January 2011 Notable Toys — All

These plush animals sit atop a child's wrist and hold a writing implement along with the child while they write or draw. "It is functional plush that educates and excites," PenPalz Entertainment told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2011

This 19 x 13" 100 pieces Sharks jigsaw puzzle features over 20 shark species. Made of strong, easy-fit puzzle pieces, grained paper for a glare-free picture, recycled board, recycled paper, and vegetable based ink. "Beautiful illustrations make your child aware of the diversity in shark species. Your child will learn important characteristics of individual shark family members," Erich Fellinger, Eurographics sales manager, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

100 pieces Penguins jigsaw puzzle. This puzzle features over 15 species of the penguins. Features: 100 pieces, Dimension: 13 x 19 inches, Superior-quality piece by piece, easy-fit puzzle pieces, Strong puzzle pieces, Made from recycled board, Image printed on recycled paper, Ink is vegetable based. This 100 piece puzzle will challenge and educate. "Beautiful illustrations educate your child about species diversity and important characteristics of individual penguin family members," Eric Fellinger, sales manager at EuroGraphics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2010.

The first release in a planned series, Groove Kid Nation: The Wheels on the Bus features favorite songs and rhymes including the title track, “Froggy Went a Courting” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” with a few original pieces thrown into the mix. Each tune features an animal character performing a solo on their instrument. An enclosed 10-page booklet features illustrations of these new animal friends created by Nica Brooke. "The recording spotlights the sounds of instruments with funky music and top musicians performing," PR Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011

Alex Marshall Studios is adding a giraffe coin bank to their line of handmade, personalized baby and kids' ceramics. Available in character or silhouette design, each bank is handmade in their northern California studio and can be personalized with the name and date of birth. Each piece is made from a white earthenware clay, is CPSIA compliant and measures 7.5 x 2.5 x 12" h.

Cycle Flyr is a home playground ride that combines the fun of riding a bicycle with the "flying sensation" of a carousel. Kids pedal on the bicycle-style seat and are lifted into the air, rotating for as long as they keep pedaling. "There are no similar products on the market and this is a first one-of-a-kind playground/backyard ride," Michael Bishop, partner at Cycle Flyr, told TDmonthly. (Prototype Only.)

A straw that naturally transforms white milk into bold and delicious flavors. When kids drink milk through the Got Milk? Magic Straws, the milk becomes flavored and colored. "Parents and kids from 2 to 99 buy them year-round and it's completely new to toy stores with no competition," Paul Henson, CMO of Food Market Merchandising, Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2010.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that these were one of their top-2 bestselling candy items.

Cargo Noir is a game of illicit trading in which players run "families" who traffic in smuggled goods. The game takes place in the setting of 1950's film noir. Game play in Cargo Noir revolves around a changing set of notorious smuggling ports – Hong Kong, Bombay, Rotterdam, Panama, Tangier, Rio, Cape Town, New York and Macao – that are filled with various types and quantities of contraband. Players dispatch cargo ships loaded with gold to the ports that hold cargo they desire – hoping that it will be enough to snatch the goods away from any opponents. The acquired goods are then stored in the player’s warehouses until enough is accumulated to create valuable combinations to trade away for Victory Spoils. "Game development focused on three areas: fine-tuning the balance so there were always multiple paths to victory; making sure the game shines with two players as well as with five; and finding a theme that would be evocative with a feel that is very different from most other auction or trading games," Serge Laget, game designer, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2011.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE

Can players name a movie with 2 sequels? How about a music group with 3 members? Players test their numbers know-all in this fast-playing “name it to claim it” party game. Draw a category card and then fill in the blank with the number rolled. The first person to name something that fits is smarter than the average Joe. Contents include 200 cards, Custom die, and Rules of play. Requires 2 or more players. Estimated game time is 15 minutes.

Who would win a pie eating contest: Marilyn Monroe or Albert Einstein? Players can settle this and other timeless debates in this hilarious party game of improbable celebrity matchups. Players draw cards and then convince the judge why thier character would win a randomly chosen event. The person who gets the most votes wins the game. Contents include 200 cards, Sand timer, and Rules of play. For three or more players; playing time is approximately 15 minutes.

Stack ‘em up … Knock ‘em down. First, players race to build one of five structures by matching up the patterns on your blocks. Then use the battle die to knock off the opponent's crown. Depending on the player's roll, they may get to attack with an avalanche of boulders, a wall-smashing ogre, or even a fire-breathing dragon. The player who racks up the most victory points is crowned the king of the block. Contents include 30 victory tokens, 28 wooden blocks, 4 structure guides, 1 battle die, Rules of play, and Rules in Spanish. Estimated playing time of 15 minutes.

This card game that casts players in a contest to build the mightiest Gub colony. Player seek wisdom from The Esteemed Elder or take shelter from a Toad Rider as they fend off a myriad of traps, lures, and other surprising events. Victory lies down an ever-changing path and no one is safe until the final card falls. Contents include  70 cards and Rules of play. For 2-6 players; game time is approximately 20 minutes.

Go head-to-head against your opponent in this tactical game of city planning. Draw a shape card and then simultaneously try to fit the matching tile into your city grids. Plot wisely, as you must always have space to play your next piece. Build your city without going over the limits and consider yourself the master planner. Contents include 42 city tiles, 21 cards, 4 starter tiles, 2 game boards, Rules of play, and Rules in Spanish.

Roll the die and then drop the wooden pebble into the pond. Did any colorful shapes splash out? If so, match them up to your playing board. Be the first to fill up your board and then dry off with a win. Contents include 50 wooden droplets, 4 character boards,1 custom die, 1 wooden pebble, 1 game board, Rules of play, and Rules in Spanish. Estimated game time is 15 minutes.

Swim along with Swirly Shirley, Betsy Bubbles, Rip Rider, and a colorful cast of undersea characters as you try to collect the most seashell cards. Watch out for sneaky waves and icky seaweed along the way. Most of all - don’t get caught holding the sea monster at the end of the game. This card game was invented by 8 year old Emily Ehlers.

Including a unique light table that illuminates every outfit, this kit helps kids create a full fashion line using acetate wardrobe pieces. Just add color, patterns, and texture. Comes complete with the fashion-forward light table, over 30 acetate wardrobe pieces, ten artist grade color pencils, and ten sheets of drawing paper.

This fun, colorful set comes with Racal Rally the cat and 6 accessory. The transparent spinning wheel can be used with your other Furry Frenzies pets. — As of 1.07.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars on Walmart.com and was the #14 bestselling item in the Dolls & Dollhouses category. Pros: Easy assembly; works with other FurReal pets; many accessories. Cons: Batteries not included; must apply decals before use.

It's a bidding and headhunting game. A card game where one bids to hire the best people with a limited amount of money they have in hand. The player who manages to gather the 12 best people and meets the designated tasks shall be the winner.

Composed of 216 individual high-energy rare-earth magnets, the NeoCube allows you to create and recreate an nearly infinite number of shapes and patterns. Can be used to create complex designs and puzzles, or for simple fun and relaxtion. As of 1.06.2011 this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 84 reviews on Amazon.com and was No. 2 on the top 100 bestselling toys and games. PROS: Challenging; stimulates both brain hemispheres; many variations. CONS: Not suitable for children under 14; can be difficult to master.

This historical fiction/fantasy mash-up explores romance and the afterlife, set during the chaos of the Russion Revolution. Offering an imaginitive explanation for the whereabouts of Princess Anastasia and Prince Alex when the rest of their family was murdered, author Laura Whitcomb creates a world in between worlds where Calder, a Fetch, attends the dying and excorts souls to heaven. This romance with Christian themes escalates when Calder and the young royals are pursued by the malicious Rasputin and a host of lost souls.  Ultimately, goodness and love prevail. This book received a Booklist starred review

Simple, fast-paced rhymes and watercolor illustrations tell this story about a group of mice delivering valentines to the other woodland creatures on a snowy day. The adventure escalates when the smallest mouse gets left behind. He's found just in time for a warm Valentine's Day group hug. This book comes in a durable board book format with decorative red foil accents. Written by Bethany Roberts, illustrated by Doug Cushman.

This book explores the everyday life of babies and their families. A multi-cultural cast of characters experiences the joy, exhaustion, and love that plays out during a typical day just being a family. Gentle rhymes and pencil and watercolor illustrations tell this tale that is ultimately about love. In the send-a-story format, you can affix three postage stamps to the book and send it to someone in the mail, no packaging required. Written by Susan Meyers, illustrated by Marla Frazee.

This reasurring tale explores the bond between parent and child. A little fox named Small asks his parent if he will be loved, no matter how gruesome his behavior. As Small's scenarios become increasingly unpleasant, his parent is unwavering in his expression of love for his child.  In the send-a-story format, you can affix three postage stamps to the book and send it to someone in the mail, no packaging required. Written by Debi Gliori

Easy rhymes and soft watercolors tell the story of a little lamb's birthday and the surprises he gets from his loved ones throughout the day. The book explores the loving relationship between parent and child and also the natural progression of the day. In the send-a-story format, you can affix three postage stamps to the book and send it to someone in the mail, no packaging required. Written by Joanne Ryder, illustrated by Melissa Sweet.