The E-Z Bat (by Monkey Business Sports) was invented by a dad, probably because he was tired of pitching then retrieving 5000 baseballs a day. It's a simple concept that works! Kids thread the firm, foam-rubber donut-shaped ball on the end of the bat. A little stopper keeps it in place and it's a base hit every time. If you want to pitch the balls, the stopper comes off and that works just as well.
The American Girl doll named Felicity, (Compare Prices) an American Girl doll from Colonial America, will soon be moved to the American Girl Doll Archives. All of the Felicity dolls and accessories will be removed from retail stores and catalogues to make room for new American Girl products. Felicity books will still be available for sale at retail. Felicity was introduced in 1991.
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I don't normally cover books because Elizabeth Kennedy, About.com's Guide to Children's Books is so good, but I felt like I should tell the world about Paper Hat Press.
They make beautiful, gorgeous, artistic, elegant, customized hard-back books for kids. Each book is unique, but it doesn't just feature your child's name. It has his favorite pet, favorite food and super-hero qualities. Input your child's skin tone, hair color and texture and eye color to make the super hero look just like her.
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Every week I write about toy safety and toy recalls. I recently had cocktails with the toy-safety experts at the Toy Industry Association and I have the CPSC and ASTRA on speed dial. Imagine my surprise when my 5-year-old discovered a manufacturing problem with a brand-new toddler toy, right on the floor of my office!
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The CPSC and Lakeshore Learning have issued a recall of 18,500 Lakeshore Learning Magnetic Maze Board toys because the wand can detach and expose a magnet. Magnetic toys are among the most dangerous toys and are frequently recalled. If children ingest magnets or small, magnetic parts they can cause internal injuries and, in some rare cases, death. The company has received 10 reports of the wands separating and magnets detaching and fortunately, no injuries have been reported.
Learning Curve has just released a line of new Dinosaur Train toys based on the Dinosaur Train TV series for kids. It's one of my favorite properties because kids enjoy watching and really learn from it.
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I'm a huge fan of Playmobil toys. Their terrific Playmobil 123 playsets let toddlers and preschoolers play together. The new, creative Takealong Puppet Theater toy encourages children to expand their imaginations.
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Toddlers love just about anything on wheels, but unfortunately the Playskool Wheel Pals Animal Tracks Rolling Acres Farm (Compare Prices) doesn't really deliver. It is solidly made and the chicken and cow figures are easy to roll down the little chute, but the play value only lasts a few minutes.
Vtech just released the Learning Fun Tool Box, (Compare Prices) a cute little tool box that teaches shapes, numbers and colors. Toddlers can use the four chunky tools: a saw, a screw driver, a wrench and a hammer to pound, tighten and twist.
This is such a crazy job! I got a box of live frogs in FedEx. The Wild Creations Classic Ecoquarium is a little four-inch-by-four-inch aquarium with a base and a lid. It comes with gravel, a plant, tiny food pellets and two African dwarf frogs. They're cute little frogs that stay little. (We named ours Frank and Beans.)
Auction End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:10:17 PDT
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Auction End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:12:45 PDT
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Auction End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 7:13:18 PDT