Words and Music Expand Kids' Horizons

2008 Titles Let Children Roam While at Home

By Alison Marek
January 2008

Parents who don't want to send their kids to the high seas might appreciate a book or two that let junior live the pirate's life. Whether traveling to Hawaii in song, or just learning about ocean animals by cracking a binding, these new offerings will keep kids stimulated throughout the new year.

Hawaiian Playground by PUTUMAYO KIDS

This CD features enchanting voices along with amusing lyrics and various instruments, such as ukuleles and slide guitars. It comes with liner notes in English, Spanish, French and Dutch, and songs include "Come to Hawaii," "Holoholo Ka'a" and "Toad Song." Launch date: January 22, 2008. ( Watch Video) 12/14/2007 (MSRP: $14.98; Age: 3 to 8)

Hallowmere: By Venom's Sweet Sting by MIRRORSTONE

In this novel by Tiffany Trent, Corrine and her schoolmates travel to Scotland to go after Rory and the rathstone that’s been stolen. Corrine has a new love interest, though, and tensions are high among the friends — all while they battle with the Fey. Launch date: December 26, 2007. 12/26/2007 (MSRP: $8.95; Age: 12 and Up)

Abraham Lincoln and the Forest of Little Pigeon Creek by AMERITALES ENTERTAINMENT LLC

This book follows young Abraham Lincoln on a series of adventures set in the unbroken forest of Indiana. Kids will be inspired by the way young Lincoln uses books to help solve problems, and will benefit from the book’s underlying messages of animal kinship and overcoming fear. Bold illustrations, colorful language and an action-packed setting make this book a page-turner that kids — and their parents — will love. “The story combines fact and fiction to deliver exciting and engaging content that exposes kids to character-building traits that drove an ordinary person to make extraordinary contributions to the American way of life and value system,” Merilee Kern of Kern Communications told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 4, 2007. 12/26/2007 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 4 to 9)

Red Dragon Codex by MIRRORSTONE

Red Dragon Codex by MIRRORSTONE In this novel by R. D. Henman, a red dragon attacks Potter's Mill and takes the village soothsayer, Shemnara. It is up to Mudd — along with his sister, an enchanted elf, a dwarf and a magically inclined stranger — to find a hidden magic pendant and rescue her. Launch date: January 2008. 12/26/2007 (MSRP: $9.95; Age: 8 to 12)

"Left Out" from the LifeStories for Kids™ Series by SELMEDIA INC.

What do you do when your friends suddenly don’t want to be friends anymore? Nationally acclaimed storyteller Olga Loya tells how her problems with a clique helped her discover the meaning and nature of true friendship. “Left Out” is a storybook and DVD from the LifeStories for Kids Storybook Series. This award-winning series helps children understand complex character traits (such as integrity, perseverance and courage) through the engaging and ancient art of storytelling. This product won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. “Each book includes a guide for parents, grandparents or caregivers that is based on research to help children explore and internalize the positive messages in the story,” CEO Ken Arneson of SELmedia Inc. told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 1, 2007. 12/19/2007 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 8 to 11)

“Growing Up in East LA” from the LifeStories for Kids™ Series by SELMEDIA INC.

How do you fit in a new culture and still keep your heritage alive? Nationally acclaimed storyteller Olga Loya tells how she navigated the cross-cultural challenges of growing up in a Mexican-American family. “Growing Up in East LA” is a storybook and DVD from the LifeStories for Kids™ Storybook Series, which helps children understand complex character traits (such as integrity, perseverance and courage) through the engaging and ancient art of storytelling. It won a 2007 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: July 1, 2007. 12/14/2007 (MSRP: $19.95; Age: 8 to 11)

Giggle Bubble Dreams Book by LIVING FOLKLORE INC.

Giggle Bubble Dreams Book is illustrated by Emmy-awarded artist Bret Blevins. Readers join Berkana Thorson, a 10-year-old girl, as she unravels the mystery of her heritage and remembers the ancient wisdom of nature. After finding a mysterious box filled with Grandpa’s sketches and stories, her dreams take her to the magical Land of the Giggle Bubble. She meets the enigmatic Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly, who bring depth to one of humanities’ oldest and most cherished archetypes, the clown/trickster. Together, the three learn that their two separate worlds need each other to survive. But when Berkana awakens in the morning, she doesn’t remember anything — her world is under the spell of The Forgotten Chapter. With the help of a raven she unlocks the power of her imagination with the key to end The Forgotten Chapter and begin The Age of Living Folklore. Her life is changed forever when Giggly Sprout and Gumbo Wobbly literally show up at her front door with a worldwide invitation to a global celebration from The Great King Beeblebooble. 12/11/2007

My Two Homes by FAMILYSTORIES

My Two Homes by FAMILYSTORIES This set contains a 48-page book with practical advice from families about divorce and separation, as well as a special box and a create-your-own home-to-home binder that includes organizers, printed paper, a keychain and a clear zip pouch. Launch date: November 1, 2007. 12/7/2007 (MSRP: $17.95; Age: 6 and Up)

When Life Throws You a Curve: One Girl's Triumph Over Scoliosis by FIVE STAR PUBLICATIONS INC.

In the book, Elizabeth tells what it was like, including her fears, the pain, and the triumphs of her battle with scoliosis. Once fearful about whether she would be able to walk without pain, Elizabeth emerged from her experience to become a nationally-ranked squash player and a varsity tennis player. Launch date: June 2008. 12/5/2007 (MSRP: $12.95; Age: 10 to 14)

The Dragonfly Races by BLACK WOLF RECORDS

The Dragonfly Races by BLACK WOLF RECORDS The CD is full of family-friendly songs and comes with a colorful picture book. Launch date: January 8, 2008.
— “The tunes inspire positive change and social action,” Beth Blenz-Clucas, a Black Wolf Records representative, told TDmonthly. “Ellis [Paul] was inspired by his two young daughters to write songs with meaning and humor.” 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $15.00; Age: 3 and Up)

ClickN' READ Phonics by CLICKN' KIDS, INC.

ClickN ClickN’ READ Phonics provides schools and parents state-of-the-art, educator-approved interactive phonics software that teaches students how to read on their own. One hundred entertaining and fully interactive online lessons that simulate a “live” teaching environment — prompting students, providing instant feedback, positive reinforcement, and comprehensive reading assessment reports. Launch date: June 2004.
— This is “the world’s most advanced learn-to-read phonics software,” Clickn’ Kids Inc. President and Founder Alan Scalone told TDmonthly. 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $59.85; Age: 4 and Up)

The Field Guide to Ocean Animals by SILVER DOLPHIN BOOKS

Readers will learn all about the ocean’s most magnificent creatures, including the powerful gray reef shark, the graceful-yet-deadly man-of-war and the paralyzing blue-ringed octopus. The book is filled with incredible animal photographs, maps, interesting information and detailed illustrations. The book also offers the opportunity to assemble eight different animals stored inside the pockets of each page. Launch date: April 2008. 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $15.95; Age: 8 and Up)

The Legend Of The Quetzal - Tales And Tunes Of Latin America by MOTHERLOTUS RECORDS

This record takes kids on a fun trip around Latin America through story and song. Four folktales, three classic Latin American songs and two original bilingual songs will engage and delight children with many lessons and inspirational messages. It is also a fun way for children to learn Spanish. This product is a 2007 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award winner. Launch date: February 2007. 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $14.99; Age: 5 and Up)

True Learning by TRUE LEARNING

True Learning by TRUE LEARNING This CD-ROM combines the best aspects of traditional paper and pencil workbooks with the convenience and flexibility of printing-on-demand. The curriculum includes over 3,000 printable worksheets that cover six core subjects. Each True Learning subject consists of four levels of advancement, with each level systematically building upon the skills presented in the previous levels. Launch date: November 25, 2007.
— It is a “library of over 3000 challenging worksheets all on one CD,” Jinhee Kim of True Learning told TDmonthly. 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $39.99; Age: 3 to 6)

My All-Time Top 5 by KLUTZ

My All-Time Top 5 by KLUTZ The set allows tweens to list their favorites, un-favorites, pet peeves, proudest achievements, weirdest phobias, secret crushes, wildest ambitions and much more. The book features 60 pages of ideas, games and activities ranging from thought-provoking to just plain goofy. A custom-designed, 150-page, coil-bound notepad comes with built-in pockets and a coordinating pencil. Launch date: March 2008. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $16.95; Age: 8 and Up)

Five Little Monkeys by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

Five Little Monkeys by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS The 12-page book is derived from one of Dr. Dean’s 12 popular songs. Use the book in conjunction with the CD to allow students to listen to the story, or invite them to read along or sing along for a multi-sensory learning experience. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $2.99)

Dinosaur Boogie by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS

Dinosaur Boogie by CREATIVE TEACHING PRESS The 12-page book is derived from one of Dr. Jean’s 12 popular songs. Use the book in conjunction with the CD to allow students to listen to the story, or invite them to read along or sing along for a multi-sensory learning experience. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $2.99)

Draw it Again, and Again, and Again and Again by KLUTZ

The reusable drawing book allows kids to draw on the pages without permanently marking them. The book comes with 20 laminated pages and four erasable markers. Each page contains a simple photographed image that is ready to be transformed into a work of art. Draw it Again is an ideal quiet-time busy book, equally at home, on a plane, in a restaurant or in your family room. Launch date: March 2008. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $12.95; Age: 4 and Up)

Quick Draw Flip Books by KLUTZ

Quick Draw Flip Books by KLUTZ Anyone can turn his or her doodles into amazing motion pictures. The backs feature several sets of perforated pages, each with a sequence of partially finished pictures illustrating a funny story. Complete the drawings in one’s own inimitable style, tear out the pages, bind them with one of the included custom clips and flip the pages to see one’s art in action. The book comes with four sturdy clips, a set of colorful mini-markers, enough tear-‘em-out pages to make eight distinctive flip books and a how-to guide. Launch date: March 2008.
— “They are a wonderful price and they are all great,” Owner Michelle Beyer of Clever Kids Toy Shop in Rochester, Minn., told TDmonthly in late 2007. “Each book is packed full of great activities. We are the top seller of KLUTZ in Minnesota!” 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $14.95; Age: 8 and Up)

GRAMMO Safari by WORLD CLASS LEARNING MATERIALS INC.

GRAMMO Safari by WORLD CLASS LEARNING MATERIALS INC. Kids can wander through the jungle as they gain practice and skill with parts of speech. They can also find interjections in the trees with giraffes, hunt for pronouns with the cheetahs, seek out prepositions with the zebras and much more. The game offers practice with the eight different parts of speech and includes 120 GRAMMO cards, a game board, die, pawns, an instructional guide. Launch date: January 1, 2008.
— “GRAMMO is a fun an engaging game that meets an intermediate level audience while focusing on necessary and essential parts of speech understanding,” World Class Learning Materials Inc. Product Development Manager Alyssa S. Brown told TDmonthly. 1/3/2008 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 7 and Up)