June 2008 New Toys — Educational

Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone by ILLUMINATION ARTS

The book teaches children about strangers and how to stay safe. “It presents useful information in a fun and engaging manner, with a character that they can identify with,” Illumination Arts Assistant Editor and Marketing Assistant Kelsey Maloney told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Prehistoric Plant by DUNECRAFT INC.

The kit provides kids with an interactive, hands-on learning experience. Kids will be able to witness the seed’s transformation into a plant inside the terrarium, and then learn to take care of the plant. “Our kits are fun and educational,” DuneCraft Inc. Public Relations Specialist Alicia Borley told TDmonthly. “The lure of growing a prehistoric plant as well as everything included with the Prehistoric Plant would be why this would be picked over another kit.” Launch date: February 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

GeoSafari Tyrannosaurus Rex by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

The kit features 30 snap-together parts, a rock-like base with six plant fossils, a dinosaur jawbone fragment, support rods, a full-color T-Rex action poster and full-color assembly instructions. The skeleton displays beautifully after assembly. “Dinosaurs are very popluar right now and our product is a great quality for the money,” Educational Insights Inc. Advertising and Public Relations Coordinator Heidi Bultman told TDmonthly. “Also, our dinosaur can be put together over and over again, and does not use glue.” Launch date: January 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $99.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animalia by ABRAMS BOOKS

The full-color, illustrated book teaches kids the letters of the alphabet in a creative way. Kids learn the letter “M,” for example, by reading about “meticulous mice monitoring mysterious mathematical messages.” Launch date: September 1987. 5/5/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

One Through Ten Counting Train wall art by eeBoo corp.

Ten 8" x 10" cards to place on the wall. Each card's image represents a different piece of the train, along with a different number on each card. Numbers count from one to ten. 5/2/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Interactive Kaleidoscope by Ekos USA

Watch solid picture transform into dazzling kaleidoscopic images!  Each kaleidoscope includes 10 interchangeable science and nature discs with educational information on the back. 5/2/2008

KIDSCA$H Workbook by THE CASH MANAGEMENT CONNECTION

The workbook teaches children basic budgeting and goal-setting skills, and guides them through a whole year of tracking what they earn, spend and save. “Kids wouldn't pick it, but parents would (and do),” Maureen Dolan Rosen of The Cash Management told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2001. 5/1/2008 (Price: $13.95)

Boris Ate a Thesaurus by CARSON-DELLOSA PUBLISHING

The story is about a young boy who eats a thesaurus and suddenly starts speaking in synonyms. “Boris Ate a Thesaurus is a colorful, fun-to-read book illustrated in a friendly style,” John Russel, a representative for Carson Dellosa Publishing Co. told TDmonthly. “Boris, the main character, is featured on the cover and instantly invites kids into a world where knowledge is gained by eating a book.” Launch date: September 2007. 5/1/2008 (Price: $14.95)

Inside Hockey: The Legends, Facts and Feats That Made the Game by MAPLE TREE PRESS

The book delves into the world of hockey — both past and present — accompanied by humorous illustrations and exciting photographs. Readers will learn all about hockey superstar players and coaches, inventions, rules that changed the game, the science behind the sport and the stories behind the never-ending quest for the Stanley Cup. Launch date: September 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smart-opedia Junior: The Amazing Book About Everything by MAPLE TREE PRESS

This modern encyclopedia for younger readers delivers stimulating information about everything kids have questions about. The book presents encyclopedic information in an age-appropriate context — ideas and concepts are arranged in clear themes, carefully introduced from small to big, and from the inside out. Readers learn first about their own bodies, then their own families, moving on to the community, the world and finally the universe. “Special features throughout such ‘What About You?’ sidebars, and Day-in-the-Life pages make information fun and accessible,” Maple Tree Press Inc. Marketing Manager Erin Walker told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Inuksuk Journey: An Artist at the Top of the World by MAPLE TREE PRESS

Part travel journal, part art book, Inuksuk Journey is a visually stunning chronicle of author Mary Wallace's summer journey to the Arctic. The book includes gorgeous paintings and dramatic tales of wildlife encounters, tales of hunting and living off the land and visits to relics of Inuit life dating back thousands of years. Launch date: October 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Scribble Puzzle ABC's – Zoo Friends by SCRIBBLE MATS

The puzzle features 24 big, chunky pieces and four non-toxic crayons. The puzzle’s draw-and-wipe surface allows kids to draw again and again, letting their imagination flourish. The puzzle is available in six varieties and measures 12-1/2" X 15" when assembled. This item is a 2007 Dr. Toy Best Product Award winner. “Scribble Puzzles keep the imagination and energy going!” Arlene Tucker of Scribble Mats told TDmonthly. “The color on- wipe off signature surface allows a child to create with crayon till infinity.” Launch date: Fall 2007. 5/1/2008 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shake Rattle & Roll Cow Plush by PEPPERDINKLE AND PALS CLUB

Shake, Rattle and Roll is a soft and cuddly, 11-inch plush cow from the Pepperdinkle and Pals Club that comes with a special storybook poster you can hang in a room and a secret code on the medallion hangtag that you can use to print off your own special foster parent certificate for Shake, Rattle and Roll. 4/30/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pig Little Plush by PEPPERDINKLE AND PALS CLUB

Pig Little is an 11" plush animal in the Pepperdinkle Pals line. He comes with a special storybook poster detailing his rise to fame in Pepperdinkle's Club. You can use the secret code on the medallion hangtag to print off a special foster parent certificate for Pig Little. 4/30/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bad Cat Plush by PEPPERDINKLE AND PALS CLUB

With crutches to support a casted foot, Bad Cat is one tough kitty. This 11" plush animal also comes with a full-length story poster that can be placed on a wall in a room. Every Pepperdinkle Pal stuffed animal comes with a special and a medallion hangtag with a secret code you can use to print off your pets special foster parent certificate. ( Watch Video) 4/30/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pepperdinkle Dog Plush by PEPPERDINKLE AND PALS CLUB

Pepperdinkle is an 11" plush dog that comes in a set which includes a full-length storybook poster describing how Pepperdinkle opened his special clubhouse. Pepperdinkle also comes with a medallion hangtag with a secret code that allows you to print off a special foster parent certificate for Pepperdinkle. 4/30/2008 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Measure Match by IMPRESA Publishing

This award-winning game uses the popular memory format for a simple and fun way to learn. Reading is not required, and older players can help younger players learn colors, shapes or words. The durable and colorful card deck contains 34 pairs of equivalent time, length, weight and volume measurements. Players can set the level of challenge or speed of play by using as few or as many cards as they wish. “Measure Match can be adjusted to accommodate young minds with short attention spans, without diminishing its ability to impart knowledge and develop learning skills,” Joe Duray of Impresa Publishing told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2004. 4/28/2008 (Price: $12.99)

Cartoon Story Starters by ON THE MARK PRESS

The book is filled with inspiring illustrations that vary in complexity and ready-to-use worksheets that can be used for any writing program. Kids can use the silly starters to generate ideas for short stories, poems, letters and more. “The illustrations used are unique, fun and detailed, and offer a range of subjects and difficulty,” On the Mark Press Marketing Coordinator Li Sinclair told TDmonthly. 4/28/2008 (Price: $10.99)

Just for Boys Reading Comprehension by ON THE MARK PRESS

The book is filled with unique and original short stories, biographies and articles that specifically relate to boys’ interests. The graphics are fun and exciting and reflect what’s interesting to boys’ lives. Before, during and after reading exercises incorporate effective researched-based reading comprehension strategies. “The content is specifically designed…[according to] gender, age and interests,” On the Mark Press Marketing Coordinator Li Sinclair told TDmonthly. 4/28/2008 (Price: $11.99)

Kid's Travel Journal - My Beach Vacation by TESSERA PUBLISHING

The travel journal helps children develop observations and writing skills. Additionally, it captures their perspective at a particular age. The journal comes with 18 pages that prompt children to write and draw what they see and how they feel. The journals are available in six vibrant colors and many different themes, such as . Launch date: 2007. 4/28/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mandy and Pandy Play Sports by MANDY & PANDY BOOKS

The illustrated book follows Mandy, an adopted Chinese girl, and Pandy the Panda, her best friend. The book comes with a CD that reads the book aloud in both English and Mandarin, allowing children to learn both languages in an easy and fun way. “This book is one of a kind, for there is nothing else in the market quite like it,” Mandy and Pandy Sales Director Melissa Golden told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 4/28/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mandy and Pandy Visit China by MANDY & PANDY BOOKS

The illustrated book follows Mandy, an adopted Chinese girl, and Pandy the Panda, her best friend. The book comes with a CD that reads the book aloud in both English and Mandarin, allowing children to learn both languages in an easy and fun way. “Children fall in love with Mandy and Pandy, while parents and children both appreciate the language skills that the books teach,” Mandy and Pandy Sales Director Melissa Golden told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008. 4/28/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

If Dinosaurs were Alive Today by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

The book compiles extensive research by dinosaur experts to tell readers about what the world would be like if dinosaurs were alive today. The book is full of incredible images of photo-realistic dinosaurs blended with distinctive photography, and fact-packed pages about dinosaurs, from the time of their extinction to the latest fossil discoveries. “It asks (and answers) the question: what if dinosaurs were alive today?” Seta Bedrossian Zink, of Running Press Book Publishers’ publicity department, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2007. 4/28/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Stonehenge: Build Your Own Ancient Wonder by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

The kit includes 16 Stonehenge rocks, a landscaped mat and a 32-page guide about the ancient wonder. Launch date: March 2008. ( Watch Video) 4/28/2008 (Price: $12.95)

Earthworm Nursery™ by INSECT LORE

The nursery allows kids to hatch baby earthworms from real earthworm cocoons, and then watch them dig and grow in the special multi-chambered greenhouse habitat. Kids can even release the matured earthworms safely into their backyard. The educational and ecological kit comes with approximately 50 Vermipod™ earthworm cocoons, a greenhouse habitat, special growth soil and an instructional guide full of earthworm facts and activities. 4/24/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]