Our Top 2008 Holiday Picks
Our picks for the best toys, books, CDs, DVDs, tech, and fashion of 2008.
Pyramid Stacker
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This sweet stacker offers your little one a sensational variety of colors and textures to explore. Each ring is fuzzy on one side, and some crinkle, squeak, rattle, and even giggle. Latitude Enfant, $30. Ages 12 months to 2 years.
Sprig Cars
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Made of recycled plastic, these environmentally friendly toy cars light up when powered by your child rolling them across the floor. Place an “adventure guide” into the orange Discover Rig to hear different sounds. Sprig, $25–$60. Ages 3 to 8.
Classic Lights & Sounds Trike
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A sturdy steel frame and nonslip wheels make for easy maneuvering on this retro scooter. Also features an electronic dashboard with turn signals, music, and a horn. Radio Flyer, $80. Ages 2 to 5.
Anamalz
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These cute and quirky Australian-made creatures are now available on U.S. shores! Handcrafted so that no two pieces are alike, anamalz are made from materials that are safe and friendly for children and the environment. Currently there are 26 selections from the animal kingdom, and more in the works. A percentage of each purchase goes toward wildlife charities around the world. Anamalz, $6 (most). All ages.
Terrace Dollhouse
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With its moving terrace and partitions, this dollhouse offers access from both sides and endlessly flexible play. Made of sturdy rubberwood. Toddler-friendly furniture and dolls sold separately. Plan Toys, $120. Age 3 and up.
Lotta & Friends Dolls
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The latest in the popular HABA line of cuddly stuffed dolls, Souri, Paola, and Yannik each come with removable accessories for dressing up or down. Souri and Paola are 15 inches tall; Yannik, 12. HABA, $35–$45. Age 18 months and up.
Planet Earth Grow-A-World
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Watch the continents take shape! Like a Chia pet, this “living” toy sprouts grass when kids pour water through the top of the globe. A great starter for talking about geography. Planet Toys, $20. Age 5 and up.
See-Thru Stories
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A new spin on classic nesting blocks, this set of stackers lets kids layer the transparent blocks to create their own story. Each of four blocks depicts jungle, farm, ocean, or backyard. Alex Toys, $16. Age 2 and up.
Robot and Mystery in the Forest
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These matching and memory games are first rate! Vibrant and colorful, the illustrated cards pique interest and recognition and are as engaging as ever in these newest editions. eeBoo, $15. Ages 3 to 8.
RS Tribot
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Movable eyebrows and light-up eyes give Tribot an edge when telling jokes. Use his remote to program a sequence of up to 40 moves. Requires 11 AA batteries (not included). WowWee, $100. Age 8 and up.
Mothstorm (Larklight Trilogy) by Philip Reeve
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Space pirates! Giant moths! Mer-men! Travel the skies with Art and Myrtle once again as they work to save the Empire from a power-hungry moth queen. Bloomsbury, $17. Age 10 and up.
Bedtime for Tad by Adam Nicely
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When his mother calls for him, busy little rabbit Tad asks if it’s time to . . . race tortoises . . . fly airplanes, or . . . float across the sea. This sturdy board book adds endless (and enticing) potential to bedtime. Simply Read, $9. Ages 2 to 4.
Mimi by Carol Baicker McKee
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A day in the life of Mimi, a pig, is full of singing and dancing and fun, but until her missing pet Frank, a roly-poly bug, is recovered, the day is incomplete. Mimi’s myriad expressions—conveyed with fabric and clay—are masterful. Bloomsbury, $16. Ages 3 to 6.
Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell
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Meet inquisitive Ottoline and small and hairy Mr. Munro. The author, a cartoonist for the London Observer, delivers a delightfully illustrated who-done-it gem. HarperCollins, $11. Ages 8 to 12.
The Dog Who Loved the Moon by Cristina Garcia
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When Paco el perrito becomes lovesick for la luna, his owner Pilar and her tio summon the moon. At last Paco dances the cha-cha-cha! Simon & Schuster, $16. Ages 4 to 8.
Sputter, Sputter, Sput! by Babs Bell
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Put some gas into this car and watch it go so very far. The journey all around town is a visual feast thanks to Bob Staake’s fun illustrations. Sound effects, rhyme, and hills included. HarperCollins, $17. Ages 2 to 5.
Wave by Suzy Lee
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In this wordless treasure, a young girl meets up with the power of a wave. Lee’s wet and foamy watercolors artfully capture the universal process of exploration and discovery. Chronicle, $16. All ages.
Monkey World by Matthew Porter |
A whimsical A to Z of occupations that covers cowboys, pirates, and queens. Each entry includes a full-page painting of Monkey striking a pose, and a monkey-ish poem that features the ins and outs of the job. Simply Read, $17. Ages 5 to 10
Faerie Tale Theatre
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Originally aired in the 80s, these 26 classic tales are artfully staged over eight DVDs. Added features include card games, a lost episode, an illustrated book, and many recognizable faces. KOCH Vision, $100. Age 10 and up.
The Story of Swan Lake
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Introduce your young ballerina to Tchaikovsky with London Philharmonic’s 33-minute narrated version of this revered ballet. Includes a history of the ballet and of the composer’s life. Maestro Classics,
Salsa for Kittens & Puppies
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In spinning the tale of a group of kittens and puppies who form a salsa band, this CD and board book reveal much about salsa and Spanish. Contemporary salsa star Jose Conde provides the beats. Baby Loves Salsa, $16. Ages 2 to 6.
Charlie and Lola: I Am Collecting a Collection
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More from the quirky British series Charlie and Lola, based on Lauren Child’s books. Mixed media animation and thoughtful storylines render these 6 episodes a contemporary gem. BBC, $15. Age 5 and up.
Soulville
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Covers of R & B favorites like Bill Withers’s “Lean on Me” and Bonny Rice’s “Mustang Sally” enliven any car ride. An accompanying kid chorus and liner notes make this introduction to soul ripe for a long-distance sing-along. Little Monster Records, $17. Age 4 and up.
Jane Goodall’s When Animals Talk
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Through interviews and vivid footage, Goodall offers credible proof that communicating with our furry friends can bring about unexpected benefits. Animal Planet, $15. Ages 6 and up.
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
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Jim Dale, of Harry Potter audio book fame, lends his distinctive voice to this collection of beloved veterinarian Herriot’s “warm and joyful” animal tales. No doubt, if cows could talk, they’d sound just like Dale. 90 minutes. Macmillan Audio, $15. Ages 9 to 12.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
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Ralph burns a lot of motorcycle fuel, but his troubles have little to do with rising gas prices. Adapted from Beverly Cleary’s bestseller, this tale of the riotous rodent is a blast to watch. Includes bonus story “Wee Gillis.” 60 minutes. Scholastic, $15. Ages 3 to 9.
Bob the Builder: Can-Do Zoo
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A great starter title for your Mac or PC, this collection features Bob and his can-do crew as they build a zoo. Seven matching,sorting, and building games reinforce school-readiness concepts. Brighter Minds, $20. Ages 3 to 6.
Leapster Outwit!
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This collection of 15 games turns Leapster into a puzzle center. Complete with memory challenges and patterns to compose; can be connected to Leapfrog’s Learning Path. Scholastic, $25. Ages 5 to 7.
U. B. Funkeys: Multiplayer Pack
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Children love to collect. When the items collected come to life on your PC, things are even more fun. These 10 Funkeys figurines unlock new territories to explore and missions to complete. $20 starter kit required. Radica USA/Mattel, $10. Age 8 and up.
Goosebumps Horrorland
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What’s scarier than a roller coaster that occasionally derails? A session of Bumper Carnage, where the other drivers are monsters? Thirty such games can be found while exploring this creepy virtual theme park. Majesco, $40 (Wii); $30 (PS2, NDS, Windows). Ages 8 to 12.
