Category: News

THREE SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLES HONORED AS DR. TOY’S BEST PRODUCT PICKS 2009

REDONDO BEACH, CA…November 6, 2009… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that three of its newest  Salmon Scramble Squares® 9-piece educational brain teaser puzzles have been honored as among Dr. Toy’s Best Product Picks 2009 by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco.The new “Buffalos,” “Cowboys & Cowgirls” and “Roosters” Scramble Squares®  puzzlesall received this high honor from America’s leading authority on play.

The report, “Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Picks Children’s Products for 2009”, is being released, according to Dr. Toy, 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 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. Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., aka, “Dr. Toy,” Director of the Institute for Childhood Resources, founded in San Francisco in 1975, 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.  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.”  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.

“Children learn best through play,” says Dr. Auerbach, “and these smart new toys and products encourage children to maximize their potentials.  This is a good time to ‘take stock’ and do an inventory of what your child is playing with, what is not used and what they need next in their development.” adds Dr.Auerbach.  “Dr. Toy’s Guide offers excellent ideas for choosing new products for use in learning, after school play and the holidays ahead.”
           
“Dr. Toy’s Best Picks ” were carefully chosen 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. Winning products are manufactured by new, small and large companies from around the world.  Complete information about these smart toys and products are included in the full report www.drtoy.com).

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, 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 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.

SALMON SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLE HONORED AMONG DR. TOY’S 10 BEST SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTS FOR 2009

REDONDO BEACH, CA…October 6, 2009… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that its new Salmon Scramble Squares® 9-piece educational brain teaser puzzle for all ages has been honored as among Dr. Toy’s 10 Best Socially Responsible Products for 2009 and among Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Products for 2009 by The Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco.

The 18th Annual report of “Dr. Toy’s 100 BestChildren’s Products 2009” awards is now available to parents, teachers and others in the online magazine, Dr. Toy’s Guide, at http://www.drtoy.com.  The free report also is available by sending a SASE #10 envelope to Dr. Toy.

“Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products” Awards Program2009 was 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, stimulating toys and products for children.  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 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.  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.

Describing the Salmon Scramble Squares® 9-Piece Puzzle in “Dr. Toy’s 100 Best Children’s Products for 2009,” Dr. Auerbach writes, “The valiant salmon swims   upstream to fresh water from the oceans to spawn.  Solving this Salmon Scramble Squares®” 9-Piece brainteaser puzzle from b. dazzle, inc. requires the same kind of determination and perseverance. 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, 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 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.

FOUR SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLES AWARDED DR. TOY’S BEST PLAY AND LEARN VACATION PROGRAM WINNERS FOR 2009

REDONDO BEACH, CA…JUNE 23, 2009… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that four of its new 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 one hundred twenty-three (123) products world wide selected as “Dr. Toy’s Best Play and Learn Vacation Program for 2009.”  The four honored Scramble Square® puzzles include “Black Bears,” “Kites,” “Seahorses,” and “Squirrels.”

The report of Dr. Toy’s Best Play and Learn Vacation Award Winning Products for Summer 2009 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 on vacation.

Dr. Toy’s Best Play and Learn 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 that 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 learning process.”

“Exquisite award-winning Scramble Squares® are perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzles® with over 135 topics for all ages.  Black Bears Scramble Squares® has been very popular with campers, naturalists, tourist attractions, outfitters and campgrounds. Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4” x 4” pieces, they are perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®! Scramble Squares® puzzles are Easy To Play, But Hard To Solve®! The object of the Scramble Squares® puzzle game is to arrange the nine colorfully illustrated 4” x 4” pieces into a 12” square so that the realistic graphics on the piece’s edges match perfectly to form completed pictures in every direction.  Scramble Squares® puzzles teach patience, perseverance, fine motor skills, critical thinking skills and help maintain mental agility while providing stimulating entertainment as either a solitaire game or a cooperative activity. Each puzzle includes an interpretive 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 vinyl travel pouch, which can be collected and stored. Over 135 exquisite styles of colorful original art are available on nature, sports, history, culture, geography, science, technology, occupations, fantasy, hobbies and activities. Scramble Squares® puzzles are highly rated by the Ableplay.org web site of the Lekotek National Center in Chicago, which ranks products that are beneficial to the learning disabled.”

Dr. Toy reports, “The Best Play and Learn Vacation Products, selected from large and small, new and established, companies across the U.S.A., Canada, and other countries, will provide children with exciting new learning tools that will help them not only to do better in school, but also will provide more constructive activities while traveling or on vacation.”

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 are balanced from among large and small companies and 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 to ‘take stock’ and do an inventory of what your child is playing with, what is not used, and what they need next in their development.”  Dr. Toy’s Best Products for Summer 2009 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.  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.  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 $8 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. 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, theworld’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.barnesandnoble.com and at many toy and book stores.

“We are very pleased, honored and extremely gratified that over the 15 years that we have produced Scramble Squares® puzzles, our Scramble Squares® puzzles have maintained the very high standards that Dr. Toy upholds as her criteria for “Dr. Toy’s Best Play and Learn Vacation Program for 2009,” says b. dazzle founder, puzzle designer, president & CEO, Kathie Gavin.

Founded in 1993, b. dazzle, inc. is a progressive market-driven company which manufacturers and distributes wholesale in the gift, souvenir, toy and educational products industries a wide range of beautiful, wholesome, entertaining and informative made in America gifts of high quality and low cost for all ages of  adults and children that can be selected by topic to appeal to the personal interests of the recipient and can be enjoyed as cross generational family activities.  dazzle, inc. is an official member of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition of the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles:  http://www.charactercounts.org (800-711-2670; 310-846-4800). 

The purpose of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is to fortify the lives of America’s young people with consensus ethical values called the “Six Pillars of Character.”  These six key character values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.  Because our society places such a high value onmaterial success, there is the tendency in human nature to pursue success by  material success, there is the tendency in human nature to pursue success by any means, whether fairly or unfairly, honestly or dishonestly.  We strongly believe that with oursuccess comes a duty for us to contribute to our society.  We wish to do so by advancing the principles of good character and ethical behavior, not only by operating our business in accordance with ethical standards, but also by advancing and promoting the importance of ethical business practices and ethical behavior throughout our industry and our society at large.  The “CHARACTER COUNTS!” Coalition has become the nation’s leading character education system, now reaching five million youngsters through a widespread partnership of schools and youth-serving organizations. Two United States’ Presidents, the Congress, most states and countless municipalities have endorsed the Coalition’s approach and declared the third week in October “National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week.”

FOUR SCRAMBLE SQUARES® 9-PIECE PUZZLES RECEIVE “DR. TOY’S BEST CLASSIC TOYS FOR 2009” AWARD

REDONDO BEACH, CA…April 28, 2009… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that fourof 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 twenty-nine (29) products selected as “Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2009.”  The four honored Scramble Square® puzzles include the very first Scramble Squares® puzzle, “Baseball,” introduced in January, 1994; “Dolphins,” introduced in 1995; “Puppies,” introduced in 1996; and “Frogs,” introduced by b. dazzle, inc. in 1998.

The Institute for Childhood Resources’ Director,Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.D., known  throughout the toy industry as Dr. Toy, has been tracking trends in the toy business for more than 30 years.  In her just released Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Products for 2009, she has searched across the entire toy industry for the great classic toys that fit the criteria for fun and “high play value.”  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 twenty-nine 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 following is Dr. Toy’s evaluation of b. dazzle, inc. Scramble Squares® 9-Piece Puzzles: 

“Adults and seniors love these made-in-America Scramble Squares® puzzles as much as children, teenagers and college students. Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4″ x 4″ square pieces, Scramble Squares® puzzles are Perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®!  At under $10.00 each, they make perfect gifts that are not only inexpensive, but highly valued.  Consider giving the puzzles for birthdays, graduation, travel, Get Well, Easter and for any holiday.  Scramble Squares® puzzles teach patience, perseverance, fine motor and critical thinking skills, and help maintain mental agility while providing stimulating entertainment as either a solitaire game or a cooperative activity. Each puzzle package includes an interpretive panel of fascinating facts on the subject of the puzzle, as well as a trivia question and hidden answer. Each puzzle is 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, which can be stored easily in a standard 3-ring binder. Scramble Squares® puzzles are highly rated by the Ableplay.org web site of the Lekotek National Center in Chicago, which ranks products that are beneficial to the learning disabled.”

“You can count on classic toys,” says Dr. Toy. “These are the long lasting toys that ‘keep on playing long after the batteries and latest fads are gone.” Where do you turn for a selection that provides a timeless, fun experience that will hold a child’s interest? Dr. Toy advises “Look for toys that have remained valued playthings since they were firstintroduced ten or more years ago.  These are the lasting favorites of all childrenwho have played with them.”

Dr. Toy carefully surveys the toy marketplace year round to select a wide-range of great classic toys.  While she keeps abreast of new products, Dr. Toy keeps her eye on theenduring and endearing qualities of the toys of yesteryear.  The classic toys she has selected as winners have been available for ten, fifty, or a hundred years or more.“A classic toy is simple to enjoy, has a lot of play value, and has been tested over many years,”Dr. Toy explains.  “There are many other aspects of a classic toy that remain of value,” she continues *Durability.  Simplicity in style and ‘star qualities’ make them all-time favorites.  Some examples are: checkers, chess, hula-hoops, kites, marbles and Yo Yo’s.

*Consistency.  The consistent toy that is simple in shape and responds based on what the child does with it.  These toys give children a feeling of accomplishment because the more they practice with them, the better they become.  For example, the more a child practices with a Yo Yo the better he or she can become at doing tricks.  This practice provides eye/hand coordination and dexterity, and all along each step of the way the rewards are satisfying.

*Creativity.  By expanding their own imagination, children are encouraged to experiment using classic toys.  Think about how children use a puppet.  Children use their own language, their own artistic expression, and they can explore without limit to achieve their own goals.  The puppet forms the object that encourages their language development.  It helps the child spontaneously stimulate the language of play at theright moment.”

Among the “Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys for 2009” are products that are consistent, creative, and as much fun as ever, or improved in some tangible way to make the play value even greater.  “When you look carefully at this year’s winners, Dr. Toy states, “you see the best examples of Classic Toys. Children will love the classic style of the Fisher-Price, Little People 50th Birthday Play ‘n Go Farm™, LEGO Systems Brickbeard’s Bounty, Schylling’s Children’s Tin Tea Set.  He or she will enjoy learning how to solve

b. dazzle’s amazing Scramble Squares ® 9-piece themed puzzles of Dolphins, Frogs, Puppies and/or Baseball; learning the amazing games offered by Pressman’s Mastermind or Family Pastime’s Max; or learning new tricks with Duncan Toy’s Duncan® Butterfly Yo-Yo.  Your child will delight in activity with the Green Toy Company’s Green Toys ™ jump rope; Wham-O’s Hula Hoop or Hackey Sack; or your child will be involved in hours of active imaginative play with Little Tikes’ Cozy Coupe; Automoblox’s Automoblox T9-SE; Carrera’s slot racing cars set based on Spider-Man; and ALEX’s Lemonade Stand and picnic basket.  Children will value the creative and educational experience offered by Figures in Motion’s Famous Figures of Ancient Times: Movable Paper Figures to Cut, Color and Assemble, and the amazing natural collections found in the World Discovery Box’s Discovery Box.  They will always enjoy creativity with Crayola’s Model Magic Deluxe Craft and the 64 Ct Crayons with Built-In Sharpener; and For My Kids’ Happy Fun Dough, or creatively personalizing Color Me House’s Color Me House, building with the K’NEX’s 400-Piece Value Tub, and role playing with Heavenly Hugs Doll’s Heavenly Hug, Wild Republic’s Hanging Monkey,ALEX’s Crafty Fashion Show, and Adorable Originals’, Adorable Girl® Doll and more! 

These toys have truly met the ‘test of time.’  They have endured, entertained, and satisfied children for many years, and will continue to do so for many years to come.”

The winners of the annual classic toy search are included in Dr. Toy’sBest Classic Toys for 2009, available now on the free, popular, accessible web-site that presents her award selections for parents and teachers to benefit children.  Dr. Toy’s Guide, http://www.drtoy.com, provides all pertinent information and includes photos, complete product descriptions, links to company sites, and consumer information.  Dr. Auerbach’s earlier book, Toys for a Lifetime: Enhancing Childhood Through Play (Rizzoli), provides a close up of over 60 classic toys that you enjoyed.  She is also the author of Dr. Toy’s  Smart Play/Smart Toys: How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q. (St Martins Press, 1999, Educational Insights, 2004, and ICR, 2006).  

Dr. Toy really appreciates and values classic toys.  “You easily share in the good feeling of nostalgia and enjoyment that is connected to toys that bring back special memories of goodtimes playing with others,” she says. “Have you noticed many of the toys that you played with as a child are still available to share with your children (or grandchildren)?  Those childhood classics have lasted over generations to continue to bring joy.  The joy of sharing a toy with your child that you play with is a special treat for you and for your child.  Also, many adults collect toys as a fun hobby.  Besides, adults need more time to play for emotional and physical benefits.” “More playtime for all!” is Dr. Toy’s Rx forchildren and for adults.  We applaud the longevity of classic toys and hope that many new generations of children will continue to enjoy the classic toys we have selected as best for this year.”

“We are very pleased, honored and extremely gratified that over the 15 years that we have produced Scramble Squares® puzzles, our Scramble Squares® puzzles have maintained the very high standards that Dr. Toy upholds as her criteria for “Dr. Toy’s Best Classic Toys” awards,” says b. dazzle founder, puzzle designer, president & CEO, Kathie Gavin.

Founded in 1993, b. dazzle, inc. is a progressive market-driven company which manufacturers and distributes wholesale in the gift, souvenir, toy and educational products industries a wide range of beautiful, wholesome, entertaining and informative gifts of high quality and low cost for all ages of  adults and children that can be selected by style to appeal to the personal interests of the recipient and can be enjoyed as cross generational family activities. 

b. dazzle, inc. is an official member of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition of the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles:  http://www.charactercounts.org (800-711-2670; 310-846-4800). 

The purpose of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is to fortify the lives of America’s young people with consensus ethical values called the “Six Pillars of Character.”  These six key character values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.  Because our society places such a high value onmaterial success, there is the tendency in human nature to pursue success by  material success, there is the tendency in human nature to pursue success by any means, whether fairly or unfairly, honestly or dishonestly.  We strongly believe that with oursuccess comes a duty for us to contribute to our society.  We wish to do so by advancing the principles of good character and ethical behavior, not only by operating our business in accordance with ethical standards, but also by advancing and promoting the importance of ethical business practices and ethical behavior throughout our industry and our society at large.  The “CHARACTER COUNTS!” Coalition has become the nation’s leading character education system, now reaching five million youngsters through a widespread partnership of schools and youth-serving organizations. Two United States’ Presidents, the Congress, most states and countless municipalities have endorsed the Coalition’s approach and declared the third week in October “National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week.”

SCRAMBLE SQUARES® PUZZLES RECEIVE TDmonthly TOP TOY 2008 AWARD

REDONDO BEACH, CA… September 23, 2008… b. dazzle, inc. of Redondo Beach, California, has announced that its highly popular Scramble Squares® 9-piece brain teaser puzzle line has received the “TDmonthly TOP TOY 2008 AWARD.

TDmonthly, a subsidiary of ToyDirectory.com, is an online trade publication for the toy, hobby, gift and game industries with more than 27,800 registered retailer subscribers. For more than 12 years, ToyDirectory.com has been connecting retailers and manufacturers within the specialty toy industry. As of May 2008, Google™ ranks ToyDirectory.com the No. 1 site in the world for wholesale trade directories.

ToyDirectory.com and TDmonthly Magazine accelerate business among toy-industry professionals by providing a central online meeting place where retailers can quickly locate new products and companies, and manufacturers can promote their product lines, awards and specials. ToyDirectory’s community of 1,200 manufacturers and TDmonthly’s 27,800 registered retailers can download toy videos for their websites, find out what’s selling nationwide, read about breaking news and trends, and get advice from experts on how to develop and maintain profitable relationships. TDmonthly includes a database of more than 17,000 products, 1,100 product demonstration videos and more than 3,000 pages of articles and tips.

Out of its 17,000 listed products, TDmonthly has named Scramble Squares® puzzles as among the 44 winners of its 2008 TDmonthly awards. These 44 products are the most positive toys of the year, selected from shape-shifting games and toys that go ‘under construction’ with surprising designs and materials, to favorites that can’t be forgotten. The 2008 awardees collectively capture a spirit of innovation and classic appeal. Winners were independently nominated and did not pay a fee to enter the competition. They were selected based on a number of criteria, including product quality, safety and design; play value; appeal to children and parents; reviews by experts, consumers and TDmonthly staff in-house and at industry trade shows; positive affect on children and society; and success within the specialty market, or the potential to perform well in specialty retail stores. According to ToyDirectory.com founder and publisher Bob Naimi, “The quality, educational value and ‘fun’ factor inherent in these products demonstrate what the specialty toy market is all about. Our awards program is one way we’re helping toy-store owners and parents identify safe and constructive toys for today’s children,” said TDmonthly Publisher Naimi.”

There are over 130 Scramble Squares® styles of exquisite original art available on nature, sports, history, geography, culture, occupations, fantasy, science, technology hobbies and activities, and many new styles are introduced every year. Scramble Squares® are Easy To Play, But Hard To Solve® for children, teenagers, adults and senior citizens. Although each Scramble Squares® puzzle has only nine 4” x 4” pieces, Scramble Squares® puzzles are Perhaps the World’s Most Challenging Puzzle®! At under $10.00 retail, Scramble Squares® puzzles make inexpensive, but highly entertaining and valued gifts for both men and women alike…for Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, birthdays, get well, graduation, travel and holidays. Scramble Squares® puzzles teach patience, perseverance, fine motor skills and critical thinking skills and help maintain mental agility in older persons, while providing stimulating entertainment as either a solitaire game or a cooperative activity. Scramble Squares® puzzles are highly rated by the Ableplay.org web site of the Lekotek National Center in Chicago, which ranks products that are beneficial to the learning disabled. Each Scramble Squares® puzzle package includes a panel of fascinating facts on the subject of the puzzle, as well as a trivia question and hidden trivia question answer, all packaged in a unique and handy resealable heavy duty 10-1/2” long x 5-3/4” wide x 3/8” deep clear vinyl travel pouch which can be collected and stored easily in a standard 3-ring binder.

We are very honored and extremely gratified that our Scramble Squares® line was selected as an award winner from the more than 200 products in TDmonthly’s 2008 Specialty Toys Report, “Positive Toys for a Promising Future,” says b. dazzle founder, puzzle designer, president & CEO, Kathie Gavin.

Founded in 1993, b. dazzle, inc. is a progressive market-driven company which manufacturers and distributes wholesale in the gift, souvenir, toy and educational products industries a wide range of beautiful, wholesome, entertaining and informative gifts of high quality and low cost for all ages of adults and children that can be selected by style to appeal to the personal interests of the recipient and can be enjoyed as cross-generational family activities.

b. dazzle, inc. is an official member of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition of the Josephson Institute of Ethics in Los Angeles: (800-711-2670; 310-846-4800). The purpose of the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition is to fortify the lives of America’s young people with consensus ethical values called the “Six Pillars of Character.” These six key character values, which transcend divisions of race, creed, politics, gender and wealth, are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Because our society places such a high value on material success, there is the tendency in human nature to pursue success by any means, whether fairly or unfairly, honestly or dishonestly. We strongly believe that with our success comes a duty for us to contribute to our society. We wish to do so by advancing the principles of good character and ethical behavior, not only by operating our business in accordance with ethical standards, but also by advancing and promoting the importance of ethical business practices and ethical behavior throughout our industry and our society at large. The “CHARACTER COUNTS!” Coalition has become the nation’s leading character education system, now reaching five million youngsters through a widespread partnership of schools and youth-serving organizations. Two United States’ Presidents, the Congress, most states and countless municipalities have endorsed the Coalition’s approach and declared the third week in October “National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week.”