Ball Claw Storage System by K CONCEPTS LLC

The Ball Claw Storage System utilizes an innovative design to secure and organize balls of all shapes and sizes. Basketballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls are kept in place by the easy-mount plastic claws. When it’s time to play just pull the ball out and snap it back in when the game is over. The Ball Claw Storage System can also be used to display autographed balls. Launch date: January 2005.
Awards: 2012 - The Next Best Zing Award - Kids Category
— Kidzworld said a major advantage of Ball Claw is that it does not require the floor space of typical storage bins and boxes. Kidzworld noted that since each Ball Claw accommodates only one ball, however, the system may be impractical for large collections.
— Cheryl of Tidy Mom said Ball Claw would make a great Father’s Day gift. She recommended mounting a Ball Claw to the pole of a basketball hoop so the ball is always there when needed.

Dinotrux by LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

In Dinotrux, writer and illustrator Chris Gall tells the story of ancient times when ferocious half-dinosaur, half-truck creatures known as Dinotrux roamed the earth. Pushing and crushing, mixing and roaring, the Dinotrux are illustrated in monstrous detail through 32 pages.

— Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes found the book irresistible, explaining, “The premise that hybrid dinosaur/trucks used to rule the earth ignites curiosity, while the brief, expressive text all but demands repeat reading.”
— Elizabeth Bird from the School Library Journal absolutely loved the book. She found it to reflect a cheekiness and creativity that appeals to both kids and parents.
— Common Sense Media’s Patricia Tauzer said Dinotrux “will thrill any kid who loves trucks and dinosaurs.” She described the book as being “jam-packed with action” but cautioned that it is not educational; in fact, the Flintstones-style anachronisms may leave kids confused.

Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of Journey by ROCKABYE BABY!

With “Lullaby Renditions of Journey,” Rockabye Baby! tells parents “Don’t stop believing in peace and quiet!” Screaming guitars are replaced by pinging xylophones and croaking frogs to transform the power ballads of Journey into peaceful lullabies. It’s designed so that tots and parents alike will enjoy rocking out and dozing off to the sweet sounds of these rock classics.

— Kristen of Goodie Goodie Gumdrops found it “almost impossible not to hum along” while listening to the CD with her little ones. She found the transformation of the Journey songs to lullabies to be “spot on” and recommended the CD as an attention-grabbing baby shower gift.
— Even without kids, music blogger Nick Spacek of The Pitch enjoyed the CD, though he claims he “had difficulty making it through to the end without feeling the need to curl up.”

Kushies Fuzzi Nubbinz by KUSHIES

This multi-sensory activity toy for babies has six stretchy legs with numbers on the feet, features jingling sounds, and has a loop for attachment to bags or strollers.
— Does Mommy Love It? called Fuzzi Nubbinz “a lifesaver” for its ability to sustain the interest of a fussy newborn.
— The many play options provided by Fuzzi Nubbinz were attractive to Jennifer Leigh of J. Leigh Designz.  She felt that the toy’s ability to be stretched, jingled, pushed and pulled provided great tactile and visual stimulation.

WJ FANTASY - Shadow Books by BABALU INC.

These books each feature a 8” x 8” inch fold-out backdrop for the story, a 26-page book and flashlight. In each story, the flashlight is used to cast shadows on the die-cut pages with images of ordinary objects, the resulting shadow looks a little scary! Through storytelling and fun examples, the child learns that the shadows need not be feared. Comes in “Camping Out,” “Forest Fairies” and “Time for Bed.”

— Baby Loving Mama’s Emilie loved being able to show her children that shadows are not frightening. She warned that the cut outs may need a table or other flat surface to remain stable and create shadows properly.
— Renee of What Mommies Need reviewed the Camping Out book from the Shadow Books series. She applauded the book for teaching “that storytime is better when you use your imagination” and enhanced the experience for her son by reading the story inside a blanket tent. Renee also noted that the set’s flashlight includes batteries so it is ready to go right out of the package.

Writer's Bio: Peter Aoun is a communications professional focused on the toy industry. He has conducted research on the impact of music on learning, as well as the convergence of toys and technology to create new forms of play. Read more articles by this author