May 2010 Notable Toys — Books

They had no pens. They had no paper. It didn't matter. They could neither read nor write, but slaves had plenty to say and share - their stories, their sufferings, their wisdom, their wit. Kids will learn that nothing is more powerful than oral history. Words spoken and tales told completely unfiltered by others can teach young people not only the facts, but the very soul of what happened in the past. Hear the people of the past in their own words through diaries, interviews, quotations, poetry, and songs.
— This product is a best seller at Neely's in South L.A.

Martin Luther King, Jr. was the most influential civil rights leader of his time. A minister and pacifist, Martin encouraged peaceful demonstrations to bring about change. These popular readers include easy-to-read information, fun facts and trivia, humor, activities and a whole lot more. They are great for ages 7-12 (grades 2-6), because although simple, these readers have substance and really engage kids with their stories. They are great for social studies, meeting state and national curriculum standards, individual and group reading programs, centers, library programs, and have many other terrific educational uses.
— This product is a best seller at Neely's in South L.A.

“Cosmo the Boat Cat” is created and illustrated by Key West artist Sherry Sweet Tewell and written by Marky Pierson. It follows her cat Cosmo as he goes on adventures in the Florida Keys.
— This book was listed as a top seller at Key West Toy Factory in Key West, Fla., in May 2010 by Katie Harris, manager. “It’s a story special to Key West, which is why people love it,” she told TDmonthly.

A classic heirloom project, the woven potholder, gets an overhaul in this informational, whimsical book from Klutz. The loom is provided, as well as a generous quantity of cotton-blend loops made specifically for the kit. Projects include potholders, a purse, a picture frame, a chicken and more. Detailed instructions and illustrations are provided.
― “I have a huge Klutz assortment. I really love it because the quality is so good,” said Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., in April 2010.
― “Klutz always sticks out for me, as far as activity kits go,” said Janet Gessner, owner of Deep River Toy Company in Deep River, Conn., of her top-selling activity kits in spring 2010.
― Four of 43 retailers told TDmonthly in April 2010 that Klutz is a top-selling activity line in their stores.

SteamPotVille, from first-time author and illustrator Steve Ouch, is a journey into an imaginative world where dreamy landscapes merge with whimsical animals. Kids are encouraged to search the book for hidden animals and objects.
— Even after reading “SteamPotVille,” the mommy reviewer at Beautiful Brown Babies was not quite sure what it was about. However, she described the book as “rip-rollicking fun,” a “glorious and glossy adventure.”
— Angela of Moms In a Blog called the book “magical, to say the least.” She raved about the illustrations and recommended the book for kids who love animals.

This NYC guidebook and activity book is filled with stickers, word searches and plenty of space to journal.
Awards: 2010 - The Toy Man Seal of Approval, The Toy Man Eco-Recognition Seal, The Toy Man E Choice Award.

This book was designed to open dialog between parents and children about money issues. Moo learns the importance of saving her money, want versus need, and the importance of being charitable. "Our humorous approach sets us apart; we try to add a lot of fun and self-motivational reasons to work — no matter how young or little you are," My Cow Moo Creator Kimberly Arezzi told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 The Toy Man Seal of Approval; 2009 The Toy Man Eco-Recognition Seal; 2009 The Toy Man E-Choice Award

Penguin is not the typical Antarctic bird. While his riends spend their days doing yoga and meditating, he's planning his great escape in search of adventure. Pirate, on the other hand, wants no part in his vocation’s raucous, adventurous ways, and longs for a simpler life. From the mind of veteran children’s illustrator Patricia Storms comes the tale of how two misfits found each other and, in the process, found the solution to all of their problems. The 32-page book measures 10.5" x 9". Launch date: September 2009.

"Panda-Cutie and YOU... in Los Angeles" for SMART KIDS ONLY! features Panda-Cutie who takes children ages 8 to 16 on a fascinating city tour of Los Angeles. This E-Book on CD-ROM comes in a sturdy cover and is ready for easy download to a PC or laptop. It serves as a unique travel guide for parents who like to make a trip to L.A. with their kids and want to have a preview of what to expect. The program also includes useful information about transportation, parking, admission fees, etc. Features 177 A-4 pages with more than 150 photos of Panda-Cutie strolling around; and even having his picture taken with celebrities such as Paula Abdul, Peter Fonda, Olivia Newton-John, Hector Elizondo, and others.

Author Jean Marzollo and illustrator Laura Regan put to page the real-life story of Pierre the Penguin, an African penguin at the California Academy of Sciences. After Pierre loses his feathers, he is too cold to swim — until aquatic biologist Pam Schaller decides to try a penguin-sized wetsuit. Children will love learning about Pierre the Penguin’s unique tale through the rhyming text and realistic illustrations.
— On The Garden Island, Terri Schlichenmeyer praised the book’s catchy rhymes, gentle teaching and penguin Q&A page. She explained, “Kids who have a problem with teasing will be able to identify with Pierre” and his struggle to fit in without feathers.
— The Lemonade Stand’s Jessica read the inspiring story with her kids several times as soon as they got the book. According to Jessica, Pierre’s story was such a big hit that “it will be in a favorite in our library for a long, long time!”

"Runaway Ralph" is the third installment of Beverly Cleary’s classic tales building on the adventure and excitement of "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" and "Ralph S. Mouse" (both available on DVD from Scholastic Storybook Treasures). Maryn Greenberg at New Video Group told TDmonthly, "Runaway Ralph is a stop-motion animation of a classic tale by beloved author Beverly Cleary." Launch date: April 20, 2010.

Grundel is a little boy who thinks his life is the pits, until he makes a memorable visit to his Nana Loop's farm. Follow him and his trusted Take-Along-Teddy as they both learn the secret to true happiness with this illustrated book and 14" Take Along Teddy. Storm Tussey, Retail Marketing Coordinator at Vermont Teddy Bear Company, told TDmonthly, "This Book and Bear combo is produced in Vermont with a Vermont author, illustrator and publisher." Launch date: July 2010.

Junior paleontologists will delight in the engaging text and cool illustrations of Viewfinder: Fossils. Featuring a unique removable magnifier, readers can take a close-up look at extraordinary photos and eye-popping digital illustrations of the fossils of the Velociraptor, Sauropod and more. Interactive elements include flaps to lift, slider panels and comparative exercises. Silver Dolphin Publicist Julie Serra told TDmonthly, "Kids will explore like never before in this fascinating fossil book!"

“The Money Savvy Kids Club” children’s book series are co-written by financial literacy expert Susan Beacham and bestselling author Lynnette Khalfani-Cox. Through four funny and engaging stories in these smart and creative illustrated picture books, a group of childhood friends learn that there are actually four things you can do with money: Save, Spend, Donate or Invest. Money Savvy Generation Director of Operations and Marketing Melinda Voelcker told TDmonthly, "These books address the challenging topic of money choices, but in a fun and age-appropriate manner that kids can understand and that parents can use to help begin a conversation about money with their kids. Topics include: how to earn money, saving for a goal, what is a donation and how you can donate, what home foreclosure means and compound interest."

The Feelings Storybook is a sensitive and heartfelt book for children of all ages that can act as an assessment tool for emotional growth. This book is interactive and contains 32 pages with full-color illustrations. It is ideal for the developing reader and features a 22-minute companion CD narrated by the author/psychologist, Dr. Alexandra Delis-Abrams.

Author Lara Bergen and illustrator Betsy Snyder tell the tale of an eco-conscious superhero in this lift-the-flap board book. Kids who read the book will learn that with a little super-imagination, trash can become treasure. Parents can visit publisher Simon and Schuster’s site to download activities and crafts based on the book.
— Bob Walch of Book Loons exclaimed, “This picture book practices what it preaches — it is made from 100% recycled material!” He praised the conscience-raising storyline but cautioned that the recycled paper may cause some flaps to tear easily.
— San Francisco Book Review’s Kaye Cloutman recommended the book as a kid-friendly way to explain what happens to trash and why recycling matters. She added that kids will be attracted to the transformations from trash to treasure achieved by the flaps.

An inspiring story about responsibility and young entrepreneurs. A boy and his sister, their love of horses, and an idea—all come together in this delightful and educational story of the entrepreneurial spirit of American youth today.

Everything in life starts out with one idea. A child, a summer on Nantucket Island, and an idea—all come together in this beautifully illustrated and inspiring story of the entrepreneurial spirit of American youth today.

An inspiring story of a boy with a dream who learned skills that would last a lifetime. A boy takes his love of fishing and turns it into an adventure, learning skills that would stay with him forever and turn his passion into profit.

This 14-page, colorful board book contains four fold-out flaps in the quest to find Pete's Potty. Launch date: May 2010.

Suitable for babies 6 months to a year old, this 7" x 7" book features a teddy bear touching his toes, nose, tummy and more. It's a touch-and-feel book with the highlighted body parts in set apart with some kind of fabric or fur. Launch date: May 2010.

Mad Libs combine language education, creative stimulation, and just plain silly fun. Each page asks for a list of words by part of speech, which are then plugged into strategic blanks in a short story on the page following. When distributed throughout the Mad Libs framework, a list of seemingly ordinary words becomes inventive and hilarious.
― Two of 39 retailers who participated in TDmonthly's March 2010 survey of top-selling travel toys said Mad Libs are their best.
— “We sell three Mad Libs a day,” Ava Allen, owner of Be Beep A Toy Store in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly in autumn 2010.
— In an April 2013 survey, two out of 12 retailers said that Mad Libs are one of their best-selling travel products.

Be a super detective! Use your Invisible Ink pen to uncover the truth and solve the mysteries. Here are just some of the games you will find inside this book, decode the cryptograms, decipher Krazygrams, and nab the crook in jailbreak.
Each book includes 48 pages of fun and a special pen.
― Out of 39 retailers, four named activity books from Lee Publications as their top-selling travel item in March 2010, reporting sales averaging 24 per month.
― Kristen Dolle, manager of Playthings Toy Shoppe in Louisville, Ky. told TDmonthly in late Spring 2011 that Magic pen books by Lee Publications were a best-selling travel toy.
— In an April 2012 survey about best selling travel toys, Joe Berardoni, owner of Pun's Toys in Bryn Mawr, Pa., told TDmonthly: "As a category, Lee Publication’s Yes & Know books continue to sell out during travel time due to their wide age range and low retail price."
— Want this? As of 05/06/2011, this product was available for purchase at Playthings Toy Shoppe.

This multi-paneled playscape folds into a book for easy portability and, with 21 feet of design on the interior and exterior, offers 42 feet of space for one or more children to enjoy while playing. The pictures are designed to spark a child's imagination and encourage creativity.