My Friendship Bracelet Maker home
| My Friendship Bracelet Maker puts a new twist on a classic camping craft by neatening and simplifying the knotting process—no mess and no frustration! It is a perfect activity for car rides, plane trips, during vacation or at camp. |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR Log (Press Release) – May 26, 2010 – My Friendship Bracelet Maker (http://www.myFBM.com) is the perfect take-along on car rides, plane trips, during vacation or camp. This product puts a new twist on a classic camping craft by neatening and simplifying the knotting process—no mess and no frustration!
How? A unique sliding butterfly clip secures the threads while a string holder keeps the individual strands in order and prevents them from tangling together. My Friendship Bracelet Maker features a slide-out drawer holding 56 pre-cut 60-inch threads in 14 different colors, as well as directions for creating the different designs. Everything you need to make bracelets is sized and organized for easy storage and transport.
The product is currently available at over 300 Independent Toy Stores across the country and at Hobby Lobby and Michaels stores nationwide.
Friendship bracelets have long been a symbol of support and friendship. For instructions on how to create these bracelets, or to join My Friendship Bracelet Maker’s Friendship Club, go to (http://www.myfbm.com).
Dr. Toy’s Best Children’s Vacation Products are carefully chosen, using extensive criteria developed by noted child development authority Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), from among hundreds she has reviewed at toy fairs, in catalogs, and through many other sources. The criteria she uses includes: 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.
Note: My Friendship Bracelet Maker (http://www.myfbm.com) is asking kids around the country to make a Red, White and Blue friendship bracelet (any pattern) to send to a boy or girl in a military family. The MYFBM Friendship Club hopes to collect 14,000 Red, White and Blue friendship bracelets by July 4th. These bracelets will be distributed to kids at camps around the country that help military children and their families develop and maintain healthy and connected relationships. Please mail bracelets to: MYFBM, PO Box 380482 Clinton Twp., MI 48038.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The report of winning toys for Dr. Toy’s Best Children’s Vacation Products for summer 2010 is now available to parents, teachers and others on Dr. Toy’s Guide at www.drtoy.com. The information is designed to assist children to play and learn at home and while on vacation.
Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Products Awards were developed by noted 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, and stimulating toys and play products for children for vacation time at home or on the road.
“As a childhood specialist for 40 years,” says Dr. Toy, “I have seen the continuous, essential need for more year-round resources for consumers to identify and choose the most appropriate 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 accessed its information.” It was the first web site to evaluate toys and children’s products. The report is being released, according to Dr. Toy, to “encourage parents and teachers to focus on the value of play during the summer as essential to the overall learning process.”
She adds, “The Best Vacation Products a balanced selection from large and small, new and established, companies across the U.S.A., Canada, and overseas will provide children with exciting new learning tools that will help them not only do better in school, but also will provide more constructive activities while traveling or at vacation destinations.”
The award winning products include innovative toys, books, CDs, crafts, DVDs, games, puzzles, and many other play products for children of all ages and interests.
Dr. Toy believes “parents need more help to get a head start locating new, diversified products that children will enjoy as they increase learning skills and expand creativity.” The products range from low to high tech for “hours of constructive, educational, and stimulating fun.”
“Children learn best through play,” says Dr. Auerbach, “and these Best Products encourage children to maximize their potential and make the most of Smart Play. By making a renewed focus on summertime as a special time for choosing new products for children, parents improve their children’s development. This is a perfect time for parents to ‘take stock’ and do an inventory of what their children are playing with, what is not used, and what they need next in their development.”
Dr. Toy’s Best Children’s Vacation Products are carefully chosen, using extensive criteria she has developed over many years, from among hundreds she has reviewed at toy fairs, in catalogs, and through many other sources. The criteria she uses includes: 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.
These are products suitable for babies to older children, include products from hand-crafted to hi-tech, and range in price on the average from $10 to $50. The winning products are affordable, well designed, and reflect the wide range of children’s interests. Complete information about these and other products are included in the full report.
Dr. Toy’s report includes company customer service numbers, web site addresses, age range, price, and a full description of each product. 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 other Best Products for all reasons and seasons. At this time over 4000 products are included in the Dr. Toy’s Guide with direct links to companies and toy stores on line, plus toy history, parent resources, and much more.
Dr. Auerbach, a long-time resident of San Francisco, originally from New York City, lived in Washington, DC, while working for the Department of Education where she approved the first proposal for “Sesame Street” and established the first day care center for children of federal employees. In San Francisco, she established the San Francisco International Toy Museum, the world’s first “hands-on” toy museum visited by over 50,000 children. She is the author of 15 books and hundreds of articles on toys and play, and is the only Ph.D. in Child Development evaluating toys and children’s products with extensive training, background, and over 37 years of experience evaluating, writing and speaking about toys and children’s products. Dr. Auerbach is trained in child development, education, child psychology and special education. She is an educator, consultant, parent, and playful grandparent. Her book, Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys: How To Raise a Child with a High P. Q. (Play Quotient), may be obtained through www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and at many other book stores.
Additional Points:
Interviews regarding the recommended best smart toys and play products can be arranged through Greg Walsh, Walsh PR (203-242-6280) greg@walshpr.com
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Award Winning Companies and Products
Dr. Toy’s Best Vacation Children’s Products 2010 (www.drtoy.com)
| # | CompanyName | Product/Type | Price | Age | ConsSrv# | www. |
| 1. | adaptivePlay | Mickey Melodies ML TY | $46.99 | 0-12 | 650-492-8025 | adaptiveplay.org |
| 2. | Advance Games | Say-N-Play ES SW VG | $129.00 | 4-9 | 225-274-0353 | saynplay.com |
| 3. | ALEX | Ready, Set, Doodle! AC BO CP TR | $11.99 | 3-5 | 800-666-2539 | alextoys.com |
| 4. | ALEX | Scribble & Doodle AC BO CP TR | $9.99 | 4-8 | 800-666-2539 | alextoys.com |
| 5. | All Mighty Productions | Spoon Racers & Beanbots AE CO CP | $2.99 | 4-12 | 518-424-0036 | beantowntoys.com |
| 6. | Alton Road Publ | Sabu & Me BO CP ES | $14.95 | 2-5 | 773-404-6225 | sabuandme.com |
| 7. | Apple Park | Picnic Pals Blankies FP PL SR GN | $24.00 | 6 mos-6 | 415-928-4400 | applepark.com |
| 8. | Apple Park | Picnic Pals Plush FP PL SR GN | $48.00 | 1-8 | 415-928-4400 | applepark.com |
| 9. | AroundSquare | Deconstruction Blocks CO CP ES SR | $24.99 | 3-8 | 403-399-7449 | aroundsquare.com |
| 10. | b. dazzle | Color ‘N Seek AC CP ES HO | $6.95 | 4-12 | 800-809-4242 | b-dazzle.com |
| 11. | b. dazzle | Cows Scramble Squares® BG CG ES PZ | $8.95 | 4-12 | 800-809-4242 | b-dazzle.com |
| 12. | b. dazzle | Fall Scramble Squares® BG CG ES PZ | $8.95 | 4-12 | 800-809-4242 | b-dazzle.com |
| 13. | b. dazzle | GUITAR Scramble Squares® BG CG ES | $8.95 | 4-12 | 800-809-4242 | b-dazzle.com |
| 14. | Big City Publ | Angels from the Attic BO CP PL SR | $19.95 | 0-12 | 617-795-1900 | angelsfromtheattic.com |
| 15. | Blue Orange Games | Golden Gate CG ES TR | $14.99 | 7-12 | 415-252-0372 | blueorangegames.com |
| 16. | Blue Orange Games | Pigzup! BG CG ES GN | $19.99 | 4-12 | 415-252-0372 | blueorangegames.com |
| 17. | Blue Orange Games | Spot It! CG ES TR | $11.99 | 6-12 | 415-252-0372 | blueorangegames.com |
| 18. | Blue Orange Games | Sumoku BG ES TR | $14.99 | 9-12 | 415-252-0372 | blueorangegames.com |
| 19. | Box Girls | Family Dinner Box of Questions BG CG | $19.95 | 6-12 | 866-966-9782 | theboxgirls.com |
| 20. | Buckle Toy | Buckle Buddy “Bucky” CP ES TR TY | $24.99 | 15 mo-4 | 813-333-1133 | buckletoy.com |
| 21. | Carrera | Mario Kart DS 2 AE ES HO TY | $89.99 | 8-12 | 609-409-8510 | carrera-toys.com |
| 22. | Carson Dellosa | Summer Bridge Activities BO ES | $14.95 | 3-12 | 800-321-0943 | carsondellosa.com |
| 23. | Citiblocs | Skyline Color Sets CO CP ES GN | $22.99 | 3-12 | 866-967-9748 | citiblocs.com |
| 24. | Community Music | Little Ditties for Itty Bitties AE CD ES | $12.98 | 12-36 mo | 301-962-9426 | cathymarcy.com |
| 25. | Constructive Eating | Construction Plate AE CP ES NO | $14.95 | 24-36 mo | 734-904-6012 | constructiveeating.com |
| 26. | Constructive Eating | Set of Utensils AE CP ES NO | $17.49 | 24-36 mo | 734-904-6012 | constructiveeating.com |
| 27. | Corolle Dolls | Tidoo Poppy DO FP OP TY | $35.00 | 18-36 mo | 800-668-4846 | corolle.com |
| 28. | Creatively Canny | Bug’s Adventure Series BO | $30.00 | 3-9 | 920-220-1266 | kmgroshek.com |
| 29. | Critical Thinking | Balance Benders Level 1 ES | $9.99 | 9-12 | 800-458-4849 | criticalthinking.com |
| 30. | Crorey Creations | Friendship Bracelet Maker AC CP HO TR | $24.99 | 6-12 | 866-693-2648 | myfbm.com |
| 31. | Debbie and Friends | More Story Songs & Sing Alongs CD | $14.98 | 3-9 | 617-308-7940 | debbieandfriends.net |
| 32. | Dig-It! Games | Roman Town ES SC SW VG | $24.95 | 8-12 | 877-213-4448 | dig-itgames.com |
| 33. | DreamBox Learning | K-3 Math ES SW | $12.95 | 5-9 | 877-451-7845 | dreambox.com |
| 34. | Educational Insights | Hot Dots Jr. EG ES | $12.99 | 3-7 | 888-591-9334 | educationalinsights.com |
| 35. | Educational Insights | Stix & Stones BG CP | $24.99 | 7-12 | 888-591-9334 | educationalinsights.com |
| 36. | EducationalGames.Biz | All-Star Math Game BG ES | $24.99 | 6-12 | 800-319-7743 | educationalgames.biz |
| 37. | Eye Think | Strobotop Lightphase Animator CP SC | $29.95 | 6-12 | 781-788-9300 | eyethinkinc.com |
| 38. | FoxMind Canada | Dig It BG ES PZ | $19.99 | 7-12 | 866-369-6463 | foxmind.com |
| 39. | Free Spirit Pub. | Treasury Hunt for Primary ES OP TR | $9.99 | 4-6 | 800-735-7323 | freespirit.com |
| 40. | Fun & Function | Amazing Peanut Ball AE OP TR | $31.99 | 3-12 | 800-231-8329 | funandfunction.com |
| 41. | Galloping Minds | Preschooler Learns Numbers ES SR DV | $14.99 | 1-5 | 866-425-5672 | gallopingminds.com |
| 42. | GameWhys | Icecap BG CP ES TR | $12.95 | 7-12 | 415-533-6770 | gamewhys.com |
| 43. | GameWhys | Paradice BG CP ES TR | $12.95 | 10-12 | 415-533-6770 | gamewhys.com |
| 44. | GameWhys | Icecap app for iPhone CP EG ES TR | $1.99 | 7-12 | 415-533-6770 | gamewhys.com |
| 45. | Gamewright | Can You See What I See? BG ES TR | $15.99 | 6-12 | 800-638-7568 | gamewright.com |
| 46. | Gamewright | Dweebies CG ES TR | $10.99 | 8-12 | 800-638-7568 | gamewright.com |
| 47. | Gamewright | Order’s Up CG ES | $15.99 | 6-12 | 800-638-7568 | gamewright.com |
| 48. | Gamewright | Take the Cake ES GE TR | $12.99 | 4-12 | 800-638-7568 | gamewright.com |
| 49. | Giddy Up! | Barbie Blendy Pens Book AC BO ES TR | $4.99 | 6-8 | 734-302-4444 | giddyup.com |
| 50. | Giddy Up! | Spiderman Color Book AC BO ES TR | $4.99 | 3-5 | 734-302-4444 | giddyup.com |
| 51. | Griddly Games | Chronicles of the Mind BG CP ES TS | $12.99 | 10-12 | 604-249-5020 | griddlygames.com |
| 52. | Griddly Games | Words of the Wise BG CP ES TS | $12.99 | 10-12 | 604-249-5020 | griddlygames.com |
| 53. | Growing Sound | I Can Do It CD ES ML TR | $15.95 | 2-8 | 859-431-2075 | growing-sound.com |
| 54. | HABA | Bucket With Valve CP OP TR TY | $24.00 | 18 mo-5 | 800-468-6873 | habausa.com |
| 55. | Haywire Group | Flickin’ Chicken OP TR | $29.99 | 6-12 | 413-543-3020 | haywiregroup.com |
| 56. | Idea Storm Products | Yamodo! Good To Go! BG CP ES TS | $9.95 | 8-12 | 443-255-4792 | yamodo.com |
| 57. | Ideopolis | Alphabotz Decoder CG CP ES TY | $19.95 | 3-7 | 225-663-6012 | alphabotz.com |
| 58. | Innovation First Int’l | Hexbug Nano SC TY | $9.99 | 3-12 | 903-453-0803 | innovationfirst.com |
| 59. | Inspiration Software | Inspiration 9 CP ES SW | $69.00 | 9-12 | 800-877-4292 | inspiration.com |
| 60. | Inspiration Software | Kidspiration 3 CP ES SW | $69.00 | 3-8 | 800-877-4292 | inspiration.com |
| 61. | ISEO Chemdis Pvt | Rubbabu City Life Playset ES FP TY GN | $24.95 | 1-6 | 877-289-0730 | rubbabu.com |
| 62. | ISEO Chemdis Pvt | Rubbabu 3D Shape Sorter CP ES PZ GN | $29.95 | 1-6 | 877-289-0730 | rubbabu.com |
| 63. | ISEO Chemdis Pvt | Rubbabu Educational Balls AE ES TY GN | $5.95 | 1-6 | 877-289-0730 | rubbabu.com |
| 64. | ISEO Chemdis Pvt | RubbaBlox Just Triangles CO CP ES GN | $24.95 | 1-6 | 877-289-0730 | rubbabu.com |
| 65. | Itty Bitty Toy Co | Sneakboo DO FP SC SR | $50.00 | 4-10 | 415-455-8415 | madidoll.com |
| 66. | Julie K Music | A Sunny Day CD ML TR | $13.98 | 0-8 | 309-229-7830 | juliekmusic.com |
| 67. | Kregco-Kid Hip | Kid Hip CD ES ML TR | $14.95 | 6 mos-7 | 951-587-0800 | kidhip.com |
| 68. | Learning Resources | Alphabet Suitcase ES TR | $19.99 | 3-5 | 800-333-8281 | learningresources.com |
| 69. | Learning Station | Book About Tony Chestnut BO ML SR TR | $19.95 | 3-7 | 800-789-9990 | learningstationmusic.com |
| 70. | LEGO Systems | Atlantis Guardian CO CP HO TY | $14.99 | 7-12 | 860-749-2291 | lego.com |
| 71. | Lucid Publishing | Reef Fish Coloring Book BO ES SC TR | $16.95 | 7-12 | 808-652-5756 | lucid-hawaii.com |
| 72. | Maru & Friends Doll | Maru Latina Girl CP DO SR | $110.00 | 6-8 | 866-913-2781 | maruandfriends.com |
| 73. | Mindfull Games | Verbal Volley CG ES | $29.95 | 8-12 | 314-324-8686 | mindfullgames.com |
| 74. | Mindlogic | Consensus® Jr Edition BG ES SR TR | $24.95 | 8-12 | 888-601-7387 | mindlogicinc.com |
| 75. | North Star Games | Wits & Wagers Family BG | $19.99 | 7-12 | 301-493-4331 | northstargames.com |
| 76. | Original Toy Co | What Zit NO TR TY | $3.50 | 3-12 | 800-899-4258 | theoriginaltoycompany.com |
| 77. | Oshi mat LLC | Oshi Mat ES NO TR GN | $39.95 | 0-24 mos | 954-272-8194 | oshimat.com |
| 78. | Out of the Box | Word on the Street Jr BG ES | $19.99 | 8-12 | 800-540-2304 | otb-games.com |
| 79. | OWI | Transforming Solar Robot CO ES HO SC | $19.95 | 10-12 | 800-638-1694 | owirobot.com |
| 80. | Pay Your Family First | ThriveTime BG ES SR | $29.95 | 8-12 | 866-976-9548 | payyourfamilyfirst.com |
| 81. | PBS Home Video | Super Why! CP ES ML DV | $14.99 | 3-6 | 323-956-5000 | shoppbs.org |
| 82. | PBS Home Video | WordGirl: Earth Day CP ES SR DV | $14.99 | 6-8 | 323-956-5000 | shoppbs.org |
| 83. | Peaceable Kingdom | Really Ridiculous AC CP FP TR | $14.99 | 7-10 | 800-444-7778 | pkpress.com |
| 84. | Prime Time Toys | Splash Paddle AE OP TR TY | $17.50 | 5-12 | 800-468-6873 | primetimetoys.com |
| 85. | Russ Berrie | Raggedy Ann & Andy DO PL | $30.00 | 0-8 | 800-272-7877 | russberrie.com |
| 86. | Safari | Forest Dragon #10155 FP HO TY | $15.99 | 3-12 | 800-554-5414 | safariltd.com |
| 87. | SenseAbility Games | SenseAbility AC AE BG | $29.95 | 10-12 | 646-515-8616 | senseability.com |
| 88. | SepToys | SepToys Design Blocks CO CP ES TR | $29.99 | 4-12 | 631-871-2599 | septoys.com |
| 89. | Sleeveless | Big Bird, Little Bird CP ML DV | $14.99 | 0-5 | 888-606-6874 | sarahickman.com |
| 90. | Smithsonian Folkways | Go Waggaloo ML | $18.98 | 0-12 | 888-365-5929 | folkways.si.edu |
| 91. | Spin Master | Aqua Sand Creation Kit AC CP FP TY | $19.99 | 4-7 | 800-622-8339 | spinmaster.com |
| 92. | Spin Master | Air Hogs Titan AE HO OP TY | $9.99 | 5-12 | 800-622-8339 | spinmaster.com |
| 93. | Spin Master | Bow Rod Fishing Rod AE HO OP TY | $19.99 | 8-12 | 800-622-8339 | spinmaster.com |
| 94. | Spin Master | Magic Fabric Creation AC CP NO TY | $24.99 | 6-12 | 800-622-8339 | spinmaster.com |
| 95. | Star Kids Products | AirPlay AS CP ES TR | $30.00 | 6-24 mos | 303-887-9017 | starkidsproducts.com |
| 96. | Star Kids Products | Snack & Play Travel Tray CP TR | $20.00 | 18 mo-7 | 303-887-9017 | starkidsproducts.com |
| 97. | Steps4Kids | Modern Manuscript DVD ES DV | $24.95 | 6-8 | 800-757-1702 | steps4kids.com |
| 98. | Storytime By Design | It’s A StoryTime Jam BO CD ES ML | $14.99 | 6 mos-8 | 917-533-4201 | storytimebydesign.com |
| 99. | Techno Source | Bubble Talk BG TR | $19.99 | 8-12 | 212-929-5200 | technosourceusa.com |
| 100 | TenMarks Education | Online Summer Math Program ES SW | $39.00 | 8-12 | 617-340-6544 | tenmarks.com |
| 101. | Think-A-Lot Toys | Think-ets Genius CP ES SR TR | $15.99 | 8-12 | 303-449-2737 | think-a-lot.com |
| 102. | ThinkFun | Zingo! To Go ES TR | $14.99 | 4-12 | 800-468-1864 | thinkfun.com |
| 103. | Tier Toys | Animal Sea Xplorer CO CP ES PZ | $29.99 | 3-8 | 770-733-1863 | tiertoys.com |
| 104. | Trenna Productions | One To Grow On! AT CD SR TR | $19.95 | 5-12 | 800-514-6820 | kids-audio-stories.com |
| 105. | Vraney | Pocket Referee ES NO SR TR | $12.95 | 5-12 | 731-444-4718 | thepocketreferee.com |
| 106. | VTech | V.Reader Animated e-Reading BO EG ES TR | $59.99 | 3-8 | 800-521-2010 | vtechkids.com |
| 107. | VTech | MobiGo Touch Learning EG ES TR TS | $59.99 | 3-8 | 800-521-2010 | vtechkids.com |
| 108. | Wild Republic | Mini Morphs CO CP SC TY | $5.99 | 5-8 | 800-800-9678 | wildrepublic.com |
| 109. | Wild Republic | Chompers NO SC TY | $4.99 | 5-8 | 800-800-9678 | wildrepublic.com |
| 110. | Wild Republic | Audubon Baby Birds NO PL SC | $7.99 | 3-5 | 800-800-9678 | wildrepublic.com |
| 111. | WonderChess | WonderElla ES TR TS | $19.99 | 3-6 | 800-725-2890 | wonderchess.com |
| 112. | Yoshiritsu Co | LaQ Imaginal Zoo CO CP ES | $99.00 | 5-12 | 972-436-3867 | roboporium.com |
| 113. | Yoshiritsu Co | LaQ Hobby Flower Kit CO CP ES | $21.99 | 5-12 | 972-436-3867 | roboporium.com |
| 114. | Youthlight. | Snoots Toots! AE BG ES TR | $34.95 | 5-12 | 800-209-9774 | youthlight.com |
| 115. | Zany World Games | Zany World Games BG ES SR TR | $19.99 | 5-12 | 866-663-4263 | zanyworldgame.com |
| 116. | Zoobies | Furbie the Feline TR TS TY | $32.00 | 0-12 | 888-966-2438 | zoobies.com |
Key:
AC = arts & craft
AE = active
AS = accessory
AT = audio tape
BG = board game
BO = book
CD = CD
CG = card game
CO = construction
CP = creative
DO = doll
DV = DVD
EG = electronic game
ES = educational
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
VG = video game
