Protected and hidden by a society of fairy lovers for more than 80 years, the secret fairy journal of Cicely Mary Barker is available for the first time ever to the public. Learn what really happened during that magical summer of 1920 when Barker discovered the secret world of the Flower Fairies.
— “It’s selling well,” said Monica Delain, manager of The Book Hut in San Antonio. “It rides the coattails of the ‘Ologies’ books. It’s the same sort of thing, but more delicate. More girl than boy.”
— “A beautiful book, which is particularly liked by girls and anyone who believes in fairies,” said Daniel Todd, co-owner of Reader Roundup in Houston.
— “A superbly illustrated book,” remarked Evan Cortez, manager of Rocket Books in Dallas. “It’s fun for any age.”

The otters of Green Isle have long been enslaved to the Wildcat Riggu Felis and his catguards, who torture the otters at every opportunity. The otters trudge on, waiting for the day their savior will arrive — the prophesized High Rhulain, who will lead them in battle and a return to glory. The latest tale of Redwall from New York Times best-selling writer Brian Jacques is an empowering story of adventure and heroism sure to keep readers riveted through the final page of the 384-page, hardcover book.

More than anything else in the world, Antonia wants a “Mei Mei,” a little sister. But when she and her parents fly all the way to China go get her new little sister and Antonia finally meets her, the little girl is not at all like Antonia imagined her: She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She just cries and steals attention. But is her Mei Mei all that bad? This charming personal story written and illustrated by Caldecott medalist Ed Young follows a little girl as she learns what a big sister is all about and discovers the real meaning of family. Hardcover, full color, 10x10 in., 30 pages.

The best-selling Wee Sing line is now tailored for the most modern Wee Sing fans. These eight classic Wee Sing titles are now in one great new package — a book and CD in a reusable blister. Songs are by Pamela Conn Beall and Susan Hagen Nipp.
— Emily “She Who Has Been There the Longest” at Ambassador Toys in San Francisco, said, “The Wee Sings CDs are still around and selling.”
— Jordan Walden, a 31-year veteran of the toy industry and manager of Finnegan’s Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore., explained that they sell many Wee Sing tapes: “It’s the only thing we have.”
— Maria Felix Ortiz, a mom from San Antonio, Texas, said, “It’s my 2 ½-year-old son's favorite, and one I enjoy a lot, too. … The collection encourages dance and fingerplays so it is good rainy-day fun.”

Coming out in October 2006 is the movie "Happy Feet" about Little Mumble, who isn't like other penguins— he loves to dance. When the penguin elders blame Mumble's unique "happy feet" for the shortage of food, Mumble bravely sets off on an epic quest to prove them wrong. Fans of the movie will love to follow Mumble as he finds his own way and show us all that embracing our differences and being true to oneself is what really matters.

Sock monkeys have been a beloved part of American culture for almost a century, but for all this time, their lives, culture and history have remained a mystery to humans. Sock Monkey Dreams instantly transports the reader into the quirky, colorful and imaginative world of the Red Heel Shelter and delves deep into the lives of sock monkeys past and present. From Depression-era one-sock creations, to the elbaorate red-heeled monkeys from the 1950s and beyond, no stone is left unturned. Written by Whitney Shroyer and Letitia Walker, the books is lavishly illustrated with the comical photographs of Michael Traister. The book will go on sale in September 2006 and be available wherever books are sold. (Read Review)

In this book, readers follow the parallel adventures of a family who lives in a snow globe and the “big family” who owns the globe. Children will take pleasure in the miniature world of the snow globe, where the skating pond is the size of a shiny quarter and the snowman is no bigger than a sugar cube. This book received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: September 7, 2006.

This book by Frank Beddor unabashedly challenges our Wonderland assumptions of mad tea parties, sleepy dormice, and a curious little blonde girl to reveal an epic battle in the endless war for imagination. It tells the story of Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, and her return to Wonderland to fight for her rightful place as the Queen of Hearts. It received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: September 26, 2006.

This picture book written by Shelley Moore Thomas and illustrated by Paul Meisel features the Good Knight and his three little dragon friends, the stars of Dutton's best-loved Easy Readers. The old wizard has asked the dragons to take care of his cats for a few days, but they can't read his instructions! The dragons take the cats swimming and camping, with hilarious results. Of course, it's up to the Good Knight to come to the rescue in his funniest outing yet. This book received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: September 21, 2006.

After their first gingerbread disaster, the lonely old woman and man gather their courage to bake again. They decide to make a girl this time, figuring she will be too sweet to leave home. But when they open the oven, it's all too familiar: “You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread GIRL!" This smart cookie overheard them talking about the fox, and she has a plan. Will it work? Let's just say that the ending is sweet for everyone. This book by Lisa Campbell Ernst received the 2007 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award. Launch date: September 21, 2006.

This 320-page, hardcover novel concludes a four-book series and is written by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris. Roddy Macallan’s search for treasure in the Scottish Highlands turns into even more of an adventure when he meets up with a roaming rogue. Launch date: September 2007.

First published in 1939, this classic story of the energetic tugboat is brought to new life in this restored edition. With the support of Hardie Gramatky’s estate, to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth, Penguin has used archived first editions and Hardie’s original paintings to restore "Little Toot" to its full glory, bringing back a richness of color lost in decades of reprintings. This edition also features some of the artist’s full-color manuscript sketches, never before seen in print, and reintroduces the book’s exquisite original endpapers. Launch date: September 2007.

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.

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.

Read, flip, and find with Skippyjon Jones! Skippyjon Jones fans will go loco over this brandnew matching game format! Skippyjon Jones has found a treasure map, and you can help find the treasure by flipping over the correct bilingual tiles in the pop-up matching game included with the book.

Mad Art is the newest extension of Mad Libs. But instead of "fill in the blanks," it's "fill in the picture!" Each spread features simple rebus text and then a picture where kids can draw in silly features. Give a fireman a wacky hat or draw a portrait of yourself with hilarious hair!

What do you get when you combine everyone’s favorite bear with a board book that also houses 12 touch-and-feel ABC flashcards in a resealable box? You get an exciting, unique format that will teach the letters of the alphabet and simple words in a way no one has done before!

Did you know that there are over 350 kinds of sharks? They might have a scary reputation, but you can find the truth about these fearsome fish by opening these jaws and reading the board book inside!

This board book, one of several in the Precious Pals series, is sturdy enough to handle the babies it draws in with its whimsical illustrations and touch-and-feel textures inside. Babies and young children will enjoy both the visual and tactile stimulation presented by the book, which is made infant-friendly by its padded cover, heavy-duty board pages and rounded corners. 
— “Our board books are popular,” said Rosie Morris, manager of Whiz Kids in San Luis Obispo, Calif.
— “The board books … have been really popular,” Genevieve Collogne, manager of Wooden Horse in Los Gatos, Calif., told TDmonthly.
— Eight percent of 52 retailers said in November 2008 that board books comprise their best-selling books.

In this word game activity book, kids fill in the blanks about their own family members on topics such as “Family Ghost Stories” and “Famous Ancestors.”
— Barbara Paeth Haas, owner of The Durango Kid in Durango, Colo., said in spring 2009 that Mad Libs sell so well she can’t keep them in stock.
— “A lot of people choose things like Mad Libs for travel specifically because they're very compact and they're entertaining for a while, and they just seem to be one of those perennially popular items,” Gini Wingard-Phillips, owner of Math ‘n’ Stuff in Seattle, told TDmonthly in March 2009.

This 40-page hardcover tells the story of how Llama is frightened going to his first day of preschool, and wonders if Mama Llama will come back. The other kids, though, show Llama that school can be fun. Launch date: March 19, 2009.
— "What is doing well is the 'Llama Llama' books by Anna Dewdney," Rebecca Goblish, co-owner of Picayune Toys in Dunwoody, Ga., told TDmonthly when discussing best-selling titles in late 2009. She added that her store sells about a dozen "Llama Llama" books per month, with a plush llama
— Two of 44 specialty retailers commented on the popularity of this book series in fall 2009.

This 32-page hardcover tells the classic story of the caterpillar who eats, eats and eats, and then transforms into a lovely butterfly. Launch date: October 15, 1981.
— Two of 44 specialty retailers named this as one of their best-selling books in late 2009.
— As of 8.12.10, this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 17 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 21 in best-selling toys and games. PROS: Engaging, interactive and easy for children to understand.

Written by Kimiko Kajikawa and illustrated by Ed Young, this 32-page hardcover tells the story of a rich, old villager name Ojiisan who makes a great sacrifice to save his fellow villagers in the midst of a great tsunami. Launch date: February 5, 2009.

TDmonthly Review:

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