New York,
NY (June
2,
2005) --
Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company announces the summer edition of the “Scholastic Kids Trend Report,” a guide to the hottest product trends for children 0-12 years old. A top-of-mind issue for today’s parents is “balance,” and how to ensure that children have a well-rounded summer filled with a combination of activity, learning and fun. Research shows that when reading is incorporated into a child’s summer routine, kids are less likely to experience the “Summer Slide,” the loss of reading achievement caused from being out of school during the summer months. This edition of the Scholastic Kids Trend Report provides the best solutions for achieving a balanced summer, with the hottest trends in books, toys and activities for kids to take on the road, outdoors or indoors. The Scholastic Kids Trend Report and featured products can be accessed online at
www.scholastic.com/trendreport.
“Through daily communication with children, parents, and teachers, Scholastic tracks the hot issues and trends in products that kids love and parents trust,” said Sara Sinek, Scholastic Kids Trend Spotter. “This summer parents are seeking ways to ensure that kids have a well-rounded summer filled with activity, reading and lots of fun.” The Scholastic Kids Trend Report has the best of what is old and new, retro and techno for the summer season.”
On The Road
Today, more and more family vehicles are coming fully equipped with back-seat entertainment centers! The Scholastic Kids Trend Report has low-tech, fun backseat entertainment alternatives to keep kids occupied, learning and having fun so that they’ll forget to ask, “Are we there yet?”
Books in a Cup – Four unique activity books great for the backseat and fits neatly into a cup holder. (Ages 8+, $9.95)
Kids Travel: A Back Seat Survival Guide – This oversized activity book is all kids need to hit the road. (Ages 6+, $19.95)
Klutz Yo-Yo Book – This book highlights the tricks of the trade and comes with a cool yo-yo. (Ages 8+, $12.95)
Great State Geography Game – Kids will love learning about U.S. attractions and landmarks as they travel across the country in this board game. (Ages 7+, $19.99)
Harry Potter Series 1-3 (Books on Tape) – Families can listen to some of their favorite Harry Potter adventures together on the road. (Ages 7+ $35.00-39.95)
Outdoor Fun
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than one in five children in the U.S. is overweight. The summertime is the best time for kids to get into physically active routines with fun outdoor activities. Below are some product trends to get kids active:
For the science and nature enthusiasts:
Science on a Nature Walk – Kids can find treasures, build bug houses, fossilize
animal tracks and more with this kit. (Ages 4+, $24.99)
How to Make Monstrous, Huge, Unbelievably Big Bubbles – Tips for making the biggest and best bubbles are included in this book! (Ages 8+, $16.95)
For the sporting and gaming lovers, these items will have them leaping off the couch:
Moon Shoes – Kids master anti-gravity effects while developing skilled balance and coordination. (Ages 7+, $39.99)
The Klutz Book of Ball Games – With over 25 ball games, there’s something for everyone. (Ages 6+, $14.95)
Animal Croquet Set - Kids will love playing the classic croquet game with an animal twist. (Ages 3+, $29.99)
Radio Flyer All-Terrain Wagon – This classic red wagon is the perfect summer companion. (Ages 18 months +, $179.99)
**Price does not include accessories.
Indoor Fun
In order to prevent kids from experiencing the “Summer Slide,” the common loss of reading achievement level that occurs during the summer months, parents will be seeking to weigh their kids’ time on the computer and watching television, with time for creative crafts and reading.
Media Time:
Dragon Tales Learn and Fly with Dragons CD-ROM – Three different adventures and levels of play great for kids new to math. (Ages 4-6, $19.95)
Everyone Loves Clifford/Good Friends Good Times DVD – This DVD includes 10 fun stories with Clifford that kids will adore. (Ages: 2-5, $14.98)
Touch Chess & Checkers – This hand-held, high-tech PDA game is the perfect partner and tutor for beginner and advanced players. (Ages 8+, $49.95)
Flashlight Readers (
www.scholastic.com/flashlight) - Interactive, online reading club for kids who love books. (Grades 3-5, Free Online)
Craft Time:
Dial with Style – A crafting activity book with everything girls need to decorate their cell phone. (Ages 11+, $12.95)
How to Make Balloon Animals – Everything needed to make fun balloon animals is in this kit. (Ages 8-12, $7.99)
Melty Beads – This classic activity is designed for younger kids to create fun artwork. (Ages 4+, $12.99)
Perfumery – Girls will discover formulas to help boost energy and sleep better with this unique play set. (Ages 6+, $19.95)
Book Time:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling hits bookshelves at midnight on July 16th. The success of the series has spawned a trend of fantasy books in publishing with novels including: The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill (Ages 12+, $19.95);The Land of Elyon Book 1: The Dark Hills Divide by Patrick Carman (Ages 9-12, $11.95) and Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors by Jenny Nimmo (Ages 8-12, $9.95). As the countdown to the new Harry Potter book continues, fans can relive the adventures with the Harry Potter Boxed Set: 1-5 (Ages 9-12, $115.79).
Celebrity Authors continue to be the rage with famous celebs penning titles including, Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy by Jason Alexander (Ages 4-8, $16.95) and Girls Hold Up This World by Jada Pinkett Smith (Ages 4-9, $16.95).
Graphic Novels are a growing new trend in publishing and kids can take a break from schoolbooks with comic books. Comic enthusiasts will love the new “Epic Comic” series called Bone by Jeff Smith! Start with the first book Bone # 1: Out From Boneville (Ages All, $18.95) and look out for 8 more to come!
TV and Movie Tie-Ins in Books are at the top of every child’s list this summer with new blockbuster movies Madagascar and Star Wars hitting theaters. Kids will love to read It’s a Zoo in Here by Michael Steele (Ages 3-5, $3.99) and Star Wars Revenge of the Sith (Ages 9-12, $5.99) by Patricia C. Wrede. Fans of the hit PBS KIDS GO! show Maya & Miguel will love the new chapter and activity books including Maya & Miguel My Twin Brother/My Twin Sister by Crystal Velasquez (Ages 7-10, $3.99).
The Scholastic Kids Trend Report and featured products can be accessed online at
www.scholastic.com/trendreport or by phone at 877-286-0137.