Fun Finds for February and March 2009
Parent & Child's favorite global toys, plus the best books, CDs, DVDs, and tech
CD
Totally ’80s for Kids
Click here to listen to a sample song from this CD.
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With kid-friendly hits like “Our House,” “Celebration,” and “Everybody Have Fun Tonight” sung by the original artists, this collection is great for birthday parties or to bop to while cooking dinner. Universal Music, $14. All ages.
The Thin King Me3
Click here to listen to a sample song from this CD.
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Singer/songwriter Jason Kleinberg and his acoustic pop band Me3 pair goofy lyrics and unconventional melodies with tried-and-true kid topics: apples, cows, and ice cream. Jason Kleinberg, $15. Ages 6 to 10.
Handy Manny
Click here to listen to a sample song from this CD.
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TOYS
Animal Domino
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Introduce your young child to a classic game with this set of 28 dominos featuring seven friendly animal faces. Variations abound—kids can play together or apart as they stack, match, or simply toy with the colorful wooden tiles. PlanToys, $25. Ages 2 and up.
Ringgz
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Outwit your opponents by winning the most territories in this fast-paced game of strategy. Attractive enough for a coffee table, the wooden board gives back to the environment—the company plants two trees for every one used in its wood-only products. Blue Orange, $35. Ages 8 and up.
Monopoly Here and Now: World Edition
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This new international version features 22 cities chosen by Monopoly fans. “Modern” touches include an electronic banking system and renewable energy utilities. Hasbro, $40. Ages 8 and up.
Backseat Drawing
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Can you draw without knowing what you’re drawing? Maybe . . . with instructions from a teammate! A wild guessing game artists of any level can win. Out of the Box, $25. Ages 12 and up.
Xeko Mission: China
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An award-winning trading card game, Xeko Mission teaches kids about ecosystems and endangered species. The China edition includes the giant panda, the snow leopard, and the king cobra. Matter Group, $25. Ages 6 and up.
BOOKS
Louie! by Will Hillenbrand
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Louie can’t stop drawing. It gets him into all sorts of trouble, until he finds the right story to paint . . . about Madeline, star of the famous children’s book. Penguin, $17. Ages 6 to 8.
I'm a Happy Hugglewug by Niamh Sharkey
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Join Henry and his Hugglewug family and friends as they enjoy a playful day. Every page of this sturdy board book is loaded with happiness, hugging, activity, and song that your young ones will treasure. Candlewick, $7. Ages 2 to 4.
The Big, Bigger, Biggest Book by SAMi
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A cat chases a mouse fast, faster, fastest. A scuba diver plunges into the sea and swims deep, deeper, deepest. Young readers make the leap from positive to superlative as they unfold the flaps of this colorful picture book. Blue Apple, $15. Ages 2 to 5.
Books Are For Eating Reading by Suzy Becker
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Give your teething reader the playful rhymes and cute-as-ever babies of Suzy Becker, with a bonus—this book’s rubberized, textured edges invite mouthing. Random House, $9. Ages 6 months to 2 years.
The Emperor of Absurdia by Chris Riddell
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Ordinary objects become extraordinary when a boy takes the title “Emperor of Absurdia.” Pillows turn to hills and umbrellas to trees as he searches for a dragon in Riddell’s stunning, Seuss-like world. HarperCollins, $18. Ages 4 to 8.
How to Raise Mom & Dad by Josh Lerman
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Big sister clues her little bro in on the ways of the world, like “It’s our job to tire out Mom and Dad so they’ll get a good night’s rest.” Greg Clarke’s whimsical depictions add to the humor. Penguin, $17. Ages 6 to 8.
TECH
PBS Kids Island (readytolearnreading.org)
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With seven levels of games and activities covering rhyming, letter identification, phonics, letter sequencing, phonemic awareness, and reading/vocabulary, this site is sure to help your preschooler start to learn her words. PBS, free. Ages 2 to 5.
Miza (miza.com)
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A complement to the book Looking for Miza, this engaging website includes interactive games, animated shorts, and more—all related to the plight of Africa’s endangered Mountain Gorilla. Scholastic, free. Ages 5 and up.
Ben 10 Alien Force Game Creator (gamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com)
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This drag-and-drop gamemaker allows your child to choose a character, place barriers and hazards, test his game, and then submit it to a gallery for others to play. Cartoon Network, free. Ages 6 to 12.
Disney Th!nk Fast
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Test your Disney knowledge! Get the whole family competing in rounds that include multiple-choice questions and mini-games. Includes four buzzers. Disney, Wii $50; PS2 $40. Ages 8 and up.
World of Goo
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Fight against the laws of gravity to get your balls of goo from point A to point B by building structures with them. Fun for kids and adults. Brighter Minds Media, Windows or Mac, $20; WiiWare, $15. Ages 7 and up.
Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force
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Join the Elite Penguin Force in this adventure game for the Nintendo DS, which features characters from the popular online community. Games like Cart Surfer, Jet Pack Adventure, and Ice Fishing use the DS stylus. Comes with Disney’s DGamer, so kids can upload earned coins to their online account. Disney, $30. Ages 6 to 14.
Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter & the Wolf
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With a new orchestral recording and digital animation, this Oscar-winning short retells the classic story of a young boy confronting his fears. Magnolia, $20. Ages 9 and up.
Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery
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The first-ever Thomas the Tank Engine feature-length film is narrated by Pierce Brosnan. While restoring a deserted town, Thomas and friends learn the power of teamwork. Lionsgate, $16. Ages 2 to 5.
Global Wonders
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This new series invites kids to explore world cultures through a unique mix of animation and live-action. Children from a variety of countries lead songs, activities, and more. Global Wonders, $20 each. Ages 2 to 5.
FASHION
Warming Trend
Keep your little snow angels cozy and dry in these neat winter items
Nylon aviator hat, CompanyKids, $29.
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Puffer vest, Gymboree, $33.
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Maple knit stripe hat and scarf, Zutano, $22 each.
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Explorer’s toggle coat, Hanna Andersson, $80.
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Kangaroo classic infant sheepskin bootie, Warmbat, $39.
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Three tassels hat, Hanna Andersson, $19.
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Trail model fleece hooded coveralls, L.L.Bean, $45.
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