TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

The Grape Escape by ABOVE THE CLOUDS PUBLISHING

See what pandemonium ensues when the animals on Mrs. Sarducci's farm hear that her award-winning grapes want to escape. Lots of laughs and a great lesson learned by the end of this 'fruitful' tale. By Sharon Debowski. Available Spring 2009. 9/17/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

1001 Stories by KANE/MILLER BOOK PUBLISHERS

This book starts out traditionally, but after that...watch out! There’s nothing usual about what happens when favorite fairy tales are put together in a book, and the reader is asked to decide what happens next. It’s an entertaining and exciting adventure through the intermingled paths of a fairy tale maze. And when Little Red Riding Hood (who later becomes Snow White) meets up with Hansel (who later turns into the Handsome Prince), well, anything can happen – maybe even 1001 NEW stories. 9/15/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I'm a Pill Bug by KANE/MILLER BOOK PUBLISHERS

A book about a pill bug … plain and simple, written by Yukihisa Tokuda and illustrated by Kiyoshi Takahashi. It’s kind of a day-in-the-life of a pill bug: what they eat, what they do, why they curl up into little balls. The pictures are stylized and beautiful. The words are a little beyond the very beginning readers, but not much. This book won a Booklist Editors' Choice Award. 9/15/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pearl Barley and Charlie Parsley by BOYDS MILLS PRESS

Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey, this book explores the friendship of Pearl and Charlie, who are so different in just about every single way that it's surprising they are such good buddies. Launch date: September 1, 2008. 8/28/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This wonderfully illustrated book includes the words to the famous poem, “Twas the Night before Christmas.” Written by Clement C. Moore in 1822,  the poem remains a holiday classic. Parents will enjoy rediscovering it with their kids. Launch date: September 26, 2005.
— This book is popular with customers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, according to Operations Manager Susan Miller. 8/28/2008 (Price: $5.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alaska ABC Book by SASQUATCH BOOKS

“Z” stands for zero temperatures in this book that teaches children the ABCs using ice worms, glaciers, goats and more. It is written by Charlene Kreeger and illustrated by Shannon Cartwright. Launch date: 1993.
— Alaska-themed children's books published by Sasquatch Books are top sellers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008. 8/28/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Goodnight Alaska, Goodnight Little Bear by SADDLE PAL CREATIONS INC.

In this board book, Little Bear says goodnight to all of his friends on his way to hibernate in his den for wintertime. This is one in a collection of books specifically written to teach children about Alaska and its history, or to commemorate a visit to Alaska by a child or family member. Launch date: about 1997.
— The collection of Alaska-themed books for children offered by this company, written and illustrated by Bernd and Susan Richter, is popular at The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008. 8/28/2008 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Big Little Book of Happy Sadness by KANE/MILLER BOOK PUBLISHERS

When little boy George picks out a lonely dog in the last cage at the pound, it changes his life. Having the dog, Jeremy, teaches both him and his grandmother, whom he lives with, about the quality of love. 8/27/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Toddler Bistro Box by BABY BISTRO BRANDS

This healthy feeding guide for toddler 1 to 3 years old focuses on personality tendencies, tricks for picky eaters, recipes, food and environmental safety, and shopping suggestions. "This product provides innovative comprehensive easy to use information," said Christina E. Schmidt, president of Baby Bistro Brands. Launch date: 09/01/2005. 8/25/2008 (Price: $27.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Bistro Box by BABY BISTRO BRANDS

This healthy feeding guide for infants 0 to 12 months discusses nutritional needs, how to feed baby, recipes, shopping tips and safety guidelines. "This set represents an innovative organization of complete information into easy-to-use cards," said Christina Schmidt M.S., N.E., president of Baby Bistro Brands. Launch date: 09/01/2001. 8/25/2008 (Price: $27.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I Like Holidays! An Interactive Book About Me by BOYS TOWN PRESS

Children record their favorite holiday traditions by describing the people they share the holiday with and the colors, decorations, food, and stories they use to celebrate it. Completing this book with their own words, drawings, and photos helps children learn the meaning of holiday, cultural, and family customs and traditions. Creating a personal story motivates kids to read and write. "More educational than a scrapbook, more personal than a picture book, each copy of this book will capture an individual story that its young owner will return to read and enjoy many times," promised Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press. Launch date: 08/01/2008 8/25/2008 (Price: $13.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

It's a Money Thing! A Girl's Guide to Managing Money by CHRONICLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Through engaging and practical exercises, this guide teaches young girls valuable lessons to help them lead financially secure and independent lives. It is "written by The Women's Foundation of California with an introduction by Kathleen Brown, former Treasurer of the State of California," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $12.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

3-D World Atlas & Tour by CHRONICLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

Much more than an atlas, this book is a virtual travel experience. It includes more than 40 maps, 30 feature articles on impressive places, more than 50 eye-popping 3-D photos of the world's most interesting sights, and two pairs of 3-D glasses. It "brings geography to life," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grade 3 Multiplication, Kumon Math Workbook by KUMON PUBLISHING NORTH AMERICA INC.

This workbook covers repeated addition, skip counting, multiplication facts to 10 x 10, the inverse relationship of multiplication and division, commutative property of multiplication, identity property of multiplication, zero property of multiplication, and patterns and sequencing. "Just like our popular pre-school workbooks, Kumon Math Workbooks are based on the Kumon Method, a learning system designed to help each child reach his or her full learning potential. These workbooks are also correlated to state and national standards in order to ensure that the content is appropriate for your child," Adam Hennessy, in marketing and account management for Kumon Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 14, 2008.
— Though educational books are not a top seller in his store (he only sells about 12 per month), Kumon is the top line, said  Steven Levy, owner of Toy City in Keene, N.H.
— Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell 4-5 dozen Kumon books each month, making them one of their top-2 best selling educational products. 8/21/2008 (Price: $6.95)

Grade 1 Addition, Kumon Math Workbook by KUMON PUBLISHING NORTH AMERICA INC.

This book covers, counting, reading, writing and ordering numbers to 120, addition sums beyond 30, and patterns and sequencing, helping children to understand the whole number system. "While other workbooks try to cover a wide range of topics in each book, Kumon Math Workbooks tackle one skill set per book. We believe having one specific goal helps children focus on mastering one skill completely," Adam Hennessy, in marketing and account management for Kumon Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 15, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $6.95)

The Ultimate Lullaby Collection by TWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS

One of six new gift sets from Twin Sisters Productions, the Ultimate Lullaby Collection features four music CDs with lullabies and classical music, plus a 48-page, full-color scrapbook ready for photographs and notes about baby's first year. The CDs and memory book are stored in an attractive hard-cover book. It's "an affordable, unique, beautiful giftbook for any special baby!" Ken Carder, in product development for Twin Sisters Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rufus and Friends: Rhyme Time by CHARLESBRIDGE PUBLISHING

Rufus and his canine friends act out 14 tongue-twisting nursery rhymes in this book by best-selling author and illustrator Iza Trapani. It features "fun, familiar rhymes with Iza Trapani's signature wit in words and pictures," Associate Director of Marketing Donna Spurlock of Charlesbridge Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Think Green! by KIDS THINK BIG LLC

Think Green! is a wonderfully illustrated children’s book about simple ways kids (and adults) can help keep Earth clean and safe for all people, animals, fish and birds. It’s a fun book with easy-to-grasp everyday ideas, includes a page to personalize characters and new green ideas, and is a great gift idea for schools, libraries, non-profit fundraising and corporations. Several of the illustrations show website addresses of green-thinking resources. Think Green! is the "first children's book in history to have it's own eco-audit ... an environmental benefits statement explaining the resources saved by printing Think Green! on recycled/post consumer paper vs. virgin fiber," Jeanine Behr Getz, managing director and author for Kids Think Big, told TDmonthly. This book received a Dr. Toy 2008 Summer Vacation Award. Launch date: April 10, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Paleo Bugs by CHRONICLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

This follow-up to Paleo Sharks features a 390-million-year-old cockroach, a 320-million-year-old millipede, and many other ancient creepy crawlies. It offers "high-interest, educational info in an appealing, high-design format," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animals Christopher Columbus Saw by CHRONICLE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

In this new series by award-winning author Sandra Markle, famous explorers take a backseat to the animals they encounter along the way. Through nimble writing and beautiful paintings, this series casts the past in a whole new light. "The author ... is an internationally known science education consultant," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I Like Birthdays! An Interactive Book About Me by BOYS TOWN PRESS

Candles on the cake, friends and family, special foods and clothing, favorite presents ... children recount what makes their birthday so happy. Even very young children, with their parents' help, can create a wonderful book of personal memories and experiences using their own words, photos and drawings. They can have fun while practicing reading, writing and counting skills. 8/21/2008 (Price: $13.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Visiting My Grandmother: An Interactive Book About Me by BOYS TOWN PRESS

Children write and illustrate a story about their visit with Grandmother — what she looks like, where she lives, how they play, what they eat together, and how they feel about each other. Whimsical mice guide children through the book. Kids practice reading, writing and drawing skills while creating a special keepsake they will read again and again. "The book's interactivity allows parents, grandparents and children to share an engaging activity together, while showing children how much fun reading and writing their own story can be," Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 1, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $13.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Trip to the Zoo: An Interactive Book About Me by BOYS TOWN PRESS

Children create a book about their trip to the zoo by describing the short, tall, noisy, quiet, friendly and scary animals they encountered. Completing sentences with their own words, and illustrating the book with their own drawings or photographs, children relive the fun of their special day. Kids can improve reading, writing, comparing, and measuring skills. Parents enjoy helping, too. "By engaging the child as the writer and illustrator of his or her own personal story, this interactive book increases the child's motivation and enjoyment in reading," Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 1, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $13.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Monkey World by SIMPLY READ BOOKS

What if monkeys were astronauts, pirates, cowboys and queens? This zany book of ABC poetry is boldly illustrated by Matthew Porter with images painted on pine boards that were sanded for texture to show the wood's grain, then finished with a veneer. Edgy yet lovable, Porter's monkeys are already bestsellers, but this is the first time they've come together in one collection. 8/14/2008 (Price: $16.95)

The Nose That Didn't Fit by THE MONSTERS IN MY HEAD LLC

Ever felt that your feet are too big or your ears stick out? If so, you will be able to relate to Rue, The Monster of Insecurity in his new story The Nose That Didn't Fit. Follow his silly antics as he attempts to change himself only to find out that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In this, the second book of the WorryWoo series, Author Andi Green explores the emotional world of insecurity through captivating illustrations and a playful tale. Rue and "The Nose That Didn't Fit" won a 2009 Excellent Product Award from iParenting Media and the 2009 Toy of the Year Award (category: storybook and plush) from Creative Child Magazine. 8/1/2008 (Price: $14.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]