TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Interactive Story Book & Story Buddy by HALLMARK CARDS, INC.

Add excitement to story time with this new Interactive Story Buddy and book –cuddle up with your child and watch the fun begin as Jingle comes to life when you read his story aloud. Press the left ear on Jingle and begin reading—Jingle barks, whimpers, and even sings when certain corresponding lines are read.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/11/2010 (Price: $24.95)

Record a Story Guess How Much I Miss You by PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Read a story to your little one even when you can’t be there. This unique storybook plays back your voice as the child turns each page. The beautiful, all-new illustrations with a classic feel and the dedication page make this book a keepsake to be treasured for years to come.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/11/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Going Blue: A Teen Guide to Saving Our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers & Wetlands by FREE SPIRIT PUBLISHING

Going Blue vividly presents facts and statistics about Earth’s oceans and waterways and information about the issues surrounding our current water crisis. Readers will find a wealth of strategies and examples that help them see themselves as change agents and move forward to complete an effective service project. The book is divided into the five stages of service learning: investigate, prepare, act, reflect, and demonstrate. With the aid of lively photos and illustrations, along with practical suggestions and activities, teens plan and do meaningful service learning projects that benefit our planet’s water system.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/11/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hot Rod Hamster by SCHOLASTIC

Racing has never been furrier than in Hot Rod Hamster by author Cynthia Lord and illustrator Derek Anderson. The rhythmic text tells the story of an enthusiastic hamster as he works to build his own racing machine and show off his lead foot. The beautiful illustrations bring to life sizzling hot rods and the hamster’s adorable animal friends.
— At Jama Rattigan’s Alphabet Soup, Jama was positively ecstatic over the main character of Hot Rod Hamster, who “oozes personality and kid appeal from every pore.” Jama especially liked the fact that the “characters talk in speech balloons, which keep the narrative humming along like a finely tuned, well-oiled machine.”
— Middle-school librarians Lynn Rutan and Cindy Dobrez of Bookends praised “Lord’s child-centered fun text and Anderson’s perfectly jaunty illustrations.” “This big picture book with its bright colors and bold shapes has our focus group’s name written all over it. Hamsters, race cars, building stuff — I knew they would love this and I wasn’t wrong,” stated Lynn. 9/28/2010 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rock-It Spaceship Revolving Bookcase by LEVELS OF DISCOVERY

This wooden children's revolving bookcase is hand-painted in blues and reds and features a rocket theme. The top has nose cone bookends, while the sides of the bookcase feature photo frames to hold two 4" x 6" photos. Favorite books can be placed on the 10" and 12" shelves, and the case revolves for easy access. The bookcase coordinates with the Rock-It Spaceship Rocker, sold separately. 9/23/2010 (Price: $164.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nursery Rhyme Bookcase by LEVELS OF DISCOVERY

This wooden children's bookcase is a grandfather clock design hand-painted in pastel colors featuring the classic nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock." The bookcase top has a working clock and a secret storage compartment. Children can pull the mouse on the side of the clock to hear the tune "Hickory Dickory Dock" and watch the mouse run up the clock. The bookcase features the full nursery rhyme on its sides, and has two shelves to hold favorite books. "Our products are designed as if for our own children ... with more than meets the eye so children have "levels to discover" as they rock, store toys, ride or play," Levels of Discovery PR Director Cheryl Batzing told TDmonthly. 9/23/2010 (Price: $169.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Turn & Learn: Addition and Subtraction, Gr. K by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

This 24-page book includes a collection of self-checking, standards-based skill cards. These cards are designed for hands-on review or independent work at a learning center. The varying skill levels represented in the series provide valuable differentiation for students. "The Turn & Learn series is designed to provide a fun, interactive way for students to practice early literacy and math skills," Creative Teaching Press Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly. 9/1/2010 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kids Club Combo Set 1 by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

This eight-book collection reveals how exciting it is to be able to read. These books are designed for pre-K beginning readers, or struggling early readers. In these adventures children will discover the joy of sharing, the uniqueness of each person, how to make a mud pie and more. By purchasing the Kids Club Combo buyers will receive a 10-percent savings over purchasing the two sets included individually, plus a colorful tracking chart and corresponding stickers. The compact storage box encourages children to store and access their own Learn to Read Kids Club materials.
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Media of the Year Award (Educational Books) 9/1/2010 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dr. Jean's Make & Take Books by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

The reproducible pages in this resource can be used to create a class set of all 12 books in the Sing Along & Read Along with Dr. Jean series. Students can personalize their very own readers and then use them for repeated reading practice as they sing along or read along in class or at home. The set includes engaging activity ideas for each title to promote an interactive learning experience and reinforce many early childhood concepts. 9/1/2010 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

READ: Step In, Gr. K–1 by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

The innovative READ workbook series is expertly designed for beginning readers. Each READ grade level offers a Step In workbook with shorter stories and simpler sentences and a Step Up workbook with stories and sentences that are a bit longer. Both options are specifically written to support beginning readers as they read, explore, and discover early reading success. "The Step Up, Gr. K–1 workbook features an exciting combination of learn-to-read stories, engaging questions to build vocabulary and spark discussion, and dynamic story-based activities," Creative Teaching Press Marketing Specialist Lauren Tuculescu told TDmonthly. 9/1/2010 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I Used to be Afraid of...Variety Pack by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

This 12-book set of readers is designed to help alleviate children's fears by providing a fascinating, up-close look at how "scary" creatures live and why people do not need to be afraid of them. Featuring the magnificent images by Dwight Kuhn, one of America's leading nature photographers, these readers aim to help children appreciate the positive contribution animals make to our world. The text includes sensible precautions people should take when interacting with the animals to avoid being harmed. The included two-CD set features audio read-alongs to complement the readers with 12 bonus tracks featuring comprehension questions based on information found in each book, and wait time is provided to pause the CD to allow students time to recall what they have just heard or read and to then verbally respond. Following the pause, the answers are given so that students can check their responses. 9/1/2010 (Price: $51.87) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Earth Heroes: Champions of Wild Animals by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

This third and final volume of the "Earth Heroes" books features the youth and careers of eight of the world’s greatest environmentalists who championed the protection of wildlife. It includes the historic and contemporary figures of William Hornaday (saved the bison from extinction), Ding Darling ("A Duck’s Best Friend"), Rachel Carson (author of Silent Spring), Roger Tory Peterson ("Inventor of the Modern Field Guide"), R.D. Lawrence ("Storyteller for Wolves"), E.O. Wilson ("Lord of the Ants"), Jane Goodall ("Champion for Chimps"), and Iain and Saba Douglas-Hamilton ("Saving the Elephants"). This highly readable volume with illustrations and photographs calls attention to the waves of influence that spread from the ideas and actions of these heroes for the Earth.
Awards: 2010 Mom's Choice Award - Gold Medal 9/1/2010 (Price: $11.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The BLUES Go Birding At Wild America's Shores by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

In this second of the BLUES Go Birding series, five adorable cartoon bluebirds go on another bird watching adventure. This time they follow in the footsteps of the famed Roger Tory Peterson, and see birds on every coastline of America. Filled with both information and entertainment, the BLUES are a delightful introduction to birdwatching and the major shorebird species for children. 9/1/2010 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mudgy and Millie by FIGPICKELS TOY EMPORIUM

Mudgy & Millie is a children's book about a moose named Mudgy, and a mouse named Millie. These two best friends love playing games, and in this story the game is hide-and-seek. Take a fun-filled trip with Mudgy around Coeur d'Alene as he travels from Tubbs Hill, to the beautiful shores of Lake Coeur d'Alene in search of his pal Millie.
Written by Susan Nipp, and wonderfully illustrated by nationally acclaimed artist Charles Reasoner.
— Mudgy & Millie items were on the top 10 best seller list at Figpickels Toy Emporium in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in Aug. 2010, as reported by owners Brett and Susan Sommer.
— “The Mudgy & Millie book is unique to this area and I think visitors buy it as a one-of-a-kind momento of their trip to Coeur d'Alene,” Brett Sommer said. 8/30/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smelly Bill: Love Stinks by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

Smelly Bill is back, and he's as smelly as ever ... but now he's in love! Can Bill win the affections of a perfectly preened pup without cleaning up his act? This book features the "return of a well-loved, funny and smelly dog,"Albert Whitman & Company Marketing Director Michelle F. Bayuk told TDmonthly. 8/26/2010 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Danny Is Done With Diapers by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

Adam avoids accidents. Brianna is busy in the bathroom. Caleb is comfy and clean. Danny and his friends know twenty-six ways to be done with diapers. Rebecca O'Connell's familiar examples and Amanda Gulliver's bright, cheery art aim to help kids practice their potty knowledge and learn their letters, too. 8/26/2010 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Christmas Kitten, Home at Last by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

Santa and Mrs. Claus must rush to find a home for a foundling kitten named Cookie. Santa would love to keep the kitten, but he's allergic, and there's a little girl out there with the perfect home. This book offers "A heartwarming peek behind the scenes at the North Pole," Albert Whitman & Company Marketing Director Michelle F. Bayuk told TDmonthly. 8/26/2010 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Buddy Files: The Case of the Lost Boy (Book 1) by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

"My name is Buddy. I am a dog. I am also a detective." Dog lovers and mystery fans will be swept up in Dori Hillestad Butler’s appealing, easy-reading chapter books. 8/26/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wild Alphabet: An A to Zoo Pop-Up Book by KINGFISHER BOOKS

Young readers are introduced to the alphabet and corresponding animals at the same time. Wild Animals literally jump, slither, and fly off the page in this illustrated pop-up featuring 26 creatures hidden within the pages of the book. Antelope bursts through the letter A; Leopard lurches from behind L; Giraffe reaches its long neck over G; Koala peeks from behind K; and Penguin waddles out from behind P. The book also includes accompanying playful first-person text designed for reading aloud with a young child and photographs of each animal. 8/25/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Handstand Kids Cookbooks by HANDSTAND KIDS

The Handstand Kids Cookbooks are fully-illustrated, international children's cookbooks that introduce children to the language, culture and cuisine of three different countries (Italy, Mexico and China) while encouraging healthy eating, community involvement and helping out in the kitchen. Each kit comes uniquely packaged with a cooking accessory. The Italian Cookbook is packaged in a pizza box with a chef's hat, the Mexican Cookbook comes in a tortilla bag with a child-sized oven mitt and Chinese Cookbook is packaged in a take-out box with a set of chopsticks. 8/24/2010 (Price: $25.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sabu & Me by ALTERNATIVE COMICS

Sabu & Me is the true story of Maura and her dog Sabu and the wonderful times they spent together during Maura’s early life. The book is a re-telling of her earliest memories with her best friend. Through a rainbow of colors, the illustrations of Hazel Mitchell bring the story of Sabu & Me to life. Since Sabu was a rescue dog, profits benefit the charity PAWS Chicago. "The book was written by a 7-year-old girl who had the idea not only to write the book but to donate the proceeds to an excellent cause due to her love for animals," Alton Road Publishing CEO Jeffrey Markowitz told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine Children's Picture Book of the Year; 2010 The Toy Man Editor's Choice; 2010 The Toy Man Top 10 Products of the Quarter; The Toy Man 2010 Award for Excellence; 2010 Dr. Toy Best Summer Products. 8/19/2010 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

One Minute Mysteries: 65 Short Mysteries You Solve With Science! by SCIENCE, NATURALLY! LLC

These short mysteries have a clever twist — readers have to tap into their science wisdom to solve them. Each story, just one page long, tests readers' knowledge of earth, space, life, physical, chemical and general science. Written by a father/daughter team, this educational book is designed for anyone who loves engaging mysteries, challenging science or both. These "clever one-page stories turn curious kids into scientists," Science, Naturally! President Dia Michels told TDmonthly.
Awards: NAPPA Honors; 2008 Nattional Best Books Award Finalist; 2008 NSTA Recommends; Library Media Connection Editor's Choice 8/19/2010 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sid the Squid: and the Search for the Perfect Job by IMMEDIUM

Who said a giant squid can't find the perfect job? Sid has scoured the ocean but now he gets a lead: go ashore! But how can a squid out of water find suitable work? Luckily he meets a girl named Alice, who helps him on his quest. Kids are encouraged to try many activities and pursue their dreams. Adults, who want a steady paycheck but yearn for personal fulfillment, will also identify with Sid's experience of trials, errors, and finally, success. This book is illustrated by a Dreamworks animator. 8/17/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magic Words; Discovering the Adventure of Reading by LIGHTNING BUG LEARNING

This book is designed to help children unlock the door to imagination and possibilities with easily readable text. Kids transform strange shapes into words and experience the adventure of reading. This 9" x 9" hardcover features 90 full-color pages. "Magic Words: Discovering the Adventure of Reading is designed to empower beginning readers with fun, predictable stories that encourage the decoding of simple words and reinforce sight word knowledge," Lightning Bug Learning President Julie Rebboah told TDmonthly. 
Awards: 2010 Reader's Favorite Finalist - Kindergarten Category 8/17/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magic Letters: The Keys to the World of Words by LIGHTNING BUG LEARNING

This reading adventure is designed to teach children the connection between letters and sounds. Predictable stories promote participation and sight word knowledge, and aim to give children the keys to the mysterious world of words. This 9" x 9" hardcover edition includes 136 full-color pages. "Magic Letters: The Keys to the World of Words was written by an experienced kindergarten teacher and sets beginning readers up for success with predictable stories that help children build a storehouse of sight words," Lightning Bug Learning President Julie Rebboah told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Reader's Favorite Finalist - Kindergarten Category 8/17/2010 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]