My children are all taught that most of life is full of non-gender roles.

What I used to call policemen, are now police officers. Teachers are male and female as can be presidents and military officials.

So when given the chance to take my toddler girls outside of the realm of their traditional apron and kitchen playtime as they normally have, (I got them a kitchen, pots pans and matching aprons) it was wonderful to give them these cute outfits to expand their playtime.

They have spent hours pretending to talk on their radios and “answer” emergencies like, fires in the kitchen and the backyard full of burglars.

The outfits are simple, comfortable and will last many years of hard play. They are not plastic like most other costumes for play, they are sturdy and filled with pockets (That you can put a badge in) cute designs that look like hand cuffs and a police scanner. These long shirts are a soft fabric and made large so kids won’t stretch them out.

• Velcro tabs make it easy to put on and take off
• Great silkscreened graphics
• One Size fits most 3-5 years old

Let your imagination run wild with these great dress-up clothes.

The other bonus to these costumes is my girls can play with my boyfriend’s son, because it’s not cool to be six years old, and trying to play princess with the girls. Sometimes you just need a cool shirt!!

BUY IT : If you are looking for a police officer or Fireman outfit (or any other career outfit), they are available from Aeromax Toys through Amazon.com.

WIN IT : Thanks to Aeromax Toys, one lucky winner will get to pick TWO My 1st Career Gears. To enter for a chance to win, here’s what you need to do:

• One mandatory entry – Pay a visit to their  My 1st Career Gear page at Amazon and pick your favourite two gears
• Two additional entry – Follow us on twitter and tweet this giveaway “Win TWO My 1st Career Gears at Parentreviewers.com” with a link back to this post. Please leave an additional comment including your twitter id and your tweet url. You can do this daily until the giveaway closes.
• Two Additional Entries- Post this on FB and share this piece of good news with your friends!!!! Let us know if you’re a fan too!
• FIVE Additional Entries – Leave a comment in one of our parenting article and come back here and tell us which article you had commented on.
• Giveaway is open to US  shipping addresses only.
• Giveaway ends November 28th (11:59pm) and a winner will be picked using Random.org. We will not be emailing winners, so please make sure you subscribe to our feed or check back here for the winner announcement post.

Disclosure of Material Connection : http://cmp.ly/2

Sometime last year, we had the opportunity to review a wonderful baby sling called the Sleepy Wrap, which was given the thumbs up by the majority of our parent reviewers. The same company,  NAP, Inc.  recently introduced The Sleepy Bear, their very first stuffed toy to help promote babywearing! 

Mommies and daddies will be pleased to learn that the Sleepy Bear is made from the softest organic cotton, making it the perfect toy for your little child to cuddle. Safety wise, parents can also be assured that there is no risk of choking hazards as there are no buttons, snaps or removable parts used on the Sleepy Bear.

BUY IT :  Retailing at $29.95, the Sleepy Bear is available exclusively for purchase through the retailers listed below:

Canada
Tadpoles & Butterflies Sherwood Park, Alberta CANADA info@tadpoles.ca www.tadpoles.ca 1.888.312.6554	The Extraordinary Baby Shoppe 1131 Wellington Street W, Ontario CANADA 900 King Street West, Ontario CANADA spearso@bellnet.ca http://www.extraordinarybabyshoppe.com 613.321.7249
USA
Heavenly Hold 510 Briarfield Crossing| Marietta, GA amber@heavenlyhold.com www.heavenlyhold.com 404.849.5394  Supermommy’s Superstore 2411 Ring Road, Suite 105 Elizabethtown, KY info@supermommyssuperstore.com www.SupermommysSuperstore.com 270.769.6693   Sweet Infant 1007 S. Country Club Rd. Lovington, NM support@sweetinfant.com www.sweetinfant.com 575.441.3005   Oregon Soap Shoppe 91C South Daysville Road Oregon, IL glcamling@aol.com www.OregonSoapShoppe.com 866-411-6614	Nurtured Family 8525 Jackrabbit Rd., Suite B Houston, TX support@nurturedfamily.com www.nurturedfamily.com 832.239.5140  Baby Carriers-n-More 265 W Cimmarron Way Erda, UT robyn@babycarriersnmore.com www.babycarriersnmore.com 801.671.5740   Attached to Baby Seattle, WA sara@attachedtobaby.com www.attachedtobaby.com 800.887.1461

Some of our parent reviewers were sent the Sleepy Bear to “test drive” with their children. Check out how the Sleepy Bear fared:

3 Kids And Us -The Sleepy Bear doubles as a little role model for your children. While it’s fun to play with, this plush toy also gives a great example of just how cuddly babywearing can be. The baby bear is all wrapped up next to mommy bear in a play version of the Sleepy Wrap Organic Khaki Wrap.

5 Vinez Monkeys – As I’ve already mentioned, Lucy is in love with this bear. “Suzy” now goes everywhere with her. (Suzy is what she named the Mama bear.) And when Suzy isn’t in Lucy’s arms, “Peanut” – the baby bear – is in the sling which is tied around Lucy. You see, Lucy didn’t want just Suzy to have all the fun wearing the baby bear. She wants to wear Peanut around her chest, too. The wrap is so soft, and with a little creativity, we’re able to get it on Lucy so that she can carry Peanut around with her wherever she goes – much like I do with Parker.

Come Shop With WhoIsBaby – Firstly, I really like the two colors coordination that made up the Organic Sleepy Bear. Its colors are neutral and suitable for boys and girls. The stuff animal is made of 100% softest organic cotton. This eco-friendly teddy is just the right size for my son’s age, not too small to give a big hug to. Most importantly, there is no loose material that was used in making this Organic Sleepy Bear. The eyes, nose and mouth are made of soft stitching and there is no buttons or snaps. It is the safest stuff animal you can give to your children without worrying they may accidentally choke on any removable parts. I think every child would love to be the owner of this bear.

Mom Most Traveled – Not only is the little teddy sling organic, the entire toy is 100% organic and has stitched-on features, making it devoid of choking hazards.

Besides the cuteness, I think the ability to take the baby bear in and out of Sleepy Bear’s sling is what makes this toy engaging.

Happy Healthy Families – So when Sleepy Bear arrived at our house, my kids had to wait for MOM to snuggle with this adorable toy first, and of course unwrap and re-wrap the baby bear, hehe. But then I played fair and shared. The boys, being boys, I assumed might lose interest quickly. But to my surprise, my five year old especially loves Sleepy Bear.

Moody Mama Says – The Sleepy Bear is safe for babies because there are no removable parts. The eyes, nose, and mouth are all sewn on so that curious little hands will have nothing to pull off. The Sleepy Bear is also 100% organic. It is wearing the Sleepy Wrap Organic Khaki Wrap which is available in the full size for mom’s here.

Blog Mania – The Sleepy Bear is designed to teach small children about baby-wearing. It is an excellent toy for a todder / preschooler who is already or is soon to be a new big brother or big sister. It presents the concept of mom caring for another child through play.

Sewing Mom – I love the way she is carrying her little baby bear in an all organic Sleepy Wrap, snuggled up so close for safety and security! Both bears are so super soft, made from 100% organic cotton and there are no parts to pop of that could pose potential choking hazards to our little ones. The eyes, nose and mouth are all stitched on for safe play. There is nothing that could be pulled off and put into little mouths. This wonderful little bear is perfect for play and for snuggle time.

Sassy Frazz -It is an adorable stuffed animal, and I love that it promotes baby wearing. The Sleepy Bear is the first stuffed toy to promote babywearing! Plus, I love that this bear is safe with material it is made and filled with. I don’t have to worry about my youngest getting his hands on a choking hazard while playing with the Sleepy Bear either, because it isn’t made with any buttons or snaps. The Sleepy Bear’s eyes, nose, and mouth are all stitched on so that my baby’s little hands won’t have anything to pull off. That is reassuring!

Red Sox Mom -This soft and cuddly bear not only is the first stuffed toy I’ve seen to promote baby wearing, but it’s 100% organic and has no small, removable parts that could be chocking hazards. The mouth, nose and eyes are all stitched on.

Crunchy Green Mom – The Sleep Bear is the first stuffed toy that promotes Babywearing. The bears, the wrap are all organic and can be purchased for a real Mommy (or toddler).

Rockin Mama -The “mama” bear has her “baby” wrapped in a Sleepy Wrap. Not only is it soft and eco-friendly, it’s a great way to introduce my son to this concept. I’ve started talking to my son about how mommies wear or carry their babies close to them. I also told him that when he was a baby, I wore him close to me, just like the mama bear is wearing her baby bear. He’s still too young to actually “wrap” the baby bear himself, but the foundation is being laid. My hope is that his exposure to babywearing (via the bear), will help prepare him for the time when baby number 2 arrives and he or she is carried close to me. I want to help my son adjust and avoid jealousy and I think this toy is an excellent way to teach my son the concept of babywearing.

Jo Jo’s Place -One of the hottest ways to wear your baby is to use the Sleepy Wrap. I have had to opportunity to try them out and just love it!

Now your little one can have his or her very own Sleepy Bear that happens to be 100% organic.

One House School Room Reviews - My daughter fell in love immediately. She has often created baby wraps for her baby dolls out of blanket and playsilks we have around the house, but now she has a friend with a “real” baby wrap! How exciting! Sleepy Bear is 100% Organic and has no removable parts that could be potential choking hazards. That makes Sleepy Bear a great toy for all children- and a great way to introduce babywearing to curious little ones.

As They Grow Up – My son immediately had to play with this bear upon its arrival to our home. Even as I type this review out he is quietly on the other couch playing with this set. I love how easy it is to take the baby bear in and out of the carrier. It is a fantastic educational toy that is designed to help teach small children about baby wearing.

She Scribes – I think the Sleepy Bear would be the perfect gift for a young child who is about to become a big brother or big sister. It teaches children about how mommies wrap their babies in slings to hold them close to their bodies to keep them safe and warm.

• 3 animal puzzles
• 7 colourful pegs
• 1 geometric shape puzzle
• 4 basic shape mini-puzzles
• 2 vehicle stackers/pegs

Shop With Baby – It introduces color, shapes, puzzles and pegging to a child. The recommended age for this toy is from two to five. But I would give this toy to my child even if he/she is younger than two as it is soft, has texture on the puzzle and will help my child with an early start off with the motor development.

Amanda – I was really surprised at how Sarah became completely engrossed with the shapes, and playing with each one. I do think her favorite is the animals, particularly the dog. I keep seeing her walking around with the dog cut out.

Sassy Frazz – The carrying case makes this a great activity for my kids to bring anywhere. My kids have a fun time putting the pegs in the holes, and stacking the pegs as high as they can. We also like to find the cat, dog and bear…among the other shapes. This product is great for early childhood development and is geared toward ages 2-5 years old. What a great home school resource for pre-school!

Ponderings From My Heart – At 3 1/2 my son loves puzzles but it’s not long before the ordinary cardboard puzzles become bent, ripped, and no longer fit together. The best thing about the Toddler Tote is that these puzzles hold up to the rough handling of children. They are perfect sized puzzles for little hands and very easy to pop shapes in and out.

Moomette’s Magnificents – The Toddler Tote is compact enough to bring when dining out! Additionally, this education-packed toy is also a great idea for daycare providers and home schooling. Best of all, Lauri replaces lost pieces!

Living In A Charmed Moment – My son had loads of fun with the toy. It kept him playing while focusing on his shapes and colors. He loved the “peg” toys. We also recently went on a 2 1/2 hour car-ride, the Lauri Toddler Tote was able to keep my son entertained for over an hour!!

Mom On The Rise – My daughter has been playing with this non-Made-in-China toy for hours on end. She names all of the shapes, colors, and animals. She pretends to fly a plane or swim with fish and has even counted all of the pieces. Her favorite activity and the one that makes her concentrate the most is trying to put the puzzle pieces back together. It has been amazing to watch.

My Trendy Tykes – My 3 year old and 5 year old loved piecing together the shapes and adding the plastic pegs to each puzzle piece. It’s a huge hit! Plus a great learning tool for my 3 year old as she is learning about all the shapes and colors.

Red Sox Mommy – You’d like it too because it’s perfect for keeping them busy and happy while you get things done around the house.

We opened ours up tonight and let the girls play. They both had fun and didn’t want to put it away when it was time for bed. I have a feeling they have lots of fun times ahead of them with this Toddler Tote.

Just My Rambling - If you are looking for a gift for toddlers this Christmas, this is a great gift. It helps to develop their fine motor skills while teaching them about colors and shapes. The best part is that if any of the pieces are missing which happens very often with toddlers, Lauri will replace them!! The Toddler Tote is currently available at MNC toys.
Book Room Reviews – Educational toys that are fun are my favorite buys for Christmas. The Toddler Tote is one of those toys. It encourages children to work on their eye and hand coordination, learn colors and shapes, and increasing fine motor development. The Toddler Tote includes large and small geometric shape puzzles with a 9? square carrying case. The carrying case is an added bonus so you can take the toys anywhere to keep the kids busy.

Chick N Monkey – As I was unwrapping the package, Ashlyn and Alex were excited. Both of them were curious about the “toys”. Before I had a chance to explain to them the activities, they already started to explore. Alex grabbed the yellow airplane and raised his hand up high and started flying. As for Ashlyn, she popped out all the animals from the squares, hugging them and pretended they were stuffed animals.

Rockin Mama – Not only is this toy entertaining, it’s educational.  This portable, geometric-shaped assortment of Lauri Crepe Rubber shapes and animals can help your child learn his/her colors, animals, shapes, and numbers.  It’s versatile and as your child gets older, you can use it to teach him/her broader concepts such as matching, sorting, and creative storytelling. The primary colors used are bold and vibrant and the shapes are perfect for enhancing the development of fine motor and eye-hand coordination.

Chefdruck Reviews - The Toddler Tote is so clever. The tote is actually a sturdy cardboard suitcase which my kids would have been thrilled with, even if it had been empty. But it was not empty, it was full of activities that have kept my three kids entertained with weeks of meals out. All the shapes are made of Lauri Crepe Rubber which feels interesting and pleasant to the touch. There are three simple one-shape animal puzzles, geometric pieces, and transportation shapes with stackable inserts.

Shake The Salt - I have been wondering how I am going to keep Lil’ Roo occupied & content during the long flights and I have found a cute activity set that I’ll be sure to stash in his carry-on bag.

You already know I love NMC Toys (say it with me: Not. Made. In. China. Gotta love that!!) – they are not a stranger to Shake The Salt. One of my Lil’ Roo’s favorite toys is from NMC Toys.

Anyone that has read my personal blog knows that I love handmade items from Etsy. I think it’s amazing what kind of absolute talent is out there and I have a good time shopping and supporting fellow Mama’s out there.

One store I was thrilled about is called Bealoo which carries beautiful art pieces that are perfect for your child’s room. The baby shower gift for my friend recently included one of Bealoo’s beautiful canvas growth charts – the one featuring fairies of course! The chart is made with superior Giclee technology using 100% cotton canvas, pigmented inks, and a superior protective coating. The growth chart hangs 2 feet from the ground and is finished with grommets and matching ribbon. Believe me – it’s BEAUTIFUL!! Not to mention incredibly well made – it was a hit with the Mama-to-Be!

The prints and canvas wall art are gorgeous also. I picked up a fairy one (for me, lol) and a train and truck one for my son. He loves his pictures and they add a nice splash of color to his white (rented) walls. They are wonderful and I am truly impressed with them. The prices at Bealoo make it easy to afford creative art for your kids’ rooms.

WIN IT : Of course, Parent Reviewers wants you to be able to get something from Bealoo for free (because you know, we rock that way) – so we’re having an awesome giveaway for TWO original 8×10″ Art Prints in an 11×14″ white mat from Bealoo! This contest is open to everyone – so get going and enter! You don’t want to miss this one!

To enter for this giveaway, here’s what you need to do:

• Visit www.bealoo.etsy.com and then let us know in our comment section what is your favourite product from the site.
• Three additional entries if you stumble this post with a review AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you subscribe to Parent Reviewers AND/OR
• Three additional entries if you place our button  on your blog!
• If you qualify for additional entries, please comment separately and let us know which option you’ve used.
• Giveaway closes on  26th November 2008. Winners will be drawn using the Random.org number generator.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE, DON’T LEAVE WITHOUT CHECKING OUR MEGA XMAS & NEW YEAR GIVEAWAY KICK OFF WITH 6 AWESOME PRIZES TO BE WON!!!

Kobold Toys, founded by moms Ana Eiras and Carmina Valdizan, is an exclusive toy store with a difference. Like many similar stores, the toys available are manufatured under the highest standard of safety and quality while ensuring that the products are conducive to a child’s emotional, physical and mental development. However, what makes Kobold Toys stand out from their competitors is the global flavour of toys. This is made possible because both founders travel around the world each year in search of the best available toys in today’s global market.

It was a priviledge for us to partner with Kobold Toys to review a few of their products which are targetted at children of different age groups. Our Parent Reviewers tried and tested the Green Science Windmill Generator and Design Girls Fashion Studio which are ideal for kids of age 7 to 11.

Here’s the feedback from our reviewers:

Green Science Windmill Generator

Pookie and The Boys – Overall I was thrilled with the quick assembly. I am not one for patience when working with directions and impatient little ones. The pieces fit together like they were supposed to without any extra effort. We were a little sad it took so much wind to make the fan blade turn, but even the slightest glimpse of the LED turning red brought a smile to my son’s face.

Freaky Frugalite – Overall, it was OK. The fan was stiff and didn’t spin with any kind of natural breeze– we had to turn on our box fan to get it to go. The LED did light up. It’s a great toy for showing your child how things work, and to introduce him to science and energy. It’s a great “side” project, but not a very good main project. I recommend this toy for children between the ages of 10 (with an adult) to 15.

Reviews By Heidi – This was definitely a fun project. When 2 non-science people give it TWO THUMBS UP, you know this company has succeeded! I would definitely recommend this Windmill Generator project and will be looking into more Green Science kits to make science fun and come to life!

Design Girls Fashion Studio

Momma Findings – Although this is recommended for ages 7 and up, my 5 year old daughter enjoyed playing with it and had no trouble cutting, gluing, and dressing up each doll. I was impressed that there was an abundance of fabric and accessories to choose from and it can all be kept in the handy vinyl carrying case. It helps out during clean up time, that’s for sure.

The Dirty Shirt – My daughter absolutely loved this product. She came up with so many different items, each one getting more and more glittery. The fact that it came with all the “fun fabrics” as she called them is a huge plus. And she even told me it was so much fun that she wanted to be a clothing designer when she grows up. So if she does I will know who to look back on and credit her success! I even jumped in and my doll a funky little outfit.

My Trendy Tykes – We had a blast making clothing for our dolls. It was so simple. All you do is trace your clothing design out using the special patterns. Then you decorate the article of clothing with various sequins and trims and attach it to your doll with magnets that are also included in the kit.

I must say that when we were done our dolls were definitely dressed to the nines!

Another group of our Parent Reviewers had the opportunity to review two different toys recommended for age 1-3. First, was the cute green Dancing Alligator and then, the brightly colored Magnetic Wooden Building Blocks. Check out their reviews:

Dancing Alligator

Crunchy Green Lovin’ Mom -  It is a sturdy rubberwood and wheels that are made to last, knowing that little ones will put their toys through years of torment. When you pull Mr. Alligator across the floor he lumps and bumps along, making a silly movement and a wonderful clacking sound that seems to have every little kid in the room following him as if he were alive.

Amanda - Dancing Alligator is just adorable! We received this fun pull toy and Sarah has had so much fun playing with it. She loves listening to the fun click-clack sound and of course finds it funny to chase her sister with it.

Magnetic Wooden Building Blocks

Mommy Brain Reports - My likes as a mommy are:

1. The bright colors and large size of the blocks make them fun and easy to play with.

2. The magnets are completely enclosed in the block, so there’s no hazard of them falling out, and being put in their mouth or swallowed.

3. The blocks aren’t heavy, so they’re easy for even the little ones to play with.

4. The magnets help make stacking a little bit easier!

Life From My Laptop – Well, regardless of HOW they work, the fact is that magnets are fun to play with no matter what your age.  The Kobold Toys Magnetic blocks are just as fun.  With their bright colors and shapes they can entertain your tot for hours.  Stacking, linking, making trains or towers, they provide a great opportunity for hands on play for your child.

All of us at Parent Reviewers, have a soft spot for parentpreneurs because most of the time, their online stores feature some of the coolest as well as safest products ideal for the kids or even the whole family. So, let me introduce another great site, NMC Toys , which was developed by parents of two small children in 2007.

Here’s an excerpt from “About NMC Toys” taken from their website:

There was much news regarding the quality and safety of toys produced in China during the summer of 2007. We walked through the toy department of big box retailers and could not find a toy produced outside of China. Gone were the wooden blocks, dolls and wooden trains we played with as children. These toys were replaced with cheap plastic toys that had character ties to movies and cereals. We then turned to the internet and were frustrated by the lack of alternatives and lack of country of origin information. We experienced first hand the frustration and angst associated with taking away our child’s favorite toy that was recalled and we routinely threw away toys within a few days or weeks of purchase due to poor quality. These experiences led to the development of NMCtoys.com.

We are proud to partner with a company whose mission is to provide quality toys that can stimulate and challenge a child’s mind, foster a child’s imagination, improve their motor skills and above all,  able to bolster their self-esteem.

A couple of weeks ago, our reviewers were sent the Holgate Baby Blocks to test out. These made in USA blocks are great for teaching your baby about organizing, balancing and stacking, to develop hand-eye coordination as well as help build fine-motor skills.

Each set comes crafted from Hard Maple wood and contains 6 blocks. Cute colourful pictures of animals, alphabets, numbers and other graphics are presented on each side of the blocks and provides a creative way to introduce infant of age 1 and above to colors, letters, and fun drawings. What I especially like is the smooth rounded edges of the blocks which makes it safe for young infant. Blocks also have a long lasting appeal as many kids will happily play with them from baby to the toddler years. Thus, making it a worthy investment.

Here’s a look at what our parent reviewers had to say about The Holgate Baby Blocks:

Just A Mom’s Take On Things - Since that first day, she’s played with this set many times – either on her own or with me. I love how simple the letters and pictures are – they’re easy to see and for her to identify. We can talk about the animal faces – and what each animal ‘says’, which letter is which, and I love quizzing her on her colors with these blocks. There are only six blocks – but somehow they provide much more entertainment and educational value than other larger sets that we own or she’s played with elsewhere. Plus, I can bring these blocks with us when we go out and about – with only six of them to keep track of, it’s much less stressful for me and a lot of fun for her.

Come Shop With WhoIsBaby – Beside being an educational toy, a child can stack up these 6 blocks and be as creative as one could. My son likes this activity – stacking the blocks. He is very imaginative as well. He would stack a different shape every time and tell me it is “Disneyland” or “Marukai” or “Mall” or “Grandma’s house” and so on.

Sassy Frazz – I am really impressed with how these blocks were designed. The blocks have great, colorful graphics on each of the six sides. I can easily introduce colors, shapes, and letters to my kids with the Holgate Baby Blocks!

Babies Gotta Have It – I love these blocks for so many reasons!  All the components of the blocks are made in the U.S.A. They exceed all U.S. safety standards, are decorated with non-toxic paint, and they come from my home state of Pennsylvania.  Secondly, I like playing with them–they are smooth, solid, and have that wonderful depth that only wooden toys have (see video).  Third, the Holgate Toy Company has been around for 200 years, producing heirloom quality wooden toys.  They are everything an American toy company should be.

Miche Reviews – Blocks are truly a parent’s best friend and a child’s greatest learning tool, and my favorite blocks are Holgate Baby Blocks. They are made of sound wood, the beautiful brightly colored images don’t chip off after rough use (trust me, if my two year old can’t scratch or eat the images off, nothing can), and best of all, THEY ARE MADE IN AMERICA. Yes, you can heave a big sigh of relief when your child does decide to try licking the blocks because everything is safe, non toxic and made to last for your kid’s grandkids to use. I am in love with the blocks and have already ordered more to give as gifts.

Lisa Reviews – Will likes to stack two of them on top of one another and then knock them over and go “oh oh”.  What surprised me with these blocks is that Madison loves them just as much.  She builds a big tower with them and has Will knock it over.  She also likes the letters on them too. She tells me the letter, and we discuss all of the words that start with that letter that she can think of.  These blocks are a great toy for both of my kids, and I would highly recommend them.

Shake The Salt – We have had a lot of fun playing with the blocks… stacking, lining them up, talking about the letters, numbers, and animals.  They are well made – very solid without being heavy and is made from a renewable wood source. 

Lille Punkin’ Reviews – Holgate Baby Blocks from NMC Toys were the perfect size for my eager 20-month old. He stacked them easily, knocked them down, and started again. They were basic in their design (bright colors, familiar pictures) but there were a few things that really stood out…

The Dirty Shirt – I recently had the opportunity to review a set of Holgate Baby Blocks from NMC Toys and let me just tell you that after giving them to my 15 month old she was so enthralled by them that she sat in one spot and played with them for over half an hour. She absolutly loved these blocks.

Mogul Baby – They are recommended for age one, but I think a two-year-old would be interested in playing with them too. There are six wooden blocks decorated with letters, numbers and cute graphics. Your little one can create three letter words or just drool over them.

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy – I thought of them more for my 2 year old if anything, but my 5 year old also enjoyed them. They both loved the colorful wooden blocks and all they could do with them, it was quite surprising to see that something so simple could give so much enjoyment even to those kids who aren’t ‘babies’ anymore.

All Because Two People Fell In Love – My little one has had tons of fun playing with these blocks!! She has enjoyed stacking them, lining them up, sorting them and identifying the letters, numbers, and animals on each of the blocks. The blocks offer simple drawings that make it easier for the little ones to identify. They kept her entertained on a long car trip by telling her brother what each block had on them. The blocks are very well made! They feel very solid without being too heavy for little hands. The best part about the blocks is that they are made from a renewable wood source.

Mom 2 BB Reviews – The rounded edges of the blocks received a two thumbs up from me as a great safety feature for babies. There are numerous ways to play with these blocks but for the younger babies, you can start off by stacking them up towerlike and letting your baby knock them down.  My 18 months old niece had a blast with these blocks as she was already able to sort them by colors. We have also started teaching her to recognize some of the pictures and when she grows older, we will use these blocks to teach her simple three letter words.

Cutie Booty Reviews – I highly recommend this toy. It reminds me of toys of yesteryear that did not have all the bells and whistles. Simple learning toys that require your child to use their imagination. If your child is from one to three I think she will enjoy learning and playing with the blocks as much as Mekhi does.

The Domestic Diva – Since introducing Holgate Baby Blocks to my little one in our home, I’ve seen the joy that simple block toys can bring on a child’s face. There are days where my son will just sit in the floor and play for hours with these blocks even though they don’t make any noise or flash any lights. The joy of stacking and knocking over the blocks is enough to satisfy him.

Happily Ever After -  Tyler has gotten better at his hand-eye-coordination, and these blocks are perfect to help him develop his motor skills. I have a number of other stacking toys, but this is the first set that I came across that were wooden – LOVE that! Even though they were wooden, they had soft edges to them, so I wasn’t worried about Tyler hurting himself with them. The blocks were nice and solid, and compared to other wooden toys that we have, they held up quite well to Tyler’s banging them on things. We’ve had other wooden toys that chipped and needed to be thrown away.

With so many toy recalls of late, environmental friendly toys definitely score extra points from most parents as they are a safe alternative to regular toys. Therefore, it is not surprising that ImagiPLAY‘s award winning “Toys With Integrity” have fast become a huge hit in the market. All of ImagiPLAY’s wooden toys are beautifully crafted from plantation-grown rubberwood, which is a wonderful splinter-free hardwood, making it safe and ideal for toys.

About ImagiPLAY‘s products (excerpt from their website):

ImagiPLAY products have been recognized by the media, children’s advocacy groups, and parents’ organizations for their outstanding quality, design and ability to inspire imagination. It has received awards from Parenting Magazine, Creative Child Magazine, Dr. Toy, Parents’ Choice Foundation and many other well-respected groups. But most importantly, ImagiPLAY’s products have helped thousands of children worldwide to discover themselves and their world as they navigate the waters of the human Age of Exploration.

Many of our Parent Reviewers have recently tried and tested ImagiPLAY’s Counting Bunnies, a hand crafted and hand painted whimsical toy designed to make counting fun for children above age 3. Check out their experience with this toy:

From Melissa’s Desk – Lot’s of learning will come from this adorable puzzle that starts with the #1 Mommy Bunny followed by numbers 2-8 baby bunnies all hopping after the two carrots numbers 9 & 10. Children can practice their numbers 1-10, as well as their colors. It’s the perfect size to slip into your diaper bag or purse for on-the-go educational fun.

Rockin Mama – I love that the bunny puzzle is ordered by number and color so as the numbers change, so do the colors.  I believe that this really helps children to grasp numerical order.  Also, I love how the pieces fit together.  It is great for dexterity and fine motor skill coordination.

What’s That Smell? - The funny thing was, that despite my doubts, he didn’t even hesitate when I took it out of the box. He wanted to play with it. He didn’t ask “doesn’t it do anything?” or “where do you put the batteries?” He was drawn to it regardless.

He played with the Counting Bunnies puzzle in so many different ways. Aside from the basic lining them up in numerical order on the base, he made a game out if and at one point was using the entire counter. He easily played with it for over an hour the first time, and at least 1/2 an hour each time after.

Ponderings From My Heart – My son was thrilled with the puzzle upon opening it and wanted me to join him in playing with it. My son is almost 4. He knows his numbers and can count to ten but I was suprised how much he was learning about the order of the numbers by this hands-on activty. Being a boy, he doesn’t like to sit and learn from books so this puzzle kept him busy, yet learning!

A Mom Speaks -   Now my daughter who will turn two in a couple of days, absolutely loved the puzzle.  We have been working on numbers and colors lately so this was a great addition to our puzzle collection.  She loved counting the bunnies and picking out the different colors. 

Laura Williams’ Musings – Not only is this set perfect for preschoolers but also kindergarten age children and 1st graders who need some reinforcement in their counting.

The wooden set is delightfully carved and vividly painted in primary colors which are inviting.  The pieces are just the right size for little hands. I highly recommend this set for your preschooler.

Maria’s Space – The bunny puzzle is very popular in this house. It has gone to school as part of show and tell and just yesterday, my daughter who I have been working with on her numbers for over a year was able to point to each number. She was able to put mom and then the carrots but the numbers were never in numerical order. I had put all the bunnies on the table and asked her to point to 1, 2, 3, etc and she was able to. Shocking, she may have always known and just decided to play games with me or this puzzle helped. Either way, this mom is thrilled and the kids play with it constantly. When it is not being played with it is an adorable piece of art that sits on the shelf. I love looking at it.

Why Are They Calling Me Mom – L really struggles with her numbers, I know that she can count but when she is under pressure to remember the order she will get stuck around 6 or 7. So this puzzle was perfect for her. She constantly asked me what came next so we finally have her start with the big bunny and then she has to count them out and try and pick which one comes next. It also extremely helpful that the bunnies are in “rainbow order” so if she is stumped for a second I can just ask her which color comes next.

Pajama Mom – One side of the bunnies has the numbers and the other side is blank so it’s great for decorating when they’re not playing.  The nesting of the bunnies is so adorable, mom is first and all the kids line up in front of her to get a nibble of carrot - too cute!  All kids love bunnies and these are a great thematic element to any bunny story.

Renaissance Culinaire – The Counting Bunnies Puzzle is well constructed by hand out of environmentally sustainable wood and supports Fair trade workers in disadvantaged countries. Not only will your children love the cuteness factor of the puzzles design, but this puzzle is educational and something that will last for years to come, and would make a great toy to pass on to future generations.

By: PH. Hanson
ISBN: 0761147675
ISBN13: 9780761147671

We waited in anticipation for the arrival of My Mommy’s Tote : For my 4 year old daughter, she was excited as she will soon have a “handbag” to tot around and for me, I’ll no longer have a kid rummaging through my bag and making a mess of my personal belongings*grins*

We were not disappointed as My Mommy’s Tote comes stuffed with more than 75 objects such as a key ring, photo, credit card, cell phone, planner, clock with hands, a real hanky and more. My girl had a ball playing pretend and imitating me in action on the removable fake laptop! Another of her favourite item was the erasable board that she could doodle with. Overall, this delightful book can provide up to 30 different activities to entertain your child.

This interactive die cut book is great to keep any child entertained during rainy days or during those long road trips. My only regret is that it is not appropriate to bring along during flights as it is a bit on the heavy side. Even though My Mommy’s Tote is shaped like a bag, please note that it is afterall, still a book and like all books, are easily torn. Thus, I would highly recommend it for ages 3 and up only.

BUY IT : My Mommy’s Tote is available for purchase from Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Powell’s Books as well as IndieBound.

Check out what our Parent Reviewers had to say about My Mommy’s Tote:

Jojo’s Place – We love My Mommy’s Tote!  It’s a great book for your little one.  It will definitely keep them busy.  A must have for the car as well as those times that you have to wait or just a great addition to your children’s other books.

Quiver Full Family – Our family spends a lot of time on the road, as we live in the country. This is the perfect traveling companion for a child, ages 5–10. Instead of handing your child your own purse to wreak chaos in during nerve-wracking repetitions of, “Are we there yet?” this unique book will satisfy antsy fingers and curious minds.

Cheeks To Cheeks – Belle absolute adored the tote. She kept asking me to read to her as the tote has some written words on it. She kept asking “what’s this and what’s that.” I guess in a child’s eyes, this tote is like a treasure bag with tons of goodies in it. There was once upon seeing me slinging my (real) tote onto the shoulder she wanted to take her tote along too. It was a funny sight!

Momma’s Findings – It is, indeed, a book, but it’s in the shaped of “tote”. With each turn of the page you find “something” Momma would carry in her own tote. I laughed quite a bit because it even included a laptop, something essential to us bloggers.

Moommettesgram’s Musings – My Mommy’s Tote is also a great activity toy for home schoolers or as a special activity toy for Grandparents to keep around when the grandchildren come to visit.

Mom On The Rise – Not only does the book allow her to feel like a big girl, there is so much in there for parents to use as learning tools. Most of the contents of the tote are clearly labled and brightly colored for identification. Don’t forget, the Tote is actually a Book too. As you can see, she loves this book. She likes being able to draw and erase in a book without hearing me scream, “NOOOOOOOOOOOO” and  I feel better because hse can associate reading with writing. My Mommy’s Tote earns 2 thumbs up from this mom and her little girl.

Mom Most Traveled – In all, I think My Mommy’s Tote is artfully and humorously done. My Mommy’s Tote is a good pick for car trips or other times when you need your child to be quietly engaged in an activity, such as during religious services or doctor’s waiting rooms.

Come Shop With WhoIsBaby – This hardboard book is definitely more fun that the real Mommy’s purse. It has so many accessories, activities, stories, flips and more. My son loves the removable ‘fake’ laptop and the credit card that came with the book. Those are the first things he took out from the purse. With the laptop, he pretends to be ‘just like Mommy’ working on the laptop and typing with his little fingers on the keyboard. With the credit card, he pretends ‘just like Mommy’ and swipes it between the kitchen cabinet doors. It was too funny to describe.

Sweet N Sassy Girls – The following Sunday we took it to church and I couldn’t wait to pull it out for her to play with. I gave it to her, and she looked through it for about 1 minute, and decided she was done. I was shocked, because I was sure she would like it. There were plenty of flaps for her to lift up, but she could care less. I pulled out the laptop and she looked at it, felt it, and decided she was done. Well, that didn’t go like I expected.

My Two Girls – What the girls like most about this book is the detachable computer. They both ‘fight’ for it, and claimed is theirs. They will take it out and pretend to type on it, and ‘read’ the display on the screen. They also like carrying the tote around pretending they are going out. Zara loves the white board which she can doodle on and also the picture of mommy dancing with a girl; she said that’s the two of us doing some silly dance.

Cowgirl Critiques – It’s all packed in hard book type bounding.  Everything stays inside the tote with no problem.  The colors are vivid making it eye appealing to the little one.  You might think that “mommy’s tote” would be directed towards girls but get that out of your head.  Once the tote is open, there are endless surprises that any boy or girl would love to play with.

One of the biggest bonus of buying toys is being able to purchase those that works for both my kids and at the same time discover that they are eco friendly. With natural made toys, I can educate my children on the concept of Going Green as well as promote a safe, yet educational alternative to playtime. No more worrying about toxic toys or product recalls! Therefore, ImagiPLAY‘s Toys With Integrity have always remain on the top of my shopping list when it comes to buying gifts for children of close friends and families. 

About ImagiPLAY (excerpt from Press Release):

ImagiPLAY products have been recognized for their outstanding quality, design and ability to inspire imagination by the media, children’s advocacy groups and parents’ organizations. It has received awards from Parenting Magazine, Creative Child Magazine, Dr.Toy, Parents’ Choice Foundation and many other well-respected groups. But most importantly ImagiPLAY’s products have helped thousands of children to discover themselves and their world as they navigate the waters of the human Age Of Exploration. 

If you are searching for toys that can stimulate your child’s mind and tantalize his/her imagination, check out the Rainforest Puzzle Play, one of ImagiPLAY’s environmentally themed product. Each puzzle measures at 7.75″ x 7.75″ x .75”, is beautifully crafted in earth friendly, chemically free rubberwood and hand painted in vibrant shades of child safe paint. The Rainforest Puzzle Play is a puzzle and playset in one and ideal for children above age 3.

BUY IT : You can purchase the Rainforest Puzzle Play via ImagiPLAY’s website and get 15% off any of their toys by using Promo Code “KIDSTUFF”, valid until 31st December 2008.

Our Parent Reviewers had the opportunity to try out the Rainforest Puzzle Play with their children recently. Check out how it fared with these parents:

Mommy Brain Reports – I think we have found a new favorite puzzle!!! Imagiplay sent us their Rainforest Puzzle, and it has been a huge hit in our house! We got our package just a day ago, and I think we’ve put this puzzle together nearly 10 times. At first I was worried about it being too difficult, but as we started to put the pieces together, it seemed like it was getting easier and easier. It was really neat to see their thought processes. One of my girls would get a little frustrated with not being able to piece the puzzle together, and she’d look at the picture on the label, and figure out where that particular piece belonged so she could continue on. My girls absolutely loved this puzzle!

Living In A Charmed Moment – My son is loving his new puzzle by ImagiPLAY called Rainforest. It combines wonderful vibrant colors and animals found in the rainforest. My son has almost learned all the colors and knows most of the animals associated with this puzzle. He has struggled with his words and communication not to mention his very short attention span. He likes me to put the puzzle together then he takes it apart piece by piece telling me the color or the animal. I am so excited for him to be learning & SPEAKING!! I think we found a mini breakthrough with this puzzle and we are definitely finding more like it at www.imagiplay.com.

Sassy Frazz - Each puzzle piece is a colorful animal found in a rainforest, and there is clouds, grass, and a branch. My kids like playing with the individual pieces, like having the tiger chase the monkey. They like making the animal sounds as they play with the pieces, too. The puzzle is a bit challenging, so it is good for kids to keep on working on it. It really keeps them busy. Nathaniel has no problems getting the pieces to fit together to make a puzzle, but Caleb is more challenged by it.

Chick N Monkey – Overall, as a mom, I like the puzzle set. It’s colorful, splinter-free hardwood, light weight, and the size of the pieces are just perfect for toddlers to handle. It’s easy to store, just put the pieces in zip lock bag and can bring it with us everywhere. The playset not only trains the toddlers’ patience, it also allows the toddlers to explore their imaginations. One suggestion, I hope they could include an enlarged picture of the finished puzzle, so it would be easier for the first timer.

A Wrestling Addicted Mommy’s Blog – Worried about Lead paint still on your toys? Don’t be. ImagiPLAY uses lead free paint on their puzzles so you don’t have to worry about any lead poisoning going on in your children. The puzzle doesn’t have to fit to one exact mold either, my girls found many fun ways to play with it and create a ‘puzzle of their own’ almost, it allows for a lot of creativity and imagination. This is great puzzle that will be played with for hours on end, and will last through the years with playful enjoyment by all. I can say, even I had fun with this helping the girls figure it out at first.

Lisa Reviews – One of the puzzles that we have in our house that the kids have the most fun with is the ImagiPlay RainForest Puzzle. It is for ages 3 and up. However, my 4 year old and 1 year old both love it. Mommy loves it too.  This puzzle is made from rubberwood which is an earth friendly hardwood.  The part I love the most is that it is painted with lead free paint.  It is clearly labeled that way, and I don’t have to worry about Will (the one year old) sticking it in his mouth (love it, love it, love it!). 

My Trendy Tykes – My 3 year old was the first to test it out. She took each animal out and played “house”. It was fun just to watch her imagination go WILD! I sat down in the floor and we stacked each animal on top of the scene and she got a little more intrigued.

Soon, all three kids were in the floor playing…..TOGETHER! (without fighting I might add). When they were done letting their imaginations run crazy. The two older kids started putting the puzzle together and at the end they would have lil sister apply the last “Puzzle” piece. Needless to say, they did it OVER and OVER again!

The Lille Punkin -  It not only was exactly the kind of toy my boys love the most (puzzles), but it captured the charm of a brightly-colored educational activity with the safest of methods. (All painted materials are tested to ensure they meet or exceed U.S. and European safety standards.)

Made from the earth-friendly rubberwood, this puzzle stimulates the brain! I was challenged trying to piece it together, but my kids were right on task, putting each piece in its place. I enjoyed watching them work together on this project, and as soon as it all came together — they tore it apart and built it again!

Crunchy Green Mom – I love wooden toys, I love the way they smell and feel, I love how sturdy they are and when they have colors on them, how vibrant it is. When I got the ImagiPlay Rainforest Puzzle I was in love!

A group of our Parent Reviewers were given the opportunity to review two of ee publishing’s products:

• The Nana Star Hardcover Picture Book (comes with CD) which explore the magical world of a sweet girl called Nana Star; and
• The so-very-huggable Nana Star doll

In the book, Nana Star is the young heroine who befriends a lost baby star and endeavours to bring it home to where he belongs. What makes the Nana Star book unique is that it includes a mistake in the text for young readers to find. When a child spots the mistake and sends Nana Star a note correcting the mistake, they become honorary members of Nana Star’s Little Twinkles Club. Little Twinkles will receive an autographed photo of the real Nana Star with a personalized message and a certificate of membership. What a special way to reward a child!

The 18 inch Nana Star doll is a soft plush toy with embroidered features and comes dressed in a deep blue dress. If you looked closely, you will also notice that the doll carries the little star which she helps rescue.  

BUY IT : In a world which is currently deludged by computer games, these simple toys are a change which many parents welcome. Visit Nana Star and start your collection of Nana Star and friends today! If you have a little time, don’t forget to hop over to the Nana Star Foundation, which is dedicated to helping make life easier for children attending under-resourced, inner-city schools and for terminally ill children. A portion of all proceeds from Nana Star products goes to Nana Star Foundation.

Check out what our Parent Reviewers had to say about the book and toy:

Brain Foggles – I know she concentrated and remembered it because later on she told me the story and used the little branch and star attached to the doll’s arms by elastic to act it out. Charlotte enjoyed the small CD with the Nana Star song. She danced a bit with the doll.

Charlotte told me that the doll was “nice because she’s soft” and not like her “other dolls at home”. She liked to hug her and hold her close. The book was “fun” because “the star found his Nana”.

From Melissa’s Desk – The CD has the words of the story read in a gentle voice so that children can either follow along with the book or use it alone. It would be a wonderful story to listen to at bedtime. There is also a song about Nana Star included on the CD.

The plush toy is so cute. Little girls will love the small bendable body that’s just right for snuggling.

Just My Rambling – When we first received Nana Star a couple of weeks ago, Lil’ C was so excited to see her and since then, they have been inseparable. Nana Star is like her little shadow now. She has been all over the house, the town and even on our recent vacation!!

Why Are They Calling ME Mom – This book first of all blew me away. When we received the book I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. The name of course threw me. Before I introduced it to L and J I flipped through the pages and the illustrations were so beautiful and the little girl was very pretty with her blue dress and curly ponytail with a blue ribbon, I actually couldn’t wait to read the book especially with L. L of course loved that the book came with a posable Nana Star doll (which was added to her bedtime collection).

Jojo’s Place – What’s really great about all the Nana Star books is that they all come with a cd that tells the story, so that your children can follow along. Kelsie loves listening to this in the car while following along in her book.

I really love books that keeps the child’s imagination going even after the book is finished. This is one of those books. We can’t wait to get next in the series, Nana Star and the Moonman!

What’s That Smell? – I went from skeptic to fan in one afternoon. Now I want to read the next book. And Abby must have a Moonman! I really can’t say enough good things about the Nana Star book and the accompanying CD and posable doll. They don’t scream “wow” at first glance, but after Jake’s reaction to it, I’m certainly left with a “WOW.”

Creative Writings 101 – I look forward to reading future installments in the adventures of Nana Star, and meeting her new friends too. Deja plans on taking her Nana Star book to school soon, so the teacher will be able to share the story of Nana Star with her classmates. After I read Deja the story of Nana Star, she fell sound asleep with her Nana Star doll by her side.

Ponderings From My Heart – My son enjoyed listening to this book on CD as well as being read the story by my husband or myself. The plush doll has been added to his collection of plush toys, proving that Nana Star, although absolutely perfect for any little girl, is also for little boys! The themes of friendship and imagination apply to both genders!

Cheeks To Cheeks – My little girl absolutely adores this book and every night (without fail) my girl makes a request of having Nana Star read to her before slipping into slumber land. My girl was able to relate to the carefree and independent Nana Star. Most importantly the story has taught her to be thoughtful and helpful.The doll that was sent along with the book made story-time vivid and fun. We were able to enact the scenes read from the book and guess what? We have many plush toys but she chose only 2 to be sleeping next to her. One is the Wonder Woman toy her Daddy won from an arcade game (ah, my girl is sentimental) and the other is no other than her Nana Star doll. Nana Star is now a constant companion for my little girl every time I tuck her into bed.

Walk With Me – The illustration is beautifully simple and colorful. My daughter loves to point out all the things she sees in the pictures as I read the book.

I love that fact that it comes in an audio cd that I can play as we read along with the book or play it in the car. It reminds me of the old read along books that came with cassette audio tapes to listen along.