Reviews for 0-1 years old
After a year of reviewing wonderful children’s products for Grandkids Gift Guide, we realized that so many of them are worthy of award status – they are truly outstanding products. So we created the Grandkids Gift Guide Superproduct Award! This award is presented to companies with products that have received our editorial team’s highest honors. To see this year’s Holiday 2008 Superproduct winners, press the “Click Here” button below.
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The Day that Came to Play $39.95 at Flattenme |
Flattenme has done it again with another fantastic addition to its personalized storybook series — this time babies (and their readers) are the lucky audience! Similar to the original Flattenme books personalized for 2-4 and 4-7 year-olds, your tiniest grandchild’s photo is expertly superimposed onto the rhyming pages of a magically illustrated adventure that you might imagine to be played out in a perfectly choreographed baby dream. Alongside your grandchild’s likeness (and name), you’ll be treated to a perfect sunrise, puffy clouds, rainbows, castles and a moss-covered bed — and let’s not forget a smiling cow, winking cat and red balloon wearing a hat! This visual enchantment is Flattenme’s strength — pages your eyes will never tire of, nor will your grandchild’s. Simply upload or mail a photo of your grandchild to Flattenme (see FAQ page for details) and they’ll do the rest! Since we last reviewed Flattenme’s original books, they’ve won more awards and have been featured on several national television shows — well-deserved kudos!
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We love trying out products invented by parents who were inspired by their kids. In this case, it’s Little Capers — spawned from a mom whose toddler boy went through a typical superhero phase, set on wearing dish towel capes clipped to his shirt… anywhere. She had to do something! Many of us moms can relate, often feeling compelled to placate our young heroes with very un-original, un-stylish, and un-comfortable polyester costumes of superheroes who shall remain un-named. Alas, there is hope for our little heroes! Little Capers are 100% cotton, stylish T-shirts (with velcro-attached matching shiny capes) adorned with original positive hero-like images, such as a star, the earth, a peace sign or a thunderbolt. The shirts come in both short and long sleeves, and girl and boy colors and styles. Better yet, they’re made in Los Angeles, U.S.A. in a “non-sweatshop” facility. Choose from infant sizes (without capes), on up to size 8. My daughter loves her black with pink and sparkly silver star shirt, and I love that it’s stylish and can be worn with our without the pink sparkly cape. I also love that the message it sends is nonviolent and noncommercial — almost impossible these days. With this gift, you and your grandchild will both be heroes!
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Since Spring sprung, my friend has been raving about her new JJ Cole Bundle Me Lite infant car seat and stroller cover, so I decided to have a look (and a zip!) for myself. Well, it sure is handy — perfect for those times of year when frigid temps are only found in overly air conditioned buildings, or for those of you who are lucky enough to live in a civilized climate year-round. Most moms will tell you that the best thing about car seat covers is that they don’t need to struggle to put a jacket on their baby before they run out the door. But once the thaw begins and the winter covers become too warm, they have to resort to using light blankets instead, which get kicked off readily and need to be constantly adjusted. Similar to the original BundleMe (and other car seat and stroller covers) for cold weather, the BundleMe Lite attaches to your grandchild’s infant car seat (or stroller) with ease, using the car seat’s straps, but not interfering with its safety mechanisms. Your tiniest grandchild will be strapped in securely and surrounded by the BundleMe Lite. The BundleMe Lite’s inner fabric and nylon backing are new and improved, making it super comfortable in warmer temps. It’s like a windbreaker with a thin soft cotton inner lining. The outer layer is wind and water resistant but still light, so it’s great for cooler days or evenings, or a quick dash in a light drizzle. The BundleMe Lite is also helpful in the summertime to protect baby from sunburn (infants are typically too young for sunscreen), and to provide a cool, breathable layer between your grandchild’s backside and the car seat or stroller. And let’s not forget that the BundleMe Lite looks great! Shown here in graphite, the outer layer sports some nice designer stitching. The new mom in your life may not know she needs the BundleMe Lite, but once you present it to her, she’ll have a new “spring” in her step, and will be off to tell her friends about it!
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My Heritage Book is a meaningful personalized children’s book that helps you share your family’s heritage with your grandchild. Much research, work and heart have gone into these beautifully illustrated and descriptive pages, which can be personalized throughout with your grandchild’s name. Each book has an introduction about Americans originating from different places, and space to fill in a family tree and special family traditions. Also included is a letter from you, the person giving the book as a gift and keepsake to your grandchild. Over 50 countries have been researched (a list is included on their website), with more being added constantly. You can choose up to four countries to be discussed in each book, with each country being given an equal number of pages. There’s a sample book on the website that includes pages and illustrations on Italy and Columbia, to give you an idea of the writing and illustrative style, as well as the reading level. There’s even a glossary included at the end of each book! Of course, nothing beats time together with your grandchild, discussing your family’s heritage in person — why not use this as a discussion piece during those special visits. And if you can’t be with your grandchild as much as you’d like, My Heritage Book is a creative way to help strengthen connections whether you’re in the next town or another time zone.
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Giggles Computer Funtime for Baby$24.99 at Amazon.com |
We tested this Giggles Computer Funtime software with babies (its intended market), as well as toddlers and preschoolers, to see how they like it. It was a big hit with all three groups! This is due to the expertly designed, entertaining graphics that are set to a variety of kid-friendly music that you can select for baby, or that a toddler can select for herself. There are three packages to choose from (ABC’s & 123’s, Shapes, and My Animal Friends), each featuring 14 activities and more than 50 songs. When your grandchild hits any key or moves the mouse, something fun instantly happens. For instance, in ABC’s & 123’s, when you hit a key, a number or a letter immediately pops out, floats up, or somehow appears. Cause-and-effect relationships are introduced in all of the activities through these instantaneous visuals, as well as zany little sounds that indicate that a key has been pressed and that something fun has “happened.” In an ABC’s & 123’s Activity called “123 - What Do You See,” babies and toddlers are even passively (and age-appropriately) exposed to some basic counting principles, whereby the number 3 may appear on the screen with three adorable little bugs. As a grandparent or parent of a baby (6-24 month old), you’ll certainly appreciate how engaged your grandchild is, sitting on your lap at the computer, having fun and simulating something he or she sees mom & dad (and you) doing all of the time. You’ll also appreciate the fact that your important computer files are protected and safe while the Giggles software is running. Babies can press several keys at once and nothing but more onscreen fun happens! And the music choices are also appealing to both children and grown-ups, from very recognizable kid favorites (toddlers and preschoolers will boast that they “know that song!”), to classical, jazz, and even cowboy music. This software has won too many awards to mention — you can’t go wrong with this gift purchase, whether it’s for your own computer time with your grandchild, or for time at home with parents. Go ahead and “Get the Giggles!”
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This Boca Beth bilingual CD is great for the car, where young children are a captive audience and tend to sing along to music. Our kids have been picking up some key Spanish words and phrases pretty quickly, such as “Hola Amigo” (Hello Friend), “Por Favor” (Please), “Gracias” (Thank You), and “De Nada” (You’re Welcome). They’ve also learned to count in Spanish, and know many of the Spanish words for colors. One reason it’s easy for young kids to learn the Boca Beth songs and their intended lessons is because they’re set to classic melodies that your grandchildren already know and enjoy, such as “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,” Skip to My Lou,” and “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” They can focus on the words and their meanings without having to worry about the tune. Boca Beth has plenty of other bilingual education media products for young children, including more CD’s, DVD’s and videos, as well as Boca the Puppet and mini-maracas. Boca Beth products are educator-created, and have won numerous awards, including the iParenting Media Award and the 2007 Teacher’s Choice Award.
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This one’s actually for you, grandparents! Forward this along to your children or purchase it yourself and share it with them. It’s a new, simple way for you to instantly see photos of your grandchildren on your computer. One great example of its use is when your children and grandchildren are on vacation. They can take photos using their cell phone and then email the photos from their phone to their Kangadoo account. As a member of the family’s Kangadoo account, those photos will then instantly be available to you on your own family’s homepage! And if you choose to have Kangadoo as your “Start Page,” (a simple click of a button if you use Internet Explorer), the latest photos will instantly pop up when you start your web browser. Each family’s homepage is private and secure, and you can invite anyone you like to have access to it via email — yet you do not need to use a password. If you’re interested in signing up for Kangadoo or having your children sign up, just click on our “Learn More” link and when on the Kangadoo homepage, click on “Product Tour” and “Instruction Guide” to learn more. You can purchase the product by clicking “Purchase” and following instructions. (Note: You don’t need to enter your “Activation Code” when you’re first purchasing Kangadoo). Enjoy every moment and every photo!
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Deglingos are the most creatively designed plush stuffed animals on the market today. Whether you choose familiar creatures, like Nonos The Dog, Ronronos The Cat, Lapinos the Bunny or Milkos the Cow — or less traditional friends, like Molos The Lobster (see photo), Pikos The Hedgehog, Ratos The Rat, BigBos The Wolf, or Chikos The Hen — be prepared to adjust your thinking on what plush toys, or stuffed animals, are all about. Yes, Deglingos are perfect for cuddling, but they’re also conversation starters. These animals have personalities (sense of humor included), giving you and your grandchild a starting-off point for imaginary play. We could go on and on about the wide varieties of colors and quality fabrics used to create these unique designs and personalities, but you should see for yourself. Deglingos are sure to delight!
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The mom & dad team who designed the new Burp Armor burp cloth take the “armor” part of their product’s name seriously. Burp Armor is the ultimate protection from everyday dribble. The product is shaped to rest securely on your shoulder and to cover body surfaces that are typically victimized. Furthermore, Burp Armor’s quality construction allows it to stay in place. It’s made with two layers of hemp/organic cotton fleece on top, plus a single layer of hemp/organic cotton corduroy that provides the unique non-slip undersurface. Burp Armor also has baby’s wellbeing and comfort in mind. The cloths are pre-washed in fragrance- and perfume-free soap and are incredibly soft — so much so that when they retire from active duty, they can easily become a favorite “lovey” for babies and toddlers. And of course, Burp Armor products are beautifully designed. Fashion-conscious parents will love the “natural” color main fabric combined with any one of several fun borders, such as “creamsicle stripe” and “candy stitch.” Finally, Burp Armor comes all wrapped up and delivered in a beautiful eco-friendly package. Burp Armor is a perfect baby gift — it’s new and hip, yet it’s also amazingly practical. What more could a new mom ask for?!
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