Winnie the Pooh Large Plush
(Kids Preferred $25 Score:)

A soft cuddly Pooh is done up in creamy colored plush that has stitched features. He's an armful, 14" big but light enough for toddlers to hug and lug with ease. He's positively silky to the touch and is able to sit up without flopping over. Two of Pooh's friends, Eeyore and Tigger are available in the same size and are equally huggable, though Pooh is the sweetest of the three. There are also 9-inch variations with jingles in their tummies and Piglet is included in this smaller sized collection. Infants and up. Surface washable only. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Winnie the Pooh and Friends
(Kids Preferred $14 Score:)

A darling collection of 9-inch plush huggables featuring Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore. Each of these soft lovable dolls has arms long enough to grasp, safe stitched features, and a jingle sound inside. These are a good choice for sitting up babies and young toddlers. We passed on the smaller Pooh and friends light up musicals that have unpleasant electronic sounds. Surface washable only. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Smarty Kids H is for Hippo Mama-Baby Action Musical
(Kids Preferred $22 Score:)

Unlike most musical toys with keys that turn, this 10-inch pink plush Mama Hippo has a sweet little calico checked baby on her back winds up to make music.  Baby hippo turns slowly as it plays Brahms Lullaby with true music box sounds rather than electronic sounds--a real plus. It has several textures that range from short plush, smooth cotton with a lively print pattern and a short satin ribbon tail. This is one of a new line of musicals from the Smarty Kid line. Also new, see W is for Whale Mama-Baby Action Musical. The G is for Giraffe plays the Alphabet Song has a neck that turns.  It is cute but a bit top heavy and topples over more often than not. Infants. Surface washable only.  The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements.  We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

PBS Kids Exploration Blocks: Building
(PBS Kids $29 Score:)

A 36-piece set makes a good choice for beginning builders or as an add-on to other block sets. Although these are not unit block size, they add interest as decorative elements. Some of the blocks are painted with small shaped that resemble windows. There are arches, cylinders, squares, rectangles, triangles and other odd shapes that kids will find useful for creative building. The set includes a cloth storage bag. All of the pieces are big enough to be safe for toddlers. 1 1/2 & up. There is also a smaller 23 piece set with interesting shapes that is also interesting. PBS Kids Tower Blocks (29.99)

The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Prehistoric Anamalz
(Anamalz $12.95 Score:) Choose from this collection of six dinosaurs; triceratops, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus,Torosaurus, Brontosaurus, and Parasaurolophus. They are handcrafted wooden toys with fabric covered flexible necks, and wooden feet that can be posed for action or give them balance for standing in place. These are finished in natural wood grain with licks of color. Ideal as props for blocks or play with them on the Playmat ($39.95) that is covered with green, blue and brown velour to represent grass, water, and dirt field. The water has fabric rocks that animals can cross and small wooden fish that are under see-through fabric. At the end of the day the playmat turns inside out and becomes a storage holder for all the animals. Also available in this collection, Orange, Apple and Wild Trees ($16.95 each) 6 inches tall. Also see: Farm and Wild AnamalZ ( $8.95 each.) Made in Australia, these are charming collectibles that will have a busy life as kids build block settings of farms, zoos, and prehistoric sites. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Where's that Chipmunk? Game
(Haywire Group $24 Score:)

Our players of mixed ages liked this hide and seek game. It comes with a plush chipmunk and a set of 40 indoor cards, 40 outdoor cards, and create your own cards, 6 score cards and 13 acorn tokens. In each round, one player gets to hide the chipmunk but not just anywhere. The hider picks three cards and then everyone hides their eyes while the hider puts the chipmunk in one of the three places pictured on the cards. The hider then shows the other players the three cards that are printed with clear images and the word(no reading required.) Players then search for the chipmunk. First one to find the toy gets an acorn and becomes the hider in the next round. Winner of the game is the first to get three acorns. This is an active game and the objects on the cards are pretty much objects found in a middle class home. We liked the fact that you can add pictures on the create your own cards.  A good choice for 3-7 year olds for a party or family gathering. It's active play that gets kids moving. Average play is 20 minutes. 2-6 players. 

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Journey Girls Wheel Chair and Crutches
(Toys R Us $24.99 Score:)

Scaled for Kelsey and other 18" dolls in the Journey Girls collection, this is a terrific foldable wheel chair with fabric seat and a pair of crutches as well as a plaster foot cast, an arm cast, ice pack and an elastic bandage. The company has signed a verification form complying with our safety requirements. We did not independently test this toy in a lab.

Although the Journey Girls line is all about travelling and experiencing different places and cultures around the world, this foldable wheel chair with crutches and other props happens to be priced right! For kids with physical challenges it will be a welcome accessory for their dolls and dramatic play.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2011.

Corolle Babe Elf Grenadine
(Corolle $16.99 Score:)

An eye-catching first doll with a quiet little jingle inside. Elf Grenadine is just nine and half inches and dressed in non-removable velour-like and knit fabrics. Her face is vinyl with painted on features. Grenadine is done up in bright red with licks of orange and white stripes and a jaunty orange hat.  If you prefer more pastel tones, look for Elf Apricot with a light pink body, hot pink hat and apricot arms and trim. Either of these makes a cozy choice for baby to explore and for you to use for lap time games. 

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Corolle Doll Bed and Changing Table
(Corolle $60 Score:)

This pink fabric doll bed fits dolls up to 17" and comes with a cleverly designed changing mat that fits on top. What could be better? A versatile combo piece for the dolls' nursery. It's 14" high and ready for doll's naptime. 3 & up.

Age: Preschool. Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Corolle Mon Premier Calin Laughing Flowers
(Corolle $34.99 Score:)

For older toddlers, Corolle's 12-inch Calin dolls have long been our favorites. This year's winners in a continuing line, are Calin Laughing Flowers, dressed in a hot pink knit sweater and rompers with a flowered pink and white flowered top. Her matching knit hat is red and pink. She has dark brown eyes and a sweet vanilla scent. For those who prefer a more pastel look, consider Calin Sorbet in a pink and printed velour romper that is trimmed with eyelet. This little Calin has blue eyes. Their bald heads are a safe choice for toddlers who are still mouthing toys. Their bean-bag bodies allow them to sit in many poses and their sleeping eyes open and close. Best of all they are light and cuddly for early pretend play. Hand washable they have soft vinyl heads, legs and arms and beautiful clothes. Check out other  Calin dolls for multi-ethnic choices.

Age: . Award Year: 2011. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.