TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Lunchbox Stories® by LUNCHBOX STORIES INC.

Inspired by the author’s childhood memories of receiving notes in his lunchbox, Lunchbox Stories were created as an innovative way for kids to enjoy reading. With more than 40 chapters in each book, readers experience the twists and turns of each adventure through a series of suspenseful Chapter-Cards™. Four titles are available, and each story includes full-color illustrations and packaging. "The Chapter-Cards have approximately 200 words, and are written with just enough suspense to encourage the child to read the next card. The unique design makes Lunchbox Stories effective for quick and consistent reading before bed or during the day, and teachers find they can use the short chapters to playfully regain the attention of the class after recess and lunch," Brian Martin, president of Lunchbox Stories, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 5, 2009. 5/22/2009 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Right Notes by ALBERTI PUBLISHING

Now, teaching music history is easy for teachers and fun for students. "The Right Notes" music assignment book teaches music history for instructors, freeing up their valuable time for lessons. A weekly practice chart helps keep track of practice time. The 9" X 12" pages give ample room for writing weekly notes. Each notebook lasts a year. A completed "The Right Notes" music assignment book can also act as a lasting record of a student's progress. Click here to watch publishers' 2-year-old exhibiting her musical knowledge. Launch date: January 2009. 5/22/2009 (Price: $8.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Greetings from Kiwi and Pear by BLUE APPLE BOOKS

Kiwi and Pear are a pair of monkeys who do everything together, and n ow they're off on a trip around the world. They travel to every continent, visiting penguins in Antarctica and llamas in Peru, snapping photos of the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the pyramids at Giza, snorkling at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and touring the Taj Mahal in India. The rhyming text and sweet illustrations are presented on gatefold pages and at the back of the book is a map where readers can follow Kiwi and Pear's adventures by putting a sticker on each country they visit. 5/21/2009 (Price: $12.99)

My Forever Dress by BLUE APPLE BOOKS

A story about sewing and sharing, recycling and remembering, this book follows a special party dress a grandmother makes for her granddaughter. When her granddaughter grows taller, new fabric is added. The next year, the dress is ingeniously turned into a sleeveless jumper. Finally, when the little girl turns ten and is ready for a new outfit, she decides to give the dress to her little cousin so it can be her forever dress. Liz Murphy's collage artwork is the perfect medium for this inventive story of sewing and altering, mixing and matching, and the rituals that connect generations. 5/21/2009 (Price: $16.99)

Ricehead's Revenge! by BLUE APPLE BOOKS

The World of Noodoll: Ricehead's Revenge! introduces a world that's visually exciting, boundlessly creative, and fantastically fun. Part picture book, part graphic novel, with plenty of characters to search for and extra details to explore, this is a book young readers will return to again and again. 5/21/2009 (Price: $16.99)

Lines That Wiggle by BLUE APPLE BOOKS

Follow the glittery line that runs through this picture book and turns itself into all kinds of things; the waves above an octopus, the veins in a leaf, the wrappings curling around a mummy, and the trapping threads of a spiderweb. Candice Whitman's catchy rhyming text is brought to life by a host of creepy critters from first-time illustrator Steve Wilson. 5/21/2009 (Price: $14.99)

Easter Rabbit Postcard Book by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

A collection of 30 antique Easter Rabbit postcards, all new images. They are easily removed for mailing, or just makes a lovely easter basket gift! 5/20/2009 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Book of Secrets by LAUGHING ELEPHANT

A reprint of a remarkable book by Walter B. Gibson (c. 1930) which unravels ancient mysteries and diagrams stage illusions. For the magic fancier of any age, with the added bonus of how-to chapters on card and sleight of hand tricks, by this master of  the craft. From the preface: "The secrets of ancient miracles and modern magic have been thoroughly explained ... the reader is initiated in to the secrets of antiquity. He is told the methods of medieval wizards; and the secrets of modern wonders are disclosed to him.  In addition, instruction is furnished in sleight-of-hand and magic tricks are outlined so clearly that anyone may learn them. 5/20/2009 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Morsel Munk® Word Stump®: A Puzzling New Language by MORSEL MUNK LLC

Morsel Munk® Word Stump® is designed to fuse fun, imagination and exercise for the mind. It's where word association, synonyms and antonyms meet crosswords and word searches. "The goal of these puzzles is to challenge and expand the creativity of which everyone is capable. They are not strictly a test of knowledge/book smarts," Brigitte Rouleau, vice president of Morsel Munk LLC, told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008. 5/19/2009 (Price: $10.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Walk With Me! by BAREFOOT BOOKS

This lift-the-flap board book features colorful illustrations showing how different animals around the world walk, slide, hop and more. It is written by Stella Blackstone and illustrated by Caroline Mockford.
—  Barefoot Books were listed as top sellers by Candace Gooch, owner of At Once All Agog in Limerick, Maine, in spring 2009. 5/18/2009

My Baby Can Talk – Exploring Signs Board Book by BABY HANDS PRODUCTIONS

My Baby Can Talk – Exploring Signs introduces babies to twenty-four words and signs to encourage them to explore and begin to communicate about the wonders of the world around them. This playful exploration presents baby’s expanding world in a fun and fascinating way – offering words and signs for colors, foods, nature and play. This charming board book can be used to support the words and signs presented in the My Baby Can Talk – Exploring Signs DVD or introduce this book separately for hours of educational enjoyment. 5/14/2009 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Baby Can Talk – Sharing Signs Board Book by BABY HANDS PRODUCTIONS

My Baby Can Talk – Sharing Signs takes babies and their parents on an inspiring discovery of twenty-four words and signs that babies and parents love to share – including apple, bath, ball, diaper, elephant, flower, help, please, share, sleep and thank you! This charming board book can be used to support the words and signs presented in the My Baby Can Talk – Sharing Signs DVD or introduce this book separately for hours of educational enjoyment. 5/14/2009 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Baby Can Talk – First Signs Board Book by BABY HANDS PRODUCTIONS

The My Baby Can Talk – First Signs Board Book invites babies and parents to come on an engaging and interactive journey to discover the first twenty-four signs and words that are most loved by babies – including eat, drink, milk, more, book, go and favorite animals! This charming board book can be used to support the words and signs presented in the My Baby Can Talk – First Signs DVD or introduce this book separately for hours of educational enjoyment. 5/14/2009 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Baby Can Talk – Board Book Series by BABY HANDS PRODUCTIONS

A complete early language development book series recommended by pediatricians, trusted by parents and loved by babies. Crying is one way that babies can communicate – offer your baby another. These delightful board books are the perfect compliment to the My Baby Can Talk Award Winning DVD series or offer these books separately for hours of educational enjoyment with your little one. Jump start communication today before your baby can speak!

Each page comes alive with the word, a vibrant real world image and a delightful poem for you to share with your baby. You will also find an illustration of the sign and a formal sign description for you to learn and offer to your little one.

The My Baby Can Talk™ board book series includes three books that teach babies and parents to communicate at an early age, reducing frustration and creating a special bond that is so important for healthy child development. My Baby Can Talk teaches babies and parents American Sign Language (ASL) in a format that delights the senses while tapping into a baby’s natural language abilities.

Babies are able to communicate at a much earlier age than they are able to speak. Research has shown that babies who use sign language tend to speak sooner with larger vocabularies, show an increase in IQ scores and engage in more sophisticated play.

Inspiring early language development – from simple gestures to first spoken words! 5/14/2009 (Price: $26.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

iBaby™ Float-Alongs: Little Turtles by INNOVATIVEKIDS

This iBaby Float Along set includes a book that teaches early-learning concepts and include three floatable turtle toys to serve as bath toys. The bath book teaches children all about opposites as the turtles float in the tub during bathtime. By Ana Martin Larranaga (illustrator). 5/7/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Junior Groovies™: At the Seashore by INNOVATIVEKIDS

A hermit crab is in search of a place to be alone by the seashore, but he discovers that many creatures call the seashore home. Sidebar facts about sea lions, starfish, pelicans, and other amazing animals introduce kids to life at the seashore. By Ruth Koeppel (author) and Scott McBee (illustrator). ( Watch Video) 5/7/2009 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Pirate™: Is a Spider an Insect? by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Little Pirate spots a spider aboard the ship. Is it an insect? By exploring the difference between spiders and insects, Little Pirate - along with the reader - discovers the wonders of the world of bugs. 5/6/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Now I'm Reading!™ GAMES: Hangman Riddles! by INNOVATIVEKIDS

The doctor is in, and he's ready to help make sense of the five senses! Kids will have a blast reading a wacky poem about all the senses, and then they'll have fun learning basic anatomy and spelling with an exciting, riddle-packed version of the classic game hangman! 5/6/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Pirate™: What's in the Egg? by INNOVATIVEKIDS

It's not just birds that hatch from eggs, as Little Pirate discovers. After finding an egg in a nest near their ship, Little Pirate, Mystic, and Parrot ask questions and make observations as they learn all about animals that hatch from eggs. 5/6/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Now I'm Reading!™ GAMES: Sight Word Slap! by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Bobby the bat can read-most of the time. But he just can't see when it comes to sight words. Finally, with the help of a wise old owl, Bobby becomes the best reader in Bat Town! After reading the story, kids can sharpen their own sight word skills by playing an innovative version of the classic card game slap. 5/6/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shakespeare for Children: The Story of Romeo and Juliet by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

In this highly condensed, fully illustrated version of the world's greatest and most tragic love story, the author supplies thought-provoking discussion questions that allow readers to explore this tale from any age or perspective. The same discussion questions may be used to explore other plays from a similar perspective. "Written for grades three and up, it makes the classic play inviting to this age group," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007. 4/28/2009 (Price: $14.95)

Shakespeare to Teach or Not to Teach: Teaching Shakespeare Made Fun! by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

With a clear and simply laid out approach, this book by Cass Foster and Lynn G. Johnson is designed to take the trepidation out of teaching Shakespeare's works. Professor Foster, a professor of Theatre at Central Arizona College, provides background information that includes a discussion of the value of Shakespeare's legacy, what life was like in the Middle Ages, and warm-up activities. With consideration to a whole-language based approach, the book includes activities across the curriculum and a journal. "You won't need to be a Shakespeare Scholar to fascinate students with activities across the curriculum, including crossword puzzles, a scavenger hunt, scale models, costume and scenery suggestions, and warm-up games. This book is a must for every school library and for anyone teaching Shakespeare, whether in the elementary grades or high school," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2004. 4/28/2009 (Price: $29.95)

Sixty-Minute Shakespeare: Twelfth Night by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series offers an alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. "Reading or performing Shakespeare doesn't need to take 'forever and a day.' Not if you raise the curtain on The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare ... Cass Foster has done a superb job of cutting the text while retaining the sense of the story and the poetic rhythm of the words," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003. 4/28/2009 (Price: $8.99)

Sixty-Minute Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is analternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. Launch date: 2003. 4/28/2009 (Price: $8.99)

Sixty-Minute Shakespeare: Hamlet by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. Launch date: 2003. 4/28/2009 (Price: $8.99)