Many of the new products rolling down the spring tarmac blur the distinction between book and sideline, creating a number of fun hybrids for 2002.
One of the most intriguing and handsome gift books in recent memory, Flowers in Shadow: A Photographer Rediscovers a Victorian Botanical Journal by Zeva Oelbaum (Rizzoli, dist. by St. Martin's Press), trumpets spring in its contemporary interpretation of a 19th-century amateur herbarium. Oelbaum's evocative photographs capture the elegance and simplicity of a handmade journal, filled with dried plants and flowers and handwritten notations—most likely a student exercise created in the late 1800s by a young woman enrolled in a teacher's college in Randolph, Vt. Finding this treasure in a tiny New England antiques shop, Oelbaum was captivated not only by its charm and natural aesthetic but also by its unwitting testimony to the ephemeral nature of life—plant and human. After researching the journal's origins and photographing its pages over several years, Oelbaum has produced a stunning collection of photographs and commentary that is at once nostalgic and modern.
In an entirely different vein, Scary Stories of New York City, makers of the cute and quirky plush toys Naughty Naughty Pets, allegedly inspired by real-life animals, announces a new collaboration with Hyperion Books for Children. Coming in September 2002, the book series will include such titles as Dig Ivan Dig, Naughty Naughty Kiefer, Heedley Pecked Me in the Eye and Yes, A Cat Named Marty Cohen. These little critters are likable and cuddly, made in a simple, modern (and tongue-in-cheek) style from colorful synthetic fleece stuffed with polyester filling. Rumor has it these personality-plus creatures are developing their own animated TV show, too. Call (212) 219-0406; fax (646) 349-3349; www.scarystoriesinc.com.
Hoberman Designs Inc., of New York City, makers of the ever-dazzling Hoberman Sphere, a colorful, expanding geometric toy stocked in better toy and museum stores, has a new tale to tell. Several, in fact. By adding new technologies to existing products, Hoberman has created Funfolds to delight both children and adults. The expanding Discover Domes in nature, dinosaur and space themes offer attention-grabbing graphics on the outside, then open to reveal fascinating facts and pictures inside. The Space Dome, for example, begins with a view of the planets in the solar system on the outside, then, when opened, displays text and more images about the mysteries of outer space. Dinosaur lovers can follow the footprints and fossils on the outside surface, then expand the Dinosaur Dome to learn more about each variety of beast as well as how nature evolved from them to us. The Nature Dome documents the passage of many living things from youth to maturity—an acorn grows into a mighty oak, a tadpole becomes a frog, a seed blooms into a flower. All for ages 4 and up.
Story Spheres use the same exceptionally sturdy paper technology to create playful storytelling objects that deliver a surprise each time they are expanded. The colorful, hand-drawn images of the Circus Sphere invite children (and adults) to invent tales about the characters pictured on the compact sphere, which, as it expands, shows images in increasing detail. When it's at full size, a surprise can be seen within—in the circus, it's a tight-rope walker. A Haunted House Sphere unfolds the scary pleasures of Halloween. For ages six and up, available in fall 2002. A total treat for pre- and beginning readers. Call (888) 229-3653; fax (212) 349-7935; e-mail designs@hoberman.com; www.hoberman.com.
Among the many fine children's books published by Silver Dolphin Books of San Diego, Calif., several interactive titles stand out for spring. Totally Reptiles combines a 32-page book concerning real-life lizards, snakes, turtles, crocodiles and more with more than 30 plastic components to create five different recognizable reptiles or any number of imaginary ones (other titles are Totally Aliens, Totally Bugs and Totally Dinosaurs). The History in Stone series debuts with three 64-page books, display boards and miniature replicas to build on Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Both series are for ages 8—12. For the 5—9 crowd, the Cool Cars series offers Super Racing and Super Speeders play sets featuring a 12-page full-color book, four different race cars and a fold-out vinyl race track. Drivers, to your cars. Call (800) 284-3580; fax (800) 499-3822; www.silverdolphinbooks.com.
For the even younger at heart, ArtObjects Unlimited, in New York City, offers an adorable line of soft toys, games and books including Born to Be Wild, which contains a book and stuffed animal in a bag. Packaged in clear vinyl carrying cases, colorful dominoes, pull toys, blocks and plush animal sets (complete with pencil and notepad) beg to be toted everywhere. Especially cute are soft animal toys that come either with a pillow, with a baby animal toy or, in the case of Zelephant, with its own book and carrying case. Call (212) 595-7122; fax (212) 595-5786; www.artob.com.
New arrival? The fabulous people at Folkmanis Puppets, in Emeryville, Calif., proudly announce the Baby Folkmanis line of eight high-quality, innovative (and adorable) products for very wee ones—a story-telling finger-puppet glove (for the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle"), a soft ABC puppet book, a group of eating animal puppets (baby beluga eats squid, bear eats salmon, pig eats corn) and a super-soft collection of foot-long animal rattles. How could the rest of us have grown up without these? Call (510) 658-7677; fax (510) 654-7756; www.folkmanis.com.
