July 2011 Notable Toys — All

20 large-format bilingual coloring and activity pages printed on heavy art paper and a colorful kid-friendly glossary invite children to discover their artistic talents and explore the diverse cultures, landscapes, animals and musical instruments of Latin America. "The Latin America Coloring Book is bilingual English and Spanish. This aspect along with its beautiful aesthetic sets it apart from other coloring books on the market," Ava Mostefaoui, co-manager of Putamayo Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.

The Pic N Color is a PC software program that converts any photo into an outlined image that can be printed out and colored. Kids or parents can choose an image, then print it out for coloring fun. The software is "Very child friendly," Dominick Testa, president of Rocko Unlimited LLC, told TDmonthly.

There’s no better or safer way to get your child into cycling? The Kiddi-o Junior Balance Bike is safe and easy to ride for children from 2 to 6 years old. With a scoot of their feet, our unique training bike helps a child build the skills needed later to ride a bicycle without training wheels. Your child’s confidence will grow while their sense of balance improves from the hours of riding without the pedals getting in their way! With a child’s natural tendency to want to move around combined with a fun way to exercise, the Junior Balance Bike helps promote a healthy lifestyle and better posture that can last through to adulthood.

Get ready to race!  This Kiddi-o® Pole Position Pedal Car goes as fast as your little driver can pedal, and the shifter lets you coast downhill.  The dual wheel handbrake slows down the action. Inspired by our 1st pedal car from almost 50 years ago, this remains an exciting way to play & burn off energy. No need to waste electricity waiting for the car to charge…it’s always ready for the neighborhood track. Set up a course at the local playground and watch the kids line up to test their driving skills.

The nationally acclaimed and award winning HKS KETTRIKE® HAPPY® PRINZESSIN NAVIGATOR™ simply is the smoothest, safest and most prized tricycle ride available.  Now there's one for that little princess.  This tricycle continues the KETTLER® tradition by being the Best of the Best.   Our customer’s ultimate compliment is that our trike is “built like a tank.”  KETTLER®’s team of certified engineers is in constant pursuit of perfection to incorporate the latest in safety, innovation and quality in our products. This is well documented by numerous patented and exclusive tricycle features from KETTLER®.  The HKS Kettrike® Happy® Prinzessin Navigator™ is well worth the investment in order to provide your children and grandchildren many years of safe and enjoyable triking.  When you invest in KETTLER®, you invest in peace of mind for present and future generations.

People just can’t get enough of pirate jewelry.  Many new styles from Cool Jewels® offer your children a great variety to choose from.  Each pirate skull key hangs on an adjustable black slider cord, so one size fits all.

These fun bracelets can also be worn as anklets, and are a great item for Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

Another new and unique style from Cool Jewels®.  Each magnifying dome butterfly pendant hangs on an adjustable slider cord – one size fits all.

This new 2011 style is out just in time for the new pirates movie!  Each pendant is two sided, and hangs on a 24” adjustable slider cord necklace.  Each dozen includes an assortment of gold and silver tone finish pendants.

In this game, players have to hunt for and describe where Leo the Lion may be hiding. Cards show the real location in the lower left corner, and the "last place I saw Leo" is in the thought or speech bubble above each animal's head. Players race to follow the route and find Leo's real location. For example, the frog last saw Leo asleep in his bed. Players scan the circle of card tiles to find the bed in the lower left corner of the tile and discover that the bed is in the Bear's room. But Leo is not there. The bear last saw Leo at the lighthouse. And so it goes.
Awards: Spring 2011 Parents Choice Recommended Award 

This fox is 15 inches tall and is soft and squishy. Squishables comply with U.S. ASTM F963 safety standards. They're made out of all new materials (100% polyester fiber). Squishables can be spot-cleaned. Also available in a miniature size.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: These extra soft and plush animal/pillows include a variety of characters we don't usually see in children's toys, such as narwhals. They come in several sizes, too, which make them fun for decorating a kid's or tween's room. With a range of characters from the Google Android to a T Rex, they'll appeal to boys, too.
— "Squishables are selling really well. It's a big ball pillow in the shape of animals. We sold 20 last month," Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011.
— In a May 2012 survey, Elmer Carranza, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., told TDmonthly that they sell six Squishables each month, making them the best seller in the plush category.

This three-position adjustable, removable canopy protects baby from the sun and folds for storage just like the Baby Spring Float. There is a mesh play space for toys and splashing. Dual inflation chambers and low seat enhance security; the included sun canopy blocks 90% harmful UV rays. Features a "rainy day ducky" design and includes a carry/storage bag. 34"L x 30"W x 3"H. 1.64 lbs. Ages 9 to 24 months.
— As of 05/21/2012 this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 199 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Thorough sun protection; folds up easily; the mesh area for toys is convenient. Cons: One customer complained of a leak around the hole where you inflate the float; One customer said her baby flipped over and was held under water because her legs were still in the hole.

The 3-IN-1 Compass Tool is conveniently attached to a self-winding retractable carabiner clip, so it's always within reach yet quickly out of the way. Push-button releases spring-loaded compass lid. Flip-out magnifying glass stays neatly hidden when not in use. High-visibility LED signal light lets kids flash secret Morse code messages across any field.
Awards: National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Spring 2011

Woody Rocking Horse is made from 100% birch, harvested from an FSC Approved (ethically harvested) forest. It is produced to last as an heirloom toy. Helps Children develop balance, muscle strength and coordination. Over-sized rockers prevent tipping forwards or backwards, and footrests help children balance and position themselves properly. Weight limit is 100 lbs. Launch date: June 2011.

The Go Anywhere Booster Seat has a secure 5 point harness that securely holds baby upright, along with three adjustable straps which makes it easy to attach to almost any chair. Suitable for children who can sit unaided and up to 40 lbs. The seat weighs less than 1.5 lbs and has an easy wipe clean and BPA-Free fabric which makes this feeding booster seat ready to go anywhere. "It is the only ASTM compliant feeding booster seat in the North American Market," Vanessa Carrington, owner of VC Distributions LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2011.

This set of Crazy bones feature four packs of three figurines from series one.

The peasants have spent a hard week scything hay in the fields, but tonight the festivities begin, starting with a sumptuous banquet of roast hay. Then, the annual nose-stealing competition. Then you have two jesters, one who always lies, one who always tells the truth, both hilariously. This celebration will truly have something for everyone.This is the 5th addition to the game of Dominion. It adds 13 new Kingdom cards to Dominion, plus 5 unique cards. The central theme is variety; there are cards that reward you for having a variety of cards in your deck, in your hand, and in play, as well cards that help you get that variety.

World Wrestling Entertainment Legends Figure Collection Series #5 features some of the most famous superstars in wrestling history with the Legends Collection. Featuring never-before-seen classic Superstars, the line offers extreme articulation, detail and amazing accuracy while capturing 50 years of WWE's rich and exciting heritage. This figure portrays Macho Man Randy Savage, who passed away in May 2011.

Based on the popular game for smart-phones, this pack of silicone bands includes yellow, blue, red and black birds, pig, and slingshot. Bands can be worn as bracelets or used as rubber bands.

Each 2011 Pokemon Trading Card Game Sneak-Peek Tepig Tin contains a basic Pokemon Tepig preview card from the Pokemon TCG Black & White expansion, as well as a Tepig collectible figure. Each tin also contains a special Black & White preview pack with 5 more new Pokemon. In addition, included is 4 more Pokemon TCG booster packs from Call of Legends, the HS Series, or the Platinum Series.

Mater is a good ol’ boy with a big heart and the only tow truck in Radiator Springs that blows bubbles. When kids push this toy, it blows bubbles.

This special edition set comes with 5 Black & White Booster Packs, 1 Foil Promo Card and a mini PVC figure of Victini.

New Phyrexia is the third set in the Scars of Mirrodin block. The set features 175 black-bordered cards, including randomly inserted premium versions of all cards in the set. Contains: nine boosters, 80 land cards, a Spindown life counter, a player's guide, a card storage box, and two 60-card deck boxes (Contents subject to change).

This game features the Cars 2 characters in a global spy race. Teaches measurement, graphs, patterns and problem solving. In different challenges, kids must measure the correct distance to make a fantastic jump; complete patterns to find clues or escape traps; and race as Lightning McQueen and see who's the fastest car. Appropriate for children ages 4 to 7 years (grades pre-K to 1). Only for Leapster Explorer.