September 2009 Notable Toys — Gifts

Wrap your precious little one in this luxurious double-sided plush minky blanket. One side printed minky fabric and other side coordinating solid plush minky fabric. Blanket trimmed with softest satin trim. Our blankets are luxurious yet practical. Makes a perfect gift even comes with gift tag! Size 29" x 35.5"

This exclusive design is printed on 50# premium coated paper. Features dot patterns made of varying dot shapes and sizes. Available in 18", 24", and 30" widths.

This exclusive design is printed on 50# premium coated paper. Features soft, pastel baby colors set in star and stripe patterns. Available in 18", 24", and 30" widths.

This exclusive design is printed on 50# premium coated paper. Features colorful frogs in different poses, positions, and appearances. Available in 18", 24", and 30" widths.

This exclusive design is printed on 50# premium coated paper. Features various sports involving balls such as baseball, football, basketball, tennis and soccer. Available in 18", 24", and 30" widths.

5.5"L x 2"W x 5"H insulated Tote Bag. Includes Strap, Carabiner Hook, & for promotional purposes (2)Ice Packs.

These three animals, an ox, elephant and hippo, have embedded magnets that allow kids to mix and match their head and tail components. Each measures about 5" L x 3" D.

This jolly, plush Santa Claus is 9" tall and features a white beard along with red and green fabrics of varying design. Launch date: June 2009.

This 9" reindeer boasts an array of red and green against striped and floral fabrics. He has plush antlers and spearmint green piping for an extra bit of detail. Launch date: June 2009.

With this game and candy in one, kids take the dare with the spin wheel, then pick the jelly bean in the color the spinner lands on to take a chance on tasting look-alike wild or mild flavors. There's a collection of 20 look-alike flavors, while others are the delicious Jelly Belly beans customers love. New for 2009 are Canned Dog Food and Centipede flavors, along with Booger, Baby Wipes and Pencil Shavings flavors, to name a few. Launch date: August 2009.

Ecotronic toys were developed to function just like regular electronic toys but with a different kind of energy. Dynamo technology inside of each toy converts a shake, squeeze or crank into energy that powers lights and sounds and other electronic functions. The crank-powered Eco Mic helps kids become eco-pop stars. Using four different buttons to activate voice amplification, music to sing along to, and two different drum sounds, the Eco Mic is an all-in-one music band with a color-changing light show. "Since kid-powered energy is a highly renewable energy source, Ecotronic toys will never run out of juice. Also, all Ecotronic toys are packaged in their specially developed Gekopak™ packaging, which is made of recycled paper and is completely bio-degradable," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Ecotronic toys were developed to function like regular electronic toys, but they use a different kind of energy. Dynamo technology inside of each toy converts a shake, squeeze or crank into energy that powers lights, sounds and other electronic functions. The Ecotronic Farm Flashlights, featuring four assorted animals, are squeeze-powered, kid-sized flashlights. Using the side lever that stores inside the body, kids can release and squeeze to charge up the light. Also, when switched on, each animal’s nose lights up. "Also, all Ecotronic toys are packaged in their specially developed Gekopak™ packaging, which is made of recycled paper and is completely bio-degradable. It’s easy to open and free from ties, wires or other packing materials," Vickie Cullen, PR account executive for International Playthings, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

The Smart Bank sorts, counts, dispenses, deducts and always knows the balance. A patented "Balance Guard"™ feature locks and remembers the balance even when batteries wear out or when changing batteries. Launch date: 2000.

The Monsterbooks are illustrated rhyming books for all generations. The books were created as a response to parents' desire for books to read to their children that adults can also enjoy. They draw upon themes that resonate with adults, including the Beatles, presidential politics and baseball. Launch date: June 2009.

KinderCone’s namesake product is a large, colorful cone filled with inspiring and educational gifts for young children, which parents give to their children to recognize the transition from kindergarten to first grade. KinderCone’s guiding principle is about inspiring young children to enjoy learning by celebrating this special milestone in their lives. KinderCones are 28" tall, handmade in Germany of sturdy box-board printed paper, and feature a limited edition design. Each KinderCone comes pre-filled with a Kinderjournal, Kalri, the plush main character of the journal, five pencils and temporary tattoos. The cones are offered in two main colors, red and bright green, and offer eight color options of the felt enclosure on top. "KinderCone is the first and only American company to re-create this concept outside of Europe," Vivian Lie, owner of KinderCone LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.

To play, a child selects one of five colorful, two-sided match cards and place it in the tray. Then, he places the magic monkey in the center on the left side of the card and points his banana to the picture, letter, shape, or color he wants to try and match. Then, he selects the image on the right side of the card that best matches his selection. To see if he's correct, he'll place the monkey in the center on the right side of the card and let go. He will mysteriously spin and point to the correct match. "This little monkey's actions will even amaze adults and he does it all without batteries," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award. Launch date: 2009.

Playsam's Strollers are packaged in a white box with silver lettering. "These are touted to be the 'Best Baby Shower Gift Ever' under $70," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

From Scandinavian design company Playsam, this rocket is created to be both classic and contemporary, fanciful and functional, simple and sophisticated. "The products are beautifully packaged — ideal for gift giving," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

This wooden dollhouse was designed by Eva Schildt. "With its beautiful packaging, Playsam makes an ideal gift; it is for the sophisticated customer with an understanding and appreciation for the unique and well made," Deepa Dadlani, president of VICI Enterprises (exclusive North American Distributor of Playsam), told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Featuring Lauren Fisher Cat, Penny Petite Bear, Willow Cottontail Rabbit and Nibbles Norwood Mouse, each Critter comes with removable clothing and can easily be placed in a sitting position. The plush Critters are approximately 8” tall. "The Calico Critters plush dolls are unique additions to a popular product line that formerly only featured miniature characters. This loveable, hugable, Calico Critter character provides children with a cuddly version of the characters they've already come to know," Vickie Cullen, account executive for International Playthings LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Pilloroo Pillows have a hidden pouch for hiding away a toy or gift item. The pillow is stuffed so the item cannot be felt from the outside. This product is made in the USA and received a 2008 Moms Best Award. Launch date: November 2008.

My Pillow Pets are snuggly plush companions that are also a comfortable pillow for bedtime, television time or travel time. There are more than 20 styles, all made from soft, high-quality chenille and safety tested.The Original Pillow Pets come in both 11" and 18" sizes. "My Pillow Pets are the Original pillow pets. The overall design, special facial features, and highest quality chenille make them ideal for the specialty and gift market," Heidi Niehart, director of marketing for My Pillow Pets, told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: iParenting Media Excellent Product Award, Dr. Toy Best Vacation Toy, and Mr. Dad Seal of Approval. Launch date: 2003.

Created for the budding fashion designer, this activity comes with a dry-erase board and wipe-off markers to allow the young designer to come up with several combinations of wild and wacky outfits. On one wheel, the designer will spin to choose the type of bottom (i.e. pants, skirt, etc.) and top (i.e. sweater, tank-top, etc.). On the other wheel, the designer will spin to choose the footwear and an accessory. Then, the designer goes to work with the different colors to create an outfit on the pre-modeled body. "SQUIGGLE Style is not about only creating a hip and fashionable outfit; it’s about being creative and engaging children’s imagination," John Kiely, president of RandomLine, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2009.