May 2010 Notable Toys — All

Each UGLYDOLL has unique characteristics and Pointy Max is considered to be uncontrollable, unstoppable and incorrigible. Pointy Max also has a weakness for cheese and a blank page phobia. Karen Laureigh of Pretty Ugly LLC told TDmonthly, "These hip, huggable plush characters have distinct personalities that are sure to win your heart and are not a bit UGLY at all ... because UGLY means unique and special." Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.

Picksey is an inter-dimensional being. He can be in many places at the same time and despite his ability, Picksey has a lot on his mind and seems to be stressed out all the time. Marketing Manager Karen Laureigh of Pretty Ugly LLC told TDmonthly, "Kids can help him keep his cool through hugs, kisses, and contributions to his chocolate bar fund." Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.

The Big Bang Rocket is a "green" toy that recycles old newspapers to operate. Lindy Borkin, marketing manager at Can You Imagine, told TDmonthly. "Remember 'caps'? They used to be the only way to create a big bang. Well this is better, safer AND it recycles old newspaper," she said. Launch date: March 2010.
—  “Everyone likes it. They buy one for their kid, then they come back and buy one for a birthday present," John Blair, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in April 2010. His store was already selling its second dozen of the rocket since ordering at Toy Fair in February.

These Spielstabil German-made Ocean Sand Molds are perfect for the beach or sand box. The Ocean Sand Molds are brightly colored in different ocean shapes. HABA USA National Accounts Manager Janet Walker told TDmonthly, "This item's construction will make it last for years to come!" Launch date: March 2010.

This hand-painted Black Bear by Papo is a high-quality animal figure. Operations Manager of Hotaling Imports Brian Shackelton told TDmonthly, "The design of all Papo products is realistic and natural, which enables you to experience the large variety of nature — from domestic animals on a farm to wild animals in the jungle." Launch date: March 2010.
— Papo Figures were best sellers at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in late summer 2010, according to owner Brett Sommer. “Customers love the quality and selection,” he noted.
— In a Summer 2011 survey, four out of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that Papo was their best-selling brand of action figure.

This German-made clutching toy by HABA manipulates easily in an infant's hands. The variations created with the easy movement of the different sections allows for easy beginning hand-eye coordination. It is made from beechwood and colored in a nontoxic, water-based stain. Launch date: March 2010.

To help kids pass the time traveling, this Travel Kit includes fun activities, mini crayons and three draw-your-own postcards. Shelley Dieterichs of Good Buddy Notes told TDmonthly the Here We Go! Travel Kit's best features are its "price point, convenient size and packaging for travel." Launch date: 2008.

Good Buddy Notes newborn onesies are imprinted with "baby talk" text messages on the front. Shelley Dieterichs of Good Buddy Notes told TDmonthly, "These onesies are clever, trendy and humorous." Launch date: April 2010.

This second 1:64 Motor World release follows the same sub-series branding system that was created with the first assortment, with three individual product classifications — All-American Series, Classics Series and Speed Series. Each sub-series is uniquely reflected on the blistercard packaging. Allie Rudd, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at GreenLight Collectibles, told TDmonthly, "Motor World is an affordable collectible die-cast line that features vehicles from global car manufacturers. Well known domestic brands such as Cadillac, Chevy and Ford are paired with some of the most popular global car brands such as Jaguar, Lamborghini and BMW." Launch date: Apr. 2010.

Series 2 is composed of four different scenes, including Bullitt, Hot Pursuit, County Roads and Hitchin’ a Ride. The revised Bullitt scene features the two famous cars later in the chase scene, just as the crash occurs, complete with scrapes and bullet holes in the models. County Roads captures the spirit of the '60s with a light green Large Camper painted with peace signs and flowers. Hot Pursuit features the 2010 Mustang GT Convertible being pulled over by a Nevada Highway Patrol Dodge Charger, while Hitchin’ a Ride features the very first taxis made by GreenLight. Allie Rudd, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at GreenLight Collectibles, told TDmonthly, "These replicas feature opening hoods, detailed engines, real rubber tires, metal body and chassis, detailed graphics, custom license plates and are officially licensed by Ford, Chrysler Group LLC, Chevrolet, Warner Bros Entertainment Inc and the Chadwick McQueen and The Terry McQueen Testamentary Trust." Launch date: May 2010.

The County Roads Series 4 features an assortment of cars including the modern Ford Taurus, muscle cars such as the Pontiac Firebird and Pontiac GTO, not to mention old favorites — the Dodge Ramcharger and the Chevy C-10 truck. Since no back road would be complete without the local authorities present, the series is completed with a Laconia, New Hampshire Fire Chief car (an east coast township with an urban population of 16,210 and a rural population of 855). Allie Rudd, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at GreenLight Collectibles, told TDmonthly, "Collectors will appreciate our attention to detail as well as the fun familiarity that is woven throughout our County Roads series. This series truly illustrates the types of vehicles one would find driving through quaint towns and on the back roads of America’s rural municipalities." Launch date: Apr. 2010.

This high-quality wooden xylophone is designed with lifestyle colors, has a handle for easy toting and storage for two sticks. The baltic birch frame and maple keys and two sticks offer fun, safe early melodies. Robin Lehnert, Hape Marketing Manager, told TDmonthly, "A 10-month old begins with a rap and a tap. Who knows what could happen next on the very beginner xylophone." Launch date: February 2010.
— In a January 2014 survey, Cariad Owens Fichtner, manager of Out of the Blue, Ltd in Albuquerque, N.M., told TDmonthly that Hape Xylophones were one of the top-2 best-selling musical toys at her store.
— In a January 2015 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Xylophones were their store's best-selling music toys.

This Shelby GT500 is ready to take it to the track with a 5.4-liter, 32-valve, 540 horsepower V8 engine with 6-speed manual transmission, new aluminum wheel options and leather bucket seats. These replicas boast first-time GreenLight details including a hood prop, realistic hood hinges, multi-part lights, exquisite trunk detail, the “Premium” Interior package, cloth seat belts and flocked floors/trunk. The Shelby is available in Grabber Blue with White Stripes and Torch Red with Oxford White Stripes. Allie Rudd, Sales and Marketing Coordinator at GreenLight Collectibles, told TDmonthly, "To date, these beauties flaunt the most detailed engines GreenLight has ever offered." Launch date: Apr. 2010.

The intelligent design of this product uses bamboo rings to form very unique building blocks. The distinct angles of the bamboo rings combined with textile edges that act as "grips" create endless possibilities for building exciting shapes and structures. It includes 24 angular bamboo rings and an instruction guide. Hape International Marketing Manager Robin Lehnert told TDmonthly, "The eco-friendly activity helps children develop a sense of spatial awareness, geometry and hand-eye coordination." Launch date: July 2010.

Stormy Seas is a stacking game where the boat is ready to be loaded with cargo and the seas are moving the boat up, down and sideways. Players must carefully load the boat while balancing the cargo. Includes one boat with flag, 25 cargo pieces and one die. All pieces, other than the flag, are made of bamboo. Launch date: 2010.

Add an outdoor patio to any dollhouse with bamboo plants, decking, a patio set with a working umbrella, and a miniature grill with four shish kabobs. Hape International Marketing Manager Robin Lehnert told TDmonthly about the company's "use of bamboo to create a very unique and realistic dollhouse furniture set." Launch date: Feb. 2010.

Youngsters can tap on both sides of this wood drum. One side is a classic tone drum and the other has a regular drum sound. The see-through drum surface allows children to trace beads inside in a secure maze. It comes with two drum sticks. Launch date: February 2010.

Children start by joining the puzzle bases together and then twist the shapes on the appropriate post. Children can make up their own way to play this stacking and sorting activity that triples as a puzzle, too. Designed with solid baltic birch bases, the Creative Peg Puzzle posts have elasticized bases in case a child falls onto the post. Multiple bases allow for more than one child to play at the same time. Launch date: February 2010.

These tie dye bags come in more than 12 assorted colors and many different appliques such as heart, peace signs, smiley face, etc. Each bag also comes with a free necklace. VP of TOP TRENZ Jamie Glassberg told TDmonthly, "Most backpacks are not fashionable as these!" Launch date: May 2010.

This anatomically correct, all-vinyl baby doll drinks and wets and loves to take a bath. Emma is a potty-training aid, too, and is recommended by Potty Training Pro Teri Crane. At 14", she comes complete with four accessories: pink potty, pacifier, feeding bottle and disposable diaper. Liza Grando, Account Executive at Moss-Tucker Associates, told TDmonthly, "Corolle dolls are set apart from all others by their sweet, expressive faces, quality materials and construction, creative fashions and a soft, subtle scent of vanilla." Awards: 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal; 2006 ASTRA 100 Best Children's Products; 2006 ASTRA 10 Best Socially Responsible Toys; 2005 Grandparents Magazine Best Doll. Launch date: 2005.

Children can prepare a cup of joe for themselves or a guest with this modern coffee maker and sugar and cream. They can insert the single-serve coffee filter in the basket and push the button to pretend the coffee is brewing. This product is constructed with a combination baltic birch plywood and maple. Robin Lehnert, Marketing Manager at Hape, told TDmonthly this product features a "modern realistic design in lifestyle colors." Launch date: Feb. 2010.

The Gourmet Fridge is a modern white wood cabinet-style refrigerator with a top-mounted freezer and six ice cubes ready to provide instant refreshment. Hape Marketing Manager Robin Lehnert told TDmonthly, "High-quality Baltic Birch plywood materials combine with a modern, realistic design in lifestyle colors for this working ice-maker." Launch date: February 2010.

In this coordination game, teams must imitate the robot movements shown on the cards. The team that is the best at controlling their 'robot' teammate with gestures and reaching the robot position faster than their opponents wins. Asmodee Marketing Manager Ruby Nikolopoulou told TDmonthly, "The price point is interesting for gifts." Launch date: October 2009.

This cross between Pin the Tail on the Donkey and darts allows the user to take a snout peg and snout their enemies on the Pig Board. It can be played as a novelty party game, individually or used at the office. Snout A Pig founder Sue LoGuercio told TDmonthly, "There is nothing out there like it that is fun, satisfying, hilarious and therapeutic — which is harmless and not harmful." The Pig Board has been featured in the Oscar celebrity gift bags , the Teen Choice celebrity gift bags, and on the Ellen Show in 2010. Launch date: 2010.