PRESS RELEASE

Dr. Toy Announces 2008 New Products Best Picks

San Francisco, CA – (Oct. 13, 2008) – Dr. Toy, (www.drtoy.com), today announced a new feature of selected toys called “BEST PICKS FOR 2008.”

The items were chosen by Dr. Toy , aka Stevanne Auerbach , PhD., who has been evaluating children’s products for more than 25 years, to complement the goal of providing the most current information for parents, grandparents and teachers.

The Best Picks were chosen as the latest new products that utilize innovation in specifically captivating a child’s interest through play to learn, be creative and physically active, while providing consumers with more choices for home and classroom.

Dr. Toy wants parents and teachers to have additional and timely guidance in finding and selecting the best toys and learning products that fit a variety of types of skills for each age.

Dr. Toy ’s Best Picks is a new product collection extending the recently released Dr. Toy Top 100, an overall categorized listing of new products on the market. Each product on the Best Picks list is designated to assist parents, teachers and other adults with valuable information on specific developmentally appropriate activities as noted with the codes that focus on the product’s specific attributes.

“We are pleased to be able to recognize these fine new product picks and to give parents and teachers, additional new and useful information that helps them to balance play choices for all children,” Dr. Toy explained.

Dr. Toy , author of the book Smart Play /Smart Toys (now available at www.barnesandnoble.com and in 11 countries) says, “Many people think play is trivial, but it isn't. Play is vital for the developing mind because it allows children to extend their imagination, resourcefulness, social interaction, problem-solving skills and resilience.” The book and guidance (offered on Dr. Toy ’s Guide www.drtoy.com) helps adults navigate the thousands of toy and play options available, offers tips on how to evaluate toy safety, and provides activities that enhance the P.Q.- “Play Quotient”.

Dr Toy reminds parents: “Don’t forget to play board games, read books, build puzzles, use construction toys, and use imagination to have a fun learning experience, combined with togetherness for you and your child. Play is essential for all ages!”

About Dr Toy
Stevanne Auerbach , Ph.D. , aka “ Dr. Toy ” has been evaluating and speaking about the power of play through toys and children’s products for more than 40 years. She is a parent educator, consultant, and playful grandparent. She was a teacher and staff member of the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Economic Opportunity, where she evaluated educational programs, approved the first grant to “Sesame Street,” organized the first in-house child care center for federal employees’ children, and developed a federal research program on child care. She founded the San Francisco International Toy Museum , the first “Hands On” Toy Museum . She authored hundreds of articles and 15 books, including her internationally best-selling book, Smart Play/Smart Toys How to Raise a Child with a High P.Q. She is Director of the non-profit Institute for Childhood Resources in San Francisco . The Dr. Toy awards programs featured on www.drtoy.com recognize the best educationally oriented, developmentally appropriate and skill-building products. Dr. Toy’s Guide (www.drtoy.com) features over 4,000 product reviews, links to manufacturers, interviews and articles by Dr. Toy, plus hundreds of Best Products including high to low tech, games, puzzles, creative and learning products for all reasons and seasons. In 2007 Dr. Toy was awarded the title of Women of Toys Wonder Woman Entrepreneur. She dedicated the past three years to work on the creation and adoption by The Toys Industry Association, the Toy Industry Code of Conduct. Her work in toys started in 1966 with Creative Playthings.

Alphabetical Listing of Award Winning Companies and Best Products for Best Picks for 2008
Company and Product

Interviews regarding the book and/or toys can be arranged with
Greg Walsh 203- 292-6280 Greg@walshpr.com
Full information on products on www.drtoy.com