June 2009 Notable Toys — All

Each players pits his dinosaur against an opponent’s in this deck-dueling challenge, while watching out for Dino Danger. Players can learn about dinosaurs and their world in this prehistoric card game featuring action elements and a dino die to change up game play. It also comes with a dinosaur pocket guide. "Children will learn dinosaur taxonomy and time periods long before they even realize they’ve been learning!" Geoffrey Moran, president of Evolving Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

Did you know the constellations are grouped by astronomers into families – like the Hercules, Heavenly Waters and Ursa Major families – whose members are in the same region of the night sky? After playing this game a few times, individuals may be connecting constellations all over the sky. It includes action cards and a galactic die to change the game play up in lots of spacey ways. An awesome constellation pocket guide is included. "Constellation Connect! is an attractively packaged game with a lively blend of fun and educational attributes, making it suitable for home, vacation or classroom use. It introduces the deep beauty of the starry skies to children in a friendly, fun and non-overwhelming way," Geoffrey Moran, president of Evolving Toys, told TDmonthly. This game received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children’s Product award. Launch date: August 15, 2008.

This set for portraits contains a 12-piece selection of smooth, blendable oil pastels to create natural skin tones. Expressionist oil pastels are formulated with extra-fine quality pigments, wax and oil. Artists blend to create genuine complexions for portraits. The product is ACMI Non-toxic certified and may be used on paper, cardboard, canvas and wood. Also available is Expressionist Extender, a unique oil pastel medium that extends a color’s hue range. "Expressionist oil pastels are the standard by which all other oil pastels are judged," Linda Lyon, marketing specialist for Sakura of America, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 24, 2009.

Characterized with the Marvel "Super Hero Squad" team, this series features an infrared full-function remote control with A,B and C channel sector. It has miniature vehicles with stylish designs for collection, digital proportional control for precise turns and speed, and headlights. Launch date: August 2009.

Characterized with Marvel superheroes — Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America — this product features full-function radio control, a hinged body design to provide swinging action, light effects and high speed. Launch date: August 2009.

This 20-song CD includes original songwriting by Charlie Hope. Themes include positive approaches to naptime, learning about the joys of having a new child in the family, and discovering the limitless possibilities we all have inside of us. It comes in eco-friendly packaging. It features "melodic music that is appealing to both parents and children, from an independent singer/songwriter," Margaret Wilson, president of Challenge & Fun, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 15, 2009.
― This is one of the most popular CDs at Kazoodles, in Vancouver, Wash., said owner Mary Sisson.

Kids can splash into undersea adventures with friendly creatures that engage them in early learning games. It includes a treasure hunt and plays eight children’s songs. They press the gem notes to create original tunes. The mat is designed to keep kids on the move with floor play, or for play on a table. It features high-quality audio, automatic shut-off, adjustable volume and Activity Guide. It wipes clean and is for one to three players. The mat measures 34” L x 30” H and requires 4 AA batteries, not included. Launch date: May 20, 2009.

No reading is required for this fast-paced, card-swapping game for the young Thomas fans. The Stanley Comes Aboard deck can also be used to play Snap and Memory games. It is made in the USA of recycled materials. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

Color Caterpillars are designed as a captivating way to introduce children to colors, patterns and sizes. The big, bright, snap-together pieces are made for little hands to manage as they build cute, colorful, caterpillar friends, develop fine motor skills, and engage in early exploration at the same time. Color Caterpillars encourages creativity with 15 mix-and-match pieces and includes a convenient plastic storage jar. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Number Bugs are designed to introduce children to numbers, counting 0 to 5, addition and color matching. The chunky, snap-together pieces are made for little hands to manage as they build adorable bug friends, develop fine motor skills, and engage in early learning at the same time. The 18-piece set makes six bugs and includes a convenient plastic storage jar. Launch date: February 15, 2009.
— “[We] do a lot with Learning Resources in math,” Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacque’s Inc. in Bryan, Texas, told TDmonthly in fall 2009 about best-selling educational supplies.
— Two of 40 retailers named Learning Resources as a top-selling brand for school supplies and educational products.

Parents and children can enjoy this classic memory game together while learning new ways to be an earth-friendly inhabitant of Mother Earth. I Cherish Planet Earth is all about appreciating and preserving nature and our planet. It is a celebration of Earth's life and beauty and a call to be active in creating a sustainable future for all. It includes a 32-page, full-color story book, 48 game pieces, and a cotton storage pouch. The game is made in the USA with recycled paper and vegetable inks. Launch date: 2009.

— “I Cherish Planet Earth” earned praise from Slee of Paisley and Pretties for presenting its eco-friendly message in an affirmative way as opposed to the scar-tactics used by other environmental products. Of the messages in the book and game, not only do they help children to internalize a deeper sense of connectedness to the planet, but they also encourage meaningful thought and positive ecological action.
— Jeralee of Babes and Kids Review found the product to be even greener than advertised because it includes not only a memory game, but suggestions for several other games that can be played with the kit. Her daughters eagerly embraced these alternate games, even more so than the basic memory game. Jeralee also loved the watercolor illustrations, although their complexity and muted colors made the matching game difficult for her young daughter.

Players flip the tokens as they play to make a constantly changing game. They flip the score card to keep track of games they've won, and the first to five is the grand winner. It is made in the USA of recycled materials and received a 2009 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

Little chefs fill pies, roll cookies and more. This set invites kids to imagine holding a pretend bake-off, making special treats for company, running their own bakery, or entering the school bake sale. It features an egg that cracks open to release the yolk, cookies in four shapes to cut out, and more. The set introduces parts of a whole with a sliceable, three-piece loaf of bread and a pie with three, two-piece slices kids can fill with the included fruit. It comes with 31 plastic pieces, including favorite baked goods, a measuring cup and spoon, and other utensils a baker needs. The rolling pin (the set’s largest piece) measures 8.5” L. "From mimicking what happens in the kitchen at home to imaginative play such as running a restaurant, the Pretend and Play Bakery Set offers a realistic hands-on play experience as well as educational play," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

The Smart Bank sorts, counts, dispenses, deducts and always knows the balance. A patented "Balance Guard"™ feature locks and remembers the balance even when batteries wear out or when changing batteries. Launch date: 2000.

With the Pretend & Play Birthday Set, kids can design custom invitations for special guests, and decorate the cake and three presents. The five cake pieces feature candles numbered one to five to help with counting. Also included is a birthday crown, a pretend camera, birthday cards and more. "It encourages creativity through the design of invitations and cake decorations to number play with the numbered candles and cake slices," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 15, 2009.

Speed, smarts and reflexes get a workout in the Jitterz Fast-Paced Trivia Game that sets players on edge. Instead of buzzing in, two to four players keep their hands on pads as Jitterz reads a question, then multiple choice answers. The first player to pull her hand up after the correct answer has been read wins. More than 250 general questions about science and world geography, simple classification, and logic questions challenge children to expand their knowledge. It includes an Activity Guide, adjustable volume and automatic shut-off. An AC adapter is available separately. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Like all Scribble Mats!, this durable vinyl place mat is designed to provide hours of fun and creativity. Kids can learn as they color. Each mat comes with a box of four crayons. Scribble Mats! may be used at school, home, restaurants, or during travel. "Color on Wipe off Scribble Mats! are made with our signature surface that allows any waxed based crayon to wipe clean and easy with a dry paper towel or cloth. Kids can color again and again," Andi Thea of Scribble Mats! told TDmonthly. This product received a 2003 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy award. Launch date: July 2003.

The Funny Phone Early Listening Game is created to get players of all ages giggling. Players dial a number and listen as Funny Phone tells what the next game is. With more than 300 challenges — tongue twisters, singing, drawing, acting and more — Funny Phone is full of surprises. Winners can dial a secret phone number to hear a victory message. It features automatic shut-off, adjustable volume and a break-away safety cord. It requires 3 AA batteries, not included. An AC adapter is available separately. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Got It Reading & Math Game is a two-sided electronic game with two arcade-style joysticks. Word and math questions appear on the screen and players move their cursors to “grab” the correct answers before they are eaten up by the opponent or the friendly monster (also offers solo play). It features bonus rounds, volume control, automatic shut-off and two headphone jacks that allow quiet play. It includes Activity Guide and an AC adapter is available separately. "This game provides the option of either a reading or a math game, providing immediate feedback and play for one or two players," Nancy Davies, group account director for Salmon Borre Group, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 15, 2009.

This Solar Motor is ready to go right out of the package. Designed for demonstrating the principles of solar power, this kit includes a 1.1-volt, 75mA high-quality solar panel, propeller, and a state-of-the-art coreless DC motor capable of up to 22,000 rpm. This Solar Motor is a good way for introducing alternative energy concepts or just having fun outside while the sun is shining. Launch date: 2009.

Designed to engage engage students in purposeful talk about books, What's in Your Book! lets students explore story elements (character, setting, plot, solution) and challenges them to demonstrate their understanding by making connections and asking questions. It can be played by two players or teams. Launch date: 2009.

This Take-along-Friend is crafted out of renewable rubberwood. It's designed to inspire creativity and fun for kids to run around trying to have the shark catch the fish. Launch date: July 2009.

"Global Wonders: Around the World" is an educational entertainment brand created to inspire kids (3 to 6) to explore and appreciate the customs, music, languages and lifestyles of various cultures from around the neighborhood and world. It was created by a mom of two young girls and a veteran team of children's entertainment and developmental education experts. In a world where animation meets live-action footage, children can discover, share, and compare new cultures with their new friends from Global Wonders. "Global Wonders packaging dazzles, and the cultural content is entertaining and deep. Interactive features like WonderVision and Language Jams also set it apart," David Burchianti, VP of marketing and brand development for Global Wonders, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Best New Product, iParenting Media Best New DVD and Toy Tips Top 10 Back to School Toy. Launch date: October 21, 2008.

This take-a-long friend, with its moving wheels and chomping mouth, is designed to inspire kids to touch, grasp, explore and grow. It has bright colors and zig-zag stripes and is made from renewable rubberwood. Launch date: July 2009.