Anna M. Lewis

Thursday, December 31, 2009

Let the New Year's Eve games begin!

Let the New Year's Eve games begin!

Posted using ShareThis

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Zhu Zhu pets hot for wish lists

From my National Children's Toys Examiner page:

When Toys “R” Us announced their 2009 Hot Holiday Toy List last week, one toy on the list was not a surprise. Zhu Zhu Pets by Cepia (formerly called Go Go Pets) were first released this past May with a launch in Phoenix AZ. I loved the video. I loved the idea. I wanted a Zhu Zhu Pet Hamster!

From a mom’s perspective, Zhu Zhu hamsters are great because:

Zhu Zhu’s don’t bite. One story that will go down in Lewis family history is the year #1 son had to have a hamster. Begging, pleading, crying ensued for months. “I promise to take care of the hamster.” “It will show how responsible I can be.” Thinking back, I remember that the obsession started when son became fascinated by a hamster named Hamtaro. He had Hamtaro children’s books and loved the Hamtaro TV show. Who wouldn’t want a little friend to play with? But the first time my son took his new best friend out of his cage, “Butterfinger” bit him.
Zhu Zhu hamsters don’t need to have their cages cleaned out. Yes, because “Butterfinger” was a biter, he didn’t get his cage cleaned out on a regular basis. Which led to the next reason Zhu Zhu’s are great.
Zhu Zhu hamsters don’t die. Within three months, Butterfinger got tail rot or wet tail and eventually died. The average life span of a hamster is two years.
Zhu Zhu hamsters are not too expensive.

From a toy inventor’s perspective, Zhu Zhu hamsters are great because:

They appeal to both girls and boys.
They have a long age span appeal. I see four year olds and 14 year olds loving this toy.
They have a wide-open play pattern for creative play.

AT THIS MOMENT (10 am October 3, 2009)
Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters hold all but one the top 15 spots on the Amazon Toys & Games Sales Rank. That’s amazing!
#1 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Pipsqueek - Yellow
#2 Zu Zhu Pets Hamster Mr. Squiggles - Light Brown
#3 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster NumNums
#4 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Chunk - White
#5 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Funhouse
#6 Zhu Zhu Pets Adventure Ball
#7 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster 2 Pack
#8 Zhu Zhu Pets Add On Garage
#9 Zhu Zhu Pets Add On Hamster Wheel
#11 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Accessory Kit Carrier & Blanket
#12 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster 2 Pack
#13 Zhu Zhu Pets Hamster Deluxe Accessory Kit Surfboard & Sleep Dome
#14 Zhu Zhu Pets Add On Ramp and Slide
#15 Zhu Zhu Ppets Hamster Blanket & Bed
Curious which toy is the only non-Zhu Zhu toy on the top 15 list?
#10 Bananagrams
I love Bananagrams!

The word on the street is that many stores are sold out of this toy and there are long lines at stores as the delivery truck pulls up. Looks like a few children won’t be getting Zhu Zhu Hamsters for Christmas.

For the rest of this article, go to my National Children's Toys Examiner page.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

ekzdturmfv

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Don't forget the beach toys

In the crazed madness to pack for summer vacation, why is it that the one thing we forget to pack is the beach toys? There’s a reason why beachside restaurants sell the kiddie lunches in a pail with a shovel. Parents forgot to pack the beach toys and now have to collect all the buckets they can find.

So, let’s get inspired now before the last minute packing whirlwind begins.

Grandparent Hint: if you live near the beach, wouldn’t some of these beach toys make the perfect surprise for a grandchild after a long trip? Especially since they were probably accidently left behind.

From iPlay:

Beach Builder Create-A-Castle

Beach Builder Construct-A-Kingdom

Beach Builder Sculptor Set

Comes altogether in a nice handled bag. Easy to throw in car and tote down to the beach. All the tools you need to use your imagination in the sand.

Green Toys Sand Play Set
I love the design and quality of the entire line of Green Toys.
Made in the U.S.A. from recycled plastic milk containers.

Sandcastle In A Box (Hardcover)
by Ted Siebert
For serious castlebuilders:
Book explains how to build towers, windows, stairs, moats, and other classic sandcastle features-even a dragon! Kit includes skewer stick for detailed outlining, small shovel, window template, cylinder mold for tube shapes, palette knife with rounded tip, funnel for tower's top, turret flags, a brush and straw for whisking away loose sand, and a plastic tool bag.

Sandcastles Made Simple:

Step-by-Step Instructions, Tips, and Tricks for Building Sensational Sand Creations (Paperback)
by Lucinda Wierenga
Stewart, Tabori & Chang May 2009
If this doesn’t inspire, I don’t know what will.
I’ve been waiting for this book to come out in paperback!

Some websites for more information:
From Today’s Parent:
How to Make a Sandcastle
Essential skills for a summer of fun
Jeffrey Lee (adapted from his book "Catch a Fish, Throw a Ball, Fly a Kite: 21 Timeless Skills Every Child Should Know")

Kid’s Turn Central
Sand Castle Building Online for more links

And, of course, the first item packed is the sunscreen, so you’ll have plenty of protection on hand for fun in the sun!

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Celebration

This year we celebrate two fantastic events around the award-winning classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. First, on June 24th was Eric Carle’s 80th birthday! Lori Calabrese, the fabulous Children’s Book Examiner, wrote the perfect article last week all about the celebration, complete with links on how to wish Mr. Carle a great birthday. Second, The Very Hungry Caterpillar celebrates 40 years since it was first published!

There are several The Very Hungry Caterpillar celebrations around the world this year. The wonderful Eric Carle website is full of everything you would want to know - with loads of fun things for kids to do, too!

Fun facts about Eric Carle and The Very Hungry Caterpillar:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar has been translated into more than 47 languages and sold over 29 million copies, that’s one book every 30 seconds.
Carle graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart.
Carle’s first book was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Carle has published more than 70 children’s books, so far.
Carle got the idea for The Very Hungry Caterpiller from a hole puncher.
"One day I was punching holes with a hole puncher into a stack of paper, and I thought of a bookworm and so I created a story called "A Week with Willi the Worm". Then my editor suggested a caterpillar instead and I said "Butterfly!" That's how it began," he said.
To celebrate the first day of spring 2009, Google changed it’s main page logo to a cool The Very Hungry Caterpillar logo. All the Google holiday-themed logos.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art was created in 2002 by Mr. Carle and his wife, Bobbie, and is located in Amhearst MA. The museum showcases the work of several national and international picture book artists. Check out their fun site for lots of information and resources.
Eric Carle products based on his books and art: Greeting cards, fabrics, stickers, games, dinnerware, activities, stationary, toys, plush, and many, many more products. The toy category includes bath toys, games, activities, plush, puppets, baby toys, blocks, puzzles, and more.

Ty’s Toy Box: (From the Eric Carle website)

An online shop for licensed Eric Carle merchandise including: books, stationery, plush, puppets, games, décor, and more. Shop for your favorite Eric Carle characters, such as Brown Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Grouchy Lady Bug, and Panda Bear.

The perfect gift for a baby, toddler, or preschooler is a combination of classic children’s book paired with a toy. The connections made by the book with the toy increase the entire story experience. Also, the time shared by parent and child with the toy is priceless, and older siblings can also interact to make the experience an entire family affair.

Here are just a few of the many Eric Carle children’s toys available.

Eric Carle Stacking Ring