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The Few, The Proud...The Award-Winning Toys!
Who Made the Cut This Year?
By Alison Marek and Julie L. Jones
Thousands
of products are introduced to the toy industry every year, but only a
limited number are good enough, playable enough and innovative enough
to garner an award.
In addition to issuing
TDmonthly
Awards, TDmonthly
Magazine regularly asks manufacturers
to present their award winners to our readers so that retailers can quickly
identify products with great potential and manufacturers can learn and
be inspired by others' successes. Here are the most recent responses:
Hive Pocket by SMART ZONE
 Players must surround their opponent’s queen bee while trying to block their opponents from doing the same. Each insect has a unique way of moving (as in chess) and resembles the movement of the insect depicted on the tile.
Awards: 2006 Mensa Select
10/2/2012 (Price: $24.95; Age: 8 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flower - Blue Clouds by SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS
 In the land of Blue Clouds, anything can happen. The clear and beautiful voice of children’s music favorite Elizabeth Mitchell weaves musical landscapes that “seem like a patchwork of memories we’ve always shared,” writes Caldecott Award – winning author Brian Selznick in the liner notes. The dreamlike illustrations of legendary artist Remy Charlip illuminate the magical narratives of these timeless songs. Mitchell’s extended family band, You Are My Flower, including daughter Storey and husband Daniel Littleton, embrace us with sound in a celebration of family, imagination and love. 16 tracks, 39 minutes, 32 page booklet. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
9/25/2012 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Handstand Kids Baking Around the World Cookbook by HANDSTAND KIDS
 Packaged with a whisk and silicone baking cups, the Handstand Kids Baking Around the World Cookbook kit introduces children to the world of baking in a colorful, hardbound and illustrated book with new recipes from Arleen Scavone, two-time winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars, and founder of the famous bakery, Sweet Arleen’s. This cookbook features PB&J Cupcakes, South African Pumpkin Bread Pudding, and Carrot Walnut Cupcakes, among others. Launch date: January 2008.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
9/17/2012 (Price: $25.00; Age: 3 and up) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Sassy Dogs by DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS
 One of four styles, Sassy Black and White Shih Tzu is dressed to thrill in a pink leopard dress with hot pink satin bow. A soft pink bib attaches the dress around the neck with a cozy feel. Also available are Sassy Pug, Sassy Cream Shih-Tzu, and Sassy Bichon.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— In a June 2013 survey, three out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Douglas was their best-selling plush brand. "The dogs are so soft and cuddly and they look very realistic. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive. We sell one almost every day!" Suzi McMullen, manager of e-commerce at Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., said.
9/12/2012 (Price: $10.00) ENTER DOUGLAS CUDDLE TOYS TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
The Fascinating World of Birds by BRAINFOOD LEARNING
 The Fascinating World of Birds is part of a video series designed by BrainFood Learning to build confidence in science through fun and interesting content. The video series advances a child's education by showing amazing video footage along with narration describing bird features and abilities. This format is designed to expand a child's vocabulary as the video content grabs the viewer's attention and the vocabulary is absorbed. This animal DVD is appropriate for kids of all ages. Each bird is clearly identified and shown in their natural habitat keeping children engaged. More advanced children will enjoy learning larger concepts such as depth perception. Birds featured in this animal video include ostrich, penguin, Canada Goose, owl, hummingbird, woodpecker, macaw, pelican, American Robin, and eagle. A multi-section review reinforces information presented earlier in the video. The beginner level reviews show bird flash cards and what features are common among all birds. The more advanced levels quiz children on bird facts and broader scientific terms related to birds.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
9/11/2012 (Price: $14.99; Age: 2 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Diva Abrielle by WORLD OF EPI
 The World of Entertainment, Publishing and Inspiration (World of EPI) was formed by Dr. Lisa Williams, a dynamic mom/former professor whose mission is expressing joy by providing children access to dolls that encourage dreams, promote intelligence, challenge perceptions, and open their hearts to all types of beauty. Abrielle is modeling her satiny lavender princess dress with a matching headband, slippers, and silvery studded earrings. Her high ponytail with long luxurious tresses perfectly complements her regal attire. She has beautifully bronzed skin and golden brown eyes.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
9/11/2012 (Price: $20.00; Age: 6 to 8) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Match and Munch Game by UNIVERSITY GAMES
 The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ Match and Munch Game uses the recognizable art from Eric Carle’s illustrated tale of The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ to help kids learn to identify healthy foods by practicing association and matching skills to help the caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly. The 55 food cards and 10 butterfly tokens are stored in the adorable caterpillar carrying case for easy transport and safe keeping. When kids are ready to play, each player receives 5 food cards to start and the remaining cards are placed in a pile. The goal is to complete a hand of either, five oranges, a hand of four strawberries and one apple, or a hand of three blueberries and two pears.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
9/11/2012 (Price: $19.98; Age: 3 to 12) ENTER UNIVERSITY GAMES TOYSHOW [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Crunch a Color Conversation Starters by TINY GREEN BEE LLC
 Crunch a Color Conversation Starters brings the whole family together at mealtime by inspiring creative thinking and healthy discussions. Chock-full of curious questions and delightful dilemmas, these 104 conversation starters help kids share their thoughts, grow their ideas, and make mealtime fun. Developed with teachers, parents and kids, Crunch a Color® Conversation Starters spark interesting, open-ended discussions that are engaging for kids (and adults) of all ages.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
— As of 1/17/2013 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.
9/11/2012 (Price: $12.95; Age: 3 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
3D Magic Magna Color by TECH 4 KIDS
 Tech 4 Kids has gone back to the drawing board to reinvent the board itself, with a new and unique artistic sensation. Each 3-D Magic creativity station gives kids an innovative designing world to generate a 3-D artwork, allowing them a new way to let their creativity run wild. This product magically transform designs into vibrant 3-D artwork by using the magnetic coloring studio and colorful 3-D Magic Dots. The unique magic dot pens allow children to place the 3-D Magic Dots to color in the stencil design bv either creating a single spot or make trails of multiple dots by running the pen across the screen. When finished, they sweep the dots into the sorter compartment and watch as the dots magically return back into the pens with absolutely no mess.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
9/11/2012 (Price: $24.99; Age: 4 to 10) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
STRIKERZ Soccer Card Game by STRIKERZ GAMEZ
 Players pick and discard through a full deck as they try to get one of the three combinations to shoot for a goal. Each team has 11 players, 3 super-subs and a coach. Enjoy light and fun strategy as the shooter and keeper try to outsmart each other on shot attempts. There are three ways to shoot for a goal: Collect 3 positions (Striker/Midfield/Defender) or collect any 4 jerseys in your team or collect 3 jerseys that add up to 30 points or more. Kids are using simple math skills while having fun.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys
9/11/2012 (Price: $7.95; Age: 7 to 12) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]
Related Video:
Following are some of the programs represented in TDmonthly.com's section of award winners: Dr.
Toy, iParenting
Media Awards, TIA
T.O.T.Y., Oppenheim
Toy Portfolio, The
National Parenting Center, and Parents'
Choice Awards.
You may also access TDmonthly's review
section to see which products earned 5 TD stars.
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