July 2009 Notable Toys — All

This 5-7" plush doll represents the Influenza A virus H1N1 in an oblong pink shape covered with pink fur and adorned with big red eyes and a pig snout. It is part of a line of educational stuffed "animals" that look like mini microbes. The GIANTmicrobes series turns creepy crawly microscopic organisms into irresistible stuffed toys. Launch date: June 2009.
— Online Reviews: Minnesota Mamas’ Sarah found GiantMicrobes “a fun way to teach your kids about germs and how to stay healthy as well as why they are ill.” The Mom Buzz thought the plush can help kids develop healthy habits, like washing their hands, as well as alleviating fear of medical procedures.

Suitable for ages 18 months and up, this fire engine is made of the renewable resource rubberwood and comes with colorful shape pieces toddlers can push through the matching silhouettes on the sides. Launch date: 2009.
— "Smart Gear is doing some really smart stuff," Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, told TDmonthly after the 2009 ASTRA show. She commented on the line's nice appearance and wooden construction.

This new line of 18 books includes a 50/50 mix of coloring and activities on premium quality papers, such as watercolor, vellum, and heavy duty drawing paper. Every book was distinctively designed in partnership with artists, without clip art. The square shape is user friendly with a plastic coil binding so that the books can lay flat for easy coloring. Furthermore, the perforated pages are printed on one side and can be easily removed for displaying. Each book has its own blend of enriching activities, creative projects, fun facts and even stickers. Launch date: October 2009.
— Elisabeth Dahl of Calico Cat Toy Shoppe in Bainbridge Island, Wash., who discovered this product at the ASTRA Marketplace 2009, told TDmonthly she appreciated the spiral binding and perforated sheets.

This light pink tiara features maribou feathers and artificial pink gemstones. One size fits all.

An L.A.-based mom designer created this supersoft plush elephant ... plus some more animal friends.

Wooden dolls with yarn hair are available in an assortment of ethnicities, ages and genders.

This 10" tall (25 cm) stuffed Meerkat is alert and super-soft.

Princess Catherine Castlehoff is regally dressed in purple and gold. This unique royal puppet features elegant hand detailing and materials carefully crafted for years of pretend play. She measures 17" x 7" x 8".

These fluffy feather boas with silver tinsel make a glamorous addition to any dress up outfit. Each boa measures 3 feet long; the perfect size for little ones. One size fits most. They come in pink, lilac and white.
— In an early fall 2010 TDmonthly survey, seven percent of 44 retailers cited Little Adventures costumes as a top-selling accessory item.

Baby’s first prehistoric plush pal! This extremely soft, loveable baby dinosaur was designed especially for infants. Its embroidered details, soft blue color, orange spikes, and smiling face make this a toy that children of any age will cherish.

Jane Yolen and Mark Teague's remarkable series is a delight for children and adults. The books are a warm and no-nonsense way of helping kids manage the important things in their lives—going to bed, eating their food, coping with being sick, and going to school. By using humor and showing what a dinosaur would and wouldn’t do, the books make things easy to understand for even the smallest child. Dolls come in 14" ($16.00) and  8" ($9.00) sizes.

This 17 x 9 cm replica of the fiercest prehistoric predator is handpainted.

This recently discovered dinosaur is reproduced in a 1:20 scale. It measures 32 x 11.5 cm.

This Brachiosaurus replica is handpainted. It includes a to-scale human figure and an educational pamphlet.

The allosaurus is a predecessor of the T Rex. Watch out for his claws! This meticulously hand-painted replica comes with an educational hangtag in five languages.

This set of oversized building pieces is made of all-natural, finish-free hardwood maple with an interlocking design that facilitates construction of a classic barn measuring 18" W x 24" L x 20" H. It has sizeable windows and doors, plus a removable roof so that kids can play with their dolls and toys on the interior. Launch date: 2009.

The apatosaurus from Safari includes an educational hangtag in five languages. It's meticulously handpainted.

WhisperPhone Duet uses the power of auditory learning while also allowing students to learn together in pairs. Duet also can keep classrooms quieter. Duet is Title I and Reading First funds qualified, dishwasher safe and battery free. It received a 2009 Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products award. Launch date: May 2009.

This set features a detailed Santa with his toy sack and best friend Rudolph the Reindeer for pretend play. The figures may be used with other WOW toys sets. Launch date: July 9, 2009.

This friction-powered cement truck has an automatic revolving mixer. Mike’s motor rotates his inner cement drum, tossing and turning all the mix of cement ingredients with real cement-making sounds. He is operated by a friendly removable construction driver figure who can either drive him to his next job or watch the mixing process from the top of his truck. A detachable bollard can be fixed to the back for easy storage. "Mix ‘n’ Fix Mike, as with all other vehicles from WOW’s toy range, has been designed to help children make sense of the world around them through imaginative play. Every WOW toy is compatible with others from the range, [and] they are extremely resilient, don’t require batteries, and exceed all toy safety regulations," Tanya Laperouse, PR manager for WOW Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 9, 2009.

With this puzzle, toddlers can match the shape of one of the four knob puzzle pieces or discover what is underneath. The Pond Knob Puzzle is designed to promote fine motor and concentration skills. "Delightful graphics encourage children to uncover and learn more about animals in their environment," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Little Autos are child-sized vehicles made of maple with natural wood wheels painted with a vibrant burst of color and sweet graphics. They are available in four colors: lime green, blue, red and yellow, and accented with one of two whimsical patterns: checkers or blossoms. Little Autos are an "exceptional value for a modern, wood vehicle. This is available in a display with 8 autos in 4 colors," Robin Lehnert, marketing manager for Hape Intl., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Reeves International announced its exclusive U.S. distributorship for WWF® - Games by Terra™ in 2009. Under the license of the largest multinational conservation organization in the world, the World Wildlife Fund, Terra Toys introduces the Wildlife Conservation Collection. These classic, timeless, family-friendly games and puzzles are made from sustainable materials, incorporating 19 endangered species and their habitats that are currently under protection. In Amur Chinese Checkers, players choose their favorite feline and walk, run or leap to find out the fastest route through the wilderness of the Amu-Heilong region. It includes 60 wooden playing pieces (six colors), an Amur-Heilong themed wooden playing board and playing instructions. Launch date: September 2009.

The myPC Stage I Keyboard is a personalized computer keyboard designed especially for toddlers' learning styles and lifestyles. "Unique features include large, rubberized keys and a tough spill-proof exterior," Elizabeth Tarpley, CEO of Targeted Technology Solutions, told TDmonthly. It received a 2008 Toy Man Award of Excellence and Seal of Approval. Launch date: September 2009.