PRESS RELEASE from

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 26, 2015

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

TOYS FOR SMART PLAY!

Dr. Toy’s “Best Picks Children’s Products for 2015” Award Report Now Available

Smart Toys for Back-to-School, After-School, and Holiday Gifts

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – “Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Children’s Products for 2015” awards announced today is

now available to parents, teachers, and others in the online magazine, Dr. Toy’s Guide, at

http://www.drtoy.com.

The Dr. Toy® Award Program was developed by noted play and child development authority, Stevanne

Auerbach, PhD, (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), as a service to consumers who desire to purchase safe, affordable, educational,

and stimulating new toys and play products for children. This award recognizes educational play products that

complement the “100 Best Children’s Products Awards” and that provide additional resources for consideration

and use at home and in school.

“As a childhood specialist,” says Dr. Toy, “I have seen the continuous, essential need for more year-

round diverse resources that enable consumers to identify and choose the most appropriate, safe, and engaging

learning and developmental products for all children that bridge home and school.”

Dr. Toy reports that since the innovative online magazine Dr. Toy’s Guide has been available, “many

thousands of visitors daily from around the world have easy access to our timely valued information.” The site

was the first online resource to evaluate toys and children’s products.

The report, “Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Picks Children’s Products for 2015,” is being released “to encourage

parents and teachers to focus on the value of play as essential to the learning process.”

Dr. Auerbach adds, “Smart play products selected from many excellent companies across the USA,

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. Toy believes “parents, grandparents, and teachers need help to gain a head start locating new,

diversified products that children will enjoy while increasing skills, enhancing instruction, and expanding

imagination.” The products we select are balanced among large and small companies, and 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 new smart toys and products

encourage children to maximize their potential. This is a good time to ‘take stock’ and do an inventory of what

your child is using for play, what is not used, and what is needed next for continued development.”

“Dr. Toy’s Guide offers excellent ideas for choosing new products for use in learning, after school play,

and during the holidays ahead.”

“Dr. Toy’s Best Picks” were carefully chosen as worthy of attention from among thousands that the Dr.

Toy Team has reviewed at toy fairs, in catalogs, and many other sources, using the extensive criteria Dr. Toy

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.

For complete information about these smart toys and products read the full report at 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, tech, and culturally

relevant products like green toys, and more.

Winning products are manufactured by established and new, large and small companies from around the

world, including:

Adora Dolls, Crayola, Discover with Dr. Cool, Discovery Toys, Fashion Angels, Folkmanis, Galison/Mudpuppy, Horizon, Just Play, LeapFrog, Learning Journey, Magformers, MGA, Mindware, Patch Products, Tactic Games, Talkplaces, Toy State International, VTech, Wonder Workshop, Zipit, and others.

The Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Report includes company customer service number, website URL, age

range, price, full description of each product, and more. The award-winning online 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 100 Best, Best Classic, Best Vacation, and Best Green products. Over

6,000 products have been evaluated and bestowed with awards by Dr. Toy.

Dr. Auerbach is the only PhD with extensive training, background, and many 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 and with skills as an educator, consultant, parent,

grandparent, and teacher.

“Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Children’s Products for 2015” are now available at www.drtoy.com.

Additional Points:

Dr. Toy’s Guide lists many useful websites and other resources on play, toys, and parenting.

Dr. Toy presents the newest products to parents and teachers around the world.

Dr. Toy writes, speaks, and shares insights about the importance of learning through play.

All toys are donated. Product and guidance information is available online.

Dr. Auerbach is the author of the newly released 4th Edition of Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys: How

to Select and Use the Best Toys and Games (Regent Press), which provides useful tools to parents to

enhance their child’s P.Q (Play Quotient). The book, published in China, Croatia, Egypt, Germany,

Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and the USA, and will

soon be available in other countries.

Interviews with and about Dr. Toy have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and on radio and TV

across the USA, and in Canada, Europe, and Asia.

Interviews regarding the book and/or the smart toys and products can be arranged with Greg Walsh at 203-216-6101 or Greg@walshpr.com. Full information on products at www.drtoy.com.

# #

Dr. Toy® is a registered Trademark

Alphabetical Listing of Award Winning Companies

DR. TOY’S BEST PICKS CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS FOR 2015

Selected by Stevanne Auerbach, PhD (Dr. Toy®)

# Company Product Type Age Price CustSrv# www. 1. 77SPARX Studio Wonster Words ES IN LA PZ 2-7 $0.00 650-969-3948 77sparx.com 2. Adora Dolls Mixxie Mopsie AC CO CP DO 4-12 $39.99 800-779-5335 adoradolls.com 3. Banana Peel Press Pink Tulip+Toothless Keepsake Kit ES BO NO OT 3-9 $48.95 984-212-1794 bananapeelpress.com 4. Brightz Wheel Brightz OP CP TS AP 8-12 $14.99 419-517-0049 brightz-ltd.com 5. Brybelly Sub Shop ES MA BG LA 6-12 $14.99 800-926-7241 brybelly.com 6. Crayola Crayola Color Wonder Light-Up Stamper AC AP CP HM 3-12 $24.99 212-373-6042 crayola.com 7. Crayola Crayola Crayon Carver AC AP CP HM 6-12 $29.99 212-373-6042 crayola.com 8. Crayola Crayola Thread Wrapper AC AP CP HM 8-12 $24.99 212-373-6042 crayola.com 9. Discover w/Dr. Cool Moon Light PZ GE SC 6-12 $24.95 855-437-2665 discoverwithdrcool.com 10. Discovery Toys Mosaic Mysteries Heirloom Edition ES TY WT PZ 8-12 $50.00 800-341-8697 discoverytoys.net; 11. Discovery Toys My Friends Puzzle ES TY WT PZ 19 mos-5 $22.00 800-341-8697 discoverytoys.net; 12. Dream Frenz Dream Frenz PL TY 3-12 $24.00 941-993-5636 dreamfrenz.com 13. Eastcolight Professional Human Torso Set ES SC 8-12 $40.35 425-349-3718 eastcolight.com 14. Edupress Pete the Cat On-the-Go Games GE CG 3-12 $12.99 800-835-7978 edupress.com 15. Fashion Angels Pixel Loom AC AS CP HO 8-12 $16.99 800-492-3237 fashionangels.com 16. Folkmanis Folkmanis® Collared Lizard Puppet PL PU TY 3-12 $33.99 800-654-8922 folkmanis.com 17. Folkmanis Folkmanis® Pelican Puppet PL PU TY 3-12 $33.99 800-654-8922 folkmanis.com 18. Folkmanis Folkmanis® Winged Dragon Puppet FP PL PU TY 3-12 $29.99 800-654-8922 folkmanis.com 19. Four Boys Industries Switchcrafted DO SR BO ES 3-12 $29.99 720-979-9794 switchwitches.com 20. Fundamentals Toys DIY Bubble Bath AC BA CP GN 6-12 $14.99 877-617-1563 kissnaturals.com 21. Fundamentals Toys DIY Perfume Kit AC CP HM SC 6-12 $14.99 877-617-1563 kissnaturals.com 22. Galison/Mudpuppy Mythical Beasts Magnetic Build-It AC CP FP TR 6-12 $16.99 212-354-8840 galison.com 23. Gunamuna Gunapod Wearable Blanket OT AS TR 0-3 $32.00 978-258-9273 gunamuna.com 24. Haywire Group Worry Eaters TY PL SR ES 3-12 $22.99 413-543-3020 haywiregroup.com 25. Hide and Seek Hide and Seek Interactive Plush GE EL TY PL 10 mos-6 $29.95 678-358-4204 hideandseektoy.com 26. Horizon Group Candy Cordtz On the Go Tattoo Jewelry AC AP CP OT 6-9 $9.97 800-651-0616 craftprojectideas.com 27. Horizon Group Just My Style Alpha Beads AC AP CP TR 6-9 $9.97 800-651-0616 craftprojectideas.com 28. Horizon Group Paint Your Own Glitter Plaster Horses AC AS CP FP 6-12 $12.97 800-651-0616 craftprojectideas.com 29. Ikiki Ikiki Shoes with Adjustable Squeaker AE CS NO OP 8 mos-5 $29.95 801-356-3823 ikiki.co 30. InRoad Toys Thomas & Friends Track PlayTape CO FP ML TS 3-12 $9.99 888-311-7165 inroadtoys.com 31. Just Play Doc McStuffins Take Care of Me Lambie CE MM PL TY 3-12 $49.99 800-317-3245 justplayproducts.com 32. LeapFrog Imagicard Paw Patrol EG ES MA TC 3-9 $24.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com 33. LeapFrog Number Lovin' Oven FP MA ML TY 2-6 $24.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com 34. LeapFrog Platinum EL ES IN TC 3-9 $129.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com 35. LeapFrog Word Whammer AP ES GE LA 4-8 $19.99 800-701-5327 leapfrog.com 36. Learning Circle Kids Reader Bee-First Story Marker CP ES GE MM 3-6 $0.99 650-350-6011 readerbee.com 37. Learning Journey Learn with Me Sort and Learn Apple ES LA GE SR 2-6 $24.99 877-839-3969 thelearningjourney.com 38. Learning Journey Play and Learn Shopping Cart AE OP AP TY 3-8 $24.99 877-839-3969 thelearningjourney.com 39. Mme Alexander Doll Jazzberry Pink Pixie Doodle CP AC TY DO 3-12 $27.95 800-229-5192 madamealexanderdoll.com 40. Mme Alexander Doll Little Sister Babblebaby TY DO 3-12 $44.95 800-229-5192 madamealexanderdoll.com 41. Magformers Inspire 100Pc Set TY CO 3-12 $99.99 877-817-4574 magformers.com 42. Magformers Unique 44Pc Set TY CO 3-12 $99.99 877-817-4574 magformers.com 43. Magformers Walking Dinosaur 81Pc Set TY CO 3-12 $189.99 877-817-4574 magformers.com 44. MGA Bratz C.I.Y. Fashion Set AC AS CP DO 5-12 $44.99 800-222-4685 mgae.com

45. MGA 3-in-1 Adventure Course™ AE 6 mos-3 $79.99 800-222-4685 mgae.com 46. MGA Lava Light Experiment CP DO ES SC 6-10 $24.99 800-222-4685 mgae.com 47. MGA Stand 'N Dance Starfish MM AP EQ 9 mos-3 $24.99 800-222-4685 mgae.com 48. MindWare Animal Trivia Challenge BG ES MM CE 7-12 $24.95 651-268-2814 mindware.com 49. MindWare Make Your Own Doggy Day Camp AE AP CP OP 8-12 $29.95 651-268-2814 mindware.com 50. MindWare Unbored Treasure Hunt AP CE CP MM 8-12 $29.95 651-268-2814 mindware.com 51. My Happy Pillow My Happy Pillow ES FP LA PL 2-10 $19.99 203-722-3844 myhappypillow.com 52. Napa Valley Toys NightBuddies CT PL SR TY 3-9 $19.99 800 455-1081 nightbuddies.com 53. Paper Punk Jewelry Fold - Square AC CO CP GN 6-12 $19.95 415-380-1940 paperpunk.com 54. Patch Products OK to Wake! Alarm Clock & Night-Light AS EL TC MM 3-5 $32.99 800-524-4263 patchproducts.com 55. Smart Toys & Games Build & Connect AE CO CR ES 3-12 $59.99 800-542-6375 SmartMaxUSA.com 56. SmartLab Toys Drop Zone Cargo Release Glider AE OP SC TS 8-12 $39.99 866-319-5900 smartlabtoys.com 57. Star Kids Products Snack & Play 2.0 AP AC EQ TR 18 mos-12 $29.99 303-887-9017 snackandplaytraveltray.com 58. Tactic Games Beanie Boos Friends Game ES GE BG 3-12 $11.99 216-288-0087 tactic.net/fp.php?lang=US 59. Talkplaces Plyt BG ES GE MA 4-12 $30.00 +447956352926 plyt.co.uk 60. Tonni-Co Tag the Art Game AC CP ES GE 7-12 $40.00 201-938-0686 tagtheartgame.com 61. Toy State Cat Buildin' Crew Roll 'N Go Machines AE OP TY TS 2-5 $14.99 781-349-1000 toystate.com 62. Toy State Road Rippers Dancing Car TS TY 3-7 $19.99 781-349-1000 toystate.com 63. VTech Baby Amaze Learn to Talk & Read Baby Doll BO DO ES LA 2-5 $29.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 64. VTech Flipsies Sandy's House & Ocean Cruiser TY MM EG ES 4-9 $39.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 65. VTech Go! Go! Smart Animals Grow & Learn Farm EL ES MM GE 12 mos-5 $39.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 66. VTech Go! Go! Smart Wheels Ultimate RC Speedway TY MM EG ES 1-5 $59.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 67. VTech Lil' Critters Roll & Discover Ball LA ML TY AE 6 mos-2 $14.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 68. VTech Lil' Critters Soothing Starlight Hippo CE MM ML PL 0-2 $24.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 69. VTech Sit-to-Stand Alphabet Train ES EL TC TR 12 mos-3 $49.99 847-400-3600 vtechkids.com 70. Wonder Workshop Dot ES EL SC TC 5-12 $49.99 844-966-3311 makewonder.com 71. Zipit ZIPIT Monstar 3 Ring Pouch CP IN NO TC 6-12 $9.99 800-511-6239 zipitstore.com/monstar Product Type Code:

AC = arts and crafts AE = active AP = activity product AS = accessories/decoration BA = bath toy BG = board game BO = book CE = children’s entertainment CG = card game CO = construction CP = creative product CR = computer-related

CS = costume CT = cultural DH = doll house DO = doll EC = eco-friendly EG = electronic game EL = electronic product EQ = equipment ES = educational skills FP = fantasy play GE = game GG = geography

GN = green HM = handmade HO = hobby IN = internet LA = language MA = math ML = musical MM = multimedia NO = novelty OP = outdoor play OT = other PL = plush

PU = puppet PZ = puzzle SC = science SR = socially responsible SW = software TC = technology TR = travel TS = transportation TY = toy UN = unique VG = video game WT = wood toy