October 2012 Notable Toys — Tween

Our bracelets are colorful "collars" embroidered with the single word: "Adopt". Launch date: September 2012.

Girls will feel like a princess with mini jeweled tiaras on their fingers. Comes in assorted styles and sizes.

Now kids can build their own LEGO® Star Wars™ watch. Start with the red and black face, then add red, black and gray links to build the watch band in any pattern they like. Includes an illustrated image of a LEGO Star Wars Darth Maul™ minifigure on the face. The two links around the face feature standard LEGO studs for attaching the additional LEGO elements that are included. Add the studded bezel and minifigure, and kids are ready to tell time the LEGO Star Wars way.
— In a Fall 2012 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that kids' watches were one of their best selling accessories.

Spikeletz bracelets are soft, stretchy, and comfortable to wear. One size fits most. Comes in a variety of colorful styles.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo Toys in Denver, Colo., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that Spikeletz were one of her top-2 bestselling jewelry items. They sell through one display each month.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that Spikelets were their best-selling novelty toys.
— In a Fall 2013 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Spikelets are their best-selling jewelry item.

Some people die heroically, others accidentally. When Daniel Anderson’s older brother dies, he wonders which category Eli’s death falls into. In an attempt to understand, Danny creates a Book of the Dead - an old binder that he fills with details about dead people, how they died, and, most important, for what purpose. Time passes, and eventually Daniel is prompted to look up from his notebook of death and questions to make new friends and be swept into their imaginings. With gentle humor and genuine emotion, Rebecca Rupp examines the questions that arise following a profound loss and the moments that start life rolling again. Launch date: August 2012.

One Direction are a British-Irish boy band consisting of members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. One Direction became the first British band to debut on top of the Billboard 200 list when Up All Night sold over 176,000 copies during its first week of release in America. Launch date: 2012.

This shimmery mirror wall art kit adds just the right touch of razzle dazzle to a kid's room. These 3-D flower mirrors set the ambiance for fabulous. This twinkly kit includes five 5" x 5" 3-D mirrors. Launch date: October 2011.

Every volume in the Lovecraft Middle School series is fully illustrated and features an original lenticular portrait on the cover. Display them on bookshelves and then watch the cover characters morph into monsters as they are passed by. In Professor Gargoyle, we're introduced to 11-year-old Robert Arthur and the strange world of Lovecraft Middle School. It's a brand-new state-of-the-art facility, so why do so many creepy things keep happening? Why is the science teacher acting so strangely? And where are all the rats coming from? As Robert explores with his new friends Glenn and Carina, he discovers that the school may be a portal to another world. Launch date: September 2012.

Douglas extends the Christine Clarke Collection with a flurry of new designer fashion accessories. One is this shoe shaped sak made of a unique, fun multi colored fabric with coordinating ruffles and embellishments in black and white gingham and hot pink polka dots. The shoe is a working purse with room for all the usual essentials, a plastic zipper enclosure, and a shoulder strap. 8" wide and 10" tall.

Dachshund Whatever Sak™ is pretty in hot pink and black and white print with Dachshund puppies running all around it. The bright pink cording, signature wide zipper and faux fur on the top of the bag adds a festive yet edgy touch to the iconic black and white dog print. Beneath the zipper that goes around the rectangular shaped bag is a dainty white with black pindot ruffle. A single easy-to-carry handle shares the same coordinating fabric.

One of four styles, Sassy Black and White Shih Tzu is dressed to thrill in a pink leopard dress with hot pink satin bow. A soft pink bib attaches the dress around the neck with a cozy feel. Also available are Sassy Pug, Sassy Cream Shih-Tzu, and Sassy Bichon.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— In a June 2013 survey, three out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Douglas was their best-selling plush brand. "The dogs are so soft and cuddly and they look very realistic. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive. We sell one almost every day!" Suzi McMullen, manager of e-commerce at Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., said.

Cutie Pops are trendy fashion dolls who love to decorate and accessorize everything in their world. They’re inspired by everything girls love from hearts, neon colors, rainbows, sweets, parties, surprises and more.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

It's so easy to decorate ceramic beads with stickers. Just peel, stick and string. Includes 17 ceramic beads, 225 stickers, seed beads, 7 cords, ball chain, elastic, beading needle and easy instructions.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

HipZips Bracelets are available in a variety of colors. These bracelets actually zip and unzip. Wear alone, or combine colors for a fun look.
— In a late Summer 2012 survey, Charles from Miller's Toys in Mamoroneck, N.Y., told TDmonthly that HipZips bracelets are their bestselling novelty item. "We get them in a 72-pack, and they fly out of the store," he said.

Una Verse has a body filled with floating glitter in water. She has white hair with blue streaks and glitter eyes with planet icon, spiral antennas and glitter eyelashes. Includes pet and a glow-in-the dark doll stand, and the package handle becomes an antenna headband.

The Robecca Steam doll has a signature style with lots of scary cool details and an ancient monster heritage. Her internal clock runs a bit slow, but she makes up for it with a steampunk style that suits her metallic glow. She wears a dress that showcases her seams and comes with her pet mechanical penguin and diary.
— As of 8/27/2012, this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 15 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of details; unique design.

The Venus McFlytrap doll has a signature style with lots of scary cool details and an ancient monster heritage. Venus McFlytrap grows for a London punk style made more unique with her perennial green hue and vine details. She has been known to use her pollen powers of persuasion to get the other monsters to volunteer for ecological causes. She comes with her pet, a Venus Flytrap (of course.), and diary.
— As of 8/27/2012, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 16 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Lots of accessories; has eco-friendly message. Cons: One reviewer said that the doll is fragile and the legs snapped off.

The Dachshund Ruffle Sak is particularly festive with hot pink faux-fur trimming on the top of the bag. It’s accented with a beautiful pink satin bow embellished with a rhinestone heart. The black and white iconic dachshund print really flashes bright in contrast to the pretty pink accents. The double handles found on each Ruffle Sak coordinate beautifully with a dainty pindot print, the same print found on the middle ruffle of the bag.

Forget plain boring tape. In kids' next craft project, try Tapeffiti by Fashion Angels Enterprises. Wrap pencils, make tape bracelets and fashion accessories, or customize notebooks and just about anything. With these fabulous and fashionable patterned tapes the fun and possibilities are endless. This 30 Piece Tapeffiti Set includes 30 mini tape dispensers each filled with 9-feet of different patterns of Tapeffiti that will stick to just about any surface. The great thing about this tape: if kids need to reposition it, or remove it, Tapeffiti will come right off. The 30 rolls of Tapeffiti come in a fun desktop holder so kids can easily store all their decorative tape.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

This brand new line features BOTH Glow in the Dark and Sunlight (UV) reactive all in one necklace. Each pendant comes on assorted colored silicon necklaces and features glow in the dark beads. Each pendant will react to sunlight when outside, as well as glow in the dark. Launch date: April 2012.

The classic wristlet with slip through wristband. Available in 2 colors: Soft Silver and Neon Pink. Each Izza holds up to 4 Charms (Charms sold separately). Perfect for cell phones, ID cards and Cashola! Size: 6.25" x 4". Launch date: September 2012.

A take anywhere cross body cutie featuring a long adjustable strap and stylish key chain charm. Available in 2 colors: Soft Silver and Neon Pink. Each Stella holds up to 5 charms for super stylin' customization (Charms sold separately). Size:  6.5" x 5.5". Launch date: September 2012.

When Cora and her younger sister, Mimi, are sent to stay with their elderly aunt in the isolated village of Byers Guerdon, they receive a less-than-warm welcome. Auntie Ida is eccentric and rigid, and the girls are desperate to go back to London. But what they don't know is that their aunt's life was devastated the last time two young sisters were at Guerdon Hall, and she is determined to protect her nieces from an evil that has lain hidden for years. Along with Roger and Peter, two village boys, Cora must uncover the horrifying truth that has held Bryers Guerdon in its dark grip for centuries - before it's too late for little Mimi. Riveting and intensely atmospheric, this stunning debut will hold readers in its spell long after the last page is turned. In an exquisitely chilling debut novel, four children unravel the mystery of a family curse - and a ghostly creature known in folklore as Long Lankin. Launch date: July 2012.