June 2009 Notable Toys — All

This little photo album holds six 4" x 6" photos and a wallet-size photo of the people baby loves most. Each photo is framed by a bold color and has a geometric pattern where photos are to be placed, designed to cultivate baby’s visual acuity. A colorful tab at the bottom of each page helps baby learn to turn the book’s pages. "The photo book provides interaction opportunities between parent and baby and helps introduce baby to new names and people," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Bold black and white geometric patterns — stripes and polka-dots — are designed to attract baby’s attention and help her focus on this ring-shaped rattle. Chewy textures on the handle and three smooth, smaller blue, green and teal rings on the handle are designed to encourage baby to teethe and touch, developing baby’s tactile sense. The smaller rings make a soft click clack sound, and black and white beads in the clear portion of the handle make soft rattling sounds. The thin ring is sized for tiny hands to grasp.

Baby can push back on this little car and let it go to see colorful beads pop, pop, pop inside the car’s clear top. The cheery little car has a bright green “chassis” and blue wheels with teal tire treads. A smiling face is embossed on the front of the car. "The movement of the little car encourages baby to crawl after it," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Velcro fasteners attach this trio of smiling bugs to baby’s infant carrier handle. Rich primary colors and high-contrast black and white geometrics are designed to catch the eye of even the youngest baby. The bold patterns and symmetrical faces and bodies allow baby to focus, helping baby feel calm. The bee and dragonfly have shiny fabric wings with top stitching, and the ladybug has ridged corduroy wings. The wings crinkle to the touch, designed to to delight baby and encourage exploration. The dragonfly, bumble bee and lady bug can be moved to different spots on the carrier handle to give baby a different perspective. Each bug makes its own soft sound. When a toy is positioned to the side of baby’s head (and field of vision), it can be shaken to help baby seek the source of the sound. "This toy encourages visual development: it has high-contrast, geometric patterns, faces and bright colors and can be hung at a distance to fit baby's developing vision," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant for Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Baby can take the wheel with this key set. A black-and-white-striped “key chain” holds the three keys in tonal colors — colors close to each other on the color wheel — to help improve baby’s visual acuity. The keys offer raised ridges, bumpy dots and key-shaped indentations to encourage tactile exploration. A variety of dynamic car sounds can be heard when baby pushes the three colored buttons on the key chain. The keys also make clacking sounds when shaken. "This toy offers visual, auditory and tactile stimulation and encourages baby to engage in pretend play," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

The Wild West Bench Seat With Storage features a nostalgic western town seat back design that includes star finials, a "Good Guy" and a "Bad Guy" on horseback that spin, and a toy store with doors that open and close. Toys can be stored by lifting the bench seat or sliding the toy barn door open at the base, and driving or riding toys or animals in. The bench seat closes with a slow-closing metal safety hinge. Launch date: June 2009.

The Wild West Rocker features a "Good Guy" photo frame in the rocker seat back, where the consumer can place a 4" x 6" photo of any little dude. The top of the seat back has spinning beads, two cowboys on a horse, and a bag of money that spins. Underneath the seat is the company's signature understamp that can be used to personalize the rocker for the child. A photo greeting card is included so the child can say thank you. "Our rockers are designed as a rocker, and with fun things for children to play with and discover as they rock," Cheryl Batzing, PR director for Levels of Discovery, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

This collection brings back some old favorites, as well as a number of new faces, in a whole new way. These 3.75" scale plastic action figures include accessories and fun details, such as articulated wrists and removable helmets. Launch date: July 2009.

This soft, huggable and sweet-smelling redhead just might become a “berry” best friends. A case includes eight individually packaged dolls. "She might be tiny, but Strawberry Shortcake has a huge heart! Her friends love to gather at her Berry Café, where they can always count on Strawberry Shortcake for a helping hand and some berry delicious treats — no wonder she’s everyone’s best friend in Berry Bitty City!" Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Based on the 23rd-century design seen in the original Star Trek television series, this detailed electronic instrument features silver highlights over a black finish, plus light and sound effects taken from the watershed TV show. The Tricorder features blinking lights, a spinning scanner, a light-up screen, and adjustable shoulder strap. All doors open and close. It comes in window-box packaging. "The Entertainment Earth Exclusive Medical Tricorder is the ultimate replica for any fan, collector, or 23rd-century physician. Not only does the case open to reveal the detailed interior, but this deluxe version also includes a compartment with a removable scanner accessory with lights and motion that you won't find anywhere else!" Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

Kids can squeeze and collect their favorite Nintendo classic characters. This wave 1 case of six pieces contains the following 6" plush: 2x Mario, 1x Balloon Boo, 1x Goomba, 1x Petey Piranha, and 1x Mushroom (subject to change). "These are pop-culture icons in cute plush format," Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 31, 2009.

In true DK Publishing style, the Visual Dictionary is designed to elucidate, illuminate, and excite even the most discerning LEGO, Star Wars, and minifigure fans around the world. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda, Luke Skywalker and others are brought to life with dozens of little-known facts and hundreds of photos, as are accessories, vehicles, weapons, and even the Death Star. Kids and adults can learn about the history, manufacture and construction of the minifigures of the Star Wars Universe, and come away a Lego Jedi Master. "LEGO and Star Wars are two of the world's most well-recognized and successful franchises, and have been collaborating since the 1998 release of the first LEGO Star Wars minifigures," Jenna Banks, director of sales for EE Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 31, 2009.
— "LEGO Star Wars — we just blew out of those," Bill Sartain, co-owner of Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, told TDmonthly, citing sales of about 50 of these books a month in late 2009. Two of 44 specialty retailers named this title when discussing best-selling books.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist and received a 2009 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: June 2009.

Parents may indulge their child’s imagination with this enchanting unicorn helmet cover, designed to encourage kids to wear their safety helmet. Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets. They are available in more than 35 animal character designs. "Tail Wags helmet covers uniquely fit over all safety helmets, thereby, making it an ideal all-year-round product," Karyn Climans, owner of Tail Wags Helmet Covers Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA finalist.

Tail Wags helmet covers are designed to make it fun for kids to wear their safety helmets. They are made to fit over all makes and models of bike, ski, snowboard, toboggan, skate and equestrian helmets, and come in more than 35 animal character designs. Tail Wags was a 2008 JPMA Finalist. Launch date: June 2009.

Bright, bold colors, high contrast, symmetrical animal faces, and real-life photographs of people baby loves make these photo blocks an ideal toy to stimulate baby’s visual development. The set has four blocks that stack to make a house. There are two cubes, a rectangle and a triangle for the roof. "Babies love to look at faces, even as newborns, so these lightweight photo blocks will capture even the youngest child’s gaze and imagination," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

These books are filled with bright, bold images and made from sturdy “wet-proof” material designed to stand up to eager hands, teething and readers who drool over the pages. The colors, geometric designs and symmetrical elements can calm baby and help little ones focus. The words imitate baby’s first babbling sounds, including “baba,” "dada” and “mama,” and encourage baby to experiment with language and refine his skills. A soft, plush block featuring images from the books reinforces the sights and sounds. "Engaging baby early in language is fundamental, as both communication and language development are significantly shaped by experiences. By 9 months of age, babies can recognize specific words up to two weeks after hearing them read repeatedly from a storybook," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

Santa's biggest secret is revealed in The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition gift set, with a North Pole pixie-elf (available with light skin or dark skin and dark eyes, as pictured), a hardbound children's book and a keepsake box. Launch date: October 15, 2009.
— Owner Diana Nelson of Kazoo & Co. in Denver told TDmonthly in fall 2009 that her store sells about 36 Elf on the Shelf sets per month.

The original Scout Elf Skirt is a dazzling ice-white, pleated skirt, sure to please the most fashion conscious female scout elf. Beautifully embellished with holly berry red snowflakes, this skirt will make your girl elf outshine the stars this Christmas season. Simply place the skirt where your elf can see it and she’ll fly into it during the night. One size fits all.
— The Claus Couture Scout Elf Skirt is deceptively simple. At first glance it may appear to be some simple scraps of cloth. Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, was skeptical when she first saw it, but overwhelming sales erased her doubts and made her regret her reduced order of the item. Parents who have experienced the magical tradition of The Elf on the Shelf know that the watchful gaze of the elf can transform misbehaving children into angels. Similarly, the Claus Couture Scout Elf Skirt transforms a generic elf into a fashionable female elf. More important, it can transform a sale, adding another item to a purchase or even encouraging customers to buy a second so their boys and girls can each have an Elf on the Shelf.

This large, soft-framed, true-reflection mirror is designed to encourage baby’s developing vision by providing a sight pleasing to baby — the human face. Framed in a bold geometric pattern, the mirror can be hung from crib rails at an angle so that a newborn can gaze into it while lying down, or it can be attached flat against the rails to accommodate a sitting baby. It also stands on its own outside the crib, providing tummy-time enjoyment or entertainment. The symmetrical bee has bold, high-contrast stripes. A red, black and white ladybug provides high contrast visual stimulation and includes a tracker ball in its center to aid in the development of visual perception. Textured leaves attached to the bottom edge offer peek-a-boo play as baby lifts them to find geometric patterns underneath. "Although babies have limited vision at birth, they show a clear preference for bold patterns, bright colors and faces. This mirror is well-suited to provide just the right amount of stimulation without overwhelming baby," Peggy Barrett, PR consultant at Barrett Marketing Communications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2009.

When these four soft farm friends are bopped on their heads, they make music and animal sounds. Each animal has its own song, so when baby hits one and then another, the music changes. The hook-and-loop straps can be wrapped around a stroller bar or carrier handle, or attached to a car's headrest or a crib rail. The Fun Farm Activity Bar is for children ages 3 months and up. Launch date: 2009.

The Spintacular Play Center attaches to smooth surfaces with strong suction cups, making it usable on highchairs and stroller trays. Featuring five spinning balls and three spinning bug-beads, the Play Center also includes a top piece that clicks as it spins, and a center wheel that climbs up and down the center pole as it turns. The Spin-tacular Play Center is 100-percent kid-powered, with no batteries required. "The kid-powered characteristic of this table-top-friendly toy allows for children to explore their own ability to create fun," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This 12" polar bear 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 is designed to stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "The polar bear 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" cow 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 is designed to stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. "The cow can be microwaved thousands of times," CEO Ruth Hamilton of Pritty Imports told TDmonthly, "and his aroma is designed to help kids fall asleep naturally." Launch date: June 2009.