July 2011 Notable Toys — Gifts

Part of Candlewick's Toon Books imprint, this book helps get kids interested in reading by matching comic-book illustrations with text matched to a specific reading level. This particular book is a Level 2, intended for children in grades 1-2. Patrick is a teddy bear who loves jumping in puddles. These four stories from Geisel Award-winning author Geoffrey Hayes follow Patrick through his adventures. The book has a reading guide in back for parents.

One day, on the way to the park, a little girl climbs the gate of an old yellow house. Although no one has lived there for a very long time, a little boy suddenly appears before her. "Come and play with me," he beckons. He leads her through an enchanted garden, showing her all its marvelous inhabitants: a tiger playing with its cubs in the long grass, a dolphin leaping in the goldfish pond, a pelican roosting high in the apple tree. Then the mysterious boy is gone, the girl’s mother is calling, and all is as it was before. Written by Blake Morrison and illustrated by Helen Craig (illustrator of the Angelina Ballerina stories), this hard-cover book features soft and simple pictures that compliment the imaginative but matter-of-fact way the author tells of the adventure in the yellow house.

This hardcover picture book by Hallie Durand tells the story of Mitchell, who hates going to bed. Or at least, he does until he gets a license to drive there. Mitchell's car turns, honks, and can go really fast, but it's a little different than other cars- it's his Dad. This adorable story is illustrated by Tony Fucile, an animator who has worked on such films as The Lion King and The Incredibles. Mitchell learns how to drive his "car" and things go smoothly- until car and driver disagree on what sort of fuel they need.

Daisy Dawson is a normal girl, except for one thing- she can talk to animals. In this, the fourth book from Steve Voake about Daisy, she spends the summer at the beach.  Daisy makes friends with two rabbits and a crab, but when they band together to save a dolphin, it's Daisy and the rabbits who end up needing rescue. The 88-page chapter book will keep elementary grade readers interested with black and white illustrations by Jessica Meserve on every page.

This hardcover picture book by B.G. Hennessy is illustrated with detailed watercolor and ink pictures by Hiroe Nakata. It is a story that shows children that the small, kind actions of one person can affect the world. Touting advice such as "Because of you, there is one more person who will grow and learn...and one more person who can teach others," the book's penultimate message is that "Even something as big and important as peace" can be achieved "Because of you."

Each of these colored bracelets are adjustable, so one size fits all. Each dozen comes assorted in bright, different colored bracelets.

This butterfly necklace is part of another new jewelry line by Cool Jewels®. Each butterfly pendant hangs on an adjustable silver ball chain. Line includes other styles, such as horses, penguins, turtles, hearts, peace signs, and many more.

This Mood Prism Star Necklace is part of a new mood jewelry line by Cool Jewels ®. Each star pendant hangs on an adjustable cord necklace. Other styles included in this brand new line include dolphins, hearts, turtles, frogs and more.