August 2009 Notable Toys — All

This durable metal shopping cart looks just like those in real stores. Sturdy metal construction includes pivoting front wheels, a folding doll seat and protective corner bumpers to navigate the aisles in style and safety. It measures 18.5" x 13.5" x 22.5" assembled. Contains small parts. Adult assembly required. Launch date: 2009.
— These carts are best sellers at Learning Resources Toy Magic in Fort Walton, Fla. "There are between 25 and 35 on hold for Christmas," Owner Mark Pattison told TDmonthly in late October 2009.
— Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., said in fall 2009 that his store sells about 60 of these shopping carts per month.

Featuring two classic Christmas stories, Clement C. Moore's "The Night Before Christmas" and Saviour Pirotta's retelling of "The Nutcracker," this large hardcover is illustrated with watercolor art by Susanna Lockheart and features several changing picture windows for added intrigue.

These organic terry cloth bath mitts come with a matching baby mitt so kids can join in the bathtub fun. Designed to offer bath time fun for kids and adults, the mitts are made with 100-percent organic cotton and non-toxic low impact dyes, and produced under Fair Trade. Launch date: January 1, 2009.

Made of recycled material and available in a heart, circle or flower shape, Shains Key Clips allow individuals to express themselves through letter and icon elements that easily attach through the holes.

This colorful hardcover relays the story of what happened before the tale of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" — when Mama Bear and Papa Bear wanted Goldilocks to influence Baby Bear for the better. It includes a pop-up house, envelopes with removable letters, and a page that features Goldilocks with soft, touchable hair. Launch date: August 2009.

Made up of nine wooden cubes with red patterning, this "anti-puzzle" has no right answer or winning move. It encourages exploration through assembling the blocks in various ways — and the patterns are a match at all times, no matter how the cubes are placed. Launch date: 2009.

Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins “pops in” with the first lighting of the family Christmas tree and stays until the last decoration is put away.  She loves to play hide-and-seek and is always available to share a smile and to lend an ear. In “Christina Marie and the Little Tree” Christina Marie sets out to be the very best elf at the North Pole.  But only after she discovers a little tree and saves it from a certain fate, does she learn what it truly means to be “the very best”. Each Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins Fun Set includes a posable Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins Elf, “Christina Marie and the Little Tree” illustrated storybook, and Christina Marie’s own storage case. Christina Marie Pop-In-Kins was named “2010 Book of the Year” by Creative Child Magazine.
Awards: 2011 The Toy Man Award of Excellence; 2011 The Toy Man E-Choice Award; 2011 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2010 Book of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Picks of Children Products Award; 2010 USA Book News Best Books Award Finalist

This gonto bag features Camouflage 100% cotton fabric lined with grey nylon an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion, and orange thread detailing. Handle strap on side. Two outside pockets and one deep inside pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for an activity filled day. Pack with change of clothes and shoes or swim trunks, towel and snorkel gear for a day at the pool/beach. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in a suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

This gonto bag features Red 100% cotton fabric lined with grey nylon, an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion and detailed with black thread. Handle strap on the side. Two outside pockets and one deep inside pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for an activity filled day. Pack with change of clothes and shoes or swim trunks, towel and snorkel gear for a day at the pool/beach. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in a suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

This gonto bag features Green Corduroy cotton/nylon fabric lined with orange nylon, an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion, and detailed with blue thread. Handle trap on side. Two outside pockets, deep inside pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for and activity-filled day. Pack games and books for car trips. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in a suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

This gonto bag features Grey Corduroy cotton/nylon lined with orange poly/nylon, an adjustable 2" black strap with shoulder cushion, and detailed with yellow thread. Handle strap on side. Two outside pockets and one deep pocket for water bottle. Pre-formed square bottom. Drawstring closure. The Large gonto is great for an activity-filled day. Pack games and books for car trips. Easy to carry while walking, riding your bike, skateboarding, or rollerblading. Large D-ring to clip keys on. Durable and lightweight. Easy to fold and pack in suitcase. Machine washable. Measures 8.5 x 8.5 x 18 inches.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. In funky, bright colors girls can display their grade with pride with this set.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set offers a new, fun style for girls to show off their initials.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set features some sweet snacks for the sweet tooth in every little girl.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named Snap Caps when asked about their top sellers going into the holiday season 2009.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This set features bright, fun, trendy little owls to brighten up any outfit.
Awards: A TDmonthly Classics Award for being an all-time favorite toy.
— Six of 39 specialty retailers told TDmonthly in October 2009 that Snap Caps are a hot seller for tween girls.
— Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., sold 50 Snap Caps in two weeks, Co-owner June Hargrove reported in fall 2009.
— "I sell about 10 per week with the straps," Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly of best-selling Snap Caps in late fall 2009.

The innovative design and palm cushion of the Squeez-Ease prevents scratching the face and promotes sensory development in newborns. The design of the Squeez-Ease allows fingers to be free for exploration and sucking, allows for tactile development of the fingers, decreases sudden jerking of the hands and calms baby, and improves awareness of hands when cushion is squeezed. Made of an ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton. This product received a 2009 Top Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine.
Past Videos: Product demonstration

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Zebra Buddy features black stripes and extra tactile nubby's for its mane. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

Cute and cuddly stuff animals with therapeutic benefits. The unique twisted nubby’s for the hands and feet are great for tactile stimulation and a safe alternative to teethers. Lion Buddy features a bright, orange mane around its head. Made of an Ultra soft blend of bamboo and organic cotton.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace.  For the BFFs out there, this collection serves to strengthen their friendship between each other.

Snap Caps® are the original, interchangeable, magnetic bottle cap necklace. This collection of Snap Caps appeals to those with a sweet tooth as the collection features candies and sweets such as lollipops, ice cream, and gumballs.

Utilizing NeuroSky's ThinkGear technology, the product allows kids to practice their Jedi Master skills, actually using their mind to control movement of a ball. Users wear a headset that measures and interprets brainwave activity, transferring it to the 10" training tower where a sphere moves up and down. It includes Star Wars sound effects and 15 levels of training. Launch date: July 2009.

The mail must go through!

The whole family will have fun trying to overcome the hurdles of your local letter carrier! Enjoy this hilarious race full of suspense, unexpected twists and turns, and be the first to deliver all your mail to the neighbourhood.

Filled with millet or sand for a realistic real, this colorful pastel dragon features a covering of stretchy fabric with a bit of sparkle. It is made in the USA.
— Rainbow Creatures’ dragons and mermaids are top sellers at Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., Owner Shana Hack told TDmonthly in early summer 2009.

These lightweight batons have a shaft length of 48 cm and come in purple, blue and fire orange with coordinating handles, suede leather ends and sure-grip surfacing for ease of use. They are handmade in the USA.
— Lunastix are best sellers at Moon Rabbit Toys in Sante Fe, N.M., Owner Shana Hack told TDmonthly in early summer 2009.
— Lunastix were best sellers at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the late summer of 2010. “Our employees are quite good at demonstrating Lunastix in the store,” said owner Brett Sommer. “When people see them performing they want to try it too.  Also, the elementary schools have juggling classes that use Lunastix, so there is an endless supply & demand in the area.”