June 2009 Notable Toys — All

This classic pull toy is made of velour that rolls around on sturdy wooden wheels. Launch date: July 2006.

Featuring Lauren Fisher Cat, Penny Petite Bear, Willow Cottontail Rabbit and Nibbles Norwood Mouse, each Critter comes with removable clothing and can easily be placed in a sitting position. The plush Critters are approximately 8” tall. "The Calico Critters plush dolls are unique additions to a popular product line that formerly only featured miniature characters. This loveable, hugable, Calico Critter character provides children with a cuddly version of the characters they've already come to know," Vickie Cullen, account executive for International Playthings LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This could be a first guitar for kids and a travel guitar for players of all ages. It includes eight dot position inlays, 1/4 pin pickup, and a silkscreen logo. No assembly is required. Launch date: August 2009.

This dinosaur is almost a foot long, 6" tall, and designed to be in a realistic, frightening pose. Like other Papo dinosaur figures, the Spinosaurus's mouth opens and closes. Launch date: June 2007.

The articulated jaw of this Allosaurus really opens and closes. The hand-painted dinosaur is approximately 1:20 scale and measures about 10.5". It is made of durable synthetic material. Launch date: July 2008.

The goal of this patent-pending, fast-paced game is for players to swing their ring onto their hook. One to four competitors frantically try to out-duel one another while tuning out the screams to focus on the perfect release. "Hookum is the first collapsible, multi-player Bimini Ring game," Joe Parrish, chief creative officer of 5mississippi, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009. Watch Hookum: Top-5 Video, Toy Fair 2010

Pilloroo Pillows have a hidden pouch for hiding away a toy or gift item. The pillow is stuffed so the item cannot be felt from the outside. This product is made in the USA and received a 2008 Moms Best Award. Launch date: November 2008.

My Pillow Pets are snuggly plush companions that are also a comfortable pillow for bedtime, television time or travel time. There are more than 20 styles, all made from soft, high-quality chenille and safety tested.The Original Pillow Pets come in both 11" and 18" sizes. "My Pillow Pets are the Original pillow pets. The overall design, special facial features, and highest quality chenille make them ideal for the specialty and gift market," Heidi Niehart, director of marketing for My Pillow Pets, told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: iParenting Media Excellent Product Award, Dr. Toy Best Vacation Toy, and Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Launch date: 2003.

These four lightweight, easy to use rollers offer a way to get creative. Children can roll out borders for note paper, party decorations, designs on wrapping paper and anything else that their imagination will allow. Using the circular paint pads or washable tempera paint will yield the best results, along with a shallow pan for the paint and a lesson in holding the handles properly. Each roller is 8.5" long. The themes for this set include teddy bears, butterflies, gingerbread men and frogs. Each design is a different color. Launch date: June 2009.

From the "It's Our Planet" series, this DVD is designed for kids to learn about the animals, people and plants that call this region home. They can discover what a rainforest needs to survive, and how this beautiful natural resource is disappearing. In collaboration with rainforest conservation organizations, One Smart Cookie has compiled an educational and informative DVD that uses imagery and video. "The DVDs in the 'Let's Explore' series and in the 'It's Our Planet' series use a multi-level format to cover background knowledge, as well as appealing to a wide age group (pre-K through age 10). Multi-level learning (or differentiation of instruction) is a critical factor in our children's education. Being able to move at their own pace allows your child to feel a sense of pride as they complete a level and move onto the next. Each level in the 'Let's Explore' series expands on the teachings of the previous level, adding more facts, vocabulary and scientific knowledge," Keli M. DiRisio, CEO of One Smart Cookie Productions, told TDmonthly. It was named a 2009 Dr. Toy Vacation Product of the Year and was a 2009 Gold Award winner in the National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA). Launch date: May 2008.

The objective of this product is to allow children as well as adults the opportunity to clearly allow others to see how they are feeling. Each wrist band has a character and a mood in writing that shows emotional states. These wristbands are designed as a fun way for kids to learn about emotions, colors and how to connect with themselves and others through feelings. "Moody Bands are an ideal tool to be incorporated in any school curriculum. This product is perfect for children, but what sets Moody Bands apart is that adults of all ages love them as well," Naif J. Faris, president of Moody Bands, told TDmonthly. Moody Bands received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Children's Vacation Product Award, a 2009 Toy Man Award of Excellence, a 2009 Toy Man E-Choice Award, and a 2009 Toy Man Seal of Approval. Launch date: September 9, 2008.

Each LovBun & Friends plush character features a poem on the hangtag: "Meet LovBun, the love bunny who comes from outer space! They live on hugs so remember to give them lots of hugs each day!" Launch date: August 15, 2009.

This album boasts a collection of food-themed songs from around the world. Launch date: July 28, 2009.

Created for the budding fashion designer, this activity comes with a dry-erase board and wipe-off markers to allow the young designer to come up with several combinations of wild and wacky outfits. On one wheel, the designer will spin to choose the type of bottom (i.e. pants, skirt, etc.) and top (i.e. sweater, tank-top, etc.). On the other wheel, the designer will spin to choose the footwear and an accessory. Then, the designer goes to work with the different colors to create an outfit on the pre-modeled body. "SQUIGGLE Style is not about only creating a hip and fashionable outfit; it’s about being creative and engaging children’s imagination," John Kiely, president of RandomLine, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

These are crystal clear display cases for diecast cars, dolls, sports items, figurines and more. The displays come with "cut out" background images on retail boxes. The sports items come with a grass image and a basketball court floor image on the retail box, and diecast car displays come with the classic car garage image, a modern (Nascar) garage image, and a "ROUTE 66" neon sign image on the retail box. Launch date: June 8, 2009.

With this collection of 3D, kid-friendly décor, kids can transform spaces by applying the peel-and-stick pieces to walls or other decorative elements. There are various cool colors and designs to choose from, including flowers, birds, butterflies, hearts, mirrors, bulletin boards/picture frames, letters and more. Launch date: May 2009.

This 12" duck 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 will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The duck 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.

This 12" pig 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 will stay warm for at least an hour, and may remain warm all night if snuggled under the covers. The pig 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.

One morning, Michael decides that he wants to be someone different. Someone exciting! So with the help of some dress-up clothes, he becomes Michael the businessman, Michael the knight, and Michael the pirate. He has a day full of adventures. But who is his favorite Michael? Come along for a day of play and pretend in this exuberant picture book about a child's boundless imagination! by Laura Heiman and illustrated by Sophie Keen. 32 Pages. Also available in Hardcover for $15.95.

By day, Eliot is quiet. He reads his books, feeds his goldfish, and watches Mr. Smith wash his car.  "Eliot is such a quiet little thing," say all the grown-ups. But the grown-ups don't know that when the clock strikes midnight . . . Eliot is a SUPERHERO! One night, Eliot receives an urgent message from the world's most important scientists. A gigantic meteor is about to smash into the Earth! Readers will laugh out loud as they follow Eliot Jones, midnight superhero, on his most important mission ever! by Anne Cottringer; illustrated by Alex T. Smith. 32 Pages. Also available in Hardcover for $15.95.

All Boris wants is a long catnap in his new cardboard box with no trouble whatsoever.  But suddenly--STAMP, STAMP, scribble, scribble--the box is taped up and zoomed off to doorsteps all over the earth and beyond... Every time Boris drifts off to sleep, someone opens the box and wakes him up. Beady eyes peek inside and loud voices shout, "This is NOT what I ordered! I DON'T want this cat!" This quirky cat tale proves there's no place like a loving home—especially if that home happens to have a plumpish pillow perfect for snooooooozing! by Leigh Hodgkinson. 32 Pages.

Emma can’t sleep a wink!  She tries drinking warm milk and even reading lots of books—but nothing seems to help.  So she decides to count sheep to help fall asleep.  All goes well until Emma reaches number 108.  Sheep 108 cannot make it over the bed!  Emma, along with 109, 110 and all the following sheep must try to find a way to help 108 jump over the bed or none of them will get to sleep.  Luckily Emma has a plan… by Ayano Imai. 32 Pages.