TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Beautiful Doodles by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

Each generous-sized page prompts doodlers with playful text and whimsical line drawings. The paperback book includes over 100 pages to complete and create. Launch date: June 9, 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $12.95)

The Flim-Flam Fairies by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

Kids can meet the Fart Fairy, Snot Fairy, Dirty Underwear Fairy and more in this book. The fairies attempt persuade their way into and out of children’s lives in attempts to take over the Tooth Fairy’s under-the-pillow enterprise. Launch date: July 28, 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $14.95)

Danny Dozer's Perfect Christmas Tree by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

Danny Dozer and his friends find the perfect Christmas tree for Deerfield Valley. They embellish the tree, but then realize there’s no snow. As the characters attempt to remedy this problem, readers can lift up a variety of flaps to discover materials the characters use to decorate the tree: miles of lights, piles of shiny ornaments and more. Launch date: September 24, 2007. 5/19/2008 (Price: $9.95)

Imaginetics Goldilocks & the 3 Bears Storybook Playset by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The playset lets kids reenact and embellish the classic Goldilocks and the three bears tale with story magnets. It comes complete with four play figures and 48 magnets. The playset folds closed and latches into a handy box that can travel anywhere. Launch date: January 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $19.99)

Imaginetics Cinderella Storybook Playset by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC

The playset lets kids reenact and embellish the classic Cinderella fairytale with story magnets. It comes complete with Cinderella and Prince Charming play figures, five play scenes and 60 magnets.  The playset folds closed and latches into a handy box that can travel anywhere. Launch date: January 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $19.99)

The First Day of Forever by FRIENDS FOREVER GIRLS

In this exciting story, longtime friends Marlee and Natalie meet their new neighbor, Reina.  Together the three girls face a challenging adventure that leads to the creation of the Friends Forever Girls®.  The story also reveals the secret of how the Butterfly Promises came to be.  The Friends Forever Girls® dolls and books are fun to play with and provide adults with a tool to talk with young girls about positive choices and the importance of friendships.  The First Day of Forever hardcover book is included with the purchase of each doll.  The First Day of Forever is also sold separately and available in paperback for $6.95. 5/16/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tempest's Vow: Elements, Volume Three by MIRRORSTONE

Nearra's quest for magic comes to a gripping close in this finale to the Elements trilogy. Nearra's last chance to take the Test of High Sorcery is thwarted once again, and she is put out of the Hall of the Three Moons. Readers who have followed Nearra from the very beginning of Dragonlance: The New Adventures will relish this final installment in her journey to discover herself. Launch date: April 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Philomel Books - Naming Liberty by PENGUIN GROUP USA

The 32-page book covers the true story of Frederic Aguste Bartholdi and the creation of the Statue of Liberty, alongside the fictional story of a young Russian Jewish girl whose family emigrates to the United States. Launch date: July 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $16.99)

Sea Queens: Women Pirates Around the World by CHARLESBRIDGE PUBLISHING

Throughout the ages, women from all classes and walks of life turned to pirating out of necessity, desperation or greed. The book introduces kids to Artemisia, the admiral-queen of Persia in 500 BC, Grania O'Malley, the Irish "pirate queen" who challenged Queen Elizabeth I's British ships, Madame Ching, who sailed the South China Sea in the early 1800s and more. Launch date: July 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Welcome Song for Baby by ORCA BOOK PUBLISHERS

The lyrical lullaby for newborns is replete with stunning photographs. This evocative board book is perfectly suited as a first book for every baby. Launch date: October 2007. 5/13/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Town Teddy & Country Bear Tour the USA by REVERIE PUBLISHING COMPANY

Town and country cousins Tuxedo Teddy and Bandanna Bear tour the United States to discover America the Beautiful. There's just one problem: Bandanna dreams of a rugged camping trip to national parks and natural wonders, while Tuxedo envisions a first-class tour of historic cities and famous landmarks. The book follows their adventures as they struggle to learn the art of compromise and the joy of sharing while exploring the beauty and diversity of America's national treasures. Launch date: April 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Town Teddy & Country Bear: A Classic Aesop's Fable Retold by REVERIE PUBLISHING COMPANY

Aesop's fable of the town mouse and country mouse takes on a teddy bear twist. Tuxedo Teddy is overwhelmed by the hectic pace of city life, while his cousin, Bandanna Bear, is bored by his quiet country existence. The two swap places, and discover the grass is not always greener on the other side. Launch date: October 2007. 5/13/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tale of the Lucky Cat by EAST WEST DISCOVERY PRESS

This retelling of the most famous Japanese folktale captures positive values, love and kindness. This classic story reminds kids that doing a good deed may offer its own rewards. In this bilingual English and Japanese story, a toymaker who cares for an injured cat ends up having his own life saved.  Launch date: September 2007. 5/13/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mei Ling in China City by EAST WEST DISCOVERY PRESS

Based on a true story of events during World War II in Los Angeles China City, a 12-year-old Chinese American girl named Mei Ling Lee loses her best friend Yayeko Akiyama when she and her family were interned in the Manzanar War Relocation Center. By writing letters to each other, both young girls recount their painful separation and their lives in China City and Manzanar. The 44-page book is full of vivid watercolor paintings and depicts the hardships and cross-cultural experiences of Americans of Chinese and Japanese ancestry during the war years. Close to 50 never-before-published paintings and historical photographs of China City are presented. The book is available in English, bilingual English/Chinese and bilingual English/Japanese. 5/13/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cave Painter of Lascaux by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Anna is on a school trip to the Lascaux cave in the south of France — a mysterious place with prehistoric paintings believed to have been created over 17,000 years ago. Anna bumps into a real caveman, who explains to Anna what life was really like in the Stone Age and how they created the magnificent drawings on the walls. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. 5/13/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Molly Meets Mona and Friends by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Molly loves painting and visiting the art museum. The moment she arrives at the museum, she begins a magical journey that transports her right into the works of some of the world's greatest artists: she chases Constable's rainbow, dances with Degas's ballerinas, plays guitar with Picasso's musicians, floats on Monet's lily pad and more. 5/13/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Kurtal Explores Australian Aboriginal Art by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Kurtal, a young Aborigine boy, takes the readers on a journey to show them Aboriginal art and the people who create it. On his way, he creates a monsoon vital to plant and animal life in Australia, introduces kids to the mouthless Wandjina creatures, treks to Australia's Northern Territory and more, to show kids the artworks of the Aboriginal artists and explains their meanings. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dropping in on Rousseau Book by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

The book combining clever illustrations with masterworks, teaching children to make their own interpretations about works of art. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dropping in on Romare Bearden Book by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Puffer lands in New York City to interview the famous artist Romare Bearden, who uses a variety of media to make his unique images with family, urban life and music themes. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. Other artists in the “Dropping in on…” series include Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Grant Wood, Andy Warhol and Henri Rousseau. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dropping in on Picasso Book by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Come along with Puffer as he interviews Pablo Picasso about his prolific career. The book features reproductions of some of Picasso's most important works including “The Three Musicians” and teaches descriptive, analytic and interpretative skills for looking at works of art. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dropping in on Matisse Book by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

This picture book blends Matisse's paintings and paper cutouts with simple and engaging color illustrations. Join Puffer as he flies into mid-20th century France to meet Henri Matisse. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dropping in on Grant Wood Book by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Puffer interviews Grant Wood in this fun and informative book about Wood's life, heroes and regionalist artwork. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dropping in on Andy Warhol Book by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

Pop artist Andy Warhol shows Puffer his famous artworks and explains how he used different media to create them. The 32-page, hardcover book is also available in VHS and DVD formats. 5/13/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Color Tree by CRYSTAL PRODUCTIONS

The 32-page, hardcover book teaches kids about color an color-mixing. In the story, a little boy comes upon a colorless landscape and realizes the world needs color. He begins throwing magical apples at everything in sight, slowly coloring the entire landscape with each throw. 5/13/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

iRead 2 YouŽ Gift Set by CALI PUBLISHING

The gift set comes with an interactive voice recorder and The Adventures of Cali, a book about the friendship between a boy and a caterpillar. Using the voice recorder, caregivers can record up to four minutes of a children’s story at the push of a button, then clip the recorder to the inside cover of a book. The recorder will activate as soon as the book is opened and allow young children to enjoy hearing a story read by a familiar voice. Additionally, adults can guide kids through a book by recording cues to turn the pages, by spelling out difficult words, or by asking questions about words and pictures. Stories can be rerecorded at any time. Batteries are included, along with a full set of replacement batteries. Launch date: July 2008. 5/13/2008 (Price: $19.95)