Pokémon comic books number one

The Pokémon juggernaut keeps rolling along. With the TV show already a megahit with kids, the comic books, published by Viz Communications, have followed suit, recently taking over as the top-selling comic book series in the U.S. VC’s first Pokémon issue, released last fall, has already gone through eight printings. Viz hopes to duplicate that success with the release of several new titles this fall, which will kick off with the graphics-heavy novel The Electric Tale of Pikachu (US$12.95) in August. In addition, four children’s books (Charmander Sees a Ghost, Come Out Squirtle!, Bulbasaur’s Trouble and Pikachu’s Day) will all hit shelves at US$4.95 in September, along with Pokémon Origami for US$8.95 and Let’s Find Pokémon (the Pokémon Where’s Waldo) for US$11.95.

Toy Sory 2 publications upcoming

A new line of Toy Story 2 books from Golden Books is due out in September, prior to the Disney/Pixar film release in November. The three story books (Toy Story 2, Woody’s Round-Up and Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger) will be available at US$3.29 each. Also available in September are a collection of Golden Books Toy Story 2 coloring and activity books ranging from US$1.99 to US$4.99, and Toy Story 2 Fun Kit, which includes an assortment of activity books, for US$11.99.

Bear in the Big Blue House sniffers

Two new titles from Jim Henson’s Bear in the Big Blue House are being released by Simon & Schuster in August. What’s That Smell? is a `Lift-and-Sniff’ featuring a surprise gift (US$9.99), while A Birthday Surprise (US$3.99) is a stickerbook that comes with a coupon for a free trial of the kid-safe JuniorNet on-line service.