Stephanie Oppenheim's picks for this holiday season.
I actually agree with MOST of her picks.
I love Biscuit!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
KidKraft Red Retro Kitchen at Costco
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #7
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #7 Baby Genius Toys and Books!
Get a jump start toward MIT from the toy box or book shelf!
Microbes from Think Geek
Pimple
Toxoplasmosis
I HEART GUTS! Plush Organs
Gallbladder
Heart
Alphabet Blocks
Blocks by Xylocopa
A=Appendages
B=Bioengineering
C=Caffeine
Brainy Books: Touch the Art: Feed Matisse's Fish, Brush Mona Lisa's Hair, Make Van Gogh's Bed
Julie Appel (author)
Amy Guglielmo (author)
Sterling 2006
Mudpuppy's Animal ABCs Flash Cards
Also, French/English, Spanish/English, Things That Go and others.
BEGIN SMART BOOKS: What Does Baby Say?
Developmental Book Series grouped by ages 0-6, 6-12months, 12-18months, and 18-24months.
Get a jump start toward MIT from the toy box or book shelf!
Microbes from Think Geek
Pimple
Toxoplasmosis
I HEART GUTS! Plush Organs
Gallbladder
HeartAlphabet Blocks
Blocks by Xylocopa
A=Appendages
B=Bioengineering
C=Caffeine
Brainy Books: Touch the Art: Feed Matisse's Fish, Brush Mona Lisa's Hair, Make Van Gogh's Bed
Julie Appel (author)
Amy Guglielmo (author)
Sterling 2006
Mudpuppy's Animal ABCs Flash Cards
Also, French/English, Spanish/English, Things That Go and others.
BEGIN SMART BOOKS: What Does Baby Say?
Developmental Book Series grouped by ages 0-6, 6-12months, 12-18months, and 18-24months.
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #8
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #8 Busy Hands Toys
Edadame Keychain
Electronic Popping Bubble Wrap Toy Key Chain
Infinite/ Endless Banana
(Anna Banana likes!)
Edadame Keychain
Electronic Popping Bubble Wrap Toy Key Chain
Infinite/ Endless Banana
(Anna Banana likes!)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #9
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #9 Bodily Functions
THE TURDS
From The Turds website:
The
keep you entertained!
2008! The year of the Turd!
Well maybe not officially, but here at Turd HQ were in the year of the Turd Every Year!New for 2008!! New Turds! New Special Editions! New special Turd items you don't even know about yet!! New plans for Turd World domination! NEW! NEW! NEW!
Keep your eyes peeled for updates as and when they come in!
Plop Idol:
Harry Plopper: Count Crapula:
PEE AND POO PLUSH
From the website:
CUTESYPOO PILLOW
at Grumble Toy
DOOKIE-POO
At Chaotic Unicorn
THE TURDS
From The Turds website:
The
keep you entertained!2008! The year of the Turd!
Well maybe not officially, but here at Turd HQ were in the year of the Turd Every Year!New for 2008!! New Turds! New Special Editions! New special Turd items you don't even know about yet!! New plans for Turd World domination! NEW! NEW! NEW!
Keep your eyes peeled for updates as and when they come in!
Plop Idol:
Harry Plopper: Count Crapula:PEE AND POO PLUSH
From the website:
CUTESYPOO PILLOW
at Grumble Toy
DOOKIE-POO
At Chaotic Unicorn
Monday, December 8, 2008
Books, Toys, Etc. Trends 2008 - #10
Books, Toys, Etc. Trend 2008 -
#10 - Kid Friendly
Notice that's Kid-Friendly NOT Eco-Friendly (coming up!)
These are the products I liked this year:
I LOVE VENT
Vent=Vinyl Easy Clean Technology From the very cool website:
Are you fed up with soft toys that seem to end up in the bin as soon as you bought them? Worried about the dirt and grime that builds up on your child's toys? Looking for an asthma friendly soft toy that is fun? Using unique VECT technology we bring you charming soft toys that are asthma friendly and safe for children. Plus they withstand the rigours of life with toddlers! With our soft toy Mr Men, Little Miss and the cute Swobbles range - you will find the perfect soft toy for your own child or for a gift.
BABY-VILLE
You can see the entire line here.
Baby-Ville Activity Ball
LeapFrog Baby Number Cruncher Teether Book By Sassy
NATURAL BABY EAT, PLAY, SPLASH, & SLEEP
Priddy Books
St. Martin's Press February 2008
by Roger Priddy
From the website:
Uniquely shaped, easy to grip board book
#10 - Kid Friendly
Notice that's Kid-Friendly NOT Eco-Friendly (coming up!)
These are the products I liked this year:
I LOVE VENT
Vent=Vinyl Easy Clean Technology
Are you fed up with soft toys that seem to end up in the bin as soon as you bought them? Worried about the dirt and grime that builds up on your child's toys? Looking for an asthma friendly soft toy that is fun? Using unique VECT technology we bring you charming soft toys that are asthma friendly and safe for children. Plus they withstand the rigours of life with toddlers! With our soft toy Mr Men, Little Miss and the cute Swobbles range - you will find the perfect soft toy for your own child or for a gift.
BABY-VILLE
You can see the entire line here.
Baby-Ville Activity Ball
LeapFrog Baby Number Cruncher Teether Book By Sassy
NATURAL BABY EAT, PLAY, SPLASH, & SLEEP
Priddy Books
St. Martin's Press February 2008
by Roger Priddy
From the website:
Uniquely shaped, easy to grip board book
Printed with soy ink, made from natural renewable resources, less pollutant then traditional petroleum-based inks
Combination of recycled paper and paper sourced from sustainable forests
Friday, December 5, 2008
This week on Shelftalker: A Children's Bookseller's Blog, Alison Morris celebrated Build a Bookstore Week.
Since no one was chiming in with Non-Fiction titles, I had to add my favorites:
In response to: Build a Bookstore: Middle Grade Novels & Non-Fiction
Anna M Lewis commented:
In response to: Build a Bookstore: Picture Books (Fiction & Non-Fiction)
Anna M Lewis commented:
In response to: Build a Bookstore: Books for Babies and Toddlers
Anna M Lewis commented:
Since no one was chiming in with Non-Fiction titles, I had to add my favorites:
In response to: Build a Bookstore: Middle Grade Novels & Non-Fiction
Anna M Lewis commented:
Once again, because I HAVE to stand up for the non-fiction books: KID CHAT GONE WILD!, 38 WAYS TO ENTERTAIN YOUR PARENTS ON SUMMER VACATION, HER STORY: A TIMELINE OF THE WOMEN WHO CHANGED AMERICA, SKY'S THE LIMIT: STORIES OF DISCOVERY BY WOMEN AND GIRLS, HOW BRIGHT IS YOUR BRAIN?
In response to: Build a Bookstore: Picture Books (Fiction & Non-Fiction)
Anna M Lewis commented:
Because I HAVE TO stand up for art and non-fiction picture books: FRIDA by Jonah Winter ART IS... by Bob Raczka SEEN ART? by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith THE DOT by Peter H. Reynolds ART UP CLOSE by Claire d'Harcourt
In response to: Build a Bookstore: Books for Babies and Toddlers
Anna M Lewis commented:
The Wheels on the Bus!!!Zelinsky Where's My Teddy, There's a Monster at the End of this Book, Pat the Bunny, Good Dog, Carl
St. Nicholas Day
Tomorrow is St. Nicholas Day which means tonight children put their shoes and lists by the fire for St. Nicholas.
In the morning, the children find their shoes filled with nuts, candies, and gifts, because St. Nicholas visits during the night
My mom grew up in Germany during World War II. St. Nicholas Day was one of the traditions we had growing up. I found nuts, oranges, candies, and books in my shoes.
Tonight, my children are scurrying to finish their lists. St. Nicholas usually leaves them candies, and books or CDs. Oh, and they have to put a huge star next to the item they really, really want for Christmas. The Lewis family will never forget the Giga Pet tragedy of 1997 or the Tekno the Robot Dog fiasco of 2000.
In other St. Nick trivia, my son's Kindergarten teacher was the granddaughter of Lou Prentiss, the first model for the Cola-Cola Santa.
Haddon Sunblom, 1931
I was thinking the other day. I'm surprised the toy/advertising industry hasn't exploited the whole St. Nicholas Day tradition. I mean, TOYS and LISTS? Just ripe for the industry.
Anyone celebrate St. Nicholas Day/Eve?
Get your shoes out there...
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Cool Games for This Holiday Season
The all time favorite game here in the Lewis Household is hands-down:
BLOKUS
I blogged last December how much I love Blokus here.
This are the 10 reasons why I love Blokus:
10. Blokus won the Mensa Select Award.
9. Set up time is under a minute.
8. Play time is 20- 30 minutes!
7. I bought this toy because it was awarded by my good friend, Dr. Toy, as one of the Best Children's Products for 2003.
(Thank you, Stevanne!)
6. The age range on the box says 5+ and, believe me, everyone in my family loves this game.
5. When the winner wins, there is no wild pandemonium, screaming, and crying.
4. No one can actually cheat.
3. The players get to exercise their right-brain! Yay!
2. Ditto last reason!
1. The colors look so cool together!
(Don't tell me those aren't great colors!)
Now, they have a Blokus Giant!!!!
And, a Blokus 3D!!!!
BANANAGRAMS
Fun, educational, & cool game for the whole family!
And, Annas like Bananas!
SQUARE UP!
Don't you just love those colors?!
YOU'VE BEEN SENTENCED
Has won several awards (even from friend, Dr. Toy) so it will be a hit in our house this year.
Knowing my crowd, everyone will be laughing. And, hopefully, there won't be any sore losers.
BLOKUS
I blogged last December how much I love Blokus here.
This are the 10 reasons why I love Blokus:
10. Blokus won the Mensa Select Award.
9. Set up time is under a minute.
8. Play time is 20- 30 minutes!
7. I bought this toy because it was awarded by my good friend, Dr. Toy, as one of the Best Children's Products for 2003.
(Thank you, Stevanne!)
6. The age range on the box says 5+ and, believe me, everyone in my family loves this game.
5. When the winner wins, there is no wild pandemonium, screaming, and crying.
4. No one can actually cheat.
3. The players get to exercise their right-brain! Yay!
2. Ditto last reason!
1. The colors look so cool together!
(Don't tell me those aren't great colors!)
Now, they have a Blokus Giant!!!!
And, a Blokus 3D!!!!
BANANAGRAMS
Fun, educational, & cool game for the whole family!
And, Annas like Bananas!
SQUARE UP!
Don't you just love those colors?!
YOU'VE BEEN SENTENCED
Has won several awards (even from friend, Dr. Toy) so it will be a hit in our house this year.
Knowing my crowd, everyone will be laughing. And, hopefully, there won't be any sore losers.
Top Toys for this Christmas Season
Is it me or are there some great toys this year?
I really haven't been too impressed with many toys in the past five or more years.
Last month, while going through a recent toy catalog, I was rather excited about the new products coming out. This is a little disconcerting. Due to the fact, this past year is the year that toy industry leaders have personally pulled me back into the biz. Yes, I'm playing with the big kids again! And, I'm impressed with my competition!
In the spirit of the "toy season", today starts a daily update on what's new in the toy industry. Just a little taste of what I deem newsworthy for parents, grandparents, toy industry professionals, and creative types!
TIA Announces Nominees for the 2009 TOTY Awards
Here's the link.
I really like several of these toys... and that is saying a lot! Look for future posts for discussions of some of my favs.
iParenting Media Awards 2008 Greatest Products Call - Toys and Games
Here's the link.
Good picks!
Canadian Toy Testing Council - Award-winning Toys 2009
Here's the link.
I really haven't been too impressed with many toys in the past five or more years.
Last month, while going through a recent toy catalog, I was rather excited about the new products coming out. This is a little disconcerting. Due to the fact, this past year is the year that toy industry leaders have personally pulled me back into the biz. Yes, I'm playing with the big kids again! And, I'm impressed with my competition!
In the spirit of the "toy season", today starts a daily update on what's new in the toy industry. Just a little taste of what I deem newsworthy for parents, grandparents, toy industry professionals, and creative types!
TIA Announces Nominees for the 2009 TOTY Awards
Here's the link.
I really like several of these toys... and that is saying a lot! Look for future posts for discussions of some of my favs.
iParenting Media Awards 2008 Greatest Products Call - Toys and Games
Here's the link.
Good picks!
Canadian Toy Testing Council - Award-winning Toys 2009
Here's the link.
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