March 2009 Notable Toys — Educational

Alphabet Rockers is a cool educational music CD for pre-K to early elementary school children. It incorporates original hip-hop beats, DJ-style scratching, reggae grooves, contemporary urban sounds and rock guitar. Singer Kaitlin McGaw and former "4 Non Blondes" drummer Dawn Richardson collaborated on the high-energy beats and contagious lyrics that will keep parents and their kids dancing and moving while they learn. "Alphabet Rockers" is a 2008 Parents' Choice and 2008 National Parenting Publications award winner. "The hip, urban sounds appeal to both adults and children," Barbara Zamost, owner of Zamost Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007.

Both decorative and informative, this 36" x 24" ready to hang picture depicts the continental United States through state license plates. The image is available in several presentation styles: Contemporary Mount (with beveled edge), Creative Canvas Wrap, Framed Canvas, Gallery Framed, Heritage Framed and Art Block Mounted. "Art4Kids is not sold in discount stores. Our artwork has no glass to break in a child's environment," Joy Phillips, founder and owner of Creative Images, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008.

Children can make their own Inter Galactic Worlds and Biome Systems, as well as ant space food. They will see ant gardens, ant pools and ant baby hospitals. "All the ECO System range of kits are also designed to be interconnected. So Ants and Worms can go and explore the ECO Dome and Future Farms," Agatha Pan, international sales manager for Tree Toys Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

This hydroponic farm features 'magic' capillary wick feeding of special liquid nutrients to big biodome gardens where kids can grow their own sandwich fillings — without soil. It offers "leading-edge science for feeding populations where soil is poisoned or non-existent. We supply lab equipment and chemicals for kids to make their own liquid nutrients [and] purify and balance pH. Twin tanks and twin drainage reservoirs means two separate farms can compare different nutrients at same time," Agatha Pan, international sales manager for Tree Toys Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Kids can make their own eco science lab and be a planet-saving sleuth. The kit covers hygometers, humidity, air and CO2, pH monitoring, water pollutants and more through step-by-step beginner activities and later challenges that build knowledge and exercise problem-solving skills. It includes a workbench young scientists can use to organize their methods and equipment. The Eco Forensic Lab was "designed by a world-leading children's science and technology edutainer and learning specialist with many global awards and over 30 years in the field," Agatha Pan, international sales manager for Tree Toys Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Winner of 19 educational toy awards, the Circus Kit offers hours of unique optical illusion eye-hand coordination fun and independent play in reasoning and art. Kids find and crayon morphed shapes on distorted coloring pages to make color appear in the right place in the circus cartoon reflections. Challenges include completing the morphed drawing, sketching your own morph, navigating a morphed maze, completing a morphed connect the dots, predicting a reflection, and more. The activities help develop logic and perception skills, flex problem-solving mental muscles, exercise fine motor control, test spatial intelligence, and spark imagination and creativity. The Circus Kit contains 32 morphed circus coloring pages activities, two mirror-perfect Morph-O-Scopes (easy assembly), 16 non-toxic crayons, a Circus Kit Enrichment Guide for extra learning value, and instructions in English, Spanish and French — all in a portable “desk" convenient for travel. The activities engage boys and girls, kids, tweens, teens and adults, as they have universal, cross-cultural appeal. The Circus Kit is made in the USA and meets or exceeds all U.S. safety standards. Launch date: November 24, 2008.

Everyone loves rapping along and learning multiplication with D.J. Doc—the Hip Hop Hamster. Positive lyrics, super-cool rap music, and high-energy action make these multiplication rap songs irresistible. Multiplication facts through 12 are easy to learn and remember with these fun rap songs — a different one for each set of rap facts. The DVD run approximately 50 minutes and now includes Skip Counting songs. Choose from DVD video or audio CD & book programs. Launch date: November 2008.

"American Heroes #3" educates and inspires children with original songs about some of America's greatest citizens. Award-winning singer-songwriter Jonathan Sprout's careful research and creativity have led to this top-notch collection of pop-rock tunes with an educational focus. Launch date: January 13, 2009.

Unlock this treasure chest using a unique magnetic closure and behold shiny gold coins and number cards. Spend the next 15 minutes in a delightful battle over addition, subtraction and multiplication for 2 to 4 players. Children will be able to challenge older siblings and adults by combining numbers 1 to 10 in simple equations. Find the two gold coins that show the correct mathematical answer. A calculating disc is included as a self-check mechanism. Instruc-tions are included as well for a solo game variation. Launch date: February 2009.

This breathtaking replica of an ancient winged-wonder is the latest addition to our dino collection. Accurate according to the most up-to-date paleontological research. Replica measures 4.25” L x 3” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all of dino replicas at www.safariltd.com.

Historically accurate representations of iconic Roman figures including: a gladiator, Emperor Caesar, a Senator, a Noblewoman, a Centurion, a Roman General, a Legionnaire, a section of aqueduct, the Pantheon, the Colosseum, a Triumphal Arch and a Roman warship. Figures measure from 1” to 3”. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational label. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all the Historical Collection replicas at www.safariltd.com.

A stunning depiction of one of the most elusive and clever animals of the forest; the red fox. Collect this latest citizen of the National Parks along with an array of other North American beauties. Fox measures 3.5” long x 2” high.  Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all the forest dweller replicas at www.safariltd.com.

An amazing replica of an unlikely creature! This armored and armadillo-like anteater inhabits the tropical forests in parts of Africa and Asia. Safari Ltd. brings yet another interesting animal to the Incredible Creatures Collection. Replica measures 7.25” H x 3” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.

Safari Ltd’s newest denizen of the deep! This remarkably strange creature with its eel-like body and gaping, angular mouth is accurately reflected in this new replica. Replica measures 11.75” L x 3.75” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all the Incredible Creatures at www.safariltd.com.

Create your very own Civil War battlefield with this realistically detailed officer’s tent. This tent is scaled to Safari's Civil War figures and can serve as an add-on accessory. Also available is a Civil War bridge.  The tent measures 4” long x 3” high.  Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed.

Over 25 species of parrots are featured on our newest educational poster. Full color illustrations are accompanied by scientific information about each bird. This poster is perfect for school classrooms or the home of any bird enthusiast. Poster measures 24” W x 36” H. Available plain or laminated. See the entire line of educational posters at www.safariltd.com.

Jumbo-sized and wonderfully sculpted, this well-known Chinese bear is the latest addition to our Wildlife Wonders collection. A favorite of young and old the world over, the panda is instantly identified by its black and white coat. Replica measures 8” L x 4.5” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all our Wildlife Wonders at www.safariltd.com.

A fantastic new figure for our collection inspired by ancient Greek mythology! A mix of a lion, goat, dragon and serpent, this incredibly detailed figure appears to have been brought straight from the lands of legend. Replica measures 7.25” L x 3.75” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. Prepare to be amazed when you see all our mythical replicas at www.safariltd.com.

One of nature’s great gliders, this replica is Safari Ltd’s latest addition to our renowned Incredible Creatures Collection. Large sized and highly detailed, the replica shows this squirrel in its gliding position. Replica measures 7” L x 4.75” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all our Incredible Creatures at www.safariltd.com.

Safari Ltd is proud to showcase their new Arabian Mare by adding a garland of flowers. Accurate in every detail, this replica shows why this breed is so admired. Replica measures 5.75” L x 4” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See our entire equine collection at www.safariltd.com.

Safari Ltd’s new Spinosaurus has been authenticated by the paleontologists at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Tall and impressive with rows of teeth to match, this “sail-backed” carnivore is accurate according to the latest scientific research. Replica measures 14.75” L x 6.25” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See the entire Carnegie Collection at www.safariltd.com.

Being as stubborn about quality and detailing as Safari is, it was only a matter of time until we added a mule to our Safari Farm Collection. This hardworking and long-eared relative of the horse is a great addition to any barnyard. Replica measures 4.75” L x 4” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See all of our wonderful critters at www.safariltd.com.

Suited up in his yellow protective gear and ready for action, our new firefighter figure is accurately detailed from boots to helmet. Other details include a fire ax and fire hose. Replica measures 1.25” L x 4” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd's products are 100% guaranteed. See the entire collection at www.safariltd.com.

New for 2009, Safari Ltd. offers these charming replicas of mother and daughter. Direct from the African savanna to children everywhere, these figures will delight animal fans. Zebra measures 4.25” L x 3.5” H, foal measures 3.25” L x 2.75” H. Hand painted, phthalate and lead free. Ages 3+. Includes a 5 language educational hangtag. Safari Ltd. exceeds all safety standards. Safari Ltd'sproducts are 100% guaranteed. See the entire collection at www.safariltd.com.