May 2008 New Toys — Books

Stone of Tymora, Book 1: The Stowaway by MIRRORSTONE

Maimun, a young teenager marked for death, stows away on a pirate ship and meets an unlikely ally. With a half-demon determined to destroy him, Maimun must find the courage to prove his worth. Launch date: September 2008. 5/30/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How The Moonjar Was Made by MOONJAR

The book follows two friends as they learn about saving, spending and sharing. “Because [kids] instantly connect with our story’s characters, they really like that it’s written as a discovery journey. And they love the illustrations!” Angela McNamara of Moonjar told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 2007. 5/30/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Let's Go Shopping by ON THE MARK PRESS

The book teaches kids the important skills they need to know about money. Topics include earning, saving, spending and fundraising. “The activities in Let’s Go Shopping are age-appropriate, real-life situations kids can relate to, like a trip to the beach, going to the candy store and role-playing in a restaurant and grocery setting,” On the Mark Press Marketing Coordinator Li Sinclair told TDmonthly. 5/30/2008 (Price: $10.99)

A Horse's Tale: A Colonial Williamsburg Adventure by ABRAMS BOOKS

The story revolves around the town of Willamsburg, as they attempt to cheer up Garrick the Gardener’s sad horse. The book “includes a glossary that highlights period words and terms and features the adorable characters first created as plush toys,” Abrams Books Publicity Assistant Laura Mihalick told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2008. 5/30/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Professor Bumble and the Monster of the Deep by ABRAMS BOOKS

The book is a classic tale of an unlikely friendship between two very different, but very lovable new characters. “This picture book features a comic friendship that will remind readers of such odd couples as Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet and leave them wishing for more adventures with Bumble and Beluga,” Abrams Books Publicity Assistant Laura Mihalick told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2008. 5/30/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Word Roots Beginning by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

Word Roots teaches students the meanings of prefixes, roots, and suffixes commonly used in English. Learning word elements dramatically improves spelling and the ability to decode unfamiliar words. Word Roots will add hundreds of words to your students' vocabulary and greater depth to their thinking and writing. Series includes five titles for Grades 3-12+. Interactive software versions are also available. 5/29/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Science Detective® A1 by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

Science Detective® uses topics and skills drawn from national science standards to prepare children for more advanced science courses and new assessments that measure reasoning, reading comprehension, and writing in science. Students can't just scan the passages for answers—they must carefully analyze and synthesize the information from the text and charts, tables, and graphs to explain and support their answers. Series includes two titles for Grades 3-6. Interactive software version is also available. 5/29/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Miss Gigi-Mae™ Learns to Read: The Letter A by P.A.W. PRINTS OF ILLINOIS LLC

Entertain your toddler while teaching the building blocks of reading with this first in a series of 26 a-to-z books featuring Miss Gigi-Mae. Each book is manufactured out of washable, vinyl-like material and constructed with a permanent grommet for easy connection to our Miss Gigi-Mae™ Tether System. All books in this series feature the lovable ladybug, Miss Gigi-Mae™, who will lead your child through artfully drawn images and simple rhymes written to inspire creativity, stimulate curiosity and spark laughter! 5/29/2008 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Tell Me a Story - Mystery in the Forest by eeBoo corp.

The 3-3/4” x 4-3/4” book comes with 36 different images and instructions for mutiple games. The set also comes with fancy, illustrated cards. Launch date: August 2008.
— These story cards were top sellers at Golden Apple Learning Store in Pleasanton, Calif., in summer 2009, Owner John MacDougall told TDmonthly.
— “They’re like flash cards and graphics for making up stories. We’re going through about a dozen a month,” Lori Durie at the Learning Tree in Prairie Village, Kan., told TDmonthly of this top seller for learning in fall 2009.
— Two of 40 specialty retailers named products by eeBoo when polled about best-selling educational items in late 2009. 5/22/2008 (Price: $10.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Write Me a Story - Fairytale Mix-ups by eeBoo corp.

The 12” x 10” book features a cloth spine, 50 perforated pages and 96 stickers. Kids can place stickers in empty squares, creating their own distinctive stories. Launch date: August 2008. 5/22/2008 (Price: $8.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cathy's Key by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

This book follows the original, Cathy’s Book. As this story begins, high school student Cathy is trying to keep a job, her journal is stolen, a cute crush turns out to not be who he seems to be and her best friend Emma’s side project/start-up company, Doubletalk Wireless, is about to get caught up in the mystery surrounding Cathy and her search for the truth about her father. Her presumed-dead father. Launch date: May 5, 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $17.95)

Cathy's Book by RUNNING PRESS BOOK PUBLISHERS

The interactive, part romance, part thriller, part mystery book enhances novel reading for teens. It includes an “evidence pack” and a list of operational websites, phone numbers and secret codes. Readers identify with Cathy, read her story, listen to her phone messages, check out the websites she mentions and leave her messages on her MySpace.com page and on a special voicemail. Launch date: February 25, 2008. 5/19/2008 (Price: $9.95)

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][?]