TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Books Product Category

Love Waves by CANDLEWICK PRESS

Love Waves are what we send to our loved ones until we can be together again. Invisible and strong, they can fly across town or around the world, proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that neither time nor space can keep love from finding its target. Combining a wonderfully concrete concept with her cozy pastel illustrations, Rosemary Wells offers an ingenious way to ease the separation anxiety many children feel when parents go to work, or live in separate homes; when close friends or relatives move, or live far away; or whenever a loved one’s absence calls for an extra dose of reassurance. How to comfort a young child who misses a special person when he or she is away? A treasured picturebook creator has the perfect solution. Launch date: September 2011.
— As of 1/16/2013 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 8 reviews on Amazon.com. 1/16/2013 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Amelia's Inheritance by A GIRL FOR ALL TIME

Amelia Elliot was half way down the stairs to the school dining hall when her life changed forever. Before the gong sounded for tea she was an ordinary schoolgirl looking forward to her thirteenth birthday and worrying about her Latin exam. After the gong, she was an orphan sent hurtling into a shadowy world of subterfuge, treachery and unlikely friendship. In a fight to reclaim the mysterious family chest left to her by her Tudor ancestor Matilda, she begins a thrilling journey which will lead her from glittering ballrooms to the slums of the Rookeries, from society séances to the lime-lit stages of the London music hall. The second novel in the A Girl for All Time® series, Amelia's Inheritance tells the story of 13-year old orphan Amelia Elliot growing up in Victorian London. 1/15/2013 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Matilda's Keepsakes and Secrets by A GIRL FOR ALL TIME

Whilst the novel takes the reader to the past, 'Matilda's Keepsakes and Secrets' book brings the past into the present with a range of fun activities and things to do. Imagine Matilda’s world and make a Keepsake book you’ll treasure for ever. With lots of of Tudor-themed activities including recipes, fashion ideas and fun quizzes kids can explore Matilda's world alongside their own. Plan a Tudor-themed sleep-over with friends, make delicious Tudor treats, use Tudor-vibed hair and fashion ideas, or make a family tree. With so many things for kids to do with friends, family or on their own, there are hours of fun activities to enjoy. 88 pages of interactive projects and activities, with customisable pages to make the book your own. This hardcover, spiral-bound activity book was designed and written by P. S. Salmi, a masters graduate of the Royal College of Art and Fulbright scholar at the University of Southern California. 1/15/2013 (Price: $18.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Alexander Girard Color by AMMO BOOKS LLC

The ALEXANDER GIRARD COLOR board book celebrates the vivid, playful, and sophisticated world of 20th century design icon Alexander Girard. Especially known for his textile designs for Herman Miller, Girard's wide-ranging repertoire also spanned many disciplines, including interior design, graphic design, and furniture design. This chunky board book is another wonderful addtiion to our series that features both design greats and up-and-coming new talent. ALEXANDER GIRARD COLOR features the vintage 1972 illustration "Girls" on the cover, as well as 26 classic Girard designs. Launch date: February 2012. 1/15/2013 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Art2-D2's Guide to Folding and Doodling: An Origami Yoda Activity Book by ABRAMS BOOKS

Stick figures to the dark side only lead. To doodle like a Jedi you must learn. With this companion to the blockbuster bestselling Origami Yoda series, beloved author Tom Angleberger—with the help of the kids from McQuarrie Middle School—presents young Padawans with dozens of activities from the Star Wars universe. Padawans can learn how to fold R2-D2 and C-3PO, draw Jabba, and even build a fully functioning ChapStick rocket! Other Force-mastering activities include: “Kellen’s Guide to Cool Letters,” “Mike’s Complete Rules and Tips for Pencil Pod-Racing,” “Rhondella’s Tips for Photographing Origami,” and much more. Launch date: March 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $12.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Museum by ABRAMS BOOKS

As a little girl tours and twirls through the halls of the art museum, she finds herself on an exciting adventure. Each piece of art evokes something new inside of her: silliness, curiosity, joy, and ultimately inspiration. When confronted with an empty white canvas, she is energized to create and express herself—which is the greatest feeling of all. Launch date: March 2013. 1/11/2013 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

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 Wars® 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][?]