July 2010 Notable Toys — Award Winners

Daisy, Violet and Sweet Pea are luxurious, weighted plush kittens designed to feel like real kittens. Made of fluffy French faux fur and satiny fabrics, they measure 6"-7" long. A portion of proceeds goes to animal rescue and children's literacy charities. Price shown is for the set of three kittens.
AWARDS: 2009 Family Choice Award, 2009 Publisher's Choice Award

This 90-minute, award-winning instructional handwriting DVD uses video modeling to teach modern manuscript letters. It supports D'Nealian penmanship programs and has breaks that show how to draw using select letters and Look2Write breaks to develop reading and writing skills.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year; Dr. Toy Best Vacation Products 2010

Life goes from Hollywood to Michigan to Mars when Lisa and her family take in her grandmother who has dementia. The Weavers quickly discover the “comicals” of Nora Jo bring a whole new realm of “crazy” to their copasetic abode. And the question becomes, how high a price can they pay for this traumatic change? "As Nora Jo Fades Away is a great read with an even grander cause: to create action and awareness," Lisa Goldman, Five Star Publications office coordinator, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Paris Book Festival Romance Award First Place

All of the songs on "Be Nice" were inspired by Leeny's persuasive, misbehaving, penguin-loving nephew Zak, and the result is an album of irresistible, hilarious, and educational tunes for children and their parents.
Awards: 2008 Parents' Choice Approved Award; 2008 Children's Music Web Award: Best Recording for Preschoolers; 2008 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award; 2008 Best Music Recommended List for Your Family by Common Sense Media; 2009 Song of the Year nominee by Just Plain Folks Music for "What Have You Done With All the Penguins?!"; 2008 International Songwriting Competition Finalist for "Mammals"

"Sharing the Same Stars" by Leeny and Tamara features 14 original songs about topics including ladybugs, seat belt safety, the epidermis, shyness and kindness.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Recommended Award; 2010 National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) Rising Star honoree; 2010 Independent Music Awards (IMA) Song of the Year nominee for "Ladybug, Ladybug, Ladybu-u-ug"; 2009 Creative Child Magazine Preferred Choice Award.

The Sterling Police have just announced a major breakthrough in the case of the pirated video game MazTech Ultimate SK8 and need help breaking up the piracy ring. In this game, kids can join the Ectropy Secret Science Team, using science skills to help solve the mystery. "Secret Science Team is about taking what you learn about science and applying it to everyday situations ... it is more than science experiments, it is truly a science experience," Ectropy Science President Walter Thompson told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Approved

This DVD is designed to help children thrive with daily physical workouts featuring brain-based, guided movements to stimulate learning. The program also shows how these fitness exercises can be used with children who have special needs.
Awards: 2009 Dr. Toy's 10 Best Active Products; 2009 Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products

The Original Splash Bombs pack all the splash of summer into colorful, cloth-covered balls designed for play in or out of the pool.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Spring 2010 Toys FunStuff Award

Children can take up ribbons, streamers and scarves, plus get ready for hand-clapping, foot-stomping, repetitive rhythmic routines. Diverse rhythms, such as African, Reggae, Cha Cha, Bossa Nova and Rap, and cool musical action songs with a pattern and a purpose, are meant to encourage movement and imaginative play and improve motor skills. Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Award Recommended

With this American-made kit, children can make potholders with 100-percent cotton loops custom made to fit sturdy metal Harrisville looms. The kit comes complete with materials in fresh, bright and vivid colors, and instructions for making six different potholders. Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Product Gold Award; Oppenheim Best Toy Award; ASTRA Best Toy Award Finalist

The lively songs on Sarah Pirtle's new CD, Pocketful of Wonder, encourage outdoor play and a childhood nourished by imagination, curiosity and nature. With humor and warmth, Sarah beckons children to experience the exploration and enchantment of the seasons, farm life, city neighborhoods and family time.
Awards: 2010 Parents' Choice Gold Award; 2010 Tillywig Toy Award; Magic Penny Award for Lifetime Achievement in Children's Music
— Veronica Schwartz of the School Library Journal called the album “A very strong addition to most collections” perfect for “evening story times, in preparation for nap time, or during those quieter times at home.”
— Tillywig Toy Awards gave the CD its Sterling Fun award, explaining that “Sarah Pirtle's expressive voice and lyrics evoke a sense of wonder, hers and ours, at the beauty and mysteries of the world in which we live,” from “the first snowfall of the season” to “the gorgeous stirrings and awakenings of spring.”

"Lullabies to Celebrate Mother and Child" is a collection of 10 original lullabies written and performed by Paige Stroman. The album is recommended by a psychologist for its beautiful lyrics and soothing sounds. The music also has nature sounds woven throughout the CD to enhance a baby's state of relaxation. "This CD was produced by a world-renowned rock producer, Jack Richardson, who produced Bob Seger's 'Night Moves,' Alice Cooper's 'School's Out' and The Guess Who's 'American Woman," Lullabyland Singer/Songwriter Paige Stroman told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2001 Silver NAPPA

“It’s a StoryTime Jam, Volume 1” is designed for mommy-and-me, preschool and elementary classrooms, quiet time at home, a family vacation in a mini-van, or any time a child wants to be transported to a musical, magical world. It includes educational, catchy original songs and musical stories. "This is a musical story hour that gets kids and their families excited about reading! It also provides an auditory listening experience encouraging kids to focus through the StoryTime By Design motto,"1-2-3-It is time to read!" StoryTime By Design Co-Owner Cori Cohen told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Product

Designed for children aged newborn to 3 years, Stonz Booties are versatile all-season booties that can be worn over shoes, Stonz Linerz, slippers or bare feet. Their durable coated nylon upper provides wind and water-resistance, their fleece lining provides warmth and comfort, and their wide opening allows the booties to slip on and stay on easily. The booties have rubberized, skid-resistant soft soles and are machine-washable. "The toggles on each bootie make sure they go on easily and stay on any sized child's foot," Stonz Wear Owner Lisa Will told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2006 I-Parenting Media Award; 2009 PTPA (Parent Test-Parent Approved) Award; 2010 Mom's Best Award

Made of washable suede cloth, this set includes a full hood with tassel and a velcro closure. The hat is lined with wool blend felt and is accented with pheasant and ostrich feathers.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Product of the Year.

Lamb Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. Oh-so-soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style.  Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: February 2010.

Puppy Dog Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: August 2007.

Lamb Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: February 2010.

Pink Bear Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: December 2006.

Pink Bear Treasure Pocket a-door-nimals are birth announcements for the hospital door and, later on, cuddly best friends and tooth fairy animals. The soft critters hang by satin ribbons and hold dry erase heart-shaped boards for new families to announce baby’s birth in style. Awards: iParenting Media Award. Launch date: December 2006.

This album is a blend of classic and original lullabies sung by Celeste over an accompaniment of keyboards, strings and harmonica. Classic titles include "Edelweiss," "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod" and "All Through the Night."  Awards: 2009 Nappa Gold Award; 2010 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2009 Family Choice Award.
— The National Parenting Center gave “Celeste Sings, Kids Dream” its Seal of Approval award and labeled it as “an ideal CD for ‘wind down’ time or to enhance the pre-bed ritual.” Celeste’s “soothing voice” fosters a “gentle feel” that is both “engaging” and relaxing.
— Winner, Family Choice Award
— Winner, National Parenting Publications Awards NAPPA GOLD

This all-in-one recycled tote is designed for today's busy lifestyle — ideal for baby, work and travel. From working, traveling, running errands and changing diapers, parents can have one bag that does it all. Contemporary style allows both men and women to stay organized and stylish. Michelle Herbert of Amy Michelle Go Totes told TDmonthly, "Each bag recycles 11 plastic water bottles and 8.5 oz. of fabric."

"Look Who's Signing Part 2 K-Z" jumps right in where Part 1 left off. The DVD continues to teach children the art of signing by introducing new vocabulary and using the second half of the alphabet. Express Yourself Baby DVDs are based on communication and self-expression. Jennifer Magee, Chief Creative Officer at Express Yourself Baby! LLC, told TDmonthly, "Children get the head start they deserve in communication by learning a second language, American Sign Language. Both parents and children will communicate with one another and have fun all at the same time!"

"Look Who's Signing" is based on communication and self-expression, and includes 26 basic signs in American Sign Language, the alphabet, classical music and more. The basic signs on Express Yourself Baby DVDS relate to early language development, everyday objects and actions that are familiar to babies and children. This interactive DVD gives parents, caregivers and teachers a tool for not only communicating with their children but also educating them and having fun all at the same time. Jennifer Magee, Chief Creative Officer of Express Yourself Baby! LLC, told TDmonthly, "Our products are created with other families in mind. They not only teach a second language but are educational and entertaining for both children and adults!"