November 2008 Notable Toys — Books

This 20-page book offers ideas for crafts using Puff Beadz, which are poms that have a hole through their middle so that they can be attached via pipe cleaners without glue. Kids can make playmates, trees and tree houses.

Gus loves being a turkey, that is, until his friends tell him about Thanksgiving. So Gus heads south, the way birds do, to escape being part of someone’s dinner. He’s surprised to see where he ends up, but most of all he’s surprised to find he’s a Pilgrim, too! Teresa Bateman’s spunky Gus is perfectly captured by Ellen Sasaki’s sassy pictures. Children will laugh at loud at this new turkey tale, perfect for Thanksgiving and story hours year-round.

Lucy is good at drawing and making things at school. But there’s a bully at school, and he’s very mean to Lucy. She can’t tell anyone the bully rips her books and breaks her things, because he told her not to—or else! Now every day she comes home scared and sad. What can Lucy do? And who can Lucy tell? Claire Alexander’s simple story and bright illustrations will help young children talk openly about bullying. Best of all, it will reassure them that bullies can be stopped.

In The Mystery of the Singing Ghost, the Aldens fix up the house that their cousins are moving into. There’s just one problem--it seems to be haunted by a ghost who sings! A mysterious mansion alive with skeletons is the setting for The Mystery at Skeleton Point. And finally, in The Mystery of the Mummy’s Curse, the Aldens start to believe in the power of the 4,000-year-old sarcophagus on exhibit at Greenfield Museum. Boo!

One night, under a full moon, four orphaned children set out on their own and turned an abandoned boxcar into their home. So begins the story of the Boxcar Children, a series of unforgettable, now classic favorites. Originally, Gertrude Chandler Warner wrote 19 stories about the Alden children. As the series grew in popularity after paperback publication, children wanted more books. Now there are many titles for children to enjoy. The paperback editions of The Boxcar Children Mysteries: #1, The Boxcar Children; #2, Surprise Island; #3, The Yellow House Mystery; and #4, Mystery Ranch are offered together in a cardboard case.

This fantasy story is about 12-year old Sophie’s adventures during her summer vacation while visiting her archeologist grandparents in Greece. They are in the middle of an exciting dig, resurrecting an ancient goddess temple. When she meets a new friend, Tena, the two girls find themselves in trouble as they venture into explorations of their own. The experiences and challenges Sophie and Tena go through teach them the importance of self-love. This hardcover adventure book contains 192 pages, 10 full-color illustrations, a parent workbook and guide. "This book is geared for women and girls," said Bridgette Nofer, Executive Administrator, Nea Matia Inc. Home of SophiaDolls. Launch date: 7/21/2008.

This journal includes a light-up pen that attaches securely to the cover, making it perfect to keep on a bed-stand to record dreams or late-night inspirations, or just settle down for some quiet time before catching some shut-eye. The kit includes a pen, a 100-page journal and a small information booklet on dreams and creative inspiration.
— Lauren Obenour, manager of Green Frog Toys in Portland, Ore., noted in fall 2008 that her top sellers to tweens tend to be “diaries and kits from Creativity for Kids.”
—  “Arts and crafts have consistently been one of the three best departments in the store since we opened,” said Gregory Sahagian, owner of Learning Express of Beverly in Beverly, Mass. “This age [tweens] also favors journals.”
— Eight percent of 51 storeowners said they consider diaries and journals to be top sellers for tween-aged children.

In this book, a brawny bear is captured and put in a cage to entertain people because he has an ear for the sounds and music of nature. It's not until he's "wild and unrestrained," however, that he can truly dance. The 32-page book is written by Jan Wahl and illustrated by Monique Felix.

This 32-page book written by Rita Marshall and illustrated by Etienne Delessert tells the story of Victor Dickens, who tells his teacher and his parents that he can't stand to read, but one night discovers the life in simple words on a page.

What does a proud snowman do when he discovers that winter may come to an end? Can he prolong the winter season? Find out in this delightful story told in rhyme that children and adults will both enjoy! By Sharon Debowski.

Enjoy this l-o-n-g tale of a sailer and a crocodile based on the folk song. As a young girl, Eunice Siefker’s father would sing the song to her with an Australian accent. A musical CD is included with the book. Australian, “Uncle Pete”,Peter Brusachi, brings to life this folk song made complete with sound effects children will love! Adapted by Eunice Siefker. Available mid-November.

Discover what happens to Alex when he sneaks a jump on the trampoline after his parents gave him instructions not to jump from the tree branch. See the physical journey that he takes and the growing pains of learning that it really is better to trust and listen to your parents even if you don’t understand the reasons for their instructions. By Pasqualino Tamburri.

See what pandemonium ensues when the animals on Mrs. Sarducci's farm hear that her award-winning grapes want to escape. Lots of laughs and a great lesson learned by the end of this 'fruitful' tale. By Sharon Debowski. Available Spring 2009.

This book starts out traditionally, but after that...watch out! There’s nothing usual about what happens when favorite fairy tales are put together in a book, and the reader is asked to decide what happens next. It’s an entertaining and exciting adventure through the intermingled paths of a fairy tale maze. And when Little Red Riding Hood (who later becomes Snow White) meets up with Hansel (who later turns into the Handsome Prince), well, anything can happen – maybe even 1001 NEW stories.

A book about a pill bug … plain and simple, written by Yukihisa Tokuda and illustrated by Kiyoshi Takahashi. It’s kind of a day-in-the-life of a pill bug: what they eat, what they do, why they curl up into little balls. The pictures are stylized and beautiful. The words are a little beyond the very beginning readers, but not much. This book won a Booklist Editors' Choice Award.

Written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey, this book explores the friendship of Pearl and Charlie, who are so different in just about every single way that it's surprising they are such good buddies. Launch date: September 1, 2008.

This wonderfully illustrated book includes the words to the famous poem, “Twas the Night before Christmas.” Written by Clement C. Moore in 1822,  the poem remains a holiday classic. Parents will enjoy rediscovering it with their kids. Launch date: September 26, 2005.
— This book is popular with customers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, according to Operations Manager Susan Miller.

“Z” stands for zero temperatures in this book that teaches children the ABCs using ice worms, glaciers, goats and more. It is written by Charlene Kreeger and illustrated by Shannon Cartwright. Launch date: 1993.
— Alaska-themed children's books published by Sasquatch Books are top sellers at Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

In this board book, Little Bear says goodnight to all of his friends on his way to hibernate in his den for wintertime. This is one in a collection of books specifically written to teach children about Alaska and its history, or to commemorate a visit to Alaska by a child or family member. Launch date: about 1997.
— The collection of Alaska-themed books for children offered by this company, written and illustrated by Bernd and Susan Richter, is popular at The Santa Claus House in North Pole, Alaska, Operations Manager Susan Miller told TDmonthly in summer 2008.

When little boy George picks out a lonely dog in the last cage at the pound, it changes his life. Having the dog, Jeremy, teaches both him and his grandmother, whom he lives with, about the quality of love.

This healthy feeding guide for toddler 1 to 3 years old focuses on personality tendencies, tricks for picky eaters, recipes, food and environmental safety, and shopping suggestions. "This product provides innovative comprehensive easy to use information," said Christina E. Schmidt, president of Baby Bistro Brands. Launch date: 09/01/2005.

This healthy feeding guide for infants 0 to 12 months discusses nutritional needs, how to feed baby, recipes, shopping tips and safety guidelines. "This set represents an innovative organization of complete information into easy-to-use cards," said Christina Schmidt M.S., N.E., president of Baby Bistro Brands. Launch date: 09/01/2001.

Children record their favorite holiday traditions by describing the people they share the holiday with and the colors, decorations, food, and stories they use to celebrate it. Completing this book with their own words, drawings, and photos helps children learn the meaning of holiday, cultural, and family customs and traditions. Creating a personal story motivates kids to read and write. "More educational than a scrapbook, more personal than a picture book, each copy of this book will capture an individual story that its young owner will return to read and enjoy many times," promised Barbara Lonnborg, director of Boys Town Press. Launch date: 08/01/2008

Through engaging and practical exercises, this guide teaches young girls valuable lessons to help them lead financially secure and independent lives. It is "written by The Women's Foundation of California with an introduction by Kathleen Brown, former Treasurer of the State of California," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.