Here you will find the products that would  make wonderful gifts for the kids on your holiday shopping list. The Featured page has the complete list of every item on my Holiday Shopping Guide. Because I found so many fabulous items, I also have them listed in four categories across the menu bar: Gifts for Him, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Kids, and Gifts for Anyone. Each item also has it’s own page when you hover over the categories, so you can easily email items you want to buy or send to someone so they can buy it for you! Easily share individual items on your Facebook and Twitter, or leave comments. I hope you like these gifts and merchants as much as I do. Check in with me often on the Divine Secrets of a Domestic Diva Facebook page because many of our Holiday Sponsors are participating in Giveaways! Happy Shopping & Happy Holidays!

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6′ Hideaway Five Panel Teepee

from HeirloomWoodenToys.com

This 6′ tall and 5′ wide five panel teepee is sure to spark your child’s imagination!  It can be used for indoor or outdoor play, and it’s material is water repellent and fire resistant.  I also chose the plain design versus the other teepees available in a floral, American and Western designs to name a few, because you can actually paint your own designs on the teepee using any permanent oil or latex based paint!  Anything to help keep them entertained on a snowy or rainy afternoon!  The teepees sell for 139.95-179.95 (for the largest which is 7.5′ tall), and ships free to the lower 48 from California.

We’re actually using this teepee indoors, and might move it outside next spring, but for now it literally provides hours and hours of fun.  The interior is large enough for both boys to be inside with their toys and still not be right on top of each other.  Many times, new toys will get a ton of attention and then the boys are on to the next thing, however, this teepee is a daily treat for them, and I can honestly say they spend HOURS in it each day.  I love that it sparks the imagination, is a huge hit that doesn’t involve the computer or a video games, and if I had one when I was a kid, I would have thought it was totally awesome! Oh, and set up was pretty easy with minimal cursing from our engineer (aka my husband).

HeirloomWoodenToys.com also boasts a wonderful display of other imaginative and creative play toys like Wooden Kitchens, Market Stands, Theaters, Dress-Up Costumes and more!  Shipping is free to the lower 48 over $99 and all other orders ship for just $5!  Plus,  you have a fantastic 90 Guarantee that takes the worry out of shopping! Check out all their other fabulous toys sure to please and inspire your kids from puzzles to blocks to furniture to rocking and riding toys!

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Zoom to the Moon Playset

from HeirloomWoodenToys.com

The Zoom to the Moon Playset from HeirloomWoodenToys.com is yet another fabulous toys sure to spark your child’s imagination.  It is recommended for children ages 3 and up, is handcrafted from Rubber Wood, an environmentally-friendly hardwood, and is decorated with Child Safe Paints.  This portable rocket ship set is perfect for take-along space adventures with 7 hand-painted wooden figures and 5″ x 8.5″ rocket ship tote that has zippered closure for secure take offs and landing!  It retails for $27 and remember their 90 day product guarantee as well as free shipping to the lower 48 on orders over $99 and all others ship for $5.

This is another great one for getting the kids imaginations going. My kids loved the aliens, especially the “crazy” looking one in the saucer! Joey has a space room too, so this is one he would like to keep in his room, rather than the play room.  I love that this is also portable, and a great toy for the toddler version of a diaper bag I have which I call a “distraction” bag filled with toys.

Some of the other play sets my kids showed interest in were the Arctic Expedition, African Safari and Wooden Castle and Figures .  You can check out all their play figures here.

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Pastries and Chop Chop Chicken

from HeirloomWoodenToys.com

Here is one instance when you’ll not only want your kids to play with their food, you’ll encourage it! What a perfect partner to any play kitchen!  Nothing else short of real food would your little chef’s imagination going like the Pastries and Chop Chop Chicken!

Your kids will love serving the dozen play Pastries on this fantastic serving tray!  If you’re like me, after such authentic play, be careful you may be craving the real thing!  Chop Chop Chicken will have you little chef cooking this play roasted chicken with five Velcro pieces and serving it on the roasting pan and chopping it up with the pretend knife! This eco-friendly chicken is made from rubber wood and sells for $19.50.  I was surprised to see all three of my kids playing with this, and even though my oldest is 5 and a boy he loved it too.  My daughter, 15 months, was enjoying pretending to eat with her brothers, and got a kick out of pulling the chicken apart and putting it back together (and saying “Taaa-daaa!” like magic)!

Remember HeirloomWoodenToys.com 90 day product guarantee as well as free shipping to the lower 48 on orders over $99 and all others ship for $5.

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Your Body 5 Layer Puzzles

from HeirloomWoodenToys.com

Make education fun with these boy and girl five layer puzzles.  Kids will learn about the different body systems (muscle, digestive, skin) as they match puzzle pieces.  There are some other fantastic puzzles at HeirloomWoodenToys.com that you’re kids will love (and so will you since they’re educational and fun) like the Count Octopus by ColorificEarth, the ColorificEarth Puff the Alphabet Dragon, and the Now I Learn my ABC’s puzzle.

My five year old was the one who was interested in learning about each layer while my three year old just wanted to take it apart and put it back together. Either way, they both were learning, and this is such a great way for kids to know and understand about the human body.

The five layer puzzles retail for $24.95 and remember their 90 day product guarantee as well as free shipping to the lower 48 on orders over $99 and all others ship for $5.

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Ecowooden Elephant with Cart & Dominoes

by HeirloomWoodenToys.com

This adorable wooden Elephant with wooden cart and 16 dominoes is 8″long and 5″ high and has up to 20 kinds of wood to enhance the dominoes texture, grain and color. The cart and elephant attach magnetically, but don’t worry- they’re embedded in the wood for safety!  This inspired toy is sure to enchant your child and be enjoyed for years to come! There are some other great push cars like the Handeez Love Bug and Mites Wooden Cars!

My daughter couldn’t get enough of this toy. She love elephants and got a real kick of the magnetically attached cart.  Although the dominoes have been used to build road blocks and towers by my three year old, my 15 month old daughter enjoyed putting other things in the cart too.  This is such a well crafted toy, it will surely make it through several children and even generations.

The Elephant and Cart with Dominoes retails for $22.95, and remember HeirloomWoodenToys.com 90 day product guarantee as well as free shipping to the lower 48 on orders over $99 and all others ship for $5.

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D and Me Wooden Fire Engine

from HeirloomWoodenToys.com

What’s not to love about this finely handcrafted wooden firetruck made right here in the USA?!  It’s 13 L x 6 W x 6.25 H and is constructed of walnut and maple, with a natural non-toxic oil finish.  Your little fireman will be putting fires out in style and for a long time to come!  It comes with two firemen and two removable ladders, and there is also an open box area in back to hold any extra gear that the firemen may need when they arrive at their destination.  This is a toy that will get years of play and is sure to be passed on!  My toddler can be a bit rough in his playing still, and this is a toy I’d like him to keep as well as have it for his kids some day too.  I was a bit worried he might break or ruin it, but don’t worry, this isn’t a toy just for show.  It not only looks well built, but is made to be a toy. For all this you’d think you’d pay a hundred dollars, but it sells for $44.95.

Check out the other D and Me products at HeirloomWoodenToys.com here.  For some other quality wooden toys, check out another great brand, Maple Landmark.

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Little One Books

THE Place for Books, Cd’s and DVD’s for 0-5 years old

Little One Books was founded five years ago when Barney and Joan Cohen became grandparents for the first time.  After searching for products for their grandchild they began to feel overwhelmed with the amount of products available.  Little One books was then born out of the idea to help others make informed choices from among the vast amount of material available for children today. They specialize in quality books, music, and video, for children birth through age five, and they have personally reviewed and selected each and every item in their store. They also have a fantastic section on each product page called  “Why We Chose” to help you understand what that product is about and how it fits into the age group they are recommending.

I choose three books and two DVD’s which arrived quickly, and were exactly what I expected.  First was Eric Carle’s “10 Little Rubber Ducks.” I picked this book for my daughter  who although is under the recommended age, I know she will grow into this story.  She love ducks and animals and Eric Carle, as usual does not disappoint with the astounding illustrations, poignant and funny story with lovable rhymes.  Which leads me to my second selection, a book for my three year old, Jake which was The Very Quiet Cricket by Eric Carle.  Again, there are breath-taking illustrations, a sweet story about a cricket who meets other animals and cannot make a sound until he meets another cricket.  The last page is a delight to little ones when there is an actual chirping sound from the book!  Lastly, for Joey, now five, I choose a Dr. Seuss classic, “If I Ran the Zoo” where the funny and unforgettable Gerald McGrew thinks about what kinds of animals he’d have in his zoo.

For the DVD’s I chose the Scholastic Treasury of Classic Bedtime Stories which has 28 beloved children’s stories that are faithfully adapted and brought to life in this 4-DVD collection.  It includes Curious George, Good Night Gorilla, Courduroy and Harold and the Purple Crayon.  This seems like a steal at only 29.95!  Lastly, we picked a classic, The Night Before Christmas which actually includes three other famed stories, The First Christmas, The Christmas Visitor, and Santa Claus’ Punch & Judy. This was a steal at 5.98!

So this holiday season, especially if you are a new parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle…or if you just need a little help finding the perfect gift, don’t underestimate the power of stories!  Visit Little One Books online http://www.littleonebooks.com/, on Facebook www.facebook.com/LittleOneBooks, and on Twitter @LittleOneBooks.

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PLAYSKOOL Weebles Musical Treehouse

The PLAYSKOOL Musical Treehouse is sure to delight your little one with four songs and over eight sounds! Turn the crank and send the two included wobbly Weebles up the tree and then send them down the curvy slide! The deck wobbles and moves too,  just like the little Weebles!  The recommended age is 18 months, but my daughter age 15 months, couldn’t get enough of this toy. She loved turning the crank and giggled and clapped every time the Weebles mad their way down the slide!  Playset comes with 2 WEEBLES figures, base, slide, escalator and instructions.  It retails for approximately 29.99 and is available at major retailers.  Requires 3 “AA” batteries (not included). Adult assembly required.

Check out the other Weebles toys too like the Weebles Wobble Go-Round and the Wobbling Go Cart.  For information on where to buy and other PLAYSKOOL products, check out the PLAYSKOOL website http://www.hasbro.com/playskool/en_US/, Find them on Facebook facebook.com/playskool and twitter.com/playskool.

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PLAYMOBIL Fire Station

PLAYMOBIL has a made an exceptional toy with the Fire House as part of the Adventure Heroes Rescue set.  The large doors allow the fire trucks to enter the garage, there’s a large tower, and my boys favorite, the fire pole for the fire fighters to slide down.  It also comes with a small fire truck, two figures and a ton of little accessories.  Be sure to keep little ones (under three years old) away from this due to choking hazards.  The set retails for about 74.99, and there are a ton of awesome accessories like the Ladder truck, fire truck, helicopter, fire chief and car, fire boat and trailer and a ton more.  The best part about this set for me was that there was enough going on with the figures and different parts of the fire station, that my boys (ages three and five) were not fighting over it, but playing nicely together (which is more like a gift for me this holiday season)!

The PLAYMOBIL set is available at many major retailers and also on their website http://store.playmobilusa.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-US-Site/en_US/Link-Category?cgid=S_ARTIKEL

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Dinosaur Train

Motorized Adventure Track Set

by Learning Curve

Learning Curve had created a delightful toy sure to excite any of Jim Henson’s Dinosaur Train’s fans.  The train set, inspired by the hit show on PBS (Dinosaur Train), has over 8 feet of track, a motorized train with three cars, three collectible characters from the show (Mr. Conductor, Buddy T-Rex, & Laura), and three “stops” for the train.  Push the smoke stack to take the characters and train from Pteranodon Terrace to Rexville Station and to Pteranodon Family Nest.  The train runs on two AA Batteries, and is recommended for ages 36 months-6years.  The MSRP is 24.99 and is available at a number of major retailers nationwide as well as stores like amazon.com.  To find a store near you, click here and enter your zip code on the top right side of the page.

This set allows you to add other dinosaurs, train cars and stops, and some of the reviews I read indicated that the motor was not strong enough to pull all the cars “well.”  However, both my three and five year old boys have been playing with this set and we have not had any major issues.  The train track, as long as it is on a stable surface pulls the three cars and dinosaurs just fine, and only derails when the boys knock it off the track.  I think, for $24.99, it is a tremendous value, and my kids were excited to have a toy from one of their favorite PBS shows.  For more information on this set, including where to buy and other available accessories and other Dinosaur Train toys, visit the Learning Curve website.

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Discovery Toys

MarbleWorks Deluxe Set

Discovery Toys is a direct sales party planning company who specializes in educational toys for children ages 0-8 years old.  They have been helping parents “Teach. Play. Inspire.” for over thirty years with their high quality books, games, music and educational toys.  The company was founded in 1978 by an early childhood educator and their dedication to helping children learn through play is evident in their products which they develop with “layers of learning,,” as well as through their dedication to exceed government standards of safety and quality.

Their toys are listed in categories according to age appropriateness, and I recently was given the opportunity to review the Marble Works Deluxe Set recommended for ages 5-8yrs.  It comes with colorful tubes and bases that can be built into tons of different configurations as well as five marbles.  My Kindergartner is very creative, enjoys to build, and this ‘open ended’ toy with seemingly limitless possibilities is literally hours of fun for him.  Not only does it spark his imagination, but it also helps with problem solving and motor skills.  He doesn’t even realize he’s learning as he builds tower after tower with this wonderful set.  You can even add onto this set with accessories like the MarbleWorks Wild Ride and Crank it Up Accessory.

Some of the other toys I can’t wait to try are the Playtown Set for my daughter who is one, and for my three year old the Complete GardenWorks Set (he’s my helper in the garden every year).   You can order toys right from the Discovery Toys website, but if you hosted a party would probably be eligible for some discounts.  You can fin out more about hosting a party here, or if you’d like more information about becoming a consultant click here.  Their prices are very reasonable and there is a variety of products over a range of prices.  So Hosting a party seems like a great way to earn discounts and give your friends the chance to get some great toys too- perfectly timed around the holidays!   You can also check out Discover Toys on Facebook and Twitter.

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Happy Baby Company

Sophie the Giraffe

I’m sure you remember Happy Baby Company from our review and giveaway of the Planet Wise Wet/Dry Hanging Bag earlier this summer, but did you know they have way more than just an awesome selection of cloth diapers and accessories?  Along with the rest of their wonderful, high quality products, they also offer a variety of toys.   One of my recent favorites, that I am only sorry I discovered after having my third child and didn’t have for the older two, is Sophie the Giraffe.  Sophie comes from France and is made of 100% Natural Rubber and food paint, is free from BPA’s and Phthaltes, is 7 inches tall, was developed 46 years ago and remains the same as she did in the 1961 when she was created.  Sophie is a more than just a wonderful teether (she was my daughter’s favorite teether), but is also a great early learning toy.  Sophie is so easy for babies to grasp and hold, she makes a cute squeaking sound when squeezed, and her brown spots are a fun pattern that capture baby’s attention even from an early age (3m+).  Sophie is easy to clean, and even after all the chewing, pulling, and squeezing, my daughter still loves and plays with this toy that still appears new.  I am thankful we had such an easy-to-grasp, chemical free, soothing teether too because my daughter began teething at 4.5 months, and is still chewing on dear Sophie at age 15months as she teethes.

So check out Sophie and all the other high quality toys that Happy Baby Company offers (they have some great plush toys like Fraggles(!) and characters from Horton Hears a Who, and tons more), plus a huge selection of cloth diapers, clothing, and more!  Stop in their store if you live in the Pittsburgh, PA area, or order online and get Free Shipping on all orders anywhere in the continental USA (no minimum!). Use code “Diva” for 10% off through 12/31/10!  Find them on Facebook for deals, giveaways, and great info!

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Tea Cup Piggies

Late last year, miniature potbelly pigs called teacup pigs became the new must-have pet.  There are now hundreds of websites dedicated to these teacup pigs thanks to celebrity owners such as Jessica Simpson, Carrie Underwood, David and Victoria Beckham, Harry Potter’s Rupert Grint, and Peter Facinelli from Twilight fame.  The Teacup Piggies toys are six-inch miniature versions of real teacup pigs and appeal to girls ages 3 to 10 years-old. They speak over 20 phrases and come with their own teacup, accessories, and birth certificate.  Playsets like the limo playset and additional wardrobes are sold separately. Teacup Piggies can be found at many major retailers including Toys R US, Walmart, Kmart, Walgreens, and Radio shack.  They retail for around 12.99 and have been mentioned as one of this year’s must have toys…maybe even the next Zhu-zhu pet?

For more places to buy, to see all the teacup piggies and their playsets, visit them on the web at http://www.teacup-pets.com/, or on Facebook and Twitter.

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Football Guys

from TheNewToy.com

Football Guys from Kaskey Kids is a perfect gift for anyone who likes football. The portable, high-quality sets are great for indoor, open-ended play either solo or with a few friends.  Each set on The New Toy comes with 26 – 2” players, 1 referee, 2 goalposts, a 24”x 36” washable felt field, and a rugged container with attached lid and handle. ONLY ON THE NEW TOY: They’re including a complete THIRD TEAM with different uniforms and an ADDITIONAL REFEREE to keep things interesting for hours! The New Toy recommends Football Guys for ages 3+.   In my house it was a tough call, my husband called dibs on this to be down in the man cave with the rest of the football stuff, but the boys battled over it too.  It now resides between the man cave and the boy’s play room.  I’m also happy to report my husband and kids have been sharing well and I think that the boys are learning some key plays.

Be sure to check out TheNewToy.com and sign up for emails.  They feature a new toy weekly from their store that is guaranteed to be top quality and super fun!  They should know too, they’ve been in the toy business since 2001 with a store near Chicago.  Visit TheNewToy.com, find them on Facebook and Twitter too.

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The Worry Woo Monsters

WorryWoos, which originally began as single paged pieces of art by Andi Green, are lovable plush characters which each have their own story, and all contain a message of “embrace your emotions.”  Andi began tackling tough emotions like loneliness and confusion, and with the help of her characters she brought resolution to kids for some tough feelings and situations. These wonderful stories were featured on the Today Show and have won Creative Childrens Top Awards.

Fuddle the WorryWoo of confusion

We got two WorryWoos, the first being Fuddle the WorryWoo of confusion; she can never make up her mind.  You can watch her struggle as she tries to make up her mind…decisions can be tough sometimes after all!  Really all she needs is a little encouragement, just like all of us!  Such a cute book and sweet 11″ plush doll!  The book is hardcover and has 92 beautifully illustrated pages.

Squeek the WorryWoo Monster of Innocence

Squeek, the Monster of Innocence, is the very innocent and oh so shy star of the book, The Monster in the Bubble.  Squeek is need of  help coming out of his shell.  Explore the world and help Squeek along in this 67 paged hardback book (again) with beautifully hand illustrated pages.  The cotton candy pink plush Squeek doll which is 11″ is soft and sweet.

I’m excited to read more of these adorable and educational stories like Nola the Monster of Loneliness and Rue the Monster of Insecurity.  Find out more about all the WorryWoos, including where to buy, at their website http://www.worrywoos.com/index.html or on Facebook.

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Kidzsack Eco-Friendly Backsack

Castle Design

Kidzsacks are an eco-friendly solution to keeping kids entertained on the go.  Developed my a busy mother of four, who came up with these high quality, multifunctional, and durable bag that kids will want to use!  Each Kidzsack comes with 8 washable non-toxic markers inside a pocket, and each bag is washable and reusable.  Kids have four standard designs to choose from the Castle, Sea Life, the Jungle and Sports Designs. There are also custom designs available.

We tested the Jungle, Sea Life and Castle Designs on a recent long car trip.  Now, long for me is anything over 15 minutes with a 5, 3, and 1 year old, however, this trip was 5+ hours.  To say I was impressed with these bags would be an understatement.   Both my five and three year old colored for over an hour, and since on long trips I sit next to the baby, she an I even colored for 30 minutes.  Of course, given the age of my kids and the fact that we were in a moving car, they did get marker on their hands and clothes and it washed off easily as promised. The bags cleaned well and looked new after washing.  We’ll be taking these to trips to the zoo, beach, and where ever else life takes us!

Kidzsacks are made in the USA and were a 2009 Dr. Toy winner.  You can find them online and at specialty retailers all over the USA.  Visit the website http://www.kidzsack.com, on Facebook and on Twitter.

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Jumbies

The Jumbies story goes something like this: there were hundreds and hundreds of storks flying around, delivering animal babies all over the planet.  They had to deliver more and more, faster and faster when all of the sudden they began crashing into each other!  When the dust settled, the storks looked around and didn’t see the babies they were carrying.  When they crashed all the babies got jumbled…so far there have been twelve unique Jumbies discovered in Jumbieland.

We’ve got three of the Jumbies here:  the blabbit (bluebird and rabbit mixed), the Leopird (Leopard and hornbill bird mix), and the Camelot (camel and oscelot mix).   These funny looking animal mixes are fun, imaginative and unique.  Jumbies remind me of beanie babies with a fun twist.  All three of my kids (ages 5, 3, and 1) all enjoyed playing with their new Jumbies.  You can check out all the Jumbies at their website: http://jumbieland.com/ . You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. Get yours today!

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“Shoes”

The holidays are a time for giving, and one way to teach kids about giving as well as providing an outlet for them to actually do it is with this great story and the foundation behind it.

Shoes is a children’s picture book written by Jerri James and illustrated by Norma Samuelson. This is the lyrical story of Margaret Elizabeth, a young girl who looks in her closet and realizes she has lots of shoes, plenty in fact. Her heart is moved with compassion for others who have none. She decides to do something about it. Margaret Elizabeth models a Club GoBeDo kid who makes a difference in the life of a child in need. Shoes is a picture book written for 3-7 year old children.

Shoes is also the foundation behind the newly launched The Orphan Campaign and Club GoBeDo (Go somewhere, Be a voice, Do something). Founded by Jerri James, a mom and author, Club GoBeDo is on a mission to inspire and facilitate selflessness, service and compassion in our children. The goal is simple: 100,000 kids in the U.S. giving 100,000 pairs of shoes to orphans worldwide. Club GoBeDo provides free resources for parents for a variety of activities, from the Club GoBeDo Birthday Club (children request shoes for orphans in lieu of gifts – you may view the birthday invitation here: http://clubgobedo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/BirthdayInvite.pdf) to the Shoe Drives and Shoe Parades, that kids and their parents can get involved in to collect and donate shoes, a basic but often overlooked need for orphans.  Find out more and purchase a copy of “Shoes” at Club GoBeDo’s website: www.clubgobedo.com.

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JJ West Studio

Original Art by Dianne Sammons

Artist Dianne Sammons is based in Delaware, and she has painted murals professionally for 12 years but has spent her whole life making art!  She said she has always loved doing art for kids because she “loves the excitement they get when you brighten their world. I get to see it everyday.  From watching my 1 year old interact with the characters on his wall to seeing my 9 year old daughter’s ever expanding creativity.   I love to see the reaction of the children I paint for when I reinvent their spaces.”

Dianne’s art doesn’t stop at the lovable and creative pictures on her website like the monkey (shown above) or the Rocket in Space, Giraffe with Leaf Background, or Mouse with Cheese background to name a few.  Dianne also does murals and custom art work.  Visit her website to see more of her art, to shop, or follow her blog!  She’s also on Facebook!  Email Custom requests or questions to jjweststudio@gmail.com.

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Juppy Baby Walker

Before Juppy

After Juppy!

Juppy might be a great product for your baby to learn to walk, but the real benefit is to the adult holding the Juppy.  This wonderful walker is an alternative to the walkers with wheels which we never owned because our pediatrician said they were dangerous.  I just wish we had discovered the Juppy two kids ago because it would have saved me a tremendous amount of backache.   The child sits supported in the walker and the parents provide support by holding up the straps.  This helps eliminate strain on the lower back and as I mentioned before, is a safer alternative to the walkers with wheels.

Some other great benefits of the Juppy is the fact that it’s washable and portable.  It comes in blue or pink and folds up easily in your purse or diaper bag and fits babies of all sizes. The straps adjust too so it’s great for adults short or tall!  Did I mention it’s really affordable too?  So whether you know a baby getting ready to walk or for a shower gift, the Juppy will make a great gift!  Visit their website to order yours today, or  find them on Facebook and on Twitter.

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Canson Paper Company’s

“What-Do-You-See” Line

Canson Inc., a 453-year-old fine art paper company, launched a new Eco-Friendly line of art products for kids, featuring the illustrations of renowned artist Eric Carle. The drawing, marker, painting and doodle pads, along with the Sketch-and-Tell pads, are all made of 100% recycled paper and are all priced between $1.99 and $5 each. They feature the characters from The World of Eric Carle ™, including The Mixed up Chameleon, Panda Bear, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Quiet Cricket, Brown Bear and The Very Lonely Firefly. Canson’s new environment-friendly “What Do You See?” line is dedicated to providing good quality and affordable art papers that inspire young children to express, create, learn and grow.

My children love to draw and they also love Eric Carle.  They were so excited to start drawing their own pictures in their Eric Carle tablets.  Both boys drew several pictures of their own “what do you see.”  This high quality paper was easy for them to draw, will last for years to come, and is eco-friendly.  Wrap some of these inexpensive tablets up with some new writing/drawing materials and watch their creativty grow!  You can buy your tablets online at Canson’s website: http://www.what-do-you-see.com/, or find them on Facebook.

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Picture It Books

To put it simply, Picture It Books are books that allow the reader to illustrate stories for themselves. Each story obviously comes with text at the bottom of the page, but then there is a large space for the reader to draw their own pictures for each page. It is a wonderful way to engage children in reading, help with comprehension, and to have them really enjoy reading. As a parent, it’s a wonderful keepsake for years to come.

Picture It Books sent us six books total, and my boys have filled in two of the books completely. Another great thing about these books, aside being something you can sit down and do with your kids, is that it is a nice quiet activity that we did together over about a week’s time. Jake filled out the “My Alphabet” book which was wonderful because he is still learning to recognize and write his letters. Joey chose to work on the “Imagine Me” book and it was great to see him really enjoying and engaged with both reading and drawing. The other four books we’ll enjoy soon were “One, Deux, Three” which teaches counting one to ten in both English and French, “Goodnight Dreams,” “Captain Zane,” and last but not least “The Moon Story” which Joey has called ‘dibs’ on doing next.

You can purchase these books right from the Picture It Books website for under $10 each! You can even see exactly what I’m talking about and take a sneak peek into each of the available titles. Not only will your children enjoy these books as they explore and create the illustrations, but they will love to read them over and over. As parents, you’ll be getting a wonderful keepsake! So visit the Picture it Books Website, Find them on Facebook and on Twitter!

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KiZoic Comics

You may be surprised to learn this, but I loved comic books as a kid. That being said, I was so excited to review comic books from KiZoic. KiZoic makes comics for today’s kids. We received multiple comic books quickly from Kizoic and my oldest son was in heaven. This was his first introduction to comics and he was blown away by the number of full color photos on each page. Although he is just learning to read, knowing many of the characters, he was using the illustrations and reading aloud to himself.

As I mentioned we’re enjoying multiple comics like Dreamwork’s latest movie Megamind which came to us in comic form in a 52 paged full color book ($9.95). My son also loved another Dreamworks favorite, Shrek, which was also a 52 paged full color book ($6.95). Find other favorites of today’s kids like Kung Fu Panda, Penguins of Madagascar, Scratch 9, Mecha-Nation, Little Green Men and Strawberry Shortcake. Most are priced between $3.95-$9.95 and are sure to be just as popular with your kids as the movies/television shows with the same characters. Great, inexpensive gifts to get kids imaginations going and to help to make reading fun! KiZoic comics are available in multiple stores, but you can also buy them right from their website, and you can also find them in Facebook.

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Dochi Outerwear

The hat, scarf and gloves Joey received.

The hat, gloves and scarf Jake received.

The Toasty Eared Toddler Set Cecilia received

If Dochi isn’t a household name, they will be soon! Dochi designs and manufacturers quality children’s outerwear and has been doing so for the past two decades primarily in the North East. However, with the launch of their new website, Dochi is now widely available! You can choose from a wide and stylish selection of hats, gloves and scarves for girls, boys, and toddlers.

For the boys you’ll find at least eleven sets to choose from and no shortage of style here! There are solids, stripes, patterns sure to please (like camo), and in every color you might need. There are beanie style hats, hats with strings, hate with visors and some with a ball on top- something for everyone’s taste and style. The styles for girls will not disappoint you either! They have at least fourteen styles to choose from that included solids, polka dots (my favorite), hearts, patterns and more! Again, most every set is available in a variety of colors. You need not worry that you are sacrificing quality for style either. Each of the items we received are soft, warm and very well made. Not only will my kids enjoy them this year, but I know they will be something I can pass down as well.

Keep your child warm and stylish this winter season, and if you use promo code DivaDochi2010 you can save 25% on your accessory sets and apparel through Jan. 3, 2011! To shop, visit their website http://www.dochi.com/, you can also find them and shop on Facebook, and Twitter too!

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Hank Player USA

Boys Clothing

Hank Player USA is the perfect gift solutiuon for all the cool and hip boys on your holiday lists. If you’re tired of the same old dump trucks and dinosoars that are on all the department store boys shirts, you’ve got to check out Hank Player USA. They make awesome boys clothing (infant, toddler and youth sizes), and my two boys recently got to try out some short sleeve and long sleeved tee shirts. First, the shirts arrived quickly and felt incredibly soft. All of their shirts are 100% cotton, but I was still surprised at how soft and worn in (lived in) they felt although they were brand new. The boys loved the designs (one was the monkey shirt pictured above), and were showing them off to each other. After washing and drying the new shirts I was happy to see they still looked new, felt soft, and didn’t shrink at all.

They passed the first round of initial tests from me, and I’m happy to report that these shirts are still looking good. I liked these shirts so much initially, and hoped to have found a new favorite brand for my boys, so I really put these through the ringer. Both boys have worn these shirts to school, playing outside, and they’ve rolled and rumbled, yet the shirts still look new. They’ve been washed and dried multiple times and still have a soft feel. The boys inital reaction to the cool designs was not short lived either, and they will grab these shirts when given the choice of what to wear.

So if you want a cool, clever, durable, and low cost solution for your boy’s wardrobe, I suggest heading over to Hank Player USA for everything you’ll need. Check out their website, and you can also find them on Facebook.

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Pocoyo Bump n’ Go Racing Car

Pocoyo is an inquisitive and fun-loving little boy. He has insatiable curiosity, and lives in a world of limitless opportunities. Pocoyo and his friends capture the imagination of children in their animated series on television. The cast features lovable characters such as Elly, Pato and Loula. Children can watch, listen and interact, promoting creativity, self-awareness and self-confidence by learning through laughter. The Pocoyo cartoon airs everyday on Nick Jr. at 4:25pm.

The Pocoyo Bump n’ Go Car is available at Toys R Us for about $24.99, and is recommended for 18months and over. I got this for my daughter (who is 17 months old) and she absolutely loves it, however, my three and five year old boys have gotten a kick out of it too. When you press Pocoyo’s head he zooms off with music coming from the car. When you press Pocoyo’s head again, the music accelerates. Best of all, when the car hits an obstacle, it stops, moves back and makes a U-Turn! A great gift for any Nick Jr. fan! You can find the other Pocoyo products also available at ToysRUs.

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“Suzie Bitner was Afraid of the Drain”

If you have children, or you yourself are a child at heart, then don’t miss this wonderful book with 124 marvelous and humorous children’s poems with over 100 illustrations all by author and illustrator Barbara Vance. Suzie takes us to her world where we explore everything from the day to day to the wild and wonderful. My children especially enjoyed “Dear Santa” where there is a list even longer than those my boys have this year, “Sandwich Sister” where a girl turns into her favorite food (PB&J), and my oldest really likes “My Brother is Driving Me crazy” where the younger imitates the older brother (a common occurrence around here). Personally, one of my favorites is “Night Dreams” and “Ode to Sugar Flakes.” My children (from the youngest at 17 months to the three year old and five year old) have enjoyed exploring the different poems, listening to the rhymes, and laughing along as we go.

Barbara’s poems and illustrations are fantastic and take me back to my childhood reading (and loving) books by Shel Silverstein. They have the same lyrical and humorous feel and they really engage the children. Barbara Vance, who by day is a university professor, may not yet be a household name when it comes to books, but I imagine she soon will be. It warmed my heart to hear my five year old rhyming to himself after we read several poems. I know that I can still recite poems I learned as a child, and I love that my children are developing that same love of reading. Although, with a book like “Suzie Bitner was Afraid of the Drain” it would be difficult not to want to read more (which is what I hear when we’ve been sharing this book, “Just one more, Mom! Please!”).

So this holiday, when you’re fighting over the last Wii game with some other Mom in ToysRUs, just let her have it and get your kids a gift they’ll enjoy for years and one you’ll love just as much as it helps foster a love of reading. Order your copy of “Suzie Bitner was Afraid of the Drain” on Amazon or through the Suzie website: http://www.suziebitner.com/ where you can also read an excerpt and see what others are saying.

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Baby Rapunzel Doll

from Disney’s Tangled

Disney has done it once again with the new movie “Tangled!” Not surprisingly the Rapunzel toys are one of this year’s hottest items. I received the Baby Rapunzel Doll with Accessories, and I know any fan of the movie “Tangled” will love this doll. The doll itself is soft and huggable; her dimensions are 6x3x12, and her arms and legs can be posed into different positions. She comes in an adorable gown, sure to please any princess lover, and each Baby Rapunzel comes with three accessories: a tiara, a brush, and a magical rattle that lights up when you shake it! My daughter just loves this doll, and she especially enjoys brushing Rapunzel, and her own, hair!

The Baby Rapunzel Doll is available in Wal-Mart stores nationwide, and should be available on Walmart.com soon. Check for availability with your local store as well- like I said, this is one of this year’s must-have toys! For other princess pleasing items check out the Disney Carriage Playset (currently on sale at ToysRUs) or the Disney Tangled Enchanted Hair Doll also available through ToysRUs.

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Baby Rapunzel Doll

from Disney’s Tangled

Disney has done it once again with the new movie “Tangled!” Not surprisingly the Rapunzel toys are one of this year’s hottest items. I received the Baby Rapunzel Doll with Accessories, and I know any fan of the movie “Tangled” will love this doll. The doll itself is soft and huggable; her dimensions are 6x3x12, and her arms and legs can be posed into different positions. She comes in an adorable gown, sure to please any princess lover, and each Baby Rapunzel comes with three accessories: a tiara, a brush, and a magical rattle that lights up when you shake it! My daughter just loves this doll, and she especially enjoys brushing Rapunzel, and her own, hair!

The Baby Rapunzel Doll is available in Wal-Mart stores nationwide, and should be available on Walmart.com soon. Check for availability with your local store as well- like I said, this is one of this year’s must-have toys! For other princess pleasing items check out the Disney Carriage Playset (currently on sale at ToysRUs) or the Disney Tangled Enchanted Hair Doll also available through ToysRUs.

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National Geographic Books

The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders

by, Susan Magsamen

This National Geographic Children’s Book, The Classic Treasury of Childhood Wonders, is absolutely remarkable. The book is authored by Susan H. Magsamen who is an award-winning writer and advisor on family and children issues with a special interest in creativity and learning. Her books and programs have been called “a beautiful celebration of family life, empowering parents and children to connect with each other.” The book itself is broken into five sections: Magic and Make-Believe, Outdoor Exploring, Crafts and Construction, Yummy for the Tummy, and Bedtime, Bathtime, and Dreamtime. Each section is filled with beautiful artwork, poems, activities, and ways for parents and children to explore the world around them. Honestly, this is one of the most thoughtful books I’ve come across in some time, and I cannot wait to continue to read, share, and explore it with my children. Susan Magsamen gave us a wonderful opening to her magical book, and so I’ll leave you with that as a closing:

If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.”

Purchase your own copy at amazon.com here. A terrific gift for parents, grandparents, children, parents-to-be and the like!

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Love My Tush Jeans

My daughter, a future diva, recently was given some of the BabyDreams Children’s Jeans & Clothing’s “Love My Tush Jeans.” These jeans are specifically designed to look just like jeans, but they are designed to allow baby to sit, crawl, and walk all without the uncomfortable stiffness, gapping, and buttons in standard baby denim jeans. They are available in sizes 6 months up to 2T, and there are eleven adorable patterns to choose from; we sampled the “gold denim,” and I think we’ll be purchasing either the “pink leopard” or the “Dots” for our next purchase.

I’ve never liked buying regular jeans for my kids when they were babies or toddlers because I personally do not find jeans comfy. It’s also apparent that standard stiff denim makes crawling, walking and playing generally more difficult, and so I always opted not to put my kids in jeans. My daughter is also adorned with her mother’s rollie-pollie thighs and regular jeans didn’t always fit well. My daughter doesn’t have to worry anymore. Now, with the help of Love My Tush Jeans, there’s plenty of room for her little diaper and those chubby thighs too! the fabric is noticeably soft, even after washing, and it also did not show any apparent shrinking after being washed/dried. She moves very freely in the Love My Tush Jeans, and I love that the pants carry the look of denim with a yoga pant feel. We’ll be ordering more for her soon; I just wish I had found them sooner!

To view the available patterns and purchase for yourself check out the BabyDreams website for yourself!

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Alphabet Kids

The Alphabet Kids book series were created by Allegra Joyce Kassin, who is a devoted mother of five and grandmother of seven, who, through reading with her children, noticed a lack of children’s multicultural books. With the assistance of six culteral experts (one for each of the current books) along with Emmy Award and Parent’s Choice Award winning co-author, Patrice Samara, the Alphabet Kids book series was born.

Each of the current six books in the Alphabet Kids series focuses on a different culture. There is Allegra who is Italian-America, Elana who is Hispanic-American, Isaac who is Jewish-American, Oni who is African-American, Umar who is Arab-American, and Yang who is Chinese-American. Each book not only explores a different culture, but each book also teaches a valuable life lesson. The each of the books features approximately 24 brightly colored pages, and is targeted for children 2-8 years old, although they have also had positive reviews from kids as old as 12. The books ultimately show children that we can be different (and embrace and celebrate those differences) and still be great friends.

Both of my boys, ages 3 and 5, listened intently and asked questions about the characters and “new words” they were hearing in the stories (there is a handy “New Words” section on the inside of the back page for help with pronunciation and definitions). My daughter, who is 17 months, also sat and listened, enjoying the illustrations. My boys also inquired about their own cultural backgrounds which took a bit more explaining (they’re Italian-Irish-Polish-Scottish-English-French-American)!

You can purchase these books individually on the Alphabet Kid’s website, or you can purchase them in a set of six which also comes with a reusable Alphabet Kids tote bag. Be sure to check out the Alphabet Kids Sweet Dreams Lullabies CD too! There are also some great Activities for kids on their website too. Kids will love the drawing pad and coloring sheets! Lastly, I like to thank Alphabet Kids for not only sharing a copy with me for my children, but also donating a set of books for my son’s school library as well! You’ll also love that for every book purchased, Alphabet Kids will donate another to a child in need! So buy one (or six) for yourself, and know you’re sharing the gift of reading with a child in need as well!

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13 Words

from Author Lemony Snicket

with Illustrations by Maira Kalman

What happens when you take the weirdly wonderful writings of internationally known best selling author Lemony Snicket and bring the story to life with world renowned artist Maira Kalman? You get “13 Words,” a book where Snicket takes 13 seemingly random words and spins a tale that takes the reader through a wild and wonderful day. Some words my young reader knew like Bird, who is our central character, Dog, Hat, Cake and Baby, and others he learned as we read like Haberdashery, Panache, Despondent, and Mezzo-Soprano. The story itself is silly, weird and I think fantastic, and my kids enjoyed it too. The 40 pages of brightly colored phenomenal illustrations art work was wonderful to explore as well. If you are a a fan of Snicket, you’ll love the book. For that matter, if you and your young readers enjoy the strange and unique, and you enjoy an unconventional story every now and again (especially one with such wonderful illustrations), grab a copy for the holidays! It’s widely available at national retailers like here at amazon.com.

Watch the funny book trailer for 13 Words here:

To learn more about Lemony Snicket visit his website: http://www.lemonysnicket.com/

For more on Maira Kalman visit her website here: http://www.mairakalman.com/home.html

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Legend of the Guardians:

The Owls of Ga’Hoole DVD

Based on the popular book series, Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky, the epic tale of courage and friendship centers around a young Barn Owl who learns about a legend of a mythic band of winged warriors who fought a great battle to save all of owlkind from the evil, and dreams of one day joining these heroes.

If you haven’t read the books or seen the movie, I encourage you to do so. This is a fantastic movie that kids and adults are sure to love! The movie stays true to the story, and the awesome special effects bring Kathryn Lasky’s words to life!

Just in time for Christmas! Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 12/21! http://bit.ly/LOTGfb !

This movie was a hit at the box office, but in case you haven’t seen it, check out the trailer:

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