TDmonthly's September Staff Picks

Modeled after the loveable Labrador, this 10” plush toy is all natural and made with an organic cotton (no pesticides) shell stuffed with unbleached cotton clippings. He’s safe to pet, hug or snuggle with. The product is handcrafted in the United States.

Meet Gorg, the newest creation from Diabolo Puppets: a funky, zany, spiky hand puppet with a truly outgoing personality. Like all Diabolo puppets, he has a built-in squeaker. He is fully lined and his body, spikes and feet are lightly stuffed. Great for boys and girls ages 3 and up.

Until now, this product has been available only in the souvenir market, where it sells in major museums, national parks and historical venues, and at music events, jazz and blues fests, country music award shows and symphony orchestra performances. Kids of all ages love to wear it, and it really works.

The names of body parts are quickly learned while playing this detective game. Twenty-two cards, 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", come with a teaching and multilingual vocabulary guide.

WordTeasers: Idioms challenges kids, their friends and their families to answer funny or provocative questions involving everyday idioms (an expression whose meaning can’t be determined by the words themselves). The 150 challenge cards are easy enough for young players and sophisticated enough for adults. How many can play? The more the merrier. This educational game is designed to get everyone talking, laughing and thinking while improving their language arts skills. Launch date: September 15, 2007.

The MiYu Magic Stones Event Kit contains everything a retailer needs to hold a Miyu Magic Stones in-store event. Kids are given a free zodiac collecting card that matches their birth sign. The Zodiac Cards give basic information about the zodiac and inform which three MiYu Magic Stones are particularly powerful for their zodiac sign. Then, if they choose to buy a MiYu Stone, they reach into the black cloaking bag containing 150 different stones and "let the stone choose them!" The kit includes 150 Miyu Stones, 75 "Everyday is Different" Spiral Necklaces, one large black Stone Cloak, 150 Magic Zodiac Cards, 100 MiYu Magic Stones Passports, 100 MiYu Treasure Flyers, 50 MiYu Pouches and one MiYu Magic Torch Light. Included with each product is a personal access code that leads to the MiYu digital world. Products are sold separately. Launch date: October 2007.

This 1:50 scale model features authentic all-metal wheels, articulated steering, oscillating rear wheels and a dozer blade that raises and lowers. It measures 8.12” L x 4” H x 3.75” W.

This 18” high-quality vinyl doll is part of the company’s ethnic collection. Carlos looks and feels like a real baby and is specially weighted so he can easily be carried and cuddled. He features a high-quality, poly fiber, synthetic bean-filled body and comes with a 16" satin-trimmed blanket.

This Woodman kit includes durable beech wood components and the tools a child needs to build the toy. The pre-cut wood is slightly unfinished, allowing kids to sandpaper it for the finishing touches. The set includes a hammer, dowels and glue for old-fashioned assembly. It also features paints and paintbrushes for detail and personalization. Launch date: August 2007; stickers added to the kit in 2009.

Designed by doctors and child development professionals to help children gain confidence, control and a sense of accomplishment as they navigate tasks and behaviors, the Choiceworks System features three boards: a schedule board for managing daily routings, a waiting board to support turn-taking, and a feelings board to develop self-control. Each includes a short story to read with a child to introduce the system. The set includes 40 visual magnets, one universal storage easel, three Choiceworks companion books, one dry erase marker, one digital timer, one parent manual and one wall mount hardware. “We are recommended by some of the nation’s top doctors and professionals in the field of child development,” Co-founder Jeff Walker of Bee Visual told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2007.

Fiesta’s collection of donkeys includes this 18” gray donkey with reins and a saddle bag and this 18” brown donkey with reins and a colorful Mexican blanket. “Realistic and educational value as well as decorative and play value,” set these plush friends apart, according to Marketing Consultant Suzanne Hammond of Fiesta Toy.  “Also, [they’re] perfect for imaginary play … sit your favorite teddy bear or doll on these cute donkeys.” Launch date: July 2007.

This environmentally friendly tea set includes a tea pot with lid, a sugar bowl with lid, creamer, four cups, four saucers and four teaspoons. The set is constructed of bio-plastic made from renewable, sustainable resources in order to help decrease fossil-fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Starch-based bio-plastic is ultimately biodegradable. "We do our best to make environmentally friendly business decisions, given today's available technologies from product development to packaging," according to Laurie Hyman, a partner at Green Toys. Green Toys also produces all of its products in the U.S. which cuts down on transportation costs and CO2 emissions. "Green Toys products are ideal for parents looking to make environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to shopping for their children," stated Hyman. Launch date: September 2007.
— “One of my new favorite toys is the Green Toys tea set and cooking set,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., at the end of 2008.

Past Videos: ASTRA 2009

This desk and chair set is a "perfect fit.” It features ample working and storage space, and the two pieces cleverly fit together to use less space and maximize the home aesthetic. It comes in various colors. “P’kolino is set apart by our products’ unique functionality and playful aesthetic. We feel there are a lot of beautiful products on the market and a lot of functional products on the market, but few that are both. It is this unique combination that makes P’kolino a “playfully smart” addition to any specialty retailer,” Co-founder J.B. Schneider of P’kolino told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2006.

This three-piece collection is cotton-mounted and stretched on a recycled wooden frame. Each ready-to-hang design is hand-drawn and hand-painted with an emphasis on taking advantage of a baby’s visual strengths. These animals are composed of black-and-white repeating shapes, which will entertain and engage little ones, transforming playtime into an artistic experience.  The Wee Gallery Canvas Collection also includes a green savannah theme, a blue undersea theme, a yellow farmyard theme and an orange garden theme.

Made from 100-percent recycled wood fiber, this natural kitchen includes a sink with a turnable faucet and sprayer and a four-burner stove. It features door-free construction and is 30" W x 15" D x 23.5” H. The product promotes better indoor air quality and may contribute up to five L.E.E.D. credits. Edgebanding is available in four colors, and the product has KYDZSafe edges, KYDZStrong construction and a KYDZTuff finish. “Parents or educators who desire to teach lessons of sustainability, recycling and good environmental practice can provide their children a practical learning setting with Sproutz furniture,” Vice President of Marketing Nick Schwarz of Jonti-Craft told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2007.