January 2013 Notable Toys — School Supplies

The Hot Dots pen works with dozens of Hot Dots card sets, providing instantaneous visual and audio feedback. Simply press the pen to choose an answer on any Hot Dots or Hot Dots Jr. card for an immediate response—cool, kid-friendly phrases for correct answers and gentle redirection for incorrect responses.

First Grade Activities Homework Helper provides children in first grade with extra help in learning important skills. Packed full of fun-to-do activities and appealing art, children will have fun completing the reproducible pages while learning first grade skills at the same time. Answer keys are also included where needed. These workbooks provide help for students who need extra practice with basic skills, for the accelerated student who enjoys an extra challenge, and for the young learner who is developing basic concepts and readiness skills. They also help boost self-confidence and reinforce basic skills with activities that are geared to the specific grade level.
— Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell 4-5 dozen Kumon Homework Helpers each month, making them a top-2 best selling educational products.

A rich vocabulary is critical for successful test-taking, particularly in reading comprehension. Hot Dots Laugh It Up! Vocabulary Card sets are a fun and interactive way to grow kids’ vocabularies. Includes 6 Interactive vocabulary card sets in all, including synonyms (2730), antonyms (2731), multiple-meaning words (shown here), prefixes and suffixes (2735), context clues (2733), and homophones (2732). 50 double-sided, illustrated cards per set (100 questions), featuring jokes, riddles, cartoons, and kid-friendly questions.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Hot Dots were their best selling educational toy.

A modern-day kid-friendly almanac that makes every ordinary day an Amazing Almanac Day. Parents and children will love learning about the educational facts with a traditional trusted companion feel. Launch date: December 2011.
Awards: 2012 Seal of Excellence from Creative Child Magazine

When Christina and her friends head to Savannah, GA for the National Camporee in celebration of the Girl Scouts' 100th Anniversary, Christina reassures them that on this trip, there will be no funny business and no mysteries. But as they begin exploring the historic city they stumble upon creepy clues that lead them around the city where they find themselves in the middle of a real mystery that is going to need all of the Scouting skills they have, as well as their friendship, to solve. Launch date: June 2012.