TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Where Is Mama? A Pop-Up Story by ABRAMS BOOKS

In this stylish and sturdy pop-up story, five little tadpoles hatch from their eggs, but their mother is nowhere to be found. They set off to find her—but how will they recognize her? What does she look like? By meeting the other animals in the pond—Mama Duck, Mama Fish, Mama Turtle, and Mama Crab—they gather the clues they need, until finally an especially loud “Ribbit, ribbit!” happily reunites the family. Young readers will delight in this charming family story, with its opportunities to identify mama and baby animals and its striking pop-up illustrations. Launch date: April 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hello in There! by ABRAMS BOOKS

This oversized interactive book is a heartfelt look at the wonder and excitement of waiting...and waiting...and waiting for a new sibling to arrive. The charming protagonist is so eager to step into her role as a big sister that she’s starting early! She sticks close to her mama so she can sing songs to her sibling-to-be (loudly, of course) and explain all the great things waiting in the outside world (cupcakes! strawberries! swimming!). Quaint line drawings and lovely patterns lend a breezy, lighthearted atmosphere to the story, and a variety of playful flaps add gentle humor, showing the new baby blissfully tucked away in its mama’s belly. A joyful and celebratory ode to the growing family for any sister- or brother-to-be. Launch date: May 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Hello Kitty, Hello Spring! by ABRAMS BOOKS

Hello Kitty, hello seasonal fun. This pair of sunny offerings depicts our favorite star and her cast of friends enjoying all that the seasons have to offer: butterflies, baseball, sand castles, ice cream cones, and more. With sparse text and irresistible original scenic art, these titles are the first two of four in the newest series of Hello Kitty collectible board books. Launch date: March 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dig In! by ABRAMS BOOKS

It’s a busy day on the construction site, and these industrious mice are up to something big. But what are they working on? Bold, colorful illustrations and recognizable vehicles with moving parts add to the fun, with hidden clues for the careful observer. Is that red paint...or red sauce? Is that a construction pit...or a drain? Children will delight in guessing their way to the end, when the final spread reveals a carefully constructed surprise. It’s favorite vehicles meet lunchtime and bathtime in these novelty board books with interactive mechanisms. Launch date: March 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Jellybeans Love to Dance by ABRAMS BOOKS

This spirited new board book proves there’s nothing sweeter than friendship. Emily loves to dance and can’t wait to meet the other girls in her dance class, who are sure to be just like her. But instead she meets Nicole, a tomboy; Bitsy, who loves arts and crafts; and Anna, a shy bookworm who has no interest at all in dancing. But just as different flavors of jellybeans taste delicious together, the girls learn how to team up to make their dance recital a success. March 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $7.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Up Close by ABRAMS BOOKS

Recognizing and labeling animals has never been so geometrically inspired. Young children will delight in the usual suspects (bunny, pig, frog, chicken, monkey, and lion) depicted in a whole new way. The elements of each zoomed-in face provide only a subtle hint of the animals’ identities, inviting children (and adults) to stretch the boundaries of what defines an animal image. The simple question-and-answer format provides immediate gratification for even the shortest attention spans. Launch date: April 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How to Be a Cat by ABRAMS BOOKS

A celebration of all things feline, How to Be a Cat also tells a universal story of mastering life skills, and of the sometimes tender, sometimes stern relationship between parent and child, teacher and pupil. Cat lovers of all ages will connect to this loving portrayal of a mentor-student relationship. Launch date: March 2013. 1/8/2013 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star Trek The Next Generation: On Board the U.S.S. Enterprise by BARRON'S EDUCATIONAL SERIES

This book lets you explore the Enterprise NCC-1701-D in amazing high-resolution 3D. Using original blueprints, diagram and scans, you can take a tour of the famous starship with the book and CD-ROM. The book was written by Star Trek expert team Denise and Michael Okuda. Launch date: February 2013. 1/8/2013 (Price: $18.99)

Brick City: Global Icons to Make from LEGO by BARRON'S EDUCATIONAL SERIES

Author Warren Elsmore presents a pictorial collection of world-famous buildings and landmarks made of LEGO blocks, along with instructions to build your own versions.  The models that readers can build include: The Golden Gate Bridge, New York’s new World Trade Center, The Louvre in Paris, Rome’s Coliseum, The Great Wall of China…and many more. Launch date: May 2013. 1/8/2013 (Price: $19.99)

El Burro Sonriente (Spanish Edition) by LUV-BEAMS

Un pequeño burro se presenta en la casa de un nino y se convierte en un valioso miembro de la familia. El día que desaparece, nunca esperan volver a verlo hasta que aparece una noche oscura y temerosa. 12/18/2012 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Smiling Burro by LUV-BEAMS

A tiny burro shows up at a little boy’s house and becomes a valued member of the family. One morning, he disappears and the family never expects to see him again. The story ends with a ghost encounter. 12/18/2012 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bearly Learning About Water by LUV-BEAMS

Two bear cubs learn to hunt for food on their own. Sister loves fish but brother gives her a hard time because he hates water. Will he finally get over his fear of water? 12/18/2012 (Price: $9.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Star WarsŪ Thumb Doodles: The Complete Saga at Your Fingertips by KLUTZ

Use the 4 inkpads, marker, and dual-tipped colored pencil to make thumbprint versions of your favorite Star Wars characters. Simple step-by-steps include — Clones and Battle Droids, Ewoks and Wookies, Jedi and Jabba the Hutt. Star Wars fans will love re-creating key moments from the movies and creating scenes of their own. 12/10/2012

The Book Of Impossible Objects: 25 Eye-Popping Projects and Illusions by KLUTZ

This book comes with all the plastic pieces, paper parts, and special pages you need to experience 25 impossible things. These objects work like magic, but there are no tricks. All this weirdness has a solid scientific basis and we tell you why — from the mathematically amazing Möbius strip (a band of paper with only one side), to cardstock acrobats with amazing balance, to a color changing spinning top. 12/10/2012

Dot Jewelry: Make Pretty Paper Bracelets & Necklaces by KLUTZ

Dot Jewelry comes with over 1,600 pre-cut paper pieces in a rainbow of luscious colors and coordinating patterns. Follow the step-by-step instructions for making everything from simple one-strand bracelets to stunning statement necklaces. Our custom dot tool lets you pick up dots with ease, while the ruler and clip measure your cord exactly and keep it taut for professional-looking designs every time. 12/10/2012

Make Clay Charms by KLUTZ

Make Clay Charms features simple step-by-steps for more than 30 different designs — cute fruit, adorable animals, sweet treats, and tons more. Make your charms with the nine bright colors of clay, bake them, add shine (with our specially formulated glaze), and then attach your creations to the included bracelet.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— Dean Smith, owner of JaZams in Princeton, N.J., told TDmonthly in a May 2014 survey that Make Clay Charms from Klutz is the store's best-selling activity kit. 12/10/2012

It's All About Us (...Especially Me!): A Journal of Totally Personal Questions For You & Your Friends by KLUTZ

This is a journal of super-nosy surveys to fill out. Subjects range from food to fashion to friendship. Over 300 different questions reveal everything you never thought to ask yourself, let alone anyone else. Each survey is repeated three times, in three different colorways to make it easy to share and compare with friends. 12/10/2012

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson by PENGUIN GROUP USA

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand. Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom.  But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
— As of 12/5/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 128 reviews on Amazon.com
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Room on the Broom was their bestselling Halloween book. 12/5/2012 (Price: $6.99)

Frankenstein by Rick Walton by MACMILLAN

This laugh-out-loud funny and devilish send-up of Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline is for little monsters everywhere. Frankenstein is the scariest of all the monsters in Miss Devel's castle. He can frighten anything-animals, parents, even rocks. Until one night, Miss Devel wakes up and runs downstairs to find that Frankenstein has lost his head.
— As of 12/5/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com
— In a Winter 2012 survey Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that this was their bestselling Halloween book. 12/5/2012 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Book 3) by Rick Riordan by HYPERION BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven? The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery... With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.7 out of 5 stars from 1,072 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Melissa Pennille, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that they sell 8 copies of this book each month, making it a best seller in their store. 12/4/2012 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen by CANDLEWICK PRESS

From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale. When a tiny fish shoots into view wearing a round blue topper (which happens to fit him perfectly), trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened...Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale. Launch date: October 2012.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly that This is Not My Hat is a recent bestseller. 12/4/2012 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Olivia by Ian Falconer by ATHENEUM BOOKS

Have fun with Olivia...dressing up, singing songs, building sand castles, napping (maybe), dancing, painting on walls and — whew! — going to sleep at last.
— Jessica Wood from Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vt., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that Olivia books are perennial bestsellers. 12/4/2012 (Price: $17.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Once upon a time, there were three hungry Dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur...and a Dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway. One day—for no particular reason—they decided to tidy up their house, make the beds, and prepare pudding of varying temperatures. And then—for no particular reason—they decided to go...someplace else. They were definitely not setting a trap for some succulent, unsupervised little girl. Definitely not! This new take on a fairy-tale classic is so funny and so original—it could only come from the brilliant mind of Mo Willems.
— As of 12/4/2012 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 22 reviews on Amazon.com.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this is one of their best selling books. 12/4/2012 (Price: $17.99)

My Nursery Rhymes Collection by SCHOOL ZONE PUBLISHING CO

This delightfully illustrated nursery rhymes book offers parents and children the joy of reading all the best-loved rhymes, as well as discovering some of the less familiar ones. My Nursery Rhymes Collection is divided into 12 themes, such as farm animals, numbers, and action rhymes — creating shorter sections to suit the attention span of young readers. Settle back together and enjoy all the merry old souls. 184 pages with beautiful, full-color illustrations. Elegant gilded spine and cover highlights. Themed sections for easy reference. Padded hardcover edition.
— In a Winter 2012 survey, Teresa Derry, owner of Annie's Toy Chest in Cocoa, Fla., told TDmonthly that they sell 20 of this item each month. 12/4/2012

Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon by HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

Awesome Man can shoot positronic rays out of his eyeballs, fly as straight as an arrow, and hug mutant Jell-O! Even villains like Professor Von Evil and the Flaming Eyeball are no match for this caped crusader. But Awesome Man also has a secret...Can you guess what it is? The first picture book from Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Michael Chabon perfectly captures the fantasy life of young superhero fans. Launch date: September 6, 2011.
— Pat Siegfried, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Winter 2012 survey that this books sells well and is on "constant reorder." 12/4/2012 (Price: $17.99)