August 2009 Notable Toys — All

The Soft Caterpillar in the Taggies Colours from Mary Meyer collection features Taggies patented looped ribbon tags that babies can explore and rub. The caterpillar is soft and easy for little hands to grasp and hold. Launch date: February 2009.

Mary Meyer’s Fuzz that Wuzz collection is made from plastic bottles. The outer fabric and stuffing are high-quality polyester made from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles. There are six Mini Zzzzoo animals. Launch date: June 2009.

"Zoey and the Yok-Yok Man" is a musical journey with a positive message. Aimed at children 3 to 10, this entertaining story is designed to nurture children's imagination through upbeat and catchy songs. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Pedoodles shoes are manufactured using environmentally friendly processes. Carefully selected quality remnant leather is used in construction of Pedoodles in order to reduce waste. Recycled materials are also used for the manufacturing of the soles, and the “green” packaging for Pedoodles is made from recycled materials. Designed to be developmentally correct for little feet, the shoes have PedFlex Soles that are lightweight and flexible to offer protection, durability and traction. Launch date: June 2008.

The Guardian Angel Bracelet is a secure lock bracelet that can be easily adjusted to fit children of all ages. The bracelet includes a space for parents or caregivers to write the cell phone number of the child’s caregiver. They can teach their children that if they get lost or separated from their group, they should find a mommy and ask her to call the number on the bracelet. Launch date: June 2009.

Intended for infants, the DreamSwaddle uses a double-wrap system and offers a double-ended zip-up pouch that gives easy access for diaper changing. "The DreamSwaddle is a unique new concept in swaddleing babies; it's every parent's dream — sleeping made easy," Brenda Anderson, president of Bluebird Sales & Distribution, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

This 7/8"- square glass pendant comes with a 24" color-coordinated ball chain, a silver-plated bail, paper, acrylic sealer, a cello hanging bag, and a color-coordinated card with interpretive information on the back. Water resistant only. Launch date: August 2009.

This Silver Ion HEPA Air Filter is designed for homes with kids seeking to reduce airborne viruses that cause the flu. The HEPA air filter is coated with silver, an eco-friendly and non-toxic substance naturally occurring in nature that provides anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral protection. The Silver Ion HEPA filter is more affordable than other air sterilization methods and is designed to be extremely efficient when compared to ultraviolet technology alone. The Silver Ion HEPA filter reduces up to 50 percent of airborne viruses that cause the flu after 24 hours of use, and eliminates 99 percent of airborne allergens, 98 percent of bacteria, and up to 50 percent of the viruses that cause influenza. It's "perfect for a child's room or common high-traffic areas in the home," Akiko Tanaka, PR coordinator for Alen Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2009.

Ficklets interchangeable eyewear charm huggers are designed to provide an innovative and affordable way to update kids' eyewear and help them feel more comfortable in their glasses. "Ficklets are the first eyewear charm hugger in the marketplace specifically targeted for kids at an affordable price," Ros Guerrero, president of Ficklets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2007.

Each kit comes with an undecorated leash and a set of permanent fabric markers for drawing patterns, designs and doodles. Kids can write their pet's name, their phone number, or anything else as they create a leash for special occasions, outings and walks. The leash measures 4' L x 5/8" W and is constructed of sturdy webbing and metal hardware. Launch date: August 2009.

Kids can use their imagination and creativity to design a one-of-a-kind collar for their dog. Each kit comes with an adjustable collar made with high-quality nylon webbing and ribbon and featuring a quick-release buckle and sturdy metal "D" ring, plus a set of permanent fabric markers for drawing patterns, designs and doodles. Children can write their pal's name, their phone number or anything else they can think of. Launch date: August 2009.

Kids can personalize a lovable fabric dog with this kit that includes a stuffed dog (measures 8" from paw to the top of his head and 12" from his snout to the tip of his tail) and a set of permanent fabric markers. Children can use their creativity to create a one-of-a-kind work of art and treasured keepsake, featuring messages, autographs and designs to commemorate a special event, sleepover or graduation. It could even be used as a "guest book" at a party. Launch date: September 2009.

What's more fun than a barrel of monkeys? How about a house full of 'em? Kids poke the dots and hear them pop as they learn to count down from 10 in the favorite childhood rhyme "Ten Little Monkeys." "Fun, tactile books help kids learn to count — without losing count! Raised buttons pop in on every page so kids can press them as they count," Rich Hill, director of marketing for innovativeKids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 5, 2009.

Pretty in shades of pink, this dazzling dress features a skirt of petals. "Our award-winning products have been proudly manufactured in the USA for over 15 years and use the finest fabrics and trims to create truly sophisticated dress-up apparel," Renee Stojek, art director for A Wish Come True, told TDmonthly. It received a 2009 Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: August 2009.

These natural colored piggy banks are handmade fair trade in a small artisan community called Quinea, in the province of Huamanga in Peru's central highland department of Ayacucho. Some designs are available in large, medium and small, and each bank has a cork stopper. Launch date: April 15, 2008.

The cotton outer body of this fair-trade, artisan-made animal is filled with acrylic and rice, so the pet may be used as a heating pad after placed in the microwave for a very short period of time. Velcro on the bottom of the animal enables washing of the cotton body and acrylic inside. The uncooked rice is separate, in a bag. Caution: When heating, please carefully check the temperature prior to giving it to a child. Launch date: May 20, 2007.

In the Colombian countryside, poverty and the displacement of peasants due to civil war has increased illegal wildlife poaching activities. One World Projects works with Fundación Ecologica Santa Fe in the 10,000-person community of Pintada, Colombia, to produce plush toys representing the monkey species that the organization hopes to reintroduce to the wild. Plush monkeys come in a variety of styles, including finger puppets and scarves, for kids of all ages. "Plush monkeys are all sustainably and fair-trade made and support two great causes. Located near the Pan American Highway, Pintada has become a rest stop for truck drivers, who have left behind a disproportionate number of children without fathers. Crafting these items also gives single moms a much-needed source of income, and gives their children hope for a better future," Sylva Dvorak, in marketing for One World Projects, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 10, 2006.

These frogs, fish and turtles are handmade in Vietnam using the ecologically harvested woods of the tropical jackfruit tree, and only when the tree is no longer able to bear fruit. The company calls them "bop-animals," as "bop" is the Vietnamese word for the "ribbit" you hear when you run a wooden stick (included) along their spine. These fair-trade items are made by artisans. Launch date: April 22, 2006.

There are three different Make Your Own Kits: Make Your Own Chewing Gum, Make Your Own Gummies and Make Your Own Chocolate Kits. Each kit has a short story describing the life and surroundings of a hypothetical child and explains what his or her family and neighbors do regarding the kit's contents. "These kits are all Fair Trade Made. They have an important message; for example, the Make Your Own Chewing Gum Kit includes an educational booklet describing the benefits of the Rainforest and how Chicle is tapped from trees to make gum," Sylva Dvorak, in marketing for One World Projects, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004.

This book describes the entire MathMosis system. It is filled with short lessons outlining the I Chant, You Chant teaching methodology and gives teachers at-a-glance ideas for counting practice activities, as well as extension activity ideas that can be integrated with other subjects. It includes reproducible worksheets for fact practice as well as instructions for fact-practice games. The MathMosis book is the foundation to the MathMosis system. "MathMosis is a unique instructional approach to teaching skip counting, multiplication and division, through a variety of learning modalities," Jennifer Tuttle, CEO of Brain Party, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

Twelve MathMosis Posters provide a visual for kindergarten through 4th-grade students as they learn to count. The posters are printed on heavy cardstock for durability and are 23" W x 12" to 29" L, depending on the information on the poster. The posters were specifically designed for classroom use with attractive colors and large numbers that students can see in a large-group setting. "MathMosis Posters appeal to visual and analytical learners by presenting skip-counting patterns on bright, colorful, heavy cardstock," Jennifer Tuttle, CEO of Brain Party, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

MathMosis Mania provides children with a visual and kinesthetic approach to learning while having fun, offering practice in counting, multiplication and division. MathMosis Mania is designed to grow with children as they learn through multiple games. "[It] teaches number sense, multiplication and division through a variety of learning modalities, including visual, analytical and kinesthetic," Jennifer Tuttle, CEO of Brain Party, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

MathMosis® Mania provides children with a visual and kinesthetic approach to learning while having fun. The game gives children practice in counting, multiplication and division, and is designed to grow with children as they learn. Children will learn to play four different MathMosis Mania games, "which [help] children learn through many learning modalities including visual, analytical and movement," Jennifer Tuttle, CEO of Brain Party, told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009

Momma Couture offers a line of bags created for fashionable, on-the-go Mommas and Poppas and their kids. The fashion-forward bags are designed to meet the style needs of the parents carrying them as well as being functional. Much of the function is provided in the form of insulation that can be found within the bags that allows bottles, sippy cups, snacks and wipes to be kept at the right temperature and moist. The messenger-style City Bag features water- and stain-resistant canvas and nickel hardware, a top zip-closure, a 60" adjustable strap, six interior, elasticized pockets, a key ring hook, an oversized ring on the outside, and a coordinating wristlet and changing pad. All of the bags are 100-percent compliant with CPSIA lead and phthalate regulations. Launch date: March 2009.