August 2009 Notable Toys — Battery Operated

Gentle Giraffe On The Go helps recreate sleep time routines by bringing familiar soothing sounds while away from home. Gentle Giraffe’s unique Serengeti sounds aim to take a child on a magical journey while effortlessly transforming unknown surroundings to a more familiar environment. It features four peaceful sounds, push-button sound selection with volume control, and two sleep-timer options, plus more, and may be used for all ages. Gentle Giraffe On The Go is part of the Cloud B Endangered Species Series, which helps bring awareness to animal friends who need our attention. A portion of every purchase goes to Conservation International. This product received a 2009 NAPPA Honors award, a 2009 iParenting Media Award for Outstanding Product in the Toy Category, a 2009 Creative Child Top Choice of the Year Award in the Travel-Soothing Sleep Aids for Kids Category, a 2009 Seal of Approval from the National Parenting Center, and a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Vacation Children's Product Award. Launch date: June 2009.

This bilingual laptop has 48 fun learning activities in English and Spanish. There's a switch for easy selection between the two languages. The QWERTY keyboard encourages correct typing. The product aims to help kids learn vocabulary grammar, math, trivia, logic, music and drawing. Launch date: October 2009.

This laptop has 60 educational activities in English and Spanish, and a working microphone allows kids to sing along to their favorite songs. Interactive funny games are designed by using the microphone or directional joystick. It's created to help kids learn upper and lower case letters, math, logic, music and singing. Launch date: October 2009.

This product is bilingual (English/Spanish) with a total of 140 activities. All activities are designed with a Web-browser format and user-friendly screen-scrolling function to enhance young users' computer skills. It has built-in, one-touch keys for direct access to main modes with real laptop simulated applications included. It's created to help kids learn grammar, math, drawing, logic, music, translation and personal organization. "[A] unique circular touch panel allows for quick file search," Jackie Tam, senior sales manager for Hanzawa, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

This Learning Center can connect to TV or unplug for portable fun. It includes a start-up learning book, a game cartridge, and a double-side learning card. It features a large drawing area and creations can be saved or printed out, as it supports SD cards. It's designed to help kids learn vocabulary, letter and number formation, math, translation, music, drawing and trivia. "The built-in, non-touch technology allows detection of your location and movement even you are not touching the drawing area with the stylus," Jackie Tam, senior sales manager for Hanzawa, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2009.

Lil Red Tractor is a high-quality, rechargeable, battery powered mini-tractor for boys or girls. It can be driven up to 2 mph indoors or out, on semi-hard surfaces. It has a large, adjustable seat for growing legs, and on-off foot pedal, and a one-year limited warranty with a free second year extended warranty and toll-free customer service. It is made in Canada. "Lil Red Tractor is a very high quality product, powered by a rechargeable battery (included). Kids love the bright shiny red finish and it's the perfect size for use indoors or out. [It is] not distributed in big-box stores," Ken Maxwell, VP of marketing for Peg Perego, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009.

These electronic feeding bowls make fun animal sounds as baby eats. Each bowl is activated by the "magic spoon" and makes one of four sounds each time the spoon leaves the bowl. The insert bowl is removable, can be placed in the microwave, and is dishwasher top-rack safe. A large suction cup holds the base firmly in place, making the bowl useful for self-feeding. Animal Snackers come in two varieties, Dog and Cow. "[It] allows children to be in control of activating the lights and sounds of the animal snackers while they eat," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Parents can keep babies entertained and protected from the sun as they ride in the car with the Monkey Tunes Window Shade. A funny monkey spins around as the music plays and lights blink. Even when driving, Mom or Dad can control the monkey’s actions with a remote control that attaches to the car's visor. The shade attaches with strong suction cups and plays a variety of different songs. It is suitable for ages 3 months and up. "[The] detachable mobile allows parents to control the level of stimulation. When in the car, mom or dad can use the visor remote to control lights and sounds if baby begins to be fussy," Nicole Tiedemann, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.