October 2008 Notable Toys — All

Cuddle up at night with Emily the Strange's kitty, Miles, the cutest one-eyed pilot around! He is 12 inches high, and comes with a striped pilot scarf, goggles and cap. He makes a great gift for aviation, cat or Emily the Strange fans. Pilot Miles also makes a great Halloween gift. "This plush toy is Miles, an Emily icon. He does not look like the average black cat, as he has an X replacing one eye," explained Jill Beaverson, PR/Marketing Director, Emily the Strange. "And he is outfitted in all pilot gear. Emily and cat fans alike will love Pilot Miles."

Housed in a pink, patent-leather tote, this extensive kit holds a rainbow of different kinds of beads. Glass, metal, semi-precious stones in all shapes and colors allow children to design endless combinations, and the included instruction booklet gives them the skill needed, too. Along with the also-included chain, hemp, wire and other materials, the Fashion Angels Jewelry Design Workshop is a comprehensive accessory-making studio.
- “The price point's nice,” said Diana Gisolfi, co-owner of Sister’s Kids in Springfield, Mass., of the Fashion Angels line, which she listed as a top seller for jewelry and accessories in September 2008.
- “That would be our best,” agreed Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City.
- Ten percent of 51 retailers told TDmonthly that Fashion Angels is a top seller in the jewelry category.

One of RAVENCLAW™'s...ummm...well...most unusual students joins the ranks of HARRY POTTER™ TONNER® DRESSED CHARACTER FIGURES™. LUNA LOVEGOOD™ at HOGWARTS™ is 17" tall and features a new face sculpt of an authorized likeness of actress Evanna Lynch from Warner Bros.' "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," with 14 points of articulation (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, bust line, hips, knees, and ankles). She features hand-painted face details and rooted saran hair. LUNA LOVEGOOD™ comes dressed in her school uniform, which includes a white cotton shirt, pleated wool skirt, button-down cardigan, blue & grey striped tie, grey tights and faux leather Mary Janes. Her RAVENCLAW™ robe, wand and cheery earrings complete her ensemble — not to mention a special charm necklace that helps to ward off NARGELS. Display stand included. "Highly detailed costumes, likeness sculpts and quality of collectible dolls and Character Figures sets Tonner apart from similar items," explained Shauna Perry, Director of Sales and Marketing Tonner Doll Company, Inc. Launch date: Fall 2008.

As part of Pink Poppy’s extensive line of kid-friendly jewelry and other accessories, this matched set features a necklace and bracelet strung on elastic cord. Pink, magenta and clear beads are centered around a hanging butterfly charm on both pieces. The necklace measures approximately 7.5” long.  
— “Pink Poppy is a great line. They’re very cute, there’s a lot to choose from, and the price point is really great,” Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska, told TDmonthly in early fall 2008.
— Four percent of 51 retailers said Pink Poppy was their main jewelry line in Fall 2008.
— John Taylor, owner of O.P. Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly in an October 2011 survey that he sells 60 Pink Poppy necklaces a month at each of his stores. Mike DiAndrea, manager of Hardware Toys in Paoli, Pa., also called Pink Poppy necklaces a best seller.

Designed to allow girls to weave their own jewelry, this kit comes with a wooden loom, glass beads, a needle, thread and instructions.
- “Bead Bazaar is No. 1,” said Jenny Thomas, owner of Applause! Give Your Kids a Hand, in Bracebridge, Ontario, Canada, when discussing best-selling jewelry items.
- Six percent of retailers told TDmonthly in September 2008 that Bead Bazaar is one of their top-selling lines.

Handmade in Germany, the white and the brown alpaca have a durable woven fur made of natural alpaca wool, which makes them especially soft and cuddly. Special emphasis was given to their naturalistic appearance. All KÖSEN plush animals conform to the highest safety standards. The materials, products and production are inspected by TÜV and meet all requirements of the European safety standard for toys EN 71. "This toy has the potential to be a keeper beyond childhood and to be passed on to the next generation," assured Sybille Hartmann, Sales and Marketing Manager, KÖSEN USA, Inc. Launch date: January 2008.

Watch in amazement as this extraordinary plant sprouts, grows, flowers and produces seeds of its own within two months. The leaves of these fast-growing plants are edible. Within weeks, a flourish of yellow flowers will appear and delight. Rocket Plants have both medicinal and culinary value that were useful in the past and persist into the present. This set comes complete with everything needed to grow Rocket Plants, including a 3.25” four-color printed planter, sprouting dome, germination medium and seeds. "This product is all inclusive and contains a character from a top-rated children's show," said Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft. Launch date: February 2008.

Catnip plants sprout quickly and are easy to grow for great fun for kids and their cats. Fresh catnip causes a stronger reaction among cats. Catnip was originally native to Europe and Asia and can grow to 3 feet high. If you crush the foliage of this herb, it releases oil that attracts cats. In fact, cats will rub up against the foliage themselves to bruise it and release the scent. Fresh catnip leaves are used in tea, which is said to relieve head colds, and can also be added to salads, stews, and sauces. Catnip is also said to attract good luck. Safe for ages 4 and up. "We pack a lot of eye-catching fun into a small package with our Micro Terrarium Line," noted Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft. Launch date: February 1, 2008.

Fairy Dust is the trail of sparkling material that follows pixies and fairies. This enchanted dust is said to have magical powers of its own. Fairy Dust is a precious thing that can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and make fairy tale dreams come true! "DuneCraft products have an exciting secret! In addition to being fun, engaging, and unique, all of our items are educational! Ignite a love of learning and of the world around us," said Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft. Launch date: February 2008.

One of many species indigenous only to Madagascar, Madagascar Palms are one of its most breathtaking prizes. These fascinating plants will sprout in less than a week and will form into unusual seedlings that resemble an artistic rendering of a full-grown palm in miniature. Although this plant forms leaves at its top like a palm, it is actually a unique succulent with a thick, spiny grey trunk that stores water, and will reach heights of 15 feet in nature. This kit comes complete with a state of the art terrarium, natural sand and stones, a custom plant stake, and more. "It is educational, unique, 100% American made, and includes a plant that was chosen based on its special characteristics, longevity, and ease of germination," said Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft. Launch date: February 2008.

These year-at-a-glance calendars can organize an entire year at one time. They are printed on sturdy boards and have matching hang ribbons and glitter accents.
— Owners Michele and Ken Gietz of Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., listed Papayalicious as the “best, young-trendsetting graphic design company at the [2008] National Stationery Show.” They reported in fall 2008 that the company’s cards, magnets, journals and calendar were selling “briskly” in their store.

Square Up! offers a new twist on the slider puzzle – playing an opponent! The object of the game is to slide the squares to match the cube shaker before your opponent finishes. It’s a fast, two-player, visual thinking game. Each board measures about 8” square.
— This game was listed as a best seller by Michele and Ken Gietz of Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., in fall 2008. “It’s great for travel or restaurants,” they said. “It’s two-player, but each gets their own sliding squares board and special shaker. We’ve sold many for a small store in the last six months.”
— Brooke Andrews, owner of Millers Toy Store in Mamoroneck, N.J., told TDmonthly in late 2009 her store sells about 12 units per week of this game. Two of 44 retailers named it as one of their top-three best sellers.

UNO Flash is the fast and furious new way to play UNO. It features exciting new technology and game-play rules to keep everyone on their toes. Who's next? When your red light flashes, it's your turn. You have to discard quickly before your time runs out. Lights and sounds direct the action. Play is fast and unpredictable; everything can change in a flash. "The new speed element in UNO Flash brings an entirely new level of excitement to UNO, whether you're new to the game or a veteran player," explained Marlene Esqueda, Account Executive, GolinHarris Public Relations for Mattel, Inc. Launch date: June 2008.

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008.

Handheld Thermo Scientific Niton XRF analyzers have become the worldwide standard for identifying and quantifying lead and other toxic metals in children’s toys and jewelry. Our TestAll™ technology (patent pending) automatically selects the correct analytical mode, allowing nontechnical users to easily perform measurements with minimal training. In light of the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, these powerful instruments can provide importers, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and regulators with a real solution for fast, easy screening of toys. Awards: 2008 R&D 100 Award for technological innovation; Creative Child Magazine 2008 Product of the Year Award in the Safety Products category. "The Niton XL3t 700 features an optional small-spot x-ray area that allows users to isolate and analyze individual areas as small as 3 mm in diameter," said Jen Robert, Marcom Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific. Launch date: April 11, 2007.

It's a bird... It's a plane...no, it's AirShark, the glider with attitude. Soft and safe, with rubber-band propulsion it flies over 50 feet. "It is a simple glider with attitude.
Any one can make it fly," said Laura T. Brewer, VP of marketing, Play Visions. Launch date: July 28, 2008.

Treasures and Traps™ is a complete card game that puts you in the role of the hero. Your quest is to collect three treasures before anyone else. Sounds simple enough, but throw in a two-headed troll, a maze of dangerous doors, and a few cunning thieves and you won't know what might happen next. With 100 different cards, each game is a unique journey of wild adventure never to be repeated again. Awards: 2007 Origins Award Best Card Game of the Year Silver Award. "Treasures and Traps is a game that the family plays. Kids, youth, and adults all enjoy it. This features makes it unique-we have heard countless stories of parents and kids, young and old, boys and girls, spending time together enjoying this one," C. Aaron Kreader, Designer, Studio 9 Inc. Launch date: 8/1/2006.

All around this elastic necklace, tiny, frosted glass beads in spring green alternate with larger, painted wood charms in the shapes of flowers and spotted ladybugs. Larger-faceted glass beads serve as spacers, and as the centers of some of the flowers, giving this whimsical necklace a little more sparkle. Rings and bracelets in a matching motif are also available from HABA.
- Of 51 retailers surveyed in September 2008, four percent told TDmonthly HABA supplies their best-selling jewelry.

Realistic pearl-finished beads adorn this set of a matching necklace, bracelet and pair of earrings for small princesses, movie stars or other characters dreamed-up by a child’s imagination. The set is part of Schylling’s Small Miracles dress-up line.
- Linda Graham, owner of Scheffel’s Toys in Jacksonville, Ore., told TDmonthly in early fall 2008 that Schylling supplies most of her dress-up jewelry.
- Four percent of 51 retailers named Schylling when asked about their top-selling jewelry items.

Part of the Four Seasons-series of jewelry boxes from Enchantmints, this small treasure chest is richly detailed with cheerful watercolor paintings on the outside, and myriad places for storage tucked away all over the box. Simply open the lid, and it plays music just like the classic child's jewelry box, while a tiny figurine dances inside.
- “Our best is our Enchantmints' jewelry boxes,” Kathy Beaman, owner of Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., told TDmonthly in September 2008 when discussing her store’s best-selling jewelry items.
- Ronald Kutchick, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, also named Enchantmints' music boxes as “a big seller.”

With five games for play with cards featuring favorite horse breeds, this is a perfect choice for horse lovers of all ages. "There are many horse lovers who would appreciate their own card game with photos of each type of horse on each card," Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. Launch date: 2/1/2008.

Bluff your way to victory by having two to four players take turns laying matching animal cards face down. Since you can't see them, are you sure they match? Can you trick your opponents into believing you? If you can, you can get rid of your cards quickly. Don't get caught, or you'll be skunked.  "This fun card game challenges kids with an extra element of 'dramatics.' It will be hard to win without having that extra element of slyness," warned Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Whoever has the most, will be sure to win. It's a fun game for slightly older kids." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

This adorable first counting-card game is really 5 games in one: Penguin Pick-Up, Penguin Race, Countin' Penguins, No more Penguins and Penguin Memory. "This unique card games uses cute penguins to help children learn to count, while playing one of five fun games," explained  Nicole Tiedemann, Public Relations Account Executive, International Playthings. "Up to four children can play together." Launch date: 2/1/2008.

RAGE™ starts with ten cards. Then hand by hand, the number of cards (and options) reduces until at last, you only have ONE card. Players record the number of tricks they plan to take each round; scoring points for their accurate bidding. Sound easy? The outRAGEous action cards will keep you guessing. Includes 108 cards and instructions. "Rage is a classic card game that originated in the 1980s that Fundex has brought back to market," explained Katie Hemlock, marketing specialist at Fundex Games, Ltd.  "Rage is a trick-taking game that is always changing.  This game will keep families entertained while enjoying a NEW card game." Launch date: 2/1/2007.