The Promises of Love mug (6-67665-18980-0) offers the assurance that nothing can separate us from God's love. The Promises of Joy mug (-1-7) proclaims the joy of the Lord is our strength. The Promises of Hope mug (-2-4) gently reminds us that our hope is in Him. The Promises of Peace mug (-3-1) focuses on the classic 23rd Psalm. The mugs retail for $11.99 each.

Each 14-ounce mug features a background of 15 to 20 promise-themed verses that point back to the title of the mug. They come in pastel colors—pink, yellow, green and blue—with the title and the theme verse in chocolate brown.

As an added feature, the mugs come with 10 Promise Scripture cards with devotionals on the back.

"If customers choose to give a mug as a gift, they will appreciate that each mug comes packaged in an attractive acetate box that showcases the mug and the cards in an appealing way," said Amelia Nizynski, the company's director of marketing.

For more information, visit www.lcpgifts.com. To order, call 888-477-4031.

"This is our most extensive release of new designs in quite some time," said Rob LeClair, the company's founder and president. "The last few years have been somewhat of a 'bear market' for the plush industry, but over the past few months, we've seen an increased demand for our products.

"In the current economic environment, the under-$10 gift category has become significant for many retailers. These new bears fall right into that category and are some of the best we've ever produced."

The "Beary Special" line includes new designs in HolyBears' "Family Blessings" and "Community Bears" series, such as A Special Mom (7-93028-60020-7), A Special Teacher (-095-5) and A Special Friend (-185-3). The launch also includes redesigns of some of HolyBears' most popular styles such as I Love You (-005-4), Too Blessed to Be Stressed (-230-0), Jesus Loves Me (UPC not available) and the I Love Jesus HolyLamb (UPC not available). More "Beary Special" bears will be released early next year. All are retail-priced at $8.95 each.

The bears are about 9 inches and feature HolyBears embroidery on the chest and its trademarked "halo" on the footpad. Each polybagged bear comes with the HolyBears eartag and a hangtag with scripture.

There is no minimum order, and discounts and free shipping will be offered, depending on quantities ordered. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., call 877-922-BEARS (3277) or visit www.holybears.com.

After five years of developing the most popular Christian posters in the industry, Slingshot Publishing—formerly known as World Christian Posters—has changed its name and is expanding its product offerings for the youth demographic. The company recently introduced eight new product lines in time for the Christmas season.

Slingshot Publishing President Mike Clark aims to help fill a market niche in gifts for pre-teen to young adults. Using designs that speak to the culture of Generation Y, those born in the '80s and '90s, the company hires young designers and licenses designs from popular youth-oriented companies such as NOTW, Gardenfire and Inherit the Mirth and from music artists like Relient K, Skillet, Red, Underoath, and Casting Crowns.

Among the products just launched are Christian-themed laptop skins, for which the company has seen great demand. The removable stickers for the top lid of laptops have exploded in popularity in the general market. While the retail average for such a product is $20 to $30, Slingshot's suggested retail price is $12.99.

Modeled after the general market brand Fathead's sports figure decals, Slingshot's 8-by-12-inch vinyl decals are removable and can be used on walls, lockers, binders and mirrors. They feature such designs as iPray and God's Girl, and retail for $6.99 each.

New contemporary-style tumblers include I Love Jesus A Latte and the Make a Joyful Noise guitar design. The tumblers have a spill-resistant flip-top lid. In the general market, these sell for $12-20, but Slingshot's retail price is $11.99.

Slingshot also now offers 24-by-36-inch poster art on a canvas with a number of framing options with or without glass. The framed art—for churches, homes or offices—retails for $40 to $65.

Modeling the general market youth trend of putting three popular buttons on a merchandising card, Slingshot's Button Packs retail for $3.99 each.

Magnets and stickers featuring the company's top designs retail for $2.49 each. Retailers might suggest the 2.5-by-5-inch magnets to students for their lockers or college-dorm refrigerators or the 3.5-by-6-inch stickers for skateboards, binders and cases.

Slingshot, the Bible Bookcase is a wooden puzzle that enables users to learn the books of the Bible. Available in a pine or oak finish, the puzzle retails for $49.99.

For more information, call 705-739-6277, or visit www.slingshotpublishing.com/catalogue. Stores may mention this article and receive an additional discount on first orders.

Designed for children ages 6 to 10, the 144-page hardbound book features whimsical drawings and lyrical language of the lives of characters such as Cain and Abel, Ruth and John the Baptist.

Written by Rhona Davies and illustrated by Maria Cristina Lo Cascio, Beloved Bible Stories features an index of Scripture references and a presentation page for gifting.

David C. Cook also released three new editions of its popular "Baby Bible" series titles last month. Updated and featuring new color pictures, the books—designed for toddlers—feature a parent guide, a prayer at the end of each story, suggested actions and sounds to help bring the stories to life.

Written by Robin Currie and illustrated by Constanza Basaluzzo, The Baby Bible ABCs (978-1-434-76542-0, $9.99) combines favorite Bible stories with actions and hand motions, as a child begins to relate to the alphabet.
The Baby Bible Animals (-1-3, $9.99)—also written by Currie and illustrated by Basaluzzo—introduces toddlers to animals through stories such as Jonah and the big fish.

Written by Elisa Stanford and illustrated by Basaluzzo, The Baby Bible 1, 2, 3 (-0-6, $9.99) teaches simple lessons in numbers and counting through stories, including 10 "rules" or commandments.

To order, call David C. Cook at 800-323-7543, or go to www.DavidCCook.com.

Karen Stoller is associate marketing manager of trade books and study resources for David C. Cook.

The latest offering from children's market consultant and best-selling author Mary Manz Simon's "Read and Learn" series channels a young child's anticipation into simple activities to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Released this month by Little Shepherd Books, an imprint of Scholastic, My First Read and Learn Countdown to Christmas (978-0-545-16509-9, $9.99) offers families a Christ-centered walk to the manger. A brief devotional thought, Scripture selection, short prayer and fun activity are offered for each day from Dec. 1 to Dec. 25, with the aim of helping families focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

The content for the 26-page board book, which is illustrated by Siobhan Harrison, is developmentally appropriate and written for children ages 3-8. Activity ideas include tying jingle bells onto shoes as a reminder that Christmas is coming and flicking a flashlight in a dark room while repeating the message of the angels, "Don't be afraid."

An ornament strip along each page helps a child visually track the days until Christmas, while colorful illustrations create visual appeal. To help a family move beyond the commercial clutter of Christmas, the birth of Christ is highlighted in a rhythmic verse repeated on every page: "I'm ready and I'm waiting to shout it's Christmas Day! It's almost Jesus' birthday, I'm counting down each day."

Although "home for the holidays" reflects a traditional value, the author believes that sentiment will have new meaning this year as parents thank God for helping them survive the international economic crisis. The book offers ideas to redirect the sometimes—uncontrolled anticipation of the holiday into meaningful gatherings.

"Research shows that parents are looking for ways to maximize their time and develop deeper relationships," said Simon.

Her new book "offers the opportunity in a fun, easy-to-use format for family members to connect with one another and with Jesus," she said. "It's also a helpful starting point for parents who have been wanting to try regular family devotions, but don't know how or where to start."

The first two books in the series are My First Read and Learn Favorite Bible Verses (978-0-545-02509-6) and My First Read and Learn Book of Prayers (978-0-439-90632-6).

For more information, visit www.scholastic.com. To order, call 800-242-7737.

Sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts will take an interest in the new NIV Waterproof Bible and the NIV Waterproof Bible: Sportsman's Edition, both of which released Sept. 14 from Bardin & Marsee Publishing. Both feature the New International Version text and waterproof pages to keep the Bible from being damaged in outside conditions. The NIV Waterproof Bible comes in a choice of blue or pink softcover, while the NIV Waterproof Bible: Sportsman's Edition features a camouflage pattern and additional features such as hymns and devotions for sportsmen. The Bibles retail for $39.95 each.

HarperOne is releasing The Pink Ribbon Bible this month, preceding National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. One dollar from each Bible sold will go toward Pink Ribbon Girls, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breast cancer awareness, education, early detection and support. The Bible uses the New Revised Standard Version, and features a presentation page for gift-giving, a thinline compact size and an Italian Nu Tone cover with pink ribbon. The limited-edition Bible will retail for $24.99.

Thomas Nelson released the NKJV Personal Size Giant Print Reference Bible, Designer Series on Sept. 15. The personal-size Bible includes the New King James Version translation with read—along references, an eight—page color map section, a concordance and the words of Christ in red. It is available in a white/teal designer cover design or a brown bonded leather for $39.99 each.

The English Standard Version provides the text for the ESV Minister's Bible, arriving this month from Hendrickson Publishers. The Bible features hand-sewn binding and pastoral care resources, including a practical guide to visitation; sample wedding, baptismal and funeral services; key Bible promises; Scripture references to answer tough questions; and a detailed step-by-step plan of salvation. Preaching and teaching aids include a concordance, cross-references and full-color maps. The Bible releases in genuine black or burgundy leather for $69.95 each or a deluxe black leather hand-bound edition for $199.

Tyndale House Publishers will release The Holy Bible: Mosaic NLT on Oct. 1. Described as a "new genre of Bible," it is divided into weekly meditative chapters that include scriptures aligned with the church seasons, along with historical and contemporary writings, full-color artwork, quotes, hymns, prayers and poems. Additional features include a dictionary/concordance and a New Living Translation word study system with Hebrew/Greek dictionary. The Bible will also include access to an online community and content. The hardcover version will retail for $29.99 and an antique brown leather—like cover for $49.99.