July 2011 Notable Toys — All

Koogles are very tiny magical creatures who have been sent from Mother Nature to help those in need. They each have their own personality and talent. Each small, round fuzzy creature has four tiny paws, wings, and antenna. Each comes with an icon that demonstrates their special talent. Koogles are 6" each and come with a personality tag with their name and a description.

Word Braniac includes 120 Letter Cards, 1 Game Timer and 1 copy of Word Brainiac Games Booklet-Volume 1, featuring 5 entertaining and educational word games- all contained in a handy re-closable plastic pouch. There are also instructions to 45 more games on Word Braniac's website- players can play a different game every time. Kids can enjoy a game alone or play with their friends, and can compete against each other or battle as teams. There are games for kids, adults and older folks. There are games for students and those wanting to learn English as their second language. All games are excellent vocabulary-builders. Some focus on English grammar and general academic subjects. Most entail abstract and logical thinking. Each game rewards individual risk-taking while some games promote team building.25% of your purchase will fund youth-oriented development projects.

A World of Beautiful Colors comes alive as players choose commission cards picturing 34 of the finest European art works of the past six centuries. Players score their commissions by mixing primary colors through clever tile placement, and recreating the palette of colors used by the masters who created these works. Explore the paintings, palettes and pasts of the artists in this unique and challenging game for the whole family. While placing hexagonal pieces to gain palette (color) cards, players become familiar with the different color combinations that produce the many hues of an artist’s palette... all listed on the Player Reference Card. Players also learn to recognize many great artists and their works as they complete commissions.

The 3-in-1 All Terrain Robot is a multi-function tracked mobile robotic kit. Kids can utilize different track modules to create either a forklift, rover, or gripper. Using the wired controller, kids can command the robot to move forward, backward, turn, grip, and lift. In forklift mode, the ATR can lift up to 100 g in weight. The rover's tank-like treads can traverse all types of surfaces. In gripper mode, the ATR can grab and lift anything up to 100 g and move it to a new location. The kit can be taken apart and put together again many times. Contains 157 pieces; average assembly time of 1.5 hrs.

The Eco-Biker is a wind turbine toy that helps kids understand this form of alternative energy. Kids can clip it to a bike's handlebars or anywhere in the breeze, and watch as the fan powers a LED light. The stronger the wind, the faster the Eco-Biker pedals, and the brighter the LED shines. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, and energy-consciousness are the focus of this toy. Similar kits are purely for experimental purposes; but this small kit with a compact and highly efficient design makes it easy for kids to play and learn at the same time. 45 pieces; takes an average of 20 minutes to assemble.

It's Shavuot, a holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai. Avigail and Brosh want to stay up all night observing the holiday, like the grown-ups. But will they be able to do it? They try their best, along with the help of a dancing cow and their friends. Shalom Sesame is a brand new series of 12 episodes from the creators of Sesame Street. Grover and his friends explore Israel, its people and places, and learn new things. Launch date: May 10, 2011.

This DVD features more than an hour of carefully animated stories by the wildly talented Keller including “The Scrambled States of America Talent Show”, “Do Unto Otters” and “Open Wide: Tooth School Inside”. The original stories featured on the DVD have won numerous awards, including the Caldecott Honor, ALA Notable, Nick Jr. Best Book, and more, and bonus extras include read along captioning, discussion questions, an interview with Keller and the music video “Tooth School Anthem”. Runtime is 66 minutes plus bonus footage. Launch date: May 24, 2011.

It is often said that life is a journey, and it’s true. But sometimes it’s hard to know which path to follow when signs point in so many directions.  From best-selling author Peter H. Reynolds comes the inspirational tale “The North Star”, encouraging learners of all ages to navigate to their full potential and follow their dreams. Celebrity narrators such as Zooey Deschanel and Tim Curry lend their voices to the other three stirring tales featured on this all-new DVD, including as William Steig’s “Brave Irene”, “Players in Pigtails” and “Swamp Angel”, a Caldecott Honor book from Anne Isaccs and illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky.  Extras include read along captioning. Total running time 57 minutes. Launch date: May 24, 2011.

The “My First” series, a new line of DVDs from Scholastic, was created specifically to support early literacy skills and a love of reading in the pre- and early reader.  The debut release, My First Collection Featuring Splat the Cat, is a 3-DVD set featuring 14 stories adapted from the book versions that, together, have won more than 15 awards, including the Caldecott Medal, NAPPA Gold, and American Library Association Notable Books. Splat the Cat and Other Furry Friends features four beautifully adapted stories led by the title tale from best-selling author/illustrator Rob Scotton (“Splat” and “Russell the Sheep” series). Disk two features "The Story About Ping" and four additional award-winning stories, including “Goose”, “The Most Wonderful Egg in the World”, “Duck on Bike” and “Rosie’s Walk”. As an added bonus, the DVD also contains a Spanish Language version of “The Story of Ping”. The third disk features five rhyming stories. Total running time 100 minutes. Launch date: May 10, 2011.

Putting Pool Puzzles together is simple- just pop the foam puzzle pieces out and assemble them by number. Once together, they become floating friends- a dolphin, turtle, or lobster. They can be taken apart and put together again every time a child plays in the pool.

In Don't Tip the Waiter Splash, players take turns stacking cups on the three-dimensional floating waiter's tray. But they have to be careful, because too many cups will tip the waiter. If a player makes the waiter drop the cups into the water, they're out. The last player standing wins. This pool game is ideal for 1-4 players.

BrickStix are reusable, removable and re-stickable cling decals. They are compatible with most smooth plastic bricks used in construction play. Kids can use these decals to customize their brick creations- a building becomes a cafe or gas station, a play figure becomes a doctor or cowboy- allowing for hours of creative play. Each pack of BrickStix includes two sheets of cling decals, a total of 84 per style. They are made in the USA. Styles include Metro Stix, Space Stix, and Transport Stix.

These Aqua Pets are updated versions of eight fan favorites from the original line. They feature redesigned aqua pods, offering new games and increased interactivity. Each Aquapet has its own look, sounds and songs. The creatures come alive when kids, or other Aquapets, interact with them. A microchip, microphone and speaker housed in the toy's base enable Aquapets to register and respond to sound. Each character replies with movement and melody. The more kids play with their Aquapets, the more songs they will perform and the livelier they'll become. Aqua Pets can also play three new interactive games: - Memory Moov (a memory-building sequence game) - Aqua Speed (a fast-paced reflex challenge) - Bubble Boogie (a fun and silly way to make your mini marionette dance) Place two or more Aquapets together for an AquaParty and the buoyant buddies will dance, chirp and converse with each other. Each energetic character has a sleep function, because even the most interactive friends need to rest.

Our new Eco Plant Pals are fun and environmentally friendly. All these pet plants are easy and interesting to grow. The planter and dome are both made from a corn resin. Each kit comes with everything needed including a color decal, and collectible trading card. Different types of Pals come with names that reflect their unique personalities. There are 18 styles and a counter display available.

These loveably freaky, ghoulishly cute zombies are the newest additions to the Creepy Cuddlers family. The trio of characters includes : Deathmittens- an undead feline with an exposed radius bone and bandaged tail; Zach and Ophelia- both feature real cloth clothing and skin that has “decayed” patches exposing the corduroy “sinew” below. Set includes all three figures. Launch date: September 2011.

This Cuddly Cow is a clever choice for feeding time help – he’s an expert at delivering milk. The black and white design is suited to baby’s early eye development, and the red and white gingham bow stands out against this background.  Bottle Snugglers™ Cuddly Cows make baby feeding time less stressful for caregivers, and they are great as baby shower gifts or gifts for parents of a new baby. Bottle Snugglers encourage bonding during feeding time by allowing Mom to continue holding and cuddling a feeding baby while using her free hand to care for herself or another child. They are also a big help to Moms of multiples.

The palest pink and white coloring are complemented by a pink and white gingham bow, making this Piggy baby bottle holder a sweet addition to any new parents’ tool kit. Bottle Snugglers encourage bonding during feeding time by allowing Mom to continue holding and cuddling a feeding baby while using her free hand to care for herself or another child.  Bottle Snugglers Pinky Pigs are also a baby feeding support system for parents of twins and triplets, which can help to keep multiples on the same feeding schedule.

His light blue color with white accents is set off with a light blue and white gingham bow, and his soft, velour fabric make this the plushest Puppy around.  Bottle Snugglers Precious Puppies make excellent feeding time helpers for child care providers at day cares and preschools, where baby feeding schedules tend to overlap. When the Precious Puppy holds baby's bottle, the caregiver can more easily and comfortably bond with baby during this special time.

The Charming Teddy Bear snuggler is soft brown velour with cream foot pads and a plaid bow, suitable for a boy or girl. This soft, huggable Bottle Snugglers Charming Teddy Bear will support most baby bottle types and can be used as a regular toy after baby learns to hold the bottle alone. The Charming Teddy Bear is the bottle holder that started it all for Bottle Snugglers. Bottle Snugglers encourage bonding during feeding time by allowing Mom to continue holding and cuddling a feeding baby while using her free hand to care for herself or another child. They are also a big help to Moms of multiples.

If you frequent wooded areas, it’s only a matter of time until you’re bitten. Tick is the newest addition to the Critters Category. This toy is a plush, five-to-seven inch-high versions of its counterpart in nature. Like all GIANTmicrobes products, this new addition is a humorously educational toy modeled on electron micrographs, enlarged a million times actual size. Each product includes the micrograph image as well as information about the microbe it represents.

Hay Fever is the newest addition to the Maladies Category – with no argument from some of the 60 million adults and children in the USA who, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, experience Hay Fever symptoms. Hay Fever, or medically speaking, seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a physiological reaction to the courtship rituals of grasses, trees and weeds. This toy is a plush, five-to-seven inch-high versions of its counterpart in nature. Like all GIANTmicrobes® products, the new additions are humorously educational toys modeled on electron micrographs, enlarged a million times actual size. Each product includes the micrograph image as well as information about the microbe it represents.

The Little Tikes 3-in-1 Trike grows with little ones as they become bigger and better riders. This trike offers 3 configurations to meet a child's needs: parent push, parent guided and kid powered. The seat can be adjusted to 4 different positions to fit almost any size child, while the shade canopy adjusts to any angle or can be removed depending on preference. The push handle allows parents to control direction with 1 hand as they help little ones become comfortable with riding. As children becomes more familiar with the trike, the push handle and the footrests can be detached for independence. Made with durable plastic and metal, this trike features quiet-ride tires, non-slip pedals, a 5-point seat belt harness and protective bar for lasting strength and safety. The extra large storage bucket with dumping feature and convenient beverage holder deliver even more fun for a kid on the go.

Scale the climbing wall and slide through the water-spraying arch into the connected splash pool. With the included continuous- airflow blower motor, the pool and slide inflate in two minutes. With a garden hose connected to the top of the slide, water will spray down so kids can slide into the pool. Heavy-duty Dura-Tech construction ensures lasting strength and durability. Includes 1 Inflatable Water Slide, 1 Blower Motor, 3 Blower Ground Stakes, 1 Water Spraying Hose Assembly, 6 Water Slide Ground Stakes + 1 Extra, 1 Carrying Bag, 1 Repair Kit (Glue for repair kit). Safety Warning - use with adult supervision.

This larger size measures 6 inches wide for bigger hands and rolls out to 30 feet of blank paper. Like its smaller version, each roll comes with two end caps to keep the paper in place until it's time to unroll. High quality non-toxic crayons are included with each kit.