Jun 30, 2009

Creative Child Magazine honors Simple ABC Blocks and My First Train Set from Maple Landmark

Middlebury, VT – Creative Child Magazine has named two new Schoolhouse Naturals brand products to their 2009 Honor Roll. My First Train Set was selected to receive the 2009 Preferred Choice Award in the Classic Wooden Toys category while the Simple ABC Blocks were named 2009 Toy of the Year also in the Classic Wooden Toys category. The award winners are chosen by a panel of over 100 moms, educators and other professionals.

A 2-day evaluation event was held in Henderson, Nevada, in May, where over a hundred guest reviewers are invited to attend Creative Child Magazine’s organized review event. Using the “gun-shot start” approach guest reviewers are asked to review products at stations. This allows for each product to be given multiple reviews. The review forms include written comments and evaluation scores based on specific product criteria. Based on the scores and comments products are chosen to be finalists for their category. Only one product per category can win a Toy of the Year award. The remaining finalists receive a prestigious Preferred Choice award.

The Preferred Choice winner in the classic wooden toys category, My First Train Set is substantial 24″ long. Each car measures about 6″ long and vary from 4″ to 5″ tall. The set includes an engine, tender, box car and caboose. Since the cars connect using “knuckle hitches” the connection is easy to make for little hands and the cars can be put together in any order. The set comes wrapped on a “pull stick” for added fun. The “pull stick” can slide over any of the front hitches making all or part of the train a pull toy. My First Train Set is crafted from locally harvested hardwood maple, sanded smooth, lasered details and assembled with large durable wheels – no finishes for parents or grandparents to be concerned about. Hours of open-ended play for children under 3.

The Simple ABC Blocks named Toy of the Year, by Creative Child Magazine in the classic wooden toys category were introduced in the early winter of 2008. The Simple ABC Blocks are crafted from locally, sustainably harvested, hardwood maple, sanded smooth to the touch with no finish, chemical coatings or additives. Blocks measure 1 ¾” cubed with a diverse assortment of letters on each side. The letters are engraved using a clear, basic font for ease of recognition and developing reading skills. Spell over 350 words, phrases and names this block set is not only education but very creative. The Simple ABC Blocks are for children 1 and up.

“We are pleased to have our products recognized by Creative Child Magazine,” comment Jill Stackhouse, Sales Manager. She goes on to say “their review process is hands on by the actual consumer – moms and educators. So the reviews have more meaning to us and hopefully to the millions of people that read Creative Child Magazine.”

Creative Child Magazine will officially announce all products submitted, including award winners on www.creativechild.com. All products submitted are also published in Creative Child Magazine’s Big Holiday issue, which is distributed in early November.

For more information on Creative Child’s award program please visit http://www.creativechild.com/toyfinder.html. To learn more about Maple Landmark’s award-winning Schoolhouse Naturals brand products, please visit the website at www.maplelandmark.com.