Want to know what more than 800 retailers have told TDmonthly about their best-selling products? Here's what toy-store owners in Illinois.htm had to say:

"Melissa & Doug do a lot of nice learning items for a good price."—Markie Carlson, owner, Children's Gift Outlet, Northfield, Ill., September 2006

www.childrensgiftshop.biz

"SpinMaster makes Air Hogs and Copter Bots for boys that are very popular."—Markie Carlson, owner, Children's Gift Shop, Northfield, Ill., July 2006

"Hopscotch by Alex is one of the foam products we do that is popular."—Samuel Cox, owner, My Favorite Toys, Carbondale, Ill., September 2006

"Adora baby dolls sell very well because they're life-like, the price is right, the clothing is cute, the eyes are lovely and the hair ... [they] look like little children."—Gigi Williams, co-owner, Gigi's Dolls & Sherry's Bears, Chicago, Ill., Winter 2005

"Collectibles: Simpsons, Muppets, Cat in the Hat stuff and Family Guy (figures and statues)."—Billy Smith, Uncle Fun, Chicago, Ill., Winter 2005

https://www.unclefunchicago.com/

"D&L Co. and Marky Sparky Stomp Rockets are both very hot. But the Rocket Balloons are the most popular right now."—Peggy Sebert, assistant manager, Becky & Me Toys, Glenview, Ill., December 2006

"From a video? I guess what I'd love to see with my line of business is,... to be able to see different ages and sizes of children operating [ride-ons and other toys]."—Doug Rector, owner, PEDAL CARS.com Online Inc, Highland Park, Ill., November 2006

"[Science kits have] exploded in popularity. It used to be a quiet area, but now it's year-round interest."—Nancy Stenak, owner, Toys et Cetera, Chicago, Ill., October 2006

www.toysetcetera.com

"This store sells 20 to 30 Webkinz a day."—Rick Derr, owner, Learning Express, Lake Zurich, Ill., August 2006

"Rocket Balloons are going crazy. We're sold out at the moment. We also have a plane by Monkey Business Sports that we're sold out of at the moment. I've ordered more."—Eric Masoncup, owner, Gepetto's Toy Box, Oak Park, Ill., December 2006

"Our personalized items are very popular."—Kimberly Anderson, manager, Hooray Array, Northfield, Ill., November 2006

"We still get requests for Ty. It's still very popular in its circle."—Emily Bieritz, manager, Toys on Main, Downers Grove, Ill., August 2006

www.toysonmain.com