October 2009 Notable Toys — Award Winners

Kids toss it, catch it and then react to the concept under their thumb. This ball offers a fun way for children to get to know one another. The utilization of a ball during play allows participants to ask each other questions about personal preferences and life experiences. Launch date: March 3, 2009. Awards: Creative Child Preferred Choice Award 2007

The original Spa Time Baby Cape has a waterproof panel to keep parent dry while bathing baby. The patented Spa Time Baby Cape, easily worn by the parent, is designed as a safe and convenient alternative to bathing and drying baby. It has received the following awards: 2008 Mom's Best Award; 2009 PTPA (Parent Tested Parent Approved); 2009 iParenting; 2008 Baby Planner's Seal of Approval; and 2008 Best Products Media Guide by Orca Unlimited, LLC. Launch date: June 2008.

Designed for children ages 3 to 8, Pipperoos' creative drama kits include dress-up materials and an illustrated storybook. The Sea Play Sea Turtle Kit features a Terry the Turtle costume and Pipperoos' first book, The Key in the Sea. While listening to the story, children can pantomime, act out the story independently, or explore the theme with related activities listed in the book. "Pipperoos' creative drama products encourage active participation in reading, storytelling, and learning," Jennifer Hastings, co-founder of Pipperoos, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 18, 2009.

Tuned to a C Major scale, the Chimalong is an 8-note metallophone that can be played by number, color or notes. The youngest children will use the included 15-song songbook to play by color; older children can play by number. As they progress, they'll learn to read the music and play by note. Additional songs are available on the Woodstock Chimes website. Packaged in a 4-color window box. Comes with 2-mallets, 15-song songbook and an extra #7 tube, which changes the B (for key of C) to B flat (for key of G), giving greater musical flexibility. Chimalong is "recommended for its educational value by many professional musicians, including John Sebastian, Marilyn Horne, André Watts, Peter Schickele and the late Jim Henson," Peggy Daniel, Web Development Director of Woodstock Chimes, told TDmonthly. The Chimalong has received the following awards: 2003 Parent's Choice Top 25 Toys in 25 Years; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Classic Toy, Blue Chip Award; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Platinum; 1995 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Best Toy Award, Gold Seal; and 1987 Parent's Choice Gold Award. Launch date: 1986.
―  Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., only recently began selling Chimalongs, she told TDmonthly in 4Q 2010; she sells about four per month.
— Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books, Inc. in Oklahoma City, Ok.,  told TDmonthly in a January 2015 survey that the Woodstock Chimalong is their store's best-selling musical toy.

Designed for children ages three to eight years old, Pipperoos’ creative drama kits include dress-up materials and illustrated storybook. Each kit focuses on one theme, and includes either a single or an ensemble set of character costumes. Costumes include Opus the Octopus, Terry the Turtle, Julie the Jelly, and Mark the Shark. This product was named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products 2009 and 10 Best Creative Products 2009. Launch date: 2009.

The WowWee Alive™ Baby Animals are lifelike, huggable baby animals that feature plush bodies and animated facial and vocal expressions triggered by users’ touch. Children and animal lovers alike can nurture a lovable WowWee Alive™ Husky Puppy, Koala Joey, Leopard Cub or Seal Pup in their very own living rooms. Four AA batteries are included. The cubs were featured in Time Magazine's "The Best Inventions of 2008 - Tech Buyer's Guide." Launch date: July 2009.

This clinically tested and 98-percent accurate product is created to listen to the cry of a baby and tell the caregiver what baby is communicating — specifically, when baby is annoyed, hungry, bored, stressed or sleepy. The WhyCry Mini is designed to stimulate baby’s development, improve parental bonding, and create healthy emotional response patterns. "There is no other product like this available in the world. The WhyCry Mini listens to the five instinctive cries all babies use to communicate hunger, stress, boredom, sleepiness and annoyance," James Valle, CEO of Serene Baby Products, Inc., told TDmonthly. "The debut of this product coincides with an ever-increasing body of neuro-biological research that affirms the importance of correctly diagnosing infants’ needs to foster healthy development in the first months of life." Launch date: September 9, 2009.

The Cover-Me is a fully adjustable strap that attaches to any baby blanket, converting it into a secure nursing cover. The Cover-Me is compact enough to fit in mom's pocket. "The Cover-Me is the only breastfeeding essential that can be used for other purposes! The Cover-Me creates a secure bib using a cloth napkin or cloth diaper [and] it keeps a blanket secure over baby in a stroller or front carrier," Natascia Carr, owner of Little Carr, LLC, told TDmonthly. It received an iParenting Media Award in 2008. Launch date: February 9, 2007.

The Head Snuggler is designed to safely and properly support a child's head and neck while sleeping in a car seat. It provides support from above, which helps keep children in a proper posture to promote better breathing, and thus, more restful sleep. "It's the first head support that provides support from above where it is actually needed, which helps keep children in a proper posture to promote better breathing .... It's pediatrician approved and chiropractors are even using them," Melanie Risdon-Betcher, owner of Melrose Kids Inc., told TDmonthly. The Head Snuggler received a 2009 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: March 27, 2009.

Parents can protect baby in style with this infant cover that has an over-the-handle design to create a tent-like enclosuret. The hole in the top allows for a secure grip on the handle, a view of baby inside, and allows air into the baby. The all-around elastic keeps the cover securely in place. It's designed to protect babies from the sun, wind, rain and nosy strangers, and creates a cozy nap-time environment. When it's time to feed baby, Sprout Shell becomes a nursing cover to give a little added privacy on the go. At the store, Sprout Shell becomes a shopping cart cover to keep those nasty germs away from baby. It is made of 100-percent cotton corduroy and can be used for restaurant high chairs, too. It's "the only infant carrier cover that has multiple uses and can be used after baby is no longer in the infant carrier," Kirsten Reeder, co-founder of Sprout Shell, LLC, told TDmonthly. The Sprout Shell received a 2009 Baby Planner Seal of Approval. Launch date: September 12, 2009.

The Little Soles™ Squeaky Shoes collection is free from harmful dyes and toxins, utilizes premium materials sourced specifically to surpass standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada or the CPSC, and features inner and outer materials tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO colourants or dyes, formaldehyde content, and seven toxic elements (lead, arsenic, antimony, barium, mercury, cadmium and selenium). The flexible outsole is suited to pre-walking and early walking, and the shoes also have a padded ankle collar, an air-cushioned heel, an audible squeak that provides confidence for first steps and promotes a proper heel-to-toe step, as well as giving parents peace of mind by being aware of where their child is walking. The squeaker mechanism is removable and replaceable. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Little Soles Urban Infants Collection is designed to suit early walkers in size 3 to 8. The shoes are free from harmful dyes and toxins, feature premium Leathers sourced specifically to surpass the standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada or the CPSC, and are tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO colourants or Dyes, formaldehyde content and seven toxic elements (lead, arsenic, antimony, barium, mercury, cadmium and selenium). A full leather upper, inside and out, allows for optimal comfort and breathability, and the soft, flexible outsole is suited to pre-walking and early walking. The shoes also offer heel counters for support, a padded ankle collar and a cushioned heel. They are sold in a reusable designer gift box and received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: April 30, 2009.

Baby Soles by Little Soles are toxin-free crib shoes in size 0-2 or 0-9 months. The Baby Soles line has gone through rigorous testing procedures by an independent, internationally accredited company, to ensure that the shoes are free of harmful dyes and toxins. The shoes feature TPR outsole inserts at the toe and heel for traction and durability, an outsole design that allows for optimal surface feel when baby starts to cruise, styling designed to present a true footwear appearance instead of a slipper form; and premium leather sourced specifically to surpass the standards in footwear testing set by Health Canada. There are four levels of testing conducted prior to the manufacture of Baby Soles; all leathers along with the outsole are tested for the following: European Council directive 2002/62/EC testing for AZO Colourants or Dyes, formaldehyde content, and seven Toxic Elements. Baby Soles received a 2009 iParenting Media Outstanding Products award. Launch date: December 31, 2008.

Coursing Around's first edition offers 15 activity courses using sidewalk chalk. Designed to motivate kids to get off the couch and be active outside, it also offers an educational dynamic by helping kids learn their shapes, colors, numbers, and lefts and rights. Coursing Around received a 2009 iParenting Media Award in the Outstanding Product Toys and Games Category. Launch date: 2009.

A festive red pouch unveils a set of Piggy Paint nail polishes in red, green and clear sparkle topcoat. "Piggy Paint is a natural, eco-friendly nail polish designed for fancy girls. Not only is it made in the USA, but all of our raw materials come from here as well," Melanie Hurley, CEO of Piggy Paint, told TDmonthly. This ideal stocking stuffer was Safbaby's Mom Approved and received a Child Tested Excellence Award. Launch date: August 2008.

Designed to provide moments of serene rest and relaxation during pregnancy while positively influencing the development and well-being of the baby, this set includes three CDs. "From three months before birth, your baby will be able to listen to music," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. "Our new grown-up titles are also suitable for the same infants and babies that listen to the regular Lovely Baby CD series." "Lovely Pregnancy" was named 2009 CD of the Year by Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: August 17, 2009.

The Kangaroo Zak facilitates skin-to-skin contact and is designed to assure safety and comfort of parents and baby (baby will not fall and lines will stay put), maximize the area of contact between the baby and the adult, assures proper positioning, provide containment and sense of security, allow mom or dad to kangaroo "hands free" to read a book or and even fall asleep while kangarooing. It is created to support and complement all the benefits of Kangaroo Mother Care (constant natural temperature, breathing, stable blood pressure, increase of the mother's milk supply) and is made so that moms and dads can hold their babies safely and for longer periods of time. Kangaroo Zak is adjustable and each fits three sizes. It also gives moms coverage so they are not "exposed" when holding their babies. "Kangaroo Zak helps parents show how much they love their babies and it provides a nice and safe transition between womb and world," Yamile Jackson, president and founder of Zakeez, Inc., told TDmonthly. Zakeez received a 2009 Outstanding Women-Owned Business of the Year Award (Small Business Administration - SCORE Foundation). Launch date: September 13, 2009.

This butterfly character design toy comes in a book style with each page of the butterfly wings featuring a different activity. Children can explore all the activities as the butterfly head lights up. Launch date: January 10, 2009.

The Safe Sizer, a colorful child’s plate with a distinctive safety feature, is designed to help parents reduce the risk of their young child choking on food. It incorporates a half-inch diameter raised ring that reminds parents and caregivers of the recommended maximum bite size for kids under 4 who are eating solid foods, and helps them measure it properly. Launch date: 2009.

Children can make moving figures of a dozen world-changing individuals from thousands of years ago. Cut-and-color or pre-colored action figures really move as they play out the lives of Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, King David, Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (builder of the Great Wall of China), Hannibal (and his elephant!) and others. Their stories are right in the book — or kids can make up their own stories about these historic figures. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Kids can personalize a lovable fabric dog with this kit that includes a stuffed dog (measures 8" from paw to the top of his head and 12" from his snout to the tip of his tail) and a set of permanent fabric markers. Children can use their creativity to create a one-of-a-kind work of art and treasured keepsake, featuring messages, autographs and designs to commemorate a special event, sleepover or graduation. It could even be used as a "guest book" at a party. Launch date: September 2009.

Crayola Color Stories are interactive coloring activities that tell the stories of Jerome, Pedro, Sadie and others from the Undersea Adventures world. Kids progress through the story by coloring on their pages along with the characters on the screen, learning as they go. Activities are randomized so that kids can play Crayola Color Stories again and again. "Interactive DVD story and coloring activities keep children engaged and entertained while they learn," Anita Lavine, director of public relations for Screenlife, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 iParenting Media Award and a 2009 Creative Child Award. Launch date: June 2009.

Mag-tagz are magnetic “tagz” that can be changed regularly to reflect a girl’s ever-changing mood and style. Mag-tagz begins with a large or a small necklace base that sports a magnetic center. Girls just pop in the tagz that suits the look and mood of the moment, from bees and butterflies to slang and slogans. They can be worn, traded and collected. Mag-Tagz received two 2009 Seal of Excellence Awards from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2009.

Designed to be every parent's solution for droolers, teethers, eczema, reflux and everyday feeding, Wonder Bibs are made from super-absorbent cotton towelling and have a water-resistant nylon backing. A double-snap adjustable neckline means one bib will last from infant to toddler. The bright color bibs are machine washable and dryer safe. A standard Wonder Bib holds 1/4 cup of water. This product received 2008 iParenting Media Outstanding Product Award, a 2008 iParenting Media Greatest Product Award, and a 2008 Mom's Best Award. Launch date: February 2008.