June 2009 Notable Toys — All

Everyone takes turns to roll the die to see how many chomps the pig will take. Players push down the pig's head to chomp the burger. With every pump, the pig's stomach gets bigger, bigger and bigger. When he pops on a player's turn, that person loses the game. Launch date: July 2009.

In this colorful family game of strategy and bluffing, players try to capture all the STIXX of their own color. They can bluff by also taking different colored STIXX in an attempt to thwart opponents. Players who believe they know their opponent's secret color can call them out but will lose a turn if wrong. Launch date: 2008.

This family oriented strategy game for two to four players is simple to learn and comes in a plastic case that snaps shut and is designed for ease while traveling. The object for each player is to surround their opponents' playing pieces and switch them to their color. The person who has made the most pieces of their color at the end of the game is the winner. Launch date: 2008.

This simple game is designed to be learned in about a minute and played with the entire family, with kids from 4 to 10 years old. Game play takes about 15 minutes. The object is to surround opponents' playing pieces and switch them to your color. The person who has made the most pieces of their color at the end of the game is the winner. Launch date: 2008.

Players take turns placing their tiles in the correct sequence, racing to get rid of them in this fast-moving game. The game can have unexpected turns as special tiles let players change direction, give tiles to opponents, skip opponents, or play wild cards. The game includes 106 high-quality tiles and four holding racks. Launch date: 2008.

Tayu is named after the legendary Chinese hero who saved his country from flooding by creating a series of waterways. In the game, each player trys to create as many water channels from one side of the board to the other, while at the same time blocking his competitor. Twists and turns are the norm in this fast-packed strategy game. "Choosy, quality toy-store owners agree that this game is of the highest quality and provides the most fun for the money," Jodi Swindle, operations manager for Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Players place the Bloqs to try to surround unused squares on the board, and the player who can isolate the most of these squares wins. All of the playing pieces in the game are the same but can be played in many different ways to create space to win. Launch date: 2008.

This game was designed to transform checkers into a game of cunning and luck where kids can beat their parents. On each turn, players spin to see if they either move, or open and close trap doors. If a checker is on one of the trap doors, it might fall through. Trapdoor Checkers features "quality components that stand the test of time," Jodi Swindle, operations manager at Goliath Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. This game earned a 2009 Major Fun Award.

Inspired by the author’s childhood memories of receiving notes in his lunchbox, Lunchbox Stories were created as an innovative way for kids to enjoy reading. With more than 40 chapters in each book, readers experience the twists and turns of each adventure through a series of suspenseful Chapter-Cards™. Four titles are available, and each story includes full-color illustrations and packaging. "The Chapter-Cards have approximately 200 words, and are written with just enough suspense to encourage the child to read the next card. The unique design makes Lunchbox Stories effective for quick and consistent reading before bed or during the day, and teachers find they can use the short chapters to playfully regain the attention of the class after recess and lunch," Brian Martin, president of Lunchbox Stories, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 5, 2009.

This backpack looks like and is shaped like a front-loader digger. Unzipped, it becomes a construction zone. But when play is done, the Playscape™ becomes a backpack in a zip, capturing the toys inside for easy cleanup. It includes two die-cast construction vehicles. Launch date: 2009.

ZipBin Street Racer is a backpack that looks like and is shaped like a race car. Unzipped, it becomes a city street with drivable roadways. When play is done, the Playscape™ becomes a backpack in a zip, capturing the toys inside for easy cleanup. This set includes two die-cast cars. It received a 2008 Seal of Excellence award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2009.

ZipBin® Trucker is shaped like and looks like a long-haul truck. It’s designed as a creative way for kids to store and carry their trucks and cars. Unzipped, it reveals a side-by-side racetrack. When play is done, kids can capture all the toys inside. The set includes die-cast cars and is sized for travel. Launch date: 2009.

These frosting-flavored Cupcake Mints come in a 130-ct., 3"-tall tin. There are 36 shrink-wrapped tins in each illustrated display box. Launch date: July 25, 2008.

This set of seven mustaches is made specifically to accentuate feminine features. Each furry lip ornament has adhesive backing and is made of synthetic hair in a shade of pink. It comes on an illustrated blistercard. Launch date: April 2, 2009.

This 3"-tall disembodied head of Freud is made of soft foam rubber designed for squeezing. It can be kept in the car for stressful commutes and on the desk at work for those days when nothing seems to go right. It comes in a net bag with an illustrated header. Launch date: April 17, 2009.

This large tote has three windows that allow for placement of photos. It is fully lined and has a zip-top closure with a heart zipper pull. The shoulder straps measures 11.25" and the tote has bottom footers. It "becomes the portable scrapbook of memories," Sara McHugh, in sales at Braggables, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

This chic, heart-shaped photo key ring in wet croco has a silvertone ring and a claw attacher. The photo can be changed as often as the consumer desires. Launch date: March 2009.

This microfiber nine-window tote features wet croco trim. The user can access photos through the front zip compartment. There are two side compartments and one back compartment. The tote is also outfitted with a center interior divider, zip-top closure, a 12" shoulder strap and silvertone bottom footers. It's a "chic and unique 'Portable Photo Scrapbook.' The consumer can change the photos as often as they like," Sara McHugh, in sales at Braggables, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

JAM Bracelets are stretchy fabric bracelets that each have a sterling silver alphabet letter beaded on. Multiple bracelets can be stacked on the wrist to spell a name, a message or a favorite team, for example. "People can purchase as many different 'letter bracelets' as they like to spell out whatever message they want to display on their wrist. The price point is set low to allow the freedom to purchase multiple bracelets," Laura Gastwirth, owner of JAM Bracelets by Wirthware LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009.
— Richard Gibson, owner of Learning Express in Newton, Mass., named Jam Bracelets as one of his store's top sellers in July 2010.

This soft, tan- and cream-colored mouse is made from the sustainable resource bamboo. It is 8" tall. Launch date: 2009.

Now, teaching music history is easy for teachers and fun for students. "The Right Notes" music assignment book teaches music history for instructors, freeing up their valuable time for lessons. A weekly practice chart helps keep track of practice time. The 9" X 12" pages give ample room for writing weekly notes. Each notebook lasts a year. A completed "The Right Notes" music assignment book can also act as a lasting record of a student's progress. Click here to watch publishers' 2-year-old exhibiting her musical knowledge. Launch date: January 2009.

A starter set for our other Montgomery Schoolhouse building blocks, these are excellent quality hard-maple building blocks in all the standard shapes, in proportion to each other. This set has 21 pieces with eight different shapes. The base block is 1" X 2" X 4" Each set comes in a sturdy box for storage. These blocks are unfinished and part of the Schoolhouse Naturals line. The set comes in a white compact box for easy shelf displaying. Launch date: 2009.

This 18'-long Giant Evolution Timeline Play Mat displays 600 million years of evolution with weird ancient creatures, fun facts and activities. It collapses to the size of a coffee-table book. The mat is lightweight, durable and environmentally friendly. It was named one of Dr. Toy's 10 Most Socially Responsible Products of 2009.

Our 12-foot-long Giant Evolution Timeline Poster displays 600 million years of evolution with colorful ancient creatures, fun facts and plenty of awesome activities! With the same great graphics as the floor mat, this poster version is just as engrossing for kids. Includes 12-page Activity Guide. Retails for $29.99.