June 2009 Notable Toys — All

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely bio-degradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "Because of their natural fibers they scratch absolutely nothing! The whimsy of our designs helps encourage children to assist with the dishes and wash their fruits and vegetables!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2004.

Loofah-Art products are made with 100-percent all-natural loofah (a sustainable agricultural crop) and dyed with vegetable dyes, making them completely biodegradable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and compostable. "The unique, whimsical designs that attract consumers to buy our products is what makes Loofah-Art stand out. Once the customer is attracted to that, the 100-percent natural fabrication as well as the practicality and functionality of our scrubbers' performance create a winning combination!" Anita Liwette, creator and co-founder of Loofah-Art LLC, told TDmonthly. This item was finalist for "Best New Product" at the New York Gourmet Housewares Show in October 2004. Launch date: May 2004.

Whenever there is an awkward pause, individuals can push the button on the key chain-sized theCRICKETtoy™ to hear "Chirp. Chirp." (crickets chirping). "There really is no other item out there like this designed for those awkward moments. It's a great conversation piece and it gets people asking, "Hey, where did you get that?" That's GREAT marketing and branding with multiple impressions throughout the week!" Jeff Anderson, owner of Kardandak Enterprises LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 5, 2008.

These clear display cases are suitable for baseballs, basketballs, footballs, bobble head dolls, die-cast cars and more. Each display has a beveled stackable edge and comes packed in a decorative retail box with either a cut-out grass image or basketball court floor image, or both, making the sports item look as if it's sitting in its natural environment. Each display is also available with a wood base. MSRP ranges from $.99 each to $18.50.

A mini Ferris wheel, the Sensation Station has four activities that spin and rotate on a center axis. The toy features the full spectrum of colors to appeal to the well-developed vision of a child 6 months or older. Lots of bold, bright patterns are designed to engage baby visually, too. A bright red bug with high-contrast eyes sends showers of beads in motion as it spins, making a pleasing sound. A cylinder is filled with colorful rattling beads and makes a cheery sound when baby bats at it. A textured disk is split in the middle, allowing the two parts to spin together or independently. Bumpy dots on the ridges invite exploration by finger and mouth. The toy is two-in-one: secured into the wide suction cup base, it is a high chair toy; when removed from the base, baby can grasp the black-and-white-striped, textured handle and play with the toy using both hands. "All the moving parts encourage baby to manipulate, explore and investigate this toy," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

This clear, lightweight barrel is filled with an assortment of brightly colored soft plush monkeys, plastic barrels and bunches of bananas. The monkeys have symmetrical, smiling faces, designed to have a calming effect on babies and young children. The soft monkeys are easy to grasp, squeak when squeezed, and encourage baby to reach out and strengthen gripping muscles. The wide mouth jar encourages baby to fit the pieces back in. "The toy encourages baby to play using fill and spill activity, which helps develop motor-cognitive processing skills and is a precursor to shape-sorting," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

Parents can attach this little apple, banana, onion or eggplant to the handle or side of the shopping cart to entertain baby. The fruit and veggie characters have smiling, symmetrical faces with high-contrast eyes. Black and white striped leggings and tethers provide visual stimulation and focus for even the youngest babies. Each little character wears tennis shoes and has interesting textures to touch and teethe on. Smooth teethable rings circle one leg on each character for added tactile exploration. Each character makes a soft rattling sound and most have leaves, or petals, that crinkle to the touch. The toys come two to a pack and hook on to shopping carts, strollers, infant carrier handles, high chairs, and other surfaces with simple plastic clamps. Launch date: July 2009.

This fabric-covered toy has bold, bright geometric prints to help baby focus and lots of brilliant colors to stimulate visual development. The screen is a large, true-reflection mirror that reflects baby’s image. Colorful tabs on the top of the screen announce their colors in English and Spanish when baby pushes them. The keys can be pressed to hear colors in English and Spanish, musical notes, or silly rhymes and sounds. When it’s time for a break, baby can close the laptop and tote it around using the fabric handle. "This toy encourages language development by exposing baby to colors and rhymes and music, all activities that help baby's brain build connections," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

This mirror allows babies to gaze at their own faces and also encourages parental interaction with baby: “Who is that?” “Look at your happy smile!” “Your eyes are so blue!” The mirror straps on to the handles, placing it at the right height and angle for baby to see his reflection. Two spinning balls, one on each side of the mirror, feature reflective surfaces and bold geometric patterns in high-contrast black and white. A smiling caterpillar in bright colors sits on top of the large mirror. He has a symmetrical smiling face designed to engage and calm baby. "This mirror can be adjusted so that even very young babies can see the patterns, colors and mirror to help develop vision," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.

This rattle is designed to catch the eye of even the youngest babies with high-contrast black and white geometric patterns and bold orange and red accents. Like a mini barbell, the rattle has a thin handle with a ball on either end. One side features a black ball with white polka-dots. The other is a clear ball with a rotating disk showing three eye-catching images. These bold visuals encourage baby to track the rattle as eye muscles develop. Three thin rings in tones from yellow to red rattle around the handle. Baby is encouraged to finger these rings and to touch and mouth the raised bumps on the handle to cultivate tactile sensitivity. The toy "provides auditory, visual and tactile stimulation," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

These electronic feeding bowls make fun animal sounds as baby eats. Each bowl is activated by the "magic spoon" and makes one of four sounds each time the spoon leaves the bowl. The insert bowl is removable, can be placed in the microwave, and is dishwasher top-rack safe. A large suction cup holds the base firmly in place, making the bowl useful for self-feeding. Animal Snackers come in two varieties, Dog and Cow. "[It] allows children to be in control of activating the lights and sounds of the animal snackers while they eat," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This 12" sheep is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. It is designed to remain warm for at least an hour, and may stay warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "This sheep can be microwaved thousands of times," CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, "and his aroma is designed to help kids naturally fall asleep." Launch date: June 2009.

This 12" bunny is filled with 100-percent natural wheat and dried lavender, and after two minutes in the microwave is a warm buddy to take to bed. He's designed stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The bunny can be microwaved thousands of times, CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, and his aroma is designed to naturally help kids fall asleep. Launch date: June 2009.

Mark-my-time digital bookmarks in neon blue, green and purple are fun and easy to use. A simple and easy way to monitor reading times for either a countdown session with alarm or cumulative sessions monitoring and storing up to 100 hours of achieved reading time.

Launch date: Summer 2009
JAKKS is flexing its muscles with today's best wrestlers. There are 6 in each assortment, and new waves will be released every other month. Each figure boasts patented technology to craft realistic face sculpts, plus 25 points of articulation for life-like action and poses. Accessories help kids act out the moves and get into the action.

Launch date: Spring 2009
These 3-3/4-inch figures star Wolverine and the best heroes and anti-heroes comicdom has to offer. Kids can recreate scenes from the movie with the figures, which boast great detail and incredible articulation. Pictured is the Logan figure with bone claws.

Launch date: Fall 2009
Marvel has some of the best-known and best-loved characters in comics, and 34 of them are coming to stores this year, including Spider-Man, Daredevil, X-Force Wolverine and Ultimate Captain America. Each single-packed figure has exceptional articulation and poseability, unique accessories and their own “top secret” file card.

Launch date: Fall 2009
The vehicles are one of the best parts of the Star Wars universe. Eight deluxe vehicle and figure packs based on scenes from The Clone Wars cartoon features one Star Wars vehicle and an accompanying action figure, both designed in the classic 3-3/4-inch scale. Pictured is the evil Count Dooku on a speeder bike.

Launch date: Fall 2009
The Clone Wars were waged in the fall of 2009, and continue to be played out on Cartoon Network. Dozens of new figures, each with action features and accessories, will be brought home this year. Entries include Kit Fisto, Mace Windu (pictured) and Commander Gree.

Launch date: August 2009
This gift set contains the largest and most powerful enemy the heroic Autobots will face in the June 24 movie “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” Six separate construction vehicles turn into robots, then join together into Devastator in order to, well, devastate. It hopes to capture the interest of children who love construction vehicles, robots and interactivity between toys, as well as the older collector who remembers Devastator and the Constructicons of his youth.

Spell words, build bridges, and block your way to the Treasure, matey! Arrgh! Players make their way towards the treasure by creating paths of words and bridges across the shark infested waters.  Cunning pirates make good use of rock walls to block their enemies from reaching the pirate loot first. Now more game play! Enjoy endless play with a two-sided dry erase game board.  Pick the original game board or the new updated shark attack mode.  For 2-4 players.

This red-colored wooden push toy takes the shape of a pig with wheels for feet for a child to push around. The red paint is ultra low in odor and is non-toxic, while the wood itself is composed of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals. This wooden pig push toy measurse 9" x 11".

Made of 100% post-industrial recycled wood residuals, this push toy takes the shape of an elephant with wheels at the legs for children to push the toy around. Covered in non-toxic, ultra low odor paint, this wooden elephant push toy measures 11.5" x 11".

This small, 26-hole harominca features a wooden mouthpiece.