The Mattel Archive

The Mattel Archive 

by Ynon Kreiz 

Language: English 

New York: Rizzoli International Publications, 2025. 

352 pages : illustrations ; 31 cm. 

ISBN: 9780847875894, 084787589X 

Summary: "Celebrating eighty years of the most influential toy company in the world, this landmark publication is a captivating journey through the vibrant history of Mattel, a name synonymous with imagination and creativity for generations. Beautifully illustrated with full pages from Mattel's original printed catalogs--design objects in themselves, with a wealth of imagery and typography that reflects the style of each passing decade--the book chronicles the evolution of the company from its humble beginnings in 1945 to its status today as a global leader in the toy industry. Encompassing the evolution of a remarkable archive of toys with special focus on those universal icons of childhood, Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Fisher-Price, the book reveals behind-the-scenes stories of the visionaries who brought these toys to life, and explores the cultural impact they have had on children and families worldwide."

100 Manga Artists

100 Manga Artists 

Language: English 

Köln: Taschen, 2025. 

574 pages : chiefly illustrations (some color) ; 23 cm. 

ISBN: 9783836599931, 3836599937 

Summary: Discover the latest and the greatest of Japan’s manga scene. This extensive overview features classic maestros like Osamu Tezuka (creator of Astro Boy) and Katsuhiro Otomo (creator of Akira) as well as the most exciting newcomers and, of course, their fictional superstars.

History of Information Graphics

History of Information Graphics 

by Sandra Rendgen, Nigel Holmes, Simon Rogers, Richard Saul Wurman, Paolo Ciuccarelli, Julius Wiedemann 

Language: English 

Koln: Taschen, 2025. 

479 pages (including 8 folded leaves), 1 unnumbered page : illustrations (chiefly color), facsimiles, color graphs, maps (chiefly color), portraits ; 33 cm. 

ISBN: 9783836599665, 383659966X 

Summary: In the age of big data and digital distribution, when news travel ever further and faster and media outlets compete for a fleeting slice of online attention, information graphics have swept center stage. At once nuanced and neat, they distill abstract ideas, complex statistics, and cutting-edge discoveries into succinct, compelling, and masterful designs. Cartographers, programmers, statisticians, designers, scientists, and journalists have developed a new field of expertise in visualizing knowledge.

Cult Sneakers: Discover the Stories of the most Iconic & Rare Designs

Cult Sneakers: Discover the Stories of the most Iconic & Rare Designs 

by Tonton Gibs 

Language: English 

Cassell, 2025. 280 p. : col. ill. 

ISBN: 9781788406307, 1788406303 

Summary: Discover the legendary stories behind the most iconic sneakers and collaborations in history. From trailblazing OG models to groundbreaking partnerships, this book explores the masterpieces of leading brands like Adidas, Nike, Bape, Le Coq Sportif, Puma, Diadora, Saucony, and more.

Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design

Art & Sole: Contemporary Sneaker Art & Design 

Language: English 

London: Laurence King Publishing, 2025. 

304 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm. 

ISBN: 9781399624138, 139962413X 

Summary: Art & Sole explores the creative heart of sneaker culture, celebrating the best and most original rarities and sought-after artist collaborations ever made. These sneakers are often crafted in limited runs with cutting-edge materials, innovative designs and bespoke packaging. Completely revised and fully updated, this edition includes over 40 new artists and more than 400 new images of highly collectible editions. Brands featured include Nike, adidas, Converse, Vans, New Balance, Reebok and Puma - along with the artist and designers who have collaborated with them, such as Virgil Abloh, FUTURA, Nicole McLaughlin, Geoff McFetridge, Parra, Shantell Martin and KAWS. --Amazon

Toilets of the World: 100 Strange and Spectacular Thrones, Commodes, Loos, and Latrines

Toilets of the World: 100 Strange and Spectacular Thrones, Commodes, Loos, and Latrines 

Language: English 

Lonely Planet, 2025. 

144 p. : col. ill. 

ISBN: 9781837585847, 1837585849 

Summary: Discover 100 lavish lavatories and outstanding outhouses that offer a window to our world. From Tokyo's transparent public toilets to the sand-swept privy in the Namib desert and a barren bog on Bolivia's Altiplano, each commode features a fun illustration, photo and description proving that beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places…

Reviews: National Geographic Traveler

Photo Ark Babies: Growing Up in the Animal World

Photo Ark Babies: Growing Up in the Animal World 

by Joel Sartore 

Language: English 

Washington, DC: National Geographic, 2025. 

206 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 23 cm. 

ISBN: 9781426224065, 1426224060 

Summary: "This adorable collection in Joel Sartore's Photo Ark series highlights youngsters in the animal kingdom"-- Provided by publisher

Motorcycle

Motorcycle: The Definitive Visual History

Language: English 

New York, NY: DK Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House, 2025. 

320 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 29 cm. 

ISBN: 9780593963609, 0593963601 

Summary: "Tracing the history and allure of the motorcycle, this book illustrates the diverse spectrum of bikes from the earliest prototypes to battery-powered machines of the modern age. It showcases motorcycles in all their forms, from humble scooters that offer mobility to the masses, the scramblers and racers that delight enthusiasts, to the iconic choppers and cruisers that can cross continents. Motorcycle tells the fascinating stories behind the world's leading manufacturers, the roles played by their influential designers and engineers, and their milestone models. It not only charts the technological developments of motorcycles but also the cultural backdrop against which the various models arose and their impact on society--as objects of curiosity, affordable means of transportation, symbols of rebellion, or the first choice for full-throttle action on the road, trail, or track. Fully updated to include the latest models from around the world and cutting-edge innovations, this new edition features over 1,000 must-see machines, with models from ACE to Zündapp. It is the ideal read for motorcycle and motorsport enthusiasts, whether they're a biker themselves or an armchair devotee."--Amazon

Reviews: Wall Street Journal

The Moon: From Imagination to Exploration

The Moon: From Imagination to Exploration 

by Adrian West 

Language: English New York, NY: DK Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, 2025. 

255 pages color illustrations 29 cm. 

ISBN: 9780593966709, 0593966708 

Summary: "The Moon is a beautifully illustrated account of our lunar neighbor in all its guises: a guiding light in the night sky, the driver of oceanic tides and natural cycles, the subject of exhaustive scientific study, and an enduring influence in literature, art, and popular culture. Exploring theories for the Moon's origins around 4.5 billion years ago, the book charts its influence on the calendar systems and mythologies of early societies, and its role in the invention of the telescope and the science-fiction genre. It tells the incredible story of the Cold War space race and the first Moon landings. Specially commissioned illustrations capture the Moon's phases and motions in vivid detail, while stunning photography and artefacts bring the rich history of lunar observation and exploration to life. The last chapter of the book features extensive coverage of NASA's Artemis mission to return astronauts to the lunar landscape in 2026, paving the way for future missions to Mars. The book also includes a guide to observing the Moon, complete with annotated maps and profiles of key physical features such as Tycho Crater and the Sea of Tranquility. Straddling science, culture, and history across the world, The Moon is a captivating and richly informative celebration."-- Amazon.com

National Geographic Book of Magic and the Occult: A Visual History

National Geographic Book of Magic and the Occult: A Visual History 

Language: English 

Washington, D.C. : National Geographic, 2025. 

355 pages : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 26 cm. 

ISBN: 9781426224010, 142622401X 

Summary: "National Geographic conjures up a bewitching guide to the world of magic, witchcraft, and the occult from past to present"-- Provided by publisher