October 2008 Notable Toys — All

Maru and Friends is a celebration of childhood fun sculpted by world renowned doll artist, Dianna Effner.
Maru is a young girl who lives with her aunt and uncle. She is making new friends and adapting to a new way of life. Along with the 21" all-vinyl doll, the Maru & Friends set includes a long-sleeved shirt, vest, skirt, tights, underpants, hat and matching purse with boots. It also comes with a hardcover storybook and Certificate of Authenticity. There are two other dolls in the line; each doll's facial features are unique. Launch date: 2008.

I’m the comicos of the band and I always have a funny up my sleevos. OK, here’s a good one for you: What do you get when you cross a cat with a tree? A cat-a-log! Hee-hee! There’s lots more where that came from … but I’ll stop for now. Ciao amigos, keep laughing! Discovery Deglingos are an explorative adventure for young kids. Each leg contains a different activity – squeaks, rattles, crinkles and more. Also, a pull-string tail creates a shake and rattle surprise. Launch date: November 2008.

Players fill in their safari boards with base ten units and rods to escape the tiger. They'll learn about addition, subtraction and place value while trying to escape the tiger. "Place Value Safari is a great hands-on game for teaching math skills that's beautifully designed and includes materials children will have fun playing with while they're learning," Margo Hanson, marketing manager for Didax Education, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 Teacher's Choice Award and was a 2008 AEP(Association of Educational Publishers) Distinguished Award Winner. Launch date: February 2008.

As Shakespearos once said, “The dog will have his day," and that day is now. I can usually be found waxing poetic and sniffing out a sonnet or two. But as the poetos of the Deglingos, I need inspiration. Will you be my muse? Discovery Deglingos are an explorative adventure for young kids. Each leg contains a different activity – squeaks, rattles, crinkles and more. Also, a pull-string tail creates a shake and rattle surprise. Launch date: November 2008.

Made with soft, 100-percent organic Sherpa Cotton, this bunting has fitted feet, reversible handmitts, side kimono snaps, furry trim, and is completely lined with fine knit. "We use 100-percent natural dyes and cotton, which contribute to our bright and vivid colors. The reversible handmitts and side kimono snaps make it easily accessible for anyone to wrap and unwrap their little one. The warm sherpa cotton keeps the baby warm all day long," Marissa Parsons, assistant creative director at kate quinn organics, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

So crazios and always in a good mood, I’m the excitable guy with the big heart. Poilodos tells me I need to chill out and loosen my suspenders a bit, but I prefer to blow off steam by playing the drums with my tail. Not everyone appreciates this talent. Party poopos! Discovery Deglingos are an explorative adventure for young kids. Each leg contains a different activity — squeaks, rattles, crinkles and more. Also, a pull-string tail creates a shake and rattle surprise. Launch date: November 2008.

Suede lace has many decorative uses, from American Heritage crafts to key chains, jewelry and more. This decorative leather lace is offered in an assortment of colors, available in spools as well as 6-yd. cards. "Tandy Leather Factory is a trusted brand name in the leather industry. Our products have a reputation for being the best quality products on the market. As well as superior quality, we can offer you our suede lace at a price that will beat any others on the market," Tony Hernandez, national crafts sales manager at Tandy Leather Factory, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009.

Kids can help Dora save the Magic Kingdom by planting their very own colorful cleansing plants in a vibrant underwater world. Rainbow plants grow very quidkly and have fantastic, flowing multi-colored foliage. The “underwater” garden can be completed with the included deep blue gravel, sea shells, a Dora-themed stake and natural beach sand. Rainbow plants are easy to grow and will flourish in the garden on a windowsill for years in bright, indirect light as they clean the air and water. "The Dora Mermaid Adventure Garden is licensed from the top-rated creator of children's shows and exemplifies our mission to ignite an interest in plants and the world around us," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

These are infant/toddler sizes of long-sleeved T-shirts, onesies and dresses with "Santa's Little Helper" on the front and hand-painted stripes and dots on sleeves, by artist Shelley Dieterichs. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

This 10" melamine plate features illustrated letters by artist Shelley Dieterichs, spelling out the word COOKIES for Santa. Launch date: October 15, 2008.

The Red Maple is a showstopper through all four seasons and is one of the first trees to bloom, as they gracefully usher into spring. The Red Maple comes complete with everything needed, including seeds, germination mixture, a plant stake and a biodegradable coconut coir pot that the tree can be planted outside in. Five percent of the proceeds from this line will be donated to the Arbor Day Foundation. "It is 100-percent natural and easy to grow!" Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

Kids can construct their own mole skeleton with DuneCraft’s new Skeleton Pellets — each contains an entire skeleton. The product is 100-percent synthetic, making it completely safe and sanitary to dissect. Each Skeleton Pellet Bag of Knowledge contains a magnifying glass, a Skeleton Pellet, a bone-sorting chart and more. Launch date: October 2008.

This 32-page activity book is based on the Angels from the Attic toy line and is gentle and appealing with easy-to-color pages. It shows the six characters and their special characteristics. Each Angel has its own specialty, such as exercise, reading or eating well. The magical attic they live in is introduced and encourages children to create their own special worlds. "This activity/coloring book is not mass-produced. It welcomes children to send in their own works of art and encourages friendship. Placed next to the Angels from the Attic plush animals, it expands the concept of visiting the Attic for fun and freedom," Mark Marderosian, creative director at Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 30, 2008.

Who will be first to get to Witch's Mountain? Two to four players take turns testing their memory and advancing toward the mountain. Kids roll the dice and find the cards that match what they rolled to win. Little Thunder Witch can be played in three variations. Game play is approximately 15 minutes. "The wooden game pieces are made in Germany using native reforested woods and nontoxic water based stains, not paint," Lisa Orman, president of KidStuff Public Relations, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Eclipse Doggy loves to eat. He's one of six Angels from the Attic, 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and encourage children of all ages to build friendships. They are sewn with love so no two are exactly alike, making them instantly cozy and lovable. "[A] portion of proceeds are donated to local and national children['s] charities, making this a win-win for customer, retailer and children," Creative Director Mark Marderosian of Big City Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

Misty Pig loves to read and, like her fellow Angels from the Attic, watches over children. Each Angel has its own personality and theme. The six-character collection is designed to promote creativity and encourage children of all ages to build friendships.

Twinkle Mouse is part of the Angels from the Attic line of 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and friendship. Each Angel is made from soft fabric and sewn so that no two are exactly alike. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

This soft teddy bear is designed to keep children happy and cozy. Each Angel from the Attic is a 10" plush. "The bonus 12-page hard cover book that each Angel is packaged with helps spread the message of friendship," Mark Marderosian, creative director of Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

Angels from the Attic are 10" plush friends designed to promote creativity and friendships. Each Angel is made from soft fabric and sewn so that no two are exactly alike. The line consists of six characters who all live in a magical attic. "There are no batteries [or] fancy remotes, just simple soft fabric [that is] cozy to the touch. The appealing and elegant gift box that each Angel comes in makes the gift look more expensive than it really is," Mark Marderosian, creative director at Big City Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 30, 2008.

Featuring the famed ’57 Chevrolet® Bel Air Coupe and legendary 1960 Plymouth® Fury in original form and detail on a 1:32 scale, Carrera’s Classic Memories Set captures the nostalgia of “the happy days” and transports drivers, race fans and collectors alike back to the time when both classics could be found dragging the strip and speeding to the local sock hop. “General Motors’ ’57 Chevy® and ’60 Plymouth® Fury were innovative in their day,” said Alan Hess, president of Carrera America. “Both models’ body styling, revolutionary suspensions and transmissions make them a natural addition to Carrera Evolution’s high performance, original-licensed offerings. With this new set, we’re reviving and refreshing timeless classics in a fun, exciting way.” Launch date: November 2008.

ModelWorks makes artfully crafted personalized action figures in just 10 days. ModelWorks Mini-Me separates itself from other companies by making hobby-grade models. The difference lies in the details. “We don’t just sculpt a face, we capture an expression," Graeme Warring, president of ModelWorks and creator of the Mini-Me, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 20, 2007.

Themed after “The Dark Knight,” Carrera of America’s 1:43 scale GO!!! Batman slot car race track system is giving the young - and the young at heart- a chance to step into the cockpit of Batman’s “Hyperdrive” and take on the Joker in his “Joker Mobile” through the streets of Gotham City at scale speeds up to 450 miles per hour. Licensed through DC Comics and WarnerBros. (WB), the set brings the streets of Gotham City to life, featuring the following: two 1:43 scale slot cars: Batmobile “Hyperdrive” and “The Joker Mobile”, straights (114 mm and 342 mm), curves 1/90°, a junction, loop sections with supports, fly over sections with supports, a narrow section, a connecting track section, a straight with lap counter, two speed controllers, a transformer, and accessories: track section bolts, guardrails, replacement contact brushes, spare guide keels and instructions. Dimensions when assembled: 210 x 98 cm/6.89 x 3.21 ft. Track length: 6,2 m/20.34 ft. Launch date: July 2008.

Carrera of America is recreating the excitement, thrills and spills of real-life motorsport racing with its new Digital 132 GT Racer set, which combines superior model making and state-of-the-art technology to provide lightning-quick, brilliant tactical moves, precision drifts in search of the ideal line, pit stops and peak speed capacity, and is compatible with other manufactures’ analog racetrack and slot car systems. Carrera’s 1:32 scale Digital GT Racer set is outfitted with a Porsche GT3 RSR Felbermayr Proton Competition LMES 2007, a BMW Z4 M Coupé Schubert Motors, 11 standard straights, three 1/3 Straights, a connecting track with black box, two Digital 132 lane change sections (four track sections), 10 curves 1/60°, a wireless tower, two wireless speed controllers, a transformer, guardrails, replacement contacts, instructions, verge border sections and track section interlocks. Assembled dimensions are 350 x 179 cm/11.48 x 5.87 ft. Track length: 9,0 m/29.53 ft. Launch date: November 2008.

No Slippy Hair Clippy has expanded into headbands and French clips to offer a full line of "no slip hair accessories" for the distinguished boutique that wants to differentiate from the norm. "No Slippy's quality and design is superior. The clips and headbands really are functional and do stay in the hair!" Annie Salyer, CEO of No Slippy Hair Clippy, Inc., told TDmonthly. Retailers votes' won this product an Earnie award. Launch date: August 2008.