TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Phonics Comics™: Otis C. Mouse by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Otis C. Mouse lives a happy life in New York City — until he accidentally gets whisked away to Egypt. His epic adventure begins with a whirlwind tour of the country's history and culture. Launch date: September 2008. 9/29/2008 (Price: $3.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Now I'm Reading!™: Word Play (pre-reader) by INNOVATIVEKIDS

With eight 12-page books, 32 flash cards, a parent guide and an eight-page activity book, "Word Play" is packed with games, activities and stories. Launch date: September 2008. 9/29/2008 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Pirate™: Is That a Bat? by INNOVATIVEKIDS

Little Pirate sees something fly by in the night sky and wonders what it could be. As he asks questions and makes observations, Little Pirate — along with the reader — learns all about nocturnal animals. Launch date: September 2008. 9/29/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

ABC Feelings Learning/Coloring Book by ABC FEELINGS INC.

Designed to allow kids to express their feelings through art, this activity book explores a different feeling for every letter of the alphabet and encourages use of the imagination. 9/26/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New York Yankees Coloring & Activity Book - 2nd Edition by HAWK'S NEST PUBLISHING LLC

More than 50 pages of activities are included in this book by Margaret M. Connery-Boyd and Brendan F. Fitzgerald. It allows kids to color pictures of players Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter as well as Yankee Stadium, and includes crossword puzzles, word searches and games about the team. 9/26/2008 (Price: $11.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sikulu & Harambe By the Zambezi River by BLUE BRUSH MEDIA

This African version of the Good Samaritan story is written by Kunle Oguneye and illustrated by Bruce McCorkindale. When a fish, stork and elephant come up with excuses for not helping an old woman whose clothes have fallen into the river, Sikulu the spider and Harambe the hippo come to her rescue and are surprised to be rewarded for their help. 9/26/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sir Reginald's Logbook by KIDS CAN PRESS

This 32-page hardcover book written and illustrated by Matt Hammill mixes fantasy and reality, imaginatively pulling readers into two worlds as they wonder whether that sound, for example, was simply an alarm clock ... or the buzz of a carnivorous beetle. Launch date: 2008. 9/24/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TOTALLY SPIES! Graphic Novel #1 - "The O.P." by PAPERCUTZ

During a weekend road trip up the California coast, the girls new car (a totally tricked-out, gadget-filled gift from Jerry to celebrate their newfound super-spiedom) breaks down in a seemingly idyllic gated coastal town called Ocean Palisades or the O.P. for short. Until they meet the teens who seem too perfect to be true. 9/24/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

THE HARDY BOYS Graphic novel Volume 1 - "The Ocean of Osyria" by PAPERCUTZ

Collected from the first three Hardy Boys comics, here's the complete saga of Frank and Joe's adventure in the war-torn Middle Eastern land of Osyria! After rescuing Jackpot, a kidnapped prize-winning racehorse, Frank and Joe are stunned to return to Bayport and discover that the Department of International Security has arrested their best friend, Chet Morton, for stealing a priceless art treasure! The Hardy Boys decide the only way to clear the friend is to journey to the Middle East and find the Ocean of Osyria themselves. Plus: a preview of "Identity Theft", their next adventure. By Scott Lobdell & Lea Hernandez. 9/24/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

NANCY DREW Graphic Novel #15 - “Tiger Counter” by PAPERCUTZ

Manga-style mystery and suspense with everyone’s favorite Girl Detective! Nancy, and her BFFs Bess and George, encounter lions, tigers, and scares when they investigate a missing cat mystery. But when the authorities learn exactly how many cats eccentric old Mrs. Eartha keeps in her house, they are forced to remove most of them because of the health code violations. But Hell hath no fury as a cat-woman scorned! That’s when Nancy, Bess, and George run into escaped lions and tigers in the woods and a deadly cat and mouse game ensues. By Stefan Petrucha and Sarah Kinney. Illustrated by Sho Murase. 9/24/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

BIONICLE Graphic Novel #1 - "Rise of the Toa Nuva" by PAPERCUTZ

Based on the Best-Selling constructible Action Figure from LEGO! Six mighty heroes — the Toa — arrive on a tropical island to find a land under siege. The Great Spirit Mata Nui has been cast into an unending sleep by the evil Makuta. Now Makuta is attacking the island's Matoran villagers with vicious Rahi beasts. The Toa must combine their skills and elemental and mask powers to defeat Makuta and restore peace to the island. By writer Greg Farshtey. Illustrated by Randy Elliott and Richard Bennett. 9/24/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Fish Who Wished He Could Eat Fruit Book with Read-A-Long CD by SMARTPICKS INC.

Will this fish get his wish?  Join Theo on an amazing underwater adventure. Bonus features: Read-A-Long CD, read by the author, over 20 mouth-watering illustrations, a matching game, 15 ways to get your kids to eat more fruit, and green smoothie recipes using fruits and veggies. Hardbound. 36 pgs. 9/23/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Fruit Flies Picnic Book with Read-A-Long CD by SMARTPICKS INC.

After reading this book, kids will want to have their own fruit flies’ picnic. Join these bug buddies as they gather a feast of fruit. Kids will learn the importance of eating fruit in all sizes and shapes. Bonus features: Read-A-Long CD, read by the author, filled with music, sound effects and 30 mouth-watering illustrations. Reviewed in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. Hardbound, 32 pgs. This product has received the following awards: 2007 Best New Product of the Year Finalist- Stevie’ Awards for Women in Business, 2007 Best Book Award Finalist - USA Book Awards, 2005 iParenting Media Award, and the 2005 Dr. Toy's Best Vacation Children's Product 9/23/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sweet Pea Chronicles: Pea Sweets & Poufs by CLEVER HANDS PUBLISHING

This 20-page book offers ideas for crafts using Puff Beadz, which are poms that have a hole through their middle so that they can be attached via pipe cleaners without glue. Kids can make playmates, trees and tree houses. 9/22/2008

Gus, the Pilgrim Turkey by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

Gus loves being a turkey, that is, until his friends tell him about Thanksgiving. So Gus heads south, the way birds do, to escape being part of someone’s dinner. He’s surprised to see where he ends up, but most of all he’s surprised to find he’s a Pilgrim, too! Teresa Bateman’s spunky Gus is perfectly captured by Ellen Sasaki’s sassy pictures. Children will laugh at loud at this new turkey tale, perfect for Thanksgiving and story hours year-round. 9/22/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lucy and the Bully by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

Lucy is good at drawing and making things at school. But there’s a bully at school, and he’s very mean to Lucy. She can’t tell anyone the bully rips her books and breaks her things, because he told her not to—or else! Now every day she comes home scared and sad. What can Lucy do? And who can Lucy tell? Claire Alexander’s simple story and bright illustrations will help young children talk openly about bullying. Best of all, it will reassure them that bullies can be stopped. 9/22/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Boxcar Children® Halloween Special by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

In The Mystery of the Singing Ghost, the Aldens fix up the house that their cousins are moving into. There’s just one problem--it seems to be haunted by a ghost who sings! A mysterious mansion alive with skeletons is the setting for The Mystery at Skeleton Point. And finally, in The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse, the Aldens start to believe in the power of the 4,000-year-old sarcophagus on exhibit at Greenfield Museum. Boo! 9/22/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Boxcar Children® Mysteries Box Set #1-4 by ALBERT WHITMAN & COMPANY

One night, under a full moon, four orphaned children set out on their own and turned an abandoned boxcar into their home. So begins the story of the Boxcar Children, a series of unforgettable, now classic favorites. Originally, Gertrude Chandler Warner wrote 19 stories about the Alden children. As the series grew in popularity after paperback publication, children wanted more books. Now there are many titles for children to enjoy. The paperback editions of The Boxcar Children Mysteries: #1, The Boxcar Children; #2, Surprise Island; #3, The Yellow House Mystery; and #4, Mystery Ranch are offered together in a cardboard case. 9/22/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sophia and the Seven Goddesses, A Journey of Self-Acceptance by NEA MATIA INC.

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008. 9/19/2008 (Price: $18.95)

Dream Journal by CREATIVITY FOR KIDS

This journal includes a light-up pen that attaches securely to the cover, making it perfect to keep on a bed-stand to record dreams or late-night inspirations, or just settle down for some quiet time before catching some shut-eye. The kit includes a pen, a 100-page journal and a small information booklet on dreams and creative inspiration.
— Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noted in fall 2008 that her top sellers to tweens tend to be “diaries and kits from Creativity for Kids.”
—  “Arts and crafts have consistently been one of the three best departments in the store since we opened,” said Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass. “This age [tweens] also favors journals.”
— Eight percent of 51 storeowners said they consider diaries and journals to be top sellers for tween-aged children. 9/19/2008 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bear Dance by THE CREATIVE COMPANY

In this book, a brawny bear is captured and put in a cage to entertain people because he has an ear for the sounds and music of nature. It's not until he's "wild and unrestrained," however, that he can truly dance. The 32-page book is written by Jan Wahl and illustrated by Monique Felix. 9/19/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I Hate to Read! by THE CREATIVE COMPANY

This 32-page book written by Rita Marshall and illustrated by Etienne Delessert tells the story of Victor Dickens, who tells his teacher and his parents that he can't stand to read, but one night discovers the life in simple words on a page. 9/19/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Snowman, the Owl, and the Groundhog by ABOVE THE CLOUDS PUBLISHING

What does a proud snowman do when he discovers that winter may come to an end? Can he prolong the winter season? Find out in this delightful story told in rhyme that children and adults will both enjoy! By Sharon Debowski. 9/17/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Crocodile Song by ABOVE THE CLOUDS PUBLISHING

Enjoy this l-o-n-g tale of a sailer and a crocodile based on the folk song. As a young girl, Eunice Siefker’s father would sing the song to her with an Australian accent. A musical CD is included with the book. Australian, “Uncle Pete”,Peter Brusachi, brings to life this folk song made complete with sound effects children will love! Adapted by Eunice Siefker. Available mid-November. 9/17/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alex and the Trampoline by ABOVE THE CLOUDS PUBLISHING

Discover what happens to Alex when he sneaks a jump on the trampoline after his parents gave him instructions not to jump from the tree branch. See the physical journey that he takes and the growing pains of learning that it really is better to trust and listen to your parents even if you don’t understand the reasons for their instructions. By Pasqualino Tamburri. 9/17/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]