TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Graceling by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

Katsa's extreme skill or "Grace" is the skill of killing — something she's long been carrying out on behalf of her uncle. But meeting Prince Po brings a special friendship into her life, and she comes face to face with a truth about her own skill, as well as an awful secret that could bring destruction to the kingdoms. Launch date: October 2008. 12/4/2008 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Up and Down the Andes: A Peruvian Festival Tale by BAREFOOT BOOKS

Written by Laurie Krebs and illustrated by Aurelia Fronty, this picture book takes kids on an adventure across Lake Titicaca and through Machu Pichu to the city of cusco, where a wonderful festival is underway. The educational endnotes include facts about Peru's population and culture, the Andes Mountains and the Inty Raymi Festival. Launch: 2008. 12/4/2008 (Price: $16.99)

Black Dragon Codex by MIRRORSTONE

A follow-up to R.D. Henham's "Red Dragon Codex," this novel explores ths story of Satia, a young thief, and the lies she tells to a young black dragon so he will spare her life. But the dragon's evil nature, and Satia's dishonesty, may be a bad combination. Will it lead to their doom? Launch date: 2008. 12/4/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shopping With Dad by BAREFOOT BOOKS

It's Saturday, and one small girl and her Dad do the shopping while Mom is working. When the little girl sneezes, it sets off a reaction that leads to her Dad being blamed for a supermarket calamity. After the daughter speaks up and takes responsibility, the mood changes. Written by Matt Harvey and illustrated by Miriam Latimer. Hardcover, color, 32 pages, 8.5" x 11". Launch date: September 2008. 12/4/2008 (Price: $16.99)

Star Sisterz: Rani and the Wedding Ghost by MIRRORSTONE

In the midst of Rani's cousin's wedding plans to marry a wealthy widower named Frank, Rani starts to feel like the ghost of his first wife is haunting the house. Will a mystery message help Rani get rid of her? Launch date: August 2008. 12/4/2008 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story? Three Uncommonly Clever Tales by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

Once called a "musical Dr. Seuss," Jim Copp recorded nine children's albums from 1958 to 1971. These critically acclaimed, clever rhyming stories told through song won Copp many passionate fans. Now his most popular characters — Kate Higgins, Miss Goggins and the gorilla, and Martha Matilda O'Toole — hop, stomp and skip to life on the pages of the "Jim Copp, Will You Tell Me a Story?" picture book illustrated by Lindsay DuPont.T he book comes with a CD featuring three of Jim Copp's original recordings. Hardcover, 56 pages, color. Launch date: September 2008. 12/4/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sad, Mad, Glad Hippos by KEY PORTER BOOKS

This book written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Vlasta van Kampen captures the story of a group of hippos at their peak of boredom, and follows them on a journey to happiness, which they find wallowing in the mud. It combines simple text with colorful, expressive artwork. Launch date: April 30, 2008. 12/4/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hannah Montana What'cha Think? by READER'S DIGEST CHILDREN'S PUBLISHING

This book is filled with questions and fun quizzes, plus photos and information about Hannah Montana and her family and friends. It comes with What'cha Think device that let's the user see "text message" answers to yes or no questions from Hannah and her buddies. 12/3/2008 (Price: $24.99)

Snuggle Bears Baby Journal Organizer & Keepsake by WS PUBLISHING GROUP

This 98-page illustrated journal includes special spaces for photos and mementos, as well as an accordion file for the organization of important documents and a pull-out growth chart. It has an elastic cord and rivet closure and measures 9.25" square. 12/2/2008 (Price: $24.95)

Christmas for a Kitten by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

It's winter, and a lonely abandoned kitten is trying to survive in the woods. Each night, as he hunts for food, the warm glow of houses fills him with longing. While a family carries in its Christmas tree, the kitten slips into their house. Then—danger—a fierce dog lives there! The kitten has not found a haven after all. But it is Christmas Eve, a night when magical things can happen. Robin Pulver's gentle story and Layne Johnson's dramatic paintings evoke the wonder and joy of Christmas. 12/1/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

When Cows Come Home for Christmas by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

It's that wonderful time of year, when once more cows have come back to the family home, to be together around the Christmas tree. But while dancing the Cowpoke Polka, Moosha crashes through the floor! The whole family tries to pull her out. But Moosha stays stuck, right in the only place the tree can go. Will Christmas even come this year? Then a baby calf named Dale hangs a star on Moosha's tail, and these clever cows come up with a way to save Christmas and begin a fine cow tradition. 12/1/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Baby Born in Bethlehem by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

This beautiful retelling of the traditional Nativity story caputres all the drama and joy, beginning with the angel's amazing announcement to Mary. Giuliano Ferri, an award-winning Italian illustrator, illuminates the story with his watercolors. 12/1/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Begin Smart - Quack! Quack! by STERLING PUBLISHING CO.

Lamb says “maa,” doggie says “woof,” crow says “caw caw”—and baby laughs with joy. The shiny embossed and laminated pictures of animals seem to jump from the page, inviting babies to reach out and touch. As they become more familiar with the book, children will enjoy imitating the sounds each friendly creature makes. Launch date: December 2008. 11/21/2008 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Begin Smart - Woof by STERLING PUBLISHING CO.

One of the most popular pets—and the animal baby is most likely to know—sounds off in this amusing 6" x 6" foam board book. There are toy dogs; happy ones that look as if a child drew them; and noisy ones making noise. A touch-and-feel fur element at the end of the book enhances the experience. Launch date: June 2008. 11/21/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sounds of the Wild: Ocean by ADVANTAGE PUBLISHERS GROUP

Plunge into the world's oceans and discover the magic of marine life in these stunning pop-up seascapes accompanied by sounds from the deep. Listen to the playful chattering of dolphins, the boisterous honking of seals, and the haunting echo of the humpback whale's song. Full of in-depth descriptions, each spread identifies several animals, offering a great way to introduce children to the ocean animals of the world. 11/20/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Uncover a Dolphin by ADVANTAGE PUBLISHERS GROUP

Dive into dolphins! This book is swimming with cool facts, amazing illustrations, diagrams and a unique 3-D model that uncovers the secrets of dolphins, layer by layer. Kids can plunge into weird and wild facts, cool illustrations, diagrams and an amazing 3-D layered model of a bottlenose dolphin. 11/20/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Model Masters Dragons by ADVANTAGE PUBLISHERS GROUP

Embark on an adventure into the enchanted lands of dragons, where you will discover the origins, powers, and legends of these mythological beasts. From the fire-breathing Western dragon to the three-headed hydra, assemble, paint, and display these magical and mighty creatures from worlds beyond your imagination! 11/20/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scared of Santa by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Nothing says Christmas quite like innocent children shrieking with terror as a stranger dressed in red drags them kicking and screaming onto his lap. Now this time-honored rite of passage is celebrated with a hilarious collection of more than two hundred and fifty priceless photos of kids' traumatic trips to Santa's workshop. Scared of Santa offers a cornucopia of photographic funnies—from sixty-year-old family heirlooms to last year's howlers—along with delightful commentary on those unforgettable childhood visits to scary ol' Saint Nick. By Denise Joyce and Nancy Watkins. Launch date: 2008. 11/14/2008 (Price: $9.95)

Singing to the Sun by KANE/MILLER BOOK PUBLISHERS

Authored by Vivan French and illustrated by Jackie Morris, this is a brand new fairy tale, for a brand new generation. Thorfinn's father is obsessed with power while his mother cares only for wealth. When it is time to choose a bride, Thorfinn decides he must listen to his own heart instead. He seeks the wisdom and experience of his friends, the court jester and the old tabby cat. In which direction will they lead him? Will he choose the princess who promises wealth, the princess who promises power, or the princess who is full of love and happiness? And, will that princess choose Thorfinn in return? 11/14/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fashion 101: A Crash Course in Clothing by ORANGE AVENUE PUBLISHING AND ZEST BOOKS

Covering everything from Jellies and link belts to empire dresses and bolero, this educational title gives a thorough introduction to fashion through illustrations, historical tidbits and product segments that tell "What it looks like," "Who made it," "Who made it hot" and "How to rock it." Launch date: June 2008. 11/12/2008 (Price: $17.95)

Oodles of Animals by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This book by Lois Ehlert features 64 creatures from the animal kingdom in playful, rhyming verse. It is 56 pages. Launch date: May 2008. 11/12/2008 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Learn to Read Fun & Fantasy Collection by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

This 12-book series couples rhyme and repetition with predictable storylines and complementary illustrations that guide children as they increase self-confidence while learning to read. Titles include "What Goes Together?" "How Do I Feel?" and "Watch Out for Worms!" The variety pack has an MSRP of $23.88. 11/12/2008 (Price: $1.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby's First Book by BAREFOOT BOOKS

Written and illustrated by Clare Beaton, this book introduced baby to different subjects, objects and themes. Sections include "Weather," "This Little Piggy," "My Toy Chest" and "Various Vegetables." 11/11/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Arthur of Albion by BAREFOOT BOOKS

This book by John Matthews, advisor for the movie "King Arthur," is outfitted with a gold-embossed cloth spine and comes with a large poster with a beautiful map of key locations. Filled with adventure, conflict and romance, the book covers King Arthur's boyhood, his court, the history of Camelot, and his last departure to Avalon. It is illustrated by Pavel Tatarnikov. Launch date: September 2008. 11/11/2008 (Price: $24.99)

Little Leap Forward: A Boy in Beijing by BAREFOOT BOOKS

Part of Barefoot's Young Fiction list, this book examines friendship in a story about the Cultural Revolution that also explores the clash of political change and personal freedom. It is written by Guo Yue and Clare Farrow and illustrated by Helen Cann. The book tells the story of author Yue's childhood in Beijing, particularly in the summer of 1966. Launch date: July 2008. 11/11/2008 (Price: $16.99)