 5" Diameter.

The memory cube is available in the TAGGIES Colours Collection. With fun and colorful patterns, cute pals and easy picture pockets to hold special memories, every side offers comforting playtime. An engaging way for baby to remember loved ones near and far.