November 2009 Notable Toys — All

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.

Players compete by placing cards to line up three in a row of the shape that matches their secret Goal. The first player to score five Goals wins. But beware ... placing a card can help opponents as easily as it can help you. Triplica includes two multi-player games and an addictive solitaire version. "Triplica is a challenging and competitive game based on the very simple idea of making three in a row," Jeanine Calkin, president of Fun Q Games, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2009.

These Spinning Superstars are perennial favorites for wintertime sliding. Made of rugged plastic, these saucers are available in various colors.

This 48" classic sled has a wooden top layer featuring the Flexible Flyer® name at the front and is supported by a steel frame coated in traditional red paint.

Featuring full length graphics, the Aurora foam slider can support 1 to 2 riders. Laminated at the top and bottom, it will not crack in cold weather. It is also lightweight and easy to carry.

The Hurricane inflatable is made of cold resistant PVC, making it rugged and speedy in the snow. Featuring an icy blue theme, it can accommodate 1 to 2 riders.

Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogan and Paul Rudd star as voiceover artists for the cartoon characters in this film about what happens after a meteorite crashes on a couple's wedding day.

With cushioned ear tips and color-coordinating cords, these earbuds sport the M&M's colors and logo, suitable for both teens and adults.

This mega building system includes a huge vessel that becomes 30 separate boats and can float on water and roll along the ground. It comes with two pirates, a treasure chest, a giant squid and other accessories.

This pocket-sized video camera captures 1080p HD video footage with integrated image stabilization. It has a built-in USB arm and an external microphone jack. The Zi8 comes in black, raspberry and light blue.

The three-wheeled Green Machine features a steel frame and two hand levers that control the rear wheels. it has oversized exhaust pipes and low-profile molded seat.

Available in black, candy apple red, midnight blue, three tone sunburst and black sparkle, this Fender electric guitar a maple neck with 22 frets, die-cast tuners, a five-way pick-up selector switch, a multi-ply pickguard and more. It's packaged with an amp and various accessories.

This 6" square bag challenges its owner to find each of the fun objects in the bead-filled bag through the front window. The bag includes a snap tag that lists the different products, and kids can also form their own games and try to "find something blue," for example. Other colors/themes are available.
— Christine Lee of Treehouse Toys in Canton, Ohio, told TDmonthly in late October 2009 that she expects the Peek-A-Boo Bags to do really well for the holiday season, since there's nothing like them for toddlers.

The Risas y Sonrisas Songs to Learn Spanish CD includes 39 original and entertaining songs designed to teach students Spanish vocabulary and phrases. A booklet with colorful song lyrics is included. These songs can also be rehearsed using the illustrations and lyrics found in the Risas y Sonrisas program from the Student Book and the interactive CD-ROM.

This set comes with 150 bright, interlocking pieces that are flexible and can form a farmhouse, a rooster and a 3-D baby chicken, as well as various other imaginative designs.

Available in various “flavors” of ice cream, this 7” cone has a button that, when pressed, pops out the soft, spongy ice cream ball that’s connected to the cone by a string.

Available in blue, pink and yellow, baby paper is a soft fabric that makes a paper sound when babies touch it. Baby Paper is machine washable.

With a future-retro design, and connectable, interchangeable parts, this sleek toy vehicle can fit in the palm of a hand. Automoblox Minis received a TDmonthly Top Toy Award 2007.
— Automoblox has been a best-selling line, according to retailers surveyed by TDmonthly, since 2007.
— "That little three-piece Automoblox set sold extremely well. I've sold about 40 of them in two months," Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow in Anchorage, Alaska, told TDmonthly leading up to Christmas 2009. Two of 44 specialty retailers named Automoblox as an overall best seller in late 2009.
— In a February 2012 survey about wooden toys, two out of 14 retailers said that Automoblox were their bestseller in the category. Pam Byrd, manager and buyer at The Little Cottage Toy Shop in Franklin, Tenn., told TDmonthly that "Automoblox is still strong."

Where to Buy: Blue Turtle Toys; Camelot Kids; The Satin Button

Available in a variety of shimmering shades, this 65mm glitter ball is fun to bounce and features colorful effects on the interior.

This pair of elephants is outfitted in baby clothing. Sweet Ellie loves to be around her family, and Evan has tons of energy and loves to play outside.

Designed with a realistic appearance, this soft, plush panda measures 8.5” H.

This see-through tube features a collection of small river animals, all of which are phthalate free and sized from 1.5” to 3” H. It includes a beaver, bald eagle, snapping turtle, salamander, frog, snake, river otter, alligator, mallard and cottonmouth snake.

This zebra is part of Schleich’s extensive collection of wild animal figurines. Launch date: January 2009.

Darth Vader pilots this vehicle that first appeared in Episode IV: A New Hope. The original LEGO model debuted a decade ago, and this mold incorporates a new style, coloration and firing action. Includes Darth Vader and 250 other pieces.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named LEGO when asked about overall best sellers leading up to Christmas 2009.
— Star Wars Legos are top sellers at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., Owner David Hesel told TDmonthly in late 2009.