Bits of News

083116_CRT_KidpikBasics

kidpikbasics.com

kidpik, the custom head-to-toe fashion box, designed, styled and delivered exclusively for girls 4-14, recently introduced the kidpik basics collection in super-soft materials and yummy colors. Parents can now stock up on all the essentials that a girl needs in multiples at www.kidpikbasics.com. “Basics are an essential part of a girl’s wardrobe,” Ezra Dabah, kidpik founder and CEO says. “We are thrilled to offer a great selection of basics to complement the kidpik fashion collection.”

MAM Celebrates in 2016

MAM, a manufacturer of award-winning, innovative and unique baby products including pacifiers and baby bottles, is celebrating its 40-year anniversary this year with all MAM parents, thanking them for helping to make MAM the trusted and admired brand it is today. From its beginnings in 1976 as a small company in Vienna, Austria, MAM has grown into a leading global brand in five continents with more than 50 million products sold annually in 60 countries. “We understand and love babies,” says Jennifer Mitchell, CEO, MAM North America. “For the past 40 years our top priority has been the development of products for the well-being, safety and health of babies that make life easier for parents and allow them to focus on the joy of family. We are proud of our heritage and will remain committed to developing products that unify design, technological innovation and medical know-how.

083116_CRT_LILLEbaby COMPLETE Organic - Blush

LÍLLÉbaby® Re-launches COMPLETE Organic Collection

The luxurious, lightweight 100% cotton COMPLETE Organic Collection is available in three new modern, must-have shades – Sea Glass, Blushing Pink and Powder Blue – as well as returning favorites Blue Moonlight and, for a limited time only, the classic Green Meadows. The Collection is now available for purchase at lillebaby.com and independent boutiques.

083116_CRT_Rocyalox

Rocyalox Hair Accessories

Charmin K Edwards has created Rocyalox, the first healthy hair accessory for curly hair. Just wrap and twist the cute hair band around hair and you’re stylin’. “Self-esteem starts early,” Charmin says. “When all girls, no matter their ethnicity, are able to find and purchase the same hair accessory, it’s a great thing!”

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Those Pencil Sticker Things

Just in time for back-to-school.

Do your pencils need a lift? One company has an answer: the perfect kind of stickers made exactly for your “boringville” plain pencils.

When you visit Those Pencil Sticker Things online, you can’t help but get excited. You find out that it’s the best ever website, simply because it’s the place to get Those Pencil Sticker Things. And whether you’re a school-age student or a slightly older wiseacre, you probably have a few boringville pencils that need a lift. They say if your pencils had hands, they would so be high-fiving you now. And it’s true – you can read what pencils are saying about Those Pencil Sticker Things:

“Before I was just a regular yellow pencil that looked the same as everyone else. Then my human got Those Pencil Sticker Things™ and now I’m all different and extra great.”

– Carleton the Pencil

Those Pencil Sticker Things come complete with (entertaining) instructions on how to pencil stick, critical to any creative learner’s pencil box (as opposed to toolbox, which is what folks usually say here). I happen to be quite the fan of pencils. They help you make mistakes in real time, then fix ‘em easily to your heart’s desire. After all, what fun is learning without mistakes?

Making Pencils Proud

Mark Cohen and the other designers at Wit are the masterminds behind Those Pencil Sticker Things … although I expect they are also “super brainiac aliens from some distant galaxy,” like they say on the About Us page. (By the way, I didn’t even laugh when you mention Atlanta; I lived there twice and loved it. Love more than a few Hot-lantians who still live there, too).

Anywho … your kids are gonna love Those Pencil Sticker Things.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Baby Pibu

Baby Pibu’s creator is educating parents about proper infant skincare with a free video series that premieres today.

Renowned dermatologist, Mohs surgeon and creator of Baby Pibu infant skincare – Dr. Amy Kim – launches of a new video series to educate parents about infant skincare needs and demonstrating easy to follow techniques. The series, Dr. Amy’s Daily 4: Splash, Slather, Spot, Soothe, débuts today with the premiere of two new videos on Baby Pibu’s YouTube Channel. Three additional videos will premiere every Wednesday.

Dr. Amy’s video series is born out of recognizing a parent’s need to learn basic skincare. “After watching these videos and learning the ‘Splash, Slather, Spot and Soothe’ mantra, I hope that parents and caregivers will approach taking care of their infants’ skin with a greater level of confidence and ease,” Dr. Amy says. “One of the greatest disservices you can do to a baby is to simply ignore skincare all together because you fear using the wrong products or using them in the wrong way. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to your baby having healthy skin.”

About Baby Pibu™

Baby Pibu goes the extra mile to provide parents with peace of mind that their products are safe for even the most sensitive skin. With Baby Pibu products, infant skincare doesn’t have to be a confusing chore. Available for sale at stores nationwide and online, Baby Pibu produces the ideal combination of naturally-derived, effective products that are gentle enough to use every day – even on delicate newborn skin. Products are paired with Dr. Amy’s detailed instructions on application and care, so that parents can focus less on figuring out skincare and more on their tiny bundles of joy.

Dr. Amy is known for her 10+ years as a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs skin cancer surgeon in renowned Atlanta practice, MetroDerm PC. After becoming a mom of two young children, she launched Baby Pibu in 2014 as a premium infant and children’s skin care line that offers safe and effective products. The company also provides educational resources to help parents care for their child’s skin.

The only skincare line of its kind available on the market that has been developed by a dermatologist mom, Baby Pibu is nationally recognized for safety and effectiveness by the National Eczema Association and the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Baby Pibu Video Schedule

Wednesday, July 20 – Splash & Slather

– Splash: Dr. Amy teaches parents how to give their baby the best bath with tips they can add to their nightly bath time routine.

– Slather: Dr. Amy teaches the importance of slathering on moisturizing cream at night after bath time to keep the skin hydrated and moisturized. She also shows how to slather on the sunscreen, particularly when headed out for a day in the sun.

Wednesday, July 27 – Spot and Soothe Diaper Rash

Diaper rash is a common skin condition that all babies and parents face. Since it can be a miserable condition to battle, Dr. Amy teaches parents how to spot diaper rash early on in order to soothe it with the right remedies and prevent flare ups.

Wednesday, August 3 – Spot and Soothe Cradle Cap

Cradle cap is a common skin condition that rarely bothers baby but bothers parents because of its appearance. Dr. Amy teaches parents how to spot it early as well as how to soothe it and prevent flare ups.

Wednesday, August 10 – Spot and Soothe Eczema

Eczema can affect up to 20% of children in the U.S. Eczema appears when a child has sensitive skin that develops a rash when it gets too dry or irritated. Parents will learn how to spot eczema early so that they will know how to soothe it by using the correct washes, ointments and remedies, as well as how to prevent flare ups.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Tabitha Fink: The Cat with One Eye

I Fink Different.

She may only have one eye, but that’s just what makes her special. Other than that, she’s one fabulously storied cat. The 5-star, award-winning Tabitha Fink: The Cat with One Eye is written for children ages two through five that tells Tabitha’s story in playful rhyme and delightful illustrations that kids totally love.

“A not-to-be missed story for the preschooler in your life – uplifting, enjoyable, and just plain fun. I loved every word!”

– Ellen Feld, Feathered Quill

The First Place Winner of the 2016 Beverly Hills Book Award and a Feathered Quill 2016 Bronze Award Winner for Best Children’s Illustrated Book, the stories of Tabitha Fink start with the truth that no one is perfect, that we are all special and unique and that we should celebrate the uniqueness in everyone. Certainly this friendly, one-eyed cat is a fabulous example of that, as she scampers off on amazing adventures that will help children explore their emerging and sometimes challenging worlds. Tabitha’s next adventure is chronicled in Rick’s newest book, Tabitha Fink On a Mission to Mars.

“The world of Tabitha Fink is a simple and playful reflection of the many special things that are part of children’s lives,” says author Rick Felty – who is one swanky cat himself, especially to me. During the many years we worked together in the broadcasting and promotion business, Rick was THE go-to creative mind, winning every kind of creative excellence award in the business, including the coveted Emmy. So it doesn’t surprise me one bit that Rick has created a unique world for Tabitha Fink filled with entertaining lessons for kids as well as cool products that keep her message alive. Fun t-shirts, hoodies and stickers are just a few that proclaim, “I fink different.”

“An adorable book with an uplifting message. Tabitha Fink teaches children to be happy with themselves instead of trying to be like someone else…celebrating their uniqueness and individuality.”

– Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

The Real Tabitha Fink

Rick is also a photographer, musician and private pilot who lives in New England with his wonderful family, a dog, a bunch of fish and the real one-eyed cat named Tabitha Fink. “We have found that some people want to know why Tabitha Fink has only one eye. This is a very natural question and we are happy to tell you all we know.” Come to find out, Tabitha was adopted that way. The vet isn’t sure why she has only one eye, and thinks either injury or illness played a part in her uniqueness. “In any case, the veterinarian told us that she would be able to live a very full life with only one eye,” Rick says, “and we can report that she does!”

Some cats only have a Facebook page. Tabitha Fink has an entire world for kids to explore and learn from. How cool is that?

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Children’s Book Series

Imagine a young child teased in school for reading aloud. Terribly. How could that child react?

Well, this one – a shy, introvert who enjoys spending time alone, dreaming up magical worlds, singing, dancing, drawing and writing- simply stops reading.

It isn’t until her teacher notices a huge drop in her test scores that it comes to the attention of her Mom. And the race to improve the child’s reading skills begins. It actually becomes an easy job, as the child reads well above her age level; as we know, all writers are great readers. She just doesn’t enjoy it as much as she once does. Until …

Dragonriders of Pern

For me (yes, I am this child), I don’t really enjoy reading again until a friend introduces me to the science fiction book series, Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey. By now, I’m a young adult, working in advertising. From here, it’s Frank Herbert’s masterpiece series, Dune and the works of Robert Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land, Time Enough for Love and Glory Road are favorites).

Children’s Book Series

The nature of book series -the worlds authors create, the cast of recurring characters, the richness and intimacy of the storytelling – is what hooks me to the quick. Readers of all ages are drawn in with the sights and sounds of the storied imagination, so to speak, which encourages more reading, more imagination, more satisfaction.

Nowadays, children are huge fans of J.K. Rowling’s magnificent Harry Potter series (for the best treat, listen to the award-winning audiobooks, narrated by the oh-so-talented Jim Dale); Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games, the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer and others (can you say, Diary of a Wimpy Kid?). And you don’t have to be a child to be taken by them.

Certainly, the fascination with book series can continue well into adulthood – consider the popularity of George RR Martin’s A Song of Fire and Ice (aka Game of Thrones) and Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series and the Earth’s Children series (Clan of the Cave Bear) by Jean M. Auel. Yes, book series can open up a whole new world to a reader and a whole new way of learning.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Mango, Abuela, and Me

An endearing tale from an award-winning duo that speaks loud and clear about learning new things and the love that bonds family members.

Mia’s abuela leaves her sunny house with parrots and palm trees to live with Mia and her parents in the city. The night she arrives, Mia tries to share her favorite book with Abuela before they go to sleep and discovers that she can’t read the words inside. So while they cook, Mia helps Abuela learn English and Mia learns some Spanish too, but it’s still hard for Abuela to learn the words she needs to tell Mia all her stories. Then Mia sees a parrot in the pet-shop window and has the perfect idea for how to help them all communicate a little better.

Appropriate for children ages five through eight, Mango, Abuela, and Me is written by the award-winning Meg Medina, who has authored several books for young readers, including the highly acclaimed YA novel, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass and the picture book Tía Isa Wants a Car, for which she received an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. Now living in Richmond, Virginia, Meg grew up in Queens, New York.

“I turned to writing because my family wouldn’t stop talking. Ever,” Meg says. “I’m part of a very ordinary Cuban family, which is to say, a meddling clan of aunts, uncles, and grandparents who are tireless storytellers. Stories are such a powerful way to remember and make sense of what happens to you in life—and plenty had happened to them by the time they arrived in the U.S. during the early 1960s. My parents left in the middle of a revolution in their country, and they arrived the way many immigrants do: with empty pockets, no language, and in shock. But they also knew the power of stories. Families need their own tales to survive hard times, and those stories are a rope that can attach even the youngest children to their roots. Stories help you learn all the things that really matter to the people who are trying to help you grow up.”

The book is illustrated by Angela Dominguez who lives in San Francisco and teaches art at the Academy of Art University.

Pura Belpré Author & Illustrator Awards

Both Meg and Angela are honored with the 2016 Pura Belpré Author and Illustrator Honor Book Award, named after the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. Established in 1996, the awards are presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Good Night Yoga

Do you know the President’s Council has added the practice of yoga to the fitness activities in the annual President’s Challenge?

Sounds True is an independent multimedia publishing company that embraces the world’s major spiritual traditions, as well as the arts and humanities, with a library of more than 1,500 titles including children’s books.

Good Night Yoga: A Pose-by-Pose Bedtime Story

“I wrote this book because after years of teaching children’s yoga, I wanted a way for my students to (literally) take it home,” says author Mariam Gates. With a master’s in education from Harvard University and has more than 20 years’ experience working with children, Mariam’s renowned Kid Power Yoga™ program combines her love of yoga with teaching to help children access their inner gifts. “This book became a way to hand children the tools to create their own practice and for parents, caregivers, and teachers to share in that experience.”

For parents and caregivers looking for a fun and effective new routine for bedtime, Good Night Yoga is full-color book beautifully illustrated by Sarah Jane Hinder that tells the story of the natural world as it closes down for the night, while teaching children a simple flow of yoga postures inspired by their favorite characters from nature.

“There is a power in being able to pause and take a deep breath in and a long breath out. As I teach kids and train teachers around the country, I am amazed by how this simple tool of slowing things down through breath and movement can be so essential to how we experience a moment, a day, and our lives. This book is my way of bringing that practice to life.”

As a parent, part of Mariam’s purpose for writing this book is to create more ritual around bedtime, especially for her daughter, who needed a longer lead-in to sleep. The simple flow of the story gives kids a way to relax mentally and physically “let go” of the day.

Good Night Yoga is a complete guide to a simple sequence that is both fun and ultimately relaxing. Each pose has both visual and written cues as a support, and Mariam includes a spread where the entire flow is shown so you and your child can see “where you’re going.”

Mariam and her artist partner Sarah Jane follow Good Night Yoga with Good Morning Yoga, a practice for kids and parents to greet the morning with joy and embark on their daily adventures with intention and confidence.

Namaste

Children’s Retail Today is back! Publishing new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

CRT on Haitus

Due to a few important life changes and events, fresh posts from Children’s Retail Today will return in June 2016.

The NYC Collection by Solo

Designed in New York and available everywhere.

Solo is one of the largest and fastest growing urban lifestyle brands around. The company designs bags, backpacks, cases, sleeves and totes “for people who know what they want and aren’t shy about demanding it.”

Inspired by its hometown and its inhabitants, Solo introduces its first New York-inspired collection of backpacks. Each bag features scenes from the five boroughs: Brooklyn graffiti, the Manhattan grid, skateboards and more; features include

Fully padded mesh 15.6″ laptop pockets
Two front pockets
Front zip-down organizer section with key clip
Side pockets fits most water bottles
Padded carry handle
Padded shoulder straps for added comfort
Lightweight

Looking for teen appropriate carryalls?

Solo’s got ‘em, and at a great price. Available now on Solo.net.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

Moc Happens by Itzy Ritzy

Five Fresh Styles of Adorable Baby Moccasins

Moc Happens™ is a brand new line of leather baby moccasins by Itzy Ritzy. Made from super soft, breathable and durable leather, the spring collection includes five moccasin styles available in three different sizes for newborn babies up to 18-months-of-age.

“At Itzy Ritzy, we wanted to create chic, high quality, leather moccasins that were affordable and would be the perfect gift for any occasion in a baby’s early life,” says Kelly Douglas, Itzy Ritzy’s Co-CEO. “Moc Happens is the latest product in the Itzy Ritzy line that marries function and style for the modern parent.”

Itzy Ritzy’s Moc Happens feature removable padded inserts for comfort and to extend the life of the shoe as baby’s foot grows, secure elastic openings for easily taking them on and off, and Itzy Ritzy’s signature chevron embossed soles for an extra touch of style and distinction. The moccasins are available in five unique and playful styles including Ritzy Dot, Dino-Monster, Diamond Rain, Precious Metals and Toasted Almond.

Ideal gifts for baby showers, new moms, holidays, christenings or first birthdays, Moc Happens moccasins come packaged in a gift box and are fully CPSIA-tested and compliant. Moc Happens are available for purchase at fine retailers nationwide, online and at www.itzyritzy.com.

Itzy Ritzy’s products show that parenting in style is possible. By packing function and style into one eco-friendly punch, Itzy Ritzy provides attractive solutions to everyday challenges. Responsible for the great selling line of modern solutions for chic parents on the go, products include the Snack Happens Reusable Snack Bags, Nursing Happens Infinity Breastfeeding Scarf, Cozy Happens Infant Car Seat Canopy, Ritzy Sitzy Shopping Cart & High Chair Cover, Travel Happens Zippered Wet Bags, and Teething Happens Chewable Mom Jewelry. Celebrity fans include Jennifer Garner, Kelly Clarkson, Zoe Saldana, Gisele Bundchen, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Gwen Stefani, and Nicole Ritchie.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!