May 2010 Notable Toys — Developmental Toys

Four ladybugs and a caterpillar have a tea party in the forest. Made of easy-to-clean, phthalate-free covers and high density foam, these bugs are safe and comfortable for children to climb, rock, toddle or play on.

This infant toy is based on the book by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. The "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"-themed soft stacker includes three alphabet stacking rings, plus a removable tree top to complete the coconut tree.

Lilly Bean's play food line is made of super-soft fleece and velour, with stuffing made entirely from recycled soda bottles. The Market Sandwich Lunch is American made and features two slices of wheat bread, one slice of lunch meat, lettuce, cheese, tomato, a carrot and a cream-filled cookie. "Our play foods are more life-sized than play foods currently available in the market. We believe that it makes our product more fun, safe and easy for little hands to play with," Lilly Bean Owner Hilary Karnatz told TDmonthly.

This easy-to-use educational tool promotes accelerated learning, literacy and new language skills. The WhisperPhone Element is adjustable for fit and comfort, and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

Word Builder challenges children to build new words by twisting the rings in order to create different letter combinations. With the help of their caregivers, children learn how to use consonants and vowels to build words between two and six letters long. The rings are easily removed and rearranged, creating a multitude of possibilities.

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 Learn-To-Dress Knight helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip, all while encouraging hours of imaginative playtime. This Noble Knight can change to a Dark Knight with just a swoosh of his reversible cape. Outfits are completely removable and Floppy Bear is machine washable and guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Components are incorporated into the design, so the life and play of the product is longer." Launch date: July 2010.

The Learn-To-Dress Fairy Princess helps little ones learn how to snap, buckle, tie, button, and zip all while encouraing hours of imaginative playtime. The Fairy Princess changes into a Pretty Pink Princess by removing her top skirt and unbuttoning her wings. The outfit is completely removable, and the dress and bear are machine washable. The bear is guaranteed for life. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "The Learn-to-Dress Fairy Princess outfit is fully removable and educational portions are designed into the garment for a longer life and to inspire creative play." Launch date: July 2010.

BPA and PVC free, this cornstarch teething rattle is eco-friendly and biodegradable. The slender design provides easy gripping for exploring fingers. It is made with Natureworks® EcoGreen cornstarch PLA biopolymer with silicone teether parts.

BPA and PVC free, this cornstarch resin rattle is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Its classic dumbbell shape provides easy gripping for exploring fingers. It is made with Natureworks® EcolGreen cornstarch PLA biopolymer.

Organic, BPA and PVC free, this plush animal with teething rings entertains baby. The plush animal is made from organic cotton terry with organic cotton fill, and the EVA teething rings can be chilled in the refrigerator for a soothing effect.

This BPA-, PVC- and nitrosamine-free cooling teether can be chilled in the refrigerator for a soothing effect. The soother is filled with sterilized water for baby's health and comfort.

The Friendliest Bugs Lacing Cards enhance hand-eye coordination and sharpen fine motor skills. The heavy duty cards have faux silk laces. Roisin Ross of eeBoo told TDmonthly, "Laces will not unravel!"

The award-winning ABC Feelings Activity/Flash Card set contains 26 cards with full-color illustrations and a feeling word for each letter. Each card has a line drawing on the back, a definition of the feeling, a story and interesting activities relating to that feeling. With six activities per card, this set is ideal for preschool age and up, in home or classroom, group or one on one. Instructions are included in the easy to use carrying package. Vice President of ABC Feelings Gene Abrams told TDmonthly, "These 7.5" x 8.75" cards are interactive and multicultural, fun and easy to use, resulting in enhanced communication and understanding of feelings."

In this game, the seven pieces start as an ink blot to be carefully rearranged to make animals, faces, letters, numbers, birds, ships, and more. A booklet of 60 silhouetted shapes to try is included, as well as rules for a cooperative game. It can be played alone or in a group. President of Family Pastimes Jim Deacove told TDmonthly this product is "for the clever, the imaginative, the creative!"

This multicolored scarf kit contains 24 durable 36” square, washable nylon scarves —  two of each of the following 12 colors: purple, lavender, royal blue, medium blue, kelly green, lime green, yellow, orange, red, pink, black and white. A CD is included with songs to accompany the scarves, as well as an instructional insert, a self-closing sturdy carrying bag with handle, and Velcro to hang the scarves in a special place.

Peppy Five is a wooden educational toy designed with natural dyes and lac finish. This colorful five-stem stacker helps children learn counting and understand number concepts. In playing with this toy, children learn about increasing and decreasing quantities and color matching.

The Discovering Shapes Crib Gallery grows with baby from a high-contrast crib gallery to a unique floor activity puzzle during tummy time. This puzzle introduces baby to problem-solving experiences. Shape and picture-matching promote cognitive and fine-motor development. Launch date: 2010.
Features:

• Puzzle shapes fit neatly into the puzzle and won't get lost
• Shape and character identification encourage problem solving
• Textures and sounds encourage exploration
• High-contrast patterns and happy-faced characters promote visual stimulation

Schylling's ABC Nesting Cubes are designed with vivid illustrations to teach young children their A-B-Cs. The cubes can be arranged in a stack, or nest within one another. Launch date: June 2010.

Large, versatile and sturdy stand-up easel allows young artists to create masterpieces over and over! Painting area is 17" x 20" for chalkboard, write and wipe, and paper roll surfaces. Handy and spacious paint and brush shelf has a washable surface for easdy clean-ups. Spacious 18" x 18' storage tray conveniently holds a variety of art supplies. Paints, paintbrush, chalk and paper sheets not included.  Ships partially assembled.

Each box set contains 24 Reptangles in green, yellow, orange, red, purple and blue that can be snapped and slid together in more than 100 ways. The turtles connect at various angles and come with an activity book with 40+ puzzles to encourage kids to think about geometric concepts and design as they build.
Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: 2010.

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.

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.