The New Must-Have Bike Gizmo

The longer, warmer days of spring herald in bike season, and every hot-rodder is going to want this.

For kids who love to pedal, the hottest way to personalize their wheels is the Kool Rider, a clip-on accessory that mimics the sound of a speeding motorbike. The card and clothespin trick of old has morphed into a very sophisticated blend of performance polymers from DuPont. The results are irresistible -the flappers hit the bicycle spokes, producing a sound similar to those made by motorbikes. According to the company, the clamp force and spring action remain intact no matter the weather or season.

It’s so easy to put on and sounds great.

-Randy, San Diego CA

Kool Rider co-founders Howard McClurd and Troy Spencer have been friends since they were five-year-old boys. “We offer kids everywhere this clip-on accessory that’s a cinch to put on and truly durable. We tested the Kool Rider on one bike for 250 miles and it barely had a scratch!”

All my friends have it and we have our own bike club.

-Daniel, Dallas TX

For a bigger sound, clip on two. Ideal for girls as well as boys ages six and older, this clever add-on makes a two-wheeler go from ho-hum to at vroom with the authentic sounds of a motorbike. Each Kool Rider box includes one quick clip-on unit, plus kids receive the extra-customization option of long-lasting, colorful stickers, which are included. Simple to use -just clip the single unit on each wheel. To maximize that “Big Motor Sound,” simply clip on two!

Made in the USA. The New Jersey-based company utilizes developmentally disabled adults to assemble the units and packaging before shipping to retailers. Howard and Troy say that by working with DuPont, the unique and special select blend of high performance polymers produces a pleasing, accurate sound and tone. A smaller Little Kool Rider for beginner-type bikes is in the works for later this year.

Bought my son a Kool Rider and I can’t get him off his bike!

-Emily, Jacksonville FL

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The Plush Animal Kingdom of Aurora World

Visit almost any gift shop at a zoo or a hospital, a toy, Hallmark store or Claire’s …

… even a florist, a candy or stationery store worldwide – and you’ve probably ogled over the cute plush toys from Aurora World, Inc. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters also in the U.S., the UK and Hong Kong is a leader in the toy and gift industry, offering luxuriously soft, lifelike and adorable plush toys for kids of all ages –a far cry from my own little stuffed doggie named Trevor I still have from my childhood!

Signature by Aurora® This brand new line of plush animals is handcrafted with personal attention to detail. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Wildlife, jungle and exotics like fox and lemurs –even bald eagles and owls- are boxed individually and include a hand-stitched, illustrated booklet outlining the animal’s distinctive characteristics.

Aurora has elegantly captured the spirit, grace and vitality of real wildlife with one of the most beautiful lines we’ve ever created. Each piece is hand cut, sewn and shaded to make it so exquisite. These particular details bring each of the Signature characters to life.

-Michael Kessler, senior vice president of sales and marketing

Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy Aurora World and Hasbro, Inc. have teamed up on a new line of plush dolls based on the iconic Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy of old, bringing these beloved characters to life for a new generation of children.

YooHoo & Friends™ Aurora’s international plush toy phenomenon has sold more than 14 million worldwide, and the company recently added eight new WannaBes and an assortment based on the colors of the rainbow. Due to popular demand, Aurora added a pink gorilla and camel to the YooHoo & Friends line, too.

Lush Two-Toned Fabric. This year, Aurora adds shimmer and shine to new lines Sweet & Softer, Wishful Bear, Silly Monkey and Jewel Pets- a line of squeezably soft stuffed animals. The short pile plush appears reflective and bright from one angle and soft and smooth from another.

Three brand new plush gift lines are geared toward new parents and their children:

The western-themed Lil’ Howdys, an interactive collection of Crinkle Friends and Quizzies, a collection of bears, bunnies and puppies. Michael Kessler says, “These accessories are the perfect complement for the crib and nursery.”

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

The Gracious Style of Isabel Garreton

Adorn your daughters, nieces and granddaughters in the gracious style of beautiful clothes that reflect both the innocence and beauty of little girls.

The Isabel Garreton® collection is designed with comfort in mind, featuring elegant special occasion dresses, coats and Christening outfits designed for movement, growth and -of course- twirling. With sparkles sewn into fabrics that allow precious skin to breathe, cheeks to glow and small treasures to stay safe in hidden pockets, little girls feel as special as they look.

A line of handmade dolls are lovably soft and quite unique- kids create a customized version online, where they may select skin color, hairstyle, smile, clothing and name.

Isabel Garreton also offers lovely accessories for big girls, too –and recently launched Itsatwist, a collection of flexible hand-woven fabric pieces that can be worn as a scarf, wrap, top or anything else you can imagine. Quite fetching, I’d say!

My company brings timeless style, unique craftsmanship and extraordinary materials from Chile to your closet.

-Isabel Garreton

For over twenty years, Isabel’s company has provided a dignified work opportunity for disadvantaged women from her native country of Chile. All of the proceeds from the collection of women’s accessories, children’s clothing and handmade dolls go back to the women who created them. By teaching women time-honored skills like weaving and embroidery and employing them at her company, Isabel has provided them with a chance for happier and healthier lives.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Seen at Toy Fair 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day! New products galore at the International Toy Fair taking place right now in New York, NY.

Booth 1803. See more than 400 new products from Aurora World Inc., including three brand new plush gift lines geared towards new parents and their children; the western-themed Lil’ Howdys, an interactive collection of Crinkle Friends and the plush line, Quizzies.

We are using fancier, softer fabrics with many of our products in 2012. However, in keeping with our mission statement, price points are not compromised by the high quality designs for which Aurora is known.

–Michael Kessler, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Aurora.

Aurora created the international plush toy phenomenon – YooHoo & Friends™ – and its corresponding free, interactive web site, appealing to young children and tweens alike. Founded in 1981, the Korean company with headquarters also in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong, has ascended quickly to become a respected leader in the world’s toy and gift industry.

Booth 5214. Esther Novis, a mother of five and a former Harvard-trained biologist, started The Young Scientists Club as a summer science camp for her then five-year-old son. Friends from other parts of the country told her they wanted to duplicate her concept and the idea for a science subscription service was born. The subscription kits are now mailed monthly to thousands of children around the world and the company’s retail kits are sold in hundreds of specialty stores.

The Young Scientists Club’s newest kits teach children how to make and race magnetic cars, how to create slime, how to grow pretty polymer petunias and super balls, and over 50 other cool experiments.

Booth 6406. anamalz comes to the Toy Fair for the first time to show off its newest box sets in animal kingdom themes of Wild, Farm, Jungle and Prehistoric. Designed in Australia and made from sustainable maple wood, anamalz is anaward winning range of toy animals that can be bent into dozens of funny poses. The green business uses fabric that is AZO dyed and the company’s wood scraps are used on a farm to grow mushrooms. Each toy is assembled in factories that are of the highest standards and meet international regulations.

It’s easy to see why these eco-friendly characters enchant grownups, but it’s the children who are immediately engaged when they see anamalz because these wooden toys look so different from any other toys out on the store shelf. In all, there are 38 figures to collect in four categories. All toys are designed for children ages three and up.

Get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products! Contact me today!

New Children’s Book Celebrates the Christmas Spirit

A magical sleigh ride helps bring a family together in time for the holidays.

Author/illustrator Alan Anderson loves everything about Christmas – the lights, the music, the decorations, family, snow, giving gifts, the celebration of the birth of baby Jesus. In The Christmas Sleigh, he weaves his fondest memories into a children’s story book that illustrates when we care about others, life becomes richer.

Published by WestBow Press, The Christmas Sleigh introduces readers to Anya, a young girl who is out on the town celebrating the season with her parents -who are separated – putting aside their differences on behalf of their daughter for this one evening. While on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, friendly driver Tommy tells them a wondrous holiday story about his own life, which transforms their lives forever.

When Anya comes to learn Tommy’s secret, it becomes a story that can have great affect upon anyone willing to listen; Happiness can only be found as one puts forth sincere effort to make others happy.

-Alan Anderson

Thinking of writing a children’s book for your store?

WestBow Press is a strategic self-publishing alliance of Thomas Nelson, Inc., the world’s largest Christian publisher, and Author Solutions, Inc. (ASI), a leader in the popular self-publishing industry segment, distributing products in more than 100 countries worldwide. Through this partnership, authors benefit from the rich publishing heritage of Thomas Nelson and the speed-to-market advantages of the ASI self-publishing model. Titles published through WestBow Press are evaluated for sales potential and considered for publication under the Thomas Nelson imprint. For more information, or to start publishing today, visit www.westbowpress.com or call (866)-928-1240.

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

826 National T-shirt Design Challenge

Threadless challenges its community to create an inspirational t-shirt design around the mission of exploring students’ creativity and improving their writing skills.

Since its founding in San Francisco in 2002 by award-winning author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Calegari, 826 National has sparked students’ imaginations. The nonprofit, which runs centers in Ann Arbor, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, DC, offers a variety of inventive programs that provide under-resourced students ages six to 18 with opportunities to explore their creativity and improve their writing skills.

Each of the centers operates a street-front retail store filled with unusual products, entertaining signage and books for sale. The organization believes every future superhero, secret agent, space traveler and pirate has something in common: a good education and strong writing skills. To create awareness of its mission, 826 National is partnering with international community-driven company Threadless to challenge the public and Threadless’ community of 1.5 million artists to design a t-shirt for the organization.

For the design challenge, artists are asked to create a design inspired by 826 National’s mission of exploring students’ creativity and improving their writing skills with type-based tees encouraged. For inspiration, artists can check out the organization’s gallery featuring the best student writing from workshops, field trips and tutoring sessions from 826 centers across the country.

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Safe in the Arms of Love

“The perfect gift for the families of newborns. A timeless classic!”

-DEEPAK CHOPRA, M.D.

For the over four million babies that are born in the United States each year, nothing is more important than creating a strong bond with their parent. Yet with demands of modern life, many of today’s parents are not sure just how to create that bond.

Safe in the Arms of Love combines beautiful, intentionally designed music, heartwarming lyrics and an accompanying book full of essential and easy to understand information on the importance of how healthy attachment builds a secure emotional foundation for a child’s entire life.

Endorsed by leading authorities such as Deepak Chopra, M.D., Christiane Northrup, M.D., Dean Ornish, M.D., Marshall Klaus, M.D. and Phyllis Klaus, MFT, LMSW, the music and book package is the first release from producers Resonant Sounds, LLC, which creates products utilizing Positive Intention Music™ to help parents experience healthy bonding with their baby.

Developed by sound healer and songwriter Lisa Rafel, Emmy-winning composer Gary Malkin and clinical psychologist Dr. David Surrenda, the book and CD are designed to relax both parent and child, allowing them to form the deep heart connection that is the essence of the bonding experience.

“The music is intended for use during pregnancy and after the baby is born, while nursing, putting the baby to sleep, or to create a moment in the day that is just between the parent and the child,” Lisa, who is also founder of Resonant Sounds. “The lyrics were written from a place of deep love and connection, and are meant to evoke those emotions within the parent as she or he interacts with their infant.”

The music in Safe in the Arms of Love was intentionally composed to facilitate bonding using Positive Intention Music™. “By utilizing psychoacoustics and sound healing principles, we are helping to create a peaceful, attentive, heart filled atmosphere where both parent and baby can become emotionally connected,” says Gary Malkin.

FYI – Dr. David Surrenda is also CEO of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health -the largest retreat center in the US- and one of my favorite places for learning and growing.

-Janet Muniz

Hello, the house!

Newly listed! A chic dollhouse for kids ages three and older!

The Emerson House draws inspiration from Richard Neutra‘s Desert House and an A. Quincy Jones-designed house for actor Gary Cooper. This modern child’s toy house is the perfect home for the modern toy family, with a living room, kitchen, library/office, master bedroom, bathroom and child’s bedroom. Dolls can enjoy year-round sunlight in its large, open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows. It features many distinguishing architectural details such as glass corners, two fireplaces, including one built with cut stone, scored hardwood floors, recessed LED lights powered by solar panels and sliding glass doors. Assembly required.

Designed by Tim Boyle and measuring 30 by 21 by 18 inches, the Emerson House is built using only non-toxic and lead-free wood stains and paints and real CARB-certified woods by Brinca Dada, (BREEN-kuh DEY-duh), an exciting new toy company “that delivers the best thinking in modern aesthetics and innovative play-value to create toys that kids love to play with and parents love to look at.” This team believes that toys don’t need to be noisy or flashy to be exciting; that toys can be beautiful and fun. The company is helmed by founder/CEO Douglas Rollins, who is inspired by his love of design and toys. Doug spent nine years Toys”R”Us and ToysRUs.com in marketing, new concept development and buying, as well as launching several different start-up companies.

Pretty impressive, right? So is the price: over $300. Yet, it’s a magnificent find for that modern family.

-Janet Muniz

Reading is Fun-To-HUDSON’S

We think “Reading is Fundamental,” and it’s also Fun-To-HUDSON’S!

With a holiday season full of early morning door buster sales, the true meaning of Christmas can get lost in the flurry of activity. A visit from one of Santa’s plush Elf Magic™ Elves is a great way to bring wonder, magic and meaning back into Christmas. Elf Magic Elves, sent by Santa to visit children during the Christmas season for over 50 years, truly become a child’s best friend and a part of the family in a way that is simply magic! The brand-new Elf Magic, The Story of a Timeless Christmas Tradition is a 51-page book that’s easy to read and features gorgeous watercolor illustrations. The story transports readers to the North Pole, where Santa gathers his Elves for the annual reading of his story about a timeless Christmas tradition. Readers also learn important details about the Elves through the enchanting story, including what they like to eat and the significance of the embroidered snowflake on each Elf’s chest.

In her first-ever children’s book, celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich welcomes you into her home and kitchen during this holiday season. In Nonna Tell Me A Story: Lidia’s Christmas Kitchen published By Running Press Kids, Lidia shares one of her fondest childhood memories-decorating her very own edible Christmas tree. With a mix of storytelling, cooking instruction, and imaginative animation, this Christmas book showcases special family moments created around memorable food. Featuring 16 delicious easy-to-cook recipes, this book is sure to bring your family together in the kitchen. Yum!

Bestselling novelist Andrew Klavan has written the scariest Homelanders book yet, number three in the four-part series of his young adult thrillers slated for feature films by Summit Entertainment. The Truth of Matter is published by Thomas Nelson and joins The Last Thing I Remember and The Long Way Home which chronicle the story of Charlie West. For this holiday season Andrew and Thomas Nelson offered 2010 Christmas/Hanukah/Holiday Giveaways to the children of U.S. Armed Forces through media outlets or organizations who serve the families of active-duty, wounded, fallen or retired servicemen and servicewomen. TheHomelanders.com.

Writer and illustrator Debby Carman is donating copies of her hardcover dog and cat picture book series to the national organization, Reach out and Read and make their way into the hands of doctors, nurse practitioners and other medical professionals and become a part of wellness check-up programs, starting in California. Titles in clue I’m Gronk and I’m Green, Cha Cha the Dancing Dog, I’m Maximum Cat, That’s a Fact, Chewdalootie Doing My Duty and Purrlonia’s Lullaby.

Why not create a series of books that allows a parent or another special someone – even a beloved child – to record their own voice reading the story? Author Cristine Hoskin’s Recordable Storybooks series does just that with the début title, I Am Loved. Super simple recording process. The book contains simple word structures and short sentences. Cristine also authors the Comfort Me Bear Mission.

-Janet Muniz

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Kids in the Kitchen

This is right in the spirit of HUDSON’S good eatin’-themed Fashion Focus in the April/May issue!

Seattle, WA-based Zebra Mix is a fun company from Brian Alm and Lisa Burgess, devoted parents with two energetic daughters. Like most kids, their girls love to bake; like most grown-ups, these parents quickly discover scratch baking requires lots of pre-planning and supervision – so Zebra Mix is born – and they’ve got brand new baking mixes, too.

The company makes innovative products centered around kids and learning that make life a little more fun, interesting and delicious. Each all-natural and organic baking kit comes with a poster-size Safari Baking Map … step-by-step instructions and activities to make the baking process fun, easy and full of smart learning.

After selling more than 90,000 Zebra Mix Baking Activity Kits since 2008, Brian and Lisa expand their tasty line with three back-to-school baking kits. “We developed the idea for Zebra Mix because as parents, we were able to identify a need for interactive learning kits for kids,” Brian says. “As designers we were able to create a concept that appeals visually to kids and engages them in the baking process much like a traditional board game.” (These parents are also proprietors of a successful graphic design/marketing firm). Since its debut, toy industry judges and editors have awarded the company the National Parenting Center’s Seal of Approval and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award, among others.

As brand builders and graphic designers with 15 years experience in consumer products, Brian and Lisa assembled a group of kids and parents called the “Zebra Mix Think Tank” to help develop, test and perfect many puzzles, recipes and instructions before coming up with the Safari Baking Maps. Each map is double sided with two levels of learning and kids follow illustrated, step-by-step baking instructions and conduct zany science experiments while measuring ingredients, work their way through a word puzzle or maze or create their own work of art on a cupcake.