TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

This age-appropriate book helps children take a look at the science behind the weather: evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world. The book is written and illustrated by children’s environmentalist Lynne Cherry and award-winning photojournalist Gary Braasch. Launch date: Spring 2008. Also available in hardback ($18.95). 2/19/2008 (Price: $11.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Come with Us! by HABA USA/HABERMAASS CORP.

The delightful board book story teaches children the concept of prepositions such as between, under, behind, next to and more. A wooden monkey shape named Jack is playing with his friend Pirate Joe on an island of treasures; the monkey is a magnet that will only stick on the page when placed is the correct position described in the sentence. The cover features an easy pullout quality, allowing for permanent storage of the magnetic monkey so he won’t get lost.  Launch date: January 1, 2008. ( Watch Video) 2/19/2008 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition™ by CCA and B LLC

This set includes an 8" vintage-style pixie elf, a keepsake storage box and a children's picture book with a rhyming story that tells how the elf helps Santa out by watching children's behavior by day and reporting it to Santa at night. The elf is designed to be placed throughout the house during the Christmas season, creating a hide-and-seek activity for the whole family. Launch date: September 2005.
— “Elf on the Shelf is doing really well since we put those out five or six weeks ago,” remarked Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska, in November 2008. “We just brought them in in November. [We] sold 24 last month, and 24 already this month,” Terry Myers, owner of Kaleidoscope Toys in Round Rock, Texas, told TDmonthly.
— In a December 2011 survey about books, 2 out of 12 retailers named Elf on the Shelf their best-seller. "We sold 18 already, in just a couple weeks," Andrea Scartozzi from Hardware Toy Center in Paoli, Pa., told TDmonthly. William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., agreed. "Elf on a Shelf is our number one item. It has been for years!" he told TDmonthly.

Where to Buy: Smart Kids Toys; Kazoo Toys; Escapade Direct

( Watch Video) 2/18/2008 (Price: $29.95)

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

Written and illustrated by Marla Frazee, this book follows friends James and Eamon on their comical summer adventures at “Nature Camp,” as they stay at Eamon’s grandparents’ house and — for the most part — enjoy their time indoors. “Frazee’s funny illustrations, at times completely contradictory to the text, capture the very essence of summer freedom and what it means to be a kid,” Associate Director of Publicity Sarah Shealy of Harcourt Children’s Books told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2008. 2/18/2008 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Paper Fashion Fancy by KLUTZ

This glamorous set includes a 58-page book, 17 sheets of patterned and shaded paper, beads, sequins, sticky jewels, glue, organza and satin ribbon and a bunch of tiny hangers for girls to hang their miniature fashion creations when completed. Launch date: March 2008.
— “Klutz books have been steady sellers for us,” Melodie Ingwersen, owner of Creative Kids Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in March 2008. 2/18/2008

Harold and the Purple Crayon…and More Great Stories to Spark the Imagination by SCHOLASTIC

This animated adventure is part of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures collection, which offers an hour-long, kid-friendly narration and a read-along function. The story is adapted from Crockett Johnson’s original book by the same name, and is joined by six other animated stories. Launch date: March 11, 2008. 2/15/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Contraband by SLG PUBLISHING

The 144-page black and white graphic novel, written by Thomas Behe and Illustrated by Phil Elliott, is a near-future tale revealing an all-too-possibly-real world of underground video, violence and crime on cell phone networks. The story follows a young man's journey into a new "voyeur underground," where profit-hungry youths prowl streets, secretly filming radical events with mobile devices to satisfy society's demand for sensational on-the-go content. Launch date: February 2008. 2/12/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Year of the Rat: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac by IMMEDIUM

The book revolves around baby rat Ralph and his friend boy Bing, as they investigate their village during the 2008 Year of the Rat celebration. The book celebrates Asian culture and tales and is full of bright and dynamic illustrations, delighting both children and parents alike. 2/12/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gumfounded Environmental Book Series by See abc's

See abc’s Tia and Bob Frog teach children to learn the Gumfounded way.  These three fun books teach kids to be socially responsible with the environment using dynamic characters and stories in rhythm and rhyme.  Tia steps on gum and then has a mountain of trash to deal with while Bob Frog is sick of smog and a water hog.  2/5/2008

MVP by BOYDS MILLS PRESS

In the Great Global Game under the Magellan Voyage Project, Adam competes against others — trying to make it around the world in 40 days — for a $4 million prize. And given blowguns and a nefarious baron, his task isn’t easy. Launch date: January 2008. 1/30/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Claire and the Bakery Thief by KIDS CAN PRESS

This graphic novel takes Claire on a journey to rescue her mom and leads her to a disturbing discovery about plans to take over the world through artificial baking. Launch date: April 2008. 1/30/2008 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Who Lives Here? Rain Forest Animals by KIDS CAN PRESS

Toucans, jaguars and boas are among the creatures that live amidst the bright flowers, thick vines and tall trees in the rain forest. Written by Deborah Hodge and Pat Stephens, this book depicts the animals of the rain forest in their natural habitat. 1/30/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Who Lives Here? Polar Animals by KIDS CAN PRESS

This book by Deborah Hodge features detailed illustrations by Pat Stephens, depicting the lives of polar animals in their extremely cold climates. 1/30/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach by KIDS CAN PRESS

Scaredy’s idea of the beach consists of a faux set-up under his nut tree, with an inflatable pool, fake beach scenery and a plastic flamingo. But a visit to the real beach is tempting. Will his No. 65 sunscreen offer enough protection? ( Watch Video) 1/30/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EcoDolls™ - Anna by EcoDolls

Eco Dolls are 11” fashion dolls that are constructed with 80-percent cotton and natural fibers and minimal plastic on the head and hands. These adorable dolls inspire play and support the innovative and curious nature of girls. Anna encourages young girls’ interest in science and environmental responsibility through a beautifully-illustrated storybook, a learning adventure about her summer in Alaska with her uncle and a talking polar bear cub named Sourdough. Launch date: January 2008. 1/24/2008 (Price: $49.95)

Dragonlance® The New Adventures – Warrior's Bones by MIRRORSTONE

By Stephen D. Sullivan, this book is Volume 3 in the Goodlund Trilogy. In the story, Catriona Goodlund is stuck in a tomb and her friends believe she’s dead. Will her journey home mold her into a true warrior? What do her friends discover about their time in the desert? 1/24/2008 (Price: $5.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Genius Squad by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

Once, computer genius Cadel Piggot was going to take over the world. Now he's stuck in foster care. In this sequel to the highly-acclaimed "Evil Genius," the Axis Institute for World Domination has been blown up. Dr. Phineas Darkkon is dead. Prosper English is in jail awaiting trial. And Cadel is a boy without a country, caught in a sea of red tape, mired in foster care — until he is approached by a secret organization of other teen whiz kids whose stated goal is to bring down GenoME, one of Darkkon's pet projects. They offer Cadel a real home and all the technology his heart desires. But can they be trusted? "'Genius Squad' appeals to lovers of mystery and suspense, with compelling characters and a high-energy plot," Associate Director of Publicity Barbara Fisch of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 1/17/2008 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EcoDolls™ - Tanya by EcoDolls

Eco Dolls are 11” fashion dolls constructed with 80-percent cotton and natural fibers and minimal plastic on the head and hands. The dolls inspire play and support the innovative and curious nature of girls. Tanya encourages young girls’ interest in science and environmental responsibility through a beautifully illustrated storybook, a learning adventure about how trees help make air quality better. “The ‘eco’ focus of the Eco Dolls truly sets this product apart — from the environmentally friendly construction to the dolls’ environmental learning adventures,” Kelli Matthews of E-Innovative Ideas told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2008. 1/17/2008 (Price: $49.95)

Spruce Street Six Activity Books by LIFE'S BUILDING BLOCKS INC.

These six virtue-specific activity books are filled with puzzles, stories, word searches and coded messages. There are also subtle lessons within the activities that give parents and kids great opportunities to connect. This series received a 2008 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine. 1/17/2008

Spruce Street Six Chapter Books by LIFE'S BUILDING BLOCKS INC.

Kids love to read fun and interesting books. But if the exciting and interesting plots can include additional value such as allowing the readers to improve their understanding of what they should consider as they face difficult decisions, all the better. Created by an award-winning author and equally decorated illustrator, this six-book series highlights each member of the Spruce Street Six and is destined to be a classic that children will enjoy for generations to come. This series received a 2008 Seal of Excellence Award from Creative Child Magazine.
— Gail Richardson, a participant in TDmonthly's Preschool/Early School Roundtable, said that her children, Alexander (8) and Jessica (6), “could relate to what was happening to some of the characters (like Carlos losing his temper in the “Worst Day Ever”), and that gave us something to talk about as the lights were being turned off.” 1/17/2008

Paper Fashions by KLUTZ

The craft kit includes plastic stencils that allow kids to easily trace perfectly proportioned pants, purses, skirts, scarves, sweaters and shoes, and then embellish their designs with sequins and ribbons. The creations can be hung or mounted onto greeting cards, gift bags, lockers and more. This product is a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Award winner.
— Laura Pearson, manager of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., said her store sells “100 to 200 [Klutz kits] a month.”
— The Three Bears' Manager Ms. Rene, in Ruidos, N.M., told TDmonthly that when it comes to Klutz, her store sells “about 100 per month.”
— Over 13 percent of retailers told TDmonthly that Klutz Inc. products are their best arts-and-crafts sellers. ( Watch Video) 1/16/2008 (Price: $19.95)

Skippyjon Jones Shape Up by PENGUIN GROUP USA

Skippyjon has an overactive imagination; he also likes to be active physically. He shapes up with shapes: he runs in a circle, tap-dances on a square, orbits an oval and much more. Launch date: January 2008. 1/11/2008 (Price: $6.99)

Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated The World by SCHOLASTIC

Knut was the first polar bear cub at the Berlin Zoo in more than thirty years. However, he was born the size of a snowball, and was unable to take care of himself, leading his own mother to reject him. Zookeeper Thomas Dorflein adopted Knut, feeding him, sleeping with him and giving him the love and attention Knut needed to survive. Soon, Knut captured the attention and hearts of people from all around the world. Launch date: November 2007. 1/11/2008 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gallop!: A Scanimation Picture Book by WORKMAN PUBLISHING

A first book of motion for kids, the book shows a variety of animals in motion, including a horse in full gallop, a turtle swimming up the page, a dog running, a cat springing, an eagle soaring and a butterfly fluttering. Scanimation is a state-of-the-art six-phase animation process that combines the "persistence of vision" principle with a striped acetate overlay to give the illusion of movement, reminiscent of the kinetoscope days. Rhyming text full of simple questions and nonsense replies accompany the animations. Launch date: November 2007.
- “They are so cool. …. We've sold so many, people are coming in and asking [for it] because someone they know bought one,” Phil Wrzesinski, owner of Toy House and Baby Too in Jackson, Mich., told TDmonthly in November 2008.
- “We're bringing in hundreds,” said Theresa Oppenheim, owner of Toy World in Wayzata, Minn.
- “Everyone is coming in to see these,” agreed Peg Scholtes, owner of Capitol Kids in Madison, Wis. 1/11/2008 (Price: $12.95)

Flying Dolphin Press - The Alphabet from A to Y With Bonus Letter Z! by RANDOM HOUSE INC.

Writer, actor and performer Steve Martin teams up with cartoonist Roz Chast to introduce this laugh-inducing introduction to the alphabet for young children. In twenty-six alliterative couplets, accompanied by hilarious cartoons, Martin and Chast introduce readers to Horace the hare, whose hairdo hides hunchbacks, and Bad Baby Bubbleducks, who hides a framed picture of a beatnik holding balloons. Launch date: October 2007. 1/11/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]