Children’s Retail Today

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Bubele


Small family-owned and operated business dreams up big ideas for babies –and parents, too.

120314_CRTPost_Bubele_02Bubele means “sweet baby,” and Bubele, Inc. is the brain child of founder/owner Kris Weisblatt. Kris tells me she started her baby company in 2007 after suffering a traumatic brain injury during delivery of her youngest son, Evan.

“I was in a coma for two weeks,” Kris says. “After receiving therapy, I returned home and everyday things were now more difficult to accomplish. Taking care of a newborn, I found the need for items that were not available on the market.”

120314_CRTPost_Bubele_03Kris decides to go after her dreams, starting her very own clothing line. “I designed a Pacifier Snappy™ to replace the pacifier clip that has snaps in place of a clip, so babies cannot pull that binky off and throw it.”

In addition to the redesigned Pacifier Snappy, Bubele also carries a fun Mix & Match clothing line. Kris designs the Bubele Bib with an attached neck roll to wick milk away and the stretchy, oversize Wrap to swaddle newborns more easily. And she doesn’t stop there.

120314_CRTPost_Bubele_08She creates the patent pending Bubele Loop, sewn into each side seam of her body suits and tops – one of her best ideas. “The simple concept keeps pacifier clips from slipping,” she says. This is her signature invention, one that sets Bubele apart from all the rest!

Kris continues to run her small family-owned and operated Bubele that she starts on a zero budget, using her own fabrics and sewing machine … only now, she has more time to focus on her innovative, modern designs.

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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!

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Wee Rascals


111814_CRTPost_WeeRascalsNew line celebrates real heroes.

Wee Rascals is a new children’s brand of casual cool clothing with a little history: From Joan of Arc to Johnny Appleseed, the fun tees and stuff feature the true legends of times gone by, heroes and heroines that can match step for step with any of today’s superheroes or cartoon characters. The rock stars of Wee Rascals’ world are history-making men and women of substance, including Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Isaac Newton and Davy Crockett.

111814_CRTPost_WeeRascals_02Made in the USA. Austin, TX-based Wee Rascals is a labor of love for moms Kylie Clayborne and Elizabeth Rich, who launched brand in March 2014. Inspired by an image of Johnny Appleseed in her son’s folktale book, Kylie set out to share real heroes with boys and girls nationwide while consciously manufacturing in the United States. All Wee Rascals designs are printed direct to garment or screen-printed in Austin to assure high quality and ethical labor practices.

Wee Rascals is redefining the meaning of heroes with printed tees, tanks, and bodysuits for kids from 3-6 months up to size 12. Select tees are made from organic cotton, and all styles are unisex. Available online at http://www.wee-rascals.com.

111814_CRTPost_WeeRascals_03Look for baby raglan tees plus new hero and heroine prints coming soon.

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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!


102814_CRTPost_Happy Halloween_words

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.

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GoldieBlox Joins the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade


Happy news for turkey day!

Award-winning toy company GoldieBlox is bringing the magic of design and engineering to life at the 88th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® with “The Girl-Powered Spinning Machine,” a new GoldieBlox float that will make its way down the streets of New York.

“Our dream at GoldieBlox is to inspire every girl to reach her full potential, and we definitely like to dream big. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an iconic celebration and we’re thrilled to join the line-up this November with the first-ever float that is specifically designed to showcase the principles of engineering. Macy’s Parade floats are the ultimate engineering spectacle, and relatable to kids everywhere. We can’t wait!”

-GoldieBlox Founder & CEO Debbie Sterling

Designed and built by the engineers and craftspeople at Macy’s Parade Studio working closely with the GoldieBlox team, The Girl-Powered Spinning Machine will transform GoldieBlox toys into larger-than-life form, in an elaborate, creative and brightly colored machine. The float uses kid power to spin, pull and rotate giant pinwheels, parachutes, jogging wheels and more. Goldie herself is at the helm of the action, joined by Goldie’s dog Nacho, her cat Benjamin Cranklin and a host of her friends on three distinct stages.

“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has always been about sparking the imagination through creativity, magic and fun. The new GoldieBlox float is an aspiring engineer’s dream, perfectly combining Macy’s Parade’s signature creativity and artistry, with real-world engineering practices that will inspire girls and boys to learn more about engineering and technology.”

-Amy Kule, Executive Producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

GoldieBlox hopes to spread the message that while girls may love princesses, they can build their own castles too, or their own parade floats! Determined to level the playing field for girls in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), GoldieBlox is on a mission to disrupt pink toy aisles everywhere and get girls building.

Gearing up for the holiday season, GoldieBlox recently doubled their product offering, adding three new sets and expanding their piece library from six to more than 40, all available at GoldieBlox.com.

GoldieBlox’s Girl-Powered Spinning Machine float débuts in the 88th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which can be seen nationwide on NBC-TV, on Thursday, November 27, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in all time zones.