February 2011 Notable Toys — All

Everyone Loves To Dance is the latest CD by Aaron Nigel Smith and features special guest performances by Ziggy Marley, Kevin Richardson (BackStreet Boys), DJ Drez and Junior Rhythm (Rhythm Child). Aaron's hip, original songs keep the whole family moving and grooving on this entertaining new CD.
Awards: 2010 Parent's Choice "Recommended;" 2010 NAPPA Honors

This Music for Little People 25th Anniversary world music collection features classic tunes gathered from Ireland, South Africa, France, Columbia, Jamaica, Italy, Ghana, and many points in between. With performances from some of the world’s most gifted musicians including multi-Grammy winner Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Taj Mahal, music and movement specialist, Aaron Nigel Smith, Grammy winning Zydeco star, Buckwheat Zydeco, and more. "Music for Little People is an iconic children's record label with a history of producing award-winning world music recordings for the whole family, and this is their 25th anniversary 'best of' collection," Kate Dockins of Music for Little People told TDmonthly.

Each puzzle image is randomly designed and cut in the oddest ways to make it as tricky as possible. The Baffler has no straight edges, no overlapping images and many unique shapes. Each of the three puzzles in the series has a unique piece count: 67 pieces, 69 pieces and 78 pieces. "The puzzles feature unique shapes and no straight edges," Emily Giurleo, marketing coordinator at Ceaco, told TDmonthly.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that puzzles from Gamewright/Ceaco were among his best sellers.

Zelosport has transformed the age-old pastime of paper football into a series of Finger Sports games for all ages. Now sports fans can enjoy football, baseball, golf, and soccer on the kitchen table. "There is nothing like it on the market," Sara Eddy, project marketing manager at SCI, told TDmonthly.

Mezco Toyz will be introducing even more characters from the DC Universe including world-famous super heroes such as Batman, Superman and the Green Lantern. The first series of 2 packs includes the following pairings: Batman: Gotham City's Dark Knight and The Joker: The Clown Prince of Crime; Hal Jordan as the Green Lantern: Intergalactic Protector of Earth and Sinestro: Former Green Lantern turned cosmic villain; Superman: The Last Son of Krypton- Earth's Greatest Hero and Mongul: Ruler of Warworld, gladiatorial space empire. Mini Mez-Itz are 2" collectibles. All Mini Mez-Itz feature five points of articulation and are packaged together on a blister card. This contains 1 of each of the 3 sets. Launch date: June 2011.

DC Mini Mezitz with Vehicles Set: Asst 1- Batman and The Batmobile is the 1st Mez-Itz character produced with a vehicle: The Batmobile. This 2 inch figure features all the articulation of his larger counterpart at 1/3 the size. Batman can fit inside this famous car, The Batmobile, and still have room for a 2nd passenger. The Batmobile is the first car to ever be transformed into a Mez-Itz vehicle. It measures nearly 6 inches long, features a detailed cockpit, and has a convertible hardtop so the Dark Knight and a passenger can fit inside. Batman and The Batmobile come packaged together in a collector friendly window box. Ships in late July 2011.

ThunderCats Ho! Straight from the ThunderCats' Lair on Third Earth, it's Lion-O and the legendary mystic Sword of Omens. This mega-scale figure measures over 20 inches tall from the tip of his upraised, extended sword to the soles of his Thunderian boots. Featuring 7 points of articulation this mega figure is extremely detailed, capturing not only the iconic look of Lion-O as he appeared in the classic television series, but the essence of Lion-O as he proudly raises the mystic Sword of Omens towards the heavens and roars out "Thundercats, Ho!" He comes complete with his Claw Shield and a removable mystic Sword Of Omens. Lion-O is packaged in a collector-friendly window box that allows him to be displayed while remaining Mint In Box. "We are the only 20 inch tall Lion-O ever produced. After the recent story on MTV pre-orders went insane," Mike Drake, director of special projects at Mezco Toyz, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.

Music, mishap and adventure guides kids on an animated and live action journey exploring the great outdoors. Join Chipper the squirrel as he meets creatures big and small and learns the importance of respecting the environment. Camping, hiking, and outdoor fun - Chipper teaches young children good character and a love for the environment in this award winning, animated children's DVD. Originally launched with limited release in 2009, Let's Go Chipper! Into The Great Outdoors will be available everywhere in March 2011. "Chipper appeals to a young audience (ages 2-6) and starts kids off with enthusiasm for and appreciation of nature. Age appropriate lessons and storytelling, plus wonderful imagery and music, make this an unparalled treat," Kate Dockins of Music For Little People told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 iParenting "Hot Product" Award; 2009 "Top Ten Video" on Family Fun/Disney.com

Join award-winning children's music artist Aaron Nigel Smith as he takes young ones on a musical journey through the world of imagination. From thoughtful, spacious melodies to rockin' rhythmic danceable jams, Aaron performs new and familiar favorites written to get young children singing and moving and learning. "Recording artist Aaron Nigel Smith brings a unique island vibe to his songs, and he's skilled at involving his young listeners in the stories and melodies. Aaron has been a featured musical guest on the Emmy Award Winning PBS show Between the Lions, and works with the NEA Read Across America program to promote literacy through music," Kate Dockins, from Music For Little People, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2005 NAPPA Honors, 2005 iParenting Media Award

Children can personalize this clock. The clock brings out the creative side of a child by having them cut out and insert their favorite photos, personalized art or favorite quotations into the 12 individual Black Display Frames, one for each hour. The mechanical dial can be mounted to any wall surface; surround it with the display frames to complete designing the clock. Launch date: February 2011.

27 pcs of uniquely designed thick, chunky foam droplets stack and stay in place, allowing for creative design outcomes. Encourages creative thinking. Launch date: February 2011.

These soft, plush animal banks carefully guard jingly treasures in their tummies. Available in Dogs, Pigs, and Frogs, these banks move and play their respective animal sounds when coins are added. Animated Animal Banks also aid in teaching and encouraging children to save their money.
Awards: The 2011 National Parenting Center "Seal of Approval"

Fur-Ever Home, the Animal Rescue Game is a family friendly board game of chance and skill where players take in dogs and cats, care for them, and adopt them out to loving “Fur-Ever Homes”. The game ends when all players have worked together and there are no more pets in Straytown. The player with the most points from placing dogs and cats in Fur-Ever Homes wins. But, players have to make decisions about money to stay in the game. "It is the first board game on the market where players get to test their skill at running their very own animal rescue, and adopting out animals to Fur-Ever Homes," Carianne Burnley, CEO of Petsapalooza LLC, told TDmonthly.

The Tie-Not Filler attaches to your hose and works with our Tie-Not tool to fill and tie water balloons in seconds. Made in the USA. The Tie-Not Filler is the "Only filler on the market that attaches to the hose and does not need to be clamped to a table. [It] can work anywhere your hose goes!" Laura Sikorcin, President of Tie-Not Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Flarble is The Smallest Flying Toy in the World. Flarble is safe to fly indoors and are decidedly low-tech, but requires no batteries, and no on-line or computer connections whatsoever. Newly patented and 100% made in the USA. "The single thing that sets our toy apart is that there ARE no other toys like ours, and it's absolute universal appeal," Gordon Bopp, President of Rock Creek Molding Inc, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2011.

Mahjong Junior is an introduction to the classic game of Mahjong.  It’s not only fun, fast, and easy to learn, but the game teaches sequencing, odds, evens, patterns, promotes planning, strategy, organizational skills, and taking turns. The game offers players both an element of history and another culture. Mahjong Junior is a socially interactive game that lends itself to connecting people to people. It is challenging for both children and adults, and places varying ages at equal playing level. It is also an eco-friendly, fair trade produced game.

This cherry finish, wooden case neatly holds 36 colored pencils, 36 oil pastels, 14 watercolor cakes, 2 paintbrushes and a palette. It measures 15¾ x 10½ x 1?”.

The molded plastic tube holds 18 colored pencils, 12 crayons, 10 oil pastels, 8 poster paints, 8 markers, & one each: drawing pencil, eraser, pencil sharpener, & paintbrush. all neatly stored inside in a pocketed vinyl wrap. You get a free corrugated display with purchase of nine pieces. Each set measures 20” x 4” and comes in orange/purple or lime/blue.

The compact, clear acrylic case holds 12 micro crayons, eight micro colored pencils and eight micro oil pastels. The set measures just  5 x 5½ x 1½”.

This vintage style, wooden watercolor set contains 20 pressed watercolor cakes, 15 colored pencils, 2 porcelain mixing pots, 2 paintbrushes and one eraser. The cover features a colorfully printed, slide cover slip sheet. As seen on The TODAY Show (December 2010), and in InStyle Magazine's December 2010 Holiday Gift Guide, it measures 10 x 10 x ½”.

Tupac Shakur has sold over seventy five million albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Naturally, the next step was to become a bobblehead. Launch date: Early 2011.

Biggie is celebrated as one of the greatest rap artists and is described as "the savior of East Coast hip-hop." That’s why he has his own bobblehead. Launch date: Early 2011.

In the Tetris Link game, players battle to score the most points by linking colored Tetriminos, the iconic Tetris playing pieces, into an upright game tower while attempting to block competitors from linking their game pieces. The Tetris Link game is a strategy game that takes just minutes to learn and15 to 20 minutes to play. Each player begins by choosing a color and collecting all of the Tetriminos in that color. Players then take turns rolling the die and dropping their color Tetriminos into the game tower, attempting to link Tetriminos of the same color to earn points while blocking opponents from scoring. Earn three points for the first three Tetriminos linked, and score one point for each additional Tetrimino linked. Players can lose points for any holes that are left in the game tower. Players track their points in real-time with the built-in scoring markers and, when the tower is full, the player with the highest score wins the game. For 2 to 4 players. Launch date: Spring 2011.

The all new 20Q® is the next generation of the best-selling electronic handheld game of twenty questions that has sold millions and millions of units worldwide. Players think of any animal, vegetable, mineral or other object, and 20Q magically reads their minds by deducing the answer in twenty questions or less. The all new 20Q features updated game play and the most eerily accurate artificial intelligence (A.I.) to date. It’s so amazing, even if players try to trick it with incorrect information, 20Q will know exactly what they are thinking. The portable electronic handheld game allows for easy on-the-go play and offers adjustable sound control. Batteries included (2 AAA). Available in three colors: red, blue and pink. Launch date: Fall 2011.