November 2007 New Toys — Books

Ralph S. Mouse…and More Exciting Animal Adventure Stories by SCHOLASTIC

The 85-minute DVD is full of live action and dimensional animation. Also included are two other stories: Uncle Elephant and Stanley and the Dinosaurs. This product is a winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video. Launch date: September 25, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lickety-Split by KIDS CAN PRESS

This book is a side-splitting smorgasbord of sights and sounds written by Robert Heidbreder and illustrated by Dusan Petricic. Readers can tag along as the hero trips the rhyme fantastic and spins a tongue-twisting tall tale for his heroine. He ziggity-zags, clickity-clacks, skippity-skips and zippity-zooms from one adventure to the next. 10/11/2007 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chester by KIDS CAN PRESS

In this book, author Mélanie Watt starts out with the story of a mouse in a house. Then Mélanie's cat, Chester, sends the mouse packing and covers the pages with rewrites from his red marker. Mélanie and her mouse won't take Chester's antics lying down. And Chester is obviously a creative powerhouse with confidence to spare. Where will this war of the picture-book makers lead? Is it a one-way ticket to Chesterville, or will Mélanie get her mouse production off the ground? 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mrs. Marlowe's Mice by KIDS CAN PRESS

Mrs. Eleanor Marlowe is young widow who works at Purrington Street Library with her fellow cats and lives in an apartment by herself — not counting the extended family of mice who secretly live with her. But harboring mice is a serious offence in Cat City. Neighbors wonder why Mrs. Marlowe never invites anyone over for catnip tea, and the mice wonder if she's fattening them up for the kill. When officers from the Department of Catland Security show up, can Mrs. Marlowe outwit the police and save her mice? 10/11/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by KIDS CAN PRESS

Young Kate Millet is the model for the painting John Singer Sargent is working on in her parents' garden. But when one of her father's friends arrives with his two daughters, Sargent decides to use them instead. Kate is devastated. Based on numerous letters and recollections from the period, Hugh Brewster's story describes Kate's disappointment, the painter’s difficulties through the long artistic process, Kate's reconciliation with him and how she is immortalized on canvas after all. It is illustrated with more than 35 of Sargent's paintings and sketches. 10/11/2007 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Who Likes the Rain? by KIDS CAN PRESS

Rain makes puddles, helps birds clean their feathers and brings out snails and worms. But what is rain? And how does it transform the world? With movement and color, this book invites children to explore their world with delight and curiosity, as it explains the science of rain and related topics. Readers will discover why rain falls, what raindrops look like, why the air smells different after a rain and much more. It is written by Etta Kaner and illustrated by Marie Lafrance. 10/11/2007 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Faceless Fiend by KIDS CAN PRESS

Pioneering aviatrix Emmaline and her bouncy pilot, Rubberbones, are safe from the headmistresses and monsters of St. Grimelda's School for the time being. But now, a ruthless master criminal known as the Faceless Fiend wants to kidnap their haughty houseguest, Princess Purnah. With help, Emmaline and Rubberbones devise a bold, clever and completely insane escape plan — and things get worse. Readers will follow desperate chases, food fights, ridiculous costumes, balloons over London and more in this book written by Howard Whitehouse and illustrated by Bill Slavin. 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

For Now by KIDS CAN PRESS

In this novel by Gayle Friesen, Jes desperately needs something solid to hold onto. Romance is stalled for her, and her stepsister, the beautiful and seemingly well-adjusted Angela, is clearly a favorite, at home. When Jes's mother announces she is pregnant and the new baby will need a bedroom, Jes knows it won't be Angela who moves. The biggest uncertainty in Jes’s life is love. It’s never predictable, always confusing and may hurt sometimes. But, as she begins to see, no one ever gives up on it. 10/11/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Spin & Match: Fun on the Farm by LEARNING WRAP-UPS INC.

This 66-page book includes three classic stories (“The Sky is Falling,” “The City Mouse and the Country Mouse” and “The Three Little Rabbits”) at a first grade level and allows students to read three pages and then answer questions about what they just read. They answer by turning the multi-colored spinners built in to the back cover, and check their answers by turning the page to see if the colors match up. This hands-on activity does not contain loose pieces and is great for the classroom and at home. 10/11/2007 (Price: $12.99)

A Practical Guide to Monsters by MIRRORSTONE

How do you trick a troll? Do vampires sleep? Why worry about yuan-ti? This lavishly illustrated guide by Nina Hess showcases the spooky, unexpected and always fascinating world of monsters, covering more than 50 frightful creatures. Launch date: August 28, 2007. 10/11/2007 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

365 Activities You and Your Child Will Love by KEY PORTER BOOKS

This book of activities – one for each day of the year — is full of creative play ideas that will help children develop math and reading skills, improve logical thinking and concentration, open up to science and nature, and much more. It is written by award-winning author Nancy Wilson Hall, in consultation with two developmental psychologists, Drs. Roni Cohen Leiderman and Wendy Masi, specialists in early education. Launch date: November 2007. 10/4/2007 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Stencil Art by KLUTZ

This kit includes an eight-color pigment ink pad and eight foam-tip dabbers as well as three bound-in plastic pages of stencils in kid-selected designs. It also comes with a bonus stencil page of abstract shapes one can put together to make anything. Easy-to-understand instructions and hints help artists with techniques such as masking, layering colors, reverse stenciling and more. The book includes inspirational artwork and space for stenciling.
— Stencil Art and other titles from Klutz are best sellers at Where’d You Get That!? in Williamstown, Mass., Owners Michele and Ken Gietz told TDmonthly in fall 2008. “It doesn’t matter how many outlets carry this line,” they said. “Most do not do the best job in display and variety. It is absolutely the fastest-turning line in arts and crafts.” 9/28/2007 (Price: $19.95)

Bur Bur and Friends™: Anna Goes Hiking by FARMER'S HAT PRODUCTIONS

Get ready to hit the trail. Come along with Anna and her parents as they discover the great outdoors on a nature hike. Don’t forget your walking stick! 9/28/2007

Nicky's Jazz Christmas Book and music CD by DOMINICK MEDIA

A charming, musical story and companion music CD that celebrates a magical Christmas filled with family, friends, and jazz. The book has Cool Yule photographs of Nicky—in his holiday finest—and features the rhyming, syncopated text and outstanding graphics that have been the hallmark of the award-winning Nicky The Jazz Cat series. 9/26/2007 (Price: $35.00)

Nicky The Jazz Cat Book and CD boxed gift set by DOMINICK MEDIA

This music and book quartet includes the original Nicky The Jazz Cat book and the baby board book Baby Cat Nicky 123 along with their companion music CDs; Nicky's Jazz For Kids and Nicky's Jazz Lullabies. Nicky's books and music will have the whole house rhyming, swinging and singing and then ... sweetly sleeping! 9/26/2007 (Price: $50.00)

Pssst! by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

In this comical graphic picture book by Adam Rex, a little girl’s visit to the zoo reveals that the animals there want some crazy things — tires, bicycle helmets, paint and corn, to name a few. “Adam Rex is a rising young talent whose most recent book was “Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich,” a New York Times bestseller. His inventive and comic illustrations appeal to adults and children alike,” Associate Director of Publicity Barbara Fisch told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. 9/25/2007 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Very Own Horse Book by KLUTZ

“My Very Own Horse Book” is the perfect item or gift for the horse lover. All the horse sense packed into the book can be applied to a hand-painted, collector-quality horse model that comes with it. Since no horse is complete without its tack, the materials and instructions needed for making a saddle, blanket and bridle are included. Every page features color photography and beautiful artwork. The book is written by Cornelia Thompson. "My Very Own Horse Book will teach readers everything they'd ever want to know about horses — from gaits and grooming to breeds and body language," said Samantha Wolfert, publicist for Klutz.
— "They love horses, and the Klutz horse book is still popular," said Priscilla S. Moore, owner of Mr. Fub's Party "Toys and More" in Yellow Springs, Ohio, when predicting what girls ages 8 to 12 will prefer for the 2007 holiday season. Six of 54 retailers told TDmonthly that Klutz books will be hot with older girls for Christmas 2007.
― “Craft kits from Klutz are big for us,” said Dean Nelson, owner of Wizard Kids Toys in Toledo, Ohio, in June 2009.
―  Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys in Livermore, Calif., named “My Very Own Horse” as a top seller for girls in her store, and 9 percent of 47 retailers said in summer 2009 that Klutz is a best-selling girls’ gift line. 9/20/2007 (Price: $19.95)

The Truth about Santa Claus by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This 44-page hardcover features full-color illustrations and explores the life of Santa Claus, including his workshop, family, transportation, dress and more. It uses visual evidence — antique postcards, notecards, books and calendar pictures — to reveal the truth about Santa. 9/19/2007 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hansel and Gretel by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This vintage, shaped book tells about two siblings who brave a night in the dark woods and cleverly defeat a witch who lives in a gingerbread house. The gentle, archetypal illustrations by Margaret Evans Price (1888-1973) balance the sweetness of the children and the scariness of the witch. Launch date: August 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Red Riding Hood by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This version of “Red Riding Hood” is illustrated by Gladys Hall and dates from about 1910. Launch date: August 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

This book illustrated by Ethel Hays portrays Aesop’s story of a country mouse who visits a cousin in the city and ends up preferring the simple life. The story varies from the original, as the illustrator changed the cousins from male to female. Launch date: August 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smart-opedia: The Amazing Book About Everything by MAPLE TREE PRESS

This book reveals answers to questions covering everything from mythology to modern technology, in an illustrated format that supports more than 85 subjects. Special features include kids’ questions, timelines, mini biographies and career descriptions. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Powers by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This hardcover novel by Ursula K. Le Guin is the third in the Annals of the Western Shore series. Young Gav can remember the page of a book after seeing it once, and he sometimes “remembers” future occurrences. As a loyal slave, he must keep these powers secret, but when a terrible tragedy occurs, Gav, blinded by grief, flees the only world he has ever known. And in what becomes a treacherous journey for freedom, his greatest test of all is facing his powers so that he can come to understand himself and finally find a true home. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

John Denver's Grandma's Feather Bed by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

Huge, soft feather beds are the perfect place to play and sleep, and one of John Denver's most popular songs brings back these favorite childhood memories. This is the fourth title in Dawn Publications' highly acclaimed John Denver & Kids picture book series, adapted and illustrated by award-winning artist Christopher Canyon. The hardback edition comes with a CD of John Denver singing this children's classic. Kids can “read and sing along with John Denver to this high-energy tune,” Richard Rodrigue of Dawn Publications told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

If You Give a T-Rex a Bone by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

This book offers readers a chance to go back in time to see real dinosaurs and other ancient reptiles. And if they start by giving a T-Rex a bone, things will be, well, dangerously interesting. Along the way, readers are bound to encounter many other animals from the past, creatures wild and amazing. Launch date: September 2007. 9/19/2007 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]