TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Willow's Whispers by KIDS CAN PRESS

Written by Lana Button and illustrated by Tania Howells, this four-color, 32-page hardcover tells the story of a girl who speaks so quietly at school that she's misunderstood and ignored. Her magic microphone out of recycled items is only a solution for a little while; how will she be heard? Launch date: 2010.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Unusual Mind of Vincent Shadow by LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY

Vincent isn't like other kids his age. He isn't good at sports and has an overly creative mind. Vincent's super-secret lab in his attic filled with toy prototypes, and a chance meeting with a strange toy inventor gets him started on the road to becoming a serious toy inventor. Launch date: November 2009. 2/22/2010 (Price: $14.99)

How Figure Skating Works by MAPLE TREE PRESS

Written by Keltie Thomas and illustrated by Stephen MacEachern, this book delves into the history of science of figure skating as a sport, a lineup of the most creative moves, info about partnerships and rivalries, and much more.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I is for Inuksuk: An Arctic Celebration by MAPLE TREE PRESS

Written by Mary Wallace, this tale of Alaska's Inuit people illustrates each letter of "Inuksuk" in acrostic poem, connecting the meaning of each word to the people and their surroundings. Launch date: September 2009. 2/22/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Driving My Tractor by BAREFOOT BOOKS

Complete with a CD featuring the singalong song "Driving My Tractor," this book follows a farmer as he collects animals in his trailer and then hits a bump and they all fly out! It's written by Jan Dobbins and illustrated by David Sim. 2/22/2010 (Price: $16.99)

Lin Yi's Lantern: A Moon Festival Tale by BAREFOOT BOOKS

"Lin Yi's Lantern" is a heartwarming tale about a boy who's on a mission to get things for his mother at the market ... but who really wants a red rabbit lantern for the night's moon festival. This story shows the benefits of putting others before oneself, and includes notes of Chinese life, the legend of the moon fairy and the moon festival.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $16.99)

Chester Raccoon and the Acorn Full of Memories by TANGLEWOOD PRESS

Chester Raccoon and friends are devastated at the loss of their friend Skiddel Squirrel and, at the suggestion of Mrs. Raccoon, plan a special memorial service for him at the pond. This story is designed to help children understand and cope with funerals and the trauma of losing a loved one, encouraging them to create special memories. It's authored by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Barbara Gibson.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $16.95)

Tsunami! by PENGUIN GROUP USA

Written by Kimiko Kajikawa and illustrated by Ed Young, this 32-page hardcover tells the story of a rich, old villager name Ojiisan who makes a great sacrifice to save his fellow villagers in the midst of a great tsunami. Launch date: February 5, 2009.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $16.99)

The Best Family in the World by KANE/MILLER BOOK PUBLISHERS

Written Susan Lopez and illustrated by Ulises Wensell, this book follows little girl Carlota's dreams of her new family on the verge of being adopted from the orphanage. Carlota then finds out that even though her new mom isn't a pastry chef and her dad isn't a pirate, they really are the best family in the world. 2/22/2010 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Really, Really Big Questions by MACMILLAN

This 64-page, full-color book written by Dr. Stephen Law introduces young readers to questions about life and the universe, leading them to ponder and learn about such things as, "What happened before the Big Bang?" and "What makes stealing wrong?" It's presented in question-and-answer form with quirky quotations. Launch date: October 2009.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Earth and Sky: A Lift-the-Flap Guide to Our World and Solar System by OWLKIDS

This lift-the-flap educational book explores geology, geography, meteorology and astronomy, taking kids on a journey to discover the ground under the feet as well as the clouds and the magnificent solar system. It's written by Pascale Hédelin and illustrated by Laurent Richard and Terri Bjorgan. The 9" x 9.5" book features color illustrations and 38 pages. Launch date: September 2009.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product. 2/22/2010 (Price: $27.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Father Knows the Names of Things by SIMON AND SCHUSTER CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING DIVISION

In this story, presented as a 32-page hardcover, a little boy points out all the things his father knows, including the names of clouds and which insects are "buzziest." In rhyming verse, i's written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Launch date: April 27, 2010. 2/22/2010 (Price: $15.99)

Fun With Spot - Spot's Toys Soft Book by KIDS PREFERRED INC.

In Spot’s Toy’s there’s an added bonus of two teething toys and a very soft cover. No need to worry about ripping these large pages, they’re made of cloth! Launch date: Spring 2010 2/19/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Welcome to the Hundred Acre Wood (paperback sticker book) by KIDS PREFERRED INC.

This extended, 24-page sticker book is beautifully illustrated in the classic Winnie-the-Pooh style. Now you too can visit Pooh, his friends, and all of his favorite places. With over 75 reusable stickers, this book is a must-have for Pooh fans of all ages. 2/19/2010 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pooh's Bees (board book) by KIDS PREFERRED INC.

Winnie-the-Pooh likes honey more than anything else! So much, in fact, that he tries to reach a beehive high atop a tree by holding on to a balloon. This 12-page board book is based on A. A. Milne’s first Winnie-the- Pooh story, “In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees and the Stories Begin.” 2/19/2010 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mandy and Pandy Visit the Zoo by MANDY & PANDY BOOKS

The sixth illustrated book of the series follows Mandy, an adopted Chinese girl, and Pandy the Panda, her best friend. Mandy and Pandy Visit the Zoo is an exciting story journey through the local zoo, with Mandy and Pandy stopping by different exhibits and greeting the animals.  Children can learn the Chinese and English names for exciting wild creatures such as tigers, hippos and flamingos. An audio CD is included with each book to help reinforce what is being read and for English-speaking children to hear the proper pronunciation of the Chinese translation. Each CD includes the entire story read aloud by the author in both English and Chinese. Launch date: Spring 2010 2/19/2010 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mandy and Pandy Play “What Colors Do You See?” by MANDY & PANDY BOOKS

The fifth illustrated book of the series follows Mandy, an adopted Chinese girl, and Pandy the Panda, her best friend. In this version of the classic “I Spy” game played by kids everywhere, Mandy and Pandy visit the lake and ask each other about the colors of the objects around them.  All the colors of the rainbow are named, along with brown, white and black. An audio CD is included with each book to help reinforce what is being read and for English-speaking children to hear the proper pronunciation of the Chinese translation. Each CD includes the entire story read aloud by the author in both English and Chinese. Launch date: Spring 2010 2/19/2010 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Novelty Bookmarks by ESCO TOYS

2pc novelty book mark set. Each set includes a 4.5" bookmark with matching 3.5" bookmark. Available in cute character designs. 2/18/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

WJ FANTASY - Shadow Books by BABALU INC.

These books each feature a 8” x 8” inch fold-out backdrop for the story, a 26-page book and flashlight. In each story, the flashlight is used to cast shadows on the die-cut pages with images of ordinary objects, the resulting shadow looks a little scary! Through storytelling and fun examples, the child learns that the shadows need not be feared. Comes in “Camping Out,” “Forest Fairies” and “Time for Bed.”

— Baby Loving Mama’s Emilie loved being able to show her children that shadows are not frightening. She warned that the cut outs may need a table or other flat surface to remain stable and create shadows properly.
— Renee of What Mommies Need reviewed the Camping Out book from the Shadow Books series. She applauded the book for teaching “that storytime is better when you use your imagination” and enhanced the experience for her son by reading the story inside a blanket tent. Renee also noted that the set’s flashlight includes batteries so it is ready to go right out of the package. 2/17/2010 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Autograph Books and Memory Albums by ISCREAM

These bright, eye-catching flip cover designs are created to make revisiting the past more fun than ever before. "The lenticular flip front covers flip from one colorful image to another," Leslie Montalbano, Prepress Manager, ISCREAM, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 4, 2010.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE 2/11/2010 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Seal & Send Stationery by ISCREAM

With these cool stationery books, kids just write it, seal it and send it. It includes 40 full-color letters and matching stickers. "Our designs are hip and fun," Leslie Montalbano, Prepress Manager, ISCREAM, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 4, 2010.
THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE 2/11/2010 (Price: $7.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Children's Books with Dolls and Backpacks by BUNNY PATCH BOOKS LLC

This line of bright, colorful, illustrated children's books includes positive lessons. The books are accompanied by soft, huggable, hand-embroidered dolls and a line of backpacks that carry out the same universal message as the books. Launch date: February 2010. 2/11/2010 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Building Thinking Skills® Beginning by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

Building Thinking Skills Beginning is designed to provide fun, highly effective and engaging reasoning activities to improve the vocabulary, pre-reading, pre-writing, math, logic, spatial, and auditory processing skills of preschoolers. It teaches children to use organized analysis instead of guesswork to solve problems as it develops critical thinking skills necessary for success in reading, math, writing, and science. The book uses colorful, easy-to-understand activities, sequenced in small steps, many gamelike, and solvable in a short period. "Our thinking approach makes learning fun, motivating and effective. Empowering the mind through critical thinking is one of the best ways to prepare for life's journey," Nile Duppstadt, VP, The Critical Thinking Co., told TDmonthly. Awards: 2009 Teacher's Choice Award for the Family, Learning® Magazine, 2010 Best Products iParenting Media Award, Book category. Launch date: February 5, 2009. 2/11/2010 (Price: $32.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Greatest Dot-to-Dot Super Challenge – Books 5, 6, 7 by MONKEYING AROUND

Puzzles range from a few dots to hundreds of dots with images that cannot be guessed before the puzzle is started. 2/9/2010 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hook by ROARING BROOK PRESS (HOLTZBRINCK PUBLISHERS)

Written and illustrated by Ed Young, this book is about a boy who discovers an egg and presents it to chickens. When an eaglet hatches, the boy and the chickens work to help it fly, and it's eventually able to soar into beautiful skies. Launch date: April 2009. 2/5/2010 (Price: $17.95)