TDmonthly's October Staff Picks

With this kit, kids can create awesome animations, make their own Sunday comic strips, use the flip books to create animation anywhere and learn easy formulas to make cartoon characters. It includes the following materials: comic template, drawing underlays, clip, black marker, No. 2 pencil, blue line pencil, balloon template, desktop with storage, Gene's Guide Book, animation strips, blank animation strips, animation zoetrope, paper and two flip books. Launch date: June 2007.

Little ones can let their imagination roam free on the savannah with this handmade and hand-painted zebra pull along. The zebra will follow with an uneven gait and sound a gentle bell when pulled along quickly.

The miniature hydrogen fuel cell car fits in the palm of a hand. The battery-less car operates on a fuel cell that is powered by its own on-board hydrogen storage system, ensuring it an unlimited supply of clean energy. Simply adding water to the station’s tank will create hydrogen fuel at the flick of a switch.

This non-electric, hand-crank stuffing machine can also be used as a self-service stuffing machine and may be placed on a merchandising unit.

Part of Hagen-Renaker's new miniature lineup for 2007, 2.75"-high Silky Sullivan is a classic figurine designed by renowned sculptress Maureen Love. First issued from 1962 to 1971, Silky Sullivan has been reissued for 2007 in memory of Love, who recently passed away.
— Hagen-Renaker figurines were cited among the top-selling collectible items in the store of Lisa Bennett, owner of Peacock Feather in Needham, Mass.
— Bennett told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that she sells about 60 to 70 units a month of the line’s collectible items.
— Cynthia Phillips Strinich, owner of Phillip's Toy Mart in Nashville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2012 survey that Hagen-Renaker glass animals were among her best selling collectible items.

"Miss Cordelia was hired on as nanny for Little Thomas - an exhausting task by all accounts! By the end of their first day together she was reportedly 'dead on her feet'..."

The Original Toasty Bear features soft velvety fur, a stuffed but pliable body, added weight in the bottom and a wonderful, soothing scent. Its lifelike feel is comforting to those who have experienced a loss, live alone, suffer from Alzheimer’s, have trouble sleeping, or enjoy caring for others. The comprehensive sensory experience provided by the heat, herbs, fur and cuddly body of the bear is beneficial to both the mind and the body.

Individuals who put on a pair of these will encounter an eye-popping experience as starbursts of three-dimensional rainbows race from every direction. These American-made 3-D Fireworks Glasses are a terrific, inexpensive retail and promotional item for any fireworks, laser or holiday light show as well as fundraising and sponsor giveaways.

This cooperative game is fun for all ages. Together, two to four players have to grab the wooden pieces and stack them to match the picture on the card. But watch out! If they fall, the King gets closer to the castle. Together, we can be strong and beat the king!
— This children’s game requires concentration and cooperation, which is one reason it received a TDmonthly Top Toy 2007 award. In addition, Castle Knights boasts pleasant graphics, quality wooden pieces and, perhaps many retailers’ favorite characteristic about HABA products in general authentic European appeal.

Where to Buy: Camelot Kids

The beautiful suspension bridge is a symbol of San Francisco. This model of the beloved bridge is easy to build and measures 46 inches long when assembled. Easy-to-follow instructions are provided in English, German and Latvian. The completed model measures 46.5” x 2.4” x 5.5”.

The Playtime Puppets line includes 12” puppets and two 3-1/2” finger puppets. Gator, Froggy, Scruff, Moo Cow and Penguin are just a few of the characters in the Playtime Puppets family who make playtime for children more fun and interactive. Each puppet features velcro on its mouth and paws, feet or hands, and can hold two related finger puppets for added fun. Gator, for example, comes with his crocodile pal and a fish, while Moo Cow holds a bottle of milk and his friend the pig. Launch date: 2007.

HaPe introduces 7 new Hand Glove Animal Puppets to its range of over 40 puppets.    Children will love including these colorful and friendly animals – there’s a Pink Flaming, Kangaroo, Zebra, Panda and even a Guinea Pig.  The velour cover is stretchable and allows for easy movement by little ones and even for roles performed by parents and caregivers.  Puppets have a snug cuff and are approximately 8 ¾” tall.  Suggested retail is $5.95 each. 

This kit includes Usborne’s Level 2 “Trash and Recycling” book for ages 6 to 8, a frame with a screen, a plastic tray, paper confetti, a roller, white glue, glitter, felt and a detailed instruction sheet. Recycling is one way to help reduce global warming, and with this kit, kids can create valuable, unique paper art for making personalized cards for friends and family. Launch date: June 2007.

This high-quality, adorable duck is from Trudi, the premier Italian plush company. Each animal is made with great care under the direction of master artisans, and Trudi gives a lifetime guarantee on all its products. The duck is 6.8" tall.
— Trudi plush are best-selling items at Red Wagon Toy Co. in Woodstock, Vt., Owner Kim Smith told TDmonthly in summer 2007.

With the large "CAT" logo visible on the back of this 1:32 SkidSteer Loader, it's not hard for kids to imagine that they've got the real thing right in the palm of their hand. It comes with an interchangeable general purpose bucket, grapple and pallet forks. The rubber treaded wheels add to the realistic features of this well-made construction model. It measures 3" high and 4.25" long and weighs 11 oz.
— "My best-selling [collectible] is a little die-cast model, SkidSteer — like a Bobcat [loader]. Norscot is the manufacturer," said Russ Mailloux of Little Digger Toys in Methuen, Mass.
— Mailloux told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that he probably sells about 12 Norscot SkidSteer Loaders a month.
— Two of 32 retailers who spoke to TDmonthly said that construction die-cast models are the best-selling collectible items in their stores.

This tattoo kit includes 100 temporary tattoos, a butterfly shaped sponge, a spray bottle and bonus nail tattoos. Applying the tattoos is fun, easy and safe. Launch date: June 2007.

This sugar plum fairy skirt will make any girl feel like a ballerina in “The Nutcracker.” With the press of a button in the interior front pocket, Tchaikovsky’s music from “The Nutcracker” will sound; continue dancing and the motion will keep the music playing. The lavender skirt is full of sparkles and layers of soft tulle, and is lined with satin for itch-free wear. This product is an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award winner for best toy. Launch date: July 2007.
— Musical Skirts by Acting Out are best sellers at Red Wagon Toy Co. in Woodstock, Vt., Owner Kim Smith told TDmonthly in summer 2007.

With this advanced physics kit, kids can study more advanced topics in physics, including fluid dynamics, energy, oscillation, hydraulics and pneumatics. They will build spectacular models and devices, such as a wind tunnel, pneumatic shocks and a hydraulic lift. They will learn how ships float and airplanes fly, why a streamlined shape lets a car drive faster and how power plants convert a current of water into electrical current. A 96-page full-color manual is included.  “All learning is done through hands-on construction,” Thames & Kosmos Customer Relations Manager Christa Raimondo told TDmonthly. This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award winner. Launch date: July 2007.

The amazing lily pad features the largest flower of any plant in North America. The lily pad can grow as large as 2’ wide in ponds as deep as 4’. Simply drop the seeds into a bowl of water and the plant will grow within two weeks. The lily pad’s aromatic, light yellow flowers will sprout soon after. Launch date: October 2007.

This 10”-tall soft and furry friend is machine washable. Other styles of the plush puppet include pink lamb, bear, pony, monkey, elephant and giraffe.

Young ladies can combine the soft and silky lip balm base with a variety of yummy flavors to create their own lip sensations. Simply soften the base in a bath of warm water and then add the flavorings. Mix up fun fruity combinations and add a hint of color, too. Cool cosmetic tins that come with the balm kit can be decorated with layers of fun sticker designs and labels. It's a fun, creative, and practical way for a girl to learn and role play.
— "Make Your Own Lip Balm from Creativity for Kids: It's a craft kit that gives you all the materials to make your own," said Mary Sisson, owner of Kazoodles in Vancouver, Wash., when asked about popular gift items for girls in her store.
— “The lip balm from Creativity for Kids does very well,” Ron Kutchik, owner of Grand Slam Toys in Kodiak, Alaska, said when asked about best-selling activity kits in spring 2009.
— About half of 49 retailers surveyed about their sales in activity kits or playsets mentioned craft items as top sellers in April 2009. Three of 39 retailers identified lip balm kits as a best seller for tween girls in fall 2009.
— “Creativity for Kids. The Make Your Own Lip Balm kit is best,” said Amy Hofsetter, owner of The Toy Store  in Atlanta, Ga., of her top-selling item for tweens in September 2010.
— Three of 44 retailers said Creativity for Kids supplies their best-selling items for tweens.

Beary was inspired by the Spirit Bear of British Columbia, and comes with a removable inner heat pack that can be warmed in the microwave. Beary comes in two sizes with three color options. Baby Beary, the smaller, has an MSRP of $24.95. Proceeds from the sale of all Beary the Bears go to bear rehabilitation centers. Launch date: August 2007.
— At Canadian Parents, Joyce reported that Beary the Bear has become a bonding tool for her daughter and granddaughter. Cuddling the warm bear helps her fussy granddaughter quiet down for bedtime.
— Lena of Listen to Lena highlighted the bear’s fine sewing detail, natural heat/cool pack and soft snuggliness even with the pack inserted. Her testing revealed that when heated, the bear “cooled off completely in less than one hour, thereby eliminating the fear of child overheating.”

The Little Squirts Bathtub Toy Set includes five colorful little farm animal squirts for bath-time fun. The set includes a pink bunny, a lime green and black-spotted cow, a yellow ducky, a light blue sheep and a blue horse with saddle. Each toy measures 2” x 2.5”. “The EiEiO collection, inspired by the favorite children's song "Old McDonald Had a Farm," also offers clothing sets, booties, bibs, socks, blankets, door pillows, spoon and fork sets and bath scrubbies and soaps, providing a fun way to entertain baby and teach about animals at bath time and throughout the day,” a representative of Mud Pie told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.

Giggles, Flippy and Mole are the three cute woodland creatures in this series. Each character is available in 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities and comes preloaded with bonus digital content, including a Happy Tree Friends video, screensavers, sound bytes and more. Each character is available in either a “Happy” version or a “Gory” version. The suggested retail price is between $55 and $145. Launch date: July 25, 2007.