May 2010 Notable Toys — All

The Battle of Ruby Ford is the fifth installment of 40 fixed cards for the A Clash of Arms expansion to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling Song of Ice and Fire saga. It contains 20 different never-before-seen cards designed to augment existing decks and add variety to the A Game of Thrones metagame. This is not a standalone deck; an A Game of Thrones LCG™ core set is required to play. Launch date: Sept. 2, 2009.

Sacred Bonds is the third installment of 40 fixed cards for the A Clash of Arms expansion to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling Song of Ice and Fire saga. It contains 20 different never-before-seen cards designed to augment existing decks and add variety to the A Game of Thrones metagame. This is not a standalone deck; an A Game of Thrones LCG™ core set is required to play. Launch date: Sept. 2, 2009.

Epic Battles is the fourth installment of 40 fixed cards for the A Clash of Arms expansion to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling Song of Ice and Fire saga. It contains 20 different never-before-seen cards designed to augment existing decks and add variety to the A Game of Thrones metagame. This is not a standalone deck; an A Game of Thrones LCG™ core set is required to play. Launch date: Sept. 9, 2009.

Ancient Enemies is the second installment of 40 fixed cards for the A Clash of Arms expansion to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling Song of Ice and Fire saga. It contains 20 different never-before-seen cards designed to augment existing decks and add variety to the A Game of Thrones metagame. This is not a standalone deck; an A Game of Thrones LCG™ core set is required to play. Launch date: Sept. 2, 2009.

The War of Five Kings is the first installment of 40 fixed cards for the A Clash of Arms expansion to A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling Song of Ice and Fire saga. It contains 20 different never-before-seen cards designed to augment existing decks and add variety to the A Game of Thrones metagame. This is not a standalone deck; an A Game of Thrones LCG™ core set is required to play.

This updated giant-size edition of Twilight Imperium features more than 200 masterfully sculpted oversize plastic miniatures which include the typical TI units (Ground Forces, Cruisers, Dreadnaughts, Carriers, Fighters, PDS, and Space Docks), as well as two new units (the massive War Sun, and the Destroyer). The Twilight Imperium gameplay has been refined and redone by original designer Christian T. Petersen. This design features faster gameplay, and involves players in a far more active game experience, with much less downtime. The package contains oversize board tiles, more than 400 cards, every known civilization of the Twilight Imperium universe, almost every expansion rule and component ever published for Twilight Imperium, a graphical overhaul, and full-color rules set. Rick Nauertz, Sales Associate for Fantasy Flight Games, told TDmonthly, "Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition is nothing short of a massive epic release, and is destined to become a classic for years to come. Fantasy Flight Games has directed all its craft, talent, and energy into this massive production." Launch date: Dec. 12, 2008.

Twilight Imperium: Shattered Empire is an expansion for Twilight Imperium Third Edition. It enhances gameplay with a variety of new options and enables you to play with seven or eight players in an epic struggle for true galactic dominance. A copy of Twilight Imperium 3rd Edition is required to play this game. Rick Nauertz, Sales Associate for Fantasy Flight Games, told TDmonthly, "This expansion adds several new races, units, systems and more to the already popular Twilight Imperium game." Launch date: Dec. 12, 2008.

The LEGO Mars ZipBin Large Basket is a traditionally shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. The ZipBin Basket becomes an activity center for play when unzipped, and captures toys within when play is done. LEGO blocks are not included. Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award - March 2010. Launch date: 2010.

The LEGO CITY ZipBin Large Basket is traditionally shaped with handles for easy storage and mobility. ZipBin Baskets become an activity center for play when unzipped and capture toys within when play is done. LEGO blocks are not included. Launch date: 2010.
Awards: Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award - March 2010.

In the game of Cornerstone, players build and climb towers in a race to reach the top. Each turn, players build by strategically placing blocks, gaining a better vantage point for their climber, or blocking an opponent as the towers grow taller and more unstable. Matt Mette, Co-Founder of Good Company Games, told TDmonthly, "This game is universally appealing." Awards: 2009 Mensa Select; Parents' Choice Silver Honor. Launch date: October 2008.

"The Final Funktier" presents Recess Monkey on an intergalactic voyage in outer space: 15 songs of high-energy funk and new-wave grooves, taking listeners on a stratospheric dance party that occasionally touches down on solid ground with moon boots, jet packs, sunglasses, satellites and booster seats in hand. Jack Forman of Recess Monkey told TDmonthly, “We think of our classrooms as focus groups for what's on kids' minds. ... Laughter permeates our experiences with kids, in the classroom and out!” Launch date: June 15, 2010.

For birthday parties, classroom projects and even fund-raisers. The party pack comes with ten 1 lb. bags of different colored sand and 25 bottles with caps. The Sandtastik Colored Sand included in the Party Pack is blue, black, red, emerald green, mauve, orange, pink, light blue, white and yellow.

Sandtastik supplies safe non-toxic colored PlasterMix in 8 different colors including white, yellow, blue, purple, red, brown, orange and green molding PlasterMix. PlasterMix is perfect to use with Plaster Molds, for creating exciting craft projects like handprints or animal paw prints and can even be used as chalk when dried. Available in 1 kg bags, 10 kg bags, and 5 lb bags. Custom Packaging also available.

A bedside caddy that keeps kids organized. A cotton canvas bag which easily attaches under a mattress with its attached velcro strip. Holds books, glasses, flashlights, toys, pens, CDs, tissues, etc. Dimensions: 14 " x 10".

These plastic photo frames come in assorted shapes, designs, and colors.

These children's key chains come with a keyring and an assortment of plastic everyday items connected to the key chain.

"Panda-Cutie and YOU... in Los Angeles" for SMART KIDS ONLY! features Panda-Cutie who takes children ages 8 to 16 on a fascinating city tour of Los Angeles. This E-Book on CD-ROM comes in a sturdy cover and is ready for easy download to a PC or laptop. It serves as a unique travel guide for parents who like to make a trip to L.A. with their kids and want to have a preview of what to expect. The program also includes useful information about transportation, parking, admission fees, etc. Features 177 A-4 pages with more than 150 photos of Panda-Cutie strolling around; and even having his picture taken with celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Peter Fonda, Olivia Newton-John, Hector Elizondo, and others.

Called by Be Good Company “The Buildable Art System,” Jaw Bones is construction and sculpture in one. The brightly colored pieces in distinctive shapes ratchet, swivel and snap together in an endless array of combinations, allowing children a lot of freedom when deciding what they want to build and how.  An instruction booklet with more than 17 individual projects is included with the kit to offer children ideas.
― Two of 49 retailers said Jaw Bones is a top-selling construction line during an April 2010 survey.

With 125 pieces, the Explorer Pack from Wedgits opens up great dimensions in building play. More than simply stacking or snapping pieces together, Wedgits employ unique shapes that brace or “wedge” together in order to form firm structures.  The geometric interplay between pieces becomes increasingly complex as children begin experimenting with designs other than stacking and patterning activities also offered by the set.  Some of the pieces even glow in the dark. Tips, techniques and designs can be found in the included booklet.
― “We do great with Wedgits. They don't break, or get vacuumed up. They don't get returned,” said Lori Hershman, owner of Evan's Toy Shoppe in Camden, Conn., during an April 2010 survey on best-selling construction toys.
― Three of 43 retailers named Wedgits a top-selling construction toy in spring 2010.

Designed to be compatible with other popular brands of building toys, Cobi's snap-together building bricks are a familiar classic. Kids can build sturdy structures from simple walls to complex designs that will hold together through play and manipulation. The 1,200-piece set contains plenty of material to stimulate children's imaginations and motor skills.
― “The theme with [Cobi] is availability,” said Sue Banducci, owner of Games Unlimited  in Danville, Calif., when asked about her best-selling construction toys in spring 2010. Banducci added, “It's really appealing for the kids.”
― “It was a huge hit over the [2009] holidays,” said Nathan McKelvey, manager of Toy Castle in Jonesboro, Ark.
― Three of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Cobi is a top-selling construction line.

Zoob's sturdy snap-together pieces are joined with colorful, flexible foam pieces that allow children to customize and accessorize their creations in new ways. The 80 Zoob pieces come with more than 100 pre-cut foam shapes and 10 sheets of foam from which kids can cut their own pieces. Instructions are included for projects ranging from robots to rocking horses, but the kit is totally open ended, allowing young creators to design straight from their imaginations. Cons: Foam pieces tear too easily.
― “Zoob seems to appeal to a broader age range,” Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., told TDmonthly in spring 2010 of what makes Zoob her top-selling construction toy.
― Of 43 retailers surveyed in April 2010, three listed Zoob as their best seller in construction.
— Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va. told in late Spring 2011 TDmonthly she sells a dozen Zoob kits each month.
— Want this? As of 05/10/2011, this product was available for purchase at The Curiosity Zone

With more than 600 pieces, the 50 Model Set from Erector offers kid builders a multitude of creative options. The kit is packed with detailed instructions for 50 complete models, 38 of which are taken from favorites in the 10 to 40 model kits, plus 12 new designs. From that springboard of projects, children can leap into inventing their own creations with the tools and parts provided in the box. This kit also includes a small, hand-held power tool to make assembly easy and fast.
— Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Inc. in Columbia, Ill. said Erector sets were one of her best-selling construction toys in late Spring 2011.
― “Erector sets do really well for us,” Chris Cahalane, owner of Cape Cod Toys  in Mashpee, Mass., told TDmonthly when asked about top-selling construction toys in spring 2010.
― “Erector sets have made a comeback,” said Lance Ghulam, manager of Handlebar Toys in Lafayette, Calif., during an April 2010 survey.
— Want this? As of 05/10/2011, this product was available for purchase at Creative Kids Inc.

This Lego tractor pulls along the included log loader. The intricate set includes a fully articulated mechanical arm that children control with a mechanism that resembles the pneumatic valves on a real loader. Free-rolling wheels on both vehicles add to realistic play after the fun of constructing these machines in the first place.
― “The collectibles, the quality and the price make it so popular,” said Shanna Frieling, owner of Giggles Toys & More in Bozeman, Mont., of Lego during an April 2010 survey.
― “It's one of the few male products that goes beyond the young ages. Eight- to 10-year-olds still play with them, even though they're into the electronics,” Fred Rosenberg, owner of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, told TDmonthly of Lego in spring 2010.
― Of 43 retailers, 20 told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Lego is a top-selling line in their stores.

Author Jean Marzollo and illustrator Laura Regan put to page the real-life story of Pierre the Penguin, an African penguin at the California Academy of Sciences. After Pierre loses his feathers, he is too cold to swim — until aquatic biologist Pam Schaller decides to try a penguin-sized wetsuit. Children will love learning about Pierre the Penguin’s unique tale through the rhyming text and realistic illustrations.
— On The Garden Island, Terri Schlichenmeyer praised the book’s catchy rhymes, gentle teaching and penguin Q&A page. She explained, “Kids who have a problem with teasing will be able to identify with Pierre” and his struggle to fit in without feathers.
— The Lemonade Stand’s Jessica read the inspiring story with her kids several times as soon as they got the book. According to Jessica, Pierre’s story was such a big hit that “it will be in a favorite in our library for a long, long time!”