TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Kristina Takes the Stage by FRIENDS FOREVER GIRLS

This paperback book features all six Friends Forever Girls® and is a heart-warming story about friendship, honesty and the power of overcoming our fears. The Friends Forever Girls® brand provides the perfect book series for parents and their young girls who are discovering the rewards of friendships and are learning about the challenges and adventures of growing up girl.  Through adventures in the book series, young readers see how the Friends Forever Girls® use the Butterfly Promises to handle situations like meeting new friends, trying to learn a new sport, and sticking up for what’s right.  Young girls learn about developing common sense, making the right decisions when it’s hard to do and respecting themselves and others.  The First Day of Forever hardcover book is included with the purchase of each doll.  The First Day of Forever is also sold separately and available in paperback.  Coming soon - our third book which will be available in August 2008. 5/12/2008 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

First Snow in the Woods by CARL R. SAMS II PHOTOGRAPHY INC. (STRANGER IN THE WOODS)

By wildlife photographers Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick, this book of natural photos from the wild tells a story about how a fawn finds his heartsong and how all the creatures of the forest prepare for the first snow of winter amid the changes happening around them. 5/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Chicken Socks - Tree House Bugs by KLUTZ

This kit shows kids how to assemble the included colored pipe cleaners, bright wooden beads and glittery paper wings into five bug buddies. Kids can even stick on pre-printed sticker faces to give each bug its own personality. Additionally, the book opens up to become a charmingly detailed, three-room tree house, complete with a front yard, punch-out furniture, stickers and decorative accessories.
— “We do well with the Klutz books ... [especially] the Magnetic Magic and the bug book,” Mary Ellen Cerney, owner of Dear Friends and Children in Duncan, Okla., told TDmonthly in April 2008.
— “Anything by Klutz,” Emily Bieritz, manager of My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove, Ill., said in April 2008, when asked to name the best-selling arts and crafts item in her store.
— In spring 2008, more than 3 percent of retailers who spoke with TDmonthly named Klutz activity books as best-selling kits. ( Watch Video) 5/8/2008 (Price: $14.95)

Max Goes to Jupiter - Science Adventures with Max the Dog by BIG KID SCIENCE

Max accompanies astronauts as they explore Mars and its fascinating moons.
“The Max series has proven very popular with kids who have any interest in dogs, space, or science,” Big Kid Science Co-Founder Jeffrey Bennett told TDmonthly. “The books are known both for having an exciting storyline and for teaching interesting and accurate science.” Launch date: Oct. 1, 2008 5/8/2008 (Price: $16.95)

Gallery Ghost by BIRDCAGE PRESS

In the ghost-story game, the ghosts of 24 renowned artists come out to play in an art gallery at night, making changes to other artists’ paintings. Readers must help art student Sarah find out which ghost changed the most paintings, using the included magnifying glass to compare them. The book includes 24 paintings from the National Gallery of Art, a score sheet and information about each painter and work of art. This book won the Independent Publishers 2008 gold medal in the children's interactive category. Launch date: Spring 2008. 5/6/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Looking Closely Through the Forest by KIDS CAN PRESS

Close-up photography reveals some surprises in this 40-page book written and illustrated by Frank Serafini. As they explore the forest, young readers will see that a millipede looks like gummy candy and a layer of frost on leaves appears as a woolly scarf. Launch date: 2008. 5/6/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

What Does Mrs. Claus Do? by TRICYCLE PRESS

The book theorizes what Mrs. Claus might be doing while her husband is busy making lists, checking them twice, reigning in the reindeer and leaving gifts for the “nice.” “Children will love the visual jokes in the detailed illustrations by Christian Slade and Kate Wharton’s merry text will inspire many a theory about Mrs. Claus,” Tricycle Press Publicist Hayley Gonnason told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Little Shepherd Girl: A Christmas Story by DAVID C. COOK

The charming story retells the miracle of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of a plucky young girl who learns that she is loved — by her father, and by God the Father. ”With warm storytelling, colorful pictures, and the thing every little girl craves, love, The Little Shepherd Girl appeals to little girls of all ages who dare to dream,” David C. Cook Publicist Kate Amaya told TDmonthly. “Parents will also love the strong message that is perfect for father-daughter bonding.” Launch date: October 2007. 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

God's Promise by ILLUMINATION ARTS

The book teaches children about spirituality and religion. “It is a loving introduction to God and life on earth,” Illumination Arts Assistant Editor and Marketing Assistant Kelsey Maloney told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Roonie B. Moonie: Lost and Alone by ILLUMINATION ARTS

The book teaches children about strangers and how to stay safe. “It presents useful information in a fun and engaging manner, with a character that they can identify with,” Illumination Arts Assistant Editor and Marketing Assistant Kelsey Maloney told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Practical Guide to Wizardry by MIRRORSTONE

The fully-illustrated guide teaches readers all about what it takes to become a great wizard — from the necessary gear and magic items to the secrets of writing personal spells. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Practical Guide to Dragon Riding by MIRRORSTONE

The fully-illustrated, step-by-step guide teaches readers how to raise and train a baby dragon, and how to take flight on the wings of their very own dragon mount. Launch date: September 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creative Hands - sm'ARt to-Go™ Take-Along Activity Story Kits - Giddyup by FIBRE CRAFT MATERIALS CORP

The 20-page activity kit is portable and lightweight, making it perfect for keeping youngsters busy on long commutes. The activity book is full of puzzles, games and coloring pages that promote reading, artistic and imaginative thinking and puzzle-solving skills. Kids can color in their favorite pages and then use the included child-safe glue tube to decorate the page with bright foam stickers, googly eyes, spangles and more. “Not only would a child pick our books out of the crowd, but parents will, too!” Fibre-Craft Materials Corp. Marketing Communications Manager Gail Cohen told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 5/5/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creative Hands - sm'ARt to-Go™ Take-Along Activity Story Kits - Princess by FIBRE CRAFT MATERIALS CORP

The princess activity kit is portable and lightweight, designed to keep youngsters busy on planes, trains and car trips. The 20-page activity storybook is full of puzzles, games and coloring pages that promote reading, artistic and imaginative thinking and puzzle-solving skills. Kids can color in their favorite pages and then use the included child-safe glue tube to decorate the page with bright foam stickers, googly eyes, spangles and more. “Not only would a child pick our books out of the crowd, but parents will, too!” Fibre-Craft Materials Corp. Marketing Communications Manager Gail Cohen told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 5/5/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Creative Hands - sm'ARt to-Go™ Take-Along Activity Story Kits - Beach Bums by FIBRE CRAFT MATERIALS CORP

The portable, lightweight kit is designed to keep youngsters busy on planes, trains and car trips. The 20-page activity book promotes reading, artistic and imaginative thinking and puzzle-solving skills. Kids can color in their favorite pages and then use the included child-safe glue tube to decorate the page with bright foam stickers, googly eyes, spangles and more. “Not only would a child pick our books out of the crowd, but parents will, too!” Fibre-Craft Materials Corp. Marketing Communications Manager Gail Cohen told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 5/5/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars: Luke Skywalker, Last Hope for the Galaxy by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

Luke Skywalker's greatest adventures from over thirty years of comics are compiled in a single, slip-cased, deluxe edition hardcover. The 800-page volume follows Luke on his journey from the moisture farms of Tatooine to the final days of the Dark Empire. Each story has been selected from every Luke Skywalker comic ever published, from Marvel's first issue to Dark Horse's latest. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $99.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Wars: Omnibus - Droids by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

This book features previously unpublished material about R2-D2 and C-3PO and their adventures before meeting Luke Skywalker. The two encountered pirates, bounty hunters, rock monsters, and the notorious space criminal Olag Greck. The book also contains “The Kalarba Adventures," "Rebellion," "Seasons of Revolt" and "The Protocol Offensive.” Launch date: June 18, 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil HC by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

This 288-page, full-color, deluxe, hardcover edition collects the first two story-arcs in the series: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil. Extensive supplemental materials, including previously unreleased sketches and designs, are also included. Launch date: April 30, 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $49.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Achewood: The Great Outdoor Fight by DARK HORSE COMICS, INC.

This 96-page, hardbound edition of the comic series features both black and white and full color illustrations. The book measures 9-1/2” x 7-3/4”. Launch date: September 10, 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shadow Boys by ANGEL GATE

The new fantasy-action series revolves around the Shadow Boys, self-named for their ability to hide inside their own shadows. They are a rag-tag group of male fairies kidnapped by a wicked fairywitch intent on seizing the throne of Fairydom. Years later, a prophesy comes true and the boys must battle dark mystical creatures, along with the witch and her army of dragons in a fight for their lives and the fate of their realm. Launch date: July 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $16.99)

War Eagles by ANGEL GATE

The 252-page book revolves around the exploits of a publicly-humiliated Army Air Corps test pilot, court-martialed and discharged from the service. He winds up taking a job flying an experimental airplane around the world from pole to pole, and discovers a strange island, where he discovers secrets that lead him to become America’s only hope against a devastating sneak attack by the Nazis and their powerful new electromagnetic weapon. Launch date: July 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $16.99)

Because You Are My Baby by ABRAMS BOOKS

In the book, a mother reassures her baby that she would do anything for him, including sail around the world, climb Mount Everest and write his name in the sky. The 32-page book is full of rhymes accompanied by full-color, heart-warming illustrations. Launch date: April 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hello Kitty Hello Pen Pal! Writing Kit by ABRAMS BOOKS

The writing kit comes with 25 sheets of paper, 12 envelopes, five sticker sheets, two glitter pens and a corresponding 16-page storybook. Launch date: July 2008. ( Watch Video) 5/5/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Animalia by ABRAMS BOOKS

The full-color, illustrated book teaches kids the letters of the alphabet in a creative way. Kids learn the letter “M,” for example, by reading about “meticulous mice monitoring mysterious mathematical messages.” Launch date: September 1987. 5/5/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book by ABRAMS BOOKS

The interactive journal is based on Greg Heffley’s own “diary,” and encourages children to express themselves in a new way. The book comes complete with a full-color comics section featuring the collected cartoons of Greg Heffley and his best friend, Rowley. Launch date: October 2008. 5/5/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]