September 2009 Notable Toys — All

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.

Girls can make a special place to store their jewelry with the Mosaic Jewelry Box, using more than 300 colorful acrylic tiles and glitter grout to decorate a plain white jewelry box and transform it into a sparkling masterpiece. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award. Launch date: December 3, 2008.

Kids can create 10 paper airplanes with the Sky Diver Paper Airplanes set, following simple folding techniques to turn sheets of paper with awesome patterns into slick airplanes. Kids can add sticker accents, then try to land their planes on punch-out runways. A bonus sky diver with parachute is included. "The thoughtfulness that goes into our product development process — selecting appropriate and engaging materials and providing detailed instructions for a quality creative experience" sets these kits apart," Lisa Brody, PR manager for Creativity for Kids, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award and a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award. Launch date: January 13, 2009.

These reusable building sticks are made from colored string coated with a special wax. Flexible Bendaroos building sticks are designed to adhere to virtually every household surface, and are easily removed to be used again and again. "Bendaroos' durability sets it apart from competitors. Bendaroos reusable materials allow kids to play for hours. Also, since Bendaroos do not break or wear, parents need not worry about buying replacement sets," Lindsay Durr, account coordinator at 360 Public Relations, told TDmonthly on behalf of Bendaroos. Launch date: August 2009. This product received a 2009 Outstanding Product iParenting Media Award.

Meebie is a toy developed for play, with therapeutic benefits. Designed as a globally appealing tool for expression and learning, it may be used in educational settings, play therapy, speech/language pathology, occupational therapy, social work, counseling and at home. The soft, furry Meebie measures 21" from head to seat and is fully washable. It may be used to express emotion, using the interchangeable pieces; comfort a child with separation anxiety, or one who has been hurt; engage children who are reluctant to express or participate; or teach specific emotions and emotional understanding. "Meebie’s 37 beautifully embroidered pieces can be arranged and rearranged in any number of ways, conveying all emotions," Lisa Johnson, co-owner of Orkid Toys, told TDmonthly. It was named among Dr. Toy's Best Products from 2007 to 2009. Launch date: September 15, 2005.

Barney is featured in this special collection of wintertime favorites on three DVDs. Launch date: October 13, 2009.

Kids can discover why the "fun is getting it done" in these holiday-themed, action-packed DVDs from favorite contractor Bob the Builder and his Can-Do Crew. Launch date: October 13, 2009.

Thomas and his Island Sodor engine friends are featured in this special holiday collection of three seasaonal DVDs. Launch date: October 13, 2009.

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 pack comes with 12, 27" square scarves — two of each of the following colors: lavender, medium blue, lime green, yellow, peach and pink, and includes an instruction/informational insert and a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

This kit includes 12, 27" square scarves — two of each of the following colors: purple, royal blue, kelly green, yellow, orange and purple, plus an instructional/informational insert and a reusable hanging plastic resealable storage bag. Launch date: 1996.