July 5, 2009 12:42:10 AM
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Recent Reviews: Name: Pentago CECompany: MINDTWISTER USA Age: 6 and up Price: $19.95 Category: Puzzles & Skill What Is It: Pentago CE is a two-player, portable strategy game in which the goal is to be the first player to create a row of five marbles. The twist is that after a player places a marble, he or she also rotates one of the four squares that make up the game board, 90 degrees in any direction. The game comes with black and white marbles. What We Thought: Pentago is so intuitive players can begin a game without even reading the directions, and its sleek design and simple concept make it immediately attractive. The more one plays it or watches a game of Pentago, the more its nuances are revealed. One reviewer found it reminiscent of an extended tic-tac-toe game, and a little weak on the defensive end — not as well developed in the area of giving players opportunity to directly interrupt their opponent by, say, knocking out an opponent’s piece or issuing some kind of trump card-like counter attack. He appreciated, however, elements that other players applauded, too: the simple rules, quick play, and opportunity for extended matches. “I like Pentago specifically because it’s not too hard, so it has a wider appeal with non-geeks,” another reviewer commented. One player noted that Pentago features the long-term planning of chess but without the complexity. And, it seems the simplicity of the game gives a novice a greater chance of beating an expert than games like Othello or Tannhauser do. Why They’ll Want It: As one reviewer noted, “This is one of the most elegant [strategy games] I’ve ever seen.” The sophisticated design, “twist” play, portability and easy-to-learn rules are all pluses for Pentago CE, as is the fact that it can be effectively covered in mid-play so opponents can return to a game later on, if need be. Also, since a game can be played in just five minutes, it maintains a rapid-fire pace that keeps players from getting too discouraged when they make mistakes. — Julie L. Jones, 5/29/09 Learn more about Pentago CE Name: Crayola® Art StudioCompany: CORE LEARNING Age: 4 and up Price: $24.95 Category: Software What It Is: Crayola Art Studio is a software program that lets children draw and paint with digital art tools, then edit their creations using special features. It includes 12 realistic art tools, hundreds of preset colors, undo and redo options so kids are free to experiment, and hundreds of images that can be used to practice digital editing techniques. Kids can save and print their work, and even design decorations and greeting cards. What We Thought: “Crayola Art Studio is a great tool for developing young minds in art,” wrote an 8-year-old girl who reviewed this product. She observed that some tools, like pencils, are thin, some tools, such as the tempera paint and slick stick, don´t have much of a difference, and other tools, such as oil pastels and markers, are very different. She especially enjoying zooming in on images to see the pixels, and felt like kids could easily create an entire art gallery with the elements available in this program. Her younger sister, 5, most enjoyed using one tool with the symmetry feature that shows a mirror image of the artist’s drawing. Stamps can be added to pictures and shapes, too. Why They’ll Want It: Aside from parental help when installing the program and saving artwork, the children were able to navigate and enjoy Crayola Art Studio on their own. Although they wished the program would allow them to animate images, overall, they said they prefer Crayola Art Studio to Kid Pix by Software Mackiev because of the variety of colors and tools available. The reviewers spent a couple of hours (not consecutively) with the software during the initial evaluation, and said they definitely plan to use it again! — Julie L. Jones, 5/29/09 Learn more about Crayola® Art Studio Name: F.A.S.T.® SpeedDial®Company: YOYOFACTORY Age: 8 and up Price: $50.00 Category: Yo-Yos Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about F.A.S.T.® SpeedDial® Name: Morph-O-Scopes Kit - Sports of All SortsCompany: OOZ & OZ Age: 5-14 Price: $15.99 Category: Educational Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Morph-O-Scopes Kit - Sports of All Sorts Name: Perfect SenseCompany: PATCH PRODUCTS INC. Age: 12 and up Price: $25.00 Category: Board Games Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Perfect Sense Name: Paintable BarnCompany: IMAGINATION BOX CO. Age: 4-12 Price: $30.00 Category: Arts & Crafts Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Paintable Barn Name: ZinkoTek Building SystemCompany: ZINKOTEK Age: 3 and up Price: $350.00 Category: Construction Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about ZinkoTek Building System Name: SLIDER™ the Unscooter™Company: IDEA MILL LLC Age: 3-99 Price: Not Specified Category: Sporting Goods & Accessories Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about SLIDER™ the Unscooter™ Name: Make Shrink Art Jewelry and Tags for Your Pet and You TooCompany: BOWWOWMEOW Age: 8 and up Price: $17.99 Category: Arts & Crafts Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Make Shrink Art Jewelry and Tags for Your Pet and You Too Name: Bye Bye Monster Gift SetCompany: YOUR THYME INC. Age: 4-12 Price: $49.95 Category: Eco-Friendly Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Bye Bye Monster Gift Set Name: Sweet as Can Be Fairy DollCompany: LINDA RICK, THE DOLL MAKER Age: 3 and up Price: $25.00 Category: Dolls Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Sweet as Can Be Fairy Doll Name: Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story? Three Uncommonly Clever TalesCompany: HOUGHTON MIFFLIN Age: 6-9 Price: $17.95 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story? Three Uncommonly Clever Tales Name: Ask the Planet: The Missoula Coyote Choir & Friends Company: THE BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE Age: All Ages Price: $14.98 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Ask the Planet: The Missoula Coyote Choir & Friends Name: Rocketship RunCompany: TWO TOMATOES RECORDS LLC Age: 1-6 Price: $15.00 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Rocketship Run Name: Ultimate SpinnerCompany: ROBBINS TOY Age: All Ages Price: $49.95 Category: Wooden Toys Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Ultimate Spinner Name: Food Pyramid Bingo Updated Deluxe EditionCompany: SMARTPICKS INC. Age: 10 and up Price: $29.95 Category: Educational Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Food Pyramid Bingo Updated Deluxe Edition Name: Comet, The Fast Path to Learning - Family EditionCompany: ACTIVE MINDS INC Age: 11 and up Price: $39.95 Category: Educational Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Comet, The Fast Path to Learning - Family Edition Name: 36 CubeCompany: THINKFUN Age: 8 and up Price: $24.95 Category: General Games Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about 36 Cube Name: CALAFANT TreehouseCompany: CREATIVE TOYSHOP LLC Age: 3-12 Price: $25.00 Category: Creative Activities Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about CALAFANT Treehouse Name: Composite IndexCompany: CARL'S OFFICE SUPPLY LTD. Age: 12 and up Price: $34.95 Category: Board Games Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Composite Index Name: Skoodlez Company: KAMAR INNOVATION TOY GROUP LLC Age: 4 and up Price: $17.99 Category: Plush Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Skoodlez Name: Debbie and Friends: Story Songs and Sing AlongsCompany: DEBBIE AND FRIENDS Age: 2-7 Price: $14.95 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Debbie and Friends: Story Songs and Sing Alongs Name: The Jimmies - Make Your Own SomedayCompany: PLUCKYPEA INC. Age: 2-11 Price: $15.00 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about The Jimmies - Make Your Own Someday Name: Globe-Toddlers French Classical Music for Children CDCompany: TOT TALK INC. Age: All Ages Price: $14.99 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Globe-Toddlers French Classical Music for Children CD Name: Treasure Chest MonkeyCompany: Treasure Chest Pets, LLC Age: 3-12 Price: $30.00 Category: Plush Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Treasure Chest Monkey Name: Accessory Chest DogCompany: Treasure Chest Pets, LLC Age: 3-12 Price: $30.00 Category: Plush Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Accessory Chest Dog Name: Media Chest BearCompany: Treasure Chest Pets, LLC Age: 3-12 Price: $30.00 Category: Plush Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Media Chest Bear Name: Fairy and Dinosaur SeriesCompany: DISCOVERY POST Age: 6 and up Price: $9.95 Category: Play Sets Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Fairy and Dinosaur Series Name: The Bummkinn Band: Rockin´ the YeeHawCompany: BUMMS THE WORD PRODUCTIONS Age: All Ages Price: $12.97 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about The Bummkinn Band: Rockin´ the YeeHaw Name: Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That CouldCompany: BUMBLIN´ BEE RECORDS Age: All Ages Price: $15.98 Category: Music Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. Learn more about Here Comes Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
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Toys can be submitted without a fee to be considered for editorial review. However, manufacturers who wish to guarantee that their toys will be evaluated in the Review section should send payment of $150 per toy* along with the toy itself to: Product Review Dept. ToyDirectory.com, Inc. 12340 Santa Monica Blvd. Suite 226. Los Angeles, CA 90025 The majority of toys considered for review are donated to children's services organizations, such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles. * Please make checks payable to ToyDirectory.com, Inc. Payment does not guarantee a positive review. Advertising with ToyDirectory and TDmonthly Magazine does not guarantee a positive review. Quality, play value and educational value are considered when reviewing toys and games. |
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