TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

My Green Halloween Treasures by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING OCTOBER 1, 2008: My Green Halloween Treasures is a wonderful story of a sweet little pumpkin who is trick-or-treating. She is surprised when, after brushing her tooth, she realizes her candy basket has disappeared and in its place is a basket of treasures. In conjunction with the Kedzie Million Tree-A-thon, KP will pay to have one tree planted for each copy sold. ISBN: 978-1-934087-54-1 (Paperback, 8 ¾ X 11 ¾ , 32 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

The Kedzie Press Coloring Book by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING APRIL 1, 2008: The Kedzie Press Coloring Book coloring book features a comical glimpse into the eco-friendly, everyday lives of Kedzie Press authors, staff, and business associates, as they work, live, and mingle with endangered species. In conjunction with the Kedzie Million Tree-A-thon, KP will pay to have one tree planted for each copy sold. ISBN: 978-1-934087-12-1 (Paperback, 8 X 10, 16 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

The Green Parent by KEDZIE PRESS

PUBLISHING APRIL 1, 2008: The Green Parent is the perfect book for parents who would like to teach their children about living green. From how to save energy, to how to reuse and recycle everything, this resource offers advice for getting children involved in the environment, as well as products and services that can help parents raise more environmentally conscious children. Through a series of fun activities such as how to start a “light patrol,” how to make a “waste-free” school lunch, and how to build a “green” bird house—parents and kids will learn ways to make the biggest impact, save the most money, and discover how making even the smallest of changes can make a big difference. In conjunction with the Kedzie Million Tree-A-thon, KP will pay to have one tree planted for each copy sold. ISBN: 978-1934087-22-0 (Paperback, 6 X 7, 222 pages)

TOYDIRECTORY has been unable to reach KEDZIE PRESS since May 2008. KEDZIE PRESS may be out of business. 3/21/2008

How Soccer Works by MAPLE TREE PRESS

How does the turf on a soccer field affect play? Why are goalie’s more out there with their style? And what strategy for defense did Italy create around 1950? This book, written by Keltie Thomas and illustrated by Stephen MacEarchen, answers those questions and many more as it delves deeply into the sport of soccer. 3/17/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How Baseball Works by MAPLE TREE PRESS

Written by Keltie Thomas and illustrated by Greg Hall, this book answers questions such as “Does a curve ball really curve?” and “Where is the ‘sweet spot’ on a baseball bat?’” It includes diagrams, photos and illustrations to help explain various aspects of the sport of baseball, as well as a glossary to get kids familiar with important terms. 3/17/2008 (Price: $10.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Help Me, Mr. Mutt! – Expert Answers for Dogs With People Problems by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

By Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel, this book of letters and newspaper clippings outlines questions that dogs in despair send to an expert canine columnist. Mr. Mutt gives them advice — on sleep, barking, holiday dress-up, etc. — while battling letters from a cat who thinks she’s pure royalty. Launch date: April 2008. 3/17/2008 (Price: $17.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creatures by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

In this hardcover book, mermaids, centaurs, firebirds and other mythological creatures are highlighted through Julie Larios’ poetry and paintings by Julie Paschkis. Various cultures and legends are covered in the end notes. Launch date: April 2008. 3/17/2008 (Price: $16.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Laugh-eteria by HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT

This paperback includes nearly 150 pages of poetry and black-and-white illustrations by Douglas Florian, including poems “Digital Dude,” “The Last Piece of Cake” and “Open Mind.” Launch date: April 2008. 3/17/2008 (Price: $8.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook by HANDSTAND KIDS

Kids will learn how to cook simple, yet delicious Mexican dishes, while learning about the vibrant Mexican culture. Each book is packaged in a tortilla bag with an oven mitt. "Ingredients and utensils are translated in the intro so kid chefs get to learn Spanish," Handstand Kids Founder Yvette Garfield told TDmonthly. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: May 5, 2008.

Where to Buy: Dolls Like Me

( Watch Video) 3/17/2008 (Price: $28.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Samson and Delilah Read-Along Storybook with included CD-ROM by PC Treasures, Inc.

Samson is the strongest man in Israel...as long as he doesn’t cut his hair. But with the evil Philistines closing in, should the great warrior trust the beautiful young woman to whom he’s given his heart?

 3/11/2008 (Price: $4.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jonah and the Whale Read-Along Storybook with included CD-ROM by PC Treasures, Inc.

When God asks him to embark on an important mission, the headstrong Jonah has other ideas that lead him from the port of Tarshish to the belly of a whale. Is Jonah’s faith strong enough to get him out of this mess.

 3/11/2008 (Price: $4.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

David and Goliath Read-Along Storybook with included CD-ROM by PC Treasures, Inc.

Brave young David faces the fiercest warrior of his time, the wicked giant Goliath, armed with a simple slingshot and his unyielding faith in God.

 3/11/2008 (Price: $4.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Noah's Ark Read-Along Storybook with included CD-ROM by PC Treasures, Inc.

Ever-faithful Noah is given an important task by God—build an ark and save the animals from the impending flood. With the animals aboard and the rain beginning, Noah witnesses the awesome power of God, and the great depths of His merciful heart.

 3/11/2008 (Price: $4.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Poingo by PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD.

The set consists of a pen and two books. When children touch images in the book using the pen, audio content will sound. Additional books are available for purchase separately. Launch date: August 2008. ( Watch Video) 3/10/2008 (Price: $34.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Yoga Pose Coloring Book by SPIRALING HEARTS

Each of the 30 pages in the coloring book depicts a different yoga pose, making yoga fun for children to learn. Complete pose instructions included in the back of the book. 3/3/2008 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gymboree Play & Music - Play & Learn: 1001 Fun Activities for Your Baby and Child by KEY PORTER BOOKS

Packed with 1,001 entertaining and educational activities for children, this book is a must-have resource for parents and anyone who spends time with babies and young kids. Discover a year’s worth of creative, enriching, kid-tested, parent-friendly activities ideal for spontaneous fun (with no complicated preparation necessary) and designed to enhance children’s development in key areas, such as language, problem solving, social skills and coordination. "Gymboree’s child-development experts focus on the whole child in order to help children acquire the key ingredients — motor skills, social skills and self-esteem — they need to grow up to be confident, happy and successful adults," Deborah Sloan of Deborah Sloan and Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 2/29/2008 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gymboree Play & Music - Shapes by KEY PORTER BOOKS

From a crescent moon to a teddy bear’s heart, fun illustrations teach children about shapes. Translations with pronunciation guides make it easy to name key shapes in French, German, Italian, and Spanish, too. It's "a big plus for budding linguists," Deborah Sloan of Deborah Sloan and Company told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008. 2/29/2008 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Gymboree Play & Music - Alphabet by KEY PORTER BOOKS

Parents can enjoy teaching their children the ABCs using whimsical illustrations of common words that show each letter in action. Little ones will delight in learning the essential building blocks of language with them. Launch date: May 2008. 2/29/2008 (Price: $6.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Multiplication Sensation by JANDIE JAMS MUSIC LLC

The CD and book set helps kids practice their multiplication skills. The CD features catchy songs recorded by live musicians, and is accompanied by a book full of comic-book style illustrations for each of the numbers — or characters — on the CD. Launch date: July 2008. ( Watch Video) 2/21/2008 (Price: $16.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Spider's First Web by KEENOWL LLC

The book can be personalized with a child’s name, gender and hometown, and even what he or she calls Mom, Dad and “Good Night.” The story follows the child as he or she (as the Little Spider) overcomes subtle challenges in spinning its first web. But with the enthusiastic support of its parents and faithful friends like a bee, a bird and a cricket, Little Spider learns to have courage, persevere and finally succeed. The storybook features 16 pages of bright, engaging colors and easy-to-read text. 2/20/2008 (Price: $18.97)

Building Thinking Skills by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

"Building Thinking Skills" provides highly effective verbal and nonverbal reasoning activities to improve vocabulary, reading, writing, math, logic and figural-spatial skills, as well as visual and auditory processing. This series provides a solid foundation for academic excellence and success on any assessment test. The series includes six titles for Grades PreK-12+.
— Teresa Wilson, a mother of four and participant in TDmonthly's Homeschool Roundtable, "found that the workbooks strengthened verbal and written communication skills, especially in the area of descriptive writing.” 2/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vocabulary Smarts by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

Vocabulary Smarts builds children's vocabulary and knowledge of high-frequency words by teaching them the meanings and usage variations between high-frequency words. Children use mini dictionaries to identify word meanings, then classify relationships between words, and finally write original sentences using the words in context. These books develop stronger reading, writing, spelling, comprehension, and dictionary skills. Series includes three titles for Grades 2-7. 2/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Complete The Picture Math by THE CRITICAL THINKING CO.

Complete the Picture Math develops a wide variety of math, reading, visual, and spatial reasoning skills. Children solve an engaging word problem that focuses on reading comprehension and mathematical reasoning before completing and coloring an animal picture. This is an ideal product to motivate your child to improve his or her math skills. These quick, boredom-busting activities can be used in the classroom, after school, at home, and on trips to stimulate developing minds. Includes teaching suggestions and easy-to-follow directions. Just add your soon-to-be math whiz and crayons! Series includes three titles for Grades 1-3. 2/19/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

The book invites children to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Costa Rica to hear howler monkeys, see algae-covered sloths and discover the strangler figs that make great hideouts. The book is available in both paperback and hardcover editions. Launch date: Spring 2008. 2/19/2008 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Going Around the Sun Some Planetary Fun by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

The book teaches young children about the solar system and the universe. Children will learn about planet orbit, planet rotation, gravity, solar radiation, seasons and space proportions. Launch date: Spring 2008. 2/19/2008 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]