May Staff Picks

Each PetCakes animal features a "frosting" hat, comes nestled in its own cupcake wrapper and has its own whimsical backstory. At first look, children will see a delicious cupcake but will then be surprised by the pet they find snuggled inside. PetCakes are collectible and provide hours of open-ended imaginative play.

With The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy, kids can explore the universe without leaving the comfort of their backyard. This galactic tool kit has everything kids need: a build-it-yourself telescope, a night-sight flashlight, star and moon maps, a no-batteries-required sundial, a mariner’s quadrant to steer by the stars, tons of intergalactic activities, and more.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: Who knew you could build a telescope with a book? Everything needed to create a spyglass for space is contained within the Guide to the Galaxy's pages. There are lots of facts about the universe, plus other projects that kids can build to help navigate this world and others. It's a great gift that will appeal to both boys and girls.

One 23" green Beanpod fits four Beandolls, including one pink Beandoll (named “MeiLin”), one red Beandoll (named “Bahiya”), one orange doll (named “Adora”) and one green doll (named “Oris”). The Beandolls are soft and cuddly and the Beanpod can be hung from a loop on its end. Each Beandoll represents a different cultural theme and has a special symbol on it (the meaning of which is explained on its tag). Also sold individually or in pods of two.

This hardcover picture book by Hallie Durand tells the story of Mitchell, who hates going to bed. Or at least, he does until he gets a license to drive there. Mitchell's car turns, honks, and can go really fast, but it's a little different than other cars- it's his Dad. This adorable story is illustrated by Tony Fucile, an animator who has worked on such films as The Lion King and The Incredibles. Mitchell learns how to drive his "car" and things go smoothly- until car and driver disagree on what sort of fuel they need.

This pull-along wooden crocodile flaps his mouth as he rolls along. The wheels are coated in rubber to help eliminate the sound of the toy being rolled around the house. Made with water-based paint and wood from sustainable forests.

Kimochis are small pillows with a feeling (happy, sad, silly, brave) printed on one side and a corresponding facial expression on the other. Each Kimochis plush character comes with a set of three feelings and a how-to Kimochis Feel Guide. The characters — Clover, Cat, Huggtopus, Cloud, Bella Rose, Bug and Lovey Dove — have a special pocket where kids can store their "Kimochis" or feelings. Using the characters and their Kimochis, kids can get in touch with their emotions through puppetry and play. “Getting back to the basics by playing and communicating with Kimochis™ is a simple, yet powerful way to teach children how to: be aware of feelings, choose how to communicate in emotional moments, and redo mistakes. Children will be drawn to the fun, adorable, accessible characters. Parents will be drawn to the high-quality craftsmanship and the valuable educational content," Susan Schroeder, director of marketing and communications for Plushy Feely Corp., told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence; Best Vacation Products by Dr. Toy; Kaboose.com's Top 13 Amazing Toys for Preschoolers; TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: The latest line of Kimochis are cuter than ever and just as good at helping children articulate some of their more troubling emotions. Bella Rose is pretty and soft and works just as well as a traditional stuffed animal as she does as a teaching tool.

This Italian-designed motorcycle is made of bamboo, with just a bit of rubber and metal for the wheels. The body is lightweight and durable, making the E-Moto easy and safe for young children to maneuver. These toys are made primarily of bamboo, an eco-friendly source material that is quick-growing, natural, and renewable.

Sunny SleeveZ are light-as-a-feather, 50+UPF fabric sun protection sleeves. They block 98% of UVA & UVB rays. No mess. No missed spots. No Fuss. Kids can wear Sunny Sleevez with a regular short sleeve & get instant, chemical-free sun block that never has to be reapplied. Slip them on in the sun, Slide them off when you're done. They provide sun protection "that never needs to be reapplied and won't get in babies eyes and mouths," Dashiel St. Damien, founder of Sunny SleeveZ, told TDmonthly. Available in 7 sizes (baby-adult), with a wide range of colors & designs, including 3D.

BrickStix are reusable, removable and re-stickable cling decals. They are compatible with most smooth plastic bricks used in construction play. Kids can use these decals to customize their brick creations- a building becomes a cafe or gas station, a play figure becomes a doctor or cowboy- allowing for hours of creative play. Each pack of BrickStix includes two sheets of cling decals, a total of 84 per style. They are made in the USA. Styles include Metro Stix, Space Stix, and Transport Stix.

This edible fingerpaint was created in 2007 with babies in mind, adhering to baby safe ingredients which are organic. The paint is also vegan, wheat-free, sugar-free, and contains no preservatives. Babies and toddlers can start expressing themselves artistically earlier, without parents having to worry about them ingesting harmful chemicals and dyes. Fantastic Finger Paints come in 5 colors. Purple/Blue with REAL blueberries, Red/Pink with REAL beets, Orange & Yellow with REAL pumpkin and green with REAL spinach. CPSIA Compliant. Made from Organic Fruit & Vegetable powders, rice cereal and rice flour. Paints come in 6 oz. convenient tottle bottles which have powder in them. Just add the water, shake and create. Makes over 12 oz. of paint per bottle (refill bottle with water and get more paint). Must be refrigerated after water is added.
Awards: A Dr. Toy Best Green Product for 2011; TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: This paint is extremely eco-friendly, and encourages parents to introduce their children to art and painting as soon as possible, without having to worry about their child being harmed by ingesting the chemicals in non-organic, non-plant based paints. This means kids can start learning forms of creative expression from a younger age.

The PlanetBox comes with everything a parent needs to pack their child the lunch they will love. All children have their own likes and dislikes when it comes to their lunches. One child likes variety and surprises, while another likes the familiarity of that same PB&J sandwich every day. But neither child likes it when their sandwich touches their fruit. We have found that most kids like a variety of foods that stay in their own compartments and don’t “touch each other.” Parents can pack any food in any compartment. The lid has raised compartments so foods can be piled high, yet the box can still be closed. The hinge is designed to keep top and bottom together, while making sure little hands won't get caught. Measures 10 inches x 7 ½ inches x 1 ½ inches.

Non-Trivial Quest challenges players by asking questions about all the things they need to know for real life- it's trivia that isn't trivial. For instance, what does one do with a computer one no longer needs? The cards have the question and provide the answer. Aimed at families and friendly groups, Non-Trivial Quest is educational and helps stimulate conversation. The first person to get to the finish line wins. The game includes 300 Questions & Answer cards, a game board, 2 dice, 8 pawn tokens, a card tray, and an instruction sheet. The categories include Health & Nutrition; Math, Science & Technology; Money & Economics; Law, Civics & Sociology; Computer & Internet; and History & Geography. For 2-8 players.