VeggieTales has teamed up with Jibbitz—owned by the Crocs company that has sold more than 100 million shoe charms—to create Bob & Larry Jibbitz charms and Jibbitz shoes, which are available through New Day Christian Distributors. Veggie Jibbitz were introduced at July's International Christian Retail Show.

"Jibbitz has designed a more kid-friendly shoe, removing the holes in the toes, at a more parent-friendly retail, while keeping the same quality material to make the shoe," said Joanna Price, director, marketing & promotions, New Day Christian Distributors. "The Veggie shoe is made by Jibbitz out of Crocs material with the blessing of Crocs company."

Unlined Veggie Jibbitz clogs, which retail for $14.99, are available in children's sizes, 6/7 to 12/13, in red, green, blue and black. But for those in colder climates, lined Bob Jibbitz clogs and lined Larry Jibbitz clogs come in black only and will retail for $5 more, at $19.99. The clogs are retailing at about half the price of other Crocs shoes.

Each shoe comes with two VeggieTales charms. Four additional VeggieTales Jibbitz shoe charm designs are sold separately: Bob & Larry, Jr. & French Peas, Bob 3-D Eyes and Mouth and Larry 3-D Eyes and Mouth. Jibbitz charms come in 10 packs of two each, with a cost to the retailer of $15, and stores are free to set their own retail price.

For more information or to order Veggie Jibbitz products, go to www.newdaychristian.com, or call 800-251-3633.

Inspired by Deuteronomy 6:9, the command to include God's written Word in the home, Swanson Christian Products has just released its new "Inspired Living" vinyl wall art, interior-wall applications that provide a simple and attractive way to decorate home, office or church.

The wall art collection is composed of four scripture verses, six sayings and four art designs with a variety of themes. Most designs come in a choice of black, copper or white accent colors.

From subtle statements to bold scripture sayings, the art includes encouraging phrases such as "May God Bless All Who Share Our Home" and "God will meet all your needs" or statements of faith and exhortation such as "With GOD all things are possible" and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will direct your paths."

For a baby's nursery, the vinyl art is available in white, pink or blue, and has a hands-and-feet design along with the phrase "Bless This Child." A footprints design with the statement "Walk by Faith" also is available.

The art is available in three sizes: 23 by 3 inches ($14.99); 46 by 5 inches ($16.99); and 22 by 13 inches ($19.99). Each selection comes with instructions and applicators to place the vinyl lettering.

Swanson offers stores a display program with a floor spinner containing two of each color of each design (84 pieces in total). The spinner is free with the purchase of the full assortment, or can be purchased separately.

For a catalog or to order, call 800-251-1402, or fax 866-431-1313. For more information, go to www.swansoninc.com.

Home décor company Manual Woodworkers & Weavers is expanding its reach beyond the typical inspirational gift buyer, using expressions of feelings, love, remembrance, family, faith and friends on its products to attract a broader range of customers.

The company has recently introduced two new inspirational product lines that combine a faith-based sentiment with stylish, affordable design elements.

The "Symbols of Faith" metal decorative crosses have become one of the company's best-selling product groupings. Available in eight designs, the crosses feature various colors, shapes and design details.

Each cross can be used as a necklace pendant or bookmark or as ornamentation for display. The crosses measure approximately 2.5 inches wide by 3.25 inches long and come with a coordinating ribbon. The crosses retail for under $7 each.

Another new line just launched is "Gifts of Grace." With bright and colorful contemporary designs, the products in this line go beyond the traditional look and move into a new market for the company—younger consumers."Gifts of Grace" is comprised of a wide range of products—from baby blankets to ceramic platters.

"Gifts of Grace" platters, made to be hung on a wall or displayed in an easel, come in four contemporary designs in colorful palettes. Each platter expresses a sentiment that emphasizes faith, love and happiness. The platters measure 11 inches in diameter and retail for under $8.

The baby products in the line—all available in pink or blue—include throws and travel "blankies" made of the softest fleece with satin bindings. The throws, which retail for $24, measure 30 by 40 inches, and the blankies, with a retail price of $9, are 14 by 14 inches. In addition, baby burp cloths, retailing for $13.50, are 100% cotton and come in a set of two.

Gift-boxed ceramic banks in the "Gifts of Grace" line feature the sentiment "Jesus loves me." The banks—in a blue turtle style for boys or a pink owl style for girls—have a suggested retail price of $12 each.

For more information, visit www.manualww.com. To order, call 800-542-3139.

Doug Adolphson is the gift division director at Manual Woodworkers & Weavers.

In book three of the series, Ambush (978-1-414-32311-4, $6.99), Tyce has to rescue scientists who are trapped in a cave. He also uncovers a devious plot that threatens to overtake their spaceship, the Moon Racer.

In Counterattack (-2-1, $6.99), book four, Tyce and some of the Mars Project's staff are captured and held in a prison, while carrying out a special mission to Earth. In Final Battle (-3-8, $6.99), book five, Tyce threatens to reveal his special talents to the world as he battles the rebels while trying to return to Mars.

Through each adventure, Tyce finds that the mysteries of the red planet point to his greatest discovery—a new relationship with God. Although life on Mars is not always easy, Tyce talks about his growing faith and curiosity in a manner that will appeal to teens.

The final three "Robot Wars" books—key titles in Tyndale's fall juvenile fiction ads—were to be featured in summer reading programs with print and online advertising in Homeschooling Magazine.

"Robot Wars" will also be featured on KidsReads.com's e-newsletter and Web site. In addition, Tyndale is launching a Google AdWord campaign tied to the series to attract mothers looking for fiction titles for their sons and for reluctant readers.

With 280 pages in each book, the "Robot Wars" series is a repackaged and updated version of the "Mars Diaries," which made its debut in October 2000. The first two books in the "Robot Wars" series are Death Trap and Double Cross.

For more information on the "Robot Wars" series, visit www.tyndale.com. To order, contact Tyndale House at 800-323-9400.

Christy Wong is publicity assistant at Tyndale House Publishers.

Karen Kingsbury's book reminds readers that true love is safe

Best-selling novelist Karen Kingsbury's newest children's book explores the themes of inner beauty and devotion. In The Princess and the Three Knights (978-0-310-71641-9, hardcover, $16.99)—to be published next month by Zonderkidz—Kingsbury looks at how beauty is only skin deep, but true love comes from the heart.

Illustrated by Canadian muralist Gabrielle Grimard, The Princess and the Three Knights tells the story of a young man who seeks to win the hand of a beautiful princess. The king is determined to find the one worthy of his daughter, so three knights must endure tests and challenges to show their courage and strength. But those qualities alone will not win the king's approval or the princess's heart. The right knight must prove his kindness and character as well as display true love for the king's daughter.

"Little girls need to know that some friends will keep them safe and some will not," said Kingsbury, whose other children's books include Let Me Hold You Longer (Tyndale House Publishers) as well as Let's Go on a Mommy Date and We Believe in Christmas (both Zonderkidz). "The Princess and the Three Knights is a story intended to show them that friends who truly care about them will give them the best happily ever after."

Kingsbury added that she read the book—written for children ages 4-7—to her teenage daughter's Bible study group. "It brought the room full of girls to tears," she recalled. "Together they agreed, 'This is a message every little girl needs to hear.' "

In addition to a national publicity campaign, the book will be marketed by Zonderkidz in partnerships with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International and Generations of Virtue as well as promotions through the Public Library Association.

To order The Princess and the Three Knights, call Zondervan at 800-226-1122, or go to www.zondervan.com.

Lindsey Rodarmer is associate director of PR at Zonderkidz.

Spiritual guide Joyce Rupp and hospice educator Joyce Hutchison have teamed up to give further advice and comfort to friends and family of the bereaved, who may be at a loss for ways to offer help and encouragement.

Drawing from their understanding of what it means to walk with people through times of grief, the pair provide wisdom and practical insights to assist both caregivers and family members who are dealing with end-of-life issues, in the new edition of May I Walk You Home? (978-1-594-71214-2, $12.95, Ave Maria Press), to be released next month.

Having sold more than 50,000 copies, the book has been reformatted on its 10th anniversary as a resource for professional hospice workers and loved ones caring for someone in their final days. Subtitled "Courage and Comfort for Caregivers of the Very Ill," the 192-page book matches Hutchison's stories with Rupp's prayers.

Ave Maria Press Publicist Amanda Williams said that Hutchison's "experience and empathy" and Rupp's "wisdom and inspiration" combined to help readers "discover the courage necessary to embrace the struggles and rewards of this final companionship."

Also published next month is the companion book, Now That You've Gone Home (978-1-594-71215-9, $12.95, Ave Maria Press), which aims to help readers navigate the bewildering landscape of grief once a loved one has died. The authors also address some of the more complex issues that come with the death of a loved one, including remarriage, and feelings of relief and regret.

For more information or to order May I Walk You Home? or Now That You've Gone Home, call 800-282-1865, or go to www.avemariapress.com.