DOG
DICE
00400
GAMEWRIGHT
3-5
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Bow-wow bingo! This cute board game for two to four players proved to be dog-gone fun. The bingo-style game featured four small boards with colourful cartoon illustrations; kids rolled the dice, which featured doggies and other symbols instead of dots. Pictures on the dice had to be matched to pictures on the boards, and matching pictures were marked with little cardboard bones. The first player to get a bingo and shout "hot dog!" was the winner. Children loved the design of this well-made game and enjoyed lots of cooperative play.
I
DIG THE PAST DIG & GROW ANCIENT PET TRIOPS
00027
EARTH
LORE LTD.
6+ years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
It's alive! This digging kit had budding paleontologists uncovering a mummified triops (in reality, a storage container), but what really got kids excited was the opportunity to hatch and grow triops eggs. These critters did indeed grow in the clear plastic aquarium provided, when distilled water was used (not provided) and the creatures were fed triops food and monitored with a thermometer (provided). The trips grew from eggs to about 5 cm long, providing children with a fascinating example of the circle of life from birth to death. The kit also included a digging tool, paint brush and paints, as well as an instruction book. A blast from the past!
I
SPY SPOOKY MANSION
0-439-10854-3
SCHOLASTIC CANADA LTD.
6-10
years
$40-45
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Kids found this eerie, creepy and spooky good CD-ROM to be addictive as they roamed through a big old mansion in search of missing objects. Children loved the graphics of this software as well as having their names appear on the gates that opened, and in other places. The object of the game was for the player to escape the mansion by collecting pieces of a puzzle after solving the "I spy" puzzles. Kids loved the riddles and rhymes, and the program also offered them the chance to write their own "I spy" rhymes. This software, playable on both Windows and Mac systems, had kids coming back to the mansion to play again and again.
LEGO
STAR WARS GUNGAN SUB
7161
LEGO CANADA INC.
8-12 years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Kids were transported with this 375-piece building toy that had them building a Star Wars sub and imagining adventures long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. Children loved the details of this set, including the clear bubbles and orange "lights" that were on the sub. The little Jar-Jar figure was a hit. The colours were appropriate for a craft that would go under the water, and overall kids thought this building toy was way cool.
LEGO
STAR WARS MOS ESPA PODRACE
7171
LEGO
CANADA INC.
8-12
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
This 894-piece building set, with three separate Star Wars racers to build, was a galactic hit with everyone! The set opened up to reveal three separate boxes, each containing one pod racer--Anakin's, Gasgano's and Sebulba's. The racers measured approximately 36 cm (14") each and looked remarkably like those from the movie; they soon proved to be as mush fun to fly as they were to build. The characters included were also popular, especially R2D2. Excellent instructions made construction easy for kids, and after building the fun just... rocketed!
LEGO
TIE FIGHTER & Y-WING
7150
LEGO
CANADA INC.
8+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
The Rebels and the Empire continued their epic battles courtesy of this 407-piece building set made of durable plastic, which had kids clamouring to build the Tie Fighter and Y-Wing. These were very good representations of the space craft from the movie, and children loved both building them and playing with the completed models. This set featured a little Darth Vader figure (a hit!) as well as figures of hero Luke and robot sidekick R2D2. Kids were thrilled with the theme.
LEGO
X-WING FIGHTER
7140
LEGO
CANADA INC.
7-12
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
X-Wing excitement! This 263-piece building toy had kids eagerly joining the Rebel force against the evil Empire. Children were delighted that the model built so well and resembled the move spacecraft, and enjoyed action using the little Rebel fighter and R2D2 figures. Like all X-Wings, this craft could get damaged during battle--once in awhile the wings came off the model during "flight"--but repairs were part of the fun. Kids enjoyed loads of building and imaginary play with this popular set.
LES
BEBES--NOURRISSON LOVE WHITE
25015-0
COROLLE
3+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
This 42 cm (17") life-like soft doll was a huge hit with nurturing children, who instantly fell in love with it. The dolls' size, weight, fine facial and body details made it seem like a real baby to the children. The bean-like filled bottom allowed the doll to sit up well; when laid to rest, the lovely eyes closed. Clothes came off easily for dressing games, and both doll and clothes could be machine washed. From its sweet features to its vanilla scent, everything about this doll made it a favourite toy.
MY
LIFE ACCORDING TO ME
ISBN 1 57054 354 2
KLUTZ
INC.
8+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Dear diary! This compact, spiral-bound book with dramatic black pages came with its own silver gel roller pen. Kids loved writing and drawing in this book, filling in the fun fact pages with such information as birth weight, the funniest things that ever happened, the weirdest things a body can do, etc. plus lots of blank pages for the children's own creations. The silver pen ink looked fantastic on the black pages, and all results were very professional looking. Kids were thrilled with this craft; this is one worth keeping for a lifetime.
NORIS
CLUB THICK TRIANGULAR COLOURED PENCILS
128
NC8
STAEDTLER-MARS LTD.
3+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Kids loved going back to the drawing board with these unique, non-toxic triangular coloured pencils that made grasping easy for little fingers. The set included eight high-quality colours (yellow, orange, blue, brown, red, green and black). Both testers and parents appreciated the fact there was no lead breakage during use or sharpening. The larger size and three-sided format did help children learn and improve proper pencil grip, and these pencils soon became favourites to use. NOTE: Large-hole pencil sharpener required.
NORIS
CLUB WASHABLE MARKERS WITH DRY SAFE INK
326
WP10, WP20, WP6
STAEDTLER-MARS LTD.
4+ years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Top marks! These thin, fibre-tipped markers in 20 bright colours were not only washable, they could stay "fresh" for up to two weeks if the caps were left off. The markers featured "dry safe ink", a point sealed with beeswax as well as a ventilated cap. Kids approved of the environment-friendly ink made with food colouring, and enjoyed using these markers for writing and drawing without having to worry that they would dry out too soon. The durable tip stood up to constant use. Great for home or school!
PLAY-DOH
SEASIDE PLAYWORLD
17447
HASBRO CANADA INC.
3+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Kids were delighted to be able to visit the ocean right at home, thanks to this nifty moulding compound play set. The suitcase-like packaging opened up into a colourful, textured 3-D beach scene, and children could create fish, coral, seaweed, starfish, sandcastles and more using the accessories provided (extruder, bucket and shovel, and two-piece fish mould). The big hit, however, was the special moulding "dough" that was textured and coloured like sand, slimy like seaweed, or smelling like seawater. Children loved the theme and had oceans of funs with this toy.
RADIO
GO RACE CAR
0831
LITTLE
TIKES COMPANY
3+
years
$50-55
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Hearts were racing along with this brightly coloured and very durable sporty little remote controlled car. Its primary colours, rounded body, and big, studded wheels appealed to younger children, while older kids were impressed by its remote control handling and overall responsiveness. The remote was easy to use and functioned extremely well. The toy also featured automatic shut-off, soft bumpers, and a "neutral" switch for optional kid-powered play. The driver's head swiveled in the direction of movement. This toy really excited kids and provided hours of entertainment. NOTE: One 9-Volt and two "AA" batteries required (not included).
RAT
A TAT CAT
00204
GAMEWRIGHT
6+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
This simple yet engaging numbers and memory card game kept kids joyfully "getting rid of ugly rats"! Each 54-card deck came illustrated with great full-colour pictures of cats and the aforementioned rats. The cat cards had lower-value numbers on them, and the rat cards had higher-value numbers--the object of the game was to become the player with the lowest score. This game, designed for two to six players, relied on skill and strategy as well as luck. These cards were a hit with kids, and provided a great travel activity as well.
SMALL
MIRACLES DRESS UP CLOTHES
VARIOUS
LEARNING
CURVE TOYS
3-6
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
Beautiful from head to toe... that's how kids felt when they dressed up in these quality fun fashion separates that included tiaras and plastic "ruby" slippers as well as tops, skirts and feathery boas. These outfits featured glittery fabrics with easy-to-use Velcro fasteners. Children dreamed of being movie stars and played at being princesses while wearing these fabulous fashions. The clothes fit sizes 2 to 6, and girls loved them. Outfits for boys also available. NOTE: Do not machine wash.
TENDRE
CALIN
23403-0
COROLLE
1+
years
***
***CHILDREN'S CHOICE AWARD 2000***
This small, sweet baby doll had a dear little face and bean bag body clothed in a darling printed nightie. Children kept this doll close by as they played with other toys, and also loved feeding, dressing and undressing this doll as well as putting her to bed. Her soft body allowed this doll to be set into many realistic positions. This was not just a doll to many children; she was a real baby! NOTE: Machine washable; lightly scented (alert for children with allergies).