June 2009 Notable Toys — Licensed Products

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.

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.

I Spy Colorful Kids Puzzle Assortment offers an imaginative new twist on classic I Spy fun. The assortment features six different color-themed puzzles that link hands when completed. Players do the puzzle, then solve the riddles. It comes in a durable carry-along package and includes 100 pieces. The puzzles measure 16.75" x 18". Launch date: March 31, 2009.

It takes a keen eye and a quick hand to keep up in this fast-paced matching game. Players search the colorful picture cards to find the one that matches the silhouette card in hand. The player with the most matches wins. No reading is required and there are four levels of play. The game is created to help develop visual interpretation, critical thinking and social skills. It received a 2009 Oppenheim Gold Award. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This junior version of I Spy Eagle Eye is scaled to suit the youngest I Spy fans. No reading is required and there are four levels of play. The game is designed to help develop language skills, word association, matching like and similar objects, and social skills. It is made in the USA. "This game makes learning fun with its unique I Spy imagery and bell-ringing activity," Carol Comes, product manager for Briarpatch, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This 18" x 35" puzzle consists of 35 sturdy, wipe-off pieces. As an extra feature, the entire classic Goodnight Moon story is printed around the border. It is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

These counting and matching games offer seven versions of play for children at different levels of skill and experience. There's a different game for every night of the week. It encourages listening, matching, and beginning number and reading skills. The product features the endearing artwork from the classic book "Goodnight Moon" and is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

This bilingual laptop has 48 fun learning activities in English and Spanish. There's a switch for easy selection between the two languages. The QWERTY keyboard encourages correct typing. The product aims to help kids learn vocabulary grammar, math, trivia, logic, music and drawing. Launch date: October 2009.

This laptop has 60 educational activities in English and Spanish, and a working microphone allows kids to sing along to their favorite songs. Interactive funny games are designed by using the microphone or directional joystick. It's created to help kids learn upper and lower case letters, math, logic, music and singing. Launch date: October 2009.

In this game of skill and chance for two to four players, the goal is to be the first to top off a treat with a cherry to win the game. It is made in the USA. Launch date: March 31, 2009.

These clear display cases are suitable for baseballs, basketballs, footballs, bobble head dolls, die-cast cars and more. Each display has a beveled stackable edge and comes packed in a decorative retail box with either a cut-out grass image or basketball court floor image, or both, making the sports item look as if it's sitting in its natural environment. Each display is also available with a wood base. MSRP ranges from $.99 each to $18.50.

Taking a break from celebrity, Miley goes back to the farm, and is reunited with this beautiful horse in the Hannah Montana movie. The doll comes with fashions directly from the movie. Girls may be inspired to recreate movie scenes or script their own fun.

A 3” scented Strawberry Shortcake can hang out in this two-story cafe that comes with furniture, play food, a spinning smoothie machine and even a bird friend to ride. No batteries are needed. Launch date: Fall 2009.

This fashionable friend has tons of beauty options. Girls can comb her hair, or style it with included clips, barrettes and hair extensions. An applicator, after it’s been chilled in the freezer, can be used to trigger the color-change feature of the doll, giving it eye shadow, lipstick and a little berry on her cheek. Stickers complete the scene. The 11” doll has the classic strawberry scent and requires no batteries. Launch date: Fall 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.

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.

The right size for a school lunch or a few essential treasures, this tin keepsake box features Curious George, the charmingly precocious monkey, flying along on a blue bicycle complete with the wide grin to tell what a good time he's having. The bright yellow box has a plastic handle and a metal latch to hold it closed in transit.
— Two of 49 retailers surveyed in April 2009 said Curious George is their top-selling licensed toy.

Everybody's favorite beagle keeps his chick buddy, Woodstock, warm with a striped muffler.

Hello Kitty is so healthy, she's transformed herself into a yummy-looking 4" fruit. She's also helpful -- use the padded slot on her head to hide jewelry, cell phones or mini erasers. She comes in a variety of flavors, including green pear (pictured).

Girls can create airbrush artwork to customize T-shirts, tote bags, sneakers, hoodies and more with the Project Runway Airbrush Design Studio Set. The airbrush tool is designed to be easy to use and works with the specially designed fabric markers. The style guide has ideas to get the creativity started, then girls can design their own one-of-a-kind looks for themselves and friends. The kit also includes stencils, making it simple to create runway worthy-clothing and accessories. "The airbrush tool is so easy to use (plus the stencils has 100+ cool, modern designs to choose from) — you can decorate any surface — so girls can really think outside the box," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Girls can customize T-shirts, tote bags, hoodies and more with this silk screen set that makes it safe and easy to create their own one-of-a-kind designer looks for themselves and friends. The style guide offers inspiration and instructions on how to use the machine, stencils and paints to create runway-worthy clothing and accessories. "Silk screening is such an easy process — you can just purchase plain clothes and make one-of-a-kind creations that no one else will have," Sarah Koth, PR manager for Fashion Angels Enterprises, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

George stands 12" tall in his striped pajamas. Like any little boy, he needs his own teddy to get a good night's sleep.

This 8" plush Kuromi is ready to charm, with her exciting new polka dot hood with pink accents and pompoms.