Category: News

TWO SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLES HONORED AS DR. TOY’S BEST GREEN PRODUCTS FOR 2012

REDONDO BEACH, CA… May 18, 2012… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that two (2) of its Scramble Squares® 9-piece educational brain teaser puzzles for all ages have been honored by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco as among only seventeen (17) products selected worldwide as “Dr. Toy’s Best Green Products for 2012.” The two honored Scramble Squares® puzzles are “Bald Eagles” and “Salmon.”

For the sixth year Stevanne Auerbach, PhD/ Dr. Toy has recognized the Best Green Toys and Children’s Products. According to Dr. Auerbach, she provides attention to the kinds of innovative products and companies “that are working towards making a difference in playthings and reducing the impact of production.” In bestowing Dr. Toy’s Best Green Products Awards for 2012, Dr. Toy said, “The award winning Green Products are made by companies striving to inspire children to appreciate the environment and help them learn to take better care of our natural resources.” “These companies are making products to teach children more about our planet or producing playthings that are based on Green Principles. These are excellent examples of playthings that are made safely, are healthy to use, and have plenty of other special play and learning values. These green products constitute a small number among all the choices of the many play products available, but we need to start somewhere. As awareness grows more families are thinking and considering new directions that are safer, more balanced, and healthier,” Dr. Toy explained.

Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., known as Dr. Toy, has been tracking trends in the toy business for more than 30 years. She is the author of Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys, which provides tools to enhance the child’s “PQ” (Play Quotient) from baby to age 12 and has published in the USA and in many other countries 15 books, and hundreds of articles on toys and play. She is the only Ph.D. in Child Development evaluating the best developmentally appropriate toys and children’s products, which she describes on her innovative on-line magazine Dr.Toy’s Guide www.drtoy.com, which has links to many related useful sites and resources for parents, teachers, children, and toy enthusiasts.” The site was the first on-line resource to evaluate toys and children’s products. Dr. Toy reports that in the years that Dr.Toy’s Guide has been available, “thousands of visitors from around the world have accessed information daily. Dr. Auerbach is Director of the Institute for Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975 and is the only Ph.D. with extensive training, background and 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 an educator, consultant, parent and grandparent.

The object of the Scramble Squares® puzzle game is to arrange the nine colorfully illustrated 4” x 4” square pieces into a 12” square so that the realistic graphics on the pieces’ edges match perfectly to form completed pictures in every direction. They make inexpensive, but highly valued gifts for all ages.” Adults and seniors love made in America Scramble Squares® puzzles as much as do children, teenagers and college students. Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4″ x 4″ squarepieces, award winning Scramble Squares® puzzles are Perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®! At under $10.00 each suggested retail, Scramble Squares® puzzles make inexpensive, but highly valued gifts for both men and women alike. Over 135 styles of exquisite original art are available on nature, sports, history, culture, geography, science, technology, gourmet, occupations, fantasy, hobbies and activities, and more new styles are added throughout each year. Scramble Squares® puzzles teach critical thinking skills, fine motor skills, patience, perseverance, and they help maintain mental agility in older persons, while providing stimulating entertainment as either a solitaire game or as a cooperative activity. Each puzzle package includes a panel of fascinating facts on the subject of the puzzle, as well as a trivia question and hidden answer, all packaged in a unique and handy resealable heavy duty 101/2” long x 53/4” wide x 3/8” deep vinyl travel pouch which can be collected and stored easily in a standard 3-ring binder.

Founded by Kathleen Gavin in 1993, b. dazzle, inc. manufactures award-winning, made-in-America gifts, puzzles, games and activities at under $10 retail for the gift, educational, museum, souvenir and health care industries that are entertaining, informative and mind-stimulating for children, teens, adults and senior citizens. In 1994 b. dazzle, inc. introduced its a high quality made-in-America, ecologically conscious consumer product, Scramble Squares® educational puzzles, which are made from all recyclable materials including, vegetable-based printing ink. The subject matter of Scramble Squares® puzzles heavily emphasizes nature, especially endangered species and protected natural regions. Examples of endangered species featured as Scramble Squares® puzzles, among the over 70 nature puzzles offered overall thus far, are Alligators, American Desert Southwest Wildlife (with a gila monster), Bald Eagles, Buffalos, Coho Salmon, Dolphins, Ferocious Felines (including the tiger) Frogs, Manatees, Sharks, Snakes of North America, Polar Bears, Turtles, Wetlands Birds and Whales. Alaska’s Denali National Park, the Rocky Mountain National Park in the United States, Serengeti National Wildlife Refuge in Africa (with the rhinoceros and AfricanElephant), coral reef sea life (Tropical Fish and Seahorses) and American NativeFlowers (created with the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Texas) are among theecological marvels of our planet that are featured as Scramble Squares® puzzles, as well as a“Planets” Scramble Squares® puzzle of our solar system, itself.

FOUR SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLES HONORED AS DR. TOY’S BEST CLASSIC TOYS FOR 2012

REDONDO BEACH, CA…April 10, 2012… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that four (4) of its Scramble Squares® 9-piece educational brain teaser puzzles for all ages have beenhonored by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco as among only thirty-two (32) products selected worldwide as “Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2012.”  The four honored Scramble Squares® puzzles are “Bears,” “Diggin’ Dinos,” “Hoops!,” and “Hummingbirds.” Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., known as Dr. Toy, has been tracking trends in the toy business for more than 30 years.  In her just released book, Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Products for 2012, she has searched across the entire toy industry for the great classic toys that fit the criteria for fun and high play value.  Dr. Auerbach, Director of the Institute for Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, is the only Ph.D. with extensive training, background and 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 an educator, consultant, parent and grandparent.  Dr. Toy reports that in the years that the innovative on-line magazine Dr.Toy’s Guide has been available, “thousands of visitors from around the world have accessed information daily.”  The site was the first on-line resource to evaluate toys and children’s products.

Dr. Toy says, “Classic toys are enduring and have many important benefits. They encourage the child’s interaction, involvement and are truly child-powered. A wide variety of selections are included among this year’s winners. The list reflects toys that Dr. Toy says “are perfect for all ages and interests from baby to older children, teens and adults, from low to high tech, and from nature to nurture.”

The object of the Scramble Squares® puzzle game is to arrange the nine colorfully illustrated 4” x 4” square pieces into a 12” square so that the realistic graphics on the pieces’ edges match perfectly to form completed pictures in every direction.  They make inexpensive, but highly valued gifts for all ages.”

Adults and seniors love made in America Scramble Squares® puzzles as much as do children, teenagers and college students.  Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4″ x 4″ square pieces, award winning Scramble Squares® puzzles are Perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®!  At under $10.00 each suggested retail, Scramble Squares® puzzles make inexpensive, but highly valued gifts for both men and women alike.  Over 135 styles of exquisite original art are available on nature, sports, history, culture, geography, science, technology, gourmet, occupations, fantasy, hobbies and activities, and more new styles are added throughout each year.  Scramble Squares® puzzles teach critical thinking skills, fine motor skills, patience, perseverance, and they help maintain mental agility in older persons, while providing stimulating entertainment as either a solitaire game or as a cooperative activity. Each puzzle package includes a panel of fascinating facts on the subject of the puzzle, as well as a trivia question and hidden answer, all packaged in a unique and handy resealable heavy duty 101/2” long x 53/4” wide  x 3/8” deep vinyl travel pouch which can be collected and stored easily in a standard 3-ring binder.

“HISTORIC GUNS” IS THE NEWEST SCRAMBLE SQUARES® BRAINTEASER PUZZLE

The WINCHESTER 73, “The gun the won the West” and inspired a movie, ” the GARAND M1, the rifle that WWII General George S. Patton called “The greatest battle implement ever devised” the COLT ARMY 1860 .44 Caliber 6-SHOT REVOLVER HANDGUN, one of the most widely-used revolvers of the Civil War, the COLT 1911 A1 .45 ACP CALIBER HANDGUN, the most loved, studied and enduring pistol design in history and the GATLING GUN, one of the best known early rapid-fire weapons and a forerunner of the modern machine gun are all featured on the “Historic Guns” Scramble Squares®, the newest9-piece brain teaser puzzle for all ages from b. dazzle, inc.  Award winning Scramble Squares® 9-piece brain teaser puzzles are Easy To Play, But Hard To Solve!® for children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens of all ages.  Made in America Scramble Squares® puzzlesteach patience, perseverance, fine motor skills and critical thinking skills and help maintain mental agility while providing stimulating entertainment as a either a solitaire game or a cooperative activity.  Each puzzle package includes a panel of fascinating facts on the subject of the puzzle, as well as a trivia question and hidden answer to the trivia question, all packaged in a unique and handy resealable clear vinyl pouch, which can be stored easily in a standard 3-ring binder.  Scramble Squares® styles are available on nature, sports, history, culture, occupations, fantasy, science, technology, hobbies and activities.  Displays come complete with the amazing 5-Minute Challenge® in store free puzzle giveaway promotion, and watch them fly!

LADYBUGS SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLE RECEIVES “DR. TOY’S BEST PICKS CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS FOR 2011”

REDONDO BEACH, CA…September  28, 2011… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that its newest Scramble Squares® 9-piece puzzle, “Ladybugs,” has been named one of  “Dr. Toy’s Best Picks Children’s Products for 2011” by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco.  

In announcing these awards, noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), Director of The Institute For Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, and a childhood specialist for over 40 years, said, “Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Picks Children’s Products for 2011 is being released “ 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.”

“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.

Each puzzle package includes a panel of fascinating facts on the subject of the puzzle, as well as a trivia question and hidden answer to the trivia question, all packaged in a unique and handy resealable heavy duty 10-1/2” long x 5-3/4” wide x 3/8” deep vinyl travel pouch for easy storage, travel and mailing. 

Scramble Squares® styles are available on nature, sports, history, culture, occupations, fantasy, science, technology, hobbies and activities. Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4″ x 4″ square pieces, exquisite Scramble Squares® puzzles are Perhaps The World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®!  At under $10.00 each suggested retail, Scramble Squares® puzzles make inexpensive, but highly valued gifts for both men and women alike.  Over 135 exquisite styles of colorful original art are available.  Retailers carrying Scramble Squares® puzzles can be found by zip code location on the interactive “Find A Retailer” page of the b. dazzle, inc. web site: http://www.b-dazzle.com.  Scramble Squares® may also be purchased directly from b. dazzle, inc. either on its web site or by toll free telephone at (800) 809-4242.

TEMPLE IN PARADISE SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLE RECEIVES “DR. TOY’S 10 BEST SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS AWARD FOR 2011” AND “DR. TOY’S BEST 100 CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS AWARD FOR 2011”

REDONDO BEACH, CA…September 7, 2011… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that its newest Scramble Squares® 9-piece puzzle, “Temple In Paradise”, has been named one of “Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Socially Responsible Products for 2011” and also among “Dr. Toy’s Best 100 Children’s Products for 2011” by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco.

In announcing these awards, noted child development authority, Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D. (a.k.a. Dr. Toy), Director of The Institute For Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, and a childhood specialist for over 40 years, said, “As a natural, on-going part of our work as parents, teachers, early childhood specialists and others involved with children at home or elsewhere, we observe children at play. With our own eyes we see what works…and what doesn’t hold up under tough testing – the normal barrage of active, inquisitive, and resourceful babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and older children. I utilize a complicated set of objective and subjective criteria to evaluate toys and other products. Some questions to ask are:

• Is this product worth the price?
• Does it have lasting play value?
• Is it appropriate?
• Is it fun?
• Does it meet safety standards?

Dr. Toy’s Guide (www.drtoy.com) is offered to complement these observations and to help in selecting the right products to enhance play and learning. They stimulate the imagination, engage the player, have value, and hold up over time.”

Dr. Auerbach is the only Ph.D. with extensive training, background and over 41 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 an educator, consultant, parent and grandparent.

Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4″ x 4″ square pieces, exquisite Scramble Squares® puzzles are Perhaps The World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®! At under $10.00 each suggested retail, Scramble Squares® puzzles make inexpensive, but highly valued gifts for both men and women alike. Over 135 exquisite styles of colorful original art are available. Retailers carrying Scramble Squares® puzzles can be found by zip code location on the interactive “Find A Retailer” page of the b. dazzle, inc. web site: http://www.b-dazzle.com Scramble Squares® may also be purchased directly from b. dazzle, inc. either on its web site or by toll free telephone at (800) 809-4242.