This family sure has a green thumb! Father Harry is a landscaper while Mother Tilley grows beautiful roses. Rusty and Cinnamon love to help their parents outdoors whenever they can. Calico Critter families come complete with two parents (3" tall each), a brother and a sister (2 1/4" tall). These cute flocked critters are poseable with jointed arms and legs and heads that turn, and feature removable clothing.
— "Calico Critters is the best seller for girls," was the observation provided by Sylvia Luppinci, manager of Giggles for Kids in Swanee, Ga.
— "Calico Critters by International Playthings — they’re mini critters," are the mini-toys that sell well for Grafton Stine, owner of Toys on the Square in Hummelstown, Pa.
— Kids continue to collect the Critters well into their tweens, retailers have told TDmonthly.

The Star Party headset microphone lets every girl have fun while being the star. This adjustable kid’s headset microphone features an amplifier that clips onto the belt for complete portability, four melodies, eight rhythm styles and an applause button. The other Star Party products are compatible with one another, so a group of friends can sing, record and dance together. When asked for his best sellers, Michael Ziegenhagen, owner of Playmatters in Cleveland, said that this item had done consistently well for three years. "I don't know why!" he told TDmonthly.

Fantacolor Junior is a product from Quercetti, an Italian-based educational toy company for whom IPI has been the US-distributor for many years. This portable product features large chunky pegs, picture cards and a convenient art easel that allows young ones to develop fine motor and color sorting skills while encouraging their creative side. It is a recipient of the Dr. Toy Smart Play/Smart Toys Product Awards Program for 2006.

The Honey Bee Tree is a best-seller from the iPlay Game line and is a recipient of the Family Fun Magazine’s Toy of the Year Award for 2002. Players remove the leaves from the trees and hope not to “awaken” the bees inside, providing experiences in cause-and-effect as well as logical thinking. It is ideal for two to four players and fun for the whole family. It is a recipient of the Dr. Toy Smart Play/Smart Toys Product Awards Program for 2006.

These pretend play food fruits and veggies are a great way for toddlers to learn about the rewards a garden can bring. Each lifelike fruit and vegetable can be pulled apart, peeled, or sliced as if it were the real thing. This soft plastic food set includes lettuce, pineapple, orange, banana, pea pods, cauliflower, onion, peach, an ear of corn and a plastic knife for “cutting” fruits and veggies. The included canvas tote has a mesh bottom.

This doctor kit features an electronic stethoscope that makes a heartbeat and coughing sound. It also includes a blood pressure gauge complete with arm cuff, pump and spinning dial. Inside the doctor bag, young doctors will find a reflex hammer, thermometer, squeaking syringe, auriscope, laryngoscope and pretend bandage.

This is a little, brightly colored soft "pleather" purse with pretend play accessories. A charming flower decorates the front and soft chunky handles attach on top. Included is a wallet, debit card, lipstick, keys, soft unbreakable mirror and play cell phone.
 —  As of 8.30.10, this product had 4.5 out of 5 stars from 25 reviews on Target.com and was listed in the top 30 best-selling toys and games. PROS: Well-made; encourages imaginative play.

“Fearless” is the word that comes to mind when kids see Diego the Firefighter at work. Imagine charging into a roaring fire without a moment’s hesitation. That’s what it’s like to be Diego, who’ll chop through a door with his axe to save anyone trapped behind. But while kids might think he’s fearless, Diego knows to be careful and precise in how he fights even the worst fires. After years of training, he knows just where the danger lurks, and just how to avoid it. He’s part of the Emergency line in Mighty World.

Sure, kids can splatter some color on the wall and call it painted, but if they want the job done right, they’d better call Ed the Painter. Decked out in authentically paint-splattered overalls, Ed has arms and legs that move and his head and gripping hands can turn. He comes ready to work, with a bucket of primer, two gallons of paint, brushes, paint thinner, tray, step ladder, drop cloth and other supplies, including a tiny roll of masking tape. Ed is part of the Construction line of Mighty World.
— "Mighty World has been moving fairly well. They’re realistic play figures that are working class: police, construction workers, foremen, firemen," said Erin Toure, sales assistant with The Magic Box in New Orleans, in spring 2007.
— While 11 of 39 retailers cited International Playthings as a hot-selling line in play sets, two retailers specifically mentioned the Mighty World line as the choice among customers.
— One retailer cited sales of 30 units a month for the Mighty World, while another suggested 80 was not uncommon.

These magnetic travel playsets offer a variety of popular themes to appeal to children of all ages. Imaginative children will enjoy getting lost in a magnetic world of their choice. The flat packaging and product are easy to store in a backpack or can be left in the back seat of the car.
— “They have wonderful themes — pirate, princess, fairy, Mr. Potato Head,” said Diane Robinson, president and owner of Silly Goose Inc. in Essex, Mass.
— Mary Kiely, manager of Stellabella Toys in Cambridge, Mass., said, “Bob the Builder’s one of our favorites. We’ve had a lot of comments from customers — great for ages 3 and 4 and up. The USA map version is great for the older kids.”
— Five of 36 retailers agreed in spring 2007 that Imaginetics are best sellers in their stores. Retailers reported selling anywhere from 10 to 30 units each month.

The Grabby Elephant is a super-soft elephant friend that is easy to grab and hold. Inside his belly is his little friend, the Wiggle Mouse. Pull the mouse out and he wiggles right back into place.

Kids can create an endless and mesmerizing cascade of marbles. This 180-piece set, devised by Torino, Italy-based Quercetti Intelligent Toys, includes components to build a motorized, height adjustable elevator that works with any marble run configuration. This set includes an exclusive double entrance funnel and spirals, as well as transparent tubes to view sneak peeks of the marbles as they progress through the run. It also includes extra long bridges, sturdy base pieces and real marbles. Two "AA" batteries not included.
— For adults in Portland, Ore., marble runs by International Playthings are a fun purchase, reported Sarah Green, manager of Kids at Heart.
— This product was listed as a best seller by John MacDougall, owner of Golden Apple Learning Store, in Pleasanton, Calif., in August 2009.

This set includes three explorer figures (Megan the Ranger, Ken the Tracker and Tom the Adventurer) and more than 30 accessories including an ATV, crypt, mummy, crates, tool boxes, tools and much more. Launch date: 2006.

What kid doesn’t want to fly his or her own plane? The press of a button on the steering wheel can activate the captain’s voice, realistic takeoff and landing sounds, or even music for the flight. The bin under the seat provides space to transport precious cargo, while flashing lights on the soft propeller keep kids engaged. The detachable rear handle transforms this colorful ride-on into a walk-along for the beginning walker.
— Of 45 retailers who spoke with TDmonthly in early 2008, over six percent shared that this item was the best-selling ride-on toy in their store.
— International Playthings was named by over 13 percent of retailers – who spoke with TDmonthly in early 2008 – as the manufacturer of the best-selling ride-on toy.
— Diana Glaser, owner of the The Green Caboose in Stroudsburg, Pa., told TDmonthly that her store sells two to three units of this item every month.

This new environment gives the babies of Cloverleaf Corners lots of adventures as they slide down the slide, crawl through the tunnel, run over the bridge and climb to the top of the hill. Best of all, there is a hot air balloon they can ride above the park. The park itself comes with everything needed to start playing — including two twin-sized Critters!
— “Calico Critters have been an exceptional thing...my highest increase in sales the last three years,” Yamil Castillo, owner of The Red Balloon Toy Store in Salt Lake City, Utah, told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Calico Critters consistently sell. There is just something that appeals to adults and children as well,” Donna, manager of The Treasured Child in LaGrange, Ky., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— Three of 50 retailers, who spoke with TDmonthly in April 2008, singled out Calico Critters playsets as best-selling playsets.

“Götz is known for their high quality in all aspects of the doll from the inside stuffing to the clothes on the outside. One of the features they are most known for is their hair. It is rooted [stitched] directly into the scalp in such a way that it resembles real human hair,” said public relations director for International Playthings, Susan Tice. “This technique allows for a fuller head of hair that is more durable and can withstand many washings and stylings.” The Maxy Muffin dolls are 16.5" soft-bodied dolls that are great for hair play. In fact, these dolls even come with a high-quality brush and two ponytail holders. The brunette Maxy Muffin for 2006 is dressed in a beautiful lightweight pink flowered tunic with pink striped pants. Her pigtails are full and curly.

The 18" Precious Day dolls feature a soft torso with fully articulated vinyl arms and legs. Each doll has moving eyelids so the doll can be either awake or asleep and long rooted hair that is excellent for children to wash, brush and style. Brunette Elisabeth is ready to go out on the town. She is stylishly dressed in a long sleeve cotton tee, printed mini skirt, knee-high tights, pink purse with beaded handle and hat with matching sneakers.

The Calico Critters' Townhome is a large, four-room home with a room divider that can create a fifth room. The house can be opened and closed for lots of decorating and pretend-play fun. There is a movable staircase and an extra floor area to create larger rooms. When closed, the house measures 12" by 12" by 12". What makes this house even more special is that there are lights inside that can be turned on or off with the flip of a switch. It recently won a 2006 Oppenheim Platinum Seal Award.
— Seven of 32 specialty retailers named Calico Critters in October 2008 when asked which items they expect to be their hottest holiday sellers. In late November/early December 2009, two of 44 retailers cited Calico Critters as one of their overall best sellers.

Shell Shapies by iPlay are soft, brightly colored crabs that squirt water and are shape sorters. The three crabs each have a different shape on their shell. Match the shape to find the crab's own shell.

Spouts Abouts by iPlay is a battery-operated toy featuring an assortment of octopus and whales that are sprinklers for the tub. Water spouts from their heads and spins around for bath time fun.

This inflatable baby activity and play center can be filled with play balls or water. It has seven attachable pool toys, including a turtle with jingle ball, a wrap-around baby crab and a jingle fish. It has a star-shaped pool base and a floating, child-safe seashell-shaped mirror.

This is the newest "ready-to-play" set from Calico Critters. Susie Snow-Warren likes to spend all of her free time playing with her dollhouses. The set includes Susie, two miniature dollhouses and nine pieces of tiny furniture for the dollhouses — all scaled to Calico Critter size. She was launched at the 2006 Toy Fair in New York City.
— According to Shelley Hawkins, sales associate with Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., this is the playset line she would play with if she were still a little girl between the ages of 3 and 11, and they’re selling well in her store.
— Mrs. Grafton Stine, co-owner of Toys on the Square, Unusual Toys & Pottery Painting in Hummelstown, Pa., said her store ordered new products within this line for 2006 based on the brand’s past success.
— Nancy Stanek, buyer and owner of Toys et Cetera in Chicago, said that this is the leading girls’ playset at her store.

This unique playset includes three explorer figures and more than 30 accessories including an ATV, crypt, mummy, crates, tools and more. It began shipping in February 2006.
— Nancy Stanek, buyer and owner of Toys et Cetera in Chicago, said “we’ve received a really good response on them” and that the product is being marketed as “more realistic and highly detailed” than its top competitor.
— Shelley Hawkins, sales associate with Toys to Treasure in Evansville, Ind., said, “they’re doin’ really well. We’re looking forward to the new stuff [for 2006]. It looks really cute.”
— With regards to this line, Mrs. Grafton Stine, co-owner of Toys on the Square, Unusual Toys & Pottery Painting in Hummelstown, Pa., said, “We’re seeing a lot of excitement about it.” 

The North American subsidiaries of Grand Toys International Limited, International Playthings, Inc. and Grand Toys Ltd. have come together to introduce the Mighty World line of playsets. Each character in the line features detailed expressions, body styles and outfits that are so detailed kids can even see the wrinkles in their clothes.

When the players expose their innermost secrets, the magic jewel of truth will reveal the winner's future. How it works: the magical crystal points to a player's colored jewel. This player then reveals a secret (a like or dislike), while other players try to guess what he or she will say. If the answers match, players earn fortune cards. The first to win five different fortune cards wins.