children’s retail blogs

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Baby K’tan


Newly expanded product line. Smart and simple parenting solutions.

052015_BabyKtan_03Founded in 2007 by two families, each raising a child with special needs in addition to two other children, the Chesals and the Wernicks developed a special line of baby wraps that help parents carry their children in a loving, nourishing way.

Baby K’tan products combine style, ease of use and comfort, providing families with high quality baby gear and accessories designed to help promote the natural bond between parent and baby.

Slips on like a t-shirt. The Florida-based company’s innovative “ready to wear” wrap uses a unique double-loop design that functions as an all-in-one sling, wrap and baby carrier, yet does not require any wrapping or buckling. Sized like clothing for the perfect fit (XS, S, M, L, XL) and can be used to carry children from eight to 35 pounds in multiple positions. Learn how to slip one on in three simple steps.

Baby K’tan recently launched several other products, including a diaper bag and the “K’tan Cloth” this year.

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What Do You Do With an Idea?


Hope for anyone, at any age, who’s ever had an idea that seemed a little too big, too odd or too difficult.

Written by Kobi Yamada with illustrations by Mae Besom, What Do You Do With an Idea? is the story of one brilliant idea and the child who helps to bring it into the world. As the child’s confidence grows, so does the idea itself. And then, one day, something amazing happens* …

Bookseller Barnes & Noble proclaims it as one of the best books of 2014 for kids, and the 36-page tale is perfect for children ages four to eight years … yet it also touches everyone who is young at heart. “From that first puzzled inkling, the little boy realizes that the idea was following him like a small egg waiting to be hatched. Finally, it does … and reminds us what we do with an idea: You change the world.” From the booksellers’ review.

050615_CRTPost_WhatDoYouDoWithAnIdea_inside“It’s a story to inspire you to welcome that idea, to give it some space to grow, and to see what happens next,” Kobi says. “Because your idea isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s just getting started.”

Kobi Yamada is president and CEO of Seattle, WA-based Compendium Incorporated, “a company of amazing people doing amazing things,” producing extraordinary gifts that inspire, educate, motivate and celebrate the world we live in. Gift books, journals, greeting cards, boxed notes, pop-up cards and guest books for just about everyone. Wholesale available.

*Listen to the entire story as it’s read aloud by the fine folks at ArtistEducation.

Just Breathe


Kindergarteners talk about mindfulness in a new short film.

Recently featured on OWN’s Super Soul Sunday, Just Breathe is a four-minute movie produced by filmmakers Julie Bayer Salzman, Josh Salzman, their son, classmates and family members one Saturday afternoon. In it, kindergarteners talk about coping with emotions and using meditation and breathing techniques.

“The film is entirely unscripted,” says Julie. “What the kids say is based purely on their own neuro-scientific understanding of difficult emotions, and how they cope through breathing and meditation. They, in turn, are teaching us all.”

Julie was inspired to create the film after taking a six-week course with Mindful Schools, an organization that teaches mindfulness in US schools. “I overheard my then five-year-old son talking with his friend about how emotions affect different regions of the brain, and how to calm down by taking deep breaths — all things they were beginning to learn in Kindergarten at their new school, Citizens of the World Charter School, in Mar Vista, CA. I was surprised and overjoyed to witness first-hand just how significant social-emotional learning in an elementary school curriculum was on these young minds.”

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Babyhome’s New Products


030415_CRTPost_Babyhome_Air-purple+cloudBabyhome’s newest bassinet model is called Air and it comes complete with an easily attachable changing pad that can also be removed with just one hand –allowing parents to multi-task to their heart’s content. Air also has a practical mesh window hidden on its side under the fabric for better ventilation and the side pockets are the perfect way to keep everything organized and at hand.

Air for Travel

Air is ideal for use in smaller quarters or during the first months of a baby’s life in the bedroom with mom and dad. It’s light weight and easy of assemble, too –with an innovative adjustable leg system that changes from stationary to a rocker to wheels with the click of a button. Air comes with a high-density, totally airtight and waterproof foam mattress that prevents the baby from getting caught between the edge of the mattress and side of the bassinet and a honeycomb structured mattress pad that is safe and breathable.

Introducing Wave 

030415_CRTPost_Babyhome_wave_walnut_clayWave is an innovative bounce chair, that’s stylish enough to blend in to a contemporary, modern décor. Wave’s structure, which features simple, soft lines, turns its design into one of the warmest and most comfortable for baby on the market.  It offers a pleasant, steady, front-to-back rocking motion which relaxes baby to ensure their utmost restfulness and also comes with the option of a stationary position. Wave folds easily and compactly so it can be stored in small areas.

Based in Barcelona, Spain, Babyhome’s award-winning, highly designed, extremely functional and lightweight baby products are made with the utmost attention to function and safety. Babyhome’s U.S. offices are located in Budd Lake, New Jersey.

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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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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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Knot Genie Detangling Brush


This hairbrush detangles knotty hair without pain.

Found in 4,000 salons and boutiques worldwide, Knot Genie is designed to help kids brush their hair without pain or breakage. The flexible bristles simply glide through hair – making life easier for everyone –girls, boys and parents, too.

Rikki Mor endured years of hair-brushing battles every morning when her three daughters refused to brush their hair. So she invented a hairbrush with different lengths of teeth that bend when brushing, to gently untangle the hair. What’s more, Knot Genie’s unique cloud-shaped top fits into the palm of a hand –like it is made that way, whether you’re right or left handed. This is one tough yet gentle grooming tool!

121014_CRTPost_KnotGenie_04The Knot Genie folks tell me they’ve gained a rather cult-like following among Moms, that’s reaching teens and tweens, too. They say, “People are finally realizing that not just any brush will do when it comes to taking care of their hair.”

121014_CRTPost_KnotGenieI’ll say; it’s the Knot Genie that makes knots in hair magically disappear.

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Children’s Museum of Indianapolis


The Children’s Museum Store polls kid-experts to determine the top 10 toys for the 2014 holiday shopping season.

Parents are always looking for gifts to give during the holidays that are as special as their children. It can be a daunting task: find something educational that appeals to a child’s creativity, their sense of adventure, their unique ability to build something cool.

Don’t forget to browse your local children’s museums! Oftentimes, the best stuff can be found at museum shops –toys that have a special something you can’t find anywhere else. These gifts can also give back: to the community, to other children, to support the museum’s mission. How cool is that?

For 16 years, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis has conducted the Kid-tested, Kid Approved event. Local kids of all ages are invited to visit The Museum Store to play with and then vote on their favorite toys. Thirty of the store’s most popular toys are offered up as potential picks, and the kids get to check all of them out, right there in the store … until they decide which ones will make the top 10 list of fun, unique and educational toys that the kids love best –and parents can add to their own lists for holiday shopping. Here, this year’s Kid-Tested, Kid Approved selections are listed in order of most votes:

  1. Super Slam Basketball
  2. Original Flying Turtle
  3. Foxfire Glow Phantoms Thinking Putty
  4. Hoberman Switch Pitch
  5. Snap Circuits – Motion
  6. Mini OgoDisk Set
  7. Switchback Racetrack
  8. Hexbug Aquabots
  9. Playmobil My Secret Play Box – Dragon`s Lair
  10. Take ‘N’ Play Anywhere Fashion Spotlight Magnetic Playset

112614_CRTPost_ChildrensMuseumLogoWith the Kid-Tested, Kid Approved initiative, the museum hopes to lend a hand to parents who are looking to discover what most interests their children, straight from the kids themselves. Each Kid-Tested, Kid Approved selection is available for purchase at the Museum’s award-winning store and online retail site. On each individual online product page, read real reviews from the kid-expert testers and other clues for each toy’s rank. What’s more – all purchases help support the museum’s mission.

As the Children’s Museum tells you, start shopping with confidence – now you know what your kids want and you know what they like!

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Itsy Bitsy Knots


New children’s label wraps up classy special occasionwear with a bow.

112014_CRTPost_ItsyBitsyKnots_01Nosh Khurram (aka Nosh Kay) recently launched a new –and fun- fashion label for kids called Itsy Bitsy Knots – gorgeous little bow ties especially for boys, but girls will love ‘em, too, I bet.

Perfect for the Holidays. Like so many Moms out there, Nosh got tired of the slim pickins when it comes to boy’s dress-up, so she did something about it. Each one of her bow tie designs uses colorful fabrics in 100% cotton, silk or wool. Nosh tells me her inspiration for the designs “comes from an era when dressing up was an essential part of everyday life,” she says. They’re classy and traditional with a modern twist. Nice!

112014_CRTPost_ItsyBitsyKnots_03As she gives parents everywhere a wonderful option to dress up their kids, Nosh also wants to support causes that are close to her heart. A percentage of every bow tie sold will be given to a children’s charity. Bravo!