This month, TDmonthly Magazine contacted 46 retailers to find their best-selling toy-themed dinnerware. Only 17 carried the items, but they agreed that kids are most likely to finish their peas if it means revealing Thomas the Tank Engine’s friendly face. Here’s what else they said was selling:

(Click here to read what were the TDmonthly Top 10 Best-selling Christmas Toys of 2005.)

Thomas the Tank Engine Dinner Set by TREE TOYS CORP.

This 3-piece melamine set features a boy’s best friend: Thomas the Tank Engine, ready to encourage kids to get to the bottom of their bowls. Included are a plate, bowl and mug. It’s all durable and top-rack dishwasher safe.
— “One of our top-selling lines is Thomas the Tank Engine,” said Diana Glasier, owner of the Green Caboose in Stroudsburg, Pa. The dinner set’s a popular choice.
— Thomas the Tank Engine sets are also reliable sells at Calico Cat Toys and Games in Simpsonville, S.C., said owner Linda Marshall.
— Thomas the Tank Engine-related items are best sellers in most of the stores surveyed each month by TDmonthly Magazine.

Jungle Animals Melamine Dish Set by CROCODILE CREEK

This adorable 5-piece set includes a bowl, mug, plate, fork and spoon decorated with colorful giraffes and elephants. The plates are made of durable melamine and are safe in the top-rack of a dishwasher.
— “This is really cute,” said Denise Hoffman, owner of A Pocketful of Toys in Fallon, Mo.
— The Jungle Animals Dish Set is a popular dinnerware item at Becky & Me Toys in Glenview, Ill., said assistant manager Becky Sebert.
— Animals by Crocodile Creek also get eaten up at Capitol Kids Ltd. in Madison, Wis., according to general manager Jenna Hansen.

Thomas the Tank Engine Flatware by PECOWARE

The most popular tank engine on the planet is ready to feed hungry kids in fork and spoon form. The stainless steel flatware set comes boxed and ready for gift giving.
— Sherry Cannon, owner of Discovery Depot in Cookeville, Tenn., told TDmonthly that Thomas the Tank Engine was among the few dinner-related items she carried.
— Kids go for Thomas at mealtimes at Doodlehopper 4 Kids in Springfield, Va., too, said manager Gwen Bowben.
— Pecoware is the best selling kid-related dinnerware brand at Next Generation of Stoughton in Stoughton, Wis., said owner Bobbi Dickinson.

Thomas the Tank Engine Juice Box Holder by PECOWARE

Kids who don’t want to be seen sipping generic juices can flaunt their brand savvy with this nifty juice box holder featuring Thomas the Tank Engine.
— Kids are crazy for Thomas at the Green Caboose in Stroudsburg, Pa. Owner Diane Glasier told TDmonthly Magazine that she sells a lot of Thomas-related utensils, including this juice holder.
— Betty Quigley, manager of Grandrabbits Toy Shoppe in Superior, Colo., said that Thomas-ware is a good seller.
— Kitchenware featuring Thomas is available in everything from Aprons to Wedgwood, according to amazon.com.

Ladybug Melamine Dish Set by SCHYLLING

Cheery ladybugs and flowers are sprinkled across this tough little dinner set. It includes an 8.5” plate, 6.5” bowl, 2.5” cup and a fork and spoon that measure 5.5” each. All of the items are top-shelf dishwasher safe.
— This ladybug set is one of the best selling dinner products at Gepetto’s Toy Box in Oak Park, Ill., said owner Eric Masoncup.
— Decorated dinner sets for girls also do well at the Green Caboose in Stroudsburg, Pa., commented owner Diane Glasier.
— Schylling also offers a Ladybug Tea Set made of porcelain, for little hostesses who’ve mastered their manners.

Hello Kitty Dishware Set: Butterfly by SANRIO

Inspire little appetites with this cute melamine set. There’s a mug, bowl, compartment plate, spoon and fork in this set. It’s dishwasher safe, but please do not microwave. The gift box measures 11.75” x 14.75” x 3.25”.
— Hello Kitty can be found dining at the Discovery Depot in Cookeville, Tenn., according to owner Sherrie Cannon. She said the pensive cat represented one of the few dinnerware items she carried.
— “It’s very cute,” said Beth Howard, owner of Cat and the Fiddle in Jenks, Okla.
— Hello Kitty items are collected by little girls of all ages, according to retailers surveyed.

Guess How Much I Love You Placemat Set by STEPHAN BABY

Straight from the best-selling children’s book, “Guess How Much I Love You,” this placemat set comes boxed with a feeding spoon. In addition to artwork from the book, the placemat even has a water-filled channel filled with little floaties to keep baby amused.
— The Guess How Much I Love You Placemat Set is one of the better selling children’s dinnerware items at Grandrabbits in Superior, Colo., said manager Betty Quigley.
— A Guess How Much I Love You Feeding Set containing a cup, bowl, plate, fork and spoon are also available from Stephan Enterprises.
— In addition to the books, plush characters from the story can help make mealtimes less lonely.

On the Go Snacker (Pink) by STAR ELECTRONICS

From the popular Animal Snacker series comes this bowl and spoon with sounds that encourage eating. Children will be fascinated when they hear the sounds and see the flashing lights with every spoonful of food. The special bowl makes sounds when the utensil leaves the bowl. The removable bowl is microwave safe; bowl and spoon are dishwasher safe. A strong suction cup keeps the base secured to table or highchair. The set comes with a magic spoon. Replacement forks and spoons can be purchased separately. Three AA batteries are included. The bowl measures 7”L x 6”W by 4” H.
— “It makes noise and does well,” said Mary Dondero, owner of Cheshire Cat Fine Toys in Fort Meyers, Fla.
— This item is new from Star Electronics.
— It also comes in red and yellow and as friendly Animal Snackers Feeding Bowls.