TDmonthly's September Staff Picks

Heritage Alphabet Blocks are classic toys designed to last generations. The solid-wood blocks are oversized, measuring 3” square, and they are all natural, non toxic and 100-percent organic. Each set of 12 blocks features 48 engraved characters, including the numbers 0-9. Heritage Alphabet Blocks come in three finishes: Color, Oil Only and Raw. Each Color Set utilizes real milk paint and a polymerized linseed oil rub. The blocks are made in Bend, Ore. "Promise Brand has made it our No. 1 goal to manufacture wooden products that exceed every toy test imaginable. Our materials set us far and above our competition," Alisha Alway Braatz, manager at Promise Brand LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.

Piggy Paint is an eco-friendly, non-toxic nail polish designed for fancy girls. This hypoallergenic, odorless formula is designed to be gentle enough for sensitive little hands and noses, yet it dries to a hard, durable finish. "Not only are consumers going green, but Moms are always looking for safe products for their little angels," Melanie Hurley, CEO of Piggy Paint, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008.

Cheekeyes are a series of wooden play sets with distinctive pink cheeks and dreamy eyes. These toys are handmade from eco-friendly rubberwood and are partially painted. There are more than seven playsets: Arctic, Africa, Dino, Forest, Farm, Rainforest and Sea. The average size of an animals is between 6 and 14 cm wide and 8 and 12 cm high. "Brought to you from The Netherlands (Europe) by STUDIO SPOON ... there are no bells or whistles, no batteries or flashing lights. All you need is just a little imagination and magic begins to happen. The Cheekeyes will definitely spark your kid's imagination and will encourage open-ended, educational play," Rogier van Zijp, designer for STUDIO SPOON B.V., told TDmonthly. Cheekeyes received a 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: 2009.

These big, whimsical wall art prints (18" x 24") are both educational and eco-friendly, and depict the friends and adventures of Greenie, the eco-friendly elephant. The peel-and-stick wall art is designed to be removed and relocated hundreds of times without losing adhesive ability, marring walls or leaving residue. The inks, adhesive and coatings are all water based, so the wall art is safe for infants, toddlers and children of all ages.
— Michelle, A Happy Hippy Mom, highlighted the fabric texture of the print and its extremely easy application and reapplication process. The eco-friendly inks, laminates and adhesives used for the print allowed Michelle to safely hang the print low enough for her son to fully appreciate his new animal friends.
— 2 Wired 2 Tired’s Tésa used a Greenie2Steps lion print to help her daughter conquer her nightmares. The bright and colorful lion makes Tésa’s daughter smile as it keeps bad dreams away.

Little Hero Capes are designed to empower a child's imagination and expand his adventures. The fully lined capes are made from high-quality materials with high-quality sewing and have a SUPER design placed prominently on the back. The capes feature a snap closure so a child can easily spring into action when he or she hears the call. Each cape also has a collar, which may be placed upward for a more mysterious look.  "Each Little Hero Cape, mask, and pair of power cuffs is artisan crafted in the United States," Allison Faunce, owner of Little Hero Capes, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2, 2008.

The Pocket Referee is a conflict resolution tool that comes in the form of a shiny gold coin. The Ref comes packaged with a protective pouch and handy carrying clip that allows kids to keep it close by. This powerful tool helps teaches kids how to work out conflicts on their own without the help of parents or guardians. When a conflict arises that can only have one resolution (which TV show to watch, where to go for dinner) the holder of the coin can choose to get her way, which means she'll pass the coin on to her counterpart for the next conflict, or she can choose to keep the coin and pass the current choice over to the other child. In all situations both kids win. Also available in antique brass for MSRP $9.95.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner

Snappy the Snowman — waving to his seasonal fans — is a 3' x 5' full-color, high-quality plastic window decoration that lights up at night with back lighting from everyday household lamps for the enjoyment of passersby on the street. It comes with corner stick adhesive squares. Reusable WOWindow Posters are made in the USA and are not sold at national big-box stores, according to Robert Schott, director of national sales for WOWindows, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.

This hippo is handcrafted out of hardwood and features non-toxic, watercolor paints and a clear watercolor sealant.

This exclusive design is printed on 50# premium coated paper. It's available in 18" (price given), 24" and 30" widths. Rolls are available in either 417' or 883'. Launch date: 2009

This newborn collection of bamboo socks comes two pairs per box. Size: 0-6 months. The socks are hypoallergenic, breathable and absorbent, anti-bacterial, natural and eco-friendly, and silky smooth to babies’ skin. The company's bamboo yarn is processed with low-impact dyes, and is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100-percent certified free of any harmful chemicals. "Bamboo could be the most sustainable natural fiber on earth. Bamboo grows quickly and does not require replanting after harvesting. Bamboo takes in five times as much greenhouse gas, and produces 35-percent more oxygen than an equivalent stand of trees," Winnie Liu, president of Jazzies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2009.

This smaller-sized diaper bag is specially designed for everyday city outings. It is available in three styles and features insulated, zippered compartments, a padded, reinforced bottom, 10 interior pockets and exterior clips, a padded, adjustable strap, and a changing pad. Launch date: September 2009.

This behavorial modification device is designed to teach children acceptable sleep patterns by displaying a sun face for day and a moon face for night. It can be preset to any times, depending upon the schedule that parents set for their children. The sun caricature brightens the room in the morning, letting kids know it is time to get out of bed; the moon signifies that it is "time to rest." The programmable light measures 6" in diameter.

This kit contains everything needle to make two cute stuffed owls, right down to the stuffing, scissors and needle. The owl pattern is printed onto unbleached cotton fabric, making it easy to cut out and simple to sew together the owls. The box is printed on the inside to cut it out and recycle it into glasses for your owl. Launch date: January 2, 2009.

Children can make moving figures of a dozen world-changing individuals from thousands of years ago. Cut-and-color or pre-colored action figures really move as they play out the lives of Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, King David, Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (builder of the Great Wall of China), Hannibal (and his elephant!) and others. Their stories are right in the book — or kids can make up their own stories about these historic figures. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

Mary Meyer’s Fuzz that Wuzz collection is made from plastic bottles. The outer fabric and stuffing are high-quality polyester made from 100-percent recycled plastic bottles. There are six Mini Zzzzoo animals. Launch date: June 2009.

In the Colombian countryside, poverty and the displacement of peasants due to civil war has increased illegal wildlife poaching activities. One World Projects works with Fundación Ecologica Santa Fe in the 10,000-person community of Pintada, Colombia, to produce plush toys representing the monkey species that the organization hopes to reintroduce to the wild. Plush monkeys come in a variety of styles, including finger puppets and scarves, for kids of all ages. "Plush monkeys are all sustainably and fair-trade made and support two great causes. Located near the Pan American Highway, Pintada has become a rest stop for truck drivers, who have left behind a disproportionate number of children without fathers. Crafting these items also gives single moms a much-needed source of income, and gives their children hope for a better future," Sylva Dvorak, in marketing for One World Projects, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 10, 2006.

ReUsies are a reusable alternative to plastic sandwich bags. They are cotton on the outside and leak-resistant nylon on the inside, sealed with Velcro closures. ReUsies can be machine or hand washed, and each one is designed to replace hundreds of plastic baggies. ReUsies come in two sizes (larger sandwich and smaller snack) and many different patterns to appeal to all members of the family. "We use reusable items in many other areas of our lives (reusable water bottles, shopping bags, lunch boxes, etc.), but there are very few products that replace those plastic sandwich baggies we all use and toss every day," Karen Whorton, owner of ReUsies, told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2009.

Baby BeeHinds Reusable Bamboo Diapers have been designed with comfort and absorbency in mind. Harnessing the naturally absorbent and anti-bacterial properties of bamboo and organic cotton, Baby BeeHinds reusable diapers are designed not only for use during the day; they can also cover heavy wetters through the night without leaks. The diapers are available in natural, plus three new colors exclusive to the North American market. "The unique design of the Baby BeeHinds Bamboo Diaper allows parents to adjust sizing to fit from birth to potty training, and from daytime/light absorbency to nighttime/heavy absorbency. This versatility means that parents can use the same set of reusables even if they have more than one baby in diapers. For retailers, the multi-fit sizing streamlines the ordering process and drives sales for busy, budget-conscious consumers," Selena Volodzskis, president of Eco Brands Ltd., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

ROLLORS is a yard game that can be played at a park, in the front or back yard of a house, or just about anywhere where a relatively flat ground surface can be found. This game of skill requires a modest level of physical activity and can be quickly varied depending on the age and skill level of the players. It can be played in teams or individual competition. Launch date: May 2009.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010
As of 6/16/2011, this product is now licensed to and manufactured by MARANDA ENTERPRISES LLC.

As North America's largest native land mammals, buffalo "bulls" stand up to six feet tall at the shoulder, are 10 feet long and can weigh over a ton. Revered by the Plains Native Americans; their word "Tatanka," means "buffalo." He is often purchased to be part of a theme room. Tatanka stands 16" from the wall with a 40" girth and 14" between horn tips. Available only as a big game shoulder mount. Ready to hang and enjoy.

Joel Harden's Mogul is a breakthrough - the first board game that is not only fun to play, it actually teaches real world skills that are valuable whether one chooses a career in real estate or not. Mogul is an open-ended game. The goal is to get to a pre-determined net worth first, but there are numerous ways to reach that goal. You'll find that in Mogul, a winning player combines solid strategy, good instinct and a bit of luck.

In six colors, Pretty Ugly's Ice Bat character stands at the ready in smooth vinyl. Each figure in this series glows in the dark, adding a little flair to a collection of any size. Launch date: September 2009.
― Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M., told TDmonthly in July 2009 that Uglydoll characters are top-selling action figures in her store, reporting average sales of 48 per month.