January 2011 Notable Toys — All

Years after a big old tree tumbles to the ground and is rotting, is it really dead? In a new picture book for children, author Anthony Fredericks invites children to take a closer look. Roly-polies and daddy longlegs and velvet mites prowl here and there, while salamanders and chipmunks dash everywhere. Old logs offer a wonderful opportunity for a low-cost field trip. There might be one in your own backyard. Tons of small creatures live there, so often overlooked. A letter from roly-poly to the reader introduces this “neighborhood,” saying, “I have lots of weird neighbors, and remember, weird is interesting.” With a blend of science and rhyming text, Fredericks and illustrator Jennifer DiRubbio have created a lighthearted yet educational picture book. To further whet the appetite of nature-loving kids, Fredericks provides “field notes” and “fantastic facts” about the animals at the back of the book. And as a courtesy to teachers and parents, he provides an extensive description of projects and activities to do based on the book, ranging from simple finger play to readers theater. This is the sixth book in a series by the same author/illustrator team. Previous titles include Under One Rock; In One Tidepool; Around One Cactus; Near One Cattail; and On One Flower. Also available in hardback ($16.95).

Travel to incredible places in this plush locomotive with three jungle friends. Don't forget to change their places from time to time so they can see all the views. Velcro allows child to switch the three animals between the locomotive's two windows and nose. Also included is a canvas carrying tote. Made of Polyester Fiber. Surface wash, air dry.

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 8 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form. The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles.

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 7 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form.  The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles.

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 6 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form.  The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles.

The Greatest Newspaper Dot-to-Dot Puzzles volume 5 is a new 5.5" by 5.5" pocket-sized collection of weekly dot-to-dots that have been published in various USA and international newspapers. Includes difficult dot-to-dot puzzles with no clues as to the final form.  The images slowly emerge as the puzzler connects the dots. In addition to traditional connect-the-dots, it includes unique innovations such as connecting odd/even numbers and multiple line variations. 40 pages long with 36 puzzles.

This line of hand puppets features charactes from Puppet Heap's short films "Mother Hubbard" and "I Knew an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly." “We’re very excited about the launch of Puppet Heap Playthings™,” said Paul Andrejco, Puppet Heap’s founder and CEO, “Putting the magic of Puppet Heap’s creative team into the hands of a wider consumer audience is what this new branch of the company is all about.”

Fruitominoes, is a domino game for players aged 5 and up featuring fruit connections rather than dots. "With Fruitominoes, we put our fruity new spin on a classic!" said Rena Nathanson, CEO of Bananagrams. The game comes in a portable pouch so that it can be played at home or on the go.
 

ZIP-IT! includes 24 ivory-like letter cubes packaged in a cloth pouch with unique self-scoring zippers, so everything you need is in the bag.  No pencil, paper or board needed.  Each player takes 12 cubes and races to form their own crossword grid using any side of the cubes.  The first player to use all their own cubes calls "ZIP!" and scores a point by moving their own zip up the pouch. The first person to score 10 points shouts "ZIPIT!!!" and wins the game.  One hand can be played in as little as than 20 seconds.The game was designed to be easily portable.  Also includes complimentary WEORDS Dictionary, a list of weird words that can help win word games.

This new game board has a patent-pending design that allows players to play thousands of game variations on a single game board. For children it is an educational tool that challenges manual dexterity, math skills, and fosters good  sportsmanship. It can be played indoors or outdoors, with endless evolutionary potential. It measures 39"x39" round and 3.25" high, weighs 9 lbs.

The soft, no slip Tub-gLoves help moms hold onto babies during bath-time so they can clean everywhere from nose to toes with ease. Every mom is well aware that babies are slippery when wet. Tub-gLoves help reduce the 'slippage factor' when bathing a child. The soft polyester material provides a safer grip so baby won't slip, giving moms peace of mind while washing their little ones. The open weave fabric design used in Tub-gLoves allows water to easily drain through. One size fits all. Machine-washable.
— This product won a Mom's Best Award in January 2011. mom's Best Award winning product evaluators are moms, dads, grandparents, childcare givers and teachers who use these products in real life situations and then offer valuable feedback on how these products performed in everyday living for families.

Children can pretend to be Santa in his board game for 2 to 4 players. Players choose a sleigh and start at the North Pole. They race around Santa's Workshop trying to load their sleighs with 5 toys. Once a Santa has 5 toys, he flies off to the town to deliver the toys. Along the way, Santas encounter fun activities, such as belting out their best "HO HO HO" or Singing their favorite Christmas carols. The first Santa to deliver all of his toys wins the game. The game comes with board, four sleighs, four tokens, 20 toy cards, rule and die. Game play is approximately 30 minutes.
— This product won a Mom's Best Award in January 2011. mom's Best Award winning product evaluators are moms, dads, grandparents, childcare givers and teachers who use these products in real life situations and then offer valuable feedback on how these products performed in everyday living for families. 

Road Racers commemorates the non-sponsored, driver owned cars that are racing in professional and amateur events. The spirit that pushes these drivers and teams links back to the zenith of road racing found in pony-car showdowns, which are celebrated by the two cars in this diorama; Bill Maier #22 1968 Ford Mustang and Sam Posey #77 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A. The replica features an opening hood, detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, and a custom license plate, and is officially licensed. Both vehicles are 1:64 scale.

Mustang AV’s displays two aviation inspired automobiles. The AV8R and AV-X10 were both one of kind offerings from Ford Motor Company to commemorate their support of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). Both rare machines feature a glass roof, special front and rear fascias, custom wheels and V8 engine. The AV8R debuted at the 2009 Oshkosh, Wisconsin Air Show and the AV-X10 was inspired from the P-51 Mustang Fighter planes from WWll. Both cars were sold at the EAA Gathering Eagles Charity Auction. Both Mustang AV's are 1:64 scale.

Apollo 13 tells the story of the lunar flight operation by the same name and the astronauts involved. There are two other stars in the film, a 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 350 and a 1970 Chevy Corvette Stingray. These two vehicles share the big screen for a racing scene. As the real Apollo 13 mission took place in 1970 both of these cars were designed to embody the feel of an era as well as the personality, status and adrenaline seeking manner of those individuals that explore the final frontier. This diorama comes with a 1:64 scale1965 Shelby GT-500 and 1970 Chevrolet Corvette 427. The replica features an opening hood, detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, and a custom license plate, and is officially licensed.

Animal House was the first film produced by National Lampoon; a pop culture magazine in the 70’s. Many of the magazine’s writers were recent college graduates who combined their fraternity experiences into a cult classic movie of cliché college personalities and hilarious antics. This Diorama spotlights smooth talking Delta frat boy Otter’s sports car. The candy apple 1959 Chevrolet Corvette could be seen many nights parked at the Rainbow Motel on Old Mill Road. This diorama comes with a 1:64 scale 1959 Corvette and three characters from the movie. The replica features an opening hood, detailed engine, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, and a custom license plate, and is officially licensed. Launch date: February 2011

The KWID Learning Watch teaches kids to read digital and analog time by displaying them together so kids can connect the two. The KWID also teaches time management skills, thanks to a digital hourglass timer that is great for tracking privileges, chores, tooth brushing time and more. When the digital hourglass empties, a song plays and a cute animation pops up. In addition, kids can control the playing of five different entertaining animations when they push the “kid” button that is just for them. Launch date: September 2012.

The Kid’Sleep My First Alarm Clock teaches young children how to tell time and gives them the independence of their own alarm clock. My First Alarm Clock shows the time in both digital and analog. The hour and minute hand colors match the hour and minute numbers. The alarm arm is inverted so that children can see how long it is until they have to wake up. There are three possible alarm sounds; chirping birds, a cuckoo or a train sound. The alarm sounds progressively louder until the child turns the alarm off or pushes the top button to snooze for another two minutes. Pushing the top button also provides a short glowing light so that the child can see the time during the night. There is also a small Kid’Sleep feature – when the sleeping child is lit, kids know to stay in bed and sleep a while longer. When the awake child is lit, kids know it is time to wake up. The mini night light emits a reassuring glow. My First Alarm Clock comes in blue or pink. Launch date: September 2011.

This product acts as a travel alarm clock, wake-up indicator, and night light for kids on the go. The display features a slumbering sheep when the child sleeps, and an illuminated sheep on a sunny day when it is time to wake up.

The Kid’Sleep Classic has many benefits, as a night light and sleep teacher for young children and an alarm clock for older children. It helps young children have an understanding of when it is time to get out of bed and when it is not. It is a great tool for nighttime self regulation, and the result is that both parents and children get more sleep. The Kid’Sleep Classic helps kids stay in bed until it is time to get up. If the sleeping animal is lit, kids know to stay in bed. When the awake animal is illuminated, it is okay to get out of bed and start the day. Kids naturally relate to the sleeping or awake animal. Color recognition is not required. The Kid’Sleep Classic has dual nighttime/naptime settings and an optional alarm (which is a very sweet bird chirping sound followed by a rooster crowing), in addition to three levels of brightness. The Kid’Sleep Classic comes in blue (bunny) or pink (cow). Launch date: September 2009.
Awards: 2011 Parent Tested Parent Approved

This popular internet meme is written in white on a one inch wide, black silicone bracelet.

This light blue bracelet has the popular Coexist design worked into its surface in a bright white design. One inch wide; made of silicone.

This black, one inch wide, silcone bracelet is covered in a design of pink roses, green foliage, and white skulls. 

The Little Pim Spanish Intro Gift Set includes Spanish DVD eating and drinking (Disc 1), Spanish Bop music CD, Little Pim trilingual board book- Colors or Feelings, and an adorable 9” plush panda, packaged in a handy, reusable Little Pim tote. The DVD introduces 60 Spanish words and phrases for mealtime, and the music CD features songs by Milkshake and Dan Zanes & Friends, stars of the children's music circuit. "Little Pim is the first language immersion product that specializes in introducing foreign languages to babies, toddlers and preschoolers," Ashely Hernandez, Little Pim sales associate, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2012.
Awards: 2012 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys for 2012; Dr. Toy 10 Best Audio-Visual Toys for 2012; 2012 Tillywig Brain Child Award; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2008 iParenting Media Award; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Audio Visual Award; 2007 Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award; 2010 Creative Child Media of the Year Award; 2009 AEP Award.