September 2009 Notable Toys — All

Designed to make a little girl's birthday a touch more special, these tees features cupcake appliques made with soft, fuzzy fabric. They are available in a variety of colors and patterns. The company also offers designs for boy birthdays. "All of our appliques are cut and sewn in our offices in Fountain Valley, [Calif.]," Chis Jannuzzi, co-owner of Jannuzzi, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008.

Ticket to Ride - USA 1910 is a card expansion for the original Ticket to Ride board game. It consists of 181 new large-format cards that include 35 new Destination Tickets, a new GlobeTrotter bonus card for completing the most tickets, and a complete replacement deck of all the cards from the original game. Also included is a new rulebook that gives Ticket to Ride players three new ways to play: games using only the new Destination Tickets; the Mega Game, featuring all the tickets; and Big Cities, which uses only tickets to certain large cities. Launch date: 2001.

The Ticket to Ride Europa 1912 expansion for the Ticket to Ride series includes 101 Destination Tickets — the 46 original tickets, plus 55 new ones that enable three new variants to the Ticket to Ride Europe map. This expansion also introduces Warehouses & Depots — new game rules and pieces that create an additional strategic layer and can be played with any of the Ticket to Ride maps. "Wooden Train Depots are placed on cities selected by each player. Throughout the game, each player's Warehouse will accumulate Train cards and those who have the foresight, clever timing, or just plain good fortune to build a route to a Depot can make off with a fistful of Train cards. Depot placement and skillful Warehouse tactics become a key part of a winning Ticket to Ride strategy!" Elizabeth Case, marketing assistant for Days of Wonder, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 6, 2009.

In Small World, players vie for conquest and control of a world that is simply too small to accommodate them all. Picking the right combination from the 14 different fantasy races and 20 unique special powers, players rush to expand their empires — often at the expense of weaker neighbors. Yet they must also know when to push their own over-extended civilization into decline and ride a new one to victory. "Designer Philip Keyaerts has expertly interwoven the fantasy worlds with competitive game play to create a game that appeals to casual players of all ages and experience while simultaneously maintaining a complexity that draws in the more serious crowd," Elizabeth Case, marketing assistant for Days of Wonder, told TDmonthly. The game has received the following awards: 2009 Bruno Faidutti's Game of the Year; 2009 Finalist for the International Gamer's Award; and 2009 Spiele Hit (Vienna Game Academy). Launch date: January 26, 2009.

This kit includes 24, 18" x 18" square, 100-percent nylon scarves in a variety of colors, an instructional/informational insert, and a reusable plastic bag for storage. Launch date: 2008.

For little linebackers who can’t wait to hit the fields, the nine-piece Touchdown Football Set includes a kid-sized football with “laces” for proper holding technique, an adjustable goal post and a kicking tee. "This play set encourages outdoor, active play for children. It also develops hand-eye (foot-eye) coordination," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

The iPlay Six Pin Bowling Set includes flat-bottomed pins and a weighted foam ball for indoor or outdoor play. The set comes stored in a study zippered bag for both portability and storage. "Weighted pins allow for easier set up. Children love this age-old game for indoor and outdoor play, featuring parts in fun and stimulating colors," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

Available in red, white, royal blue or medium blue, this 100-percent nylon scarf canopy measures 9' x 9' and comes with an nstructional/informational insert and reusable plastic bag for storage. Launch date: 2008.

This set icludes three 9' x 9' square, 100-percent washable nylon scarf canopies, one each in red, white and blue, along with an instructional/informational insert and a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

This pack includes six, 27" square, 100-percent washable nylon scarves — two each of red, white and blue. It comes with an instructional/informational insert and the IDEAS Primary Music CD along with a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 2008.

In this game, players are Gypsies trying to earn as much gold as they can and bring it to the Big Gypsy Gathering. They need to finance the various festivities of weddings, baptisms, meetings, feasts and entertainment before border checkpoints are closed, preventing them from traveling and earning a living. Players have only two rounds of events to accomplish their goal of raising money for the Gathering. The game includes a 17" x 22" board, four movers and matching caravan cards, 26 colored wagons, 24 trades, 24 gold payments for trades, 56 events, and rules for regular and advanced games. In this cooperative game, individuals play together, not against one another. Launch date: August 2009.

Sankore Mosque is one of three ancient mud mosques composing the famous University of Timbuktu in West Africa. This 1/150 scale model measures 10" x 8.7" x 4" when assembled. Launch date: August 2007.

The painted wooden Torii Gateway, built in the traditional Shinto style, is a classic and beloved icon of Japanese architecture. This model is 1/100 scale and measures 9.4" x 5.1" x 6.7" when assembled. Launch date: July 15, 2003.

This wand is a whimsical, floaty medley of brilliant multi-colored, 36", 100-percent nylon streamers attached to a 12" wooden handle. It can be used to add graceful, flowing movements to explorations of water, air or wind, or move with any flowing music. The wands come in a reusable plastic cylinder for easy storage. Launch date: 2008.

This pack includes 12, 27" square scarves — two of each of the following colors: red, pink, light pink, yellow, orange and peach, and includes an instruction/informational insert and a reusable plastic hanging storage bag. Launch date: 1996.

The Little Soles™ Squeaky Shoes collection is free from harmful dyes and toxins, utilizes premium materials sourced specifically to surpass standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada or the CPSC, and features inner and outer materials tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO colourants or dyes, formaldehyde content, and seven toxic elements (lead, arsenic, antimony, barium, mercury, cadmium and selenium). The flexible outsole is suited to pre-walking and early walking, and the shoes also have a padded ankle collar, an air-cushioned heel, an audible squeak that provides confidence for first steps and promotes a proper heel-to-toe step, as well as giving parents peace of mind by being aware of where their child is walking. The squeaker mechanism is removable and replaceable. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Little Soles Urban Infants Collection is designed to suit early walkers in size 3 to 8. The shoes are free from harmful dyes and toxins, feature premium Leathers sourced specifically to surpass the standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada or the CPSC, and are tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO colourants or Dyes, formaldehyde content and seven toxic elements (lead, arsenic, antimony, barium, mercury, cadmium and selenium). A full leather upper, inside and out, allows for optimal comfort and breathability, and the soft, flexible outsole is suited to pre-walking and early walking. The shoes also offer heel counters for support, a padded ankle collar and a cushioned heel. They are sold in a reusable designer gift box and received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Baby Soles by Little Soles are toxin-free crib shoes in size 0-2 or 0-9 months. The Baby Soles line has gone through rigorous testing procedures by an independent, internationally accredited company, to ensure that the shoes are free of harmful dyes and toxins. The shoes feature TPR outsole inserts at the toe and heel for traction and durability, an outsole design that allows for optimal surface feel when baby starts to cruise, styling designed to present a true footwear appearance instead of a slipper form; and premium leather sourced specifically to surpass the standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada. There are four levels of testing conducted prior to the manufacture of Baby Soles; all leathers along with the outsole are tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO Colourants or Dyes, formaldehyde content, and seven Toxic Elements. Baby Soles received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: December 31, 2008.

Rocket Pockets features floating super balls and an inflatable, multi-color target that can be used in the pool, at the beach or in a back yard. It is designed for one to eight players and points are scored by landing the super balls in the colored pockets. The game may be used for birthday parties, ring toss, fun learning activities and, for adults, party pong and chipping golf balls. Each game includes one inflatable target, four floating balls, four non-floating super balls, a patch kit and instructions. It is "great for teaching hand and eye coordination, letter recognition and number recognition," Gary Hoskins, creator and inventor of Rocket Pockets, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2004.

This custom-designed, toddler-sized backpack is fully lined, machine washable, and contains a mix of toys designed to keep toddlers entertained. Launch date: August 15, 2009.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW DISTRIBUTED BY MELISSA & DOUG
This box features 52 classic, interactive games that don't require dice, boards or equipment. Launch date: September 15, 2009.

The 6” Busy Block has a chubby handle for little ones to hold as they explore the tug and teethe tags and Dandelion’s playful Swirly Stitches pattern. The soft textures, peek-a-boo crinkle flap and chime sound exist to enchant baby while developing fine motor and sensory skills. The Busy Block is made with organic cotton terrycloth, canvas, velour and waffle weave, and filled with soft corn fibers. It is machine washable. Launch date: September 2008.

This jacket and toy in one is made of pre-washed, blue denim with attractive pink stitching and a silky pink satin lining. Embroidered on the back of each denim jacket is a fabric doll. Kids can dress up the doll by applying the hair, dresses and various accessories to the doll's body with easy to use Velcro backings. Dress Me Jackets aims to make getting dressed an enjoyable activity for kids as they use their imagination, fine-motor and decision-making skills to create new looks with their jacket. Each jacket includes a denim purse to carry the 14 interchangeable accessories that create the two "Princess" and "Ballerina" characters. Launch date: November 2008.

THIS PRODUCT IS NOW DISTRIBUTED BY MELISSA & DOUG
With 52 questions, this game is designed to let players know how well they you know their BFF, and how well their best friend knows them. Launch date: September 15, 2009.