May 2010 Notable Toys — Award Winners

Made of washable suede cloth, this set includes a full hood with tassel and a velcro closure. The hat is lined with wool blend felt and is accented with pheasant and ostrich feathers.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Product of the Year.

Lamb Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. Oh-so-soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style.  Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: February 2010.

Puppy Dog Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: August 2007.

Lamb Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: February 2010.

Pink Bear Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: December 2006.

Pink Bear Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: December 2006.

This album is a blend of classic and original lullabies sung by Celeste over an accompaniment of keyboards, strings and harmonica. Classic titles include "Edelweiss," "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and "All Through the Night."  Awards: 2009 Nappa Gold Award; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2009 Family Choice Award.
— The National Parenting Center gave “Celeste Sings, Kids Dream” its Seal of Approval award and labeled it as “an ideal CD for ‘wind down’ time or to enhance the pre-bed ritual.” Celeste’s “soothing voice” fosters a “gentle feel” that is both “engaging” and relaxing.
— Winner, Family Choice Award
— Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards NAPPA GOLD

This all-in-one recycled tote is designed for today's busy lifestyle — ideal for baby, work and travel. From working, traveling, running errands and changing diapers, parents can have one bag that does it all. Contemporary style allows both men and women to stay organized and stylish. Michelle Herbert of Amy Michelle Go Totes told TDmonthly, "Each bag recycles 11 plastic water bottles and 8.5 oz. of fabric."

"Look Who's Signing Part 2 K-Z" jumps right in where Part 1 left off. The DVD continues to teach children the art of signing by introducing new vocabulary and using the second half of the alphabet. Express Yourself Baby DVDs are based on communication and self-expression. Jennifer Magee, Chief Creative Officer at Express Yourself Baby! LLC, told TDmonthly, "Children get the head start they deserve in communication by learning a second language, American Sign Language. Both parents and children will communicate with one another and have fun all at the same time!"

"Look Who's Signing" is based on communication and self-expression, and includes 26 basic signs in American Sign Language, the alphabet, classical music and more. The basic signs on Express Yourself Baby DVDS relate to early language development, everyday objects and actions that are familiar to babies and children. This interactive DVD gives parents, caregivers and teachers a tool for not only communicating with their children but also educating them and having fun all at the same time. Jennifer Magee, Chief Creative Officer of Express Yourself Baby! LLC, told TDmonthly, "Our products are created with other families in mind. They not only teach a second language but are educational and entertaining for both children and adults!"

“The Money Savvy Kids Club” children’s book series are co-written by financial literacy expert Susan Beacham and bestselling author Lynnette Khalfani-Cox. Through four funny and engaging stories in these smart and creative illustrated picture books, a group of childhood friends learn that there are actually four things you can do with money: Save, Spend, Donate or Invest. Money Savvy Generation Director of Operations and Marketing Melinda Voelcker told TDmonthly, "These books address the challenging topic of money choices, but in a fun and age-appropriate manner that kids can understand and that parents can use to help begin a conversation about money with their kids. Topics include: how to earn money, saving for a goal, what is a donation and how you can donate, what home foreclosure means and compound interest."

The Money Savvy Kids @Home Kit is a starting point to teach a child how to get smart about money. Included is the award-winning Money Savvy Pig, Cow or Football bank, Parent Handbook, eight-chapter CD-ROM (100+ images) with four sing-along songs, Student Workbook, 22-page Coloring & Activity book, and a Money Poem poster. The lessons explore the history of money, where money comes from, the importance of earning money and the four basic money choices: Save, Spend, Donate and Invest.

This soft, velour 10" doll has embroidered facial features and attached tricot wings in a fresh white gown. The machine washable Little Princess Angel is available in a choice of blonde, brunette and brunette/tan styles and is safe for all ages.

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.

Physicians, lactation experts, and designers collaborated to create the mimijumi, designed to be practical, attractive and functional. The bottle serves to ease the transition between breast-feeding and bottle-feeding. Gold Award Winner of the Spark Design Awards, the mimijumi replicates the look and feel of a mother's breast with natural colors, textures and forms. “Two main features separate the mimijumi Very Hungry from other bottles,” states Dr. Bill Colomb, child psychiatrist and co-inventor of the bottle. “First, the look and shape of the nipple prompts a feeding response, making the baby more likely to accept the bottle. Second, the baby must latch on to the nipple in a manner almost identical to breastfeeding in order for the bottle to work, thus minimizing confusion and making the transition between bottle and breast a breeze. In testing, 100 percent of babies who had refused traditional bottles took the mimijumi Very Hungry." The bottle is crafted from BPA-free plastic engineered in Switzerland, with medical-grade silicone molded over the thread. The one-piece nipple includes an integrated ventilation system to aid in digestion and reduce colic further helping to calm the baby. Launch date: 2010.

For two to four players, Stranded is a fast-paced light strategy game where being last will make one first. Players remove randomly placed game pieces from the platform in hopes of trapping their opponents. But each piece that is removed changes the game surface, creating new moves for some and different strategies for others. Suspense will mount with every move or remove as players try not to fall into their own trap. "Each game played has different moves you can make to either win or set yourself up for losing. The clear box top packaging gives the consumer a perfect look at the colorful playing board. This attractive and intriguing design draws consumers to the product," Todd Jacobs, Vice President, Talicor, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 15, 2010. Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Game of the Year Award

Using the two captivating books included in CHESS: Once A Pawn A Time, this kit is designed to help children enjoy learning and playing chess. The endearing chess characters and story-book style are created to engage them in the game. "This imaginative approach to teaching chess was developed by author Patzi Stewart over her 20 years as a chess teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area. The box opens so that customers can examine the books and understand the uniqueness of this chess product prior to purchase," Rachael Norman, Sales, Norman & Globus, Inc., told TDmonthly. Awards: 2010 Dr. Toy Best Toys Award. Launch date: February 15, 2010.

Silly Sam Broom is part of hands-on line of Silly Sam & Friends talking role-play toys. Kids sweep and move the bristles or press the nose to hear one of six random speech and sound effects. Awards: American Baby Toy of the Year, Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products. Launch date: 2002.

Joined by a host of family and friends including Arlo Guthrie, Pete and Tao Rodriguez Seeger, singer-songwriter Sarah Lee Guthrie presents thoughtful yet playful recordings of traditional songs and new compositions. The album includes three songs featuring lyrics by Woody Guthrie never before put to music and eight songs written by Sarah Lee and family. Awards: 2009 Dr. Toy ("Best Picks" Award) and 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio (“PLATINUM” Award). Launch date: October 27, 2009.

The Starter Kit includes the following: a signed Think Green! book with an environmental message, a reusable children's shopping bag, a reusable napkin to color, and a Kids Think Big bracelet made from reclaimed climbing rope. It can be all wrapped with a colorful piece of 100-percent PCW wrapping paper. Awards: Moonbeam Children's Book Award 2009, Creative Child 2009 Preferred Choice Award, Garden Club of America’s 2009 Club Conservation Award. Launch date: 2010.