December 2013 Notable Toys — Preschool

"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy." So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older, he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave. Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein's moving parable for readers of all ages has offered an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.
— Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.

I Spy: A Book Of Picture Riddles
The classic debut title in the national best-selling series! Each rhyming riddle in this bright collection of photographic challenges invites children to find objects hidden throughout thematic pages. "This is a true eye-opener," raved the Los Angeles Times about this California Children's Media Award winner.
— Barb Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hershey, Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2013 survey that this is one of their best-selling books.

Fobie Friends has come out with iPad apps that help a young child face and overcome a certain fear or phobia -- whether it is a fear of the dark, fear of heights or fear of climbing. Fobie Friends is the first series of books to address childhood fears that entertain, but inform in a non-clinical setting. Narrated by the author, the ebook allows a child to read and bounce along to its perfect rhyme and rhythm. When children have a lack of structure, phobias become more produced. Young kids often have fears of the dark, being alone, strangers, and monsters or other scary imaginary creatures. As they grow and learn, with the support of adults, most are able to overcome these fears. Yet, some kids are more sensitive to fears and may have a tough time overcoming them. The eBook features: Both English and Spanish; Easy to memorize “fear cheer” at the end of each book; Gorillas and chinchillas dance, tigers growl, flowers bloom...EVEN watch a gorilla teach YOGA!; Use your own voice to record the story; Simple to follow, highlighted text; 3D; Character puzzles; Printable painting pages with email option.

Scented Scoops is an ice cream party playset that smells good enough to eat. The 6”x9” beech wood serving tray holds six, three-inch White birch “cones”. Each cone can be topped with one or more of the six, deliciously scented two-inch “scoops” made from 100% compostable corn starch bio-resin (two vanilla, two chocolate and two strawberry. Great for role-play, Scented Scoops is recommended for ages 4+

Where to buy:
NORTH EAST

Bury your hand inside Marcel's tummy, touch the cards, discover the different hidden materials, and match up the pairs! A memory game for ages 2 and up! The circles on each card have a different fabric, creating a sensory aspect to the game! Children can match up pairs by touching and feeling the cards while they are inside the bag. They can also be matched up visually, by comparing the cute critters on them. Marcel the owl is a soft, plush drawstring bag for perfect storage of the game pieces and he can also be a friendly stuffed animal to play with on his own!

Watch the fun add up with My Very First Games - Counting Fun from HABA! Farmer Tim wants to check that everything is in order on the meadow and feed clover leaves to the animal kids! But the rascals are playing tag and happily frolic about! Farmer Tim soon loses track. Can you help Tim count and feed the animal kids? A bouncy counting game for ages 2 and up!

Experience how exciting a day at nursery can be with your children! When a story, poem, or a riddle is being read aloud, children have to listen carefully. Is an object on the table mentioned or is this object being looked for in the riddle? Think quickly and grab the object! Helps to develop concentration, language skills, and reactions. For 1-6 players ages 3 years and up, and a reader. Please note: This game can be played separately, i.e. without "Ratz Fatz" or "Ratzolino."

This is a game packed full with ideas and suggestions, stories, riddles, and poems all about the pieces included. It is a fun way to aid development of language skills, imagination, concentration, and reactions. For 1-6 players and a reader. Please note: This game can be played without the other games in the Ratz Fatz series.

Tonight is the the night the secret mission "Amun Re" beings! The team, made up of four cunning secret agents, breaks into the museum and, thanks to their precise calculations, cracks the tricky codes of the security system. Be it through addition or subtraction, multiplication or division, the numbers on the dice have to be combined so that the results coincide with the code numbers. Who will be the first to overcome all the light barriers to get hold of the precious Amun Re mask?

5.5” Rubberwood stirring xylophone. Wooden mallet stirred inside xylophone creates soothing soft sounds. Includes hanging header card.
— Crisi Chapman, co-owner of Dear Friends & Children in Duncan, Ok., told TDmonthly in a March 2015 survey that wooden instruments from Hohner are her store's best-selling eco-friendly toys.

6” eco-friendly Rubberwood tone drum with 4 grooved tone chambers that produce warm and appealing rhythms when struck. Includes child safe rubber mallet. Open box will hang.

12.5" ergonomically designed eco-friendly Mangowood base fits easily on a lap or table. Eight precision tuned bars in the C major diatonic scale provide an authentic musical experience that never sounds tinny. Includes pair of wood mallets. 

Rubberwood blocks with five different pitches for fun rhythmic play. When struck with a mallet the blocks sound higher or lower depending on their size – the smaller the block the higher the pitch. 12.5” ergonomically designed Mangowood base fits easily in your lap or on a table. Includes pair of wood mallets. According to Brett Sommers of Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coer D’Alene Idaho, not only do the toys have musical value, but kids are attracted to the bright, candy-like colors. Retail box will hang.

Four instruments on a central base perfect for the budding Ringo Starr: Two removable drums, bright cymbal and multi-timbre wood block add to the array of sounds kids can make. 12.5” Ergonomically designed Mangowood base fits easily on a lap or table. Includes pair of wooden mallets. Closed box with handle.

STRIKE UP THE BAND! This assortment of musical instruments is a great way of introducing children to music. Encourages rhythm and social interaction. Provides lively entertainment for all ages. Fun for jam sessions and group play. Makes a creative, reasonably-priced gift.

STRIKE UP THE BAND! This assortment of musical instruments is a great way of introducing children to music. Encourages rhythm and social interaction. Provides lively entertainment for all ages. Fun for jam sessions and group play.  Makes a creative, reasonably-priced gift.

Who says children and wild life can’t play together? Mobi introduces AnimaLamps™, the cool-running LED light that’s great for desktop, late night changing table and feeding, reading in bed, games, and playtime. Portable and solidly built, AnimaLamps ™ can go anywhere. Adjustable brightness, one-touch operation and built-in rechargeable battery makes it the perfect light for children. Caution: we’ve heard reports of parents stealing AnimaLamps ™ from  the nursery.
Awards:  Mom's Choice Gold, NAPPA Gold and National Parenting Center Seal of Approval awards.

Climb the Monkey Bars? That’s Bananas! is our second book and is also available in hardback. Here, our young boy faces his fears on the playground. Excited to play on a new jungle gym, he tearfully changes directions when his Papa encourages him to climb a ladder so he may join friends on the monkey bars. When his imagination tosses him into a wild place, a gentle, furry friend coaches the new climber through his first success with high places. Includes plush Monkey.
TDmonthly Editor's Notes:
- A series of books that help kids with their phobias. My daughter loves the  illustrations.
- A story line that kids can follow and relate to. A great gift for any child.
- Fun use of rhyme throughout the story.
- Fobie Friends encourages youngsters to confront their fears with courage and an open mind. 
- Encourages inner strength

Did My Owl Just Growl? is our first book and is now available in hardback. The turmoil begins the moment the lights go out. Our frightened young boy is in his bedroom tucked in for the night, but he is confronted with eerie sounds and creepy shadows that send his imagination soaring into the spooky, dark woods. Fortunately, an unexpected friend guides him through his adventure. Includes plush Owl.
TDmonthly Editor's Notes:
- A series of books that help kids with their phobias. My daughter loves the  illustrations.
- A story line that kids can follow and relate to. A great gift for any child.
- Fun use of rhyme throughout the story.
- Fobie Friends encourages youngsters to confront their fears with courage and an open mind. 
- Encourages inner strength

This doctor's bag comes complete with everything kids need to make sure their patient is on the road to recovery and to make their trip to the doctor a good experience. Kit includes electronic stethoscope, blood pressure gauge with arm cuff, reflex hammer, thermometer, squeaking syringe, auriscope, laryngoscope, pretend bandage, and doctor bag. Batteries are included. Surface clean.

Includes 10" x 10" x 2" colored sandbox, 20" x 20" no mess play mat, ultra fine sand, prince and princess, horse drawn carriage, magic castle, hope chest, jewels and treasure, swan, glass slipper, wish bucket, grooming rake, digging shovel.

This deluxe set is loaded with lots of great tools to keep little builders busy. Each tool is made of rugged hi-impact plastic; set includes a working LED light with hook for hanging, multi-tool, saw, nuts and bolts, pliers and wrenches.

Create your own GoGo City with this Fire station play set. Includes building, detachable ramps, water cannon and a soft, safe and squeezable fire engine with a powerful pull-back friction motor. 18 months and up.

Brand new in the green start series made from 98% post consumer recycled materials and printed with eco friendly inks, this extension brings earth-friendly messages and all natural materials to the joy of creating beautiful multi-piece jigsaw puzzles. Kids will love putting together this puzzle full of colorful, busy butterfly. Comes with adorable and reusable storage box.