Announcements

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Happy Birthday, Raggedy Ann!


“Fairyland must be filled with rag dolls, soft loppy rag dolls who go through all the beautiful adventures found there nestling in the crook of a dimpled arm.”

-Raggedy Ann doll creator Johnny Gruelle

Plush toy, gift and doll manufacturer Aurora World Inc.® is celebrating Raggedy Ann’s 100th birthday! The company just introduced brand new, “Stars and Stripes” special edition Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy rag dolls to the market that feature an all-American, red, white and blue theme, exclusive 100th year embroidery and commemorative hangtags on every doll.

Raggedy Ann’s Betsy Ross-inspired white shawl collar, printed dress with navy and white stars and elastic cap are reminiscent of the bygone era while Raggedy Andy’s Uncle Sam-inspired outfit features a matching printed jacket top, red twill bow-tie and pants, and his classic matching sailor hat.

021815_CRT_RaggedyAnnClassic“The Stars and Stripes dolls celebrate the goodwill, kindness and compassion that the Raggedy Ann doll creator Johnny Gruelle envisioned for the people of our nation,” says Michael Kessler, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Aurora.

The Stars and Stripes dolls, complete with their signature red yard hair, are available in large sizes and feature custom cotton, embroidered fabrics, finely detailed faces with button eyes and exclusive outfits highlighting the birthday of Raggedy Ann – perfect for collectors.

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls are part of Aurora’s ever-expanding soft doll category featuring dozens of award-winning doll designs including the Sea Sparkles™ mermaid collection, fashionable Sweet Lollies™, new Cutie Curls™, ballerinas and activity dolls for toddlers. As part of the birthday celebration, the company gave away a three-foot Raggedy Ann doll at the recent Toy Fair New York in February. “Stars and Stripes” special edition Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy rag dolls are available now in stores everywhere.

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Pip Organic Clothing Makes U.S. Début


The Australian brand is making stylicious certified organic baby clothing available for everyone.

020415_CRTPost_PipOrganicClothing_02Blending high quality fabrics with reasonable price points, Pip Organic Clothing has launched a whimsical collection of baby clothes in the U.S. that features mostly unisex rompers, bodysuits, baby wraps, bandanna bibs, leggings and t-shirts in timeless grey and white solids, as well as clever prints.

Playful blue and green seagulls add flair to rompers and wraps while yellow penguins give a pop of color to t-shirts and leggings for babies 0-3 months up to 6-12 months.

Designer Prerona Baruah chose the name “Pip” mostly because it’s her daughter’s nickname, and its meaning as a small seed in fruit. Conscientious about providing babies safe, ethically sourced clothing, Prerona ensures each piece is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)-certified, the leading standard for organic textiles made using fair and humane labor practices.

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Happy New Year


Wishing you love, joy and peace in the coming year.

Children’s Retail Today 

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Holiday Greetings


Feliz Navidad

عيد ميلاد مجيد

Eguberri

Frohe Weihnachten

聖誕節快樂

(Shèngdàn jié kuàilè)

Buon Natale

Vrolijk Kerstfeest

Καλά Χριστούγεννα

(Kalá Christoúgenna)

Merry Nollag

Joyeux Noël

החג שמח

Wesołych Świąt

С Pождеством

S Rozhdestvom

Merry Christmas from Children’s Retail Today

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Nuvola Baby


Making the world a softer place.

121714_CRTPost_NuvolaBaby_03Newly launched and now available in the United States, Novola Baby is a collection of Scandinavian-inspired baby blankets, outfits and accessories. From organic cotton to cashmere blends, the world’s softest fabrics are hand-picked for the collection, all gentle on baby’s delicate skin.

Completely sourced and manufactured in Europe, Nuvola Baby launched earlier this year with the Cloud Collection -luxe cashmere blend blankets, pillows and outfits featuring multi-hued clouds.

Nuvola Baby is designed in Luxembourg + Iceland. The designers work with renowned manufacturers in Italy and Portugal to ensure each piece is heirloom-quality. With a vibrant color palette of tangerine, grey, chocolate, red and turquoise lighting up classic star, cloud and snowflake prints, Nuvola Baby’s styles offer year-round softness.

Our pieces are made to last. Pass them down.

– co-designer Runa, who is inspired by her homeland, Iceland

121714_CRTPost_NuvolaBaby_02In an effort to give back, Nuvola Baby is involved with the Cloud of Love Project, helping support orphanages with the sale of rotating select styles at nuvolababy.com.

Experience Nuvola Baby’s softness for yourself at Playtime Paris from January 31 to February 2 and at ENK Children’s Club from March 9 to 11 in 2015!

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Suzy’s Zoo


Happy Halloween from Suzy’s Zoo, the home of Suzy Ducken, Jack Quaker, Corky Turtle and all the cute and wonderful characters created by Suzy Spafford.

103114_CRTPost_Happy Halloween_Jano(They’re all getting ready for “trick or treat” in the photo above). Suzy the human says her mission in life is making people happy, and I agree, since I’ve sent many-a-Suzy’s Zoo card to loved ones and friends . My dear husband thinks I look like one of Suzy’s cute ducks (I’m including a picture that may show how right he is!) … wouldn’t it be fun if Suzy had Halloween costumes for big kids like me?

Cards, Books, Coloring, Games and more.

Boo!


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Enjoy a safe and ghoulish Halloween!

-Children’s Retail Today

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House of Jamie


New apparel collection features fabulous black and white Breton stripe graphics.

HOJ-Collar Bib-Stone (21)Dutch children’s label House of Jamie is known for soft, clean and minimalist baby essentials and apparel designed with a classic touch. Launched in 2012, Amsterdam-based founder Barbara Gouka designed the line as her own timeless yet affordable nursery essentials for her daughter Jamie, now available for little ones aged 0-4 all over the world.

Just recently, Barbara launched a new clothing collection in addition to the current year-round line, which features the fresh and fun Breton stripes in bold black and white. Love it!

HOJ-Collar Bib-Stone (19)After the launch of the first clothing collection in 2013, we received more and more interest in new items and bigger sizes. The result? A new stylish color, a black and white Breton stripe and brand new timeless designs. By expanding the size range, the collection is now available for little ones aged 0-4. House of Jamie’s signature bow tie and linen details have also returned into this collection.”

-Barbara Gouka

HOJ-Collar Bib-Stone (9)Created with the utmost care and attention for the environment. From sleeping bags to duvet covers, changing mat covers to hooded baby towels, hooded jackets, dresses, sweaters, sleepwear and more – all merchandise is 100% fair trade, completely child labor free and handmade in Holland and Turkey.

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Mommy Masters


Voted Parenting Blog of the Year – Congratulations!

102114_CRTPost_MommyMasters_Headshot_2013_SmallEllie Hirsch, aka The Mommy Master® -an award-winning children’s singer/songwriter, parenting expert, published author, blogger and mom – just announced that MommyMasters.com has won first place in the Annual Parenting Blog of the Year Contest sponsored by Virginia-based uKnowKids.com, the software company that helps parents monitor their children online.

“I created Mommy Masters so moms (and dads) would have a parenting community where they could find unique tips, tricks and tools, Ellis says in her announcement. “It has allowed me to connect with amazing families all over the world who share a common theme. We all want to be the best parent we can be. Some days we are Mommy Masters and others, Mommy Disasters, and we are okay with that.”

-Ellie Hirsch

102114_CRTPost_MommyMasters_TMLogo-with-tagline-300pxFlorida-based Mommy Masters® is a go-to trusted source for Moms and Dads to share parenting experiences, ask questions and generally learn from other Moms and Dads how to be the best parents they can be. The blog site features fresh posts, content from “A Dad’s Perspective,” a place to buy children’s music and more.

102114_CRTPost_MommyMaters_CDCoverEllie founded Mommy Masters® in 2010 to help parents create flourishing family environments. She also mentors Mompreneurs and offers a platform for women to share their accomplishments through the Mommy Master of the Month initiative. She released her children’s CD, “Music is Magical, Children’s Songs with Ellie,” to rave reviews, receiving a Parents’ Choice Award.

Ellie is currently working on growing the Mommy Masters brand to include children’s and parenting guide books, television components and interactive activities. She is available for music performances, workshops, guest speaking, personal appearances, consultations, coaching, freelance writing, television appearances, interviews and more. Just drop her at note at  info@mommymasters.com  or call 917-225-0101 with your request.

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Children’s Book Author Wins Nobel Prize in Literature


French author Patrick Modiano has won the 2014 Nobel Prize in Literature, “for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life-world of the occupation.”

Mr. Modiano writes in a variety of genres, including detective mysteries, short, 100-page novels and screenplays. His first novel, “La place de l’étoile,” about Jewish collaborator during WWI, was published in France in 1968.

101414_CRTPost_CatherineCertitude_CoverA Mom and Her Memories. This Nobel Prize winner also writes children’s books! Catherine Certitude, written with collaborator William Rodarmor and illustrated by Jean-Jacques Sempe, was published in 2001, and tells the story of a mom and her memories.

While Catherine watches her own daughter practice dance, she reminiscences about her own childhood. Living in the tenth arrondissement of Paris, Catherine and her father Georges share the simple pleasures of daily life: sitting in the church square, walking to school, going to her ballet class every Thursday afternoon. A happy time in the City of Light.

However, the charming walk down memory lane brings up a lot of mystery:

  • Why did Catherine’s change his name to Certitude?
  • What kind of trouble with the law did his business partner Casterade rescue him from?
  • Exactly what does Georges do, and what kind of deals is he always discussing with men in worn raincoats?
  • Why did Catherine’s mother, herself a ballerina, leave Georges to return to New York?

These are just some of the mysteries Catherine remembers … and hopes to resolve as the story unfolds.