July 2010 Notable Toys — Novelties

This set includes six summer-themed Zhu Zhu pet fashion options. Sailor, scuba diver, Hawaiian shirt , basketball player, ballerina and hula girl costumes are included.
— As of 8.12.10, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from five reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 5 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Easy to use and durable, with realistic movement. CONS: May be too advanced for children under 3.

Young artists can personalize this Hello Kitty bank using the included five paint colors and easy-to-follow instructions.

Hello Kitty looks warm and cuddly in this fuzzy pink bear outfit trimmed with a neck bow and floral headdress. The Hello Kitty dress-me doll is sold separately.

This 1960s-themed squirrel plush is available in 5" and 8" sizes, and makes a funny sound when squeezed. He sports a green headband and is embroidered with the word "groovy."

These cheerful bush baby characters are available in pink bunny, purple bunny and yellow duck styles. Each stands about 5" tall.

This game for two or more players comes with a cup and 13 dice. Each player is a zombie, rolling a die for one of three outcomes: the brain icon that represents points, the footsteps icon that stands for a victim on the run and an opportunity to re-roll, or the shotgun blast icon that is detrimental to a player's undead health. Players score one point for each piece of gray matter and a strike for each shotgun blast. The first zombie to hit 13 points wins.

This 8" polar bear plush is part of the line of gift and greeting toys that rap and record. Bear E White has a 30-second recording device and can also wrap around wrists, gifts or cribs. The WebRappers website features hundreds of musical greetings and genres in multiple languages to choose from.

This 8" green rabbit plush is part of the line of gift and greeting toys that rap and record. Pita has a 30-second recording device and can also wrap around wrists, gifts or cribs. The WebRappers website features hundreds of musical greetings and genres in multiple languages to choose from.

Welcome to the wondrous world of Diana Schoenbrun's "Beasties," where mythic and imaginary creatures come alive from simple materials, such as scrap fabric and thread. From werewolves to zombies to yetis to unidentifiable yet adorable beasts, these projects allow crafters to push the limits of their imaginations to sew a menagerie of whimsical beings.
— “Author Diana Schoenbrun does a fantastic job of presenting an array of wonderful creatures to create,” proclaimed BookLegion. According to the reviewers, the monsters created based on the book “make great personalized gifts for others.”
— Jocelynn Brown of the Detroit News Handmade Crafts Blog loved that the book encouraged the resourceful use of fabric scraps, since the “more woven and textured scraps of fabric, the more interesting your creatures will look.” Her colleague Erik Henrickson loved the irreverent designs of the monsters, from the “soft and fluffy” Tomte to a “patriotic Werewolf” complete with “red, white and blue fur.”

This plush from Funko's DC Comics series wears a blue bat mask over his big black eyes, and wears Batman's iconic gray, black and blue suit.

This plush from Funko's DC Comics series has black hair and big black eyes, and wears Superman's iconic red and blue suit and cape.

This stylized Jimi Hendrix plush stands 7" tall. He wears a gold ruffled shirt, purple vest and red pants, and comes accessorized with an orange scarf and a classic guitar.

The diminutive queen of MTV's breakout series Jersey Shore gets the bobble head treatment, and naturally, she talks. This collectible Nicole "Snooki" wobbler stands approximately 6" tall and speaks a few trademark phrases.

This 10" plush potato is a cuddly version of the on-screen favorite. When hugged, he speaks more than ten different sayings from the movie trilogy. This toy requires three AA batteries, which are included.

This interactive pal plays "Mr. Potato Head Says", tells jokes as kids mix and match his seven removable pieces, and plays a game that challenges kids to get all the pieces in place in ten seconds flat. This silly tater also spins, shakes and pops out all his pieces.

This spooky 10" doll features rooted hair, an elaborate costume, and a vampire theme. Maggot has black hair worn in plaits dons a black and white sailor dress accessorized with white ruffled socks and black shoes.

This spooky 10" doll features rooted hair, an elaborate costume, and a vampire theme. Orchid has curly blonde pigtails wears a black and white dress accessorized with black ruffled socks and black shoes.

This spooky 10" doll features rooted hair, an elaborate costume, and a vampire theme. Sabbatha has bright red hair and eyes and wears a black and red dress accessorized with red socks and black mary-janes.

This charming rabbit measures 16" from ears to feet, is super soft, and features embroidered freckles & eyes, ladder-stitched hearts on his chest and feet, and the requisite bushy tail. Love Bunny also comes with a full-color eight-page comic book.

Designed by artist Rodney Alan Greenblat, designer of the cult video game "PaRappa the Rappa," Sweety Bancha is the best friend of PJ Berri. This 13" plush features shaggy fur, embroidered features, plastic buttons on his shoulders and hips, and a ribbon on his left foot that bears his name.

Designed by artist Rodney Alan Greenblat, designer of the cult video game "PaRappa the Rappa," PJ Berri is a moody nightclub DJ and the best friend of Sweety Bancha. This 13" plush features shaggy fur, embroidered features, plastic buttons on his shoulders and hips, and a ribbon on his left foot that bears his name.

This 12" Gloomy Bear is styled like a classic soft teddy bear and comes with wooden buttons on his arms and signature Gloomy Bear claws. His shoulders are jointed so he can be moved into multiple poses.

This Gloomy Bear resembles a classic teddy bear. He has super-soft fur, signature Gloomy Bear claws, and a ribbon tied around his neck.

This 9" talking plush is a re-creation of the beloved character from the "Star Wars" films. With a press of a button Yoda speaks movie quotes including, "When 900 years you reach, look as good you will not," and "Do, or do not. There is no try."