October 2012 Notable Toys — All

Logan Stones takes the simplicity of ‘Rock Paper Scissors’ and adds to it a fast paced, fun game, that can also be played with strategic precision for a much more thought provoking experience. Launch date: June 2010.

Players must try and collect 6 fruit leaves before their fellow monkeys. However there is an additional obstacle lurking in the jungle. If players are not careful, a hungry gorilla may swipe the fruits that they have gathered. A colorful Toucan can also bring players luck and give them a chance to win more fruit. Launch date: February 2011.

Loads of fun in a small package! Open up the barn to play with the two adorable foals, and use the fencing to create a corral. The Pocket Barn has hinged loft doors and sliding front doors, and is easy to take along, making it a great item for travel and on-the-go play.

Great free wheeling scooter comes with a First Friend and a Puppy. Encourages interaction and imaginative play. Strong and durable.
— As of 10/01/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com.

These projects are for the youngest children and work best with a high level of parental support. Skills required include assembly, gluing, hammering and filing. Painting and decorating optional and the crafts to be built are toys that would appeal to younger children.

Push, pull and twist the chimneys to see the farm animals pop out. Push the mailbox to open the barn door. Four friendly farm animals: Chicken, Sheep, Cow, and Dog. Encourages an understanding of cause and effect.

Quirky and colorful, Under the Nile Scrappys are made from 100% Egyptian Organic Cotton Scraps left over from our clothing scraps. Wastefulness is not in our nature-any time we see a chance to upcycle, we’re going to. Measures 10" in length. Slim body design makes stuffed animal easy to hold. Made of 100% GOTS certified organic Egyptian cotton. Launch date: September 2012.

Whoo Hooo! You little one now has a new friend! Measuring 6", this owl toy will be your child's favorite new companion, especially while on the go! Made with the finest 100% GOTS certified Organic Egyptian cotton.

Quirky and colorful, Under the Nile Scrappys are made from 100% Egyptian Organic Cotton Scraps left over from our clothing scraps. Wastefulness is not in our nature-any time we see a chance to upcycle, we’re going to. Measures 10" in length. Slim body design makes stuffed animal easy to hold. Made of 100% GOTS certified organic Egyptian cotton. Launch date: September 2012.

Buddy the Dog makes a cute companion and a great baby gift. Measuring 16” tall Buddy is available is two colors, Rugby Red Rib Knit or Soft Stripe Navy Terry. He will be loved for years to come. Made of 100% GOTS certified organic Egyptian cotton. Launch date: September 2012.

In a time of post-Revolutionary fervor in Richmond, Virginia, an imposing twenty-four-year-old slave named Gabriel, known for his courage and intellect, plotted a rebellion involving thousands of African- American freedom seekers armed with refashioned pitchforks and other implements of Gabriel’s blacksmith trade. The revolt would be thwarted by a confluence of fierce weather and human betrayal, but Gabriel retained his dignity to the end. History knows little of Gabriel’s early life. But here, author Gigi Amateau imagines a childhood shaped by a mother’s devotion, a father’s passion for liberation, and a friendship with a white master’s son who later proved cowardly and cruel. She gives vibrant life to Gabriel’s love for his wife-to-be, Nanny, a slave woman whose freedom he worked tirelessly, and futilely, to buy. Interwoven with original documents, this poignant, illuminating novel gives a personal face to a remarkable moment in history. Launch date: September 2012.

This engaging boxed set contains: Ten short, funny, full-color books about Sesame Street, featuring Big Bird, Grover, Elmo, Abby, Bert, Ernie, Cookie Monster, and more; a fold-out poster with full-color stickers for tracking books as they’re read; a Brand New Readers certificate of achievement to build children’s confidence; a make-your-own Brand New Reader book - just right for brand-new writers; and a parent/teacher guide to make reading a success the very first time. Launch date: September 2012.

In the midst of a family dinner with her scolding parents, Maya receives a very unexpected invitation to dine with the queen. Suddenly, her messy manners are put to the ultimate test and she begins to improvise her very own set of rules, with uproarious results. Filled with humor and exquisitely imagined detail, this book by Eisner Award-winner Rutu Modan is bound to turn every child into a voracious reader. Launch date: August 2012.

Some people die heroically, others accidentally. When Daniel Anderson’s older brother dies, he wonders which category Eli’s death falls into. In an attempt to understand, Danny creates a Book of the Dead - an old binder that he fills with details about dead people, how they died, and, most important, for what purpose. Time passes, and eventually Daniel is prompted to look up from his notebook of death and questions to make new friends and be swept into their imaginings. With gentle humor and genuine emotion, Rebecca Rupp examines the questions that arise following a profound loss and the moments that start life rolling again. Launch date: August 2012.

Traveling to Dublin? Just returned? Wish you could go? Discover a dozen popular spots, from Dublin Castle (now a convention center) to the lofty St. Patrick’s Cathedral, from the handsome brick townhouses of Merrion Square to Gaiety Theatre, the city’s longest-running theatrical stage. Launch date: September 2012.

Welcome to the Met. Boasting more than two million works, it’s one of the world’s largest art museums. Learn about twelve top attractions, including the lovely Charles Engelhard Court, the formidable Arms and Armor Court, and the Modern Art Gallery showcasing works from Monet to the artists of today. Launch date: September 2012.

The Nutbrown Hares are playing I Spy as they hop through the snow. They spy something that belongs to a tree, a bird, and a spider. They spy something that belongs to Little Nutbrown Hare - something that is only there when the sun comes out. But what does Big Nutbrown Hare spy that belongs to him and is his favorite thing of all? Launch date: September 2012.

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.

Have you heard about the elephant and the dog who became not just unlikely companions, but the best of friends? Or the traveler whose greed for gold lures him straight into the scrawny tiger’s trap? How about the talkative tortoise who can’t keep his mouth closed to save his life? Drawing from three books of best-loved Indian folktales - Hitopadesha Tales, Jataka Tales, and Panchantra Tales - this graphic storybook collection, alive with kid-friendly illustrations, is infused with humor and warmth. 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.

Barack Obama is the first United States President to be born in Hawai‘i, the Aloha State. A President from Hawai‘i - originally distributed exclusively in that state - explores the unique history and cultural traditions of President Obama’s birthplace. In addition to the well-known concept of aloha, it introduces such Hawaiian concepts as kokua (to help), lokahi (unity), and ohana (family), among others, and includes quotes from Barack Obama’s speeches, books, and interviews that reflect and embrace these themes. 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.