kids products blogs

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PacaPod


Award-winning 3-in-1 baby bag line makes U.S. début.

portland detailU.K.-based PacaPod Ltd. manufactures stylish, high quality diaper bags with a unique and award-winning 3-in-1 baby organization system. The one-of-a-kind PacaPod is now available in the U.S., online and in select buybuy BABY stores nationwide.

PacaPod’s ingenious “three bags for the price of one” concept – a stylish outer bag containing two detachable “Pods,” one for feeding and one for changing- is super versatile. The pods can be quickly removed from the main bag and clipped to a stroller/luggage cart/car seat, used as mini cool bags and even function as a backpack for older children. All features and compartments are picture-labeled for simplicity.

092514_CRTPost_PacaPod_03The Changer Pod and Feeder Pod keeps baby’s food and bottles separate, hygienically and cleverly packed away from diapers and wipes in their own individual pods. The Feeder Pod contains an insulated bottle cover and space for four bottles and the Changer Pod neatly stores diapering essentials and includes a change mat to enable convenient one-hand changing.  PacaPod allows parents freedom, versatility and a stress free solution for time away from home, whether it’s a stroll in the city or a hike up a mountain.  For use beyond the baby years, all Pacapod bags can also function as laptop bags.

“As a mom when I needed something, I wanted to reach it quickly and easily,” founder/designer Jacqueline Waggett says. “Life is hectic enough with kids and knowing that I’m organized is one less thing to worry about. I design each and every PacaPod bag to help make the experience of being out and about as a parent a little easier. For me, PacaPod is about a sense of liberation. When I’m organized, I’m happy.”

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Jacqueline founded PacaPod in 2008. Before launching her own brand, she was a designer for the Animal and Ellesse outdoor clothing brands.  An experienced world traveler, she adapted her bicycle panniers while cycling in New Zealand into separate compartments to make travel gear easy to pack and retrieve. Her eye for design, combined with the tips she learned for travelling light and being organized, came in handy when she realized that there was a gap in the market for great-looking and practical baby bags.  She found that most of the available baby bags were lacking in space and features and styles too were not appealing to dads.

092514_CRTPost_PacaPod_05PacaPod has received numerous international industry accolades and awards from media and organizations including Practical Parenting & Pregnancy, Junior Design, Mumpreneur and Loved by Parents.  PacaPod bags can be found in Europe at major retailers including John Lewis, Mothercare, El Corte inglés and Jojo Maman Bebe.

In the U.S., PacaPod débuts a total of 13 shoulder bags, satchels and unisex design style bags offered in three collections -Luxury, Classic and Pattern.

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moriko


Little seats for little peeps. 

One look at Seattle artisan Bruce Hanamura’s whimsical-yet-modern chairs perfectly proportioned for children will have you wishing for a smaller behind, perhaps … just so you, too, could enjoy sitting on the soft, smooth surfaces he creates from solid Mahogany, Western Maple, Walnut and Birch.

You’ll have to be happy to let your kids dream of a forest where magical animals frolic and play – while they sit on a moriko. In fact, the name moriko means, “forest child,” and the children’s furniture line includes little seats that resemble a rabbit (usage), fox (kitsune), beaver (biba) and squirrel (risu) –all uniquely hand-crafted, heirloom-quality solid wood seating that is Made in the USA. Currently moriko’s ship in three to four weeks.

Each chair evokes the personality and character of the animal it represents, and is a loving and unexpected detail for any child’s play space.

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Not to worry. Bruce also designs custom furniture for adults (and the size of their behinds) through his company The Design Pallet. He likes to use reclaimed and local lumber giving it a second life as desks, tables, chairs, headboards, night stands – anything your adult imagination can dream up!

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Sniffie Clippies from Sweet Julep’s


082814_CRTPost_SniffieClippies_03Innovative hair confections, each with a fun fragrance.

From popular couture hair accessories brand Sweet Julep’s come Sniffie Clippies, scented hair clips, bands and bows, plus bracelets and necklaces with a unique, fun fragrance that will last up to 12 months, then slowly dissipate. Each Sniffie is individually packaged in cello wrap and given a fragrance name. Recent additions are mango, passion fruit and kiwi.

082814_CRTPost_SniffieClippies_04Made in the USA. Creator/designer Alice Hardin, a former Hollywood nanny, originally opened for business as Ruby’s Closet, before changing the name to Sweet Julep’s in 2012. Alice’s hair accessories have a “no-slip” interior called Silly Grip, made from the same material as baby bottle nipples and proven to out-perform all other types of grip. Each design is made with components that are held to high safety standards and are environmentally friendly. Wholesale available.

082814_CRTPost_SniffieClippies_05Children’s Retail Today publishes new articles each week about innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children. Contact me today with your great idea!

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The Man with the Violin


Based on a true story of what happened when a world class violinist performed and almost no one listened.

From picture books to non-fiction, young adult fiction and historical fiction, horror and biography to series books, stories in anthologies and magazines, writer Kathy Stinson has authored a wide variety of material for readers.

“What you read influences what you write. And so does the day to day life that you live.”

-Kathy Stinson

The Ontario, Canada-based mother of two, two stepdaughters and grandmother to five has been inspired by all of the children in her life to write her books … and this one is inspired by children and the fabulous Joshua Bell, telling a real-life tale.

081914_CRTPost_ManWithViolin_JoshuaBell Man with the Violin. Seven years ago on a random January day, the real Joshua Bell takes  part in an experiment devised by The Washington Post, performing at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station in Washington, D.C. More than 1,000 commuters pass his playing and only seven stop to listen for more than a minute. Just seven adults … yet the children are mesmerized, even as they are pulled away by adults on a more important mission –or so it seems. After 43 minutes of  exceptional performance, Joshua Bell’s violin case holds $32.17 … as the world continues to pass him by.

Written by Kathy Stinson, illustrated by Dušan Petričić, with a postscript by Joshua Bell, The Man with the Violin tells the story of Dylan, a little boy who notices everything, while his Mom speeds through life taking no notice at all. It is Dylan who realizes something extraordinary is happening that day in the subway station, yet he cannot convince his Mom to slow down and seize this incredible moment. Later that day, Dylan hears Joshua Bell playing on the radio and has the grace to point out to his Mom, “‘We should have stopped. We should have listened,'” to one of the finest musicians in the world, playing his magnificent Stradivarius in the middle of the day … just for them. A magical gift, unrecognizable to those who do not see. Hear Kathy and Dušan talk about their vision for The Man with the Violin, listen to the music played in the subway station that day …

To date, here’s a list of awards The Man with the Violin has garnered:

  • Winner of Digital Book of the Year Award in the Ebook Fixed Format/Enhanced category
  • Winner of the Eric Hoffer Award in the Children’s Book category
  • Winner of the 2013 Gold Award in the Children’s Book category of NAPPA
  • 2014 Storytelling World Award
  • Independent Publishers Award (tied for Gold in the Children’s Picture Book category)
  • Winner of Next Generation Indie Book Award in the Children’s Picture Book category (tied)
  • Honourable Mention for the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award
  • Honourable Mention for ForeWord Magazine’s IndieFab Award in the Children’s Book category
  • Shortlisted for the 2014 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award
  • Nominated for the Frances Howard-Gibbon Award
  • Nominated for a Shining Willow Award
  • A ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year finalist
  • An IRA Notable Book for a Global Society
  • Heather’s Pick (Chapters/Indigo)
  • A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2013
  • Starred reviews in Kirkus and Quill & Quire
  • A Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Best Books for Kids & Teens” Selection
  • A “49th Shelf” Booksellers’ Pick for 2013
  • A 2013 OLA Best Bet for Children
  • A Toronto Public Library “First & Best 2013” title

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

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PishPoshBaby


20130513 Keeping Track of Baby Habits BInfographic brought to you by PishPoshBaby, one of the most popular online baby shops for baby gear, offering not only high-quality merchandise, but facts and advice, along with the right choice, to parents everywhere. PishPoshBaby utilizes Mom Reps – Moms, just like many of you- who help the retailer assist with this special stage of life. Along with personal, live experience comes professional service, immediate shipping, up-to-date inventory and the security of knowing that your purchase is backed by PishPoshBaby’s Satisfaction Guarantee.

Uglydoll Makes Headlines


Thirteen is a lucky number for Uglydoll and 2014 is a very good year!

As Comic-Con opens in San Diego, CA today – be sure to visit Uglydoll … because there’s a whole lot of exciting things going on in their world these days.

072314_CRTPost_Uglydoll_GraphicNovelAs David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim announced earlier this year that they were heading to their new Asia headquarters in South Korea, home of their flagship Uglydoll retail store in Seoul, the company has been making headlines for itself ever since. In addition to expanding its retail presence and licensing program throughout Korea, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines and beyond, Pretty Ugly™, LLC, parent company of the award-winning Uglydoll® brand based in Green Brook, New Jersey, granted license to Howard Keys to produce keys, key chains and lanyards in North America, Canada and selected International Territories, announced a partnership with Fetch…for pets!, a leading manufacturer of pet products in North America, and débuted the latest original graphic novel release from San Francisco, CA-based VIZ Media’s Perfect Square imprint, Uglydoll: My Hero? The novel features 10 full-color stories by  veteran Uuglydoll writer and artists Travis Nichols, Ian McGinty and Phillip Jacobson, with help from Sun-Min Kim, Theo Ellsworth, renowned pop culture artist/writer Junko Mizuno, and two talented design teams from Japan -Mad Barbarians and Devilrobots.

And there’s more … as I say, Uglydoll’s 13th year is a very lucky one!

072314_CRTPost_Uglydoll_StarTrekIn June 2014 alone, David and Sun-Min’s company strikes these fabulous deals:

  • caseable is now licensee for the latest global line of fun and collectible soft and hard cases designed for tablets, smartphones and laptops, distributed through caseable channels and its partner Hewlett-Packard
  • A collaboration with CBS Consumer Products on the iconic Star Trek™ characters, set to launch in 2015. Products include Wage™ as Captain James T. Kirk, Ox™ as first officer Spock™, Ice-Bat™ as chief engineer Scotty, Babo™ as Doctor McCoy and Tray™ as communications officer Uhura
  • A new partnership with Chasing Fireflies to create an exclusive line of costumes for release in 2015
  • 072314_CRTPost_Uglydoll_WizardOfOzA co-branded collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products to create plus based on The Wizard of Oz™ and fan-favorite Uglydoll characters, Moxy™, Wage™, Jeero™, Babo™ and OX™ to follow along the Yellow Brick Road.

Being different and unique is what Uglydoll™ is all about!

Just this month, Uglydoll announces a groundbreaking partnership with 3D Printing innovator MakerBot on collectibles featuring four of the most popular characters, Babo™, Wage™, Ice-Bat™ and Ox™, which can now be 3D printed on MakerBot® Replicator® Desktop 3D Printers. “Taking Uglydoll into the world of 3D printing seems like a natural extension for our Uglydoll characters,” David says. “Sun-Min and I have been fans of 3D printing for a while and we are excited to be working with MakerBot on bringing our characters to life in a whole different 3D world.”

072314_CRTPost_Uglydoll_3DPrintingThe first wave of characters are in T-pose format, designed to be 3D printed and fully poseable; the second wave are Uglydoll characters in a dynamic stance, posed to enjoy the real world of their owner. A third wave include a 3D printable Uglydoll bus that takes miniature Uglydoll characters on a fun-filled summer vacation; and a fourth wave are 3D printable environments for the 3D printed Uglydoll characters to live in. Jenny Lawton, president of MakerBot and a huge Uglydoll fan, says, “The story behind the creation of the Uglydoll characters by David Horvath and Sun-Min Kim showcase how creativity can positively impact lives. We love the fun, light-hearted stories behind the Uglydoll characters and hope that they will help inspire a whole new generation of makers with their 3D printed adventures.”

How cool is that?

 

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Hatch Things


070914_CRTPost_HatchThings_logoSimple solutions for smart parents.

A city-dwelling Mom to three boys –and an industrial designer to boot- Sonjie Feliciano Solomon founded Brooklyn, NY-based Hatch Things so she could focus her design skills on kids and the stuff that surrounds them. Speaking of designing smart, modern products for urban parents, Hatch Things recently introduced two products to the market:

SureShop™ is a reusable shopping bag with a patent pending design that that won’t let your stroller fall over. It redistributes weight towards the stroller’s center of gravity to keep it standing upright. The bag clips to umbrella strollers, most single handlebar strollers, shopping carts, chair backs, bike handles and more – plus it holds up to 10 pounds on each side. Watch a video:

070914_CRTPost_HatchThings_ColdsnapColdSnap™ is a coat extender that uses body heat and an optional thermal insert to keep mom and baby warm and dry. The patent-pending, waterproof, draft-proof design clips to the edges of your coat and wraps around either your baby bump (when coats don’t fit anymore) or your new little one. It also comes with a reversible hood, so baby can face inward or outward. Plus, I love the name!

HatchThings got ink! “Since we introduced SureShop in October at ABC Kids, the response has been very positive and momentum is building,” Sonjie tells me. “It has been featured as a great problem-solving product  in many online and print magazines including Real Simple, Pregnancy & Newborn, Apartment Therapy, All You Magazine, Stroller Traffic, A-List Moms and MomTrends.” And now, Children’s Retail Today!

Babyhome Dream Bassinet


Introducing the exclusive Dream Premium. 

070214_CRTPost_Babyhome_DreamBassinet_02Barcelona, Spain-based Babyhome is an award-winning manufacturer of high-quality children’s products. This summer, the company is introducing the Dream Premium, a stunning exclusive edition of the Dream bassinet made of natural leather and polished black aluminum.

Sophisticated and glamorous, Dream Premium is designed for parents who appreciate the value of the unique and the authentic. Made of high quality natural, micro-perforated leather to enhance breathability, the bassinet’s characteristic style combines elegance and durability in its materials and finishes.

Babyhome’s Dream line of bassinets is the first and only authentic aluminum mini-cradle with three interchangeable, easy-to-use positions: rocking, wheels and stationary.

Included with the Dream Premium are a Naturalmat-handcrafted Coco Mat organic mattress, organic mattress protector and sheet. Made of organic lambs’ wool, the mattress is naturally flame retardant and thanks to the coco husk fibers, it facilitates natural ventilation, helping the baby keep a consistently pleasant and uniform body temperature.

070214_CRTPost_Babyhome_logoIn addition to the Dream bassinet line, Babyhome offers a dynamic range of award-winning high quality stylish, functional and affordable child care products including includes a stroller, highchair, bed rails and a wood collection that includes a mini cradle and a bounce chair.  Babyhome’s U.S. offices are located in Budd Lake, New Jersey.

Ah Goo Baby


Thoughtfully designed, well crafted and attractively presented.

070114_CRTPost_AhGooBaby_PlushPadBusy parents, grandparents and caregivers need baby essentials like portable baby changing pads, stroller blankets, pacifier totes, wipes cases and more. Ah Goo Baby® has it all –a smart, stylish, sophisticated line of baby gifts and gear, all perfect for baby showers, new moms, baby travel and the nursery.

070114_CRTPost_AhGooBaby_KneekersCaring for Our Children with Love. The privately held New Jersey-based company makes unique, upscale yet affordable products that resolve the daily challenges of child rearing, offering luxury, “must-have” essentials to help change, feed, dress  and rest our children.

The Plush Pad® has been selling to the families since June 2007. Additions to the line include Kneekers®, The Grab & Go Bag, The Diaper Pouch, The Wipes, Case, The Pacifier Clip, The Pacifier Tote, The Bottle Strap and The Bib.

070114_CRTPost_AhGooBaby_GrabnGoBagKarin and George Telegadis founded Ah Goo Baby in 2005 to develop branded products, with plans to expand their business by helping nurture and develop creations brought to them by others with innovative product ideas relating to Ah Goo Baby’s market. Wholesale available.

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Lil’ Waves


This new company makes Lil’ Waves Beachpool, an innovation that provides a fun & safe interactive aquatic play area!

A Pool Just for the Beach! Jersey City, NJ-based Lil’ Waves is a family owned and operated children’s beach toy company specializing in unique, high quality products. This start-up just introduced their premiere product that makes for fun, safe and relaxing days at the beach for both parents and children. This video says it all!

Introducing the Lil’ Waves Beachpool™, a children’s pool designed specifically to turn the wavy, cold ocean water into a warm, mini oasis for children to enjoy – right at your feet. The rim of the pool stays practically level with the sand, allowing a child to interact with the water and sand in a safe way, all while you keep close watch.

  • Provides a fun introduction for young children to the ocean
  • Patented design creates a shallow wading pool that warms up cold ocean water quickly
  • Encourages family time and fun interactive beach days, from set-up to clean-up
  • Recommended for ages 3 and up

061814_CRTPost_LilWaves_KitInventor Dennis Devino was born and raised in Monmouth County, NJ and loves the Jersey shore. As an licensed architect with his own firm, Dennis has extensive experience in constantly finding creative ways to meet his clients’ needs. This entrepreneurial approach to problem solving is what ultimately led him to create the Lil’ Waves Beachpool.

With the Lil’ Waves Beachpool, we hope you and your children of all ages are able to spend safe, quality time at the beach, just as we have. So sit back, unwind and enjoy the beach with peace of mind!

061814_CRTPost_LilWaves_beachpoolSold separately or in a kit that includes:
• Lil’ Waves Beachpool*
• Mesh carrying bag
• Circular template
• Repair patch
• Foot pump
• Instruction booklet

*Some assembly required (beach bucket recommended for set up, not included). Foot pump or electric pump also sold separately.