September 2009 Notable Toys — Novelties

This bookmark features a colorful palette of the world under the sea, with an eye-catching three-dimensional effect.
— Gary Green of Toy Box of Asheville in North Carolina told TDmonthly in summer 2009 that his store sells 60 to 70 of these bookmarks per month. “It seems to me we do a reorder once a month with them. It's not something people come to the store for, but it's so eye-catching that it stands out,” he said.

This classic noise-making prank measures 7.25” in diameter and becomes quite the shocker when sat on after inflated.
— Two of 38 retailers told TDmonthly in late summer 2009 that whoopee cushions are a favorite novelty item among their customers. “They’re always very popular,” commented Karen Leppmann, owner of Finnegan’s Toys & Gifts in Portland, Ore.

This wooden storage box with a sliding lid holds 41 colorful wood pick-up sticks that each measure 9.75” long.
— Two of 38 specialty retailers said in late summer 2009 that this long-loved classic game is a best-selling novelty at their stores.

The mirascope utilizes concave mirrors to project 3-D images of an item placed inside. Kids can stick their finger right through the illusional image that appears.
— The 3-D Mirascope “always attracts people’s attention,” Mike Lane, manager of Hobbytown in Cumming, Ga., said in late summer 2009.
— The Wooden Toy in Wethersfield, Conn., sells about 20 per month of this item, David Ekwall told TDmonthly in 2009.

These small cupcake erasers with removable parts are available as a trio and in single packs.
— Three of 38 specialty retailers named Iwako erasers as a best-selling novelty item in late summer 2009. Going into the holiday season 2009 (late fall), two of 44 retailers named the erasers among their absolute best sellers.

These tiny truck erasers come in three colors and feature movable parts. Launch date: April 2009.
— Japanese erasers were big sellers in summer 2009 at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., according to Owner John MacDougall.

Coat hangers and twigs are a thing of the past now that the Spinmallow has been invented. Just stick a marshmallow on the telescoping skewer, hold over the fire and let the roasting begin. It includes a flashlight on top to help easily locate the graham crackers and chocolate. Launch date: 2009.
― John Naisbitt, owner of Thinker Things in Solana Beach, Calif., told TDmonthly in June 2010 that Spinmallow is one of his top-selling electronic items.
― “Marky Sparky is the best company for the older boy,” remarked Diana Gisolfu, owner of Sister's Kids in Springfield, Mass., about what makes Marky Sparky her best-selling line of electronic toys.
― Two of 40 retailers said in summer 2010 that Marky Sparky supplies their top-selling electronics.

The Toy Story pens come in three styles: Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Little Green Men. "Toy Story Talking Pens will be launching just in time for the re-release of 'Toy Story' 1 & 2 and the release of 'Toy Story 3' in 2010. Launch date: December 2009.

Each Splat Attack display comes with 12 splat balls in six styles: Egg, Tomato, Gold Pig, Green Pig, Purple Pig and Orange Pig. Kids can throw them on the ground to see them splat and morph back into their original shape. In addition to the six styles, the company can create customized Splat Attack to feature licensed products or specifications. Launch date: August 2009.

Each display of these talking bookmarks comes with 24 bookmarks — six of each style: dog, cat, horse and monkey. Users simply press the bookmark to hear the respective animal sound. Launch date: 2009.

Fred Figglehorn, the first YouTube star to land 1 million subscribers, is featured on these packs of stickers that come in bundles of 36. There are 13 stickers on the Hey It’s Fred – Red Stickers, which come on a red backer card, and 14 stickers on the blue version. "Fred is the hottest licensed property of 2009," Kristin Baker, in sales admin at Kamhi World, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009.

Fred Figglehorn, the first YouTube star to land 1 million subscribers, is the star of these buttons that come on a blister card with a standard butterfly hole. The pack contains four different 1.5" buttons: Oh My Garnet, Hey It's Fred, On Offense, and May Day. Launch date: 2009.

Created for use year-round, these 100-percent edible teeth are ideal for parties, give-outs or everyday fun. "We are the original edible candy teeth," Colin Leier, manager of Triple Alliance LLC dba Bubbagum, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2007.

This ball can bounce up to 50' high.

These tiny erasers are shaped like soft-serve ice cream cones and colored to match many flavors. The cones are even sculpted to resemble the waffle texture of the real treat.
— “They've just been out of control,” Casey Sartain, buyer at Tutoring Toy in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly of Iwako Erasers. In July 2009, Sartain reported sales averaging 100 per day. 
— “Anything that's little is big. For example, the Iwako Erasers,” commented Sherry Phipps, owner of School Crossing in Williamsburg, Va., about her top-selling collectible toys in summer 2009.
— Six of 49 retailers pinpointed Iwako Erasers as a top seller in their stores in July 2009.

This interchangeable charm features a full-color image and a round clasp. Full length including clasp is 1.5". Launch date: March 2004.

This wind-up character is designed to dance for 15 seconds and comes in "try me" packaging. It does not require batteries.

Designed for quick, simple cutting of Scotch-type tapes, this dispenser cuts large quantities of tape to a 3.8 cm length with a single rotation of the handle. It may also be used as storage for pens, scissors or name cards. The product is available in pink, light blue and yellow.

Designed by Been KIM, the DrinKlip is designed to clip right onto tables or desks in order to hold drinks securely without requiring surface space. It is available in a several different colors.

In extreme miniature, these multi-colored erasers are made to look like delicious gourmet cakes decorated with thick frosting and fruit slices. Each cake has six separate slices and comes in a round case. Four differently colored varieties are available.
― “The Iwako erasers seem to be a hot one,” said Pat Selby, owner of Calico Cat in West Bainbridge Island, Wash., about her top-selling items for girls in summer 2009.
― Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star, told TDmonthly in June 2009 that both locations of Catch of Falling Star sell 1,000 Iwako erasers per month.

SOGGS™ are half a dozen (six pairs) fresh, free-range socks. They are available in three different designs: with stripes, stars and plain. In every box with striped socks, there are six different, fresh-colored pairs of striped socks. The free-range socks are available in one size, suitable for ages 0 to 12 months. Launch date: 2005.

The Pocket Referee is a conflict resolution tool that comes in the form of a shiny gold coin. The Ref comes packaged with a protective pouch and handy carrying clip that allows kids to keep it close by. This powerful tool helps teaches kids how to work out conflicts on their own without the help of parents or guardians. When a conflict arises that can only have one resolution (which TV show to watch, where to go for dinner) the holder of the coin can choose to get her way, which means she'll pass the coin on to her counterpart for the next conflict, or she can choose to keep the coin and pass the current choice over to the other child. In all situations both kids win. Also available in antique brass for MSRP $9.95.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner

This play phone has soft touch keys, operator voice, and ringing tone. Includes 2 x AG13 (Button Cells) batteries.

This flat, flexible vase expands into a three-dimensional piece of art when filled with water, and stands upright while displaying flowers. Several designs are available in addition to this classic curved model. It has a tear-off top.