Toy Tidbits 6.24.08

RC2 to Acquire Children's Publishing Division of Publications International
Very interesting news. Read about it here.

Barbie needs support of old friends. Link here.
Interesting blog post by Addison Ore. A special to Go Triad regarding the Mattel/MGA legal battle going on in LA. For the latest, link here.
(Don't tell anyone but I am on Mattel's side on this one!)

Sarah Dessen blogs about the strange comment that her daughter's toy makes. Link here.
The toy has a button that says, "It's bumper to bumper on the rainbow bridge!" Isn't that the place that pets go when they die? Rainbow Bridge link.

Disability Dolls Become More Popular. Link here.
This is wonderful to hear!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Frida Doll to go with Frida by Jonah Winter

How exciting!
A Frida doll to go with my very favorite art-theme children's picture book.

Frida 7" Soft Doll
by Yottoy





Here's my review from an INK post:

Frida by Jonah Winter (author) and Ana Juan (illustrator)
Arthur A. Levine Books 2002

This book is my very favorite book on art. I have taught Art Appreciation classes in the elementary schools for 9 years and I am always finding that the book holds a captive audience for all children from Kindergarten to 5th grade. In Winter's telling of Frida Kahlo's life, her passion, creativity, and persistence shine through in a poetic narrative. The Mexican folk art of monkeys, devils, skeletons and jaguars, which represent the demons that Kahlo faced and incorporated into her paintings, add another interesting dimension to the art lesson.

INK Book Blast Give-Away

Here's the nifty flyer I designed for the
INK Spectacular Book Blast Give-Away

Please email me at anna at annamlewis dot com if you would like me to email you the PDF.

Here's the info from Linda's INK blog post:
It's a nonfiction give-away contest of gigantic proportions!

To support the children's nonfiction community, our fifteen published
authors have each agreed to DONATE A SIGNED COPY OF ONE OF THEIR BOOKS. That's FIFTEEN books all to ONE LUCKY WINNER.

We'd love to hear from teachers, librarians, homeschoolers, writers,
or anyone else from across the country who is promoting nonfiction.

Here are the rules. Each entry must consist of two parts:

1. In one sentence or less, tell us why you read the I.N.K. blog.
2. In as much space as you need, describe what you've done to support
and encourage nonfiction in your classroom, library, home, or
community. Photos are a plus.
We will select the winner based on the strongest, most original and
all encompassing approach to getting nonfiction noticed.

All entries should be submitted by email to:
interestingnonfictionforkids at gmail dot com. We will send you an
email letting you know we’ve received your entry.

Entering the contest implies your consent to use the contents of your
entry on our blog for promotional purposes.

The deadline to enter is Friday, September 5th. The winner will be
announced on the I.N.K. blog.

Good Luck to everyone!

Please pass the word!!!!!

About this blog

Last December 2007, I launched a website titled Got-Toys and Games. The following week my 4 month old laptop crashed and I lost everything... including the ability to add more content on the website --- which was designed for constant updates. I am sorry if any of you ventured there and saw the lack of content. I was embarrassed by it.

Here's the intro to the Reviewed Toys and Games page:
My background as a toy inventor combined with three kids and a basement full of ‘lightly-used’ toys and games, has given me a unique perspective. People constantly ask me for toy recommendations and I have a few opinions to share. I want this to be a positive exercise, so don’t expect to see a lot of ‘bad toy’ reviews. My goal is to uncover and promote those great ‘under-the-radar’ toys and games for your children.
On Books, Toys, Etc., between my posts on Children's Books News and Reviews, I will be sharing the best toys, games, and books that have provided hours of fun at our house. All reviews will be added to my links for an easy reference for parents, grandparents, and care-givers.

I Love My New Toy!

No, not MY new toy but the title of Mo Willems new early reader book.













I Love My New Toy!
Mo Willems (author/illustrator)
Hyperion June 2008

In I Love My New Toy!, Piggie can't wait to show Gerald her brand new toy. But will an accidentally broken toy accidentally break a friendship?









Don't you just love Piggie and Elephant?
Check out Mo's fantastic blog for some Piggie and Elephant fun!







And aren't these guys sooooooo cute?
You can get them here!

Fisher-Price Classic Toy Remakes

The scene in the toy department at Target yesterday:

ME: But I HAVE to have it!
Son: No, you don't. We just came here to get a present for the birthday party... and that's it.
ME: Isn't it so cool?
Son: Mom, don't you have enough toys already?
ME: Yeah, I guess but just look at this toy. It's just like the toy clock I had when I was little.
Son: So.
ME: I really, really need it.
Son: You don't really really need it, do you?
ME: Yeah, duh.
Son: Mom, we gotta go. People are staring.
ME: PLEASE, can I get it?
Son: Maybe if you are good Santa Clause will get it for you. Come on, Mom.
ME: Hold on a second, geesh!

Don't you just love paybacks?
I have the car keys and I think I need to go out and get a few things at the store.

Tops and Bottoms Bear

Isn't this the cutest bear ever?


His name is Bear from Janet Steven's Caldecott Honor winning picture book, Tops and Bottoms. I had the honor of attending two of Janet's presentations at the Nevada SCBWI conference in 1994 or so. She went over the entire design and writing process of the book and I fell in love with the characters, the story, and the humor. Evidently, once the book was published, so did the entire nation.

From the first page: " "ONCE upon a time there lived a very lazy bear who had lots of money and lots of land..."

Truly, a bear after MY heart!

Ink Post: Summer Books

Well, it's that time again. Today is my post day over on INK... Interesting Nonfiction for Kids!!!


My title is...
Summer Books: "There's nothing to do!"


My new favorite book!
(One of the books I recommend on my INK post.)


Please stop over and let me know if you had a favorite childhood summer activity. Please visit some of the other posts while you are there... we have an amazing group of authors.