Bookshelf Edition Valley of the Pharaohs by FRONT PORCH CLASSICS
Egypt 1926. The Valley of the Pharaohs holds many secrets, but none so great as the Scepter of Amun-Ra. On your quest to secure the Scepter you will face desert bandits, blinding sandstorms and the ill wishes of your fellow players. But safe haven and good fortune can be found within the oasis of the friendly Bedouin. Collect resources to overcome obstacles or lay obstacles to hinder your opponents. Roll doubles and you control the mummy, but beware — no one masters the mummy for long. Cast metal playing pieces, metal coins and individual character cards provide rich context and detail to this exciting family game of fortune and peril. “Many of Front Porch Classics games feature natural materials, archival designs and other elements that make them an attractive décor piece,” pointed out Steve Hart of sales and marketing. “ As a matter fact, the majority of our retail partners are gift retailers whose clientele purchase our product not only for the wonderful game play but also as a display or conversation piece.” Launch date: September 1, 2006. —Nancy Teed, owner of Once Upon a Time in Stowe, Vt., said, "It's a really neat cooperative game. You have to work together to win — from little kids to adults." — "We’re really excited about new games being released from Front Porch Classics," endorsed David Correa, buyer at Mrs. Tiggy Winkles in Tucson, Ariz. — "Front Porch Classics products are designed to live in a family room, office or den. We use natural materials combined with classic designs to give our games a decorative aesthetic and enhance the game play experience," said Steve Hart, creative envoy and marketing coordinator for Front Porch Classics.
All the excitement of the war between the states comes to life in this box. Here´s a collection of the most significant men and machines of the war. Kids and adults can stage land battles (like Gettysburg) with infantry, horsemen and artillery. They can even re-enact the great first battle of the ironclad ships.
Tiny tots will be seen and heard in these stylish shoes that are making a noise in the baby fashion world. Kid Squeakers are fitted with a squeaker in the sole, so when a toddler toddles, everyone knows.
Fun Friends are cute and cuddly critters that cover cell phones. Fun Friends define novelty … they make ordinary cell phones new, original and different, which gives Fun Friend owners a feeling of being unique. Fun Friends can be changed for all the different holidays and seasons, or even every day! There are Halloween monster, Santa Claus, Valentine’s bear and Easter bunny models, as well as animal characters to keep cell phones looking posh and plush.
Pieces of Eight: The Maiden's Vengeance by ATLAS GAMES
Dare to enter the age of blood and gold with either The Cursed Blade or The Maiden’s Vengeance ship set. Each set includes all the coins needed for one player to construct his own ship. Opponents will each need their own ship set to play, but there’s no other limit to the number of players who can join in. The coins in each set are not randomized; ship sets can be combined to gain a wider selection of coins and the advantage over foes. Each ship set includes a rulebook, 16 die-struck metal coins, and a velvet game bag in a 6" x 9" x 1" box. Launch date: September 2006.
Crafty Dab Face Paint Push Up Crayons are made with the highest quality materials to ensure professional face paint designs, and they include skin conditioners such as lanolin and beeswax. The paints are non-toxic, hypoallergenic, easy to apply, and wash off easily. They also come in Jumbo and Stackable styles, and all three styles are available in Bright, Neon, and Pearl color schemes. Launch date: January 2006.
Snuggle & Play Blankies by PLAYGROUND ENTERPRISES INC./DANNY FIRST TOYS
These super soft cuddly blankets have embroidered themes and make great companions for bedtime and playtime. They are machine washable and measure 28” by 36”. “Danny First products are hand sewn with the utmost care for detail and safety, plus (are) designed to be bright and cheerful. Our products also bring forward the child’s imagination rather than push it backward with a set ‘game play’ or design,” Jeff Alward, vice president of product development and sourcing at Playground Enterprises told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 1, 2006.
Snuggle & Play Pillows by PLAYGROUND ENTERPRISES INC./DANNY FIRST TOYS
Snuggle and Play pillows are a wonderful "first toy." Fun for a child to snuggle and play with, each pillow opens up to a simple play activity scene. Pillows include a carry handle and vinyl travel bag. In addition to receiving an iParenting award, Snuggle and Play pillows have been named "Infant/Plush Toy of the Year" by Creative Child magazine.
This six-pack of fruit-scented paint markers includes an assortment of vibrant colors. The Crafty Dab paint and glue line is based upon the specially designed bingo dabber bottles with spring-valve applicators. The bottles are “little hand” friendly, with applicators that won’t leak or drip. When the applicator tip is applied to paper, the vibrant, colorful inks flow. The markers are non-toxic, washable and won’t stain clothes. Graphic Designer Florinda Friend of Crafty Dab told TDmonthly that “CJV (Clarence J. Venne) maintains the highest quality levels, updates materials when better quality is created, (and) updates packaging based on market trends.” Launch date: January 2006.
A winner of 20 awards, Rush Hour continues to be one of ThinkFun’s most popular and renowned mind-challenging games. In honor of Rush Hour’s 10 years of success, ThinkFun is celebrating with a Deluxe Edition that is guaranteed to delight seasoned Rush Hour fans and newcomers alike. Just like the traditional game, the object is to put problem-solving skills in gear to help the red car escape the traffic jam. But Rush Hour Deluxe Edition has been revved-up for maximum performance, featuring 60 of ThinkFun’s best challenges and an exciting new level of play. It comes complete with a modern design, 15 bright metallic cars and a collector’s gift box for easy travel. Launch date: Summer 2006. — When surveyed about his best-selling puzzles in a Summer 2011 survey, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., said he sells between 5 and 7 Rush Hours puzzles each month. — As of 7/12/2011 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 19 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Helps build problem solving skills; great for travel or quiet time. Cons: Two reviewers said that the Deluxe Edition was disappointing, as it actually has less features than the original game. — Kids caught in traffic love to pull out this game and find their way out of the crunch. Rush Hour makes a great travel toy, specialty retailers have told TDmonthly, and it's been a top seller in their stores for more than 10 years. For these reasons, we gave it our TDmonthly Classic Toy 2007 award.
In Syzygy, each player makes his or her own crossword puzzle drawing from the 304 letter tiles. The game is very interactive and quick. Families and friends of almost any age can play together. The game has been around since 1997, but it hasn’t been picked up by major retailers. Betty Nobles, buyer for The Village Toy Shop in New Hartford, N.Y., told TDmonthly, “We’ve had good luck with Syzygy. A customer requested it … They’d played it and had so much fun, somewhere in Oregon. We sold out and forgot it, then someone asked again and I got it and sold out!” Inventor Lorraine Spiering told TDmonthly that the popularity of her game “spreads by word of play. That’s the proof of a great game.”
My Little Yellow Taxi by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT
“My Little Yellow Taxi” is an interactive hardcover novelty book that invites kids to take a spin in a shiny yellow cab. The book includes 16 interactive features that show eager young drivers what it takes to get a taxi ready to roll: The mirror needs to be adjusted, the oil needs to be checked, the engine needs to be started, and there’s more to do. For instance, a cut-out puzzle piece of a gas pump can be removed from the book, then inserted into the gas tank — once the cap’s been opened. A clock on each page counts down the minutes, introducing the concept of telling time. Once the taxi has been readied by the various activities, a little cardboard taxi in the back of the book can be removed for play. With its sturdy construction, the taxi is built to be “driven” again and again. “My Little Yellow Taxi” is an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award Winner, and is the third in a series by Stephen T. Johnson, which includes “My Little Blue Robot” and the best-selling “My Little Red Toolbox.” Launch date: October 2006.
The Tummy Play Pad creates a comfy spot for baby to play and enjoy doctor-recommended tummy time. The Tummy Play Pad in the Garden Girl theme features a plush, padded garden leaf mat dotted with bright flowers and dragonflies. A mini Boppy pillow cradles baby for the ultimate in tummy time support and three detachable toys offer fun entertainment for baby. Launch date: 2006.
An assortment of 4 super fun animal chairs for your relaxing pleasure. Blue Elephants, Black & White Pandas, Red & Yellow Lions and Orange Kitties make these chairs your personal favorites. Multi colored steel frames add extra durability. Deluxe padded back and arm rest for supreme comfort. Cup holder in armrest. Durable UV treated Dacronn material. These chairs come with their own carry bag and shoulder strap for easy transporting. You can use them inside or out and they clean easily with a damp sponge and mild liquid soap. Each with color hang tag.
Crackernomics is a highly original and innovative board game — the first of four — aimed at teaching kids the basics of investing and business in the global environment. It is being launched by KSA Interactive Games, a division of KSA International, one of the world's most acknowledged and experienced designers, developers and suppliers of business simulation games for the corporate and educational environments. Kids compete through buying, selling and trading Cracker Mills using different currencies.
From the anime series Chobits, Sumomo is a laptop persocom, functioning as a personal planner, alarm clock, fitness instructor, and entertainer for the character Shimbo. She's rather frightened by Shimbo's friend Hideki, who has a tendency to overreact in front of her. Talking 6” Sumomo says seven distinct phrases. She comes with a display stand. Launch date: 2006.
Motorhead Miniatures - Joyce by M & D INTERNATIONAL
From the creators of Fast Women, this new brand of collectible figurines to accessorize dioramas and displays will premiere in four poses of 1:18 scale girls. The first four to be released are Joyce, Mimi, Missy and Zena. The dress and style of the figures complement American Hot Rods and Muscle Cars. They are designed to complement model cars and dioramas featuring vehicles and scenery from the 1950’s through the 1970’s. The first four women are presented in three color variations, and include integrated stands for easy display. Made from Cold Cast Resin, each figure is meticulously hand painted for outstanding character and detail. Motorheads will unveil additional girls and GUYS at iHobby Expo – Chicago.
Based on the successful Anime from Tokypop, Princess Ai borrows clothes. “These will fit me well, with just a few adjustments … snip, snip.” Princess Ai not only has musical talent, she is a fashion diva! Though adult collectors are big fans of Bleeding Edge dolls, "tween girls like them, too," Bleeding Edge's studio director, Toni DeAso, told TDmonthly.
Cluzzle is an award-winning game in which players try to sculpt poorly. No one wants to be too good an artist because the trickier the sculpture, the more points earned. Cluzzle inspires creativity, social interaction, and heaps of laughter. It has received six awards as one of the best family games on the market, and About.com rates Cluzzle in the Top 5 Drawing and Sculpting Games. Founder of North Star Games Dominic Crapuchettes told TDmonthly that it’s “one of those rare games that is fun to play for both the parents and the children.”
Just-Like-Mine! Doll or Stuffed Toy Booster Car Seat by JOOVY
Your child will love caring for a cherished doll or stuffed animal by securing it safely in this toy booster seat and will learn a wealth of safety habits while having fun. And it’s fun to play with indoors too – kitchen, family room, bedroom floor – anywhere your child’s imagination takes them. (Read Review)
The fast-moving word game consists of 144 ivory-like letter tiles in a zippered banana pouch. Players place the tiles face down on the table and randomly select 21 tiles. They turn their letters right-side up simultaneously and proceed to form as many intersecting and interconnecting words as possible, rearranging their own letters as many times as desired throughout the game. Awards:TDmonthly Top Seller 2007; 2009 TOTY Game of the YEAR, 2006 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal; 2007 iParenting; 2007 Parents' Choice Recommended; 2007 Dr. Toy Best Products. (Read Review) — This product has been making the TDmonthlyBest-sellers lists since 2007. — As of 05/13/2011 this product had 4.8 out of 5 stars from 456 reviews on Amazon.com. — Eight of 66 retailers vouched for its best-selling status in May 2008; seven of 63 did in Sept. 2008. Shani Watmough of Planet Toys in Rockland, Maine, said her store sells 60 per month. Fifteen of 38 named it a top-selling game in Feb. 2010. — As of April 5, 2010, Bananagrams had spent 570 days in the top-100 best-selling toys and games on Amazon.com. — According to owner Brett Sommer of Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, “It was the 2009 game of the year. The brilliant packaging definitely helps this product."
