June 2009 Notable Toys — All

Part of Gund's San Diego Zoo line, Zhen Zhen is a special plush animal named for a Giant Panda cub at the San Diego Zoo, born August 3, 2007.  Posed sitting and looking forward curiously, Zhen Zhen is carefully stitched and extra soft. Gund contributes 7 percent of all sales of its San Diego Zoo line to global conservation programs.
— “Gund has been our long-time [best seller],” said Bill Rayment, owner of Toy Crossing in Harbor Beach, Mich., during a May 2009 survey of top-selling plush.
— Thirty percent of 43 retailers told TDmonthly Gund is a best seller.

These sports-themed stickers on 4" x 6.5" sheets are available in several varieties, including soccer, basketball, football and gymnastics.

The Little Box of Ballet includes an illustrated storybook, "Little Book of Ballet Stories" with the tales of "Sleeping Beauty," "Giselle," "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker"; an instruction booklet with photos, "Little Book of Ballet Steps: An Introduction to Ballet Dancing"; a pink tutu; a matching headband with rose decorations; and a slipper pendant on a ribbon necklace.

Designed for young golf players, this journal has colorful graphics and divided sections that allow kids or teens to keep track of their goals, lessons, statistics, practice, tournaments and more. It also includes a pocket for scorecards and quotes from famous golfers throughout.

Featuring a board made from the renewable resource bamboo, this game, a version of the ancient Mancala, challenges players to collect the most pieces.

Featuring the main character from the Caillou television series, this board book showcases the ABC Train, which has removable puzzle pieces designed to help kids learn the letters of the alphabet. The pieces can be connected outside of the book to create a lengthy train puzzle.

This CALAFANT Dollhouse comes complete with balcony and two big rooms on the backside. All doors open. Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable. Decorate inside and outside, create wallpaper and pictures. Ideal in size for play with 3" dolls and animals. Assembled product is approx. 15" x 7" x 16"

High quality cardboard fort with 2 teepees. Can be colored as shown or with one's own creative design. Once colored in, the fort and teepees become a pretend play environment. The fort's size is ideal for play with 3" dolls and animals. Approximate size: 14" x 14" x 9"(fort) and 5" x 4" x 8"(tepee). Made from recycled material and is 100% biodegradable.

Beautiful castle for every princess, fairy, king and queen. Color with the included 12 markers (non-toxic, washable) or decorate it with many other materials or paints. Approximate size: 9" x 9" x 11".

Ahoy! This pirate ship is ready for new adventures in no time. Decorate it in your very own colors. 12 washable, non-toxic markers included. Built with eco-friendly materials. Approximate size: 10" x 8" x 5".

Cozy little farm house with stable. Easy to fold and color, and can be used to play with existing farm animal figurine toys. 12 non-toxic, washable markers included. Approximate size: 14" x 11" x 5"

This colorful tent with a flag on top is constructed of cotton and polyester, mesh fabric and plastic rods. It can be folded for storage, and the mirror and window are removable.

This Asian-American doll is part of the Friends Forever Girls series of dolls and books that focus on friendship, character and community. She comes with "The First Day of Forever" book. Launch date: September 2009.

This 18" vinyl doll represents a character in the Friends Forever Girls series of dolls and books centered on friendship, community and character. She comes with a purse accessory, a Butterfly Promises bookmark, and "The First Day of Forever" book.

This polyester backpack is outfitted with two side pockets, a BPA-free plastic drink bottle, and two front pockets — one open and one zipped. It has padded straps and a padded back, and measures 10" W x 13" H x 4.5" L at the base. The backpack is available in three other designs.

This little plush replicates the exact size Thumbelina — the world's smallest miniature horse — was at birth. Also available separately are books and posters.

"A life without pugs is possible but meaningless,“ said Loriot. Pug Sir Henry by Uschi Ackermann is the living example for the Kösen pug. It had to endure a severe illness because reprehensible breeders did not take their responsibility seriously. With her book ,"Sir Henry,“ she launched the campaign called Helping Paw, and the manufacturer is supporting this cuase with 3 Euros per sold pug. The lying dog is especially soft and flexible, filled with granules.

This illustrated pop-up book offers a novel twist on The Night Before Christmas. Written by A. J. Wood, it's illustrated by Stephen Lambert.

The First Dog of the White House is replicated in this nearly life-size version that measures approximately 20" x 7.5" x 13.4". Bo is handmade in Germany and third-party tested for safety. Launch date: June 2009.

These booties are designed with incredible detail and a playful rattle to help young ones discover their little feet. They come in a round keepsake hat box for an extra bit of French flair. The booties are machine washable and dryable, and safe for years of lasting comfort. The face is computer embroidered, and a all Kaloo products meet or exceed European and American safety standards. "The cute little rattle within the bunny's head lets parents know baby is ready for a little play time," Leif Quraeshi, president of Kaloo North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

This set has two different balls for baby to grasp, roll and hold. One is a ball-within-a-ball that chimes with every move. The sturdy plastic outer ball has generous cutouts to make gripping easy for little hands. Rattling and rolling inside it is a smaller inner ball with a bold polka dot pattern on one side and mirror on the other. A larger squishy plush ball rounds out the pair. It has bold, solid colored stripes in a velvety fabric interspersed with cheery polka-dot stripes in silky fabric. All are in high-contrast, bright colors to stimulate baby’s vision. The ball has an inner layer of crinkle fabric to make crunchy sounds when baby grabs it. It chimes when rolled, thrown or shaken. Launch date: July 2009.

The Plume Collection Doudou Mouse is a handy little 9" blankie that little ones can carry with them everywhere. The ultrasoft cotton and microfiber mix are designed to provide comfort, and the ears and paws offer little fingers easy gripping and softness. The ears and paws can be soaked in water and frozen to offer a little relief from teething pain. The mouse is machine washable and comes in a round Kaloo keepsake box. "The quality is unsurpassed and the packaging distinguishes it from other soft toys," Leif Quraeshi, president of Kaloo North America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

This petite piano is designed with many textures and moving parts to foster tactile sensitivity. Baby gets a lesson in cause and effect by pushing on the white keys and hearing one of three classical music selections from Beethoven and Mozart. The blue and purple keys light up as the music plays. The textured handle is shaped like a baby grand. Two large, colorful beads slide around on the handle for added play value. Like a player piano, this one has a moving cylinder on the top. Baby can spin it and watch beads rattle and pop inside, or hold the rattle by the handle and shake it to make a baby’s own music. "It fosters tactile sensitivity through multiple textures and moving parts," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2, 2009.