January 2010 Notable Toys — Books

"Legends in the Kitchen" is designed with delicious recipes to make it possible for chefs and novice cooks alike to impress friends and family with the same dishes celebrities prepare for their guests. Imagine the conversation around the table when diners discover they are noshing on the Beef Stew with Walnuts that Betty Ford makes for former President Gerald Ford, Victoria Principal’s Jade Empress Chicken or Dick Clark’s Cajun Corn Chowder. A portion of the book’s sales supports the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Launch date: January 2010.

"It’s Not Leap Year this Year" is a story about a boy named Miles who was born on Feb. 29. There is just one problem: Feb. 29 does not come this year. What would you do if you were told that you could pick any day you want to celebrate your birthday? That’s exactly what Miles’ mom told him he could do. What day does Miles pick? "It’s Not Leap Year this Year" is the second book in her leap year series and is arriving just in time for 2010, which is not a leap year. The first book, "It’s My Birthday Finally" is also available. "Although there are other books written about leap year, this is the second in the leap year year series I've written," author Michelle Winfrey told TDmonthly. "This one is about what 'leapers' may do when it is not a leap year." Launch date: November 16, 2009.

Meet Skiff, a playful Sheltie. In "Little Skiff Copes With Valley Fever," Skiff learns all about Valley Fever firsthand. Author Dany Pierard-Deviche hopes Skiff will teach children how to stay confident in the face of adversity and change. "As a former research biologist, Pierard-Deviche hopes to trigger reflection in children and inspire them to conduct their own research on things that interest them," said Lisa Goldman of Five Star Publications. "The Little Skiff books are the perfect blend of fiction and nonfiction. They are simultaneously instructional and entertaining." Launch date: January 15, 2010.

Nichols Oldland’s “Big Bear Hug” tells the story of a gregarious black bear that hugs everything in the forest. Humorous illustrations show how nothing, be it moose, snake, rabbit, or tree, can escape the bear’s displays of affection.
— Parents praise the book because it teaches children the importance of making good decisions and showing compassion. A confrontation with a human looking for lumber adds minor tension and provides the book with a subtle yet important environmental message, making it green-friendly as well.
— It received an average of 4.5 of 5 stars from three reviews on Amazon.com, and an average of 4.26 out of 5 stars from 39 reviews on Goodreads.com, as of November 2009.

Centered on basic math skills and beginning reading, this workbook includes activities with color illustrations that allow kids to practice for reaching first-grade goals while strengthening their critical thinking.
— Seven of 40 specialty retailers referenced books or study guides of some sort when asked about best-selling educational toys and school supplies in fall 2009.
— Annie’s Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., sells about 18 School Zone books per month. “Tourists grab them and use to keep the kids thinking on breaks,” Owner Teresa Derry told TDmonthly in late 2009.

This 18" posable doll comes packaged with two outfits, several accessories and a hardcover book titled "The Mystery of the Vanishing Coin." There are six dolls in the collection, including Eva, all of which have new face sculpts. They are available at Target. Launch date: Fall 2009.

Kids can make five shaggy canines with this kit that includes pipe cleaners, novelty yarn and materials for decoration, as well as instructions, style and grooming tips, and punch-out dog carriers. The book was written by Theresa Hutnick and Megan Smith.
— When asked about the best-selling arts and crafts items in her store, Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., told TDmonthly, “Klutz books are definitely up there.”
— “All of the Klutz kits do really well,” said Julie Vaughan, manager of Village Toy Shop in North Easton, Mass., when asked of their top selling craft kits in January 2010.
— “Klutz books are still really, really popular,” said Steve Ellerhoff, manager of Finnegan's Toys and Gifts in Portland, Ore. Ellerhoff was one of five retailers, out of 48, who listed Klutz as their top-selling craft supplier at the beginning of 2010.

Barron’s This new activity kit for boys and girls by Sue Unstead holds the ingredients for an imaginary journey to the mysterious land of Transylvania and the spooky castle that is home to Count Dracula. Enclosed with an assortment of creepy vampire accessories is a 32-page illustrated book that retells Dracula’s classic story and presents a game in which the players must figure out how to escape from Dracula’s castle. The box also contains a collection of items to enhance the scary surroundings, including vampire-style fanged teeth, Dracula’s cape, black rubber bat, washable white face paint, imitation blood capsules, and a cardboard model of Dracula’s castle to assemble. Kids can let their imaginations run wild as they dress up for Halloween or dramatize Dracula’s delightfully chilling story at any time of the year. The kit measures 7.5" x 9.5" x 2.25".

Packaged with a wheel-shaped bead tray containing six colors of glass seed beads, Bead Rings includes all the materials and techniques necessary to make seven different styles of beaded rings. Endless combinations of colors and patterns allow for the creation of unique pieces every time, and the basic beading techniques taught in the book can be applied to other projects.
― During an October 2009 survey, Fred Meyer, owner of Meyer's Toy World in Battle Creek, Mich., told TDmonthly, “We do a lot with Klutz in the jewelry area.”

The big animal faces in this soft, cloth book will catch baby’s eye immediately. A sewn-in rattle adds to the fun—shake it to capture, keep, and build baby’s attention span.

Ready to be personalized, this friendship scrapbook is stocked with quizzes, slumber party ideas and a foam wheel and floss to make friendship bracelets.
— Two of 39 retailers named friendship bracelets as a best seller for tween girls during a fall 2009 TDmonthly survey.
― Of 39 retailers surveyed in October 2009 about their top-selling jewelry and accessory items, one listed Forever Friends by Alex as their best seller.

Featuring a cover image of a strong horse running in a field of flowers, this diary contains 240 colored pages with lines for writing. It includes a lock with two keys and measures 6 3/8” x 6 ¼” x 1.
— In fall 2009, three of 39 retailers named journals and diaries as best sellers for tween girls.
— Diana Nelson, owner of Kazoo & Co. in Denver, told TDmonthly her store sells 8 to 10 journals from Peaceable Kingdom Press each month.

Authored by Anne Akers Johnson, this book contains 200 precut strips of paper in 22 colors and patterns, plus a tool designed specifically for winding them into artful beads, whether round, straight or fancy. It also includes a bottle of glaze to polish of each bead creation, elastic cord for making bracelets, and glass accent beads. The book features color images and give pointers on style.
— Six of 39 retailers named jewelry titles and other artsy activities from Klutz as best sellers for tween girls in October 2009.
— “I consistently sell Klutz and art supplies for them,” Scott Loveless, owner of Toys That Teach in Bothell, Wash., told TDmonthly in fall 2009.

This small-sized classic begins as a teething and discovery toy, with knots and tags and crinkly sounds. Later, it teaches counting and ABCs with 1 Apple, 2 Birds and 3 Cats stitched on the crinkly pages. It is made of organic cotton fabrics: soft velour, canvas tags and terrycloth knots, and is machine washable. Launch date: September 2008.

The baby daze logbook features eight sections designed by a professional organizer to help new and expectant parents cope with all the "baby data" they'll encounter when caring for a newborn — feeding, diapering, sleeping, medical information, gift tracking (and thank-you notes) and more all fit neatly in this centralized resource. "The comprehensive, yet simple, nature of the book" sets it apart. It is "easy to use, yet it offers a section for pretty much everything a new parent may encounter," Leland Brandt, president of The Research Department, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2002.