October 2008 Notable Toys — All

Kids can celebrate the magic of music with this handcrafted guitar that can be used for guitar classes, private lessons and study, or for play in a child's first “amateur band.”  A quality instrument is always beneficial when beginning the study of music, especially when the student is young. "This guitar is easy to play, tunable, and will help to keep a child pursuing one of the most rewarding pastimes in history: making music," Manager Kristy Schaffer of Schoenhut told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2008.

This kit includes high-quality ceramic magnets and 26 activities designed to develop a solid foundation for more advanced topics in electricity and magnetism, teaching children the fundamental principles of magnetism while they play. It includes how to build an electromagnet, how to flip the poles of an electromagnet, and how an electric motor works, and allows kids to go iron detecting, visualize the lines of force, craft a compass, and levitate and bounce ring magnets. "ScienceWiz Magnetism is the only product of its kind that teaches the concepts of magnetism through hands-on learning and play. Magnets are more fun when you know how they work!" Rachael Norman, sales manager for Norman & Globus Inc., told TDmonthly. This product has received a Creative Child Magazine Award. Launch date: July 1, 2008.

This 14", soft-bodied doll wears a brightly colored outfit with rich detail in the fashion of London trends. She has sleeping eyes and long, brown hair.
— Two of 32 retailers told TDmonthly in October 2008 they expect Corolle dolls to be best sellers in their stores during the holiday season.
—  “They make it easy to do business with — that’s the bottom line,” Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, told TDmonthly about Corolle in fall 2008. Nearly 6 percent of 52 retailers mentioned the company as a preferred vendor.

Shima the Origami Master lives on a mountain in Japan. He isn’t lonely, for his beautiful origami animals keep him company. One morning Shima finds a marvelous new paper elephant on his desk. Where could it have come from? The next morning, a splendid dragon is in its place. It looks real enough to fly away. That night, Shima stays awake to find out who could make such wonderful creatures. But when he discovers who the mysterious artist is, he learns a surprising lesson about friendship. Included are instructions on how to make the origami flapping bird design. Aki Sogabe’s paper-cut art in the Japanese tradition richly complements Nathaniel Lachenmeyer’s lovely story.

How would you describe winter? Is it “freezy, stuffy, and sneezy?” Or do you think it’s “glowy, rosy, and cozy?” No matter how you feel about winter, you are sure to enjoy Bob Raczka’s tribute to the season’s activities, tastes, and sounds. The simple rhymes using “y” words will encourage children to come up with their own words to describe the season. Judy Stead’s exuberant art shows the fun of all things winter. Bob Raczka and Judy Stead previously teamed up to create Spring Things and Who Loves the Fall? With minimal text and cheerful art, these books work perfectly as an introduction to the seasons for the very young.

Posey loves Christmas, especially the presents! She shakes and squeezes each gift—what’s inside? And one afternoon, when she’s alone, Posey picks up a present and lifts the wrapping just a little… Any child who finds it hard to wait for Christmas will understand and love Posey, who never forgets the day she peeked. Anne Kennedy’s delightful paintings of the Mouse family capture the charm and warmth of Ann Dixon’s happy holiday story.

This wooden puzzle consists of 16 cubes that can be arranged to feature colorful images of six different farm animals. Each puzzle includes a border designed to help kids as they're assembling each puzzle.
— Four of 32 retailers mentioned Melissa & Doug when asked by TDmonthly about their anticipated best-selling toys for the holiday season in October 2008.

This poseable kitten is available in two varieties and features a head, legs and tail that move.

This folk storytelling album features the voices of Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder, with Celtic music from a harp and concertina played between the tales. Tapping into the excitement of ancient storytelling, the narrators represent multiple characters in a range of tones suited to the stories, which are both funny and frightening. Launch date: 1997.

This set comes with two cars and colorful, click-lock track that children can use to build and rebuild their own roads for play.
— Three of 32 retailers predicted in October 2008 that this product will be a hot seller for the holiday season. "Got 12 in yesterday; sold through half," James Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., told TDmonthly.
—    “People keep asking for it,” said Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., in November 2008. “We’ve gone through 36 and have 18 left.”

This shiny gloss available in strawberry, banana, mango and apple scents has just a hint of color and comes with a secret code that allows girls to choose furniture for their Webkinz pet from the salon collection online.

The rungs of this colorful ladder seem to all fall down when the top is tilted from side to side, but they remain attached, offering an intriguing visual time and time again.

This 4" mini version of Plunko, who's a businessman and owner of a car wash and tire store, is ideal for toting around on a purse or backpack.

Made of stretchy material, this 2" block of cheese is home to two mice that can be moved around to the different holes.

Perfect as a stocking stuffer or gift topper, this snowglobe-shaped treat features a cute little penguin in a blizzard.

This set of 10 stickers features glittery Santas packing up toys, surfing and more.

Each hand-painted Kooky Klicker features a distintive personality and fun design. The 5" characters have rubbery strands of hair and a metal clip.

Kids just pull back this 2.25" helicopter and watch it glide along the ground.

These non-toxic oil pastels come in ocean-themed packaging decorated with bright fish and other sea creatures.

Author Jane Yolen uses lyrical prose to not only reprise a well-known legend but also to tell the true story of apple tree-planting Johnny Appleseed, rather known as John Chapman, in this book illustrated by award-winning artist Jim Burke. Launch date: August 26, 2008.

KizPal is an original line of action figures that connect kids to the KizPlanet Virtual World. Each toy generates a digital avatar, letting kids explore the vast virtual ecosystem as their favorite Kiz Toys characters, safely interact with other kids, play exciting 3D adventure games and help defend KizPlanet from the maniacal Simon Welk and his army of Muck Men. KizPal features fully developed Kiz Toys characters and storylines, fun, user-friendly gameplay and safe interaction for kids of all ages. Launch Date: March, 2009

With stories tucked inside special pouches, these stuffed animals come to life with their very own stories by published authors. Children are encouraged to find the squeak, the crinkle and other special characteristics described in the story on the stuffed animal. The illustrated stories are printed on easy-to-read, soft, fabric story sheets. The adventures blend reading, storytelling and play into a stuffed animal. The large, 10" characters ($30) pair up with their own 5" friends attached via Velcro or magnets. The medium-sized, 8" characters ($15) each come with three adventure stories zipped inside a pocket. The small, 5" characters ($7) each come with one story written about them and tucked into a pocket. Launch date: March 2008.

Larni poses on a crystal base showing off her stylish, festive attire that looks perfect at Christmas and beyond. The beautifully crafted 8" character doll lights up a room and is a stylish accent for any home. She is made from the finest stone resin. Launch date: October 11, 2008.

The MICRO-TIGER indoor, digital proportional IR helicopter features a micro size fun with macro-scale performance. The MICRO-TIGER's blue LED light illuminates the cockpit for cool nighttime flying. The product is capable of precise and accurate control using the new digital proportional patent-pending Motion Auto Sensing Control (M.A.S.C.) Controller. A simple tilt of the wrist turns the helicopter in that direction. Beginners and experienced pilots will both enjoy the thrill and command of steering like a real pilot. The MICRO-TIGER comes fully assembled and ready to fly. It requires five AA alkaline batteries (not included). Launch date: June 2008.