August 2009 Notable Toys — Books

Each display of these talking bookmarks comes with 24 bookmarks — six of each style: dog, cat, horse and monkey. Users simply press the bookmark to hear the respective animal sound. Launch date: 2009.

Take a jazzy trip through an elementary school with The Playdate Kids as they share tissues with classmates and teachers, encouraging everyone to blow it out! Use that tissue and blow it out! Sheet music and CD included.

It's never too early to start bringing up the smartest baby in the whole world. So thinks the expectant Mrs. Brains, who reads to the baby inside her tummy every night and plays music and language tapes to her baby during the day. Soon enough, Mr. and Mrs. Brains have their very own Baby Brains. He reads the paper, fixes the family car, and works as a doctor in the local hospital. Now even the space program is calling on him. Is there anything Baby Brains can't do? Candlewick Storybook Animation packages include a full-color hardcover picture book, a dual-disk DVD/CD with full animated story and two audio read-along versions of the text — one with page-turn prompts, and a full-color poster, plus a sheet of reusable stickers. Launch date: September 2008.

TDmonthly Review:

Please click here to read TDmonthly´s Toy Expert review of this product.

Some days you wake up and you just gotta wokka. Wokka what? Wokka-wokka! It’s about movement. It’s about dance. It’s about shimmy-shakin’, be-boppin’, and more. It’s about gathering friends and joining the party. The creative team behind "My Father the Dog" returns with a call-and-response for preschoolers, an exuberant invitation to be part of the fun — and show your stuff. It features jazzy rhythms, silly rhymes and welcoming images that aim to entice little readers. Launch date: August 2009.

Galloping Minds Numbers, Shapes and Colors Flash Cards offer a way to teach and reinforce numbers, counting, shapes and color recognition for preschoolers. The flash cards have photographs and illustrations that offer an exciting and interactive way to acquire preschool skills. Each Flash Card is post-card size, has excellent quality photography, and is laminated to prevent damage from little fingers. Launch date: June 2009.

Children can make moving figures of a dozen world-changing individuals from thousands of years ago. Cut-and-color or pre-colored action figures really move as they play out the lives of Julius Caesar, Alexander the Great, King David, Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi (builder of the Great Wall of China), Hannibal (and his elephant!) and others. Their stories are right in the book — or kids can make up their own stories about these historic figures. Launch date: April 15, 2009.

What's more fun than a barrel of monkeys? How about a house full of 'em? Kids poke the dots and hear them pop as they learn to count down from 10 in the favorite childhood rhyme "Ten Little Monkeys." "Fun, tactile books help kids learn to count — without losing count! Raised buttons pop in on every page so kids can press them as they count," Rich Hill, director of marketing for innovativeKids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 5, 2009.

This book describes the entire MathMosis system. It is filled with short lessons outlining the I Chant, You Chant teaching methodology and gives teachers at-a-glance ideas for counting practice activities, as well as extension activity ideas that can be integrated with other subjects. It includes reproducible worksheets for fact practice as well as instructions for fact-practice games. The MathMosis book is the foundation to the MathMosis system. "MathMosis is a unique instructional approach to teaching skip counting, multiplication and division, through a variety of learning modalities," Jennifer Tuttle, CEO of Brain Party, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2008.

We Both Read books feature an interactive format designed for a child to take turns reading aloud with a parent or tutor. The left-hand pages feature more sophisticated text for the parent or tutor to read. Then, the child reads the right-hand pages, which feature text written at a specific early reading level. With beautiful illustrations and photos, the books are leveled for children in grades K-3, and the series includes a total of 45 fiction and nonfiction titles. Paperback: $4.99, Hardcover: $9.95. "Designed for shared reading, the We Both Read series brings parents and children together for a wonderful reading experience and faster reading development," Gloria L. Scott, office manager for Treasure Bay, Inc., told TDmonthly. This product has received the following awards: 2005 - The National Parenting Center; 2008 - Learning Magazine's Teachers' Choice Award; 2007 - Institute for Childhood Resources (1 of 10 best Educational Products); and Mom's Choice Award (finalist for Best Children's Series). Launch date: 1997.

One night, a big storm hits the farm. High winds and rain sweep through the tree where a mother and father owl are caring for their babies. During the storm, the mother owl disappears. The father owl doesn’t know what to do. Can Farmer Samuel and his wife save them? Launch date: September 2009.

Farmer Samuel’s nephew Mossy discovers a dirty, smelly, and very sick puppy hidden in a box of rags. There is no time to spare. Will they be able to save him? They have to act fast! This tale is part of a four-book series of real stories from a California pet sanctuary, in which author Samuel Lopez records the rescue and restoration of unwanted animals. Launch date: September 2009.

Farmer Samuel can hear a little kitten calling for help. He searches everywhere but he can’t find him. Just when he’s about given up hope of finding the kitten, here comes his dog Stinky Little Scroungy. Scroungy has something gray and furry in his mouth. Is it the kitten? This story is one in a series of real-life tales from a northern California pet sanctuary. Launch date: September 2009.

A kitten flies out of the window of a speeding car and bounces across the road. The kitten is badly injured. Can Farmer Samuel find her in time? Even if he does, would the little kitten let him help her? "In these four inspiring, real-life stories from a pet sanctuary in northern California, young readers will achieve a deeper understanding of the need to care for and about all animals. Author Samuel Lopez writes about taking in unwanted and abandoned animals, restoring them to health and finding them new homes," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 2009.

This planner is designed to help young adults set short- and long-term goals and demystifies the world of banking, investing and credit. It features a 36-page handbook, four sturdy, zippered pouches for saving, spending, donating and investing, convenient storage pockets, and a privacy padlock. It is available in durable ballistic silver nylon. "This personal finance organizer is simple and easy-to-use. ... A perfect product for the current economic environment," Melinda Voelcker, director of operations and marketing for Money Savvy Generation, told TDmonthly in summer 2009. This product has received the following awards: 2004 Parents' Choice Silver Award, 2008 NAPPA Gold Award, and 2008 Product of the Year (Creative Toy Awards) from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: March 2004.

Written and illustrated by Sarah Dillard, this picture book welcomes readers to Arugula’s tea party. Everything’s going to be just perfect, because that’s exactly how Arugula likes things. The problem? Perfection is no fun for her guests — they’re too nervous to touch or eat anything. And when someone unexpected arrives, ready to get her party started, Arugula is horrified. Especially when everyone seems to like him better than her. The book features a hedgehog heroine, comic-book style panels, and witty thought balloons. "Arugula is an day-dreaming diva, part Martha Stewart, part Miss Piggy, and all fun," Dillard told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 3, 2009.

Created and illustrated by Simon Basher, and written by Dan Green, this 128-page, full-color paperbook dedicates individual pages to profiles of stars and other objects in outer space. It comes with a solar system poster. Launch date: May 2009.

The Gisela doll and book set is based on one of the daughters of Charlemagne, designed to teach young girls about the lives of young girls during the medieval period. The soft-bodied and vinyl doll is dressed for historical accuracy. Launch date: March 2008.

Stickiestory is a company that creates personalized storybooks for children in which the children become the main characters. Kids can recognize their friends and themselves in the story. Launch date: February 2009.

This book teaches children about the large, diverse country of America — past, present and future — using a simple metaphor of a village of just 100 people. Launch date: August 2009.

Chicago 101 is required reading for every Chicagoan! This educational and entertaining board book features all the things that make Chicago unique - from the beauty of the  Chicago Water Tower to the fun of the ferris wheel on Navy Pier, from the excitement of the Cubs and Bulls to the taste of Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. You'll share all the  memories and local spirit with the next generation of Chicagoans.

There is even a child-friendly map of the city and page to include a photo of the "future mayor."

Chicago 101 makes a great gift for local residents or tourists seeking a keepsake of a great vacation.

UCLA 101 is required reading for every future Bruin! From the beauty of Royce Hall to the excitement of a football game in the Rose Bowl, you'll share all the excitement with the next generation!

Boston 101 is required reading for every Bostonian! This educational and entertaining board book features all the things that makes Boston unique - from the architecture of the Old North Church to the fun of the Swan Boats in Boston Common, from the excitement of the Red Sox and Patriots to the tastes of lobster and Boston cream pie. You'll share all the memories and local spirit with the next generation of Bostonians.

There's even a child-friendly map of the city and page to include a photo of the "future mayor."

Boston 101 makes a great gift for local residents or tourists seeking a keepsake of a great vacation

New York Yankees 101 is required reading for every Yankees fan! From the great players including Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth to the fun of watching the grounds crew dance to YMC in Yankee Stadium, you'll share all the memories with the next generation.

Enjoy all the traditions of your favorite team, learn the basics about playing baseball and share your passion for America's Pastime!

A delightful first book for the nursery or a sweet addition to baby’s expanding library, this soft book tells the classic tale of "Guess How Much I Love You." It has a 7” colorful spine for teething tender gums, plus a hanging teether heart. Awaiting discovery inside is a kissing sound and an “I Love You” message. Launch date: April 2009.