Award Winning Toys 2009 - The Best Of The Best!

Fish Stix Board Game

by: Peaceable Kingdom Press

Ages 6 - 12 years
In this visual strategy game, in which play progresses as in dominoes, players take turns matching fish by color and direction in which they swim.
As players draw a card with pictures of four fish, the goal is to match the fish cards and place them on the play grid. The images must match by color and by direction in which they swim. Cards must be played so the exact image matches touch. The first player to get to 10 points wins.

Young testers learned how to look for ways to build on a matching series another player had started, (an clever way to get 6 or 7 fish in a series at once) or to figure out how to get double the points by finding a card that lines up with two kinds of fish.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

One Up¿

Ages 8 and up
This is a commendable variation on four-in-a-row challenges. The playing pieces are ball bearings, each surrounded by a colored ring so players can identify their own four bearings as they slide them from square to square on the game board en route to the desired alignment.
Two special features heighten the interest of this game. After each player has completed one move, a "counter" is moved up a notch to number 2, which means that each player now completes 2 moves (either moving one bearing two spaces, or 2 bearings 1 space each). The counter moves up an additional notch after each turn, until 10. The second feature is that players are not restricted to moving their own bearings; they can move another player's bearing if it will help their own strategy.

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

International Playthings My first iPlay Games¿ Turtle Shells

Ages 3 and up
This memory game includes lots of hands-on activities that appeal to children: colored dice to roll, three plastic turtles with colored shells to mix and match, and 27 memory cards with pictures of the turtles. The object of the game is to collect the most memory cards. Start with all the memory cards face down.
Beginners take turns placing one card face up. If the card matches one of the three plastic turtles, the player keeps the card and switches at least two of the turtle shells; then it's the next player's turn. If the picture on the card does not match any of the plastic turtles, the player returns the card, face down exactly where it had been.

In the advanced version, each player first rolls two color dice. If the face-up colors match one of the turtles, the player gets to turn over a card and the game proceeds as before. If there's no match, the player's turn is over.

An easier version of the game (not included in the manufacturer's rules) would use fewer memory cards. The game comes with 27 cards (three each of every possible combination of turtle/shell colors). Removing one of each variation would leave only 18 cards, thereby reducing the game time and making it easier for players to remember the locations of fewer face-down cards.

Amazon Price: $14.59 (as of 02/09/2010)

MindWare Qwirkle Cubes

Ages 6 and up
Build lines of color and lines of shape with 90 decorative cubed play pieces. The six faces of each cube show a different pattern of the same color, and there are 15 cubes of each of six different colors. The game starts with each player drawing six cubes from the bag. The first player must play the most cubes that share a single attribute (same color or same shape), and then replenishes his hand from the bag. After that, players take turns adding to a growing grid with cubes that share the same attribute as the cubes already in that line. The superb illustrations in the instruction booklet show the sequential moves of four players in three turns.

Amazon Price: $18.94 (as of 02/09/2010)

The Wonder Forge Dr Seuss Super Stretchy ABCs

Ages 3 and up
In this Twister meets the alphabet game, preschoolers learn letter recognition while twisting, turning and stretching their limbs in all kinds of silly positions. Players are challenged to place their hands, feet, and even ears on different letters or pictures that accompany the letters as dictated by pieces dropped from the "Tornado Tube." Kids pick up letter game pieces for each body part they are able to successfully place on the alphabet mat and place them in their toy box. At the end of the game, the player whose toy box holds the secret letter wins.

Amazon Price: $21.14 (as of 02/09/2010)

Sassy Clarified Fascination Station Suction Toy

Infants and toddlers
An update of an old favorite, this high chair toy has a big suction cup to fasten on the high chair or it can be detached from its stand and used for two handed play. The bold contrast spinners are sure to attract visual attention and delight babies who love the power of toys that they activate with ease. There are two see-through balls with spinners inside and bright colored clackers that invite exploration by little fingers. 6 months & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

SNAP INFO: Finding toys that respond with a swipe of the hand is not always easy. This clever spinning high chair toy can be used as a hand held tether and rattle. Suction held toys often do not hold well. This one is better than most, thus freeing you from holding the toy and empowering a child to make it work. There is plenty to see, hear, and feel as balls and clackers with bold graphics and textures turn. Best of all, it detaches to become a two-handed toy to explore.

Amazon Price: $6.56 (as of 02/09/2010)

Sassy Fill and Spill Barrel

Infants and toddlers
Designed for one of baby's favorite games is filling and spilling, this see through plastic jar has colorful soft monkeys, bunches of plastic bananas and some plastic barrels for the monkeys to roll, stack, or sit on. There is no trick in getting the plastic pieces to clunk as they are dropped into the big barrel. And the neck of the jar is big enough to allow the objects to be dumped out with ease. Baby will need you to screw on the lid or unfasten it and play again. Once it is closed it has a carry handle that baby will like to use. Simplistic as this game sounds, it is really one of those repetitive games that little ones enjoy. Picking up an object and releasing it on purpose is no small feat for beginners. Save the shape sorters for later. This is on the mark for sitting up babies and young toddlers. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

Playskool Kota and Pals Monty T-Rex

Preschool and Early School Years
Despite his big teeth and ferocious roar, this fabric-covered dino made a huge hit with our preschool testers. Monty works by patting one of his touch points that will activate walking, roaring, chomping, etc. He not only roars, he sniffs and sneezes as he moves his head from side to side. He's one of those toys that may thrill or terrify...so you'll have to decide if this type of safe scare is right on target for your child--or whether this toy will end up at the back of some closet. Marked 3 & up, we think older kids will be more apt to enjoy this.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Amazon Price: $55.49 (as of 02/09/2010)

Pairs in Pears

Early School Years
A spelling game works better as a solitaire-style game than the rules it's packed with. It comes with four sets of letters, each with a different pattern. You get more points if you can make pairs of words with the same pattern. After the tiles are divides between players each plays with his own letters rather than attaching to a common grid. Your object is to be the first to make four pairs of words. There are a number of excellent ideas for using the letters with beginners that have nothing to do with playing a game, ideas that will challenge beginning spellers and readers. Frankly these extra games and others that you can make up are worth the price of the game. For example, pre-readers can be encouraged to sort the letters by patterns, looking at close differences. How many rhyming pairs can they make? How many three or four letter words can they make? Can they change the words they make with just one letter? The playing pieces are larger and easier to handle. They all fit into an attractive green pear shaped zippered bag.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

Bead Bazaar Bead Chests - Tulips

Later School Years
The newest of this company's decorative jewelry chests that comes with three drawers and a colorful supply of wooden beads for making necklaces and bracelets. The kit includes a good supply of painted wooden beads and charms along with stringing material. This kind of activity is not just entertaining, it develops fine motor skills as well as creativity. Older kids especially like art kits with end products they can display or wear or give as gifts. The chest will be a welcome decoration for a girl's room. There are other color schemes, same idea. A two fold gift that will have a life long after the beads are used up. 8 & up.
The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab

Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)

Liberty's Kids: Complete Series

Ages 7 and up
History comes alive in this excellent Emmy and Humanitas Award-nominated 40-episode, animated series about the experiences of two young teens during the American Revolution. Far more than a simple chronicle of the battles and major events of the American Revolution, Liberty's Kids tells the story of the cultural, scientific, political, and social forces that helped shape America's fight for independence from the perspective of two young teens from very different backgrounds. Sarah is a young English woman living in America who maintains a strong sense of loyalty to England and James is a printer's apprentice living the American dream, but feeling the constraints of British oppression. Working together on Benjamin Franklin's newspaper the "Pennsylvania Gazette," Sarah and James often find their interpretations of current events differ markedly and the pair constantly grapples with tough issues like slavery, self-governance, fair representation, and the role of women in battle and politics. The juxtaposition of the two teens' opposing viewpoints sparks spirited arguments in the series and inspires a fuller understanding of the complexity of the events and issues of the American Revolution for both Franklin's newspaper audiences and modern viewers. Another strength of the series is that legendary historical figures like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and Abigail Adams come across as real, believable people engaged in a genuine struggle to determine right from wrong and to act in the best interest of their families, community, and country. An amazing cast of voice talent includes Walter Cronkite as Ben Franklin, Dustin Hoffman as Benedict Arnold, Annette Bening as Abigail Adams, Billy Crystal as John Adams, Michael Douglas as Patrick Henry, as well as General Norman Schwarzkopf, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ben Stiller, Whoopi Goldberg, and many others. Bonus features include an interesting look back at the series with creator Kevin O'Donnell and others including executive producers Andy Heyward and Mike Maliani, story editors Doug McIntyre and Jay Abramowitz, and casting director Marsha Goodman. Also included are Benjamin Franklin's Newsbytes, Continental Cartoons, Now and Then, Mystery Guest Game, original pencil tests, a 40-page booklet with a historical timeline, and a pullout poster with a United States map. Liberty's Kids is highly recommended as great entertainment and important educational programming for ages 7 and older. --Tami Horiuchi

Amazon Price: $47.49 (as of 02/09/2010)

Laura and the Leprechauns

by: Amber T. Kingston

Amber T. Kingston has written and illustrated a beautiful, charming book that will entertain young readers for years to come. It is a timeless story of belief in Leprechauns and how a little girl s wish came true. The illustrations are beautifully drawn and the illustrator s ability to overlay drawings on photographs to help tell the story is enchanting. A technique that definitely enhances the book. It helps the reader become involved with Laura. The writing is age appropriate and has great descriptions and settings that are the cornerstone of authors writing children s books. Ms. Kingston has used superb dialogue that helps bring the characters to life. This story will touch your heart and leave you feeling happier after reading it. A gentle reminder that by believing, any thing is possible. Laura and the Leprechauns is a story that can be read any time of the year. A delightful book for children. Ms. Kingston is a new voice in the marketplace of children s literature. Don t forget her name as your child will want any further books from this multi talented author. -Cindy Oldham, Tide Dancer Publications --Cindy Oldham, Tide Dancer Publications

Amazon Price: $15.56 (as of 02/09/2010)

Hewitt's Guide to Slam Poetry and Poetry Slam with DVD

by: Geof Hewitt

(Excerpt)"Hewitt's Guide to Slam..." is a breezy compilation of text, illustrations, a DVD and tips on writing and performing. -- VT Sunday Magazine, Times-Argus Rutland Herald, April 25, 2005; by Stephen Morris

Amazon Price: (as of 02/09/2010)

Winter's First Snowflake (Mom's Choice Awards Recipient)

by: Cheri L. Hallwood

Here is a book for any child who has ever looked forward to the first snow of the year. Cheri L. Hallwood and Patricia M. Rose have created this exciting children's book where a child can have the first snowfall of the year any time of the year. This beautifully illustrated and well written book will be a treasure in any child's collection. ----Cindy Higham, Author of "Snowflakes for All Seasons"

Amazon Price: $11.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

Our Dad Is Getting Better

by: Alex Silver, Emily Silver, Anna Rose Silver

Ages 4 to 8
The children of this nation's 10 million cancer survivors, whose lives-just like those of their parents-have been seriously disrupted and forever altered by cancer, need thoughtful and engaging books to help them through the survivorship phase.This is exactly what Our Mom Is Getting Better and Our Dad Is Getting Better do.These books focus on what children need to hear when treatment ends-a message of hope and healing. Written and illustrated by three children, veterans of their mother's cancer diagnosis, these books are geared for children 4-8 years of age.

Amazon Price: $11.21 (as of 02/09/2010)

Adorable Kinders Rag Doll Mari, Made in the USA

Ages 3 and up
The Adorable Kinders are very high quality soft-dolls (true rag dolls). They are made in the USA., in Winter Springs, Florida.

The fundamental theme of the Adorable Kinders collection is an active group of kindergarten friends. Each student has been designed with a different personality in mind.

The name of each character begins with a unique letter from the English alphabet. 'A' is Alise, 'B' is Brittany, 'C' is Christy, and so on.

Children can sleep comfortably with Adorable Kinders rag dolls. They have been engineered for durability while eliminating the uncomfortable hard plastic parts that other dolls have. They are 100% soft cloth rag dolls.

Adorable Kinders rag dolls come dressed in a removable colorful outfit. The clothes are interchangeable from one doll to another.

Both the Adorable Kinders rag dolls and their clothes are all washable! Additional clothing outfits and accessories are available and may be purchased separately.

Each doll comes with an internet key-code that may be used to register online at the "Adorable Kinders eSchool". There children can play educational games that make learning fun (Preschool and grades K-6). When all of the games for a grade level are successfully completed, the child graduates to the next grade.

The Adorable Kinders soft-doll stuffing is made from non-allergenic 100% polyester. The dolls are approximately 18" (45cm) tall and weigh less than 2 pounds (.45kg). They are safe for children ages 3 and older.

Amazon Price: $55.37 (as of 02/09/2010)

Little Tikes Apple Grove Pals Farm Playset

Toddlers everywhere are invited to come join the fun down in Apple Grove, where innocence and imagination combine for great fun! The Apple Grove Pals Farm Playset is the centerpiece of this new-for-2009 line and includes three adorable Pals - Pig, Cow and Zebra, each with fun interchangeable hats. The Apple Grove Pal characters are young, which allows children to more readily escape into the world of make-believe. The Farm Playset has some exciting features for young hands, including a fun elevator and slide in the grain silo, barn doors that swing open, buttons that make farm animal sounds and more! The Farm Playset (and every Apple Grove Pals item) comes with a storybook that teaches children an important moral and social lesson, which plays an important part in a young child's development.

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

Crayola Undersea Adventures Color Stories

Ages 3 and up
Perfect for children ages 3 and up, Crayola Undersea Adventures Color Stories Interactive DVD is an activity DVD that tells three fun-filled stories of Jerome the Jellyfish and his lovable friends, while kids color along in the included coloring books; listening, learning and fully engaged. This is an activity that children can play in with siblings, friends or mom & dad. Fun and affordable, a unique randomization feature allows for repeated gameplay, and parents can even print out additional coloring pages from the DVD! Children will be having fun while also learning important lessons about following directions, taking turns, identification and matching skills.

Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

LEGO City Construction Site

LEGO(R) CITY is ready for the newest addition to its skyline as ground breaks on this construction zone! The delivery truck has just brought the walls and roof sections. Builders can use the mobile crane to assemble everything and get this job done. Working elevator helps the crew get into place and the digger makes moving around the site easy. Includes digger, truck, elevator, barrier, house and 5 construction minifigures. 898 pieces

Amazon Price: $104.99 (as of 02/09/2010)

Aurora Plush 14" Learn with Me! Activity Frog

Ages 2 and up
Aurora Plush Learn with Me! 14" Activity Frog. Aurora World is a premier manufacturer of gift plush, stuffed animals and soft toys. For 25 years, Aurora has brought you the latest trends and styles in the newest and softest fabrics. Whether you are young, or young at heart, you will love the soft and cuddly feel of Aurora's wonderful products. Give them as gifts to someone special for any occasion!

Amazon Price: $21.28 (as of 02/09/2010)

Ology - Germ Soap - Helpful

Ages 4 and up
Learn about germs by making them-in soap form. Easy steps to follow are outlined in a fact-filled instruction booklet. Fun to make and easy to use Great activity for ages 4+ with parent Makes 2 bars of germ soap

Amazon Price: $5.95 (as of 02/09/2010)

Scribble and Doodle Activity Book by Alex Toys

Ages 4 to 6 years
Activity pad of 75 pages, Creative way to teach colors and simple words, 8' x 8' (20cm x 20cm) spiral bound pad with 50 preprinted and 25 blank pages. Includes 8 finger crayons. Suitable for age: 4 year(s)

Amazon Price: $9.75 (as of 02/09/2010)

Green Science Windmill Generator by Toysmith

Ages 8 to 12
Learn about renewable energy!!!
Just add a plastic bottle from the recycling bin to the contents of this kit.

Kit makes a 5" generator that will power an LED. No batteries required.

Amazon Price: $10.02 (as of 02/09/2010)

Carrera USA Go, Disney "Cars" Race Car Set

Ages 8 and up
Experience the high-speed thrills of the hit movie "Cars" for yourself with Carrera's Go!!! Race-o-Rama. With approximately 18 feet of track, this racecourse comes with two 1:43-scale race cars based on the film characters Lightning McQueen and Chick Hicks. With twists, turns, ramps, and even places where the two racing cars can collide, it's a thrilling race from start to finish.

Amazon Price: $62.59 (as of 02/09/2010)