The Toy Book‘s July/August issue showcases new puzzles and games for mass and specialty retail. We received dozens of submissions fit to print, beyond what fit on our printed pages. Here’s a look at 10 more specialty games and puzzles after the jump.
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Ares Games will release its new board game Aztlán, created by the Italian game designer Leo Colovini, this fall. Aztlán is a strategy game with bluffing and challenging mechanics, for three to four players, set in the mythical land of Aztlán, ancestral home of the Nahuatl (Aztec) people. In Aztlán, four tribes strive to survive and prosper, under the scrutiny of the Aztec Gods themselves. |
 Before Noah gathered the animals there was a world of creatures to behold. Within Pieces of History: The Parade of Animals, from Find It Games, is a vivid image of animals from across the globe, ranging from pandas to koalas. Throughout the 300-piece puzzle, icons are hidden within the scenery. Can you find Gold Dust Day gecko, fox, or salmon? The beautifully detailed key of animals explains the significance of each found object. Once play is done, consider framing this piece of art. |
 Launched by The Brand Cafe, Kwizniac is a trivia countdown game designed to test players’ knowledge under pressure. The object of the game is for players to accumulate as many points as possible by correctly answering as many trivia questions as possible. To help players correctly identify the answer to each question, a set of 10 clues is provided in decreasing order of difficulty, where each clue is easier to decipher than the previous clue in sequence. The number of points a player receives for a correct answer decreases as he or she progresses through the sequence of clues. The player with the highest score wins the game.The Brand Cafe launched a Kwizniac iPhone/iPad app in February and is releasing Kwizniac 2 and Kwizniac Kidz in August. |
 Smartypants, part of the Tavern Puzzles line from Tucker-Jones House, allows players to show off their smarts with this brainteaser. The object of the game is to remove the ring. Tavern Puzzles evolved from reproductions of hand-forged artifacts that Dennis Sucilsky came across while researching architectural hardware. As a blacksmith, Sucilsky was able to use his knowledge of iron-working and toolmaking for production of metal puzzles. The earliest Tavern Puzzles are based on designs centuries old. New styles are added on a regular basis; some of these are original designs, others are new versions of classics. |
 A monstrously fast game from Haba, Monster Bake challenges kids ages 5 and up with its backward baking recipes. In the monster kitchen everything is topsy-turvy: it all has to be stirred and kneaded, then weighed and tested. Then, plop the glass with the colorful sugar balls in the middle of the mixing bowl. Who can help the monster bakers decorate the cakes properly? As everybody simultaneously stirs their spoon in the mixing bowl, it is not very easy to scoop out the right balls. |
 Mathable Deluxe is part of Wooky Entertainment‘s Mathable collection of games that help reinforce a range of useful math skills while delivering hours of learning-focused fun. The game is designed for two to four players and features wooden tiles and tile racks. With Mathable Deluxe, kids ages 9 and up can solve basic math equations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with a stylish keepsake game. This version includes a gameboard, four wooden tile racks, 108 wooden tiles, deluxe tile bag, and color instructions. |
 InnovativeKids’ green start giant floor puzzles measure 2 feet by 3 feet when built, are made with 98 percent post-consumer recycled materials, and are printed with eco-friendly inks. Each puzzle stores inside a durable eco-friendly carrying case with a natural rope handle. New additions to the line include the 60-piece Princess Fairyland and the 35-piece Dinosaurs green start giant floor puzzles for ages 3 and up. |
 Published by PomegranateKids, an imprint of Pomegranate Communications, Susan Stockdale’s Animals Block Puzzle features six reproductions of drawings by Susan Stockdale. Pomegranate’s block puzzles are composed of 12 2-inch square blocks, which may be flipped and turned to form six different artworks. The works of art in this puzzle are toucan, giant anteater, tiger, golden lion tamarin, African jacana, and kangaroo. |
 Think-a-lot Toys recently released Think-ets the Party Games Edition as part of its growing collection of games that stimulate imagination and creativity. The Party Games Edition has 15 tiny trinkets from around the world, this time for use in games that adults, students, and teens can play. The Party Games “tiny trinkets” include a meerkat, a giant goblet, a magic carpet, a purple person, a “War & Peace” book, a gold ring, and a hammer, among others.The Party Games Edition gives adults, teens, and college kids a slightly more sophisticated version of the game to play—at a picnic, at a bar, or on a houseboat—and then get silly with stories, throw objects into glasses, or try to come up with categories, rhymes, and names in speedy fashion. |
 Double the fun with two-in-one puzzles. With Educational Insights’ Match It Up puzzles, students choose a piece, note the picture on the back, and search the puzzle tray for the matching picture. Finish the puzzle to reveal a hidden picture. Beginning and advanced puzzles are included in each set, for ages 6 and up. The Time Puzzles include one 24-piece puzzle and one 35-piece puzzle for a total of 59 “time” problems. The Money Puzzles include two 35-piece puzzles for a total of 70 “money” problems. Vocabulary puzzles are also available. |
Click here to see more games and puzzles in The Toy Book‘s July/August issue.
