Wednesday, September 28, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2011

Media Contact: Greg Walsh greg@walshpr.com 203- 216- 6101

TOYS FOR SMART PLAY: Dr. Toy's "Best Picks Children's Products for 2011" Award Report Now Available—More Smart Toys for Back to School, After-School and Holiday Gifts- Toys, Videos, Audio CDs, DVD's, Games, Books, Socially Responsible, High Tech, Active and Educational Products plus new cultural and green toys and other new, quality, developmentally appropriate educational items.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. - "Dr. Toy's Best Picks Children's Products 2011" awards announced today is now available to parents, teachers and others in the online magazine, Dr. Toy's Guide, at http://www.drtoy.com

"Dr. Toy's Best Picks Children's Products" Awards Program 2011 was developed by noted play and child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy) as a service to consumers who desire to purchase safe, affordable, educationally oriented, stimulating new toys and products for children.

"As a childhood specialist for over 40 years," says Dr. Toy, Director of the Institute for Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, "I have seen the continuous, essential need for more year-round resources for consumers to identify and choose the most appropriate, safe and engaging learning and developmental products for all children."

Dr. Toy reports that in the years the innovative on-line magazine, Dr.Toy's Guide has been available "thousands of visitors daily from around the world have easily accessed information." The site was the first on-line resource to evaluate toys and children's products.

The report, "Dr. Toy's 100 Best Picks Children's Products for 2011", is being released according to Dr. Toy to "encourage parents and teachers to focus on the value of play as essential to the learning process."

She adds, "Smart play products selected from many excellent companies across the U.S.A., Canada and other countries provide children with exciting new developmentally appropriate tools to help them do better in school, and also provide more constructive activities after school."

Dr. Auerbach believes "parents and grandparents need help to gain a head start locating new, diversified products that children will enjoy while increasing skills, enhance instruction, and expand imagination." The products balanced among large and small companies, range from low to high tech for "hours of active, creative, educational, and stimulating fun."

"Children learn best through play," says Dr. Auerbach, "and these smart new toys and products encourage children to maximize their potentials."

"This is a good time to 'take stock' and do an inventory of what your child is playing with, what is not used and what they need next in their development." adds Dr. Toy." Dr. Toy's Guide offers excellent ideas for choosing new products for use in learning, after school play and the holidays ahead."

"Dr. Toy's Best Picks " were carefully chosen as worthy of attention from among thousands that she has reviewed at toy fairs, catalogs, and through many other sources, and by using extensive criteria she has developed over many years. Among the criteria used are: safety, age-appropriateness, design, durability, lasting play value, cultural and ethnic diversity, good transition from home to school, educational value, learning skills, creativity, improvement in the understanding of the community and the world, good value for price, and, naturally, fun.

Complete information about these smart toys and products are included in the full report www.drtoy.com).

Dr. Toy selects products that include Toys, Active Products, Audio/Visuals-Video Tapes/CDs/DVDs, Creative Products, Educational Products, Games, Socially Responsible Products, CD-ROM's/High Tech Products, culturally relevant, green toys and more.

Winning products are manufactured by new, small and large companies from around the world including: B. by Battat, b. dazzle, Blue Orange Games, Corolle Dolls, Educational Insights, Fashion Angels, Gamewright, Hasbro/Playskool, International Playthings, Leap Frog, Learning Materials Workshop, Learning Resources, Little Tikes/MGA Entertainment, Peaceable Kingdom, Pressman Toys, Spin Master, Think Fun, Wham-O, Yoshiritsu and many others.

Dr. Toy's annual report includes company customer service numbers, web site URL, age range, price, and full description of each product and more. The award-winning, on-line magazine, Dr. Toy's Guide, features full color photos of each product, links to companies to learn more, interviews with and articles by Dr. Toy, plus hundreds of currently available Best Vacation and Best Green products. At this time over 4,500 products are included plus links direct to companies, toy stores online, toy history, "Ask Dr. Toy" feature, parent resources and much more.

Dr. Auerbach is the only Ph.D. evaluating toys and children's products with extensive training, background and over 40 years of experience evaluating, writing and speaking about toys and children's products. Dr. Auerbach is trained in education, child psychology, child development, and special education. She is a parent educator, consultant, parent and grandparent.

Obtain an easy access free copy of "Dr. Toy's Best Picks Children's Products 2011" at www.drtoy.com Dr. Toys Guide.

Additional Points:

• Dr. Toy's Guide provides many 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. All toys are donated to the US Marines Toys for Tots, and presents product and guidance information at selected events and on line on www.drtoy.com and on other sites.

• Dr. Toy is the author of Dr. Toy's Smart Play/Smart Toys to provide useful 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, Thailand, Turkey and the USA will soon be available in Egypt.

• 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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Alphabetical Listing of Award Winning Companies

DR. TOY'S BEST PICKS FOR 2011

Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (Dr. Toy)

# Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# www.

1. ALEX ABC - 123 - First Words ES TY GN 24-36 mos $25.95 800-666-2539 alextoys.com

2. Altered Images Des. My Star Rewards® ES SR TR 3-8 $34.98 425-516-6342 alteredimagesdesign.com

3. b. dazzle Ladybugs Scramble Squares® CG ES PZ SR 4-12 $8.95 800-809-4242 b-dazzle.com

4. Bag-O-Loot Bag-O-Loot CG TR 8-12 $7.99 603-528-3655 bag-o-loot.com

5. Big Time Toys Incredible Shrinky Dinks® Maker AC CP TY 8-12 $34.95 800-419-3810 bigtimetoys.com

6. Black Belt Goals Goal Bands Game CP EQ ES OP SR 4-12 $5.00 845-729-7335 goalbandsgame.com

7. Blue Orange Pixy Cubes AC CP 6-12 $15.99 415-252-0372 blueorangegames.com

8. Blue Orange Tell Tale CP ES FP TR 5-12 $12.99 415-252-0372 blueorangegames.com

9. Blue Orange Trigger TR 8-12 $12.99 415-252-0372 blueorangegames.com

10. BrickStix BrickStix™ CO CP FP TY 6-12 $5.99 414-502-7849 brickstix.com

11. Cabeau BlanKid Buddy™ PL TR TS 3-8 $29.99 818-745-5693 cabeautravel.com

12. ClickN Kids ClickN SPELL CP EG ES SR SW 4-8 $9.95 877-254-2522 clicknkids.com

13. Connor's Science Univ. Polymer Power AE CP HO SC GN 6-12 $17.95 800-883-7042 kitsforkids.com

14. Constructive Eating Garden Plate CP ES NO 2-5 $14.95 734-418-3241 constructiveeating.com

15. Corolle Dolls Les Classiques Cradle DO ES FP SR TR TY 3-5 $80.00 800-668-4846 corolle.com

16. Crorey Creations My Ribbon Barrette Maker AC CP TR 6-12 $24.99 866-693-2648 myfbm.com

17. Discover w/Dr. Cool Glow Rocks Science Kit ES OP SC TY 6-12 $39.95 855-437-2665 discoverwithdrcool.com

18. DuneCraft Bonsai Village CP ES SC SR GN 3-12 $24.99 800-306-4168 dunecraft.com

19. DuneCraft Hydroponic Fly Traps CP ES SC SR GN 12-12 $29.99 800-306-4168 dunecraft.com

20. DuneCraft Mermaid's Growing Grotto CP ES SC SR GN 3-12 $14.99 800-306-4168 dunecraft.com

21. Dynacraft Cyco Cycle AE OP TS 12-12 $99.00 800-551-0032 cycocyclecrazyfun.com

22. Educational Insights Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game™ BG ES 3-6 $19.99 888-800-7893 educationalinsights.com

23. Educational Insights Talking Electron Microscope™ EG ES SC 8-12 $64.99 888-800-7893 educationalinsights.com

24. Fairytale Wishes Sweet Dreams Spray CP GN 2-12 $9.99 847-687-4332 fairytalewishesinc.com

25. Fashion Angels Barbie Fashion Design Portfolio AC CP DO HO 4-8 $27.99 800-492-3237 fashionangels.com

26. Fashion Angels Monster Maker Machine AC CO CP DO 7-12 $22.99 800-492-3237 fashionangels.com

27. Fun Q Games Befuzzled CG 7-12 $13.99 401-762-1817 funqgames.com

28. Funrise Toys Gazillion Bump-N-Go Bubble Bug TS TY 3-5 $9.99 800-882-3808 funrise.com

29. Gamewright Knock Your Blocks Off BG CO CP TY 8-12 $15.99 800-638-7568 gamewright.com

30. Gamewright Splish Splash! BG TY 3-5 $14.99 800-638-7568 gamewright.com

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

32. Giddy Up! Stik Pics DRTV Kit AC CP TY 5-12 $19.99 734-302-4444 giddyup.com

33. Glow Crazy Distance Doodler AC AE BG CP EG 6-12 $24.99 888-524-4569 glowcrazy.com

34. Griddly Games Wise Alec Travel/Expansion BG ES TR TY 8-12 $14.95 604-249-5020 griddlygames.com

35. Gryphon House Budding Gardener, The AE BO CP OP 3-5 $9.95 800-638-0928 ghbooks.com

36. Gunamuna Gunapod NO 0-24 mos $29.50 617-851-3566 gunamuna.com

37. Happy Blankie Stomp the Happy Frog CP NO PL SR 1 mos-12 $48.00 440-545-2355 happyblankie.com

38. Hasbro/Playskool Transformer Rescue Bots FP TY 3-5 $11.99 800-327-8264 playskool.com

39. Imagination Int'l Pickles to Penguins Card Game CG TR 5-12 $11.99 905-338-9300 imaginationgames.com

40. Int'l Playthings Musical Super Skipper® AE ML OP 3-12 $34.99 800-631-1272 intplay.com

41. Int'l Playthings Whirl N Wear™ Charms AC CP HO NO 5-12 $24.99 800-631-1272 intplay.com

42. Jordle Productions Snapatoonies-DVD Series DV ES 0-5 $19.95 702-421-5924 snapatoonies.com

43. Just Play Cars 2 Talking Race Pals FP PL TY 3-5 $17.99 800-317-3245 justplayproducts.com

44. K'NEX DoubleShot Roller Coaster CO CP ES FP 9-12 $59.99 800-543-5639 knex.com

45. LeapFrog LeapPad BO EG ES SC SW 4-9 $99.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com

46. LeapFrog Learn to Write & Draw BO ES 4-7 $19.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com

47. LeapFrog My OwnStory Time Pad ES ML TY 2-4 $29.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com

48. LeapFrog Solar System Adventure Pack BG CP ES SC 4-7 $13.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com

49. Learning Journey Marble Mania Accelerator CO CP ES TY 8-12 $79.99 877-839-3969 thelearningjourney.com

50. Learning Journey Puzzle Doubles! 3D Ocean AC CP ES PZ 3-7 $14.99 877-839-3969 thelearningjourney.com

51. Learning Journey Shop & Learn Cash Register EG ES TY 2-6 $29.99 877-839-3969 thelearningjourney.com

52. Learning Materials Tavolino CO CP ES TY 3-8 $199.99 800-693-7164 learningmaterialswork.com

53. Learning Materials Villetta CO CP ES TY 3-8 $29.99 800-693-7164 learningmaterialswork.com

54. Learning Resources Pizza Mania™ Early Math Game EG ES TY 4-7 $24.99 800-333-8281 learningresources.com

55. Little Kids Bend & Pretend Foamstructure CO CP ES FP 3-5 $24.99 800-545-5437 littlekidsinc.com

56. Little Tikes/MGA Cupcake Kitchen CP ES FP TY 2-5 $39.99 800-321-0183 mgae.com

57. Manhattan Toy Parents® Jungle Pals Zebra™ PZ TY 2-6 $15.00 800-541-1345 manhattantoy.com

58. Metro Design Stacking Rings AE CP ES OP 1-4 $2.99 732-462-2001 metrodesignusa.com

59. MGA Masquerade by Bratz CP DO FP TY 7-12 $21.99 800-222-4685 mgae.com

60. MOGO Design Charms & Charmbands CP 8-12 $14.00 855-438-6646 mogocharm.com

61. Mrs. Pinkelmeyer Silliest, Warmest Bunch BO DO PL SR 3-9 $70.00 561-368-1783 mrspinkelmeyer.com

62. Patch Products Tales to Play Berenstain Bears BG CP ES SR 4-8 $23.99 800-524-4263 patchproducts.com

63. Peaceable Kingdom Hoot Owl Hoot AE BG OP SR 4-12 $14.99 877-444-5195 peaceablekingdom.com

64. Periodic Quest Periodic Quest™ BG EG NO SC 9-12 $39.95 424 235-1600 periodicquest.com

65. Pressman Toy Who's Riding on the Bus? BG ES 5-10 $15.00 800-800-0298 pressmantoy.com;

66. RedwoodVentures Defiants 4x4s Maximum Mayhem Playset AE OP TS 4-12 $39.99 855-876-8124 defiants4x4s.com

67. ReMarkable Reading DoodleMark CP ES NO TR TY 5-10 $8.00 855-436-6353 doodlemark.com

68. Rokenbok Toy ROK Works Construction AE CO CP ES 3-12 $129.99 888-476-5265 rokenbok.com

69. Royal Council Real Tooth Fairies Book Series BO FP SR IN 6-9 $19.99 910-509-0565 therealtoothfairies.com

70. Royal Council TheRealToothFairies.com CP ES SR IN 6-9 $5.89 910-509-0565 therealtoothfairies.com

71. ScreenLife Harry Potter Cinematic Journey BG EG DV 9-12 $29.99 866-383-4263 screenlifegames.com

72. Sensory World Active Imagination Activity Book AE BO ES OP 3-12 $19.95 877-775-8968 sensoryworld.com

73. SillyCreatures.com K-BEU Mom Pillow ES PL PU SR 1-12 $40.00 877-627-9688 sillycreatures.com

74. Skippy Dimpledot Skippy Dimpledot BO CP DO ES PL 3-10 $29.99 314-822-0833 skippydimpledot.com

75. Smart Trike Smart Trike™ Recliner AE CP OP TY 6-36 mos $179.00 866-998-7453 smart-trike.com

76. Smart Trike Smart Trike™ Zoo AE CP OP TY 10-36 mos $129.99 866-998-7453 smart-trike.com

77. Smart/Tangoes SmartMax CO CP ES TY 1-10 $79.99 800-542-6375 smarttangoes.com

78. SmartLab Toys All-Natural Spa Day ES SC TY GN 6-12 $29.99 866-319-5900 smartlabtoys.com

79 Spin Master Bizu AC CP HO TY 6-12 $5.99 800-622-8339 spinmaster.com

80. Spin Master Dr. Dreadful Zombie Lab AC CP HO SC 6-12 $24.99 800-622-8339 spinmaster.com

81. Spin Master Redakai CG FP HO SC 6-12 $5.99 800-622-8339 spinmaster.com

82. Style Paige Shallie Starter AC CP ES FP 6-12 $129.99 801-897-8854 stylepaige.com

83. Super Duper® Pub. Cool in School BG ES 4-12 $64.95 800-277-8737 superduperinc.com

84. Super Duper® Pub. HearBuilder Auditory Memory Software ES SW 5-12 $69.95 800-277-8737 superduperinc.com

85. Super Duper® Pub. Party Pup BG ES 4-11 $39.95 800-277-8737 superduperinc.com

86. Think-A-Lot Toys Think-ets Holiday Collection CP ES SR TR 8-12 $9.99 303-449-5142 think-a-lot.com

87. ThinkFun PathWords ES GE PZ TR 9-12 $19.99 800-468-1864 thinkfun.com

88. ThinkFun Snack Attack! ES GE 4-12 $19.99 800-468-1864 thinkfun.com

89. ThinkFun Tilt ES GE PZ TR 8-12 $19.99 800-468-1864 thinkfun.com

90. Thinkway Toys Happy Feet 2 Dancing Erik TY 4-6 $39.99 800-535-5754 thinkwaytoys.com

91. Thinkway Toys Laser Stunt Chaser TY 4-6 $44.99 800-535-5754 thinkwaytoys.com

92. Thinkway Toys Lots O' Laughs Woody TY 4-6 $44.99 800-535-5754 thinkwaytoys.com

93. Thinkway Toys Power Up Buzz Lightyear TY 4-6 $44.99 800-535-5754 thinkwaytoys.com

94. Toys'NTayls Wizarday! When Our Stuff Went Away BG ES SR 8-12 $25.00 888-869-7682 toysntayls.com

95. VC Distributions Go Anywhere Booster Set EQ SR TR 12 mos-3 $39.99 415-775-7009 aparentcompany.com

96. VTech Tote & Go Laptop EG ES ML TR TY 3-6 $21.99 800-521-2010 vtechkids.com

97. Wham-O Hula Hoop® Twilight Blast AE HO OP TY 5-12 $9.99 888-942-6650 wham-o.com

98. Winning Moves Go For Broke™ BG CG 8-12 $5.95 978-777-7464 winning-moves.com

99. WowToyz Microscope Set ES SC TY 8-12 $14.95 800-350-1007 wowtoyz.com

100. WowToyz Telescope 20x, 30x, 40x ES HO OP SC 8-12 $22.50 800-350-1007 wowtoyz.com

101. Yoshiritsu Pax56 AC CO CP ES 3-12 $37.99 972-436-3867 roboporium.com

102. Young Minds First Jigsaw Puzzle - Square ES PZ GN 1-3 $40.00 888-484-8094 youngmindsatplay.com

103. Your Baby Can Your Child Can Read! ES DV 5-8 $99.00 877-881-7323 yourbabycan.com

Key:

ac = arts and craft

ae = active

bg = board game

bo = book

cg = card game

co = construction

cp = creative product

do = doll

dv = DVD

eg = electronic game

eq = equipment

es = educational skills

fp = fantasy play

ge = game

gn = green

ho = hobby

in = internet

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