December 2010 Notable Toys — Books

This small paperback contains 517 full-color, thought-provoking puzzles and mental games designed to stretch neurons and shake up the usual way of thinking. The puzzles are organized in 12 tuypes with 10 levels of difficulty, each designed to make the reader feel more curious, intuitive, engaged and smarter. It’s written by Ivan Moscovich, an internationally acclaimed inventor, puzzler, toy and game designer and artist.

In this lovely classic, written by Mem Fox and illustrated by Jane Dyer,  parents of shapes and sizes from mouse to human urge their little ones to sleep. Hardcover, 32 pages.
— This was a best-selling book in 2010, said Gladys Griffin, owner of the Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga.

Gyo Fujikawa has created ten little babies in this rhyming counting book. During each episode, one little baby finds its own bliss (from playing to marmalade smearing) until just one tiny baby is left. The last page reads: One little baby, alone having fun. He became a grownup, and then there were NONE!
— This is one of Gladys Griffin's best-selling books for 2010 at the Main Street Toy Shop in Columbus, Ga.

This latest Knuffle Bunny tale from Mo Willems follows Trixie and her family as they travel to Holland. Is Trixie a big enough girl to travel without her favorite toy? Readers will find out in this illustrated book that mixes photos with cartoons. Hardcover, 52 pages.
— Two of 23 retailers said the Knuffle Bunny books were among their best sellers in 2010.
— "We sold 149 from 10/3 to 11/19," said Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore.

Written by Anne Akers Johnson, this illustrated book provides painstakingly clear instructions for five different string figures. Attached to the book is a tie-dyed string loop – all you need to bring is ten fingers. The four-millionth copy will sell any day now and, to prepare for that happy occasion, Klutz has given the book a brand-new cover.

In a brand-new series from blockbuster best-selling author Rick Riordan, fans return to the world of Camp Half-Blood. Here, a new group of heroes will inherit a quest. But to survive the journey, they’ll need the help of some familiar demigods. Hardcover, 576 pages. Launch date: October 12, 2010.
— "We sold145 from 10/3 to 11/19," said Barbara Fineblum, owner of Barston's Child's Play in Baltimore.

This book about a lonely dinosaur was penned by Avery Monsen and Jory John. It covers the downside of being everything from a clown to a cassette tape to a zombie. Cute and dark all at once, this hilarious children's book for adults teaches valuable lessons about life while exploring each cartoon character's unique grievance and wide-eyed predicament. From the sock whose only friends have gone missing to the houseplant whose friends are being slowly killed by irresponsible plant owners (like you), All My Friends Are Dead presents a delightful primer for laughing at the inevitable. Hardcover, 96 pages.
— "We've sold 24 in half a month," said Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper for Kids in Springfield, Va. "It just came out and we can't keep it."

Comfort Me Books is a collection of recordable storybooks with a 3 minute re-recordable module allowing the child to record other books as well. The heart and sun embedded in the book light up during playback of the story.

"Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and Moopus McGlinden Burn the Rrrrump Rrrroast" is the first in the children's book series highlighting the adventures of Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and her lovable dog Moopus. A fresh and funny tale that's charmingly illustrated for parent and child. Available in paperback.

“Meet Einstein” introduces young minds to what scientists do, helping kids make connections in things they see and experience, and teaching them that science is all around them. With colorful, playful illustrations, the book portrays Einstein as a likeable, approachable character.

Meet Mrs. Pinkelmeyer, Silliest, Warmest Know-It-All™ and her lovable dog Moopus McGlinden. Follow their adventures in the Pinkelmeyer book series, dance along with their music or snuggle up with their plush, singing doll as they inspire self-esteem in children through love, warmth and silliness.

Between a Roc and a Hard Place is the story of a young dragon named Tephra, who is abandoned as an egg and is subsequently adopted and raised by a family of giant birds (Rocs). Through trial and error, Tephra and her family members learn along the way what being a family really means. The story explores intricacies of adoption, especially interracial adoptions, all without ever mentioning the word ‘adoption.’ Author Danny Birt has an MA degree in music therapy, and has worked with children who have special needs.
Awards: 2010 National Parenting Center Children's Books award

This compilation by Susan Magasmen uses a developmental skills model called the 6Cs™ that was created by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Golinkoff to help parents and teachers see the immediate links between learning and play.  The stories come from families and educators at Goddard Schools around the nation.

Ben KaChoo's story Sink or Swim captures kids attention through the silly humor of sneezing, then offers suspense and intrigue as relationships build. Living in the zoo’s swamp is the last thing a bright-eyed young hippo like Ben KaChoo needs. You see, Ben has allergies. After accidentally sneeze-jetting into a crocodile named Arrow, the two start an unexpected friendship. But will their families be uncomfortable with this as each animal usually stays with their own species? Will the animals adapt? "Characters make the same sounds as children, which engages the kids immediately," Angela Larson, Chief Story Teller of Fierce Fun Toys, LLC, told TDmonthly.

Written by Nora Gaydos and illustrated by Akemi Gutierre, these two companion books are sure to help both parents and new siblings face the challenges and changes that come with having a new baby brother or sister. The text is simple and straightforward and the illustrations are whimsical and endearing. This is the perfect book for the sibling with a new baby brother or sister.
Awards:  2010 NAPPA Honors Award.

Ten chunky little books, each with a very short rhyming story about the featured creature. These are non-fiction books for babies--young science books with each of the animals shown in their habitat. Illustrations show a parent and baby pair. The set includes a mini book about an alligator, elephant, giraffe, kangaroo, koala, lion, monkey, panda, penguin, or turtle. Made of recycled materials they have a craft brown eco look that goes along with the subject matter. Each small book will easily fit in a little hand and their thick pages are easy to turn for solo ‘reading.’ The sturdy tall box has a handle so toddlers can carry their library from room to room. Their Little Learning Books tower is also nice and includes small books about colors, shapes, opposites, and other basics. Good for talking as well as independent reading.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal.

There are four different storybooks and four matching plush animals in this series. Each storybook tells a story about the featured animal -- where it lives and how.  These are little science books told in simple fashion with clear illustrations. Each is packaged with a small huggable plush animal that fits in a little hand. There's one about Little Gorilla, Little Polar Bear, Little Elephant, and Little Panda. You can't go wrong with any of them.
Awards:  2010 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal.

This guide to the guts-and-glory of G.I. Joe identifies every figure with all its weapons and gear, every vehicle with all the easy-to-lose pieces and every accessory related to Hasbro's stellar team of soldiers. Use it to expand your knowledge about Joe and the team, or Cobra and his cronies, and to identify and assess the value of any of the series' 350 action figures and 240 vehicles and accessories.

Filled with super rad toys and bodacious memories, Totally Tubular '80s Toys is a righteous ride back in time when Madonna ruled and Spinal Tap amplifiers went to 11. You'll find everything from He-Man to Cabbage Patch Kids, Trivial Pursuit to Rubik's Cube, Transformers to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Pac-Man to Mario Bros Donkey Kong-as well as lots of fun and smiles.  Featuring color photos featuring more than 500 fabulous toys and period shots of the people who made the decade gnarly, and lists of the top 10 TV shoes, movies, and music for each year.

So what’s the appeal of football? And how does the sport work? All the answers can be found in How Football Works. It's an examination of the players, the plays, the legends, and the science behind this powerful sport.  From the way the body initiates a tackle to a behind-the-scenes look at how an NFL team prepares for its weekly game, How Football Works presents the facts, drama, and one-of-a-kind anecdotes that make football such a popular sport.  Paperback: 64 pages.

In this second book of the Stone of Tymora trilogy, R.A. Salvatore and his son Geno continue their gripping tale of coming-of-age in a world filled with magic, featuring a cameo of R.A. Salvatore's signature character Drizzt Do'Urden.

Here is the fast-paced conclusion to the Stone of Tymora fantasy trilogy for young adults, by R.A. Salvatore and his son, Geno Salvatore.  The Sentinels includes a cameo appearance by Drizzt Do'Urden, the Dark Elf who has been featured in seventeen of Salvatore's books and is the most popular Dungeons and Dragons character.

This book is written in the style of a travel journal and offers a different slant on Monet’s life and art. It is filled with unusual stories and facts students might not know. A visually stimulating book with 35 engaging activities for students. 32 pages,
hardcover.

The OrganWise Guys provide a comprehensive program to teach kids about nutrition and promote a healthy lifestyle. By making friends with the OrganWise Guys, kids learn all about healthy habits for life. The Back to School Kit includes: School Days Here We Come Book, Keeping the Beat Music CD, Monthly Healthy Behavior Tracking Calendar, Breakfast Skippin' Blues DVD and Sir Rebrum Plush Toy.
— Katleen from Life With 4 Boys reports that the kit “has gone a long way towards helping all four of my boys the different things they need to do each day to stay healthy and grow up strong.” Katleen added: “My youngest is in love with the music CD and his favorite is the ‘That's How You Exercise’ song. I still catch my oldest reading the book to the younger ones every so often.”
— “My girls really rocked along with the CD included in this kit and as a parent I liked the healthy behavior tracking calendar,” explained Chris, Dad of Divas. Overall, he liked that “The kit was a great combination of many forms of reinforcement to consider living healthy as well as making good choices.”