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Chocolate Fix™ by THINKFUN

This game of deductive reasoning involves life-like candy play pieces. Players examine all the clues on the cards before making a move. Once they discover where to put a chocolate piece, they combine this knowledge with the clues to learn more information. Some clues give exact or possible locations, while others just give you the token color or shape. Narrow down all of the possibilities to fill each candy assortment. Challenges range from beginner to expert. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008.

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The DANO2 Ducki by DANO2 Designer Toys

Kids will pick the DANO Ducki over a competitor because of its cute and colorful design. Parents will pick the DANO Ducki because it is Phthalate-Free & made in the USA with medical-grade materials. Launch date: September 2008.

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Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook by HANDSTAND KIDS

Kids will learn how to cook simple, yet delicious Mexican dishes, while learning about the vibrant Mexican culture. Each book is packaged in a tortilla bag with an oven mitt. "Ingredients and utensils are translated in the intro so kid chefs get to learn Spanish," Handstand Kids Founder Yvette Garfield told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: May 5, 2008.

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Dinosaur Chess by MAZEOLOGY

This chess set features carnivores vs. vegetarians. Each dinosaur has a tag on the bottom of its stand giving its scientific name and describing its features.

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ScienceWiz™ DNA by SCIENCE WIZ / NORMAN & GLOBUS INC.

This 40-page science book and materials kit includes eight major activities that transform the study of central concepts of molecular biology into child's play. Kids can extract DNA from a fruit, probe and spool real DNA, build a double helix model, solve a chromosome puzzle (Is it a boy or a girl?) and play a gene construction game. A more advanced version is available for appropriate markets. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: 2008.

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Rolit by GOLIATH GAMES

The object of Rolit is to observe, block, and change the balls' colors to your own. The victor is the one who has the most Rolit balls in his or her color. The oversized game board, for two to four players, is perfect for tournaments and schools. The game takes about 20 minutes to play.

Paint-by-Number Kit by CRESCENT CARDBOARD


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This new "paint" by numbers kit consists of graphic designs with sticky backings and pots of brightly colored powder pigment made from recycled mat board. Kids simply dip their paintbrushes into the pots, then spread the pigment on the board to create a variety of bright and fun designs.

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Secrets of the Sea by PLAYROOM ENTERTAINMENT

This game includes a handheld light that reveals clues to the types of tokens needed to win the game. Launch date: September 2008.

Writer's Bio: ALISON MAREK is an award-winning writer, director and cartoonist whose work has been published by Fairchild Publications and DC Comics (Piranha Press), broadcast on Showtime and other cable networks, and viewed worldwide in film festivals. See her short films and print work on www.alisonmarek.com. Watch her nefarious villains in the web series www.MuggsMovers.com. Get inspired by her cartoons "Daily ARFFirmations to Unleash Your Inner Fido" at www.ARFFirmations.com. Phew! And then ...  Read more articles by this author