October 2012 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

Rediscover the tale of the simple country mouse, magically retold by Helen Ward. Beguiled by his cousin’s amazing tales, the country mouse visits the electric city. Unfortunately the town mouse forgot to mention that the city has a lot of noise, tall buildings...and dangerous dogs. Helen Ward’s 1930s New York at Christmas is at once gorgeous and frighteningly busy. In the end the reader understands both why the town mouse loves his exciting life and why the country mouse is content with his peaceful home. Launch date: September 2012.

It’s time for Big Brown Bear to tuck all four little bears into their beds. Then he’s ready to climb into his own bed and turn out the light. Five warm beds, holding five sleepy bears, until a sound goes whoosh in the middle of the night, and all the bears wake up in a fright. Will they ever get back into bed? Luckily, Big Brown Bear knows just what to do. A fun, rhyming read-aloud that parents will love and tired little cubs will be happy to snuggle up with. Launch date: August 2012.

Bear does not like birthdays. He doesn’t like parties or balloons, cards or candles. In fact, Bear does not like anything to do with birthdays at all. He would much rather spend his birthday alone cleaning his house, but Mouse, small and gray and bright-eyed, has other ideas. With a perfectly paced story by Bonny Becker paired with Kady MacDonald Denton’s slapstick visual comedy, A BIRTHDAY FOR BEAR - previously published as a first reader - welcomes young listeners to the party in a new picture-book format, with all new artwork, ideal for sharing. Launch date: September 2012.

In this award-winning author-illustrator’s witty sequel to the traditional Goldilocks story, Little Bear is all grown up and Goldilocks is a distant memory. One day, Little Bear wanders out of the woods and finds himself lost in the Big City. Will he find the city too noisy? Too quiet? Or just right? And what are the chances of him bumping in to someone who remembers exactly how he likes his porridge? Launch date: August 2012. Launch date: September 2012.

Every child is asked what they would like to be when they grow up, but Lily decides to turn the tables by asking her grandma the same question. What answer will Grandma give? This enchanting book illustrates the touching bond between a grandparent and grandchild. Launch date: September 2012.

Cuddle up for a little comfort and joy featuring everybody’s favorite mouse. As Maisy gets ready for Christmas, little ones can lift flaps and pull tabs to watch her bake and decorate, read her cards, peek at her gifts, and open the door on Christmas morning for a merry surprise. Trimmed in foil and twinkling from beginning to end, Merry Christmas, Maisy captures the joys and simple pleasures of the season. Launch date: September 2012.

Join Nellie and Gus and their family - plus all manner of other families - for a day at the zoo, where they see animal families galore! To top off their day, Nellie and Gus invite friends and relatives for a fun dinner at home. Accessible, humorous, and full of charming illustrations depicting families of many configurations, this engaging story interweaves conversations between the siblings and a matter-of fact text, making it clear to every child that whoever makes up your family, it is perfectly normal - and totally wonderful. Trusted New York Times best-selling author Robie H. Harris continues her series for preschoolers with a look at the many kinds of families that make up our world. Launch date: September 2012.

Why does Maisy keep a Big Box of Everything, filled with glitter, sequins, foil, stickers, paint, brushes, paper, and tons more stuff? Because she loves to make things. Children as young as two will be thrilled to follow her lead, thanks to a brand-new Maisy format featuring both familiar illustrations and photographs by Lucy Cousins. Here are crystal-clear steps for creating seventeen simple crafts, highlighted by photos of the end result. Enjoy making things from painted pebbles to paper lanterns, food collages to feathered masks, and wax-relief paintings to wonderful vegetable animals. As spectacular looking as it is hands-on, here is an activity book sure to please parents as much as it does Maisy’s little fans. Launch date: September 2012.

It’s chaos! It’s pandemonium! And it’s definitely not as easy as A-B-C! Filled with visually humorous details, Bob Kolar’s colorful illustrations are the perfect foil for Alethea Kontis’s snappy story about the comic confusion that comes when the letters of the alphabet, like a class of unruly children, step out of order and show that each one has a mind of its own. Launch date: September 2012.

Tonight Maisy and her friends are playing in a band. Pull the tabs to see Maisy play drums (rat-a-tat-tat), Charlie play bass (tum-te-tum! tum-te-tum!), and Tallulah tickle the ivories (plinkety-plonk). Sound words fill this joyful, exuberant read-aloud, giving little listeners a taste of onomatopoeia as more friends rehearse their root-a-toots and tings. The excitement builds up to a final pop-up stage show starring Maisy and all of her pals. Maisy and her friends love music - and so do her fans. Interactive pull tabs and a 3D stage scene make this Maisy presentation boogie-woogie. Launch date: September 2012.

First read this beautifully detailed pop-up book, then unfold it to transform it into a 3D farmyard landscape playmat, with stand-up cardboard animals and a tractor that kids can move all around the farm. A unique novelty book that folds away again in its own box. Launch date: September 2012.

The 26 piece brightly stained But erfl y teaches children let ers with fun puzzle play. One side of this puzzle teaches upper case let ers and turn it over to learn lower-case. The But erfl y A to Z Puzzle is carefully craf ed & stained with child-safe stains. The But erfl y A to Z Puzzle comes packaged with an easy clean up storage box made from Beech wood. Made from Natural Rubber wood, stained with child safe stains, box made from Beech wood, manufactured in China.

In the land of Blue Clouds, anything can happen. The clear and beautiful voice of children’s music favorite Elizabeth Mitchell weaves musical landscapes that “seem like a patchwork of memories we’ve always shared,” writes Caldecott Award – winning author Brian Selznick in the liner notes. The dreamlike illustrations of legendary artist Remy Charlip illuminate the magical narratives of these timeless songs. Mitchell’s extended family band, You Are My Flower, including daughter Storey and husband Daniel Littleton, embrace us with sound in a celebration of family, imagination and love. 16 tracks, 39 minutes, 32 page booklet. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Kids can follow Chippey’s adventures with Taylor McTuttle and his family in this special board book edition of An Elf’s Story™. With eight press-and-play holiday sounds, this interactive, 20-page book is perfect for preschoolers who will love the vivid illustration and easy-to-follow version of the Christmas special that features Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, Zart, and of course, Santa Claus.

For early and emerging readers, this edition of An Elf’s Story™ is a re-telling of the Christmas story featuring the McTuttle family and Chippey, a pixie scout elf sent by Santa from the North Pole. Join Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, and Zart in this heartwarming Christmas tale about believing in the magic of all things Christmas.

This brand new An Elf’s Story ™ 50 page coloring book features scenes from the holiday special, including characters like Chippey, Snowflake, Wordsworth, Zart, Santa Claus, and the entire McTuttle clan. Also includes stickers.

These magnetic flower pieces can be assembled into beautiful blooms. Compatible with other SmartMax building sets.

Now children can musically discover the mysteries and wonders of the Universe with Beth Nielsen Champan's new CD, The Mighty Sky. As rich and varied as the galaxy she sings about - and just as exciting to explore - The Might Sky blends accurate science, creative astronomy-based lyrics and the striking songwriting that Beth is famous for. Launch date: October 9, 2012.

CHOCOLALALA is a collection of original, bilingual songs from award-winning musician Mister G. Inspired by his concert tours throughout Latin America, the album spans a wide range of musical styles from bossa nova to ska, funk to folk, rap to pop. With captivating Latin rhythms and melodies, the songs appeal to parents as much as their children. Catchy and educational, the songs teach about counting, colors and nature, and celebrate the joys of eating chocolate, dancing and riding on the school bus with friends. CHOCOLALALA was produced, engineered and mixed by Mister G (Ben Gundersheimer). The album features world-class musicians, the voices of bilingual families, and performances by Mister G's former elementary school students. In addition to writing and singing the songs, Mister G played acoustic and electric guitars, banjo, tres and percussion. Launch date: September 10, 2012.

For the first time ever, piece together Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations at home. This 36 piece floor puzzle makes a great holiday gift for children aged 3+. Read along with Jan Brett's wonderful story book "Gingerbread Baby" while the children piece together this beautiful puzzle. Made in the USA. Launch date: September 2012.

For the first time ever, piece together Jan Brett's beautiful illustrations at home. This 24 piece floor puzzle makes a great holiday gift for children aged 3+. Read along with Jan Brett's story book "The Mitten" while the children piece together this beautiful puzzle. Made in the USA. Launch date: September 2012.

Gibout Blocks are each hand-made with the most luxurious minky fabric available, and all sides are textured to stimulate a child's senses. These plush toy blocks are great for building, stacking, making forts, climbing on, making furniture, and whatever else a young mind can imagine. Until baby is old enough to stack and play with them, these work as nursery decor. With their soft interior and exterior, these blocks are safe for any age and will grow with  children as he/she finds new ways to play with them.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

The Shape Sorter Bus is a soft, squishy colorful vehicle for little ones to hug, hold, and play with, plus it has an extra bonus of a shape-sorting game built into the sides. Six friendly faces pull out of the sides of the bus, all in different colors and shapes. Rubbabu toys are made of soft, squishy rubber foam, which is organic, hypo-allergenic, and completely biodegradable.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval, 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys

Each wooden magnet shows a stylized fruit or vegetable as illustrated by Jen Skelley: lemon, peach, radish, lime, kiwi, potato, garlic, mushroom, asparagus, blueberry, pineapple, raspberry, celery, strawberry, peapod, chili pepper, watermelon, orange, broccoli, pear, eggplant, avocado, grapefruit, cantelope, grapes, bananas, bell pepper, pumpkin, carrots, apple, corn, cherry, and tomato. Make your own green market on the refrigerator or any metal surface. The full magnetic backing will hold the letter firmly in position. Magnetic pieces are made of 80% recycled wood. Package contains 85% recycled paper and is printed with nontoxic inks.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy 100 Best Toys