June 2012 New Specialty Toys — Books

Play and learn with your favorite Dora the Explorer™ characters. The activities include Magic Pen® Painting, Invisible Ink and Sticker Puzzles. The Special Pen reveals the invisibly printed pictures. The Special Pen also produces a rainbow of colors instantly. Unscramble the stickers to create a surprise picture.
Book 1: Each book includes 24 pages of fun and a special pen.
Book 2: Each book includes 24 pages of fun, a special pen and 2 jumbled sticker puzzles.

An abandoned egg shows up in a barnyard and Rooty Rooster forces Kora Hen to hatch it. Although Kora accepts the odd chick as her own, he has to struggle to be accepted by Rooty.
Awards: Reader's Favorite Five Star Rating Award

The Zoobies team is proud to bring to life the classic Norman Bridwell storybook character, Clifford the Big Red Dog. Not only is Clifford a playful, cuddly plush toy, but also a soft book that opens up into a bedtime story — the perfect bedtime companion.

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. Bouncy BoBo is back, leaping through bright, cheerful scenes, and discovering all kinds of amazing opposites—from big elephants and tiny mice to a noisy drum kit and a quiet balloon ride. The super-colorful artwork, bold design, and funny antics will make this a read again favorite for the youngest set. Launch date: April 24, 2012.

The talented author of the best-selling Basher informational series brings his unique sensibility to this fun series of concept books for the youngest readers. From the moment he gets up to the time he goes to bed, lovable (but accident-prone!) BoBo bounces through his day. A big, bold clock face on each spread will help preschoolers learn how to tell the time, and the super-colorful design and silly antics will keep them engaged. Launch date: April 24, 2012.

The numbers 1 to 20 are creatively counted in this companion to the critically acclaimed Basher: ABC Kids. Witty, rhythmic text and Basher’s bold, appealing artwork highlight the gallery of unforgettable characters like two cheeky monkeys playing tennis, three messy piggies baking cakes, and five cool caterpillars blowing bubbles who dance across the pages. But there’s some learning that comes with all this fun—each double-page spread features a number line from 1 to 20, which combines with the language to give children essential tools to learn how to count quickly and with confidence.

What do you get when you combine a word and a number? A wumber! Paying tribute to William Steig's CDB!, best-selling book, cre8ors Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld have wri10 and illustr8ed this s2pendous book that is 1derful 4 readers in kindergar10 and up. If we've confused you, just take a look at the book — 4tun8ly it has helpful pictures. Kids will get it ins10tly. Launch date: May 30, 2012.

Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone from soy, easing untold people's pain? These are just some of the black inventors and innovators scoring big points in this dynamic look at several unsung heroes who shared a desire to improve people's lives. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more - inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter. Authors: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's all-time leading scorer, champions a lineup of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book. Raymond Obstfeld is the author of more than forty books of fiction and nonfiction and is a professor of creative writing. He lives in California. Launch date: January 2012.

Her parents don't live together anymore, so sometimes the child in this book lives with her mom and cat, and sometimes with Dad. Her bedroom looks a little different in each house, and she keeps some toys in one place and some in another. But her favorite toys she takes with her wherever she goes. In an inviting lift-the-flap format saturated with colorful illustrations, Melanie Walsh visits the changes in routine that are familiar to many children whose parents live apart, but whose love and involvement remain as constant as ever. Launch date: June 2012.

The weather is hot, hot, hot, and the farm animals are getting grumpy. The pigs are arguing with the chickens, and the ducks and newts are sad because their pond has dried up. Where will the water animals live? Luckily, they have the help of Daisy Dawson and her old pals - Boom the farm dog, Conker and Hazel the young squirrels - plus a crowd of farm animals and a group of water voles. But it may take the elegant and snooty cat Trixie to make the rain fall at last. Warm up to another adventure featuring Daisy Dawson, the ordinary girl with an extraordinary gift: she can talk to and understand animals. Illustrated by Jessica Meserve. Launch date: June 2012.

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. Meadow Count explores one-to-one correspondence and counting.

Moving Through Math: Reading and Moving Books invite children to embody their understanding of mathematics. Brain research shows that young students quickly grasp complex academic content when movement and the imagination are integrated with learning. This book explores repeating patterns.

Baby's first book unfolds for a zoo full of surprises. Pull their tails and tug their ears—these animal friends don't mind. Unfold each zoo animal's page and find multiple tactile activities, with embroidered letters, textures, flaps, a mirror, teether and more.

Richard O'Brien was fascinated with toy soldiers from a young age and in the 1970s he had a chance to do some research into the history of American-Made toys. He became an expert in the field and had numerous articles on the subject published in magazines, all of which are very hard to find. Now he's collected the best of them into this 270-page book showing exactly what was published. It's a must-read for anyone interested in collecting metal or wooden toy soldiers. There are hundreds of photographs and facsimiles of old magazines.
BUY IT HERE: http://www.ramblehouse.com/researching.htm

Richard O'Brien was fascinated with toy soldiers from a young age and in the 1970s he had a chance to do some research into the history of American-Made toys. He became an expert in the field and had numerous articles on the subject published in magazines, all of which are very hard to find. He collected two "catalog" books that were very helpful to collectors and because of being out of print they are extremely hard to find and expensive. Not any more. Both of the catalog books are here in one volume.
BUY IT HERE: http://www.ramblehouse.com/barclaycatalog.htm

Welcome to the City of Light, one of the world's most romantic destinations! From the revered Gothic cathedral of Notre Dame to the majestic Eiffel Tower, from the cabaret venue of Moulin Rouge to the highbrow opera house Palais Garnier, this world-class city offers beaucoup beloved architectural landmarks. Visit a dozen sites, including the Louvre, Pompidou Centre, Musée d'Orsay, Arc de Triomphe, and more, then fold all away in an élégant slipcase. Launch date: March 2012.

The Samurai Kids are ready to travel back from China to the Cockroach Ryu, nestled in Japan's Tateyama Mountains. But then the unthinkable happens: Kyoko, one of the Cockroaches, is kidnapped. Sensei knows it is the mark of his old enemy Lu Zeng, an evil minister of the Forbidden City who is obsessed with eternal life. The Cockroaches must make a perilous journey to the Forbidden City, during which they encounter the mysterious, forest-dwelling Lin people. But Niya, the boy with one leg, has his trust tested when he learns that his best friend, Yoshi, is keeping secrets. Even worse, it seems that Sensei is not revealing all he knows either. Will all these secrets keep the Cockroaches from achieving their most important mission yet- rescuing Kyoko before Lu Zeng performs horrible experiments on her? Launch date: February 2012.

Frances was nine when she first saw the fairies. They were tiny men, dressed all in green. Nobody but Frances saw them, so her cousin Elsie painted paper fairies and took photographs of them "dancing" around Frances to make the grown-ups stop teasing. The girls promised each other they would never, ever tell that the photos weren't real. But how were Frances and Elsie supposed to know that their photographs would fall into the hands of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle? And who would have dreamed that the man who created the famous detective Sherlock Holmes believed ardently in fairies - and wanted very much to see one? Mary Losure presents this enthralling true story as a fanciful narrative featuring the original Cottingley fairy photos and previously unpublished drawings and images from the family's archives. Launch date: March 2012.

Meena and River have a lot in common: fathers forced to work away from home to make ends meet, grandmothers who mean the world to them, and faithful dogs. But Meena is an Indian immigrant girl living in New York City’s Chinatown, while River is a Kentucky coal miner’s son. As Meena’s family studies for citizenship exams and River's town faces devastating mountaintop removal, this unlikely pair become pen pals, sharing thoughts and, as their camaraderie deepens, discovering common ground in their disparate experiences. With honesty and humor, Meena and River bridge the miles between them, creating a friendship that inspires bravery and defeats cultural misconceptions. Launch date: February 2012.

Nick and Maxine live in a tall building with one apartment on top of another. So when they look out their window and see a little house they never knew was there, of course they must visit (especially when their parents tell them not to!). Going through the boiler room, they're amazed to find to a secret backyard with a garden, a porch, and a statue of a cat. And they're even more amazed when that cat starts to talk...Welcome to the world of Mrs. Noodlekugel, where felines converse and serve cookies and tea, vision-impaired mice join the party (but may put crumbs up their noses), and children in search of funny adventures are drawn by the warm smell of gingerbread and the promise of magical surprises. Launch date: April 2012.

Bizzy Bear is helping out at the building site, so he puts on his hard hat and gets to work. Help him drive a digger, a bulldozer, and a truck. With chunky sliders to push and pull, this robust little board book is perfect for active toddlers. Launch date: February 2012.

Monkey and Elephant are very good friends. The live in the jungle, which is sometimes very hot! So the two friends set out to find a shady spot. On the way, Monkey complains that Elephant is walking too bumpity, too ziggy and zaggy. And Elephant complains that Monkey is being too bossy and too sassy. Will these very good friends find shade before they become very bad friends? Launch date: March 2012.

Maggie wants a pony to ride and take care of, and to prepare she's been reading a big book on horse care. Meanwhile, Bramble is bored with giving riding lessons and walking in circles. She's looking for just the right person to take her away from her routine. Is it a perfect match? Maggie loves Bramble as soon as she sees her, but there are some things Bramble has to be sure of. Will Maggie let Bramble venture into new places? Will she protect Bramble from strange objects in the yard? Will she, most importantly, know when Bramble needs her undivided attention? Launch date: March 2012.

Chick and Chickie love to play in their very own way, whether scaring each other silly or tickling the letter A. As young readers eagerly turn the pages of the story, they'll look forward to spotting all the witty side jokes and hilarious details. The fast-paced and zany narrative by Claude Ponti, one of the world's most beloved children's book authors, will instantly delight early readers and will just as surely turn reading into play. Launch date: February 2012.