TDmonthly Magazine is happy to congratulate the dozens of honorees whose names appear on lists for this year’s toy awards. To find out what constitutes an award-winner, TDmonthly spoke with noted child development expert Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., better known as Dr. Toy (publisher of Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 2006); and children’s media expert Stephanie Oppenheim, co-founder (along with her mother, Joanne) of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio (publishers of the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Awards). We have compiled four pages worth of toys that have been awarded for their efforts. To read more about what Dr.Toy and Stephanie Oppenheim had to say, CLICK HERE.
Nursery Rhyme Book – Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by SASSY
Parents can sing along to the tunes of classic nursery rhymes with these books made of durable, washable materials. Three different modes give the options of singing, music only and off. Other titles include “I’m a Little Teapot” and “Rock-a-Bye Baby Dear.” The product won the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: January 2006.
Fruits and vegetables leap off the plate and page in this book of inventive food sculptures from award-winning authors. The innovative intersection of food and transportation will delight toddlers again and again. This book features out-of-the-ordinary visuals and fosters parent-child discussion. It is by Saxton Freymann and received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: March 2006.
In one hilarious pop-up extravaganza after another, one little boy who's looking for his mommy wanders into a cuckoo house full of monsters. They're all there: a mummy, vampire, werewolf...but no matter how scary these monsters are, there is no besting a little boy who is looking for his mommy. The book is illustrated by Maurice Sendak, with scenario by Arthur Yorinks and paper engineering by Matthew Reinhart. This book received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: September 26, 2006.
When her family's wagon hits a bump, Toby Littlewood is hurled into the sky and lands deep in the snowy forest. There she meets a prickly porcupine, an enormous bear, and a hungry cougar, among others. Cleverly, she talks each one out of eating her by offering up her fancy clothes. In the end during a competition, the vain animals chase each other around and around a maple tree, where they turn into maple syrup. This book is written by Anne Isaacs and illustrated by Mark Teague. It received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: October 2006.
Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by SCHOLASTIC
In the wake of the devastating 2004 tsunami, a baby hippo was left homeless. But, rescued by villagers, Owen the hippo found a new home in a Kenyan wildlife sanctuary. There he made a friend – Mzee, a 130-year-old giant tortoise. Although the two never would have been friendly in nature, readers can see heartwarming and adorable pictures that prove truth is more amazing than fiction. The story is told by 6-year-old Isabelle Hatkoff and her dad, and won the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: February 2006.
Sabuda & Reinhart Present Castle: Medieval Days and Knights by SCHOLASTIC
Two students of Sabuda and Reinhart, author Kyle Olman and illustrator Tracy Sabin, have created an enchanting experience as they take young readers through a majestic three-dimensional medieval world. An absorbing text and over 15 intricate pop-ups present a sneak peek into the various events that occur in a medieval castle, which include knighting ceremonies, jousts, feasts, and more. This book received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award.
This dog responds to 15 different commands, including “speak” and “lie down.” It received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for 2007. Launch date: September 2006.
Zoundz, a 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award winner, creates a fusion of self-composed music and a light show. Users can create their own riffs and fine tune creations with the mode switch, enabling adjustment of tempo, volume and echo. Each interactive “hot spot” lights up when a pawn is placed, and grooves to the music’s tempo. Color indicates music type, with red indicating sharper tones and blue reflecting softer sounds. “Zounds lends itself to a diverse audience….And as a speaker for any iPod, it has numerous traits that transcend toys,” Marc Rosenberg, chief marketing officer for Zizzle, told TDmonthly.” Launch date: September 2006.
Kids can have a blast with the Gigglator — the electronic voice and sound toy. Roll, shake, twist and slide Gigglator up, down and all around to distort 12 pre-recorded crazy sounds. Pre-recorded sounds include funny phrases, laughs, belches and wacky sound effects. Kids can even record and distort their own voice, music, or any sound. They simply hold the top of the Gigglator about 6" from the source of the sound and press the record button. Then they can Gigglate the recording! Shake, rock and turn to make the sound high and low pitched, fast and slow, or short and long. More than a giggle, it’s hilarious and simple to use.
This DVD version of Hullabaloo features 20 game rounds filled with surprises and allows children to learn about animals from all over the world. Kids can bounce, twist, and dance on the 16 colorful play pads, and watch stunning National Geographic animal footage. This product received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for 2007. Launch date: January 2006.
Oscar: The Big Adventure of a Little Sock Monkey by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS
When Oscar's best friend, Susie Green, forgets to bring the key for her pet rabbit's cage to the pet show, he embarks on an adventure of epic proportions. Oscar learns to read a map, navigates a city, and defeats a bully – all in a day’s work. Amy Schwartz and Leonard S. Marcus have crafted a sweet, funny story that proves that even little sock monkeys can accomplish big things. This book received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: May 23, 2006.
This reusable sand “plays like dough” and is ideal for sculpting and molding. It never dries out and can be used over and over again. This product was named one of the Top 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy. “Moon Sand is an amazing product. Its traditional play pattern combined with innovation sets it aside from any other product. Kids are able to mold, squish and create any shape they want,” Ashley Elborne of Spin Master Toys told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2006. — “They were all looking for Moon Sand [this Christmas],” Nancy Streeter, owner of Eureka Toys in Newburyport, Mass., reported to TDmonthly. “The manufacturer ran short on this.” — “MoonSand … they were sold out in the mass [market],” explained Deran Muckjian, owner of Catch a Falling Star in Lexington, Mass. — Six of 31 retailers surveyed said they’d gotten numerous requests for this product, which they didn’t stock.
Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Load & Sort Recycling Center by RC2 BRANDS
Kids can keep the Island of Sodor in tip-top shape with this recycling center. They can load paper, bottles and cans into the station, and discover what fun sounds they make as they’re magically sorted. This “Sights & Sounds” destination includes a hard-to-find vehicle and requires three AA batteries (included). It received the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award for 2007. “Thomas Wooden Railway is specifically designed to grow with a child by fostering creative and imaginative play,” Laura Mares, marketing manager at Learning Curve, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2006. — "For wood, it would be Thomas," was the endorsement given to TDmonthly by Shanna Frieling, owner of Giggles Toys & More in Bozeman, Mont. — "The wooden trains by Thomas...by far," was the comment on wooden toy sales provided by Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore. —"Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway is the perfect last-minute gift or stocking stuffer. Thomas Wooden Railway's deep product line offers a wide range of price points, from $10.99 engines to deluxe sets, and is always a welcome gift for any Thomas & Friends enthusiast," Mares added.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit by DREAMWORKS SKG
In this Oscar-winning film, Wallace the inventor and Gromit his sidekick, who operate the Anti-Pesto pest control company, are called into action when prized veggies begin to disappear before a local competition. The video won the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: February 7, 2006.
Classic Bébé Do in Moses Rattan Basket by COROLLE DOLLS
Corolle’s Classic 14" Bébé Do is dressed in white velour pajamas and comes in a rattan Moses basket complete with a pink and white ruffled liner. The soft-bodied Bébé Do features a realistically sculpted face, eyes that open and close and delicately tinted vinyl skin that is lightly scented with vanilla, a Corolle signature. Bébé Do comes with her own soft bunny, baby bottle and a small picture book with ideas of how her new mommy can take care of her.
Ready 2 Learn Giant Sea Adventure Stampers by CENTER ENTERPRISES
This set of 3-inch giant stampers is ideal for use with paint or inkpads, and is a great way for young artists to express themselves while learning various skills. Stamps in the set include a sailboat, fish, lighthouse, manta ray, wave, whale, sea horse, dolphin, shark and pelican. It was named one of the 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy. Alan D. Rozinsky, vice president of operations for Center Enterprises, told TDmonthly that the stampers have a see-through top for exact placement, comfort grip handles, a reusable, clear plastic storage case, and color-coded stamps and handles for sorting and storage.
Phonics Hip-Hop Featuring "Ah-Choo" by SING 2 SCHOOL INC.
Award-winning children’s entertainer Ah-Choo uses catchy choruses with melodic Hip-Hop music to teach the letter sounds, the short vowel sounds and the long vowel sounds. This CD was named one of the 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy and has been approved by the Parents' Choice Foundation. “Ah-Choo is the premiere children's Hip-Hop entertainer who produces both family music and educational songs,” Ronald Speed-Bey Jr., vice president of Sing 2 School Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2006.
Creative Movement for Children - DVD by YOURCREATIVECHILD.COM
This 43-minute DVD may be used to foster creativity, build self-confidence, promote good health and fitness, and help fight childhood obesity. Led by Bonnie Biolini Baxter, the program is designed to positively introduce children to exercise. “Children…are encouraged to directly participate in the exercises,” Edward Boilini of YourCreativeChild.com told TDmonthly. It was named one of the 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy and received Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toy Award of Excellence. A second volume for children ages 6 to 10 is currently in production. Launch date: December 2005.
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
Writer's Bio: Julie L. Jones has written articles for both newspapers and magazines. Before joining the staff of TDmonthly Magazine, she worked as a communications writer and provided editorial support for a market research company. Read more articles by this author
