PRESS RELEASE from Dr. Toy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 12, 2009
Dr. Toy Announces 100 Best Children’s Products of 2009
Your Guide to Finding the Best Toys and Children’s Products…An Opportunity to be of Service to Families and Schools
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – (October 12, 2009) - As a natural, on–going part of our work as parents, teachers, early childhood specialists, and others involved with children at home or elsewhere, we observe children at play. With our own eyes we see what works…and what doesn’t hold up under tough testing – the normal barrage of active, inquisitive, and resourceful babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children. This guide is offered to complement your observations and to help you in selecting the right products to enhance play and learning.
We make buying decisions based on lasting play value and product applicability to children’s active, creative, and educational experiences. We can depend on the durability and versatility of such items as blocks, construction toys, games, puppets, and transportation toys. They stimulate the imagination, engage the player, have value, and hold up over time. We want to apply these standards to all the choices we make. We often hear consumers describe their experience of making a purchase, but shortly after giving little Sally or Sammy the product it falls apart – a frustrating and expensive process. Products that do not meet safety standards can be dangerous and can cause harm to children. We want to avoid these problems and always strive for excellence. I spend a great deal of time reviewing a large quantity of products created by myriad manufacturers and designers. I make sure my selections match the criteria for excellence.
Certainly age grading, name recognition, company dependability, versatility of design, and place of purchase are factors to obtain the right product. Another aspect you can depend on is a warranty. Rising costs for products require us to be wise consumers and to get extra lasting value. Certainly durable products, properly designed, and developmentally correct are worth the money. Children’s positive reactions are worth the extra effort. I utilize a complicated set of objective and subjective criteria to evaluate toys and other products. Some questions to ask are:
- Is this product worth the price?
- Does it have lasting play value?
- Is it appropriate?
- Is it fun?
- Does it meet safety standards?
Dr. Toy is pleased to have the opportunity to share her years of play and toy experiences with consumers to assist them in the selection process. This timely report features information about l00 wonderful new toys and other products from large and small companies. The toys and products selected meet my high standards for design, durability, price, quality, safety, and value.
Dr. Toy reminds parents and teachers, “Let’s not forget that “play is children’s work” and should be respected and understood by all adults. We should be thinking: “What products or “tools for play” can we obtain to provide wholesome experiences for children and provide plenty of positive play interactions.”
Dr Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q. (Play Quotient) was written for new parents, and others who care about children, and is available in toy, book stores or on line. Dr Toy invites consumers to take the time to describe play and product experiences and ask questions about toys and products..
Following are examples of award-winning toys and products and the companies that make them grouped in categories of “smart” play.
Active Play – Carrera (Disney), Exploramania (Exploracise Gymathitics), Gamewright (Ring–O–Flamingo), KaZAM (Bikes), Kimbo (Smart Fitness Workout DVD), Leaping Legs (Up Down & All Around), MEGA Brands (Play N’ Go Table), Note to Health (Get Me Goin’), Play This Way (U–Play Mat), Sprig Toys (Dino Adventure Rig Playset).
Construction Play – Capriola (Laser Pegs™), K’NEX (Sesame St. Brownstone Bldg Set), UberStix/Patch (ÜberStix PirateShip), Learning Materials Workshop (Torno Torno), Citiblocs (Wooden Blocks).
Creativity & Art – ALEX (My Art Case), Creativity for Kids (FingerPrints Finger Painting Set), Delta No. America (Bubber Bucket), Educational Insights (Foamfetti), Fun & Function (My Favorite Travel Kit), MagnaPlay(MagnaKase Activity Case), Pipperoos (Sea Play Creative Drama Kit), Schoenhut Piano (Piano Pals), Toysmith (Butterfly Kaleidoscope), UberStix/Patch (ÜberStix PirateShip).
Creativity & Music – First Wave (Come Dance), Kids at Our House (and a Happy New Year), Master Communications (Animal Stories), Music Together (Music Together® Lullabies), New Hope Records (America), Rock ‘N Learn (Addition & Subtraction Rap), Sandman Records (Meltdown), Sprout Recordings (American Heroes), Swinxs (Swinxs).
Technology – Swinxs (Swinxs), Sabi (ItzaBitza Computer Game), Knowledge Adventure (JumpStart Pet Rescue for Wii), Learning Resources (Funny Phone), Goldberger Co. (Comfort Kids™ Belly Brites), Comfy® (Easy PC), Funrise Toys (Tonka Strong Arm), Drumwell (GeoSafari World), Chicco (Talking Vacation Car).
Language/Learning/Math & Reading Readiness – Math Tutor (Young Minds–Numbers & Counting), Rock ‘N Learn (Addition & Subtraction Rap), DreamBox Learning (DreamBox Learning K–2 Math), aha!Chinese (Let’s Go Guang!), Brain Party (MathMosisMania Game), Edupress (Science Lab Earth Science Game), Elmer’s Products (Mythbusters Weird Water World), Int’l Playthings (Wild Science Ant–O–Sphere), OWI (6 in 1 Educational Solar Kit), Precision Math (Spoils of Civilization), Risas y Sonrisas (Spanish Program for Kids), Your Baby Can (Your Baby Can Read! Deluxe Kit), Zillio (Zillio Mini Mountain), Jeezle Pete’s (Triviathon), Kid 2020(Money Matters), Smarterville (Learn to Read).
Puzzles & Logical Thinking Games – b. dazzle (Salmon Scramble Squares® Puzzle), Blue Orange Games (YAMSLAM), Cadaco (QuadDoku), Carson–Dellosa (Color & Shapes Robot Race), Creativity Hub (Rory’s Story Cubes®), Game Whys (Paradice), Hallmark (Play With Your Food), I Can Do That! (Dr. Seuss Stretchy ABC Game), Peaceable Kingdom (Fish Stix Game), Playroom Entertainment (Ligretto), Pressman Toy (Rummikub Kids Edition), Twin Sisters (Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle).
Social & Dramatic Play – Pipperoos (Sea Play Creative Drama Kit), Wild Republic (Morphs), Folkmanis (Pack Rat Puppet), Green Toys (Recycle Truck), Granza (Adorable Kinders Rag Doll).
Socially Responsible Products – b. dazzle (Salmon Scramble Squares), Baby Genius® (Baby Genius Pet Care Center), Black Belt Goals (Goal Bands Game), Bright Spots Games (Thoughts and Feelings), Charlie’s Playhouse (Giant TimeLine), Green Toys (Recycling Truck), Innovative Toys (ScareMeNots), Kubit2me (Lil’ Scholars Edition), Mindlogic (Consensus® Jr. Ed.), Moody Bands (Moody Bands).
Ten Best Toys – BuckleyBoo (BuckleyLion), Chicco (Talking Vacation Car), Drumwell (GeoSafari World), Folkmanis (Pack Rat Puppet), Funrise Toys (Tonka Strong Arm), Granza (Adorable Kinders Rag Doll), Learning Journey (Cash Cow), Learning Materials Workshop (Torno Torno), Twin Sisters (Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle), Wild Republic (Morphs).
And many more wonderful smart toys and children’s products including Corwin (Hands–On Learning!), Emotes by Everglow (Bubba Plush), EOSGAME (Leaves), Ezyroller (EzyRoller), Idea Storm Products (Yamodo Partytime), Ideopolis (Alphabotz Cards), O Yeah Toys (Amflipian), Tangle Creations (Learning with Tangle Brain Tools), and others.
Products List
| Image | Company | Item | Type(s) | Ages | Price | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Company | Item | Type(s) | Ages | Price | Phone |
 |
aha!Chinese | Let's Go Guang! | bo cg es ml tr dv | 2-8 | 49.95 | 415.272.7618 |
 |
ALEX | My Art Case | ac cp tr | 4-7 | 19.99 | 800.666.2539 |
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b. dazzle | Salmon Scramble Squares | bg cg es no pz tr | 4-12 | 8.95 | 800.809.4242 |
 |
Baby Genius® | Baby Genius Pet Care Center | ae at cd cp es fp ml ty | 2-5 | 18.00 | 646.354.4510 |
 |
Black Belt Goals | Goal Bands Game | ae bo cp eq es op sr tr gn | 4-12 | 5.00 | 845.729.7335 |
 |
Blue Orange Games | YAMSLAM | bg es tr | 8-12 | 19.99 | 415.252.0372 |
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Brain Party | MathMosisMania Game & Number Chart | bg es | 6-12 | 29.95 | 877.220.6284 |
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Bright Spots Games | Thoughts and Feelings | cg cp es | 6-12 | 19.95 | 888.301.8880 |
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BuckleyBoo | BuckleyLion | es ty | 15 m-4 y | 29.99 | 800.277.5872 |
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Cadaco | Quad Doku | bg es pz | 8-12 | 12.99 | 800.621.5426 |
 |
Capriola | Laser Pegs™ | co cp pz sc | 7-12 | 37.95 | 866.432.3735 |
 |
Carrera | Disney CARS | ae es ho ty | 8-12 | 89.99 | 609.409.8510 |
 |
Carson-Dellosa | Color & Shapes Robot Race | bg es | 4-7 | 24.95 | 800.321.0943 |
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Cepia | Zhu Zhu Pets | ae co cp fp pl ty | 4-12 | 7.99 | 800.225.9319 |
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Charlie's Playhouse | Giant Timeline | ae bg sc ty gn | 4-10 | 49.99 | 401.334.4589 |
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Chicco | Talking Vacation Car | es tr ts ty | 18 m-36 m | 49.99 | 877.424.4226 |
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Citiblocs | Red/Blue Wood Blocks | co cp es sr gn | 3-12 | 16.95 | 813.769 9462 |
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Comfy® | Easy PC | cp eg es ml sw | 1-6 | 69.99 | 201.797.6611 |
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Corolle Dolls | Bebe Tresor | do fp sr ty | 2-6 | 70.00 | 800.668.4846 |
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Corwin | Hands-On Learning! | bo es | 3-6 | 23.95 | 800.233.9936 |
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Creativity for Kids | Finger Prints Finger Painting Set | ac cp | 3-5 | 21.99 | 800.311.8684 |
 |
Creativity Hub | Rory's Story Cubes® | cp es ho pz tr | 6-12 | 20.00 | +44 (0)28.9050.3 |
 |
Delta No. America | Bubber Bucket | ac cp es ty | 4-12 | 12.95 | 970.278.0468 |
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DreamBox Learning | DreamBox Learning K-2 Math | eg es sw | 5-7 | 12.95 | 877.451.7845 |
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Drumwell Ltd | GeoSafari World | ae eg es sr | 8-12 | 59.99 | 909.985.0889 |
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Educational Insights | Foamfetti | ac es ge | 5-12 | 24.99 | 800.995.4436 |
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Edupress | Science Lab Science Game | bg es sc | 7-10 | 21.95 | 800.835.7978 |
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Elmer's Products | Mythbusters Weird Water World | sc | 9-11 | 19.99 | 888.435.6377 |
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Emotes by Evergrow | Emotes Plush Series | es pl sr ty | 3-12 | 19.95 | 310.395.7318 |
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EOSGAME | Leaves | ae bg cg es sr gn | 10-12 | 34.95 | 209.817.2458 |
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Exploramania® | Exploracise® Gymathtics | ae dv | 5-12 | 24.99 | 877.503.9756 |
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Ezyroller | EzyRoller | ae op ts | 3-12 | 99.00 | 866.713.8007 |
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First Wave | Come Dance With Us | ae at cd cp es ml sc sr tr | 2-6 | 12.99 | 212.787.4717 |
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Folkmanis | Pack Rat Puppet | cp fp pl pu tr ty | 3-8 | 21.99 | 800.654.8922 |
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Fun & Function | My Favorite Travel Kit | ac cp es tr | 3-9 | 39.99 | 800.231.8329 |
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Funrise Toys | Tonka Strong Arm | ts | 3-9 | 24.00 | 800.882.3802 |
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Games for Competitors | Tri-Cross | bg | 10-12 | 24.95 | 770.452.7987 |
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GameWhys | Paradice | cg cp es sr ty gn | 9-12 | 12.95 | 650.843.1536 |
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Gamewright | Ring-O-Flamingo | es | 6-12 | 25.99 | 800.638.7568 |
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Goldberger Co. | Comfort Kids™ Belly Brites | do ty | 18 m-3 y | 14.99 | 212.924.1194 |
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Granza | Adorable Kinders Rag Doll-Alise | do es fp pl sw ty | 3-7 | 59.99 | 800.393.7660 |
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Green Toys | Recycling Truck | op ts gn | 3-9 | 24.99 | 415.839.9971 |
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Hallmark | Play With Your Food | bg cp | 5-12 | 19.95 | 800.425.5627 |
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I Can Do That! Games | Dr. Seuss Stretchy ABC Game | bg cp | 3-8 | 16.99 | 206.686.9686 |
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Idea Storm Products | Yamodo Partytime | bg cp es ty | 9-12 | 29.95 | 443.255.4792 |
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Ideopolis | Alphabotz Superphonic | cg cp es ty | 3-7 | 19.95 | 225.663.6012 |
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Innovative Toys | ScareMeNots | pl ty | 3-10 | 24.99 | 978.835.7030 |
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Inspiration Software | Kidspiration® | es sw | 4-12 | 69.00 | 800.877.4292 |
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Int'l Playthings | Wild Science Ant-O-Sphere | es sc ty | 6-12 | 49.99 | 800.445.8347 |
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Jeezle Pete's | Triviathon | ae bg cp es | 8-12 | 29.99 | 513.265.2939 |
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K'NEX | Sesame St. Brownstone Bldg | co cp ty | 2-12 | 19.99 | 800.543.5639 |
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KaZAM Bikes | Kazam | ae eq op sr ty | 2-6 | 99.95 | 757.217.8309 |
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Kid 2020 | Money Matters DVD | dv | 2-8 | 19.95 | 800.839.6339 |
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KIDdesigns | Transformers Autobot Laptop | eg es tr ts | 5-8 | 29.99 | 888.867.8697 |
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Kids at Our House | ...and a Happy New Year | cd | 4-12 | 15.95 | 877.986.6286 |
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Kimbo | Smart Fitness Workout DVD | ae es ml dv | 4-9 | 19.95 | 800.631.2187 |
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Knowledge Adventure | JumpStart Pet Rescue for Wii | ae cd cp es fp vg dv | 3-6 | 39.99 | 800.545.7677 |
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Kubit2me | Lil' Scholars Edition | es ge sr | 3-6 | 19.99 | 888.686.7748 |
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LeapFrog | Tag Junior | bo es sw ty | 2-4 | 34.99 | 800.701.5327 |
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Leaping Legs | Up Down & All Around | ae cp ml dv | 2-6 | 19.95 | 860.530.1574 |
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Learning Journey | Cash Cow | eg es ty | 5-9 | 24.99 | 877.839.3969 |
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Learning Materials | Torno Torno | co cp es sc sr ty | 2-5 | 49.99 | 800.693.7164 |
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Learning Resources | Funny Phone | eg es ty | 4-12 | 34.99 | 888.590.5210 |
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MagnaPlay | MagnaKase Activity Case | ac cp ty gn | 3-8 | 24.99 | 858.356.9069 |
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Master Comm | Animal Stories (BookBox Series) | es dv | 3-6 | 24.95 | 800.765.5885 |
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Math Tutor | Young Minds-Numbers & Counting | es dv | 0 m-3 y | 19.99 | 877.628.4383 |
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MEGA Brands | Play N' Go Table | ae co es tr ty | 1-3 | 39.99 | 800.465.6342 |
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MGA | BFC Ink, 18" Doll | ac cp do es fp ty | 6-12 | 39.99 | 800.222.4685 |
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Mind Candy | Moshi Monsters | cp es fp pz ty vg | 7-12 | 5.95 | 888.311.9576 |
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Mindlogic | Consensus® Jr. Ed. | bg cp es sr tr | 7-12 | 24.95 | 888.601.7387 |
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Moody Bands | Moody Bands | cp es no sr tr ty | 5-12 | 12.99 | 503.380.5166 |
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Music Together | Music Together® Lullabies | cd | 0 m-6 y | 14.95 | 800.728.2692 |
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New Hope Records | America | cd ml sr | 2-12 | 14.98 | 516.466.6040 |
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Note to Health | Get Me Goin' | ae cd cp ml no sc sr gn | 6-8 | 19.95 | 917.497.4248 |
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O Yeah Toys | Amflipian | ac cp fp pl ty | 5-12 | 29.95 | 415.312.0873 |
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OWI | 6 in 1 Educational Solar Kit | co cp sc | 10-12 | 19.95 | 800.638.1694 |
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Peaceable Kingdom | Fish Stix Game | bg es | 6-12 | 15.00 | 877.444.5195 |
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Pipperoos | Sea Play Creative Drama Kit | ae bo cp cs es fp sr ty | 3-8 | 28.00 | 888.404.8149 |
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Play This Way | U-Play Mat | cp es ty | 1-5 | 49.00 | 888.400.5740 |
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Playroom Ent. | Ligretto | cg es | 9-12 | 12.00 | 866.999.9654 |
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Precision Mathematics | Spoils of Civilization | bg es | 9-12 | 24.99 | 516.457.6258 |
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Pressman Toy | Rummikub Kids Edition | bg es | 4-7 | 15.00 | 800.800.0298 |
 |
Publications Intl | 100 Sounds Book | ae bo cg cp tr ty | 3-5 | 14.99 | 800.595.8484 |
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Risas y Sonrisas Spanish for Kids | Spanish Program for Kids | bo es sw dv | 6-12 | 45.00 | 888.777.0776 |
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Rock 'N Learn | Addition & Subtraction Rap DVD | es dv | 6-12 | 19.99 | 800.348.8445 |
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Sabi Inc | ItzaBitza Computer Game | cp es sr sw | 4-8 | 19.99 | 206.426.6232 |
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Sandman Records | Meltdown | cd ml sr tr | 4-12 | 12.98 | 805.565.5524 |
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Schoenhut Piano | Piano Pals | es ml ty | 3-5 | 129.99 | 888.414.2739 |
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ScreenLife | Ice Age: The DVD Game | bg es dv | 6-12 | 19.99 | 866.383.4263 |
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Smarterville | Learn to Read | bo es dv | 3-8 | 299.95 | 800.532.3607 |
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Sprig Toys | Dino Adventure Rig Playset | fp ts ty gn | 3-6 | 29.99 | 970.472.0321 |
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Sprout Recordings | American Heroes #3 | cd cp es ml sr tr | 6-12 | 13.98 | 800.577.7688 |
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Swinxs | Swinxs | ae cg cp eg es ml op sc sr sw tr | 4-10 | 150.00 | 415.989.9803 |
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Tangle Creations | Learning with Tangle Brain Tools | bo cp es | 5-12 | 20.00 | 888.829.3808 |
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Toysmith | Butterfly Kaleidoscope | cp no ty | 3-12 | 8.50 | 800.356.0474 |
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Twin Sisters | Alphabet Train Floor Puzzle | at bo cd cp ty | 4-8 | 14.99 | 800.248.8946 |
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UberStix/Patch | ÜberStix PirateShip | ae co cp es ty gn | 7-12 | 15.00 | 800.524.4263 |
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Wild Republic | Morphs | co cp es ty | 6-8 | 15.00 | 800.800.9678 |
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Your Baby Can | Your Baby Can Read! Deluxe Kit | bo cd dv | 0 m-5 y | 199.95 | 888.732.3888 |
 |
Zillio | Zillio Mini Mountain | bg es ty | 4-12 | 99.95 | 650.260.2276 |
Additional Points:
- Dr. Toy’s Guide provides many related useful sites and resources on play, toys and parenting.
- Dr. Toy presents newest products to parents and teachers around the world. Dr. Toy throughout the year writes, speaks and shares insights about the importance of learning through her book, Smart Play/Smart Toys. She contributes all toys to the U.S Marines Toys for Tots, and presents product and guidance information at selected events and on line on www.drtoy.com and other sites.
- Dr. Toy is the author of Dr. Toy's Smart Play/Smart Toys to provide tools to parents to enhance their child's P.Q (Play Quotient). The book, published in China, Croatia, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey and Thailand will soon be available in other countries.
- Interviews with and about Dr. Toy have appeared in newspapers, magazines, radio and TV across the country, in Canada, Germany, Japan, Spain and around the world.
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Interviews regarding the book and/or the smart toys and products can be arranged with
Greg Walsh 203- 216- 6101 Greg@walshpr.com Full information on products on www.drtoy.com
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