October 2008 Notable Toys — All

Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills. Mega Zillio is the larger version of the Mini Zillio. It handles numbers up to 60, and measures 27" x 27" x 12". It does everything the Mini does but can have up to 6 players at a time and the same games included require more challenging play and problem solving to come out on top.

Zillio has 12 colorful staircases based upon multiplication tables. The visual and tactile relationships between steps enable kids to discover and master difficult math concepts as they learn and play with 10 essential math skills.  Mini Zillio handles numbers up to 36, and measures 18" x 18" x 8", compared to Mega Zillio's 27" x 27" x 12.5". For up to 4 players at a time.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Brain Child

This bright set features 30 multi-colored balloons plus a pump.
— Randy Austin reported that Rocket Balloons were popular sellers during the summer of 2008 at her store, The Gifted Child, in Lenox, Mass.
— “Rocket Balloons were fabulous [last year] and we have people waiting for them now,” said Eric Masoncup, owner of Geppettos Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., of his top-selling outdoor item during a March 2010 survey of best sellers.
— Two of 37 retailers named Rocket Balloons are a best-selling outdoor toy in spring 2010.

This 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle is one in a collection of four prints from the canvases of landscapes and home portraits created by folk artist Art Poulin. Launch date: January 2009.

These tiny critters — Brown Bear Brother, Polar Bear Sister and two others from Cloverleaf Corners — are decked out in costumes for Halloween. The critters are poseable and wear removable clothing. The two bears retail together for $19.99. Launch date: October 2008.

A simple introduction to the complex and fascinating world of magnetism, Dowling Magnets’ Assorted Magnet Box contains a variety of basic magnets in different shapes and colors, a shoelace, and a handbook with magnet information and fun facts. 
— “We have a huge homeschooling community, and kids are fascinated by magnets,” observed Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacques Inc. in Bryan, Texas, when discussing best-selling science products in August 2008.
— Of 64 retailers polled in Summer 2008, 4 percent listed magnets as their top-selling science item.

This Sea Monkeys kit comes with everything one needs to get started raising these living, swimming ”micro-crustaceans.” After treatment with the included water purifier, sprinkle the pouch of dormant Sea Monkey eggs into the tank, and watch the new pets appear and grow. It comes with a “growth guarantee.”
— “Another thing that sells really well is the Sea Monkeys. We sell a lot of those, and we had one of those on display,” Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys Livermore, Calif., told TDmonthly in August 2008 when discussing popular science and nature toys.
— “Kids still get so excited about those little kits,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska. “A lot of adults seem to be drawn to them, too, because of the nostalgia factor.”
― As of 9.23.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 10 in best-selling science and nature toys. PROS: Entertaining, educational, interactive and easy to use.

This animal is part of a "magnetically mixable" line of plush pets that allow children to create hundreds of combinations by interchangeing the creatures' heads and tails. The 4" plush come in 12 designs. Launch date: September 2008.

Republican VP contender  Sarah Palin is immortalized in this superhero action figure, which sports a 45-caliber sidearm. An excutive version is available for $27.95. Launch date: September 8, 2008

Recommended for outdoor use only, this lightweight glider comes with a launcher and is available in different styles. It is easy to assemble and fly, and can soar up to 50’. The safe, soft flyer has a wingspan of 9” and comes with instructions.

This striped character comes with an Internet access code that gives kids the freedom to explore Webkinz World online with the virtual equivalent of the plush pet. The tiger’s special item in the virtual world is a rock ledge bed.
— “Webkinz are still selling,” Owner Randy Austin of The Gifted Child in Lenox, Mass., told TDmonthly in summer 2008.
— “We move probably 100 to 150 per month,” William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in August 2008.
— Twenty percent of 64 retailers named Webkinz as their top-selling collectible toy in summer 2008.
Six of 63 retailers named Webkinz as their overall best seller in September 2008.

For the dog lover! Mr. Chris the Pug stuffed animal from Fiesta’s High Society dog series. Plush fabrics and very soft. Posh satin-like fabrics and beaded dog bone decoration. Even a curly pug tail. Not a toy. Decoration purposes only.

This plush donkey is covered in a Mexican serape blanket. The soft and cuddly plush donkey also has a sweet burro face. A touch of the Southwest.

Soft and cuddly plush penguin puppet is great for imaginative play and puppet storytelling. Just add imagination. Great play value as a stuffed toy too.

Plush 21” giraffe rocker. For extra fun giraffe features a “giggle” sound chip. Sturdy. Great for going on safari, reading a book, or watching TV. Adds a special fun jungle touch to any room décor.

Some stretch, some length and so many ways to wear it. These versatile pants allow the waistband to be worn to cover the belly, to cover the waist for extra support, or around the hips for style. The basic black pant goes well with other clothes and is made of relaxing and versatile fabric, to allow for everyday wear.

The BellaBand is designed with pregnant women's bodies in mind. The top hem is wide and flat to minimize visible lines under women's tops. The main body of the BellaBand is seamless-knit so there are no side seams to show if the band is folded over. The fabric is designed to stretch and recover to fit throughout pregnancy and beyond. The bottom hem is double-sewn to better grip pants, skirts, and shorts to prevent the BellaBand from riding up.

Lounge in it. Work in it. Live in it. The Everyday Cami is a lush, seamless-knit camisole with a crêpe finish that's perfect for wearing with everything. It's super-soft and cut extra-long to keep one's belly covered throughout her entire pregnancy.

The Belly Leggings from Ingrid & Isabel are made of a luxurious, ultra-soft knit that stretches to gently hug the hips, legs and belly. The high seamless waistband gives the belly full coverage and room to grow while the legs are cut long for year-round wear. Made with a changing body in mind, the waistband can be worn folded at the waistline in early pregnancy, up high and over the belly for full coverage as it grows and under the belly for support in the final weeks of pregnancy. Layer with tunics, dresses, skirts or a comfy long t-shirt.

The Ruched Tank is a seamless tank with substantial ruching at the sides to create body-friendly pleating around the torso throughout all stages of pregnancy. The tank will give subtle pleating around the body in early pregnancy, a smooth, supportive silhouette on a blossomed belly, and heavy pleating after baby to disguise a soft, recovering belly. Provides for figure-flattering effects of a ruched tank while keeping all the comfort, support, stretch and recovery of a seamless knit layer that will last throughout and after pregnancy.

KooKeys offers a line of plush animals with online, interactive digital counterparts known as the Virtual Koo. Each plush KooKey comes with a special key that unlocks the online world for children to explore, interact, play, and learn.

Mansuba: Challenge of the Pharaohs  is the second board game set in the World of Terris. In it players learn the ancient Fey game of the Imouha Pharaohs. Become the first player to move your pieces across the board, beguiling opponent’s pieces in the process. Speed and daring play will win the game, but beware lest your pieces be beguiled in turn.

Battue: Walls of Tarsos is the first expansion for Battue: Storm of the Horse Lords, a strategy board game for 2-4 players. As the battle deepens, players will find new challenges to overcome and more rewards for success. Although the goal, to loot the richest sections of town to prove your right to lead the Golden Horde, is the same, the means to that end are much different. Rivals arise and defenders band together within the city to prevent the pillage. All of Red Juggernaut’s games are set in the world of Terris, a world where everyone can perform enchantments and powerful ritualists shape society.

Rooted in the World of Terris, a brutal, dark fantasy setting envisioned by authors Robin Laws and Scott Hungerford, Battue: Storm of the Horse Lords is a strategy board game in which players take control of a horde of Horse Lords bent on looting Tarsos, the City of Brass Pillars. This strategy game is easy-to-learn, fast-playing, fun, and keeps players involved in the game even when it’s not their turn. The player who manages to control the choicest sections of the city and has the most loot at the end of the game is the winner. Further expansions will introduce new rules and options as well as allow additional players to join the game.