May 2008 New Toys — Books

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 You® 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)

Kristina Takes the Stage by FRIENDS FOREVER GIRLS

This paperback book features all six Friends Forever Girls® and is a heart-warming story about friendship, honesty and the power of overcoming our fears. The Friends Forever Girls® brand provides the perfect book series for parents and their young girls who are discovering the rewards of friendships and are learning about the challenges and adventures of growing up girl.  Through adventures in the book series, young readers see how the Friends Forever Girls® use the Butterfly Promises to handle situations like meeting new friends, trying to learn a new sport, and sticking up for what’s right.  Young girls learn about developing common sense, making the right decisions when it’s hard to do and respecting themselves and others.  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.  Coming soon - our third book which will be available in August 2008. 5/12/2008 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

First Snow in the Woods by CARL R. SAMS II PHOTOGRAPHY INC. (STRANGER IN THE WOODS)

By wildlife photographers Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick, this book of natural photos from the wild tells a story about how a fawn finds his heartsong and how all the creatures of the forest prepare for the first snow of winter amid the changes happening around them. 5/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chicken Socks - Tree House Bugs by KLUTZ

This kit shows kids how to assemble the included colored pipe cleaners, bright wooden beads and glittery paper wings into five bug buddies. Kids can even stick on pre-printed sticker faces to give each bug its own personality. Additionally, the book opens up to become a charmingly detailed, three-room tree house, complete with a front yard, punch-out furniture, stickers and decorative accessories.
— “We do well with the Klutz books ... [especially] the Magnetic Magic and the bug book,” Mary Ellen Cerney, owner of Dear Friends and Children in Duncan, Okla., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Anything by Klutz,” Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., said in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling arts and crafts item in her store.
— In spring 2008, more than 3 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Klutz activity books as best-selling kits. ( Watch Video) 5/8/2008 (Price: $14.95)

Max Goes to Jupiter - Science Adventures with Max the Dog by BIG KID SCIENCE

Max accompanies astronauts as they explore Mars and its fascinating moons.
“The Max series has proven very popular with kids who have any interest in dogs, space, or science,” Big Kid Science Co-Founder Jeffrey Bennett told TDmonthly. “The books are known both for having an exciting storyline and for teaching interesting and accurate science.” Launch date: Oct. 1, 2008 5/8/2008 (Price: $16.95)

Gallery Ghost by BIRDCAGE PRESS

In the ghost-story game, the ghosts of 24 renowned artists come out to play in an art gallery at night, making changes to other artists’ paintings. Readers must help art student Sarah find out which ghost changed the most paintings, using the included magnifying glass to compare them. The book includes 24 paintings from the National Gallery of Art, a score sheet and information about each painter and work of art. This book won the Independent Publishers 2008 gold medal in the children's interactive category. Launch date: Spring 2008. 5/6/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Looking Closely Through the Forest by KIDS CAN PRESS

Close-up photography reveals some surprises in this 40-page book written and illustrated by Frank Serafini. As they explore the forest, young readers will see that a millipede looks like gummy candy and a layer of frost on leaves appears as a woolly scarf. Launch date: 2008. 5/6/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

What Does Mrs. Claus Do? by TRICYCLE PRESS

The book theorizes what Mrs. Claus might be doing while her husband is busy making lists, checking them twice, reigning in the reindeer and leaving gifts for the “nice.” “Children will love the visual jokes in the detailed illustrations by Christian Slade and Kate Wharton’s merry text will inspire many a theory about Mrs. Claus,” Tricycle Press Publicist Hayley Gonnason told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Little Shepherd Girl: A Christmas Story by DAVID C. COOK

The charming story retells the miracle of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of a plucky young girl who learns that she is loved — by her father, and by God the Father. ”With warm storytelling, colorful pictures, and the thing every little girl craves, love, The Little Shepherd Girl appeals to little girls of all ages who dare to dream,” David C. Cook Publicist Kate Amaya told TDmonthly. “Parents will also love the strong message that is perfect for father-daughter bonding.” Launch date: October 2007. 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

God's Promise by ILLUMINATION ARTS

The book teaches children about spirituality and religion. “It is a loving introduction to God and life on earth,” 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][?]

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][?]

A Practical Guide to Wizardry by MIRRORSTONE

The fully-illustrated guide teaches readers all about what it takes to become a great wizard — from the necessary gear and magic items to the secrets of writing personal spells. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Practical Guide to Dragon Riding by MIRRORSTONE

The fully-illustrated, step-by-step guide teaches readers how to raise and train a baby dragon, and how to take flight on the wings of their very own dragon mount. Launch date: September 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creative Hands - sm'ARt to-Go™ Take-Along Activity Story Kits - Giddyup by FIBRE CRAFT MATERIALS CORP

The 20-page activity kit is portable and lightweight, making it perfect for keeping youngsters busy on long commutes. The activity book is full of puzzles, games and coloring pages that promote reading, artistic and imaginative thinking and puzzle-solving skills. Kids can color in their favorite pages and then use the included child-safe glue tube to decorate the page with bright foam stickers, googly eyes, spangles and more. “Not only would a child pick our books out of the crowd, but parents will, too!” Fibre-Craft Materials Corp. Marketing Communications Manager Gail Cohen told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 5/5/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]