August 2009 Notable Toys — All

Seventeen inches tall, Alexander the Trademark Bear is covered in rich, gray-tipped alpaca fiber. His jointed limbs move and his paws are padded with Belleseime Ultrasuede. He wears a medallion inscribed with the 1947 version of Steiff’s recognizable logo, and is the second in a series of bears commemorating different versions of the evolving logo.
— Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., said in July 2009 that Steiff is one of her collectible mainstays. “We're considering doing a Steiff event to really let people know we have it.”
— Three of 49 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that Steiff plush is their top-selling collectible line.

These tiny erasers are shaped like soft-serve ice cream cones and colored to match many flavors. The cones are even sculpted to resemble the waffle texture of the real treat.
— “They've just been out of control,” Casey Sartain, buyer at Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly of Iwako Erasers. In July 2009, Sartain reported sales averaging 100 per day. 
— “Anything that's little is big. For example, the Iwako Erasers,” commented Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., about her top-selling collectible toys in summer 2009.
— Six of 49 retailers pinpointed Iwako Erasers as a top seller in their stores in July 2009.

Decked out in designer fabrics treated with quilt stitching, this little dog makes for a colorful playmate or nice room decoration. It has beans in its body and legs, allowing it to easily stand up. The product is machine washable.

This soft, plush puppy in bright pastels features embroidered eyes and comes with a secret code that opens up a virtual playground for young children. Launch date: 2009.

This stack and play puzzle set includes 9 levels of storage and 75 detailed figures and accessories stored inside. Plus bonus download of the story of Princess Olivia and interactive games.

 A very stylish set for girls or boys, this set has retro-art sea green and yellow backed turtles dancing among swirls quilted upon the comforter and bumper. Coupled with color matched fabric in stripes, this 7 piece set includes comforter, bumper, fitted sheet, pillow, pillow cover, crib skirt and diaper stacker.

Adorable rag doll Dulce (D) dressed for bed in purple pajamas with pink hair ribbons, slippers and a teddy bear. Made in the USA, Adorable Kinders rag dolls are high quality 18” soft-dolls.  They were engineered for durability while eliminating the hard plastic parts that other dolls have.  They are an excellent bedtime companion for any child. Adorable Kinders are dress-up dolls with many colorful outfits to choose from.  Plus, the dolls and clothes are washable! Each doll comes with a code to register online at the Adorable Kinders e-School.  This is an interactive cartoon school where children play educational games that make learning fun (Preschool through 6th grade).  When all games for a grade level are successfully completed, the child graduates to the next grade.

This sheet of acid-free 3D stickers features LEGO law enforcement figurines, a "wanted" poster, a badge, police vehicles and more.

Tied with a beautiful red ribbon, this gift bag includes a large Christmas tree cookie decked out with ornaments and two smaller cookies on the sides.

This interchangeable charm features a full-color image and a round clasp. Full length including clasp is 1.5". Launch date: March 2004.

This 15-song album includes tracks "Hot Chocolate," "Secret Agent Watch" and "Firefly Lullaby."

This frog kit contains 31 parts. It has fine detailed sculpting and hand-painted parts. Organs and body parts detach. Display platform and illustrated guide book are included. Recommended for ages 8+. WARNING: Choking hazard - Small Parts. Not for children under 3 years.

ActionJetz minijetz are cool diecast planes that each come with a secret code card. With it, kids and parents can chat, play and learn new stuff in the online world of ActionJetz.

Joel Harden's Mogul is a breakthrough - the first board game that is not only fun to play, it actually teaches real world skills that are valuable whether one chooses a career in real estate or not. Mogul is an open-ended game. The goal is to get to a pre-determined net worth first, but there are numerous ways to reach that goal. You'll find that in Mogul, a winning player combines solid strategy, good instinct and a bit of luck.

In six colors, Pretty Ugly's Ice Bat character stands at the ready in smooth vinyl. Each figure in this series glows in the dark, adding a little flair to a collection of any size. Launch date: September 2009.
― Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., told TDmonthly in July 2009 that Uglydoll characters are top-selling action figures in her store, reporting average sales of 48 per month.

Modeled after librarian and best-selling author Nancy Pearl, the figure in Accoutrements' Deluxe Librarian set is smiling brightly and ready to assist.  She comes with a library cart, stacks of books and loose individual books as well as a computer.  A button on her back activates her exclusive 'shushing action' for anyone who might be too loud in the library.
― “They're quirky and ironic,” said Clifford Jackson, assistant manager of The Wizard's Chest in Denver, Colo., of what makes Accoutrements action figures a top seller there.  “They're only available for a short time, and are quickly gone.”

Safari's Carnegie Collection is a line of detailed dinosaur models whose features have been authenticated by the paleontologists at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, which houses the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world. Measuring almost a foot long, the finned Tylosaurus is hand painted and intended to come to life in the hands of a child, transporting him back to the age of the dinosaurs. 
― “Dinosaurs from Safari are good sellers,” said David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., during a July 2009 survey of top-selling action and play figures.
― Three of 49 retailers said in summer 2009 that dinosaur figurines are the most in-demand play figures in their stores.

A balanced mix of characters from the heroic Rebel Alliance and evil Imperial army, these four figures from Star Wars Episode IV are captured in realistic detail that kids and adults will remember from the movie. Characters included are Darth Vader, Princess Leia, C-3P0 and a specially equipped Storm Trooper. The figures can be displayed as decor or part of a collection, or stored in the included commemorative tin.
― “Star Wars is No. 1,” said Anna Barr, owner of Anna's Toy Depot in Austin, Texas, when asked about her best-selling action figures in July 2009. 
― Three of 49 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that Star Wars accounts for their top sales in action figures.

Whether nobly defending his kingdom or leading an invading force, this knight is ready to for any enemy. Sculpted and hand painted in a costume inspired by historic wear, with detailed textures and expression, this warrior stands proud with his broadsword raised. It is part of Schleich's extensive line of knight and fantasy figurines.
― Of 49 retailers surveyed in July 2009, six said knights are the top-selling theme in their action and play figures.
— ''Schleich figures have started selling again – the knights and horses,'' stated Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks in Easton, Md. She sells about 12 per week.

Kids can play the real heroes while coordinating a rescue effort with this playset from Playmobil. The detailed face of the burning building has a balcony on it for one of the included firemen to climb his tall ladder to while another hooks up the hose to the fire hydrant. Four figures are included with lots of pieces to inspire the imagination.
― “As far as toy figures go, our Playmobil products sell well,” Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa., told TDmonthly in July 2009.
― “It all sells so well,” remarked Sarah Green, manager of Kids at Heart in Portland, Ore., of Playmobil during a summer 2009 survey of best-selling action figures.

Standing 3.5” tall and 1.75” long, Safari's Forest Raccoon is a realistic replica of this curious forest dweller. Beginning with detailed sculptures that are then hand painted, Safari's Wild Safari Forest series is designed for the hands of a smaller child. Whether roaming a back yard or more exotic flights of fancy, the Forest Raccoon is intended to be a long-time companion in pretend play.
― “We probably sell four to five a day, but it depends on the time of year. In fourth quarter we sell hundreds,” said Kenneth Young, owner of Fundamentals Creative Toys, who told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that Safari is a top-selling brand in his Mendina, Ohio, store.
― “Animals by Safari do very well,” said Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children’s Store in Boise, Idaho, of her best-selling action figure during a July 2009 survey.
― Of 49 retailers, seven listed Safari as a top-selling brand in their stores.

Intended to reflect nature on a smaller scale, Schleich's detailed model of an alert mother kangaroo carrying her new baby is molded in durable plastic and hand painted. The lifelike detail of her fur, the color variations in her coat, and both animals' faces will help enrich inventive play time. 
― “Schleich animals are a steady seller,” said Kathleen Tutone, owner of Treehouse Toys in Portsmouth, N.H., in July 2009.
― When asked about her best-selling action or play figures, Lesa Smith, owner of Whiz Kids in San Luis Obispo, told TDmonthly, “We really only do the animals, just from Schleich. We love Schleich.”
― Forty-seven percent of 49 retailers said in summer 2009 that Schleich is a top-selling brand in their stores.

With pole-ax brandished, this creepy skeleton is not only hand painted in detail but also glows in the dark for a little extra ghoulish fun once the light goes down. The skeleton stands on his own, ready to take on whatever role is required in a child's story telling.
― “Papo is our better seller for that,” replied Michelle Smith, owner of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., when asked about her best-selling action figures in July 2009.
― “Papo is a real constant seller and it remains steady all through the year,” said Michelle Sahr, owner of My Little Red Wagon in Stow, Ohio.
― Nine of 49 retailers said in summer 2009 that Papo is their top-selling brand of action figures.

Part of the Little Princess boutique of products for babies, this 10" doll features embroidered detail and plays the lullaby "Hush, Little Baby." Launch date: July 2009.