May 2010 Notable Toys — All

The Story Starter is designed for shared use with young children and their caregivers. A child twists the rings in order to create one of several thousand combinations of story introductions. The caregiver can continue to tell a story from the introduction, or encourage the child to use his or her imagination and continue the story himself or herself.

Alphabet Matcher challenges children to choose a letter and find the five corresponding images that begin with that letter. For example, select the letter “F” and find Fish, Foot, Frog, Flower and Flag. An answer guide is included. Alphabet Matcher engages skills ranging from logic to spelling. It contains three extra sets of rings, covering 24 letters and 120 images.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010; 2011 PAL (Play Advances Language) Award.

The nic CombiCar is a basic vehicle with four different set-ups. It's now also availabe with a trailer. The set-ups are very easily interchangeable. The system is suited for use inside and outside, but should be kept dry. Made of beech wood.
— “In our view, it’s the best scooter toy that's ever been made," said Dean Ruggierio Smith, co-owner of JaZams in Princeton, NJ.

The 1,000-piece Canvas Collection brings four images to life as real art. Both box and puzzle feature a linen texture offering the look and feel of the original painting. The beautiful imagery features magnificent country scenes that may take the puzzler to another place.

The Studio Series is an assortment of four 500-piece round puzzles with real wooden pieces that features top rated images by renowned artists Hansel, Sundrum, Daniel and Boehme. Sue Harrison of The Canadian Group told TDmonthly, "Great images and a great feel provides a premium puzzling experience!"

The Majestic assortment features a selection of top-rated art imagery on challenging, 1,500-piece puzzles. A matching collection is available in 2,000-piece count and blended costing is available to combine assortments.

The Taste of Tuscany Collection features four masterful artist images that carry the puzzler away to a peaceful Italian vista. Each puzzle comes with a shaped collector's tin that can be used to store the puzzle or hold other mementos.

LEGO RACER ZipBin Tool Box & Playmat unzips from a tool box into a workshop playmat. A ramp is included for racing and test driving creations. The playmat zips back into the tool box capturing the LEGO® Blocks inside and is ideal for portable play. LEGO Blocks are not included. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for Children under 3 yrs.  Launch date: 2010.
Awards: 2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award.

The ZipBin® T-Rex Large Basket is a traditionally shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. Unzipped, ZipBin® Baskets become an activity center perfect for play. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for Children under 3 years. Launch date: 2010.

The ZipBin® Superstar Condo Medium Size Basket is a traditionally-shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. Unzipped, ZipBin® Baskets become an activity center perfect for play. When play is done, all the toys can be stored inside. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2010.

The ZipBin Train Town Large Size Basket is a traditionally shaped basket with handles for easy storage and mobility. ZipBin Baskets become an activity center perfect for play when unzipped. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2010.

ZipBin Little Village Medium Size Baskets are traditionally shaped baskets with handles for easy storage and mobility. ZipBin Baskets store all toys inside and, when unzipped, become an activity center perfect for play. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2010.

ZipBin Princess Pack is a backpack that looks like a castle. Kids unzip its vest and castle walls invite figures into the castle. Unzip the front and there is a two-story doll house with a slide into the illustrated swimming pool. The ZipBin® Princess Pack PlayPack is a great way to carry dolls, too. When play is done, the house zips up, capturing the toys inside for easy clean up. This play set includes a 4" doll. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: September 2010.

Unzipped, the ZipBin Fairy Castle Playset becomes a fairy land for dolls, ponies and more. Fantasy play is encouraged with a sparkling castle, a magic forest, an enchanted waterfall and shimmering ponds. When play is done, capture all the toys inside. Sturdy, strong, stackable and portable, the ZipBin Fairy Castle Play Set includes one 4.5" doll. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2008.

When the ZipBin Mini Unicorn Playset is unzipped, there are fabulous flowers, a beautiful bridge, a gorgeous garden, a picnic and a pond that become the perfect places for fantasy play. A sparkling castle, a magic forest, and an enchanted waterfall and shimmering ponds are featured. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. This mini play set includes one unicorn and is the perfect size for travel. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2008.

When the ZipBin Farm Playset is unzipped, it becomes the perfect play to play farm for animals, equipment, figures — even construction. Figures can also take a dip in the refreshing fishpond. When play is done, it captures all the toys inside. Sturdy, strong, stackable, and portable, the ZipBin® Farm Play Set includes two plastic farm animals. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2008.

Unzipped, it becomes a speedway — colorfully decorated for car racing, trains and even helicopters. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. This mini play set includes a die cast car and is the ideal size for travel. Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: January 2008. 

This plush Santa stands 10.5". Launch date: April 5, 2010.

Unzipped, the ZipBin Mini Farm Playset becomes the perfect place to play farm with lots of animals, equipment, figures — even construction. Figures can take a dip, too, in the refreshing fishpond. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. This mini play set includes farm animals and is the perfect size for travel. Neat-Oh! International Sales & Marketing Specialist Noah Winterer told TDmonthly, "We make it fun to be neat!" Choking Hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years. Launch date: 2008.

Featuring a guide for parents and kids with tips on how to be green, this DVD includes an adaptation of the beloved folk song "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." It is illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator Kadir Nelson and sung by Crystal Taliefero. This DVD features an hour of colorfully animated storytelling for a new generation of eco-conscious kids. Launch date: April 20, 2010.

These plush dogs come in three gestures with vivid designs. William Xie of China Toybiz told TDmonthly, these make "a nice playmate for your pet dogs at home." Launch date: March 15, 2010.

"Runaway Ralph" is the third installment of Beverly Cleary’s classic tales building on the adventure and excitement of "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" and "Ralph S. Mouse" (both available on DVD from Scholastic Storybook Treasures). Maryn Greenberg at New Video Group told TDmonthly, "Runaway Ralph is a stop-motion animation of a classic tale by beloved author Beverly Cleary." Launch date: April 20, 2010.

The insect inventory in this charming set of lacing cards includes a pink butterfly, buzzing honeybee, spotted ladybug, darting dragonfly and a green grasshopper at rest. Little fingers will love lacing around each creature, making the pictures pop. Launch date: 2010.

Individuals can enliven a space with these floating birds illustrated by Fumiha Tanaka. They are made from thick sturdy board and measure approximately 11" wide. Launch date: 2010.