The job of a TDmonthly Magazine staffer is to analyze and evaluate each new toy that passes through our office. Some of them we write about; some we dismiss. Here are the ones we'd like to keep ... especially if we were still kids:
The patent-pending blankie-ball features an attached self-encompassing pocket to keep the blanket clean and portable for moms and babies on the go. The luxuriously soft blanket tucks inside the pouch and converts into a stylish and soft pillowy ball. There are six fun and contemporary styles to choose from, each with a different colored blanket inside. This product is extremely unique because of the pouch attached to the blanket. "No other blanket tucks into a ball for easy portability and cleanliness," Samantha Namboothiri, director of sales and marketing at Wagamama Baby, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 7, 2008.
The Original djubi™ by ALIQUANTUM INTERNATIONAL INC
djubi™ (pronounced joo-bee) is played with specially designed racquets and a distinctive ball called “the djubi”. To play, place the rubber loop over the launch hook, pull back and aim. When the ball is released it flies through the air at varying degrees of speed, distance and height, depending on the launch trajectory. The djubi is then snagged out of the sky in the deep racquet pocket. Playing djubi undoubtedly will take the tried-and-true game of catch to a cool, new level of fun and excitement for all. See video of djubi in action at djubi.com. — Christine Osborne, owner of Wonder Works in Charleston, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2010 that her store sells 36 units per month of the djubi. — In a March 2012 survey, John Taylor, owner of O.P Taylor's in Brevard, N.C., told TDmonthly that the djubi was one of his best selling outdoor toys.
New York City Subway Wooden Railway 42 Street Shuttle Loop and Terminal Set by FAY GRAPHIC DESIGN LTD.
Munipals' first train and track set is a great starter set for any subway fan. The set comprises two 42 Street Shuttle cars and 19 track pieces, enough to build ovals, loops, and straight shuttle runs over 6' long. Being the only IRT shuttle in the system, the real 42 Street Shuttle carries nearly a quarter million people every week. It runs on tracks only 20' beneath the street, with each of the three shuttle trains making an average of 360 runs each day.
This glamorous set includes a 58-page book, 17 sheets of patterned and shaded paper, beads, sequins, sticky jewels, glue, organza and satin ribbon and a bunch of tiny hangers for girls to hang their miniature fashion creations when completed. Launch date: March 2008. — “Klutz books have been steady sellers for us,” Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2008.
The freestyle vehicle features 3-wheel steering, action-decks and dual hand brakes, designed to propel riders without requiring feet to touch the ground. The highly maneuverable vehicle is extremely easy to learn and ride, and comes in a variety of colors, including red, pink, black and blue. This product received a 2008 NAPPA Honors award. Launch date: February 2008. — “Sliders are doing great,” remarked Terri Bracken, owner of Earth Explorer Toys in Zionsville, Ind., discussing her best-selling ride-on toys in spring 2009. — Four of 60 retailers listed scooters as their best selling ride-ons in March 2009.
ecoAngels Threatened Species Necklace - Blowfish by FASHION ANGELS
This necklace comes on a reusable card, and a portion of the purchase price is donated to a fund that protects animals and habitats. The back of the pouch tells consumers that the "blue speckled blowfish is slowly disappearing from the waters around French Polynesia where it is found." Launch date: 2008.
GIANTmicrobes Petri Dish – Stomach Ache by GIANTMICROBES
This smaller version of GIANTmicrobes comes three to a pack in see-through, Petri-dish packaging. "It has struck a chord with this community. I'm shocked -- I thought it was only going to be pharmacy driven," Dave Callahan, director of sales for Giant Microbes, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2008. Launch date: February 2008.
Poe is an Ugly Dragon. Ugly Dragons come from the Ugly Dragon Mountain. But Poe has left the safety of his caverns is search of his big dreams.The other day he had a big dream about a big scoop of ice cream. Chocolate. While most Ugly Dragons sleep all day and fly all night, Poe is more into cars, trucks, bikes, and anything that lets him sit down while moving. Flying is hard. You have to flap your wings around all the time! Can Poe roll with you?. — “The Uglydolls … have been very collectible for people,” Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly in August 2008. — “They're so popular because they're adorable, and everybody loves them,” said Shana Hack, owner of Moon Rabbit Toys in Santa Fe, N.M. “Their appeal just continues to grow.” — When asked about his top-selling collectible toys in summer 2008, Tom Levin, owner of Tom’s Toys in Great Barrington, Mass., told TDmonthly he sells an average of 60 Uglydolls per month.
Abalone is a fast-paced strategy board game that has sold more than 4 million copies worldwide. Players compete to push six of their opponents’ marbles off the board. The game can be learned in one to two minutes, and the game itself lasts approximately 15 minutes. Each purchase order comes in a carton of six games. This game is a winner of Europe’s Game of the Decade Award.
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.
Suitable for ages 18 months and up and designed for use in the bath, this 12” soft doll floats and is filled with polystyrene beads that dry after exposure to water. Tidoo is posable, has sleeping eyes, can suck its thumb, and wears clothing from the Mon Premier collection. — Of more than half of the 62 retailers that named Corolle dolls as best-selling dolls in their store in summer 2008, seven specifically mentioned Tidoo. — “The Calin and Tidoo styles are best for us, because an 18-month-old can play with them and be really happy,” Patricia Fiedler, owner of Child’s Play and Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., told TDmonthly. — Four of the storeowners that named Tidoo said their sales of Corolle range from 4 to 15 dolls per month.
Deglingos - Pikos the Hedgehog by GEARED FOR IMAGINATION
“Deglingos (deh-GLING-goes): common noun. Animalos molto funnios and muy crazios. A distinctive species of contagiously quirky animals, the Deglingos speak their own language, which consists of finishing many words with "os.'" Found living at the best shops in town.” Designed in France, these machine-washable characters stand from 8.5” to 11” tall and meet European (CE) safety standards. “The Deglingos are created from 48 different fabrics, which give them a stunning visual and tactile appeal. Specialty retailers will see repeat purchases on these items because of their collectibility, and they will be sold in no mass-market retailers,” Ryan Hamilton of distributor All New Materials told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2007.
Schoolhouse Naturals ABC Block Set by MAPLE LANDMARK WOODCRAFT CO.
This set includes 16 hard maple blocks that measure 1.75" and can collectively be used to spell more than 350 words. Each unfinished block features a letter, and its background has a detailed, laser-designed image of an object that begins with that letter — S for snowflake, for example. Launch date: 2008.
Made in Italy, Gymnic’s Rody Max is a favorite with children and adults. It is the same as our popular Rody Horse, but for kids and adults (ages 5 years and up). It is used to learn balancing and coordination while hopping on their Rody. Used in Therapy for special needs children due to its softness and ride-on qualities. Made of heavy duty, latex-free vinyl. Inflates according to size and weight of child. Is surface washable with soap and water. Rody Max is available in Orange, Red and Blue.
Handmade in Germany, this rabbit is created as close to nature as possible and is 7.1" long. Its exterior consists of high-quality woven fur and leather imitation. All KÖSEN plush animals conform to the highest safety standards. The materials, products and production are inspected by TÜV and meet all requirements of the European safety standard for toys, EN 71. Children may even keep this toy beyond childhood, to eventually pass on to their own children. The product received a 2008 Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 2001. Display Ideas: Group animals by natural habitat or geographical area.
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
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
