October 2008 Notable Toys — Books

This 32-page hardcover by Emmanuelle Eeckhout chronicles a little boy's search for ghosts in an old house in his new neighborhood. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

Self-taught cartoonist Tom Gill, known for his "Lone Ranger" cartoon series, relates his life and world travels with several colleagues as they visited and brought smiles to soldiers stationed overseas. The book also includes comments from the author's close friend Tim Lasuita  Launch date: May 2008.

This 130-page hardcover by Terry Denton tells the story of Wombat, Fox, Croc, the Hippo Sisters and others as they experience surprising adventures in the big city. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

This 160-page paperback by Joan Lennon follows the story of Pip, the teenage King of England, and a gargoyle named Perfect as they try to escape death threats in the middle of the Fenland and make it back to Wickit Abbey. A second book, "Fen Gold," is also available. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

This gift set includes a 4-oz. plastic bottle of all-natural monster spray made with organic essential oils that help induce sleep; “Bye Bye Monster, Joey’s Adventure on Monster Street” storybook, which takes a little boy on a nighttime adventure with his new monster friend; and a 16” under-stuffed monster named Barley. All three products come in a colorful box. Kelly Lucente, co-creator of the "Bye Bye Monster" line, told TDmonthly that "73 percent of children age 4-12 experience nighttime fear. ... Test-marketed with the help of child psychologists, teachers, parents and Montessori children, there is nothing on the market today doing what this product has been designed to do … assist children with nighttime fear." This product won a 2008 Best Picks award from Dr. Toy as well as a 2008 Preferred Choice Award from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: August 15, 2008.