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Girl Powered Gifts

Book-plus and novelty kits to dazzle and delight

By Karyn M. Peterson -- Gifts and Dec, 5/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

No category of children’s book is more at home at toy and gift stores than the so-called “book-plus” and novelty collections that more publishers are developing each year. They run the gamut from science to arts & crafts and beyond, offering kids both a literary experience as well as a hands-on one in a tidy, shelf-ready package. Here are some of our recent favorites geared especially to girls. [Look for boys’ picks in our next issue!

Author Jean Mahoney and illustrator Viola Anne Seddon’s The Sleeping Beauty Ballet Theater, for ages 4 to 8, features a miniature foldout theater plus everything else young dance fans need to restage the classic ballet, including changeable scenery and backdrops, nine twirling figures plus a supporting cast, an audio CD with selections from the classical Tchaikovsky musical score and a book that includes the full story as well as complete stage directions. ($24.99) Candlewick, Cambridge, Mass.

Paper Fashions Fantasy, for ages 9 to 12, follows up on Klutz’ popular Paper Fashions and Paper Fashions Fancy titles with an imaginative new twist on haute couture. It features photos of actual runway fashions inspired by the world of fantasy, and a kit with everything needed for girls to design an entire wardrobe—from princess dresses to fairy finery—including special papers, stencils, glitter glue and tiny display hangers. ($21.95) Klutz, Palo Alto, Calif.

Elizabeth Allen’s Model Masters: Horses, for ages 9 to 12, is the ultimate book-plus kit for young horse-lovers. It features a 32-page deluxe hardcover book filled with fascinating facts and full-color illustrations about different breeds and the history of horses, horseback riding and horsemanship, plus four horse models to paint and display, a brush, paints and easy painting instructions. ($19.95) Silver Dolphin Books, Berkeley, Calif.

Hello Kitty Hello Pen Pal!, for ages 4 to 8, is an all-in-one letter writing kit that includes an adorable storybook starring the beloved character, plus 25 pieces of Hello Kitty stationery, 12 envelopes, five sticker sheets and two glitter pens. Girls can read along with the story as Kitty writes a letter to her pen pal with her favorite pen, decorates it with stickers and brings it to the mailbox; once inspired, they can try writing some letters themselves. ($14.95) Abrams Books, New York.

Sprout Your Own Sweet Scents invites kids ages 9 to 12 to grow their own fragrant plants in as little as two weeks. It includes see-through biodegradable planters; cinnamon basil, lemon balm and spearmint seeds; dried peat pellets; decorative stickers; and a book with plant history info, science experiments, herb-drying instructions, recipes and much more. ($18.99) Chronicle Books, San Francisco.

3-D Studio: Play With Punch-out Art and Foam Squares to Make Projects That Pop!, for ages 9 to 12, teaches girls all about pop-up arts & crafts. The book features step-by-step instructions for stacking images to make 3-D scenes, while the kit offers tons of craft supplies, including punch-out art and greeting tags, foam sheets, gift labels, 10 note cards, four mini-easels, colorful string and sparkling jewels. ($17.95) American Girl, Middleton, Wis.

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