New books
By Pamela Brill -- Playthings, 5/1/2004
Fans of the So Smart! video and DVD series will be eager to get their hands on the infant book collection by the same name. So Smart! Productions titles, published by Penguin Young Readers Group, build upon the basic concepts of colors and shapes and present them in a form that lets parents sit down with their little ones and teach them the joy of reading together. One book in the series, Big Fish, Little Fish, focuses on size and perspective via its lift-the-flap format. For stores looking to balance their developmental video inventory with supportive reading materials, the So Smart! Series is a natural addition.
The mysterious depths of the sea have penetrated the surface of the toy market as of late, with lots of plush, arts and crafts kits and other sea life-related playthings. Store displays can be complemented by I'm a Manatee (Simon & Schuster). This picture book, awash in a watercolor palette, invites young readers to imagine what it might be like to be one of these sea cow creatures. While this book's content is appropriate for all ages, some words may be a bit difficult for younger readers. Retailers might call attention to the bonus CD, so kids can read along—and boost their vocabulary.
