TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Musical Toys Product Category

Hannah Montana Guitars by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

Kids can pretend to be rock stars with the Hannah Montana Rockin’ Electric Guitar or the Rock Star Acoustic Guitar (ages 5 and up). Both guitar styles feature Hannah’s top hits and include volume and echo controls. Each guitar comes with a real working headset microphone to add to the concert experience, plus a blond wig. “With the Hannah Montana electric guitar and signature blond wig, girls can jam out and pretend they are the iconic superstar,” Genna Rosenberg, SVP, Corporate Communications for JAKKS Pacific, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2007. 9/12/2007 (Price: $19.99)

Hannah Montana Pop Star Stage by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

Kids can rock out and rock on with the Hannah Montana Pop Star Stage. It includes a realistic light show and plays two of Hannah’s original songs, so kids can’t get any closer then this to having a Hannah Montana concert in their own home. The Pop Star Stage can also be connected to most music players, so kids can listen to all their favorite tunes through the stage sound system. “Her backstage playset includes an incredible light show and sounds of fans chanting for Hannah Montana as she enters the stage singing her famous songs,” said Genna Rosenberg, SVP, Corporate Communications for JAKKS Pacific. Launch date: August, 2007. 9/12/2007 (Price: $59.99)

Bontempi Trumpet by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

With a shiny silver finish, this trumpet is world famous and perfect for the budding musician. Bontempi’s boxed horns are color coded and with Bontempi’s 7 Note 7 Color Musical method, can be played right out of the box. The trumpet has four keys.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver described the Bontempi trumpet as “the best toy trumpet around for a great play and price value” when naming it as one of her best sellers in January 2009. 9/10/2007 (Price: $15.00)

Bontempi Saxophone, Trumpet and Clarinet Trio 16" by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

This boxed, musical trio includes trumpet, saxophone and clarinet with color-coded keys and a shiny silver sheen. Bontempi’s boxed horns are color coded and with Bontempi’s 7 Note 7 Color Musical method, can be played right out of the box.
— This shiny trio of instruments is a best seller at Kazoo & Company in Denver, Owner Diana Nelson told TDmonthly in early 2009.
— Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc. in Boise, Idaho, said in January 2010 that her Bontempi instruments “sell like crazy.”
— “[They are] great little instruments that sound nice,” said Nerice Kendter, owner of Busy Bee Toys in Doylestown, Pa., when asked by TDmonthly about best sellers in the music department. ( Watch Video) 9/10/2007 (Price: $45.00)

Bontempi - Sing-A-Long Teaching Organ by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

Award winning 32 key teaching organ speaks and prompts the player. By pushing the big red buttons the player can switch between learning to play a song and learning their colors! With songs, 7 instruments, 7 rhythms and 7 interactive games this instrument will keep a child (or adult) involved for hours. Records and plays back what a child has played (up to 24 notes). Stool and microphone are supplied. 9/10/2007

Bontempi - Teaching Drum Set by INTEGRATED GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, INC.

Unique teaching tutors’ lights and impulses guide player to hit drums and cymbals in unison with the music. Terrific first foray into the world of percussion instruments! Supplied with tutor, base drum, three side drums, two cymbals, stool and drum sticks. 9/10/2007

Bob McGrath Rhythm Band Set by RHYTHM BAND INSTRUMENTS LLC

This eight-piece set includes rhythm sticks, a tambourine, finger cymbals, maracas, sand blocks, a triangle, a drum and a wood block, as well as a play-along CD. 8/29/2007 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Schoenhut® 15-String Harp by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

At 27 inches high, this wooden, lightweight instrument is designed with curved sides with a spacious box, along with a range of 15 notes (from C to C), permitting a wide variety of music in melodic tones. Fully tunable by using the wrench to adjust zither pins. 8/29/2007 (Price: $144.60) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

5 PIECE DRUM SET by SCHOENHUT PIANO COMPANY

The perfect instrument for a JUNIOR ROCK STAR. Delivers great sound and incorporates many of the same features as a full-sized professional drum set. Built to last, constructed of high-quality hardwood shells and sturdy chrome-plated steel hardware.  8” Mounted Tom Drum & 10" Mounted Snare Drum, tunable w/ precision, adjustable, double-braced mounting arm 16” Bass Drum, tunable w/ two stabilizers for adjustable angle 10" Crash/Ride Cymbal, tunable, adjustable, Bass Drum Pedal, adjustable spring action Assembly required. Includes: Easy set-up instructions w/ illustrations, adjustable padded foam seat, tuning key, drum sticks. 8/28/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Singing Bird by TOY SCI COMPANY

From her perch, this colorful bird sings a song and moves along with the tune. 8/17/2007

Medium Handle-Leg Connectors™ w/Sound Shapes® by REMO

Kids will have fun building and playing with the colorful and great-sounding Handle-Leg Connectors. Educators can use the connectors to help children learn dynamically in a unique, hands-on way, turning otherwise typical education curriculum into a multi-sensory learning experience. “Lincoln Logs, Legos and Erector Sets are classic fun educational toys. Handle-Leg Connectors with Sound Shapes have the similar building qualities, but they also have the unique quality of making music,” REMO Inc. Marketing & Media Coordinator Sue Kincade told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2006. 8/13/2007 (Price: $226.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rock-a-Bye Baby Musical Rub a Dub™ Book by THE STRAIGHT EDGE INC.

Bath time has never been so enjoyable. The musical book features a pressure-sensitive melody module that is heat-sealed into the cover and plays music when a child presses the red circle. An adorable baby panda illustrates the classic bedtime song. The 5-1/2" square book contains the lyrics to the first verse to encourage word recognition and pre-reading skills. “Our waterproof bath books are musical!” The Straight Edge Inc. owner Amy Kallman Epstein told TDmonthly. “Music not only has been found to encourage cognitive skill development in young children, but it also is a wonderful distraction for a cranky toddler.” Launch date: July 2007. 8/13/2007 (Price: $6.99)

Beginner's Harmonica by HOHNER

This harmonica plays a full eight-note octave with only four holes; each hole produces two different notes. The large and widely-spaced holes make it easy to product single tones, and note names are printed on top of the harmonica. 8/13/2007 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wooden Music Maker by EUROPEAN EXPRESSIONS

Children can easily make music on this solid wood instrument by sliding a song sheet under the strings and plucking the string above each note. It comes with tuner pick, a spare wire and 12 songs, including “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” and “Rock-a-Bye Baby.”
— “The Music Maker is really popular,” said Steve Ellerhoff, manager at Finnegan's Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore. Ellerhoff was part of a January 2010 survey of 48 retailers concerning their best-selling musical items.
— “The Music Maker, made by European Expressions, is popular because it's a no-brainer musical instrument,” Steve Shelton, owner of Magical Moon Toys in Logan, Utah, told TDmonthly in early 2010.  “[Kids] can follow along right out of the box.”
― “One day we got in six, and sold three the first hour they were in the store,” said Mary Sisson, co-owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash. (see her talk about the Music Maker in the attached video). ( Watch Video) 8/8/2007 (Price: $31.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Maywa Denki Knockman by CUBE CO. LTD.

Maywa Denki is an artistic and musical act first made popular in Japan. The KnockMan figures are part of the original act. Move his left arm up and down to wind up the spring and he will start knocking his head. Turn his right arm and he will knock other KnockMan's head. Each character plays only one instrument, which you can see played because of the simple design. They're 10 cm tall and don't need batteries to work their magic.
— "KnockMan from Maywa Denki — the ones with band member figures....by a Japanese musician," said Luke Rook, owner of Lulubell Toy in Tucson, Ariz., when asked by TDmonthly about best-selling musical toys in his store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kazoo by SCHYLLING

The World Famous Schylling Kazoo is made of tin, comes in a variety of colors and designs, and is packaged in Schylling's distinctive boxes. It's a colorful and affordable way to keep kids humming to their favorite tunes.
— "Given that we're called Kazoodles, we do sell a lot of kazoos," said Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., about the Schylling Kazoos being bought up by her customers.
― About 10 kazoos get to go home with children each month, said Karen Park, owner of Zaks Gifts in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass. 8/7/2007 (Price: $1.99)

Doodlebops Dancemat by iTOYS INC.

Preschool pop stars The Doodlebops are starring in a new line of musical toys that includes this dancemat, which helps kids move and groove to the music. It gives children what they need to put on their own Doodlebops concert at home. Launch date: August 2007. 7/27/2007 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rock-a-Bye Baby Musical Rub a Dub™ Book by THE STRAIGHT EDGE INC.

This lightweight, waterproof book is hand washable and includes a pressure-sensitive melody module that is heat sealed into the cover and plays when a child presses the red circle. An adorable baby panda illustrates the classic bedtime song, which ends happily with Mama Panda’s good catch. The 5.5” square book contains lyrics to the first verse to encourage word recognition and pre-reading skills. “Our waterproof bath books are musical! Music not only has been found to encourage cognitive skill development in young children but it also is a wonderful distraction for a cranky toddler,” Owner Amy Kallman Epstein of The Straight Edge told TDmonthly. 7/26/2007 (Price: $6.99)

Crosley iJuke by CROSLEY RADIO CORPORATION

The iJuke is a treat for both the eyes and ears. Modeled after a traditional jukebox, this renovated version features a universal iPod docking station in addition to its visual spectacle of percolating bubble tubes and neon lighting.  7/25/2007 (Price: $199.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sunshine Drum by REEVE & JONES LLC

Ideal for a pint-sized percussionist, the Sunshine Drum takes the classic drum on a stick and fashions it with a big 10" sunny face. It also comes with a soft mallet that cleverly stores inside the short, safe stick. It's a practical and simple way for kids to bang their way to some music fun. In summer 2007, the Sunshine Drum was cited as the best-selling music toy in the store of Patti Lee, owner of Toys Galore and More in Kent, Conn. Lee sells about 12 of these drums per month, she said. 7/24/2007 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learn-To-Play Piano by MELISSA & DOUG

The Learn-to-Play Piano holds the keys to playing a colorful tune. This brightly painted upright features 25 keys and two full octaves to give kids a wide range of notes to play. It also comes with an illustrated songbook and teaching key chart to help kids identify notes on the scale. The Learn-to-Play Piano measures 15.75" x 11.5" x 9.5".
— "Our small children’s piano by Melissa & Doug is big," said Susan Castor, owner of Pentwater Toy Box in Pentwater, Mich.
—    Four of 45 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that Melissa & Doug items are continuing hot sellers.
—  The four retailers are located in northern states. 7/23/2007 (Price: $49.99)

Solid Drum by PLANTOYS

This childproof drum stimulates the development of a child's spatial perception, limb muscles and auditory nerves. Measuring about 6” in diameter, it is decorated with colorful graphics and the drumstick has a rubber head to soften the sound.
— Marilyn Sipila, owner of Toys Etc. in Poulsbo, Wash., told TDmonthly that drums and other musical toys from Plan Toys are among the best sellers in her store.
— Sipila said she sells about a half a dozen Plan musical toys a month, in a category that's not particularly strong in her store. 
– Of the 63 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly, five singled out Plan Toys as the maker of the best-selling wooden toy items in their store. 7/23/2007 (Price: $18.99)

Egg Shakers by LATIN PERCUSSION

These new and safety-approved capless egg shakers provide kids with quick, delicate and responsive shaker sounds. Constructed of durable wipe-clean plastic and filled with non-toxic steel shot, the Egg Shakers make sweet, reliable and rhythmic sounds for kids and adults alike. "Our egg shaker is unique because of our patented design sealing process. Other egg shakers are seamed in the middle or have a glued end cap. In other words, ours is safer and has a better appearance," said Ray Enhoffer, director of R&D at Latin Percussion.
—  "Shakers are the type of toy that might be selling in the music section. We get them from LP RythMix," said Tristan Hewitt, manager at Dragon's Toy Box in Seattle. “Everybody needs some egg shakers,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toy Store in Anchorage, Alaska. “They’re perfect for baby hands, and I sell them to lots of grown-ups for all kinds of things.”
— Two of 45 retailers told TDmonthly in 2007 that shakers from Latin Percussion are popular with their customers, citing sales of about 30 and 120 units monthly. Six percent of 68 retailers said in July 2008 that egg shakers are their top-selling musical toy.
— Egg shakers are “perfect for little ones to hold in their baby hands, and non-toxic,” Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Company in Denver, told TDmonthly of this best seller in her store in January 2009. “It's something simple and not too noisy for a parent; I think that's why they do well,” explained Sherry Peddie, manager of  Applause Kids in Bracebridge, Ontario, in January 2010. 7/23/2007 (Price: $6.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tune in Violin by SMALL WORLD TOYS

Kids can perform like a pro with the electronic Tune in Violin with bow that produces 18 pre-programmed tunes and a light show, too. Made of plastic, the instrument features volume control and requires 2 AA batteries (not included). "Featuring a bow that moves over faux strings to create realistic notes, flashing lights and 18 different programmed songs that children can listen to or play along with, the Tune in Violin is a playful way to encourage imaginative play, develop cognitive thinking and instill a lasting love of music," said Debra Fine, CEO of Small World Toys.
— “The Tune In Violin or the Saxophone from Small World still seems to be our most popular seller,” said Kim Emigh, VP of e-commerce at Growing Tree Toys in State College, Pa.
— This product was named as a top-10 best seller by Jamie Burdette, owner of LB Toys in Media, Pa., in spring 2008. “It’s a good, interactive toy and good quality,” he said, noting a few months later that he sells about 30 per month.
— Three of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in summer 2007 said Small World or Neurosmith musical toys were selling well, reporting average sales of about 10 to 20 units a month. Ten percent of 68 retailers listed Small World as their top supplier of musical toys in summer 2008. 7/23/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Xylophone - Wooden by SCHYLLING

This 10.5"-long xylophone comes in a tray box with brightly colored metal plates that create soft and melodic tones when struck by the two included sticks. Notes are printed on the plates for easy play.
— "The small Wooden Xylophone from Schylling," said Tom England, owner of Dancing Bear Toys & Gifts in Frederick, Md., when asked about musical toys that sell well in his store.
— Two of 45 retailers cited the Schylling Xylophone as a customer-favorite musical toy, with average sales of about a dozen units a month.
— "Little musicians just love it," said Stephen Medina of Schylling Toys. 7/23/2007 (Price: $9.99)