August 2012 New Specialty Toys — Preschool

Bizzy Bear is helping out at the building site, so he puts on his hard hat and gets to work. Help him drive a digger, a bulldozer, and a truck. With chunky sliders to push and pull, this robust little board book is perfect for active toddlers. Launch date: February 2012.

Maisy has put her sun hat, pajamas, toothbrush, and camera into a bag, and she's off to the train station with Panda and Cyril. They're headed for the seashore, but getting there is only half the fun. Coloring and snacks help pass the time on the ride to the beach, where Maisy can't wait to swim, collect seashells, build sand castles, and lots more. At nighttime it feels special to go to bed in a hotel knowing that tomorrow another vacation day awaits. Launch date: April 2012.

Help Maisy and company collect shells, build a sand castle, and feast on tasty treats as they spend a day by the seaside. Launch date: April 2012.

Tuck this in an Easter basket. Maisy is making and hiding treats for a backyard hunt- and needs kids to lend a hand. Maisy's beloved sticker books - now with fresh new cover designs - are sure to keep fans busy through the holidays and highlights of the seasons. Launch date: February 2012.

Old twins, new twins, famous twins, not-at-all-alike twins, side-byside twins, let's play twins, not-yet twins, mirror twins - all kinds of twins! - come together in a collection of original poems by two of our most celebrated authors for young people: J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen. From a wave and a wink to a twin switcheroo, from a rocket to the moon to the old woman who lived in a shoe, these poems and mini facts, whimsically illustrated by Sophie Blackall, will leave even singletons with a twinkle in their eyes. J. Patrick Lewis is the current Children's Poet Laureate. A twin himself, he has written more than seventy children's books. Jane Yolen, not a twin herself - but with multiple sets in her family - has written or edited more than three hundred books.

Bizzy Bear's going on vacation, but he has to take a taxi, then a train, then a plane before he arrives at the beach and can set sail on his boat. With chunky sliders to push and pull, this robust little board book is perfect for active toddlers. Illustrated by Benji Davies.

A day at the park. A ride on Daddy's back. Run, Daddy! Faster! Faster! How fast can Daddy go? Faster than a dog? A horse? How about a cheetah? Must his feet even touch the ground? Leslie Patricelli reprises the duo from Higher! Higher! in another humorous riff on a favorite pastime - a laugh-out-loud-funny tale of few words about doting dads and high-energy kids whose imaginations know no bounds.

With touch and feels for little paws. Noodle loves to eat all sorts of things. With bumpy peas and shiny cheese, this is sure to encourage even the fussiest of eaters. 10 pages. Illustated by Marion Billet.

A small papery bundle hangs under a leaf by a silken thread. Can you guess what it will be one day? Butterflies, polar bears, turtles, frogs, birds - they all have a fascinating life journey to follow. Peek under each large flap and look at colorful spreads to find out how each animal develops. A final spread invites readers to match each full grown creature with its beginning stage. Illustrated by Marc Boutavant. 24 pages.

A bunny is furry and breathes air. Who else is like that - a pigeon, a fish, a chameleon, or a fox? Some animals have fins to swim with, some have feathers and a beak, some have skin that is scaly, or smooth and wet. But whatever features a creature has, someone else has them, too. Can you guess who? Big flaps and a matching spread at the end make animal classification fun. Illustrated by Marc Boutavant. 24 pages.

How do you feel? Sometimes you feel happy, sometimes sad. At times you feel curious, but that may be followed by feeling...surprised. And of course you feel bored or lonely once in a while as well. With spare words and simple, graphic illustrations, quintessential chimp renderer Anthony Browne draws on insight and humor to reassure children with an exploration of the varied emotions they experience. What better feeling than opening a new book from Anthony Browne? A simple look at familiar emotions for the very young. 32 pages.

Tallulah is having a sleepover, and Maisy is invited. So is Tallulah's new friend, Ella. Every moment is packed with fun as the friends talk, dance, giggle, and play together. After a tasty supper and lots of games, all three get ready for bed, and Maisy reads a story. Is everyone finally tired? With this anything-but-sleepy storybook, children new to sleepovers and seasoned pros alike can enjoy an overnight visit with Maisy and her pals. Good night, Maisy. Good night, everyone. Join Maisy on her very first sleepover. Friends and games, yummy food and funny dancing - it's hard to feel anything but wide awake.