Four Eco-Friendly Books Feature Environmental Adventures with SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues and The Wonder Pets!

NEW YORK-April 9, 2009-Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) has partnered with Little Simon, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, to create a series of environmentally conscious titles as part of Nickelodeon’s ongoing pro-social campaign The Big Green Help. The books, published as part of the Little Green Books line, are based on the network’s hit animated series-SpongeBob SquarePants, The Wonder Pets!, and Blue’s Clues – and will be introduced at retail in second quarter. Each book, which features tales of environmental adventures aimed at helping kids find simple ways to help protect the Earth, is made from 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper that’s FSC-certified and printed with soy-based ink. Just in time for Earth Day (April 22)–Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Earth Day! will be available at retailers nationwide.

“Partnering with Little Green Books empowers our youngest readers to become environmental stewards of the earth,” said Jean Margaret Smith, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Nickelodeon Kids and Family Group. “Each original story presents positive solutions for kids to impact our planet while furthering the mission of The Big Green Help.”

Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Earth Day! follows Dora and her friends as they explore daily ways to reduce their carbon footprints by doing simple things at home. Additional titles currently available at retailers nationwide include the original story Blue’s Clues: Watch Me Grow! Blue Plants a Seed, SpongeBob Goes Green! and The Wonder Pets: Save the Tree!–the storybook adaptation of the Nick Jr. episode that won the 2006 Environmental Media Award for children’s animated television.

Nickelodeon extends its commitment to empowering real-world environmental change among kids with a line up of eco-friendly programming and off-channel initiatives on Earth Day-Wednesday, April 22. New green-themed episodes from hit tween shows iCarly and True Jackson, VP and select preschool series including The Wonder Pets!, will air on Nickelodeon and NOGGIN throughout the day, culminating in Nickelodeon’s first-ever “Power Down”-an on-air call to action for kids to engage in environmental activity. Nickelodeon will also unveil The Big Green Help grants program to support schools and local organizations with sustainability projects, and offer kids the opportunity to take environmental action with more than 500 local grassroots Earth Day events.

NVCP’s partnership with Simon & Schuster is one of several Nickelodeon has to support its The Big Green Help campaign–a multiplatform, global pro-social initiative designed to empower kids to take action on the environment and connect them to energy saving and earth-friendly activities in their everyday lives. Earlier this year, NVCP announced a partnership with cause-driven clothing line Humanity to create environmentally themed t-shirts featuring SpongeBob SquarePants. Nickelodeon in the U.S. provides kids with local Earth Day resources and events in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Girl Scouts USA; The LeBron James Family Foundation; National Wildlife Federation; Natural Resources Defense Council; National 4-H Council; NFL; the US Forest Service; National Environmental Education Foundation; National Education Association; and ERTHNXT to promote environmental awareness.

For more information on The Big Green Help, visit http://www.thebiggreenhelppress.com.

Little Green Books is a new eco-friendly line of children’s novelty and storybooks aimed at parents and children looking to learn more about the environment. From recycling and replanting to creating an awareness of endangered animals and much more, Little Green Books plant the seeds for earth-friendly living at an early age. The books are made from recycled materials and the line is eco-friendly, from the sell sheets to the shipping cartons.

For more information on Little Green Books, visit http://www.simonlittlegreen.com.

Technorati Tags: Little Green Books, Eco-Friendly, Nickelodeon, Simon and Schuster, Books, Adventure books, Spongebob, Dora the Explorer

When you look at the superhero aspect of the Ironman storyline, the series really is marketable to a wide group of people. Adults can get their movie and kids can enjoy the toys and the books. Still, I fear some of the marketing may make the movie seem like it is suitable for a pint sized audience, and by all impressions I get from the trailer, it’s not.

Release Information:
Ironman: A New Hero was released on April 1, 2008. The movie has yet to be released so it is safe to assume that Ironman: A New Hero was released to help promote the movie and get the hype up for it. The book, which is recommended for children aged 3-7 was released by Harper Collins Kids. It can be purchased at your favorite local bookstore or online at Amazon where it retails for $3.99 with the eligibility for Free Super Shipping!

The Ironman: A New Hero Plot
This is a quick retelling of the Ironman story. This story explains who Ironman is (Tony Stark). This also explains who Tony Stark is, as well as why he built the Ironman suit. This book is a short read with lots of pictures. The illustrations are incredibly dynamic. The illustrator, Marcelo Matere did a remarkable job with the comic book style drawings he offers.

Ironman: A New Hero is 21 pages in total. There is not much more than a paragraph per page so it isn’t overly intense reading for the young child who is reading this book. Basically, the story takes on the age old theme of good versus evil. The story is filled with action that revolves around the fact that the plans for his iron suit have been stolen. Ironman eventually has to take on Iron Monger, who wants to use his suit for diabolical purposes. Ironman is upset because his suit is supposed to be used for good, so a battle ensues.

I think kids will really like Ironman: A New Hero. I don’t know if it is just me, but the pictures really remind me of Turbo Man from the movie Jingle All the Way. In some of the pictures, it looks like Arnold was the inspiration for Ironman. For all of the books I’ve seen about Ironman, these look the closest to the Ironman that is presented in the movie.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Rereadability: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character Development: 5 out of 5 stars
Climax/Fulfillment: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Technical Aspects
For the age group, this book is perfect. A 3-4 year old isn’t going to be able to necessarily read this book on their own but 5-7 year olds should be able to tackle the short, to the point sentences. While the material isn’t dumbed down, it isn’t so difficult or complex that a child will be confused by what they are reading. Overall, the writing style is reminiscent of a comic book so kids who are comic fans are going to love this and those that aren’t will want to get into comics!

Grammar/Tech Aspects: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
While I am not one for advocating any form of violence in the 3-7 age range, I think that the positive storyline shines through much more than the battle sequence does in Ironman: A New Hero. There is a lesson to be learned in this book and the story was made to suit its audience without making it lame or unbelievable. I really think kids are going to like Ironman.

Full Book Enjoyment: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall Rating: 4.33 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Ironman, A New Hero, Harper Collins, Kids, children books, preschoolers, elementary school, picture book, reading

To enter you need to be 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be announced here. If we do not here from you within 3 weeks from the date the winners are announced you forfeit your prize and we will select another winner. Prizes will be shipped within 45 days from the day you win. We will make every effort to send out prizes won in December in time for the holidays, but cannot promise a before Christmas delivery.

We will choose a winner for this on December 14, 2007. This means that you have until December 13, 2007 at 11:59 PM EST to enter the contest.

For a description of The Gingerbread Man and info on the box set, keep reading. Good Luck!

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CHECK BACK HERE ON DECEMBER 14 TO SEE IF YOU ARE A WINNER!

This hearty retelling of an old favorite is distinguished by chanting, rhythmic text and cheery, lively illustrations of the sassy, boastful Gingerbread man who jumps from the oven he’s baking in, and eludes a number of pursuers until he meets his match in a clever fox.

Technorati Tags: Scholastic Inc, The Gingerbread Man, Audio CD, Book, Children’s Book, LI Kids, Contest

This special book is going to take them through Tanzania with new friends. Not only will they be able to see beautiful illustrations and enjoy a fun story, but they will also have a chance to learn to count in both English and Swahili.

On this trip, your kids will be traveling with ten new friends. These friends include Arusha, Tumpe, and Maasai. Each page leads to a new number, new animals, and a new friend.

From numbers one to ten your child will experience beautiful illustrations of wilderness landscaping and animals. At the bottom corner they will see the appropriate number for the animals on the page and the number written out in Swahili.

The author, Laurie Krebs, is an educator and world traveler. We Went on Safari was written after she returned from a trip to Africa and wanted her students and grandchildren to understand about the life, language, and culture of Tanzania.

Meanwhile, the illustrator, Julia Cairns lived in Botswana for nine years. Despite now living in the United States, she illustrates Africa as if she was still there. The hope and beauty of the land inspires her and she has won numerous awards for her beautiful depictions of the area.

Kids will have fun with this book because while they are learning their numbers and a small amount of a new and exciting language, they will also be reading a book that is written in rhyme.

When it comes to animals, they will see traditional African Safari animals. Some of the animals you can expect to see include ostriches, lions, hippos, wildebeests, and warthogs.

While this book offers the opportunity for entertainment for the main ten pages, that is not all that is offered in We All Went on Safari. At the end there are some pages that offer additional tidbits about your Safari experience. Your kids will learn about each animal they have had a chance to see on previous pages, some information on the Maasai people, and what their new friends names mean in Swahili.

There are also facts about Tanzania and a map of the area. Finally, there is a counting page where children can relate the numbers to the Swahili name for them. It also should be noted that when this book is purchased a portion of the sale will go to the African Wildlife Foundation in order to help them with their wildlife conservation and community building efforts in Tanzania.

Bottom Line: This hardcover book is a wonderful addition to any child’s library. Perfect for younger children learning to count and children a little bit older who are learning to read, We All Went on Safari is fun and educational. The illustrations are magical and when you purchase a book you give the chance to support the African Wildlife Foundation. You really could not choose a better basic counting book for your kids.

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Technorati Tags: Laurie Krebs, We all went on Safari, Tanzania, book review, children book, age 4-7, preschool, kindergarten, first grade

As she goes from country to country, seeing all these new things, she continues to pick up more items. This gives kids a chance to count the items that she buys.

Granny begins her shopping in Istanbul where she buys her flying carpet. From there she heads to Thailand, Mexico, China, and Switzerland. Later she heads to Africa, Russia, Australia, and Japan. Of course, she doesn’t stop there.

Granny heads to other places, too. On her travels, Granny buys everything from lanterns to boomerangs. She buys llamas, cowbells, and nesting dolls. Best of all, everything she buys has to do with the country where she picks it up. For example, while in Thailand Granny picks up two temple cats and names them Puyin and Puchai, which means little girl and little boy in the Thai language.

Written by Stella Blackstone and Christopher Corr and published by Barefoot Books, My Granny Went to Market offers beautifully vivid pictures and a fun, educational message.

Best suited for younger children who are learning to count, the pictures and the counting will provide plenty of smiling and laughing, the first time you read this book and many times after. If your child is just learning to count you will want to read it with them.

The text of the book is excellent but will be a little advanced for younger children if they are the ones who will be reading the book. Once they are a little bit older they should not have a hard time, though its likely they will be reading it for their interest in other countries, and not for the counting fun.

Bottom Line: My Granny Went to Market is perfect for kids who are just learning to count, that love geography and want to learn about the world. This is also an excellent book that you can read with your children. Educational and entertaining your child can learn how to count and about the world with just the flip of a page. If you are looking for an engaging and colorful book for a younger child, you might find this is just what you are going to want to buy.

Rating:

Technorati Tags: beginner book, first readers, counting book, fun, My Granny Went to Market, rhyme, Barefoot Books