May 2008 New Toys — Books

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

The princess activity kit is portable and lightweight, designed to keep youngsters busy on planes, trains and car trips. The 20-page activity storybook 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][?]

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

The portable, lightweight kit is designed to keep youngsters busy on planes, trains and car trips. The 20-page activity book promotes 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][?]

Star Wars: Luke Skywalker, Last Hope for the Galaxy by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

Luke Skywalker's greatest adventures from over thirty years of comics are compiled in a single, slip-cased, deluxe edition hardcover. The 800-page volume follows Luke on his journey from the moisture farms of Tatooine to the final days of the Dark Empire. Each story has been selected from every Luke Skywalker comic ever published, from Marvel's first issue to Dark Horse's latest. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $99.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars: Omnibus - Droids by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

This book features previously unpublished material about R2-D2 and C-3PO and their adventures before meeting Luke Skywalker. The two encountered pirates, bounty hunters, rock monsters, and the notorious space criminal Olag Greck. The book also contains “The Kalarba Adventures," "Rebellion," "Seasons of Revolt" and "The Protocol Offensive.” Launch date: June 18, 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil HC by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

This 288-page, full-color, deluxe, hardcover edition collects the first two story-arcs in the series: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil. Extensive supplemental materials, including previously unreleased sketches and designs, are also included. Launch date: April 30, 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Achewood: The Great Outdoor Fight by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

This 96-page, hardbound edition of the comic series features both black and white and full color illustrations. The book measures 9-1/2” x 7-3/4”. Launch date: September 10, 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shadow Boys by ANGEL GATE

The new fantasy-action series revolves around the Shadow Boys, self-named for their ability to hide inside their own shadows. They are a rag-tag group of male fairies kidnapped by a wicked fairywitch intent on seizing the throne of Fairydom. Years later, a prophesy comes true and the boys must battle dark mystical creatures, along with the witch and her army of dragons in a fight for their lives and the fate of their realm. Launch date: July 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $16.99)

War Eagles by ANGEL GATE

The 252-page book revolves around the exploits of a publicly-humiliated Army Air Corps test pilot, court-martialed and discharged from the service. He winds up taking a job flying an experimental airplane around the world from pole to pole, and discovers a strange island, where he discovers secrets that lead him to become America’s only hope against a devastating sneak attack by the Nazis and their powerful new electromagnetic weapon. Launch date: July 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $16.99)

Because You Are My Baby by ABRAMS BOOKS

In the book, a mother reassures her baby that she would do anything for him, including sail around the world, climb Mount Everest and write his name in the sky. The 32-page book is full of rhymes accompanied by full-color, heart-warming illustrations. Launch date: April 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hello Kitty Hello Pen Pal! Writing Kit by ABRAMS BOOKS

The writing kit comes with 25 sheets of paper, 12 envelopes, five sticker sheets, two glitter pens and a corresponding 16-page storybook. Launch date: July 2008. ( Watch Video) 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.95) [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][?]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book by ABRAMS BOOKS

The interactive journal is based on Greg Heffley’s own “diary,” and encourages children to express themselves in a new way. The book comes complete with a full-color comics section featuring the collected cartoons of Greg Heffley and his best friend, Rowley. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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)

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

Olivia the Ox’s rousing quest to unearth her true nature will delight children and adults alike. Fourth in the annual series Tales of the Chinese Zodiac, The Year of the Ox features all the charismatic animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. “The illustrator is an animator for Nickelodeon's “El Tigre” tv show,” Amy Ma of Immedium told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Octonauts & the Frown Fish by IMMEDIUM

In this third installment, the Octonauts crew meets a fish with a giant frown on his face. He looks so glum that he's causing everyone around him to feel down also. The Octonauts try music-making, field trips, miniature golf and even a baking marathon to try to cheer up their new friend. “Created by popular illustration and design team, MEOMI, the Octonauts will excite the imaginations of kids and adults of all ages,” Amy Ma of Immedium told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Welcome to Monster Isle by IMMEDIUM

A family finds themselves stranded on an uncharted desert island with other castaways, when a storm hits their tiny boat. The seven castaways encounter seven colorful monsters. “Whimsical and lushly layered illustrations invigorate a zootopia of mythical creatures like the Yowie, Abominable Snowman and Ogo Pogo,” Amy Ma of Immedium told TDmonthly. “Adventurous readers will take a trip they’ll never forget, since being lost was never so fantastic!” Launch date: September 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Woollyhoodwinks vs. the Dark Patch by IMMEDIUM

True to the plush doll’s original handcrafted designs, the book’s illustrations ingeniously resemble landscapes stitched from colorfully patterned fabrics. The cuddly creatures’ amusing and eye-catching antics in the Black North Forest will amuse any child. Launch date: August 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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][?]

Any Kid - Klutz Build-a-Book: A Book That's All About My Family by SCHOLASTIC

Kids can create their very own book with this kit. The wire-bound book comes with a blank centerpiece, easy tear-out pages, double-sided custom papers in 25 pattern choices, foam shapes, letters, googly eyes, glue stick, a double-tipped pen and simple instructions. Launch date: August 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Klutz - Make Your Own Angel Ornaments by SCHOLASTIC

The kit comes with faux flower petals, faux leaves, sequins, glitter, metallic floss, cotton floss, wooden beads, perler beads, florists’ wire and more. There are enough materials to make eight homemade ornaments. Launch date: August 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Create Your Own Paper-craft Cards: Flowers by SCHOLASTIC

The book comes with eight blank, pre-folded cards and envelopes, die-cut paper flower shapes, dimensional foam tape, glitter and other embellishments, all in a variety of complementary colors and patterns. The kit allows anyone to easily make personalized cards. Launch date: August 2008. 5/1/2008 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nana Star and the Moonman by ee publishing & productions, llc

Nana Star is ready to bring a lost baby star back home to the heavens, but the world has gone to bed and she feels alone and afraid until a new friend, the Moonman, promises that he’s watching over her, even when she can’t see him. A reassuring message about friendship and faith shines through this second book in the Nana Star series in terms easily appreciated by little listeners who don’t like the dark or feeling lonely. Written by Elizabeth Sills and Elena Patrice and illustrated by Linda Saker, this book was a bronze medal winner in the 2008 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. 5/1/2008 (Price: $15.95)