Terra Toys « Terra Toys

The Greatest Dot to Dot Super Challenge! by David Kalvitis

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Okay, okay. I know this isn’t your typical book-review book, but I think it’s definitely worth mentioning. Most dot-to-dot books are very simple and geared for younger kids. Usually the progression is from matching to dot-to-dot to mazes to more difficult things like sudoku. But dot-to-dot puzzles don’t have to be just for small children.

The Greatest Dot to Dot books are a series of 7 (and hopefully more forthcoming) books of innovative variations on dot-to-dots. Books 1-4 take the regular old puzzle to the next level – harder than usual, but not epically frustrating. Books 5-7 are Super Challenge! books for even more advanced users – fun even for adults!

Some cool examples: odd/even puzzles puzzles in which you only connect odd numbers only and even numbers only on two separate lines, "compass" puzzles in which you connect a solid grid of dots by traveling in the directions specified by the code key, and puzzles with over 1300 dots spanning across two pages!

To visualize those confusing descriptions and try some sample puzzles, visit the website.

(For younger kids, we still have lots of dot-to-dot and picture puzzle books in our Dover books rack).

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Rumis, Award-Winning Strategy Game

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Rumis (also marketed as Blokus 3D) is a challenging strategy game in three dimensions. Like some other strategy games, the end goal is to cover most of the board with your own color of blocks. The hard part is that only the top layer of any part of the structure counts – the player with the most stones visible from above is the winner.

Included are 6 "building plans", different gameboard footprints inside which your stones must be placed. Each game board also has guidelines for how high a structure may stand at any given point – this adds difficulty and makes for very interesting-looking structures.

Great for game nights, whether for just grownups or for family.

Rumis, $30, 2-4 players, ages 8 to adult

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

New Uglydolls!

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

The first of this year’s new Uglydolls have arrived! Picksey is pale and angelic, and funny green Pointy Max looks like something with which you might dig in your garden. These and several other varieties are available in our Uglydoll section. Yes, that’s right, we have a whole section devoted to these weird things. Clearly, "ugly" is the new "charming". Also, keep your eyes peeled for 6 more dolls to be released from February through October.

Picksey and Pointy Max Uglydolls, $20 each

Also available as Little Uglies, $10 each

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Fold Me a Poem by Kristine O’Connell George (2005)

Sunday, January 31st, 2010

Fold Me a Poem is a lovely book of poetry that highlights the author’s realization that a few folds can bring paper to life just as a few words can bring an idea to life. Each page contains a poem: some haiku, some free verse. The words and illustrations bring the paper animals to life and provide interesting ideas to get creative with paper creations.

This is not an instruction guide, but the inspiring illustrations will make kids want to learn to make every animal in the book. (Check out our origami section for paper and instructions).

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Tin Wind-Up Robots Galore

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

Our collection of tin toys and robots has long been a favorite of robot connoisseurs. Winding, whirring, sparkling, shooting, ambling, speeding – each robot has a unique personality. Some are bumbling; some are charismatic; some strike fear into the hearts of men. And each one is totally awesome. (I mean, all robots are awesome, right?)

Our tin robot stock is constantly changing. New robots as well as "new" reproductions are released throughout each year. So please don’t cry when you find out that some of the pictured robots are sold out – we almost always have 20 to 40 styles to choose from, so drop in and see if there’s a fabulous mechanized friend for you.

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Spin Me a Rainbow Puzzle Game

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Finding good games for kids under 5 can be difficult. Many concepts are a little too difficult, and many children are frustrated by strategy and competition. But try this one:

Spin Me a Rainbow is an adorable game from Eeboo, a company that has very consistently cute and lovely artwork. They make several different versions of the classic memory matching game, but this one is has a bingo twist to it.

Flick the spinner to play; first to gather all the shapes wins. Combining colors, shapes, matching, and cute animals, this is an adorable and very simple game that children three to four years old will enjoy. (Older children may find it not challenging, but we have several other Eeboo games to suit a variety of ages.)

Spin Me a Rainbow, $16, 1-4 players, ages 3+

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

What Colour is Your World? by Bob Gill (2008 Edition)

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

What Colour is Your World? In 1962, illustrator and graphic designer Bob Gill wrote and illustrated this simple and bold consideration of color. Nearly fifty years later, its message is still valuable: your world is what you make of it. Every person sees things differently, and you are free to create the world as you want it, both literally and figuratively.

Though the book is apparently marketed for children, it is just as valuable for parents. It gently provokes the imaginations of children who are learning their colors and anyone who is exploring his/her creativity.

$14.95

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Japanese Hamster Erasers

Friday, December 18th, 2009

Dry your tears, the Hamster Erasers are back in stock! This is our #1 best-selling stocking stuffer for 2009, and we just received another several hundred to put on the shelf. Hurry, though – they’re pretty much guaranteed to sell out before Christmas. Irresistible hamster erasers, in 8 adorable colors, $1 each.

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Christmas Candy, Ooh La laa!

Monday, November 30th, 2009

I have been having pleasant dreams of selling out of stuff and restocking the store and everyone getting along splendidly. It’s an amazing change from the usual holiday panic dreams! I did have one anxiety dream that I had ordered far too much high-end Christmas candy, and had to face the bittersweet reality eating some leftover $600 worth of candy, both literally and monetarily. In real life, the candy is pretty swell.

The crowning glory is a repeat winner from last year: V Chocolates, caramels and toffee. One bite will put your brain on standby and roll your eyes back into your head. Voted best candy in the store and most "Totally Worth It". Even those who "don’t like caramel" usually love this stuff. 8 pieces to a box for $11, but we’re letting everyone try a sample for just $1. We usually don’t carry a lot of high-end candy, but for these we will always make an exception.

Prices and availability may vary – call store for current info.

Route 29 Brand Candy

Monday, November 30th, 2009

This year’s Route 29 selections are packaged with bright fun designs, sure to please the eye under the tree or at your holiday party. Various flavored caramels will entice, blueberry licorice snowmen will intrigue, and coconut fudge-like snowballs will delight!