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April 25, 2024

TDmonthly Magazine

August 2011 | Vol. X - No. 8


August Staff Picks

By TDmonthly Staff
August 2011

August's Staff Picks feature a wide variety of items, including the affordable Venomous Creatures Toob from SAFARI LTD and "What She Said!" from SHAINSWARE, an innovative bracelet making game for tweens. See more staff picks below!

"WHAT SHE SAID!" by SHAINSWARE

The object of the game is to be the first player to fill the Shains bracelet with the most stars by using their intuition and how well they know their friends, to figure out “WHAT SHE SAID!” Each game comes with a set of 200 elements (letters, numbers and stars), six orchid tabs with seven holes and six bracelets in pink and orchid, 36 “WHAT SHE SAID!” cards, eight cardboard element holders and carrying pouch. Each player takes a small purple strip and a larger bracelet strap. The bracelet will be used for scoring and is worn on the wrist. The smaller strip will be used to plug in letter elements, to create a word that corresponds to the card played from the deck on each turn. The deck of cards are placed face down in the middle of the playing area, along with the cardboard element holders. Letters are for making words that answer the “WHAT SHE SAID!” cards, numbers are for betting, and stars are for scoring. Launch date: September 15, 2011. (Watch the "WHAT SHE SAID!" Video Watch Video) 7/11/2011 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 7 to 12)


Kettrike® Happy Air Navigator by KETTLER INTERNATIONAL INC.

Kettrike® Happy Air Navigator by KETTLER INTERNATIONAL INC.The nationally acclaimed and award winning HKS KETTRIKE® HAPPY® AIR NAVIGATOR™ simply is the smoothest, safest and most prized tricycle ride available.  This tricycle continues the KETTLER® tradition by being the Best of the Best.   Our customer’s ultimate compliment is that our trike is “built like a tank.”  KETTLER®’s team of certified engineers is in constant pursuit of perfection to incorporate the latest in safety, innovation and quality in our products. This is well documented by numerous patented and exclusive tricycle features from KETTLER®.  The HKS Kettrike® Happy® Air Navigator™ is well worth the investment in order to provide your children and grandchildren many years of safe and enjoyable triking.  When you invest in KETTLER®, you invest in peace of mind for present and future generations.
— In a March 2013 survey, two out of 13 retailers told TDmonthly that the Happy Navigator is their best selling ride on toy. 7/5/2011 (MSRP: $269.00; Age: 1 to 5)


Tidoo Raspberry by COROLLE DOLLS

Tidoo Raspberry by COROLLE DOLLSSpecially designed for bathtime fun, Tidoo is soft and posable and so light that it floats.
Filled with polystyrene "beads" that dry quickly, Tidoo can play out of the tub, too; it can even suck its thumb. Tidoo baby dolls can wear any fashion from the Mon Premier collection. Corolle also offers a wide selection of nursery accessories specially sized for Tidoo. 12 inches tall. Blue sleeping eyes.
— In a Summer 2011 survey 10 of 14 retailers told TDmonthly that dolls from Corolle were their best-sellers. Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr,  Pa., said they sell 6-10 Corolle dolls per month, and that Tidoo is the best-seller.
— Rebecca Goblish, owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that dolls from Corolle are in her top-three best-selling products.
— In a June 2014 survey, two out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Corolle makes their best-selling dolls. (Watch the Tidoo Raspberry Video Watch Video) 6/28/2011 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 2 and Up)


Venomous Creatures Toob® by SAFARI LTD.®

Venomous Creatures Toob® by SAFARI LTD.®Each mini figure is carefully sculpted and finely painted by hand to ensure optimum quality for years of learning fun. For added play value these collections are packaged in a reusable acetate tube. Figures range in size from 1" to 3". All figures are phthalate and lead free to ensure your child's safety. These tiny yet highly detailed figures depict real venomous creatures from around the world. Toob® includes a Cane Toad, a Yellow-Belllied Sea Snake, a Bat Ray, a Komodo Dragon, a Brown Tarantula, a Giant Centipede, a Fat-Tailed Scorpion, a Stone Fish and a Common Indian Cobra. (Watch the Venomous Creatures Toob® Video Watch Video) 6/30/2011 (MSRP: $10.99; Age: 3 and Up)


ArtiSands Flowers Mini Kit by ARTISANDS

ArtiSands Flowers Mini Kit by ARTISANDSArtiSands Flowers Mini Kit includes nine shakers of sand and eight pre-cut Sandesigns. (Watch the ArtiSands Flowers Mini Kit Video Watch Video) 7/1/2011 (MSRP: $15.95)


Clicker-Clacker Wooden Rattles by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

Clicker-Clacker Wooden Rattles by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.These wooden noise makers are made from beech wood. Dimension: approx. 14 x 9 cm. Suitable for children ages 2 and up. Made in Germany. (Watch the Clicker-Clacker Wooden Rattles Video Watch Video) 7/1/2011 (Age: 2 to 5)


Barbie® Fashion Design Artist Tote by FASHION ANGELS

Barbie® Fashion Design Artist Tote by FASHION ANGELSDesigning a wardrobe for Barbie® has never been easier. This Barbie® Fashion Design Artist Tote features the Compact Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio and markers. Simply use the removable plastic stencils and markers to trace the most glamorous collection of clothing and accessories for Barbie®. The instructions provide tips and inspiration on how to color, shade, and add details to make each outfit perfect for Barbie®. Finish off and embellish the designs with the foil stickers included in the spiral bound portfolio book. When you’re done designing you can carry all your designs around in the stylish Barbie® shoulder tote. This kit includes the shoulder tote, 10 markers and the Barbie® Compact Fashion Design Sketch Portfolio featuring 40 sketch pages, 4 removable plastic stencil sheets with 52 stencil designs, 77 foil stickers, and instructions. Launch date: 2011. 7/20/2011 (MSRP: $23.99; Age: 4 to 10)


Let's Make Pizza by FAMILY PASTIMES

LetIn this game, the players are prep cooks in a Pizza Shop and have to help Chef fill the pizza orders coming in while keeping an eye on how hot the oven is getting. Players don't want to burn any pizzas. Often one player on a turn will set up the next player for a good move. Next time round, they may get help from someone else. That's the fun of co-oper­ative play. It allows different ages to play together. Comes with three levels of play- The red dot game is for beginners and young players. Add the green dot cards for a tougher game. Add the yellow dot cards for the most challenging version. Includes 36 Cards, consisting of 6 Pizza Orders, 5 Ovens, 25 Ingredients and Rules. 7/20/2011 (Age: 4 to 12)


Katatu by CURTLIN TOYS AND GAMES LLC

Katatu by CURTLIN TOYS AND GAMES LLCKATATU, which means ‘three’, is a unique abstract strategy board game, very rich in history, that takes its roots from a 3000 year old game that was played originally in Italy and Egypt and eventually made its way to Southern Africa. KATATU is adapted from this ancient game that has never before been available in a packaged form to the Western part of the world until now. Very easy to learn, but hard to master, KATATU can take some surprising twists and plays in about 15 minutes. Ages 5 and up. Where Tic-Tac-Toe leaves off, KATATU picks up.
Awards: 2012 Game of the Year and 2012 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Play Magazine; 2012 Seal of Approval National Parenting Center; Dr. Toy 2012 winner Best New Products; 2011 Preferred Choice Award Creative Child Magazine; TDmonthly Magazine Staff Pick August 2011 7/19/2011


Citiblocs Camo Colors 100 Piece Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC

Citiblocs Camo Colors 100 Piece Building Set by CITIBLOCS LLC100 piece assorted "camo" colors including : Green, Olive, Brown, Khaki, and Natural. Fun and educational, these award winning eco-friendly blocks will keep kids building for hours on end. This 100 piece CAMO colors set contains 5 different colors to add a little pizazz to building fun. Colors include: green, olive, brown, khaki and natural (20 blocks of each color). Kids can build towers, towns, castles and more. Building guide included. Launch date: July 2011. 7/15/2011 (MSRP: $24.99; Age: 3 and Up)


Chaostle by CHIVALRY GAMES

Chaostle is a board game that has many levels of strategy, from picking a starting army to moving throughout the multi-level castle towards victory. Chaostle has many fates that constantly effect the game, ranging from mild setbacks to cataclysmic earthquakes. These unpredictable twists of fate can be either from the card of happiness or the card of doom. Chaostle offers a wide range of fantasy characters to strategically build an army. The game comes standard with sixteen of these custom collectible miniature characters. Chaostle features 23 three-dimensional castle walls that are secured onto the game board. The fantasy fighters can move any direction throughout the castle including up and down stairways to change levels. 7/15/2011 (MSRP: $69.95)








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