TDmonthly Magazine Presents: Award Winners

By TDmonthly Staff
July 2015

TDmonthly Magazine is pleased to announce our latest award winners. These top-notch products were evaluated by our team of toy testers (learn more about our evaluation process here), and selected on the basis of their play value, quality and durability, specialty focus, presentation, and more.

Learn more about these award winning toys below.

Manufacturers - interested in submitting a product? Learn how here.

10 Cheeky Monkeys by Kat Michels by IN HEELS PUBLISHING

What kind of trouble can 10 cheeky monkeys, with nothing else to do, get into? Find out when you meet these mischievous, penitent and sassy monkeys, then check out the glossary in the back for the definitions of 18 fun vocabulary words. Toddlers love the rhymes and bright illustrations, while kids as old as seven or eight are drawn in by the fun new words for them to learn. Perfect for whole family story time! Now available at Seattle Book Company with bulk discounts for retailers - 30% off MSRP for any purchase of 5+ copies, or 40% off MSRP for any purchase of 20+ copies. Also available through the Seattle Book Company.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Choice Award 6/30/2015 (MSRP: $25.00; Age: 2 to Adult)

Shake Rattle And Drum by WESTCO EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS

This handcrafted wood set includes seven pieces: A bucket drum with a natural skin head, a pair of drum sticks, a single jingle stick, a handled castanet and a pair of mini maracas. Fun for the whole family or class! Includes a parent/teacher friendly activity guide for ideas on using the items to encourage child development.
— As of 10/30/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: The drum makes a nice noise; fun for kids on their own or in groups.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award 10/25/2012 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 3 and Up)

IlluStory Junior by LULU

IlluStory Junior by LULU IlluStory Junior is the perfect introduction to creative storytelling for younger children. Children write and illustrate their story using the materials provided in the book-making kit and receive a full-color, professionally bound and printed 5.5”x8.5” paperback book. The kit includes 14 book pages, two cover pages, markers, instructions, book redemption form and a prepaid envelope to mail-in completed pages. Additionally, a dedication page and an “About the Author” feature on the back cover help young children transform their first stories into a real book that will be treasured by family members for years to come.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Choice Award 6/12/2015 (MSRP: $19.99; Age: 4 to 8)

4M Mecho Motorised Kits - Clawbot by TOYSMITH

Learn how motors work. Connect a simple circuit to build this amazing Tractor with a lightweight but sturdy body. Have fun exploring basic mechanics. Easy-to-build! No screws are needed! Contains a set of pre-cut colourful foam boards, a set of plastic cases, gears and wheels, a motor, a screw, stickers and detailed instructions. (Also required two 1.5 V AA batteries but not included. The battery cover needs to be fixed with a cross-head screwdriver.)
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Choice Award 6/30/2015 (Age: 5 and Up)