December 2008 New Specialty Toys — Books

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008.

This journal includes a light-up pen that attaches securely to the cover, making it perfect to keep on a bed-stand to record dreams or late-night inspirations, or just settle down for some quiet time before catching some shut-eye. The kit includes a pen, a 100-page journal and a small information booklet on dreams and creative inspiration.
— Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noted in fall 2008 that her top sellers to tweens tend to be “diaries and kits from Creativity for Kids.”
—  “Arts and crafts have consistently been one of the three best departments in the store since we opened,” said Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass. “This age [tweens] also favors journals.”
— Eight percent of 51 storeowners said they consider diaries and journals to be top sellers for tween-aged children.

In this book, a brawny bear is captured and put in a cage to entertain people because he has an ear for the sounds and music of nature. It's not until he's "wild and unrestrained," however, that he can truly dance. The 32-page book is written by Jan Wahl and illustrated by Monique Felix.

This 32-page book written by Rita Marshall and illustrated by Etienne Delessert tells the story of Victor Dickens, who tells his teacher and his parents that he can't stand to read, but one night discovers the life in simple words on a page.

What does a proud snowman do when he discovers that winter may come to an end? Can he prolong the winter season? Find out in this delightful story told in rhyme that children and adults will both enjoy! By Sharon Debowski.

Enjoy this l-o-n-g tale of a sailer and a crocodile based on the folk song. As a young girl, Eunice Siefker’s father would sing the song to her with an Australian accent. A musical CD is included with the book. Australian, “Uncle Pete”,Peter Brusachi, brings to life this folk song made complete with sound effects children will love! Adapted by Eunice Siefker. Available mid-November.

Discover what happens to Alex when he sneaks a jump on the trampoline after his parents gave him instructions not to jump from the tree branch. See the physical journey that he takes and the growing pains of learning that it really is better to trust and listen to your parents even if you don’t understand the reasons for their instructions. By Pasqualino Tamburri.

See what pandemonium ensues when the animals on Mrs. Sarducci's farm hear that her award-winning grapes want to escape. Lots of laughs and a great lesson learned by the end of this 'fruitful' tale. By Sharon Debowski. Available Spring 2009.

This book starts out traditionally, but after that...watch out! There’s nothing usual about what happens when favorite fairy tales are put together in a book, and the reader is asked to decide what happens next. It’s an entertaining and exciting adventure through the intermingled paths of a fairy tale maze. And when Little Red Riding Hood (who later becomes Snow White) meets up with Hansel (who later turns into the Handsome Prince), well, anything can happen – maybe even 1001 NEW stories.

A book about a pill bug … plain and simple, written by Yukihisa Tokuda and illustrated by Kiyoshi Takahashi. It’s kind of a day-in-the-life of a pill bug: what they eat, what they do, why they curl up into little balls. The pictures are stylized and beautiful. The words are a little beyond the very beginning readers, but not much. This book won a Booklist Editors' Choice Award.