San Francisco, CA

Friday, December 10, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 10, Contact: Greg Walsh

Walsh Public Relations T: 203-292-6280; greg@walshpr.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – (December 10, 2010) - 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 unique guide to the Top Ten Best Products in 8 categories 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. She wants 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. Dr Toy spends a great deal of time reviewing a large quantity of products created by myriad manufacturers and designers. She makes sure 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. Dr Toy utilizes a complicated set of objective and subjective criteria to evaluate toys and other products. Some questions to ask are: Is the 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 special opportunity to share her extensive years of play and toy experiences with parents and teachers to assist them in the selection process. This timely report features information about the Ten Best focuses on wonderful new toys and products from large and small companies. The toys and products selected meet her 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 get involved in play select products based on the interests and needs of children, and ask questions about toys and products.

Following is summary of Dr. Toy's Ten Best award-winning toys and products in Eight Categories and the companies that make them grouped in selected categories of "smart" play. You can learn more by the codes and descriptions for each product in the summary and on Dr Toy's Guide www.drtoy.com where you will find many other excellent products across a wide range of types that match the interests and abilities of each child plus many resources.

Dr Toy's Ten Best Active Toys and Products – Carrera (Police Chase), GeoPalz (Kids Pedometer), Hallmark Cards (Interactive Story Book/Buddy), Hap-Pal Music (Learning in Two Languages), Int'l Playthings (Shop'n Cart), Maranda Enterprises (Rollors), Monkey Business (E-Z Bat), MGA (Cozy Shopping Cart), Music Together (Family Favorites® 2), North American Bear (Pet Doctor), One World Futbol Project (e World Futbol), Patch Products (3D Sneaky Singin' Sea Creatures), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Tangle Creations (Hairy Tangle Jr), Tot Talk (Let's Play Soccer Placemat).

Best Audio Visual - Discovery Bay Games (Call-It!), Juno Company (Day the Music Stopped), Little Pim (Spanish Deluxe Gift Set), Look Out World (New York Adventure Kit), Maestro Classics (Tortoise and the Hare), Music Together(Family Favorites®), PBS Home Video (Dinosaurs in the Snow), Rock 'N Learn (Phonics Vol. 1 & 2), Smithsonian Folkways (Sunny Day), Whistlefritz (Cha, Cha, Cha).

Best Creative -- Innovation First Labs (Hexbug Nano Habitat Set), LEGO Systems (Minotaurus), Safari (Fairy Fantasy Tea Set), Spin Master (Moon Dough Barnyard), Velcro Kids® (Royal Princess Castle), Waba Fun (Superstructs Custom Kit), Wikki Stix (Wikki Stix for Rainy Day), Wooky Entertainment (Block Crayon), Giddy Up!(Fuzzoodles), Yoshiritsu Co (LaQ Imaginal Hamacron).

Best Educational-Abligio Books (Best Multiplication Songs), b. dazzle (Dragonflies Scramble Squares®), Grasshopper Kits (Grasshopper Preschool Prep Kit), Hap-Pal Music (Learning in Two Languages), Learning Resources (Gingerbread Shape Sorter), Patch Products (3D Sneaky Singin' Sea Creatures), Pearson (Stay-on-Track Packs,) Sandvik Innovations (Jump into Numbers), Tier Toys (Animal Stackers Barn Yard), Wild Republic (Audubon Birds – Babies).

Best Games - Wonder Chess (WonderElla), Griddly Games (Chronicles of the Mind), Purrfect Games & Puzzles (Architectural Collection), Big Voorah Prod.(Staccabees), Blue Orange Games (Spot It!), Bright Spots Games (Feelings in the Wild-Bingo), Gamewright (Sounds Like a Plan), HABA (Domino Zippy Scooters), Kabongo (GoGo Kabongo), Pressman Toy (Animal Mastermind Towers), Volcano Video ( Volcanic Disaster).

Best Socially Responsible Products – Gestalt Institute of New Orleans (T'was the Night Before the Storm), Brainy Baby (Natura Nativa Learning Media), Corolle Dolls (Lou), Dream Big Toy (Go! Go! Sports Girls), Free Spirit Pub. (Going Blue), Playmates Toys (Hearts for Hearts Girls), One World Futbol Project (One World Futbol), Plushy Feely (Kimochis-Toys w/Feelings Inside®), Publications Intl (Record a Story), Free Spirit Pub. (Going Blue), Green Toys ™ (Fire Truck), Jade's ToyBox (Moody Foodie Mini Box), No. American Bear (Pet Doctor).

Best Technology –ATP Electronics (Sesame Street Video USB), Cepia (ZhuZhu Pet Wild Bunch), Chicco (Magic Window Talking Farm), Eye Think (Strobotop Light Phase Animator), GoLearn Toys (TimeBuddy), Hallmark Cards (Interactive Story Book/Buddy), Inspiration Software (Kidspiration 3), Learning Journey (ABC Melody Maker), Publications Int'l (Record a Story), WowWee (Paper Jamz).

Ten Best Toys – ALEX (Talk of the Farm), Bloco Toys (Velociraptor & Pterosaur), Bright Starts (Activi-Tree), Discovery Toys (Story Stacker), Goldberger Co. (Zip-ity Princess), MGA (Cozy Shopping Cart), Monkey Business (E-Z Bat), Rubbabu (2Skoolbus), Schoenhut Piano (Dog Piano), WowToyz (Deluxe Classic Train Set).

About Dr Toy

Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. is Toy Expert, consultant and author; former teacher, administrator with federal government in Washington DC; published 15 books including Smart Play/Smart Toys translated in 12 countries; approved first grant for "Sesame Street"; created first model childcare center for federal government; developed $2.5 M National R&D Program on childcare; in San Francisco in 1985 created San Francisco International Toy Museum; created valued toy award program, and in 1990 the first website on toys "Dr. Toy's Guide" www.drtoy.com and evaluations of over 4,000 developmentally appropriate, educational toys and much more.

Note: Interviews regarding the recommended best smart toys and play products can be arranged through Walsh Public Relations at 203-292-6280 or by e-mail to greg@walshpr.com.



1. 10 BEST TOYS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

ALEX Talk of the Farm EG ES FP 18-36 m $47.99 800-666-2539 alextoys.com

Bloco Toys Velociraptor & Pterosaur CO CP PZ 5-10 $19.99 514-940-8410 blocotoys.com

Bright Starts Activi-Tree ES OP TR TS TY 3 m-2 $11.99 800-230-8190 brightstarts.com

Discovery Toys Story Stacker ES FP TY 12 m-3 $20.00 800-341-8697 discoverytoys.com

Goldberger Co. Zip-ity Princess CP DO ES PL TY 1-5 $12.99 212-924-1194 goldbergertoy.com

MGA Cozy Shopping Cart AE OP TS TY 18-36 m $34.99 818-894-2525 mgae.com

Monkey Business E-Z Bat EQ OP TY 3-12 $15.99 503-242-1283 monkeybusinesssport

Rubbabu 2Skoolbus AE ES FP SR GN 6 mos-5 $19.95 888-720-3919 rubbabu.com

Schoenhut Piano Dog Piano CP ES FP ML TY 3-9 $105 888-414-2739 toypiano.com

WowToyz Deluxe Classic Train Set FP HO TS 3-8 $19.95 800-350-1007 wowtoyz.com



2. 10 BEST EDUCATIONAL PRODUCTS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

Abligio Books Best Multiplication Songs EVER! AE 6-12 $14.95 480-272-6063 abligio.com

b. dazzle Dragonflies Scramble Squares® BG 4-12 $8.95 800-809-4242 b-dazzle.com

Grasshopper Kits Grasshopper Preschool Prep Kit AC ES 3-5 $49.95 888-798-0013 grasshopperkits.com

Hap-Pal Music Learning in Two Languages AE CD ES 3-5 $14.95 818-794-9427 happalmer.com

Learning Resources Gingerbread Shape Sorter ES TY 2-3 $18.99 800-333-8281 learningresources.com

Patch Products 3D Sneaky Singin' Sea Creatures AE 3-7 $14.99 800-524-4263 patchproducts.com

Pearson Stay-on-Track Packs BO ES 5-12 $46.67 800-848-9500 pearsonschool.com

Sandvik Innovations Jump into Numbers BO ES 3-4 $10.99 610-975-3582 sandvikinnovations.com

Tier Toys Animal Stackers Barn Yard ES FP PZ 3-7 $29.99 770-733-1863 tiertoys.com

Wild Republic Audubon Birds - Babies ES HO NO PL 3-12 $7.99 800-800-9678 wildrepublic.com

3. 10 BEST HIGH TECH PRODUCTS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

ATP Electronics Sesame Street Video USB ES NO SW 3-5 $24.99 877-287-6900 sesamestreetusb.com

Cepia ZhuZhu Pet Wild Bunch AE DO FP PL 4-12 $9.99 314-725-4978 cepiallc.com

Chicco Magic Window Talking Farm ML TY 12 m-4 $49.99 877-424-4226 chiccousa.com

Eye Think Strobotop LightPhase Animator AC CP 6-12 $24.95 781-788-9300 eyethinkinc.com

GoLearn Toys TimeBuddy EL ES 3-7 $34.99 800-779-6206 golearntoys.com

Hallmark Cards Interactive Story Book/Buddy BO CP 3-8 $24.95 800-425-5627 hallmark.com

Inspiration Software Kidspiration 3 CP ES SW 5-12 $69.00 800-877-4292 inspiration.com

Learning Journey ABC Melody Maker EG ES ML TY 3-6 $24.99 877-839-3969 thelearningjourney.com

Publications Intl Record a Story BO CP ES SR TR 18 m-7 $19.99 800-595-8484 pilbooks.com

WowWee Paper Jamz TY 8-12 $24.99 800-310-3033 wowwee.com

4. 10 BEST SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

Corolle Dolls Lou DO FP SR TR 3-5 $64.95 800-668-4846 corolle.com

Dandelion Organic Toddler Doll DO FP PL SR 6-36 m $24.99 888-222-3053 dandelionforbaby.com

Dream Big Toy Co Go! Go! Sports Girls AE CP DO ES PL 3-12 $19.99 877-351-1031 gogosportsgirls.com

Free Spirit Pub. Going Blue BO SR GN 11-12 $14.99 800-735-7323 freespirit.com

Gestalt Institute T'was the Night Before the Storm BO 5-10 $15.00 800-786-1065 gestaltinstitutepress

Green Toys Fire Truck TS GN 1-7 $24.95 949-292-1331 greentoys.com

Playmates Toys Inc. Hearts for Hearts Girls DO ES FP SR 6-10 $29.99 608-767-1102 heartsforheartsgirls.com

Jade's ToyBox Moody Foodie Mini Box AC BG BO 3-6 $49.00 212-343-8881 jadestoybox.com

No. American Bear Pet Doctor AE DO ES FP PL SR TY 2-5 $35.00 773-247-9860 nabear.com

Plushy Feely Kimochis-Toys w/Feelings ES PL SR 3-8 $25.00 415-454-4600 kimochis.com



5. 10 BEST GAMES

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

Big Voorah Prod. Staccabees AE CO ES TR TY 6-12 $19.95 480-442-9799 staccabees.com

Blue Orange Games Spot It! CG ES TR 7-12 $11.99 415-252-0372 blueorangegames.com

Bright Spots Games Feelings in the Wild-Bingo ES SR 5-8 $28.00 888-301-8880 brightspotsgames.com

Gamewright Sounds Like a Plan BG ES 10-12 $19.99 800-638-7568 gamewright.com

Griddly Games Chronicles of the Mind BG CP ES TR 10-12 $12.99 604-249-5020 griddlygames.com

HABA Domino Zippy Scooters ES SR TY GN 2-4 $30.00 800-468-6873 habausa.com

Kabongo GoGo Kabongo ES GE SR 4-7 $7.95 866-420-9149 kabongo.com

Pressman Toy Animal Mastermind Towers BG 6-9 $15.00 800-800-0298 pressmantoy.com;

Volcano Video Volcanic Disaster CG SC 9-12 $15.99 888-458-7538 volcanicdisastergame.

Wonder Chess WonderElla ES TR TS 3-6 $19.99 800-725-2890 wonderchess.com

6. 10 BEST AUDIO/VISUALS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

Discovery Bay Call-It! BG CG TR 8-12 $14.95 888-385-2498 discoverybaygames

Juno Company Day the Music Stopped DV 3-5 $17.99 415-820-5112 junobaby.com

Little Pim Spanish Deluxe Gift Set CD ES NO PL 0-5 $84.95 212-675-1352 littlepim.com

Look Out World New York Adventure Kit BO TR DV 2-5 $19.95 201-266-6992 lookoutworldhereicome

Maestro Classics Tortoise and the Hare CD AT CD 5-12 $16.98 888-540-2811 maestroclassics.com

Music Together Family Favorites® 2 AE CD CP ML 0-7 $14.95 800-728-2692 musictogether.com

PBS Home Video Dinosaurs in the Snow CP ES SC TR 3-6 $14.99 323-956-5000 shoppbs.org

Rock 'N Learn Phonics Vol. 1 & 2 ES DV 6-12 $19.99 800-348-8445 rocknlearn.com

Smithsonian Sunny Day CD CP ML NO TR 0-12 $11.98 888-365-5929 folkways.si.edu

Whistlefritz Cha, Cha, Cha CD ES ML 1-12 $14.99 866-944-7859 whistlefritz.com

7. 10 BEST CREATIVE PRODUCTS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

Giddy Up! Fuzzoodles Fluffy Friends CP TY 5-12 $14.99 734-302-4444 giddyup.com

Innovation First HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set CO CP ES 3-12 $29.99 903-453-0800 hexbug.com

LEGO Systems Minotaurus BG CO CP FP HO NO TR 7-12 $24.99 860-749-2291 lego.com

Safari Fairy Fantasy Tea Set DH DO FP HO 3-12 $19.99 800-554-5414 safariltd.com

Spin Master Moon Dough Barnyard AC CO CP TY 2-4 $19.99 800-622-8339 spinmaster.com

VELCRO KIDS® Royal Princess Castle AC AE CP DH 3-8 $29.99 800-683-5276 velcrokids.com

WABA Fun Superstructs Custom Kit CO CP ES TY 3-10 $10.00 970-278-0468 superstructs.com

Wikki Stix Wikki Stix for Rainy Day AE CP TR 5-12 $14.95 800-869-4554 wikkistix.com

Wooky Ent Block Crayon AC CO ES TY 1-4 $16.99 877-966-5905 blockcrayon.com

Yoshiritsu Co LaQ Imaginal Hamacron AC CO CP 5-12 $84.99 972-436-3867 roboporium.com

8. 10 BEST ACTIVE PRODUCTS

Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# Website

Carrera Police Chase AE ES HO TY 8-12 $69.99 609-409-8510 carrera-toys.com

Exploramania® Exploracise® Gymathtics AE ES DV 6-8 $24.99 877-503-9756 exploracise.com

Funrise Toys Tonka Strong Arm Fire Engine TS TY 3-10 $24.99 800-882-3808 funrise.com

GeoPalz Kids Pedometer AE OP TY 5-12 $19.99 877-546-4803 geopalz.com

Int'l Playthings Shop'n Cart AE CP DO FP 3-12 $34.99 800-445-8347 intplay.com

K'NEX Light-Up Ferris Wheel CO CP TY 9-12 $49.99 800-543-5639 knex.com

Maranda Enterprises Rollors AE EQ OP TY 4-12 $29.99 877-287-8782 marandaenterprises

NSI Int'l Oglo Sports Super Basketball AE TY 6-12 $19.99 888-425-9113 nsi-int.com

One World Futbol One World Futbol AE EQ OP SR TY 2-12 $40.00 888-993-8826 oneworldfutbol.com

Wild Creations Strength Ball AE OP SC TY 7-12 $15.99 843-448-8880 wildcreations.com

KEY:

ac = arts & crafts

ae = active

at = audiotape

bg = board game

bo = book

cd = CD

cg = card game

co = construction

cp = creative product

cs = costume or accessories

do = doll

dh = doll house

dv = DVD

eg = electronic game

el = electronic product

eq = equipment

es = educational skill

fp = fantasy play

ge = game

gn = green

ho = hobby

ml = musical

no = novelty

op = outdoor play

pl = plush

pz = puzzle

sc = science

sr = socially responsible

sw = software

tr = travel

ts = transportation

ty = toy

Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. /Dr.Toy

Consultant/Author/Speaker

Dr Toy's Guide

San Francisco, CA

510-540-0111