Pleasant picture books for babies, Jonas Brothers diaries for tweens and good ol’ story books give kids of all ages a reason to curl up and read (or write!) this winter. See some of the latest launches below.
Bowzers and Meowzers Children's Book and Puppets by FAUX PAW PRODUCTIONS INC.
This series includes six individual preschool books with lessons written in rhyme. It features distinctive new cat and dog characters presented in a hand-carry book box with a plush hand puppet, plus an audio reward activated sound chip allowing the puppet to bark or meow. The packaging has a "capture system that enables the hand puppet or finger puppets and book to stay together in [the] attractive book carry box," Debby Carman, president of Faux Paw Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.
The White House Christmas Mystery by GALLOPADE INTERNATIONAL
Award-winning children's author Carole Marsh incorporates history, geography, culture and more in this White House Christmas Mystery. Each book includes SAT words, an Accelerated Reader quiz, the Lexile measure and the Fountas and Pinnell guided level. Launch date: June 2006.
Shakespeare for Children: The Story of Romeo and Juliet by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.
In this highly condensed, fully illustrated version of the world's greatest and most tragic love story, the author supplies thought-provoking discussion questions that allow readers to explore this tale from any age or perspective. The same discussion questions may be used to explore other plays from a similar perspective. "Written for grades three and up, it makes the classic play inviting to this age group," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2007.
The Year of the Tiger: Tales from the Chinese Zodiac by IMMEDIUM
Despite his parent’s warnings, a princely cub befriends a human, the girl Su. But can Teddy prove the jungle is big enough for both man and beast? The fifth book in the "Tales of the Chinese Zodiac" series features all 12 animals of the new year. It's "the only English children's book series on each of the animals of the lunar new year," Amy Ma of Immedium told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2010.
Jonas Brothers PY Diary - Black and Red by MONOGRAM INTERNATIONAL INC.
This diary has Jonas Brothers logos and pictures on the front and/or back cover, plus lined pages that feature shadow effects of Jonas Brothers logos and pictures. Launch date: June 2009.
Four double sided pages with 8 silk screened illustrations, our wooden books give children a chance to either learn about their familiar animal friends homes or identify their favorite modes of transportation.
Toon Books - Benny and Penny in The Big No-No! by RAW JUNIOR LLC
In comic-book format, this hardback book has 32 pages that chronicle the adventures of brother and sister Benny and Penny as they go snooping in someone's backyard and end up with a new friend. It is written and illustrated by Geoffrey Hayes. Launch date: May 5, 2009.
Kids may use this product to discover the continents, countries and captials of the world utilizing dry erase cards. Each card comes with an answer overlay for easy reference. The United States and its state captials are included. "It is a fun kid kit with an educational bonus. Great for students who are trying to memorize states and capitals," Carolyn Pickup, marketing assistant at EDC Publishing, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. — EDC Books were on the top-10 best-seller list at the Toy Shop of Concord in Concord, Mass., according to Owner David Hesel in late 2009.
Written and illustrated by Denise Minnerly, "Painting the Town" tells the story of two kids who grab onto balloons and float through New York City, seeing how the primary colors of the blue, yellow and red apples they tossed mix to color the city in secondary shades.
The 12-book series unlocks the virtual world quests of the Jacabee Code that mirror the stories. With knowledge you gain opportunities so each book has clues inside that give the child an advantage online. The first book will feature Sacagawea in her historic role leading Lewis and Clark across the Louisiana Purchase. Available in summer 2009.
This 120-page activity book includes mazes, word games, puzzles, stickers and more for on-the-go fun. — “[TRIPtivity] is going to be a big hit because it’s less expensive than the other ones,” Valla Wagner, co-owner of Teaching Toys & Books in Tacoma, Wash., told TDmonthly when discussing the Klutz line in March 2009. — Six of 64 retailers named products by Klutz as best-selling travel toys in spring 2009.
Though one tree in a meadow seems all alone, this story shows how that tree is important in the lives of so many other living things. The 20-page hardcover book itself is made from 98-percent recycled materials. Launch date: April 2009.
Based on the new Spitzer Hall of Human Origins in the American Museum of Natural History which opens in February 2007, The Book of The Genome takes the young reader to the cutting edge of science, exploring and examining the tools by which we study our origins, some of the milestones in human origins, human movement across the Planet and the beginnings of being human through language, music, art and tools.
With this special diary, kids write with invisible ink markers and then shine the UV mini-light on the page to read what they’ve written. Each set comes with a locking 240-page diary with two keys, a mini UV-light and two invisible ink pens in a 6.5” x 7” x 1.5” magnetic-closure keepsake box. Varieties include Fairy, Castle, Princess Pea, Dragon, Baby Deer, Firebird, Degas and Merlin. “A perfect gift, the My Invisible Diary sets combine the secret elements of invisible ink with a personal diary and a special keepsake box decorated with beautiful artwork,” Elizabeth Carpenter of Mazeology told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 1, 2007.
This 32-page hardcover tells the story of a little girl and her grandfather as they paint a garden together. It is written by Andrew Larsen and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher. Launch date: 2009.
The Jacabee Code: Personalized Adventure Journal by JACABEE INC.
This Personal Journal serves as a chronicle of the player's unique adventure in the Jacabee Code MMO Game. It is the only place you can see the secrets behind the glyphs. The Jacabee Code is part of a larger “story” that will be revealed in good time. When you take part in the quest to crack the code you have the exclusive ability to write your very own book starring Abby, Dooley, Baldy and YOU!
This 32-page, full-color, hardcover chronicles the adventures of a kiss that goes astray and ends up landing right back where it was supposed to go in the first place — from a mother to her daughter. It is written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Dan Baxter. Launch date: October 2008.
Disney: Looking at Paintings by BUNKER HILL PUBLISHING
Explore the Mona Lisa's smile, Titian's noises, Duccio's artistic omelet, a Jackson Pollock splash, a king's portrait, an entire battle, saints and sinners, knights and peasants, motorcars and animals; and paintings on every conceivable surface walls, wood panels, cloth, glass, metal, bark, and leather. Follow Mickey and his friends through this most magical of worlds as they show us how to look at, understand, and enjoy the works of the greatest artist.
A tribute to family, friendship and forty-five years at summer camp, "Campingly Yours" paints a poignant picture of character, charisma and courage, lovingly nestled in America’s heartland. Punctuated with vivid imagery and laugh-out-loud humor, Thomas C. Adler’s memoir is "a heartwarming journey of a lifetime at summer camp," Sue Defabis, project manager at Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: January 15, 2009.
Designed to give children ideas for creative filming while using the home video camera, this book includes a slate to mark takes, outlines gimmicks and gags, and provides step-by-step instructions on cool techniques, such as staging disappearances or fight scenes (where no one gets hurt). The guide is authored by John Cassidy and Nicholas Berger. — “It's the Klutz that sells best,” said Patti Tepper-Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys in Oklahoma City, Okla., during an April 2009 survey of best-selling playsets and activity kits. — “Klutz is probably still my No. 1 seller. They have lots going on,” Pat Jensen, owner of Northwind Kites in Anchorage, Alaska, told TDmonthly. — “I sell a huge amount of Klutz books,” said Amy Barrett, owner of Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys in Helena, Mont., in spring 2009.
Handstand Kids Chinese Cookbook Kit by HANDSTAND KIDS
The Handstand Kids Chinese Cookbook kit features easy-to-learn recipes, such as The Great Wall of Chicken Lettuce Wraps, while teaching about the Great Wall of China; and Kung Pow! (Kung Pao Tofu), which shows characters doing karate. The Handstand Kids Chinese Cookbook introduces readers to the Mandarin language and comes in an adorable takeout box with a pair of child-friendly chopsticks. "The Chinese Cookbook introduces kids to the language, culture, and food of China in a delicious and healthy way! Children learn about new countries while gaining cooking skills that will assist them in being healthy and interested in the world around them," Yvette Garfield, creator of Handstand Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009.
Teddy, bib, pacifier, sheep: The charming illustratedpictures fuarantee first watching and reading fun. In these handy books children will discover lots of familir objects and will learn to name and read!
Gisela sat dreaming of her special costume. She could hardly wait for the great procession to begin in the village. All Hallows Day was a great holy day and Gisela was ready for a feast!
Sixty-Minute Shakespeare: Macbeth by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.
The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare series is an alternative for those who lack the time to tackle the unabridged versions of the world’s most widely read playwright. Foster has condensed the Bard’s language, but has left the integrity of Shakespeare’s writings intact so that students can experience the thrill of his stories as well as the beauty of his prose. In addition, the author has provided footnotes explaining some of the more arcane words and phrases so that the reader can better understand and, therefore, enjoy the plays. "Reading-or performing Shakespeare doesn't need to take 'forever and a day.' Not if you raise the curtain on The Sixty-Minute Shakespeare ... Cass Foster has done a superb job of cutting the text while retaining the sense of the story and the poetic rhythm of the words," Sue Defabis, project manager for Five Star Publications, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2003.
Thomas & Friends Sodor Snapshots Digital Camera Book by PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Kids help Thomas take photos from around Sodor. “Digital camera” module includes buttons for five spread animations with sound effects, a flash snapshot button, and a slideshow button. Kids watch the LED animation and press the snapshot button to capture a still ‘photo’ that they can then view by pressing the slideshow button. Each spread animation can have six ‘photos’ and each ‘photo’ is accompanied by a sound effect.
Tinker Bell and Her Talented Friends Magic Wand Book by PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Trigger 25 magic moments including sound, character voice, and melodies by touching the “magic” spots on the page with the magic wand. Or wave the wand in the air to hear sparkly magic wand sounds.
Ride Along with Thomas Steering Wheel Book by PUBLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL LTD.
Steering Wheel books feature a steering wheel mounted on a telescoping base that raises and locks into place. Sound triggers, including the horn button on the wheel, make realistic vehicle sounds to accompany the story. Each spread features the story with illustration on the left-hand page, while the right-hand page shows what the child sees through the “windshield” at a particular point in the story.
