2017holidaygiftguide by Family Choice Awards

Holiday Gift Guide D Holiday Gift Ideas for Everyone on Your List! D Prime Time Finds You Should Not Miss! D Fast, Fun Holiday Getaways!

Limited Edition “Peace On Earth” Premium Jewel Box

This premium bracelet set is presented in a custom-designed gift box with a goldcolored frame surrounding a detachable “Peaceful Dove” ornament on its cover. Intricate layers of paper cutouts on the interior of the cover create a tableau for Chamilia’s Peaceful Dove, and highlight thematic details from in several languages on a circular paper frame surrounding a dove at its center, inside the box. A beautiful gift card tells the story of each charm. The sterling silver charms are exclusive to the set and will not be sold separately. Chamilia, a Swarovski Company. $450 Available online and https://www.chamilia.com/ 2

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2017

StadiumBags.com StadiumBags.com has a full line of clear bags and backpacks that meet the size requirements for both Pro and College Sports. They also assist with safety measures being implemented in all public places. Make safety and convenience coexist with StadiumBags.com â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Clear Choice for Families! $9.95 - $29.95 Available online and www.StadiumBags.com

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GOTRAX HOVERFLY Hoverboard Cruise the space-time continuum with supernova power and speeds. The GOTRAX HOVERFLY hoverboard boasts topranking torque with dual 350W force field motors capable of propelling riders up to 7.4 miles-per-hour for 12 miles on a single charge and is fully UL certified. $249 Available online and GOTRAX.com.

Rollplay 12V Uprider The Rollplay 12 Volt Up-Rider unique design combines the stability and control of traditional scooter handlebars with an innovative wheel configuration — the four wheels provide smooth steering and balance, while you create a pivot of 360 degrees for easy turns! Provides fun dynamic speed and braking for better control and 12 volt motor drive for reliable use. The revolution of ride-on toys is here! Has a max speed of 4 mph. Maximum weight up to 150 lbs. • Pivot 360 degrees for easy turns • 4 wheels provide deeper tread and smoother road contact • Dynamic speed and braking for better control and 12 volt motor drive for reliable use • Find comfortable handle positions with adjustable hand positioning • Max speed 4 mph • Maximum weight up to 150 lbs Recommended for ages 5 and up. $149 Available at Walmart.

Rollplay 12V GMC Sierra Denali Encompassing top-notch battery ride-on features, the Rollplay GMC Sierra Denali 12 Volt Battery Ride-On Vehicle is a professional grade kids’ car! Cruise at speeds of 2.5 or 5 MPH in forward, and 2.5 MPH reverse while enjoying all of the great features the truck has to offer. With non-slip rubber traction strips, two opening doors, working LED headlights, and horn and engine sounds, kids love to ride this adventurous, premium pint-sized truck. Features an intergraded MP3 player with speakers. A high-speed lockout enables parents to set the max speed at 2.5 MPH or turn it up to 5 MPH for older children. Take fun into the fast lane with the GMC Sierra Denali 12 Volt Vehicle Ride-On, which includes a battery and charger, and features two seats to accommodate your child and a friend. Maximum capacity of 130 lbs total. Recommended for Ages 3 and up. $349 Available at Walmart and Amazon.

PillRite

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Taking your pills just got EASIER. PillRite is a unique, easy to use monthly pill organizer which eliminates the weekly chore of managing your pills. That’s right, a pillbox that holds 4 weeks of pills. One and Done — Fill it ONCE and your DONE for a month. PillRite will become an indispensable part of your daily pill regimen. The PillRite will ELIMINATE THE CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION of taking your pills. Have you ever asked yourself the questions . . . Have I taken my pills? Should I take another? Sometimes the wrong answer could be life threatening. With the PillRite you can rest assured that each and every pill will be taken on time every time. Whether you organize your pills for yourself or a loved one… PILLRITE is the ANSWER. $39.99 Available at Target.com, Walgreens.com, Walmart.com, CVS.com, Kmart.com, Overstock.com, Amazon.com and Pillrite.com 5

2 Prime Time Finds! 7 Toys & Games 31 Dolls 36 Children’ Products 40 Hot List! 46 Books 54 Music & Audiobooks 56 Technology and Apps 60 Crafts 63 Moms

65 Dads 67 Maternity and Pregnancy 70 Babies & Parenting 76 Babies 78 Apparal 84 Jewelry 86 Houseware and Décor 88 Health 90 Pet Products 93 Travel

“Holiday Gift Guide” is a division of Family Magazines. The information contained within is accepted in good faith. All material is protected by copyright. The Holiday Gift Guide and Family Magazines assume no liability for the contents. Reproductions are not permitted without express written permission. Questions, requests or comments, please e-mail FCA@FamilyMagazineGroup.com or call (818) 718-9900. 6

Toys

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Games!

Co-operative Board Gamesâ&#x201E;˘ My games differ because they are all based on co-operation rather than competition. In my games we play together, not against each other. In fact, my rule of thumb when designing games is that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have people being against people. The object of a game is working toward a Common goal, not wiping out the other player. Ages 3 to Adult. Prices range from $5 to $35. Mostly $15. Available at your favorite retail store, online store, or directly from us at www.familypastimes.com.

Ages 8 & Up. $169.99 Available at Anki.com, Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Best Buy and Target.

Anki OVERDRIVE: Fast & Furious Edition With tech so advanced that it feels like the future, Anki OVERDRIVE is the world’s most intelligent battle-racing game. Each Supercar is a self-aware robot, driven by powerful artificial intelligence and equipped with deadly strategy. Whatever track you build, they’ll learn it. Wherever you drive, they’ll hunt you down. The better you play, the better they become. Whether you battle A.I. opponents or friends, your tactical options are unlimited. And with continuous software updates, the gameplay always stays fresh. New this year, Anki OVERDRIVE: Fast & Furious Edition amps up the gameplay by merging the most thrilling elements of OVERDRIVE with the adrenaline-fueled world of Fast & Furious — one of the most successful action serials of all time. The new game pits players against the Toretto crew, including Dom, Hobbs, Letty and Tej, and the iconic voices of the Fast & Furious characters help bring movie-like moments to life as players race and battle against their friends, family or the A.I. characters in two meticulously detailed robotic Supercars inspired by the high-octane vehicles from the films, including International MXT and Ice Charger. Exclusive to the game is also a new Power Zone track piece that triggers a massive “hack” that disables nearby opponents when players drive through it. Just like OVERDRIVE, the new game is easy to pick up, and nearly impossible to put down.

GOTRAX HOVERFLY Hoverboard Cruise the space-time continuum with supernova power and speeds. The GOTRAX HOVERFLY hoverboard boasts top-ranking torque with dual 350W force field motors capable of propelling riders up to 7.4 miles-per-hour for 12 miles on a single charge and is fully UL certified. $249 Available online and GOTRAX.com 9

//CODE Rover Control Prepared for a programming space mission? In this 40-challenge game two Rovers have been sent to explore Mars. The trouble is, the Rovers are programmed to travel on color and most of the pathways were left colorless in a dust storm. You’ll need to call on critical thinking skills to correctly color the pathways so the Rovers stay on course. Challenges introduce “decision points,” “loops,” and “increment instructions” as you progress–all advanced computational skills that are delicately embedded into a fun play experience and will have you thinking like a programmer. Ages 8 & Up $14.99 Available exclusively at Target stores nationwide.

Color Cube Sudoku Flip & rearrange all 9 Color Cubes on the 3 x 3 tray until each color appears once in every row and column. It will take more than a couple flips of a cube to master this brilliant Sudoku puzzle. Once you’ve conquered the traditional Sudoku pattern, give your brain a real workout with ourfun Bonus Challenges! Color Cube Sudoku is a Parents’ Choice Gold Award winner. Ages 8 & Up. $19.99 Available nationwide at Barnes & Noble, Toys “R” Us, Amazon and neighborhood toy stores.

1-2-3 Build It Your budding engineer will love using these mix-and-match pieces to build three different modes of transportationâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;an airplane, a tugboat, or a car (one at a time). Use the play screwdriver to put the large, durable pieces where they go. Great for learning early STEM skills. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 2 & Up $19.99 Available online and www.Amazon.com

Alphabet Acorns This fun and challenging matching game gives children multiple ways to learn and play. Children can match uppercase and lowercase letters as they put the acorns together, plus play hide-and-seek by finding a surprise inside each acorn. The object they find begins with the letter sound on the acorn. Colors correspond to letters, and little learners can even practice making words, learning their ABCs, beginning sounds and more! Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 3 & Up. $29.99 Available online and www.Amazon.com. 11

City Engineering & Design Set Encourage an early love of STEM learning with this one-ofa-kind City Building Set. Your little engineers can create their own skyscrapers, cranes, bridges and more with 89 easy-to-assemble pieces. Use the included activity cards to complete design challenges, or create your own city. It’s a unique way to challenge logic, problem solving, and engineering skills. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 5 & Up. $24.99 Available online and www.amazon.com or www.LearningResources.com.

B. Toys Light Me to the Moon A beautiful show from outer space, ready to take you to an imaginary place! Load one of the 2 reels to discover the cute planets in our solar system or to discover happy visitors from another galaxy. Ergonomic handle with handy compartment to store the reels. Can also be used as a flashlight. 4 years & Up. $9.99 Available at Target.

B. Toys Rodeo Rocker Play and neigh the days away; A classic playroom companion straight from the rodeo. Hop on the back of a soft and squishy horse and hang on! Hear the clip clop of your horse’s hooves as you go. Yee haw! Natural hardwood handles and rockers give your horse a classic feel. Perfect for any toddler’s nursery or playroom. From Maison Battat Inc. Ages 18 months – 4 years. $34.99 Available at Target, Target.com. 12

Counting Dino-Sorters Math Activity Set It’s a fun way for children to learn about counting and colors . . . while they play hide-and-seek! These little dinos tuck away inside the eggs for surprise counting fun. Each numbered and colored egg holds a corresponding number of dinos inside, so children learn about number correspondence too! Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, handson educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 3 & Up. $29.99 Available online, www.amazon.com and www.LearningResources.com

Cycle Gears Put a new spin on building toys with the Gears! Gears! Gears! Cycle Gears building kit. Little engineers can create their own cycles that really move. Open-ended building allows for almost endless creative possibilities. An engaging way to build STEM and critical thinking skills. Works with all Gears! sets. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 4 & Up. $14.99 Availaable online, www.amazon.com and www.LearningResources.com

Dino Pet interactive “pet” that glows brilliantly when you play with it at night. The glow comes from microscopic sea life, called dinoflagellates, that live inside the Dino Pet! Ages 5 - 65. $59.95 Available online and www.BioPop.com

Snap-n-Learn™ Number Turtles These charming teaching toys help children as young as 3 learn their shapes, numbers, colors, and more. Little learners will have endless hours of fun hiding the baby turtles under their momma’s shells, and matching the turtles by color or number of shell shapes. It’s the perfect way to make play time more educational! Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 2 & Up. $19.99 Available online, www.amazon.com and http://www.Learningresources.com

Fidgitz Fidgitz twists and turns in a unique fluid motion that will mesmerize players for hours on end. Your goal is to twist and manipulate the puzzle until one side is all blue and the other side is all white. It’s a challenging brainteaser and a fidget toy all in one! Recently featured on the TODAY show! Backseat entertainment to keep kids from whining ‘Are we there yet?’ Perfect for Ages 8 and Up. $9.99

Available nationwide at Toys “R” Us, Amazon and neighborhood toy stores http://www.thinkfun.com/products/fidgitz/ and http://thinkfun.co/2uM2gyY

Disc Jock-e Your next game of catch never sounded so good. The Disc Jock-e makes it possible to wirelessly add your favorite music to a simple game of catch at the beach, a picnic or even in the backyard. The toy syncs, by Bluetooth technology, with playlists from phones, tablets and computers to create a fun atmosphere for play. Long range connectivity = 100+ meter range. When the water-resistant throwing disc is not being used for outdoor play, the colorful spinning toy could also double as a wireless indoor-outdoor speaker. Ages 8 & Up. $24.99 Available at www.tuckertoys.com, Toys “R” Us and Amazon.

Emojito When it comes to non-verbal cues, body language and purposeful facial demonstrations can you make the match? That’s the hilarious unspoken premise of Tactic’s new party game, Emojito! (MSRP $19.99 for 2-14 players ages 8 and up). In this game, players compete by expressing themselves without words and acting out their emotions. To play Emojito!, each player (or team) must only use either sounds or facial expressions to portray the emotion shown on their Emotion Card. Then, that card is mixed with six other cards and spread around the seven-sided numbered board. The other players then try to guess the emotion that was demonstrated by picking the picture and number they believe correlates with the emotion. For each correct guess, the players move their token around the numbered board. The first to complete five rounds around the board is the winner! Emojito! requires players to think and use an awareness of nonverbal cues, sounds and body language to beat the competition! Ages 8 & Up. $14.99 Available online and Walmart.com 15

Just Add Glue Just Add Glue is the exciting new science activity kit that is sure to stretch the imagination! Use this cool new kit to create different forms of super stretchy polymers and make them bounce! By creating gluey gooey putties that can be picked up, stretched, and even rolled into a ball that bounces. Experimenting with the Just Add Glue kit let you mix separate batches of varying amounts of two main ingredients to witness the difference that consistencies can make. You can make fine or chunky crystals applied to objects like statues, strings or pipe cleaners. The product allows an underlying lesson about states of matter including liquids and polymers. A basic introduction to chemistry and material engineering. Ages 8 & Up. $24.95 Available at Amazon.

Just Add Sun Use the sun’s energy to heat up a tasty treat in this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) solar oven kit! Melt s’mores, nachos, or make your own crazy crayons with the power of the sun and the Just Add Sun™ Solar Science + Art Kit. Learn how solar energy works and introduce kids to eco-friendly energy alternatives. Learn how the energy of the sun can be used for heating objects as well as cooking food. Experiment with sunlight, heat transfer, reflection, and more! Plus learn to ‘upcycle’ items to create fantastic art! A portion of the proceeds from Just Add Sun™ is donated to Solar Cookers International. Ages 8 & Up. $29.95 Available at Amazon. 16

Kite-A-Pult Kite Flying is a Breeze with Tucker Toys’ Kite-A-Pult. The Kite-A-Pult is a self-launching kite flying system! No more running around in circles or needing another person’s help to get your kite off the ground. The new Kite-A-Pult launches a kite in the sky and you’ll be flying it up, up and away in no time. The portable Kite-A-Pult hand-launcher makes it easy to pull back then rocket the kite into the air to catch the wind. Not only is the Kite-A-Pult the most innovative and exciting kite out there, but it also doubles as a Glider! Its two toys in one and comes in three super colorful designs. Ages 8 & Up. $19.99 Available at www.tuckertoys.com, Toys “R” Us, Amazon.

LASER X Laser X is the ultimate high-tech game of tag! Blasters feature pinpoint accuracy up to 200 feet — day or night — and invisible infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents. Advanced sensors know when players are blasting, being hit, running or hiding, and an interactive voice “coach” uses this intel to offer tips and tricks throughout the game. Plug in headphones (not included) and listen to a stereo soundtrack while you play. All Laser X sets work together. Play one-on-one, in teams, or set your blaster to “rogue” and it’s every man for himself! Ages 6 & Up. $49.99 (Double Set) and $24.99 ( Single Set) Available at Target, Toys “R” Us, www.GetLaserX.com.

LASER X GAMING TOWER With 10 built-in games that test a player’s speed and skills, the Laser X Gaming Tower not only enhances a game of Laser X, but makes it possible to play solo. Use it for target practice, or blast the tower during a game of Laser X and hit multiple players simultaneously — from up to 150 feet away! An LED scoring display and full-color lighting effects let you track shots and hits. You can also play a high-tech game of Capture the Flag, where you not only aim to tag opponents, but try to blast the Tower to win more points for your team! Ages 6 & Up. $39.99 Available at Target, Toys “R” Us and www.GetLaserX.com.

LASER X LONG-RANGE BLASTER Take the ultimate high-tech game of tag to new heights with the Laser X Long-Range Blaster. Featuring 25-shot rapid fire, LED spotting scope and super-fast reload, the Long-Range Blaster has pinpoint accuracy up to 400 feet — day or night! Compatible with all other Laser X gear, it allows for more challenging games in larger spaces. Safe infrared beams can go through windows and bounce off walls and mirrors to hit opponents, while advanced sensors allow a voice coach to offer tips and tricks throughout the game. Plug in headphones (not included) and listen to a stereo soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re inside a video game! Ages 6 & Up. $39.99 Available at Target, Toys “R” Us and www.GetLaserX.com. 18

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Go Code Activity Set Children will have fun while building gross motor skills by stepping, hopping and turning. This set introduces children to early coding and programming ideas without electronics. The full-color guide includes sample mazes and coding overview. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 5 & Up. $34.99 Available online at www.amazon.com or http://www.Learningresources.com

Liâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;l Woodzeez Pass the Pasta Restaurant

Dining has never been so easy in Honeysuckle Hollow. Everyone is heading to the Pass the Pasta restaurant. This new set has working lights and comes with 45 pieces to make the dining experience more enjoyable. Characters sold separately. Ages 3 & Up. $21.99 Available at Target and Target.com. 19

Lori Dolls Horse Haven Lori and her friends are avid horse fans and they spend all of their free time at the Lori Horse Haven stables. After all, home is where the horse is! Barn has working lights and a real water pump to help you groom your Lori horse. Doll accessory for 6â&#x20AC;? dolls. Doll, horses and pets sold separately. Ages 3 & Up. $39.99 Available at Target and Target.com.

Mozi From ring to ZING! Mozi transforms into mystical entertainment when taken out for a ride. Once activated, Mozi spins continuously as it travels up and down, from one arm to another, or as you pass it to a friend. To activate Mozi, place your hand through the ring, raise your arm, and let Mozi roll. For a smooth ride, Mozi moves best on bare skin.To flatten, hold Mozi in between your hands and turn your top hand counter clockwise. Ages 6 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 18. $15.99 Available at www.funinmotiontoys.com, Learning Express stores, specialty toy stores or see website for store locator. 20

CharMinis Deluxe Jewelry Studio Includes: 98 charm pieces 30 jump rings Six 30”cords with clasps: purple, green, two pink and two blue Jewelry Design Studio which includes: • Jewelry Tree with Glitter Dome • Water bottle with brush • Paint pot of glaze • Glitter Benefits: Customize endless charm combinations with the CharMinis™ Charm Maker from RoseArt® Multi-functional jewelry studio serves as a decorative jewelry stand, charm organizer, and creation station complete with charm glitterizing feature Glitterize finished charms to accent your personal style. Make and wear stylish bracelets and necklaces with four colors of cord to choose from Fun & Easy Process — charm pieces simply fuse with water. Ages 6 & Up. $24.99 Available at Target, Toys “R” Us, Amazon, Kmart, CVS, JoAnn’s, Hobby Lobby, SuperValu and Fry’s.

MudWatt STEM Kit: A Bio-Energy Pet! MudWatt lets kids harness the power of millions of electricity-generating microbes naturally living in the soil beneath their feet. Kids experiment with different types of soil to maximize their power. The free MudWatt Explorer App lets kids measure their power, track their MudWatt’s microbe growth, and unlock an awesome educational comic book. You can even power a digital clock and other electronics using the power of microbes! Ages 8 – 12. $39.95 Available at www.magicalmicrobes.com or Amazon.

Pretend & Play® Teaching ATM Bank Children will learn money skills while they withdraw, deposit, and save money with this electronic ATM bank. Use with the included play money or your own real money. Bank will recognize play and real coins. Also has a mechanical bill feeder. ATM measures 8”W x 10”H. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 3 & UP. $39.99 Available online and www.Amazon.com.

Puzzle Globe It’s a whole new spin on learning basic world geography! The puzzle Globe is designed to help even PreK learners investigate the continents, the oceans, famous landmarks, different kinds of animals, and so much more. The big chunky pieces are designed to match up to holes on the Globe, so it’s easier for children to put continents in place. Includes a tough and durable base (with oceans labeled), rotatable Globe, 6 continent puzzle pieces, 6 plastic continent labels, and blank label stickers. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 3 & Up. $29.99 Available online and www.Amazon.com.

Primary Science Deluxe Lab Set Budding scientists will have a blast conducting their own experiments using the Primary Science Deluxe Lab Set. They can follow the step-by-step instructions on the included activity cards and jot down their findings in the write & wipe journal. Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 3 & Up. $49.99 Available online and www.amazon.com.

Rocket Lander 3 . . . 2 . . . Won! Griddly Games Launches Rocket Lander Game, a dice component game with an out of this world, explosive theme. Rocket Lander challenges players to strategically plot a graph on a 3 dimensional axis. The game topic travels through space and around the globe as players escort their ships, search and overtake opponents, and defend a home turf. Of course, the best strategy and a dash of luck help to decide who can land their ship efficiently. Ages 8 & Up. $26.95 Available online and https://www.amazon.com/Griddly-Games-Rocket-Lander-Board/ dp/B01AXCF8AG/ref=sr_1_22?s=mobile-apps&ie=UTF8&qid=1507144545&sr=822&keywords=rocket+lander 23

Roller Coaster Challenge In this thrilling engineering challenge, players get to build their very own roller coasters. Start by choosing a challenge card and setting up the pieces to match. Then, players use the remaining pieces to build a working roller coaster that meets the build conditions on their challenge card. Roller Coaster Challenge incorporates elements of a logic puzzle, while also allowing for the creativity that stems from freeform building. Once you have solved each challenge, you get to watch a real coaster car glide down the track, complete with dips, curves, and loops! Roller Coaster Challenge is an American Specialty Toy Retailer Association’s (ASTRA) Best Toys for Kids Award winner, and recently earned a National Parenting Products Award! Ages 6 & Up. $29.99 Available nationwide at Target, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and neighborhood toy stores.

Slam ‘N Bounce An E-Z twist on the traditional two-player paddle game. The new Slam ‘n Bounce is a variation on the traditional paddle game with a fresh design paddles and use of the Tucker Toys’ E-Z ball. The new components combine to allow players some fun adaptations like hitting the ball off the sand, grass, dirt or payment to extend the rounds of play. To play with the Slam ‘n Bounce just grab a paddle and hit the ball back and forth with a friend. The sturdy light-weight paddles are easy to handle for multiple ages to play and the E-Z Grip ball lets you bounce the ball on any surface! Tucker Toys changed the game dynamic from keeping the ball in the air, to allow players to use the water, sand and grass as expanded playing surfaces. Ages 5 & Up. $14.99 Available at www.tuckertoys.com, Amazon, Toys “R” Us.

Smart Market Whether your child wants to be a shopper or a grocer, they will love playing with the items in the Smart Market. They can work on reading, writing, math skills and more! Included pieces work great with our cash registers! Company: Learning Resources is a leading global manufacturer of innovative, hands-on educational products trusted by teachers and parents and loved by children. Ages 3 & Up. $29.99 Available online, www.amazon.com and http://www.Learningresources.com

TooT! A TooT is a playable card, or group of cards. Yep, that’s it. But, the logic and definition of a TooT allow for SOME TooTs to combine into a single larger TooT. And this . . . allows for some intriguing, challenging and FUN games! TooT! includes: 57 Play Cards, 1 Die, 2 Basic Rules & Samples Sheets and Instructions for 4 Games. Ages 8 – Adult. $9.95 Available online, MissingPiecePress.com and Amazon.

Whew! A fast and fun game of words, wits, whims, and woes. 2-12 players. Ages 8 – Adult $19.95 Available online, Missing Piece Press and Amazon.

uKloo Early Reader Treasure Hunt Game Get your kids reading without even realizing it! Disguised as a treasure hunt, this multi-award winning literacy game is pure get-out-of-your-seat fun that gets kids physically active by reading clues to find a hidden surprise. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even a Picture Helper poster to look up words when kids get stuck! The children are so engaged, they begin reading without even realizing it. Ages 4-7. $15.95 Available online and amazon.com https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ukloo Educents: https://www.educents.com/ukloo-early-reader-treasure-hunt-game.html Mindware or ask your local toy store if uKloo is in stock!

Word Rush Word Rush is the new game of quick thinking words and categories. The categories and the starting letters for answers change in every round, so a renewed excitement continues on every turn. To play Word Rush, flip over a new category card and begin. Each player or team takes a turn to come up with a word that fits the category and starts with one of the letters visible on the board. Players have a limited time to come up with a word. When they do, then the next player does the same and turns the timer again. Use a lot of time or a little because the next player will have a little time or a lot. If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come up with a word you lose the round, and three lost rounds cost you the game. Coming up with words while the sand timer flows makes the game a thrilling race of wits Word Rush has an ever-changing game board, consisting of the letter cards, and changing time limits imposed by the sand timer. Ages 8 & Up. $19.99 Available online and Barnes & Noble.

Water Wubble An E-Z twist on the traditional two-player paddle game. Introducing Water Wubble — refillable water balloon balls from the makers of the Super Wubble Bubble Ball! Fill them a little, or fill them a lot. There’s no tying, because they seal themselves — and no cleanup, because they splash, but don’t pop! Unlike traditional water balloons, you don’t need to fill Water Wubbles from a faucet or spigot. You can also fill them by dunking them under water, which makes them a great take along to the pool or beach! Ages 6 & Up. $14.99 Available at Toys “R” Us, Target, Walmart and www.WaterWubble.com

WordSpiel WordSpiel® is a game Where the END is just the BEGINNING®. Make words starting with the last letter or letters of the previous player’s word. Just like the name, WordSpiel, Spiel uses the “S” from WordS. The first person to use all their cards wins. Enjoyed by wordsmiths and rookies alike, this word game challenges players to make the best word possible within 60 seconds. A digital timer is included to keep players on their toes. Make a long word to use your cards faster or end with a tricky letter to really challenge your opponents! Ages 8 & Up. $12.99 Available at Barnes & Noble, Book-A-Million, Amazon, www.setgame.com

We Detectives Put your team’s special investigation skills into play with Tactic Games’ cool new crime solving game, We Detectives. In this cooperative game, players try to work together to gather evidence, explore, and use deductive reasoning to solve crimes. Each player moves his or her playing piece around the city setting on the game board as they try to solve the case before the time runs out and the bad guys get away. As part of the game, Tactic also added an element of surprise with some hazard discs that create even more fun and suspense throughout the game play. Ages 8 & Up. $19.99 Available online and Barnes & Noble.

Super Wubble Brite It looks like a bubble, plays like a ball — and now it lights up the night. It’s Super Wubble Brite, the light-up, color-changing Wubble. Squeeze it, whack it, throw it, bounce it — even sit on it! It floats, wobbles, dribbles, spins, and smashes — all while putting on an amazing light show! Made from squishy, squashy, super soft and lightweight Xpandium, Super Wubble Brite can be inflated to a gigantic 2 1/2 feet tall and changes from red to blue to green — and all the colors in between. It’s fun to play with in the dark, indoors or out, all year-round. Ages 6 & Up. $24.99 Available at Target, Toys “R” Us and www.WubbleBall.com. 29

Cozmo Collector’s Edition by Anki BIG BRAIN, BIGGER PERSONALITY: Cozmo is one of the most sophisticated consumer robots available today. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of Ph.D. roboticists, world-class animators, and renowned game developers, Cozmo represents a major leap forward in the future of play at the intersection of film, toys, videogames, and robotics. You see, Cozmo is a real-life robot like you’ve only seen in movies. He’s curiously smart, a little mischievous, and unlike anything ever created. He’s a gifted little guy who’s got a mind of his own and a few tricks up his sleeve. He’ll nudge you to play and keep you constantly surprised. More than a companion, Cozmo’s a collaborator. He’s your accomplice in a crazy amount of fun. New this year, Cozmo’s got his own collector’s edition. He’s the same robot, but in a sleek new look of Liquid Metal Finish. His new, dark colors are the perfect complement to the Cozmo you have grown to know and love. Ages 8 & Up. $179.99 Available at Anki.com and Toys”R” Us.

Trick Shot Sports Cool new sports figure dudes with powerful snap action performance. Now anyone can perform amazing Trick Shot combinations. Use the dudes to bounce balls off objects and more. Tricks are only limited to a player’s imagination Special website and video channel allow the best shots to be shared online! Collect all (five, so far) Trick Shots Sports team figures. Ages 5 & Up. $9.99 Available at Toys R Us, amazon, www.tuckertoy.com

Dolls

Nanea Mitchell Nanea Mitchell, American Girl’s newest BeForever character, is a brave and determined girl growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1941 just as Japan attacks Pearl Harbor and America enters World War Two.Her efforts to help and heal her friends and neighbors during wartime are all driven by her spirit of aloha: the understanding that everyone is connected and that joy and pain are shared. The 18” Nanea doll has big hazel eyes and wavy dark-brown hair. She arrives in a button-front pake blouse with an island graphic, sailor-style moku shorts, underwear, and shoes with crisscross straps. Also included are a faux-hibiscus flower hair clip and a paperback of Growing Up with Aloha by Kirby Larson. Ages 8 & Up. $115 The Nanea collection will be available through American Girl’s catalogue; at americangirl.com; at all American Girl retail locations nationwide; and at American Girl specialty boutiques at select Indigo™ and Chapters™ in Canada and El Palacio de Hierro locations in Mexico City. The Nanea books will also be available through retail and online booksellers. 32

1930s American Style Stove, Furniture for 18 Inch Girl Dolls Vintage style stove cooks up the fun on stovetop or in the oven. Sized perfectly for play with 18 inch Girl Dolls. The Queen’s Treasures Stove features quality wooden construction painted in a creamy color for the enameled look of yesteryear. Includes 4 stovetop “burners,” a main oven with removable rack, a broiler, plus utensil and warming compartments! 4 compartments offer chefs and bakers plenty of play value. Exclusively made by The Queen’s Treasures®, offering the highest quality 18 inch Doll Furniture, 18 inch Doll Clothes, 18 inch Doll Shoes & 18 inch Doll Accessories! Safety Tested! From The Queen’s Treasures®. Ages 8 & Up. $99.99 Available online, Specialty Retailers and at www.thequeenstreasures.com.

1930s American Style Icebox, Furniture for 18 Inch Girl Dolls Vintage style “icebox”, inspired by the home essential of yesteryear, keeps 18 inch doll play-perishables safe and adds another dimension to kitchen play. From its sturdy latches to faux galvanized insulator panels, this charming piece evokes the feel of days gone by. Crafted with quality wood construction and painted in a creamy color for the enameled look of yesteryear. Features 3 separate compartments to store everything from eggs and milk to cake, pies and veggies! For even more space, racks on the right are removable and can be used as serving trays or cooling racks. Exclusively made by The Queen’s Treasures®, offering the highest quality 18 inch Doll Furniture, 18 inch Doll Clothes, 18 inch Doll Shoes & 18 inch Doll Accessories! Safety Tested! From the The Queen’s Treasures®. Ages 8 & Up. $99.99 Available online, Specialty Retailers and www.thequeenstreasures.com.

American Vintage Styled Kitchen Sink, Furniture for 18 Inch Girl Dolls What’s a kitchen without a sink? 18” dolls cook and their friends need a place to wash, prep, and clean. They’ll do it here with a bit of flare. Clever design offers faucet handles that turn, a basin with draining shelves on each side and a bowl deep enough for 18” dolls to wash veggies, pots or plates. High quality wooden construction features a backsplash, cabriolet legs and the enameled look of yesteryear — sized right for 18” dolls. Sink stands 13”H at the right height for an 18” Doll. Overall measurements are 12”L X 13”W X 5 1/2”H. Exclusively made by The Queen’s Treasures®, offering the highest quality 18” Doll Furniture, 18” Doll Clothes, 18” Doll Shoes & 18” Doll Accessories! Safety Tested! From The Queen’s Treasures®. Ages 8 & Up. $63.99 Available online, specialty retailers and www.thequeenstreasures.com.

Copperware Pots & Pan Set As pretty to look at as it’s fun to play with, this fabulous cookware performs beautifully for 18” doll chefs and country cooks. 7 piece set includes a frying pan, cooking pot, tea kettle, roasting pan and even a chicken roast sized for an 18” doll dinner. Matching 18” doll cookware is crafted in wood or polyresin and painted to resemble classic copperware, right down to the faux-brass handles! Cooking pot and tea kettle come with removable lids. Roasting pan measures 4 1/2”L. Tea kettle is 3 1/2”H. Exclusively made by The Queen’s Treasures®, offering the highest quality 18 inch Doll Furniture, 18” Doll Clothes, 18 inch Doll Shoes & 18” Doll Accessories! Safety Tested! Available from The Queen’s Treasures®. Ages 6 & Up. $24.99 Where to Purchase: www.thequeenstreasures.com.

Spatterware Dish Set

Modeled on “granite” enamelware from the late 1800’s, this spectacular 18” doll-sized collection evokes a simpler time. 12 piece set includes a serving platter, 3 mixing bowls, 4 cups and 4 plates — just right for 18” dolls. 18” doll-sized set features unique patterns for which spattereware is known. Platter and bowls sculpted in polyresin. Plates and cups are crafted in wood. Platter measures 4 1/2”L. Mixing bowls nest inside one another to store in an 18” doll kitchen, sideboard or hutch. Exclusively made by The Queen’s Treasures®, offering the highest quality 18 inch Doll Furniture, 18 inch Doll Clothes, 18 inch Doll Shoes & 18” Doll Accessories! Safety Tested! From The Queen’s Treasures®. Ages 6 & Up. $24.99 Available online, Specialty Retailers and www.thequeenstreasures.com

Our Generation OG Ride Along Scooter Grab your favorite loyal pal for a quick spin around town. The new OG Vespa for 18” dolls, includes a sidecar for your favorite 4 legged friend, a helmet to keep your doll safe, as well as goggles to keep the wind out of your pets eyes. Vespa has Bluetooth capabilities. Doll and pet sold separately. Ages 3 & Up. $39.99 Available at Target and Target.com.

Our Generation™ Professional Doll Nicola Nicola is an 18” Our Generation™ doll whose motto is: “Showing you care-that’s good medicine!” Nicola is a doctor and she comes with 15 fun accessories including an otoscope (ear checker) with a functioning light. Ages 3 & Up. $29.99 Available at Target and Target.com. 35

Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Products 2017

Veer Cruiser Veer Gear, LLC, is proud to debut the brand new, all-terrain “Cruiser,” a category-disrupting crossover that leverages advances in design, performance and safety to give families new freedom to embark on any outdoor adventure together, activate imaginations, and enrich the bonds between parents and kids. The Cruiser combines the outgoing experience of a rugged wagon with the functionality and safety of a premium stroller. The Veer Cruiser is the first in its class to meet all ASTM stroller safety standards and be JPMA certified. It is rugged yet weighs less than many double strollers, and can accommodate over 110 pounds of precious cargo. The Cruiser can also be customized with a collection of accessories, including a Nap System and Collapsible Sun Canopy that combine to make a JPMA certified bassinette (and a perfect rest stop for infants!), a Drink and Snack Tray, a Foldable Storage Basket for even more cargo capacity, and a travel bag to check the Cruiser at the jetway. Up to 6 cup holders provide ample beverage capacity for family adventures and festivals alike. But, best of all, all major brands of infant car seats can attach using an Infant Car Seat Adapter, so even the youngest family members can enjoy the ride along with their older siblings. Founded by an expert team in the world of premium child mobility products, Veer designs gear with purpose — to empower families to go, explore, and bond through active, outdoor adventures. $599 Available online, https://www.goveer.com, albeebaby.com, diapers.com and select boutiques nationwide 37

BubbleBum’s New International Car Booster Seats — Top Gift for the Traveling Family BubbleBum is the perfect travel companion for short and long road trips, every day carpooling, fly ins with car rental, taxis or Uber/Lyft rides. Now available in three new designs: Stars & Stripes, Union Jack and Irish Shamrocks. Weighing in at less than one pound, BubbleBum inflates and deflates in seconds, making it easy to throw in a backpack, locker or large purse. It meets all safety standards and fits three across the back seat of a car, minivan, or SUV. Winner of the IIHS Best Bet award 6 years in a row. Designed for kids ages 4-11. Retails for $29.99 Also available at Target stores nationwide and http://www.bubblebum.co/us/

mifold the Grab-and-Go Booster The mifold® Grab-and-Go booster seat® is the most advanced, compact and portable child car safety seat in the world. It’s innovative design is more than 10x smaller than a regular booster and it’s just as safe. mifold works completely the opposite way to a regular booster. A regular booster seat lifts the child to be in the position of an adult, but mifold holds the seat belt down. So like a regular booster, mifold holds the seat belt in exactly the correct position on the bones of the hips and the bones of the shoulder, without needing a big, bulky seat to lift the child. The simple fact is that today, there are still at least 20% of journeys where children do not have an appropriate restraint because one is not available for example, in carpools and the school run, with grandparents or other relatives, in taxis, on vacation, in rental cars and sitting three-in-a-row. mifold is the perfect solution for these occasional journeys, as there is no longer any excuse for a child to be unprotected. With such a compact and portable device, a child can easily keep one with them all the time and drivers can keep spares, without cluttering up a car and losing cabin or luggage space. mifold has been crash tested multiple times in testing facilities around the world and has successfully met or exceeded the regulatory standards in the USA, Canada, the EU, China, Chile and 190 other countries worldwide. The companies vision is that there should be a child restraint for every child, in every car, on every journey, at every time, and therefore we created mifold. Ages 4 & UP $49.99 Available at Babies “R” Us.com, Toys “R” Us.com, Amazon.com, Nordstrom.com (also in 10 stores), BuyBuyBaby.com (in all stores), mifold.com, Target.com or www.mifold.com 38

Hue Animation Studio HUE Animation Studio contains everything that you need to create your own stop motion animation videos. For use at home or for school projects, this is a creative and educational pastime that can be enjoyed by the whole family. This perfect gift for kids encourages creativity and imagination. Ages K – 12. $69.95 Available online and www.huehd.com https://www.amazon.com/HUE-AnimationStudio-Windows-Apple/dp/B0049TQQ1A

Isabelle Grace Jewelry’s Personalized Cuff Bracelets Hand-formed and stamped in the studio, these customized cuff are a great way to keep those that mean the most closet to you in a stylish way. Available with a gold or silver finish, this gorgeous and adjustable cuff is meant to be worn tight to your wrist. Isabelle Grace Jewelry believes in the beauty and integrity of all of their handmade pieces. All Isabelle Grace Jewelry pieces are made in the USA by local artisans using recycled metals whenever possible. There is no assembly line; no mass production. $75 Available at isabellegracejewelry.com

HOT LIST!

PillRite Taking your pills just got EASIER. PillRite is a unique, easy to use monthly pill organizer which eliminates the weekly chore of managing your pills. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s right, a pillbox that holds 4 weeks of pills. One and Done â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Fill it ONCE and your DONE for a month. PillRite will become an indispensable part of your daily pill regimen. The PillRite will ELIMINATE THE CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION of taking your pills. Have you ever asked yourself the questions . . . Have I taken my pills? Should I take another? Sometimes the wrong answer could be life threatening. With the PillRite you can rest assured that each and every pill will be taken on time every time. Whether you organize your pills for yourself or a loved one . . . PILLRITE is the ANSWER. $39.99 Available at Target.com, Walgreens.com, Walmart.com, CVS.com, Kmart.com , Overstock.com, Amazon.com, Pillrite.com

HOT LIST!

La Brea Bakery Holiday Breads La Brea Bakery, the #1 selling artisan bread brand in the country, is once again offering limited edition breads that capture the flavors of the season — and are the perfect addition to any holiday table or party. This year, La Brea Bakery is offering a brand new bread, the Sweet Pecan Loaf — made with gently roasted pecans — in addition to the delicious fan-favorite offerings that were available last year like the Holiday Stuffing Loaf (my personal favorite) and Cranberry Walnut Loaf. Below is a full list of the breads that are available now at select grocery stores nationwide and via Amazon Fresh. These seasonal offerings make a thoughtful and delicious hostess gift for anyone on your list, or a gourmet yet easy addition to any gathering. • Sweet Pecan Loaf: Rich flavors are complemented by gentle roasted pecans. This bread toasts up perfectly for a memorable flavor experience. (SRP: $4.99) • Holiday Stuffing Loaf: This unique savory loaf is infused with sage, celery, thyme and black and white pepper. (SRP: $3.99) • Cranberry Walnut Loaf: Toasted walnuts and tart, slightly sweet cranberries bring this bread to life. (SRP: $3.99) • Take and Bake Holiday Stuffing Rolls: Savory rolls with sage, celery, thyme and black and white pepper that makes an unbelievable Thanksgiving Leftover sandwich. (SRP: $3.99) • Take and Bake Cranberry Walnut Loaf: Toasted walnuts and tart, slightly sweet cranberries. Named the #1 take and bake cranberry artisan bread in the US. (SRP: $3.99) • Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Loaf Cake: Spiced, moist pumpkin loaf with a luscious cream cheese swirl, topped with toasted pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin is slightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, making this loaf a familiar fall treat. The holiday season captured in the perfect loaf. (SRP: $4.99) • Gingerbread Loaf Cake: Hints of ginger, molasses, cinnamon, nutmeg and clove make this moist loaf a perfect holiday indulgence. The candied ginger streusel topping provides a festive finish. (SRP: $4.99)

Sweet Pecan Loaf

Cranberry Walnut Loaf

Holiday Stuffing Loaf

HOT LIST!

Ages 8 & Up. $169.99 Available at Anki.com, Amazon, Toys “R” Us, Best Buy and Target.

HOT LIST!

HOT

Rollplay 12V GMC Sierra Denali

Encompassing top-notch battery ride-on features, the Rollplay GMC Sierra Denali 12 Volt Battery Ride-On Vehicle is a professional grade kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; car! Cruise at speeds of 2.5 or 5 MPH in forward, and 2.5 MPH reverse while enjoying all of the great features the truck has to offer. With non-slip rubber traction strips, two opening doors, working LED headlights, and horn and engine sounds, kids love to ride this adventurous, premium pint-sized truck. Features an intergraded MP3 player with speakers. A high-speed lockout enables parents to set the max speed at 2.5 MPH or turn it up to 5 MPH for older children. Take fun into the fast lane with the GMC Sierra Denali 12 Volt Vehicle Ride-On, which includes a battery and charger, and features two seats to accommodate your child and a friend. Maximum capacity of 130 lbs total. Recommended for Ages 3 and up. $349 Available at Walmart and Amazon.

LIST!

2017

Books!

Imagination Bigger Together Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Picture Book. Imagination Bigger Together will inspire children to create, discover, and dream of adventures as near as their own backyards. From making mud cakes with imaginary friends to treasure hunting for gems a whole world is just a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s imagination away. From Casey Rislov Books. Ages 2-8. $11.95 Available at Amazon and http://www.caseyrislovbooks.com

The Wallbook Timeline Collection This boxed set contains three What on Earth? timelines-Nature, Big History, and Science-covering a complete spectrum of knowledge from history and nature to science. Created in association with the American Museum of Natural History, each title includes a unique 10-foot-long fold-out timeline with more than 1,000 pictures and captions. Full color. Ages 6 – 14. $54.95 Available online, book stores and Amazon.

Reindolphins — A Christmas Tale Santa wasn’t smiling, not one little bit. In fact, poor old Santa, was about to have a fit! One elf helps Santa come up with a plan when the reindeer fall ill with chickenpox. Delightful and humorous with wonderful illustrations. Ages 4-12. $16.95 Available online, http://www.MissingPiecePress.com, Amazon & various aquarium gift shops.

Life on a Trampoline by Randy & Dave Randy & Dave are back and flying high with their second release, packed with clever, cheeky songs that are laugh-out-loud funny, excellent music and lyrical wit. Randy is a little bit country, Dave is a little bit rock ‘n’ roll and together they add some jazz and blues for a sound all their own. Peel away the layers of each song and listeners uncover something new every time they hear it. Ages 5-8. $14.98 Available online and CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/randydave2 amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/ Life-Trampoline-Randy-Dave/dp/B07448CYKY/re f=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1508443762& sr=1-1&keywords=life+on+a+trampoline

Creative Lettering and Beyond Art & Stationery Kit Includes a 40-page project book, chalkboard, easel, chalk pencils, fine-line marker, and blank note cards with envelopes. Why doodle letters when you can create hand lettered pieces of art? Graduate your hand lettering from bored designs to art worthy of hanging on the wall. We’ve pulled together the artistic talents of four professional hand letterers and calligraphers to give you instruction, and are including all the tools you’ll need to get creating. The Creative Lettering and Beyond Art & Stationery Kit comes beautifully packaged in a hardcover case filled with everything new letterers will need. Get a handle on drawing elegant lettering with the 40-page project book for lessons and inspiration, a slate board and easel for practice, notecards for finished projects and all the art supplies you’ll need. You’ve no doubt seen how fast lettering has built steam on Instagram, Pinterest and other sites. Even if you’re completely new to lettering--or even to making art entirely! — these tips, techniques, and materials, will have you completing project after project. With the Creative Lettering and Beyond Art & Stationery Kit you’ll be experimenting with cursive script, getting your feet wet with calligraphy, and embellishing and illuminating hand-lettered artwork on day one. This all-in-one art guide is perfect for the artist in your life. The highly giftable kit brings everything an artist needs for a weekend of artistic fun, or a new skill for a lifetime. From Walter Foster Publishing, an imprint of the Quarto Group. $19.99 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia

Natural Wonders of the World DK, Hardcover, 440 pages. Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution. Discover Earth’s most beautiful and fascinating natural landmarks. From the spectacular granite domes of Yosemite to the reefs of the Bahama Banks and the ice sheets of the Antarctic, this is an unparalleled survey of the world’s natural treasures. $50 USD Available online at Barnes & Noble and book stores nationwide. 48

Houseplants: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Growing, and Caring for Indoor Plants What’s the best way to nurture your green thumb when you don’t have a yard or space? Houseplants! When you want to raise plants but just don’t have the space, then it’s time to turn to houseplants! Houseplants is the definitive guide to the millions of varieties that houseplants come in, and the different levels of maintenance, care and know-how they all require. Now is your chance to dive into this pleasant, no-yardrequired hobby without the questions of which potting mix to try, what the right level of light you’ll need, or how to shift your plants as seasons change. Houseplants profiles more than 150 different plants, and gives you the best techniques to raise them to be happy, green, and healthy. And as you watch them grow, you can stimulate your inner botanist with the included information on each plant’s Latin family, varieties, bloom period, mature height, and other scientific specs. $30 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia

Speed Read F1: The Technology, Rules, History and Concepts Key to the Sport Strap yourself in and fill the tank with high octane! Speed Read: F1 is loaded with all the information you’ll need to get into the world of blinding speed called Formula 1. You’ll get the history of the sport, biographies of major drivers and figures who have dominated the sport in its long and storied history, and a rundown of the incredible technology that makes these cars so fast that they stay glued to the road. You may not guess it, but the world’s premiere automobile racing series takes the Formula One name from the set of rules governing the class. Plans for a Formula One drivers’ championship were floated in the late 1930s, but shelved until after World War Two. In 1946 the first F1 races were held, but it wasn’t until 1950 that the details for a true world-championship series were hammered out. It was a long road from the 1930s to now for this great sport; one marked by glory, championships, iteration, technology, and speed. Don’t be intimidated by this incredible culture, dive into F1 Racing today! $19.99 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk , Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia 49

Crochet Characters Soft & Snuggly Cacti: 12 Succulent Designs Grow a low-maintenance succulent garden with this adorable cactus crochet kit! From baby succulents to spikey and fuzzy cacti, this kit teaches you how to crochet your very own collection of plants, no watering required. Inspired by the popular Japanese crochet style of amigurumi, these easy-to-make succulent plants are totally customizable. All the plants and pots are designed to be interchangeable, you simply choose your favorite pot shape and color, then crochet any of the ten different types of cacti or succulents to go on top. Projects are arranged from easy to more challenging so you can advance your skills as you work through the book. Crochet Characters: Soft & Snuggly Cacti contains everything you need to make two adorable projects — the moon cactus and the silver ball cactus — including seven colors of yarn, a crochet hook, stuffing, embroidery floss, eye beads, and a tapestry needle. And best of all, no green thumb is required to keep these cute cactus babies alive, they’ll stay fresh and happy all year round! Becker & Mayer Books, an imprint of The Quarto Group. $21.99 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia

Atlas of Untamed Places: An Extraordinary Journey Through Our Wild World Embark on an intrepid journey through fearsome landscapes, feral environments, and the untouched and inhospitable wildernesses that make up our unusual and wonderfully wild world. Travel through historic habitats, untouched lands and peculiar wild phenomena in this voyage to the world’s most weird and wonderful, captivating and curious wildernesses. Visit immensely diverse floral kingdoms, remote jungles abundant with exotic birds, and both freezing cold and scorching hot inhospitable environments. Then venture to the extreme and the incredible: lightening inducing lakes, acidic mud baths, and man-eating tiger kingdoms, and to wildernesses being reclaimed by nature, such as Chernobyl, that after being left abandoned for years has returned to a natural wild habitat, free from human intervention. Not forgetting those most bizarre of destinations, such as the tidal surges of the Qiantang River, the bridge to Modo Island that emerges from the sea, and the strange magnetic pull of Jubuka rock. This is a travel book like no other! With 45 unique and beautiful maps and stunning photography, it’s an intrepid voyage to nature’s most unusual, unpredictable, and extraordinarily wild places on the planet. $29.99 Available online and Barnes & Noble. 50

How to Build Brick Cars: Detailed LEGO Designs for Sports Cars, Race Cars, and Muscle Cars Build — Learn — Customize — Play! The World’s Best Cars In The Palm Of Your Hand. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, start your engines and bust out your bricks! How to Build Brick Cars is here for the inner creative person in us all. Featuring over a dozen fully realized builds of classic and contemporary sports cars, race cars, and muscle cars, How to Build Brick Cars features a range of levels to challenge both brick newbies and the veteran block-slingers far and wide. Inside, readers will find detailed, full-color illustrations and step-by-step instructions for such classic and contemporary vehicles like the 1932 Ford V-8 Roadster, Datsun 240Z, 2016 Le Mans Ford racer, Ferrari 250 GT California, Jaguar E-Type coupe and convertible, Ford F150 Raptor, Bugatti Veyron, and the iconic Porsche 911. The vehicles represent a range of manufacturers such as GM, Chrysler, Bugatti, and more, from many of the world’s most exciting automotive manufacturing countries (the United States, England, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan). Featuring informative and historical text about each car and designed exclusively by Ford Motor Company vehicle designer Peter Blackert, How to Build Brick Cars will keep you busy from the flip of the first page to the end of the race track! $24.99 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia Available at Amazon and http://www.caseyrislovbooks.com

Teachers: There is No Such Thing as As a Hot Coffee & Other Teacher Truths Is it Friday yet? Get ready to go behind the desk with this insider’s look at a year in the life of an everyday educator. Written for teachers by teachers, this hilarious snapshot into the lives of the overworked and underpaid will have you laughing so loud, you’ll worry it might get confiscated. Hear! The same question be asked over and over again. Feel The strange allure of the laminator! See! Paper Mountain as it grows before your bloodshot eyes! Full of administrative frustration, madcap humor; and heartfelt love for the most underappreciated profession of them all, Teachers is the perfect gift for that special someone who spends all day with your kids. $14.99 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk , Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia

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ne and at www.HeatHolders.com 53

Music

and

Audiobooks! Revvin’ up the Reindeer by Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could Following eight albums and three Grammy nominations in the Children’s genre, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could introduce Revvin’ Up the Reindeer, a holiday album for the whole family. 13 original tunes celebrate the loving, festive jumble of the season: caroling harmonies, brass and bells inflect the band’s roots-y, feel-good sound, recalling beloved Christmas standards yet distinctively fresh and new. The title track is a 50’s rock ‘n’ roll romp, imagining Santa with a souped-up sleigh; lyrical accordion embellishes the Klezmer-inspired “Rainbow Candles”; the hopeful sing-a-long “Christmas Wishes” radiates with a lush, Motown treatment, and the band rings out the old and swings in the new in raucous, Dixieland jazz fashion with “Baby New Year.” Whispers of holiday standards weave cleverly throughout, conjuring up the magic of the holiday season. Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, “Revvin’ Up the Reindeer” will be your new Holiday Jam! Great for all ages. $15 Available at Amazon, iTunes and other music retailers.

Personalized Music Albums for Children SongsWithMyName features an ever-growing collection of personalized children’s music albums designed to help kids learn, gain self-confidence, improve social skills and inspire imagination . . . all while singing and dancing along with their favorite characters. The very best in personalized music featuring your child’s favorite characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Elmo and his gang along with Bob and Larry of VeggieTales and others! Available in both DIGITAL ONLY and PHYSICAL CD (with digital content included) . . . these albums make the perfect stocking stuffer for the holidays! Explore our website to hear your child’s name in their very own song! Use coupon code “FAMILY2017” to save 20%! Ages 0 – 6. $14.95 - $19.95 Available online and www.SongsWithMyName.com 54

Life on a Trampoline by Randy & Dave Randy & Dave are back and flying high with their second release, packed with clever, cheeky songs that are laugh-out-loud funny, excellent music and lyrical wit. Randy is a little bit country, Dave is a little bit rock ‘n’ roll and together they add some jazz and blues for a sound all their own. Peel away the layers of each song and listeners uncover something new every time they hear it. Ages 5-8. $14.98 Available online and CD Baby: https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/randydave2 amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/ Life-Trampoline-Randy-Dave/dp/B07448CYKY/ ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1508443762& sr=1-1&keywords=life+on+a+trampoline

Songs from the Monkey House Jack Forman, well known to thousands of kids around the country as host of the daily “Live from the Monkey House” call-in show on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Jack, lead singer of the GRAMMY nominated Seattle band Recess Monkey, releases his first solo album of humorous songs inspired by conversations with real kids. Ages 5-10. $9.99 Available online and http://www.amazon.com/ monkeyhouse

Lullaby Girl Lullaby Girl offers fresh and dreamy arrangements of 13 classic songs from a variety of genres with a world-class quartet led by keyboardist Larry Goldings. The album, which was co-produced with Loeb’s longtime collaborator Rich Jacques and Goldings, reminds us why songs like “Be My Baby” (The Ronettes), “All the Pretty Little Horses,” “Dream a Little Dream, “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and “O-o-h Child” remain classics. Lisa’s original songs, “Close Your Eyes” and “Lullaby Girl,” flow right in with the pristine arrangements of tunes like “In My Room” (Brian Wilson) and “Tomorrow,” from the Broadway musical Annie. All Ages. $9.99 Available online and https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Loeb/e/B000APVS0G

Technology

and

Apps!

Gift Tokens™ Make the Perfect Gift for Out of Town Friends and Family The Gift Tokens™ app allows you to easily text or email a holiday gift and still make a huge impression. Gift Tokens are available for all the top brands and there are hundreds of Gift Tokens to choose from. You can send them in so many fun ways that make the experience truly memorable. Download the Gift Tokens app at www.gift-tokens.com Company: GCI™ is a gift card industry leader providing engagement and gifting solutions to leading retailers, Gift Card Brands and leading corporations. The company has received 29 industry awards for innovation in the last 5 years and has more than 95 patents issued with another 30+ patents pending in the US and worldwide. Ages 18 & Up $5 - $25 Download the Gift Tokens app at www.gift-tokens.com or the app store. 56

Cue Powered by breakthrough Emotive AI, Cue is Wonder Workshop’s newest product for all ages — a witty robot with attitude that talks, texts and laughs with you. With four quirky avatar personalities to choose from — Charge, Smirk, Zest and Pep — you can customize the robot to make it your own and see how it’s personality and actions change. Send cue text messages to discover its sense of humor — snappy answers, crazy memes and jokes that will keep you coming back for more. It’s filled with the latest technology like advanced robot interactions, real-time Bluetooth, programmable LED lights & buttons, processors & sensors, and two wheels with encoders that give Cue the ultimate precision when navigating around any environment. Cue inspires learning and creativity through games, challenges, text messaging and remote control adventures. Unlock cue’s secret to coding for any skill level by easily switching between block and JavaScript programming, creating your own custom interactive robotic experiences. Ages 11 & Up. $199.99 Cue will be available for order in September online at Makewonder.com and top retailers (Best Buy, Barnes & Noble, Target, Apple, Toys “R” Us, Amazon, Best Buy Canada and Toys “R” Us Canada).

Dot Creativity Kit Dot is Wonder Workshop’s clever, quirky robot that is ready to play out of the box. Multiple sensors and loads of tech make Dot a real robot that comes to life. The new Dot Creativity Kit includes project cards, stickers and accessories, inspiring hours of exciting play, like robotenabled Duck-Duck-Goose and Hot “Dot”-ato, customizing Dot with stickers and costumes, constructing a mood lamp or coding a personal room guard to alert against pesky sibling intruders! Using the free mobile apps, kids will learn about robotics and develop fundamental coding and problem-solving skills while having fun. Ages 6 - 10. $79.99 Dot Creativity Kit will be available for purchase at the end of September online at Makewonder. com and at top retailers (Best Buy, Toys R Us, Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon, Best Buy Canada and Toys R Us Canada).

ARIA’s Adventures: Augmented Reality Educational Activity Kit Teaching children about the natural world around them including jungles, forests, and animals can be a little daunting. How cool would it be if their learning was experienced in the 3D realm? Imagine the added value of combining modern gaming technology and education. Gone are the days where kids simply read a book or color flat pages, arrived are the days where the pages come to life for today’s tech savvy youth. Odyssey Toys presents ARIA’s Adventures, the new wave of children’s education and play. Utilizing augmented reality, ARIA’s Adventures offers several interactive and exciting options. Simply use your smart device or the included VR headset and allow Aria to take you on a virtual journey through the jungle. All 100 animal cards come to life to teach the player valuable facts about itself, adding a stimulating educational element to the game. The 3D coloring feature is a mesmerizing experience- watch as wild animals fill in and transform from flat white drawings to exciting, colorfully interactive characters. This interactive game takes advantage of modern technology, allowing children to learn in an innovative, fun, and engaging way. Aria’s Adventures utilizes augmented reality (commonly known as AR to techies), the latest gaming phenomenon that causes physical objects in the real-world environment to appear augmented. ARIA’s Adventures is a single or multi-player interactive experience. Recommended for ages 4+. $39.95 Available online, KMART, Sharper Image 59

Crafts

Just Add Glue

Just Add Glue is the exciting new science activity kit that is sure to stretch the imagination! Use this cool new kit to create different forms of super stretchy polymers and make them bounce! By creating gluey gooey putties that can be picked up, stretched, and even rolled into a ball that bounces. Experimenting with the Just Add Glue kit let you mix separate batches of varying amounts of two main ingredients to witness the difference that consistencies can make. You can make fine or chunky crystals applied to objects like statues, strings or pipe cleaners. The product allows an underlying lesson about states of matter including liquids and polymers. A basic introduction to chemistry and material engineering. Ages 8 & Up. $24.95 Available at Amazon.

Scratch & Create: I Love Hand Lettering:

Design your own quotes with 16 scratch boards and 4 alphabet and ornament stencils Get in touch with your inner poet as you create beautiful quotes on love. The romantic inside you will flourish as you discover amazing, full-color artwork beneath these sheets of metallic coating! With a special stylus, you can scratch, draw, and design your own pieces of art as you enjoy this relaxing activity. Let your creativity and senses develop as you use lettering stencils to create your favorite, passionate sayings on love against colorful background art by Shandra Smith. This kit comes with everything artist need to get started; three styles of alphabet stencils, a set of ornaments to decorate your mantras, and 16 scratch sheets. Each sheet comes with a surprise, unique, and colorful backgrounds which will show through your design. Each sheet is perforated for easy removal, so your art is always ready for gift giving or display! $19.99 US: Available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, Indigo UK: Available at Amazon.co.uk, Waterstones, Book Depository, Books Etc. AU: Available at Booktopia

Art by Shandra Smith

Moms Limited Edition “Peace On Earth” Premium Jewel Box This premium bracelet set is presented in a custom-designed gift box with a gold-colored frame surrounding a detachable “Peaceful Dove” ornament on its cover. Intricate layers of paper cutouts on the interior of the cover create a tableau for Chamilia’s Peaceful Dove, and highlight thematic details from the nine custom-designed charms in the set. The word “peace” is written in several languages on a circular paper frame surrounding a dove at its center, inside the box. A beautiful gift card tells the story of each charm. The sterling silver charms are exclusive to the set and will not be sold separately. Chamilia, a Swarovski Company. $450 Available online and chamilia.com

Embracing Belly Booster The #1 prenatal maternity back and belly support band Embracing Belly Booster relieves back pain with orthotic lumbar action. Wear it high in the back to support a heavy belly. Comfortable, easy to use, adjustable and comes in Gold/Beige. Four sizes support Petite through Large. $58.00 Available online and https://itsyoubabe.com/product/ embracing-belly-boostier/

Lacti-Cups®

“When Every Drop of Milk Matters, Save the Leaks.” Lacti-Cups are a practical solution to save 4 to 12 oz more per day. They are to be placed on your breast instead of nursing pads and save all the naturally occurring breast milk leaks instead of absorbing it. Discrete, comfortable and reusable. $20.99 Available online at Amazon and Lacti-Cups.com

Woodlore Pant Trolley Make an elegant statement in any reach-in or walk-in closet with Woodloreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pant Trolley. It holds 15 or more pair of pants on aromatic cedar rods and moves on casters for perfect placement in any closet or room. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finished with a rich dark chocolate colored stain. Simple assembly. Box of five additional pant rods sold separately. $99.95 Available online and www.woodlore.com 65

Woodlore Cedar Shoe Care Valet with Allen Edmonds Shoe Care products This professional-style solid cedar shoe care valet features a sliding top with bullet catch and build-in shoe support. It contains black, burgundy, brown and neutral Carnauba Shoe Wax, four cloth applicators, two polish daubers and two small horsehair shine brushes. $79.95 Available online and www.woodlore.com

Woodlore Men’s Combination Shoe Trees Woodlore’s best-selling shoe tree combines an overhang heel for easy removal and an expandable split toe. It’s made of aromatic red cedar to absorb moisture and prevent odors. Regular use of shoe trees maintains the shape of shoes and helps prevent leather from cracking. Also available in women’s sizes. Personalize for gift-giving for an additional $5.00. Sold in pairs. Made in the USA. $24.95 / pair Available online and www.woodlore.com

Maternity

and

Pregnancy!

Liliputi® 4in1 Babywearing Mama Coat 4 in 1 Coat

You can wear it without a baby or with the babywearing insert for front and back carry or even during pregnancy thanks to the included pregnancy insert. It is comfortable, stylish and durable. Its sleek design is sporty and elegant at the same time, therefore the coat it´s ideal for all occasions. Its vibrant colors lighten up the darkest winter. The Liliputi Mama Coat matches all the style lines of the Liliputi carriers and bags collections, but it doesn´t really matter which carrier you pick, it is bound to work. Why SoftShell? SoftShell is a special fabric, primarily used for professional outdoor equipment. The unique characteristics of the fabric facilitate that, which involve its resistance to water, along with breathability (permeability) as well as its particularly efficient windproof character that keeps its wearer warm. Its further specialties include flexibility which provides easy movement when it is worn. These features of SoftShell guarantee that Liliputi Baby Carrying Coats offer the ideal solution for those mommies who would like to carry their babies comfortably also during winter. We would absolutely never recommend to climb a snowy mountain while babywearing, but if you have to...for who knows what reason, you will be glad that you have this coat. 68

Focusing on carrying Liliputi Mama Coats involve numerous solutions that support carrying. Thanks to the zippers applied under the armpits, the coat can be easily taken on and off, even with your little baby on your back, ready to go. The bottom of the coat, supplied with an elastic cord, can be adjusted to the required width to keep always the tiny legs of your baby warm too. As a part of the coat, the baby insert offers solutions for both front and back carry, it can be easily fastened through the zipper as well as fitted perfectly with the help of two buttoned rubber and one built in string. Two pockets with thermo lining warm the hands in order to bolster the mommies’ extra comfort. Besides, it is pretty as well! We have incorporated all our knowledge and creativity to lend rich functionality along with special and unique appearance to our coat. Talented Hungarian designers also contributed in the construction. What about the quality? We know that the Liliputi® Babywearing & Mama Coat is not cheap . . . The reason for that is the highest quality materials we applied without compromise. Through its production too, the highest quality standards prevail. These coats do not originate from Far Eastern mass production, but from our own Hungarian manufacture, so that we can personally check every item directly and separately. If you are looking for the best relation quality/price in a mama coat, you´ve found it. Three-times Award-Winner The Liliputi® Mama Coat has already won three awards! In 2015 was chosen as winner of Green Scene and Family Choice Awards, in 2016 it was evaluated with golden medal on Mom’s Choice Awards. Hip-Hip-Hurray! We are soooooo proud! :) 329 Euros Available online and https://www.liliputibabycarriers.com

Babies

and

Parenting!

Baby Change-N-Go Baby Change-N-Go is a portable diaper changing station that hangs from a public bathroom stall door or wall. It can be used in the privacy of the bathroom stall and then folds up to fit in your diaper bag/backpack/stroller. It is SAFE, PRIVATE, CLEAN and COMPACT. No more dirty public changing stations (which have been found to have Ecoli, bacteria, Rotavirus, Norovirus, feces and drug residue. Now ALL parents have an option! Moms win! Dads Win! $79.99 Available online and Amazon.com and www.BabyChangeNGo.com 70

2 in1 Potette Plus Portable Potty The 2in1 Potette Plus Portable Potty is great for travel or to take anywhere that you may not have access to a sanitary bathroom or can also be used at home. It’s a clean potty for your child no matter where you go! Disposable liner re-fills are sold separately. Contoured seat for your child’s comfort. Sturdy well-balanced base helps your child feel secure. Legs lock into place when opened. Legs also fold out to the side and can be used on top of a toilet seat. Folds flat so it can fit in a purse or diaper bag. A great potty to keep in your car, boat, camper, or RV. Uses absorbent, disposable liners that hold up to 5 ounces of liquid. Liners are lightly scented to absorb odors. Liner handles secure to the potty and tie closed for disposal. A re-usable liner is also available for home use. Drawstring carrying bag included. Comes with 3 super absorbent, leak-proof and easy-to-use disposable liners. This potty is suitable for ages 15 months and up to 50lbs. Non-slip, durable, and comfortable. Fold legs after use and store. Dimensions: fully open – legs extended 9.875 L x 8.75 W x 4.875 D Folded flat 9.125 L x 8.7 W x 2.75 D Folded open as a trainer seat 14.25 L x 8.75 W x 2.75 D. 15 months – 5 years. $15.99 Available at Babies “R” Us, Buy Buy Baby, Amazon.com, Walmart.com and http://www.kalencom.com

Mr. Petey Potette Potty Training Kit The Mr. Petey Potette Potty Training Kit is everything your child needs to use the potty with confidence! Our award winning 2-in-1 Potette Plus can be used as a standalone training potty, as well as over any toilet bowl, for potty training at home and on the go using our bio degradable absorbent leak tested liners. The included hard cover magical adventure book and Mr. Petey Potette Training Companion are the perfect items to change the way your child learns to use the potty! Mr. Petey is your child’s best buddy whenever they suddenly need to go potty. He is a fantastic friend you can count on to keep you company. This Magical little fellow arrives just in time to help Children conquer their potty training fears and put down diapers once and for all! With Petey nearby, everyone suddenly benefits from the comfort he offers, the patience he displays and the security he stands for. When you gotta go potty, call Petey! Ages 1-5. $24.99 Available online and Kalencom.com, http://www.kalencom.com/index.php?route=product/ product&path=38&product_id=308 71

Covered Goods â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Original 4-in-1 Cover Our original 4-in-1 cover provides full 360Âş coverage & converts into a car seat cover, scarf, and shopping cart cover for one easy to use product! $34.99 Available online and www.covergoods.com

Cheeky Chompers 6-in-1 Multi Muslin (Multitasker) Cheeky Chompers Muslin 6in1 multi functional blanket can be used as a breast feeding cover up, a stroller cover, a swaddle, a blanket, a burp cloth and a teether. Super soft, light weight, 100% Organic Muslin fabric. Machine washable. Made in the UK. $42.99 Available online, Specialty Stores, babiesrus.com, buybuybaby.com and www.kalencom.com

Lacti-Cups®

Ollie Swaddle Cozy Swaddling Solution Top Gift for New or Expectant Mom

The Ollie Swaddle is the ultra-soft swaddle proven to help babies sleep longer and better with its patented moisture-wicking fabric that regulates baby’s temperature (preventing the risk of overheating). Featuring an opening at bottom for diaper changes, it keeps babies safe and comfortable for important napping and a good night’s sleep, reducing the Moro reflex or spontaneous arousal. Retails for $59.00 Available online, Specialty Retailers and theollieworld.com

MIOS Compact Stroller by Cybex A brand new compact stroller from CYBEX. Weighing in at 19lbs, and measuring fewer than 20” across, the MIOS is the perfect stroller for city dwelling parents. The MIOS is compatible with most car seats, and features a reversible stroller seat. The star feature, however, is the removable seat pad, which reveals a high breathable mesh seat back. Ages 0 – 3 & Up. $649.95 Available online and cybex-online.com

2017

StadiumBags.com StadiumBags.com has a full line of clear bags and backpacks that meet the size requirements for both Pro and College Sports. They also assist with safety measures being implemented in all public places. Make safety and convenience coexist with StadiumBags.com — the Clear Choice for Families! $9.95 - $29.95 Available online and www.StadiumBags.com

Bottle-Buds Fun neoprene drink koozies fits baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles and drink cans. Insulates and protects glass bottles. Creative designs feature ears and wings for little ones to grasp. $7.99 - $8.99 Available online and Kidkusion.com, buybuybaby.com, walmart.com, amazon.com

Lil’ Jammerz Plush Musical Friends Lil’ Jammerz is the perfect “Baby’s First Christmas gift” and new parent must-have. Lil’ Jammerz™ interactive, musical friends are ready to come to your house and party! These lovable plush toys will fit perfectly on an infant’s car seat, stroller or carrier to entertain and engage them with streaming tunes from any Bluetooth enabled device. Encourage a baby’s natural fascination with music to stimulate development, boost language skills and strengthen the relationship between a caregiver and child. Lil’ Jammerz™ plays music and soothing sounds via Bluetooth™ technology from, Internet radio, music library or through a pre-programmed playlist available through the FREE Lil’ Jammerz™ app. Lil’ Jammerz will donate 50 diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network for every box sold on www.liljammerz.com. Newborns & Up. $36.00 Available online and www.liljammerz.com

Hue Animation Studio HUE Animation Studio contains everything that you need to create your own stop motion animation videos. For use at home or for school projects, this is a creative and educational pastime that can be enjoyed by the whole family. This perfect gift for kids encourages creativity and imagination. Ages K – 12. $69.95 Available online and www.huehd.com and https://www.amazon.com/HUE-AnimationStudio-Windows-Apple/dp/B0049TQQ1A 75

Babies DockATot™ DockATot™ is a multi-functional lounging, playing, chilling, resting and snuggling dock you can take anywhere. Created with love in Sweden with a strict emphasis on design and comfort, there is simply nothing else like it on the market that allows mothers to feed, soothe, and bond with baby. With two sizes ranging from 0-36 months, the Grand and Deluxe DockATot™ are the only products that will transition with your child through every stage. Babies need a nurturing and cozy surrounding and feel calmer being in a smaller environment, which mimicks the mother’s womb. DockATot™ creates a soft and tender surrounding for little ones to lie in and feel snug and comforted. The DockATot™ has been subjected to rigorous product safety testing and is fully compliant with Canadian and U.S. federal requirements, including consumer textile flammability requirements, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission proposed standards as well as the British standard on air-permeability for infant pillows, BS4578. $297.99 Available online, at specialty retailers and Website: https://dockatot.com/

DockATot™ & Mobile Toy Arch

The Swedish designed DockATot multifunctional baby lounger creates a healthy, safe, and soft surrounding for baby to co-sleep, nap, or even get in tummy time while feeling snug and comforted with a cocoon-like shape that mimics the womb. It’s 100% breathable, highly portable, and also handy for diaper changes. DockATot’s new toy bar allows for babies to be engaged and entertained while logging in safe and healthy rest time on their DockATot®. Available online, at specialty retailers and Website: https://dockatot.com/

Lorena Canals Baby Blankets In addition to the colorful and stylish rugs and cushions, Lorena Canals has also added beautiful, eco-friendly, and machine-washable baby blankets to their collection. Available in chic ombre and whimsical Bubbly styles, the cozy baby blankets are perfect for the nursery, for playtime on the floor, or for a day at the beach. Available online, specialty retailers and http://lorenacanals.us/

Strolly Compact In addition to the colorful and stylish rugs and cushions, Lorena Canals has also added beautiful, eco-friendly, and machine-washable baby blankets to their collection. Available in chic ombre and whimsical Bubbly styles, the cozy baby blankets are perfect for the nursery, for playtime on the floor, or for a day at the beach. Available online, specialty retailers and http://lorenacanals.us/

Apparel The Spa Dress® for Ladies Who Travel The Spa Dress® is a multi-use wardrobe item for the practical female traveler who prefers to pack lightly and/or expeditiously. Rolls up, is easily packable in the tiniest of getaway bags. Offers ‘4 Ways to Wear,’ versatile as: 1. A Body-Enhancing Cover-Up Wearable UNDER resort robes. Cotton-blend 80-20% spandex adapts to curves. Stretchy top provides light support. 2. A Slip-On Towel Soft, lush terry locks in moisture. Doesn’t fall when you need a towel to stay up. Reduces public displays of ‘towel dropping syndrome.’ 3. A Dress-Before-You-Dress Text message and primp as you wear. Comfy walk-around attire. Dries as you dress. Leaves hands free for everyday errands. 4. A Sundress or Skirt Practical for the sauna but wearable on the beach, by the pool or anywhere your spa excursion takes you, at home or away. Great for overnight stays and quick getaways, not to mention, easily removable for romantic interludes! “. . . Instead of walking in with a bulky robe – you know the kind they give you in hotels – 78

you can walk in looking stylish and ready for your spa experience,” says product reviewer Francine Brokaw of Family Choice Awards. Adding, “…I especially like the softness and the versatility.” Up until now short towels, heavy bathrobes and shapeless wraps were the only spa wear available. That’s not enough wardrobe functionality or ‘feel-good’ style for what a spa day is meant to do: Lift you UP! “We saw a problem in public displays of ‘towel dropping syndrome’ at spas, health clubs and in particular, hotel rooms opening doors for room service. So, devised a solution in The Spa Dress®,” says brand developer Daniella Cracknell, who reinvented the sundress, a hit in the ‘80s, into something new and useful, now introducing a new way to wear and use towels with less wardrobe malfunction than a towel. The Spa Dress® combines the reliability of a sundress with the comfort of a towel-like wrap. Throw into the mix self-care rationale for a spa excursion to uplift our girly spirits. Packaged as An Emotional Boost in a Box™, The Spa Dress® comes in a range of colors to uplift mood, as a spa day should. No matter where you go, what you do or how you feel, The Spa Dress® can now support the best of you. For example: • Need emotional strength? Restore self-esteem in ‘Confidence Boosting BLACK’ • Lost your mojo? Find your groove in ‘Get Gorgeous PINK’ • Need to let go? Clean the slate in ‘Starting Over WHITE’ More ‘emotional boosts’ coming soon in See The Sunshine YELLOW, Greener Pastures GREEN, Romance Anew RED and Cool to be You BLUE for Something New, that’s YOU! “A nifty wardrobe item,” says Kathryn Johnson, owner of the 5-star resort Mosaic Private Sanctuary where photos of The Spa Dress® were taken and photographed by South African artist Ryan Parker. Other women who sport The Spa Dress® say: “Simple yet elegant. The material feels good. Non-restrictive yet form-fitting.” and the flight attendants of Airline Ambassadors International say, “The Spa Dress® is today’s most practical carry-on item.” So, humor us: join us in a sisterhood of The ‘Traveling’ Spa Dress® where together we escape everyday grind for a little bit of global fun. The sisterhood travels vicariously through those who sport The Spa Dress® as a way to conjure up a spa excursion of our own. Are you in? Suggested retail $69 includes shipping and handling. The Spa Dress® is currently sized for the practical female traveler in S/M ® (4-6-8 USA), slightly above the knee on a 5’5” woman (27 3/4”), and available online at www.TheSpaDress.com and in select spa locations, to include Marriott’s SiSpa of Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach. Due to the product’s stretchy top, fit and length varies dependent on uniqueness of each individual woman. Additional sizes in M/L (10-12-14 USA) and L/XL (16-18-20 USA) are currently being tested within the blogging community for fit, style and function. Additional sizes are slated to debut in time for October Spa and Wellness Month and Holiday Shopping. The Spa Dress® is a product created by Daniella Cracknell, an award-winning marketingcommunications TV executive who has represented some of the most highly recognized news and entertainment personalities in America. She has driven large-scale promotional campaigns for national daytime talk shows, TV news magazines and cable lifestyle series, plus many national consumer brands. $69.99 Available online and www.TheSpaDress.com

Feltman Brothers Holiday Collection & Gift Sets for Little Tots From beautiful embroidered toddler dresses to onesies for the little tot, Feltman Brothers fashions are sure to be a hit this holiday season and beyond! Introducing their new holiday collection, available this Fall, adorned in traditional classic green and red embroidery, even featuring a whimsical Christmas tree. Since 1916, Feltman Brothers has been providing the world with authentic and timeless clothing for babies. This reputation is the result of a strong commitment to quality, incomparable fabrics, exclusive designs, and attention to detail. Feltman Brothers designs reflect the elegance of vintage styling for children from newborn through toddler, for all needs and occasions. Feltman Brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; use of embroidery is a skilled craft and trade, with workmanship that has no equal. Feltman Brothers is, and always has been, a family business, now three generations deep and continuing strong for 100 years now. Available online, specialty retailers and http://www.feltmanbrothers.com

Gift Box Girls Knit Booties with Rattle Baby will love these snuggly booties and little rattle friend! $34.95

Gift Box Knit Booties with Rattle Keep baby warm and happy with these classic knit booties and rattle! $34.95 80

Finn + Emma Big Buddies Finn + Emma’s Big Buddies are the perfect companion for your toddler as they explore the great big world around them and the softest protector to snuggle with at bedtime. For big sibling — little sibling pairs, match them with the bestselling Rattle Buddies. They were hand-knit at an artisanal women’s collaborative in Peru using G.O.T.S. certified organic cotton yarn. They also make a great gift for your toddler when baby brother or sister arrives. The matching smaller rattle buddy or mini rattle can be given to the baby! $54.00 each Available online, specialty retailers and https://www.finnandemma.com/collections/new-products

Liliputi® Soft Soled Booties Recommended by orthopedic doctors. Soft, flexible 3 layer sole. Real woolen lining all inside. Safe, soft, leather upper. Velcro closures for easy and safe fastening. The upper side of the booties is natural, soft but resistant, made of high-quality nappa leather. Because of the excellent breathing character of the leather, the child´s feet do not sweat into the booties. The sole has three layers: Between the non-slip suede soles and the inner leather lining, a layer of 3mm elastic foam provides insulation and reduces the pressure on the joints, while running on hard ground. The booties are easy to get on, by using the flexible ankle band, which stays fixed. We supplied the toe of the booties, providing enough space for the free movement of toes, and helping a free feet development. The Liliputi® Soft Soled Booties are not suitable for activities such as crawling, hiking, playing soccer or when using a tricycle. They are ideal for babywearing, and are especially recommended during the cruising phase when learning to walk and also later as a perfect alternate of being barefoot. A significant part of the experts nowadays, suggest that the child be barefoot as much as

Dusk 82

Galaxy

Hibiscus

possible, as this ensures the cartilage and muscles of the baby´s feet to develop properly. However is not always possible to be barefoot! The Liliputi booties are soft-soled, as if the child is barefoot, still protecting him from mechanical damage, and also from the unpleasantness of cold (or hot) surfaces. In the Liliputi soft-soled leather booties, children learn to walk so that: Every little part of the sole is activated in the process of walking, which strengthens the foot muscles, thus preventing the most common orthopedic foot problems, like flat feet They feel the uneven ground with their sole, which greatly contributes to the development of their balance and coordination. The foot reflex zones are stimulated during walking, which has a positive impact on the entire body. Lots of feedback we receive from parents, sharing information about how much more confident and stable is the walk of their children in soft-soled shoes, compared to their peers, or experiencing in other types of shoes. Many of them praised the ”easy to give” — character of our shoes, and also the fact that their kids don´t want to get them off. Perhaps the greatest certainty for us, however, is not only the deed, that children do not want to take their shoes off, but - as dozens of reports show - they carry them to their parents, communicating without words, that they would like to get their Liliputi shoes on . . . New Styles from Liliputi Babywearing Ltd. Ages 5 months - 4 years $40.74 Available online and https://www.liliputibabycarriers.com/soft-leather-baby-boots

Jungle

Moon

Metal

Pearl

Northsea

Wheat 83

Jewelry

Rhinestone Football Necklace and Earring Set A beautiful matching necklace and earring set made with European crystals, perfect for the football enthusiast that also loves bling! Available in most teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colors. Ages 13 & Up. $49.00 Available online and https://www.DreamtimeCreations. com/GameTimeBling

Isabelle Grace Jewelryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Personalized Cuff Bracelets Hand-formed and stamped in the studio, these customized cuff are a great way to keep those that mean the most closet to you in a stylish way. Available with a gold or silver finish, this gorgeous and adjustable cuff is meant to be worn tight to your wrist. Isabelle Grace Jewelry believes in the beauty and integrity of all of their handmade pieces. All Isabelle Grace Jewelry pieces are made in the USA by local artisans using recycled metals whenever possible. There is no assembly line; no mass production. Available at isabellegracejewelry.com

Limited Edition “Peace On Earth” Premium Jewel Box This premium bracelet set is presented in a custom-designed gift box with a gold-colored frame surrounding a detachable “Peaceful Dove” ornament on its cover. Intricate layers of paper cutouts on the interior of the cover create a tableau for Chamilia’s Peaceful Dove, and highlight thematic details from the nine custom-designed charms in the set. The word “peace” is written in several languages on a circular paper frame surrounding a dove at its center, inside the box. A beautiful gift card tells the story of each charm. The sterling silver charms are exclusive to the set and will not be sold separately. Chamilia, a Swarovski Company. $450.00 Available online and chamilia.com

Houseware

and

Home Décor! Vellabox, Artisan Monthly Subscription Candles Vellabox is a monthly curated candle subscription box, delivering all natural and hand-poured candles sourced from the finest American makers — starting at just $10 per month. They partner with a lifestyle brand for a surprise gift and a different candle artisan each month to illuminate your home with the scents of the season. $10 - $30 Available online or Vellabox.com

Woodlore Hanging Tie Organizer Hanging Tie Organizer also makes the perfect scarf organizer. Give it a try — you’ll be happy you did! The aromatic cedar will protect those beautiful silk scarves while freshening your closet and keeping you organized. Holds 42 scarves (or ties). Dimensions: 16-1/4” L x 2-7/8” H / 42 x 7.5 cm $24.95 Available online and www.woodlore.com

Lotus Trolley Bags Introducing a brand new way to do your grocery shopping! Lotus Trolley bags are a set of 4 eco-friendly, reusable bags that are designed to neatly spread out in your shopping cart. Making it easy to pack and organize your groceries with both hands in half the time! Set of 4 reusable bags. $34.99 Available online and www.lotustrolleybag.com 87

Health

PillRite

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Pet Products G.O.A.T. Pet Speaker Greatest of All Time Bluetooth connect speaker with a fun app that gives your pet a ‘voice’! Our pets mean the world to us and we often talk to them as though they can respond. But what if they could? Now, with G.O.A.T Pet Speaker and app, they can! G.O.A.T. Pet Speaker features a built-in clip that you can clip to your pets collar, leash or to pet parent to stream incredibly sounding music out on walks or calming music in the house to relieve pet-anxiety. With the built-in selfie remote button on the bottom of the speaker, you can now be in the pic with your BFF without holding your phone! The G.O.A.T. Pet Speaker app is available on iTunes and Google Play app store, once you customize your pet’s profile you can simply type in what you would like your pet to say with a customizable voice or record your own fun voice! What will your pet say? Maybe, “it’s your turn to fetch” or greet their friends by name. Have fun interacting with your pet like NEVER before!!! 4 adorable designs to choose from, Spot Dog, Pug, Black Cat and Blue Bird. Available at all PetSmarts! $24.99 Available online, PetSmart, All USA and Canada instores and goatspeaker.com

The Cat Ball®Cat Bed The Cat Ball® is a modern cat bed, designed for cats and styled for people. Our original pet bed design is hexagonal, and has two openings, allowing your cat an escape route or two windows for watching the world. We design our own products, and make everything in North America, using high quality fabrics. We ship worldwide. $55 and Up Available at selected retail locations and at www.thecatball.com 90

PetDek for Your Vehicle A folding rear seat shelf for carrying pets in or out of cages in a safe, comfortable manner. Installs or removes in less then 60 seconds. It can carry up to 200 lbs of pets or any other cargo but only weighs 12 lbs. 24” x 48” unfolded and 24” x 24” folded. Made in the USA. Price includes shipping in Cont. US. $134.95 Available online and www.petdek.com

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Woodlore Cedar Pet Toy Box This all-natural aromatic cedar toy box not only organizes pet toys put helps keep them dry and fresh smelling! It also freshens the area it’s sitting in with its pleasant aroma. Available in two sizes. Can also be personalized with your pet’s name or photo for an additional $5.00. $19.95 small / $29.95 Large Available online and www.woodlore.com

Travel

The Polynesian Village Resort at Walt Disney World By Francine Brokaw

he Polynesian Village in WDW is a combination of a Hawaiian vacation combined with the magic of Disney. If your family is divided about where to take your vacation this year — Hawaii or Walt Disney World — you can have the best of both at this resort. The Polynesian is one of three resorts at WDW that is serviced by the monorail. The others are The Contemporary and The Grand Floridian. You can get right onto the monorail at the resort and go directly to The Magic Kingdom. Or, you can take a launch across The Seven Seas Lagoon right to The Magic Kingdom. From there you can easily access busses to The Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the other parks and resorts. Or you can take the monorail from The Polynesian directly to the Transportation and Ticket Center and catch another monorail to EPCOT. Actually, it is an easy walk from the hotel to the TTC, if you’re up to it. It’s a short distance to the TTC to catch the monorail to EPCOT. When guests enter the lobby they are greeted with leis and the warm hospitality of the islands. With soothing tropical songs playing throughout the resort, you will feel like you are in Hawaii. The spirit of Aloha is infused in this resort. The Ohana restaurant is one of several places to dine at this resort. They have a fun character breakfast with all you can eat scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and Mickey and Stitch mini-waffles. Everything is delicious. And to top it off, Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch come around to everyone’s table for a meet and greet and some photo opps. Plus, everyone can join in the character parade around the restaurant. Kids love taking part in this activity, following all the characters in a musical parade. Lilo’s Playhouse is open from the late afternoon until midnight, providing supervised activities, meals, and care for young kids. Plenty of Disney characters often stop by to visit the little guests during their time at the playhouse. It’s a carefree — and guilt-free — way for parents to make sure their kids are well cared for while they go off to explore the magic of Disney on their own. Children must be potty trained in order to attend Lilo’s Playhouse. Two pools — one with a great water slide — are available to guests to cool off in the hot Florida sun. And in the evening there is an entertaining light show on the lagoon prior to The Magic Kingdom’s fireworks show. From the beach at the resort guests can see the castle across the lagoon, albeit not as well as being in The Magic Kingdom. However with the water

show (which is like a miniature Electric Light Parade on the water) and the fireworks, guests of The Polynesian have plenty to see in the evening. I do recommend taking in the nightly laser/ fireworks show in the park at least once, however. It is amazing. Nightly movies are also shown on the grounds of the resort. The Polynesian is the place to indulge in savory Dole Whips at the Pineapple Lanai just outside of the lobby. This frozen treat is soft serve pineapple. They also have soft serve vanilla and swirls, for a refreshing taste of both. Plus guests can treat themselves to a float of pineapple juice with either a Dole Whip or soft serve vanilla. You won’t be able to have just one during your stay here. This is a popular place and definitely delicious. A nightly Luau is also offered at the resort. Take advantage of the Polynesian food, hula dancing, fire dancing, and Island entertainers as you are transported across the continent — and the Pacific Ocean — to the islands of Polynesia. You will forget you are in Florida. Reservations are a must for the Luau and the character breakfast. The Polynesian Village Resort has recently been updated and the over-the-water bungalows have been added for vacation club members. This is a Pacific tropical escape in the middle of Florida. Plus, it offers all the magic of Disney in the heart of Walt Disney World. Aloha.

Kauai ~ the Island Home of Lilo and Stitch By Francine Brokaw

auai is called “The Garden Island” because it is so lush and tropical. It’s the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. It is also the home of Lilo and Stitch. We hung our hats at the spectacular Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Koloa. This place is magnificent. There is plenty to do at this resort, or simply hang loose by the pool. The sunrises from our room were magnificent. Located on the Southern tip of the island, near the Poipu Beach area, beauty surrounds the resort. The town next to the resort is Old Koloa Town where we spent a couple evenings browsing around the shops and eating dinner. If you’re in the mood for pizza, check out Pizzetta. It’s a favorite spot for locals as well as mainlanders craving a tasty pizza. Personally, we enjoyed the Garden Island Grille. It offers plenty of choices as well as live evening entertainment. Come for the food but stay for the entertainment. A short drive west is Hanapepe, Lilo’s hometown. There is even a portrait of Lilo, Nani, and Stitch in the center of town. Lilo posed next to the mural for us. Hanapepe is a sleepy little town filled with artistic talents and the feeling of old Hawaii combined with a touch of the mid-century flowerchild aura. Kauai has a population of a little over 65,000 living in the 552 miles of the island. Only about 2,638 people reside in Hanapepe. If you visit Hawaii you’ll notice the Lappert’s ice cream shops around the islands. Hanapepe is the headquarters of this business. Don’t miss out on visiting The Bookstore — Talk Story, which is the westernmost bookstore in the country. Every time I have been there I have found something interesting to purchase. The Banana Patch Studio sells hand-painted pottery and look through the window to watch the artists painting the plates and cups. It’s inspiring. The Hanapepe Swinging Bridge is one of the most visited attractions in the town. This suspension bridge is not for the faint of heart, especially when it is windy and there are a lot of people trying to cross at the same time. A walk across the bridge affords visitors a view of the riverbank they won’t get driving down the main street.

On Friday nights the town has a crafts and food fair on the main street. It’s here where visitors can select unique and handmade items as well as indulge in delicious food for all kinds of appetites. The Friday Night Art Walk runs from 6-9 so make sure you are in town for this fun event. Further up the coast is Waimea town and the Waimea Canyon. Waimea Canyon is “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific.” The geography looked just like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, proving Hawaii has a little of everything. The Kauai Coffee Estate is also west of the Hyatt resort. Forget about Kona Coffee (from the big island), on Kauai you must drink the Kauai Coffee. The Estate is the largest coffee farm in the United States. They offer guided tours as well as self-guided walking tours. They also have a tasting area where you are free to try any number of delicious coffees. Don’t be bashful. Grab a cup and start pumping. You’ll find something you will want to take home with you. The Kilohana Plantation is a gorgeous 105 acre old-Hawaii plantation with shops of all kinds, a short train ride around the tropical beauty of the land, Gaylord’s Restaurant for a flavorful dining experience, the Koloa Rum Company where they have tastings as well as a shop to purchase your own libations and other items, and a Lu’au. The Kilohana Plantation was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has interesting buildings to explore as well imagine yourself living in grand style on this magnificent estate. Up on the northern coast of Kauai are Princeville and Hanalei Bay. These areas are a bit more touristy, in many ways. However, the lushness of the land is magnificent. This is a much wetter area of the island than down near the Hyatt resort. Check out the Dry Cave up on this part of the island. And purchase a fresh coconut. There’s nothing like it. And speaking of wet spots, Mount Waialeale, with an elevation of 5148 feet is one of the wettest spots on earth. When you drive north, visit the Kiluea Lighthouse. It sits on the tip of the island with plenty of wildlife surrounding it. How many birds can you spot? There is plenty more to see and do on Kauai. It’s a beautiful island and offers plenty of sights to see, activites to experience, and also the Aloha spirit.

Grand Hyatt Kauai is a Fun Family Resort By Francine Brokaw

hat better way to spend some quality family time than in a resort that not only appeals to adults but also to kids? If you’re looking for the perfect place for a family vacation, check out the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Koloa, Hawaii. The resort offers all the usual amenities people have come to expect from Hyatt. The rooms are comfortable (and come with cookies at bedtime) and the resort is located near some of Kauai’s most beloved scenic and tourist areas. Every room has a Toto Washlet toilet. A warm seat and a little spritz often make all the difference in the world! For youngsters there is Camp Hyatt on the premises. Kids between the ages of 3 and 12 — and are potty trained — can take part in the daily activities. This provides some fun experiences for kids besides simply playing at the pool, with plenty of games, crafts, and other activities. Parents can sign their kids up for full or half days (reservations are required and multiple siblings get a discount). There are scavenger hunts, Gecko hunts, Hawaiian leaf painting, a Hydroponic Garden tour, Koi feeding, Hula lessons, and plenty of other crafts and activities geared for children. The resident parrots are available for visits and some “Parrot Talk,” in which a wildlife attendant tells all about these beautiful birds. Adults can relax by the pool (there is one set aside specifically for adults), play golf, snorkel, scuba, or enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Poipu Beach area. Several restaurants provide a large variety of choices for even the finickiest eater. Tidepools has become my favorite place to dine in the resort. Not only is the food delicious, but it is situated in one of the most scenic areas of the property. Honestly, I could sit there all day. If you’re in the mood for Italian, you have to try Dondero’s. And for a great buffet breakfast, make sure you go to the Ilima Terrace. Don’t forget to put some Coconut syrup on your French Toast or pancakes. Throughout the resort are complimentary Flowater stations. Simply take your water bottle to one of these stations and fill it with purified water for healthy hydration. These units provide state-of-the-art purification and what you get is clean, chilled, tasty water, any time

you want. No more plastic bottles to keep purchasing. Just find the nearest Flowater station and get your delicious H2O. The piece de resistance for adults at the resort is the Anara Spa. If you want to relax, this is the place to do it. The spa classes and the well-equipped fitness room are available for all guests. Additional fees are required for access to the main spa, which includes a steam room and a sauna room, one of each for men and women. Lockers and whirlpools are also part of this experience, and complimentary sandals and robes are supplied while in the spa location. Specialty treatments include a variety of massages, salon services, and combo packs. Talk about a great way to relieve tension! Plus there are couples treatments as well as a stress and muscle tension relieving float therapy. This has to be experienced to understand it. It’s almost like experiencing zero gravity. And before heading back to your room, experience a lava shower under the open sky. Don’t worry. No on can see you. It’s simply a fun Hawaiian experience. There is no charge for self-parking so it is advisable to rent a car to explore other areas of the island. The bottom line is the Grand Hyatt Kauai is a wonderful destination for families.

Disney Vacation Club’s Newest Resort

Copper Creek Villas & Cabins By Francine Brokaw

embers of the Disney Vacation Club will soon have a new destination. Copper Creek at Wilderness Lodge in Walt Disney World is about to open with plenty of amenities and wonderful surroundings DVC members have come to expect. “We’re excited to introduce Copper Creek Villas & Cabins to our Members and guests,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club. “Whether it’s a quiet night spent in a cabin unwinding by the living room fireplace or venturing out into the endless action of nearby Magic Kingdom Park, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins is the perfect place for families to embrace the simple joys of nature and reconnect with each other for a lifetime of memories.” Disney’s Wilderness Lodge conjures up feelings of Yellowstone and the west and Northwest. Copper Creek Villas & Cabins is the second DVD location at the lodge. This locale includes both the laid back atmosphere of the great outdoors with plenty of modern amenities, and is only a short water ride to the Magic Kingdom, and bus ride to the other WDW theme parks. The newly opened Geyser Point Bar & Grill is an additional restaurant at the lodge with tasty food in a picturesque setting. Offerings include bison burgers with Tillamook cheddar, house-smoked salmon, and more. And don’t forget about dessert. Can you say “scrumptious?” There are several options for the Copper Creek Villas, each one gives guests modern conveniences while decorated in the style to give them the feeling of the woods and the calming outdoors. Each of the 184 nature-inspired homes has a kitchen. There are one and two-bedroom villas, and three-bedroom Grand Villas that sleep up to 12. The water front Cabins are beautiful and amazing. While touring them I found myself wanting to move into one right then and there. This is definitely going to be a prized location for DVD members. With the rustic albeit modern feeling with all the comforts of home and more, as well as the magic of the WDW theme parks and the surrounding resorts, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins is a great destination. Disney hasn’t left out anything in this new resort. Look for the special Disney touches in the rooms and the charm of the locale. Even the pathway looks like train tracks. Copper Creek is the best of the west and WDW combined into one. 100

By Roy Brokaw

Best Friends Pet Care at Walt Disney World

hen you visit Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, your pets can have as good a vacation as you do. At the Best Friends Pet Care facility, dogs, cats, and others are treated to Disney hospitality with plenty of attention and loving care. Whether you want daycare or boarding, there are several options for guests to WDW. For those staying at a WDW resort, the fees are reduced, however if you are not staying on the property, the fees are still very reasonable. Do you want the utmost pampering for Rover or Spot? The VIP Luxury Suites provides two walks per day, two playgroups, a flat screen TV for him/her to keep up on the latest Disney movies, a webcam so the caregivers can keep track of them, a nightly bedtime story, a comfy bed, and a going home bath. One step down from that are the Vacation Villas with one walk, a playgroup, a flat screen TV, and a nightly biscuit. Other options include walks as well as the comfy beds for all. Besides the packages, you can always add an a la carte option: bedtime story, playgroup, extra walk, etc. Let’s face it, Rover will be treated just as well as his human family while at WDW. And let’s not forget Fluffy. Cats are also treated to the wonderful Disney hospitality. There are several boarding and daycare rates as well as a la carte options: playtime, cookies and milk, tuna on a Ritz cracker, a toy, and a deluxe bed. The Best Friends Pet Care luxury pet resort has 17,000 square feet of air-conditioned space, which is a must in the hot Florida summers. And there is plenty of outside space for playing and exploring. And, smaller pets also have a reason to enjoy their own vacation. Birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other “pocket pets” are welcome here. With the ability to accommodate 300 pets for daytime and nighttime care, no pet is squished into a tiny cage. On the contrary, this place is amazing. With the Best Friends Pet Care Luxury Resort, a family vacation doesn’t have to mean keeping your beloved furry family member at home. This is truly a high-end facility staffed by caring people who take good care of their guests. When you’re planning your vacation at Walt Disney World, check out www.wdw.bestfriendspetcare.com.

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The Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World By Roy Brokaw

very resort hotel at Walt Disney World is unique, each offering a different experience. For those of us who love animals, the Animal Kingdom Lodge next to The Animal Kingdom is the perfect way to spend time at WDW. Of course, most people will be out and about enjoying the fun of the theme parks, but when you return to the lodge you’ll find there is still a lot to do. Animal watching is always a must while staying at the lodge. Disney did a lot of research to make sure the savannas are as close to their counterparts in Africa as they could be. Savanna-side rooms look out over the natural preserves. Don’t be surprised if you see a giraffe when you look out your window. And if you don’t have a savanna-facing room, don’t worry. There are plenty of areas to sit and watch the wildlife. Zebras and a vast assortment of animals live here and are always fun to watch, even if they are just taking a nap. This is definitely different than going to a zoo. It’s watching animals in their own natural habitat, or as close to their natural habitat as possible. Stepping into the lodge is like a journey to Africa. There are drums beating throughout the day and African music playing to give guests a true sense of being on the continent. And you don’t have to have any shots to come here! The Animal Kingdom Lodge has several restaurants from quick dining to fine dining. With flavors of Africa as well as ambiance of the continent, these restaurants provide some tasty delicacies. There is a gift shop where you can buy anything from Disney merchandise to African items. Clothing, toys, sculptures, artwork, jewelry, and just about everything else is available here. There are also several interactive activities and learning experiences available for guests. Most of us have never visited Africa, so this is your chance to learn more about the land, its people, and cultures. Plus, you can book a special safari excursion to travel through the savannas. The safari is for ages 10 and up. Besides the fun of animal viewing, there is a cool pool with a slide, an exercise room, and for kids there is Simba’s Playroom that is open in the late afternoons through evening. Drop your kids off here while you enjoy a nice romantic dinner in one of the restaurants. The

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only requirement for kids is that they be potty trained. And movies are often shown on a large screen down by the pool. To say there is a lot to do here is an understatement. This is a hotel that is just as much fun for kids as it is for adults. Like the other hotels in WDW, there is access to the theme parks directly from the hotel. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is serviced by busses, which run continually and take guests to The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, and the water parks. The busses are clearly marked so you won’t accidentally go to the wrong location. We all know the hustle and bustle in the theme parks. Sure they are a lot of fun and the reason we keep coming back to WDW. But when all is said and done, it’s so nice to return to the lodge to sit and relax while watching the animals. Grab a drink and rest your feet from the day of traipsing around the parks, sit down, and wind down while looking at the zebras quietly meandering around the grass or the giraffes feeding on the trees. At dusk they all come out to feed and watch the humans watching them. Simba and Bambi aren’t there, but then again, they are animated characters. The animals you see from the lodge are real, and just as entertaining precisely because they are real. For animal lovers, your hotel choice at WDW is easy — The Animal Kingdom Lodge.

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Pandora ~ The World of Avatar Wows Guest

By Francine Brokaw

It took six years to build but Pandora is finally here on earth. Located at the Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Pandora is a place like no other. Once you step over the bridge you are instantly transported into the movie Avatar and the wonderful world of Pandora. “We are taking our guests on a journey to this world in an experience that’s as realistic and immersive as possible,” said Joe Rhode, Walt Disney Imagineering portfolio creative executive. And that’s even an understatement. Guests will be asking themselves, “How did they do it?” How did Disney create a world that is 4.4 light years from earth? Pandora is a different experience by day than it is by night. In the day it is a lush, green, and colorful landscape and at night it is even more incredible with the bioluminescent landscape awing guests. The plants glow, as do the pathways. It’s an experience that is out of this world (no pun intended). Only the Imagineers at Disney could create this amazing land. For the most part, Pandora is an escape into the movie, but there are also two very interesting and different activities to experience. The Na’vi River Journey is a beautiful slow-moving boat ride down the river and through the land. Here the bioluminescence is on display day and night. Once you board your boat you’ll peacefully ride down the river through the valley. There are creatures all around and interesting plants as well. Near the end of the ride you’ll be greeted by the Shaman of Song, an amazing animatronic character that has taken the world of animatronics to a new level. And, when leaving the ride you will still have his song running through your mind. It’s a soulful and calming tune. The second activity in Pandora is the Avatar Flight of Passage, which is not for the faint of heart. The pre-ride queue is an experience in itself, taking guests through the lab and exhibiting plenty of interesting Na’vi items. Then you’ll get matched up with your own Avatar and learn how to ride your banshee. Once you straddle the apparatus (similar to sitting on a motorcycle) your flight above the land begins. You’ll soar up and down through the valleys and the beautiful world of Pandora. For those who do not want to take the flight, you can still experience everything right up to the time of getting on the banshee. Just inform the cast member you do not want to ride and you can wait it out in the next room while the others in your party take flight. Those taking this incredible flight through the land will experience an amazing VR journey while at the same time actually feeling the banshee breathe and move. It’s amazing.

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There is plenty to learn about the Na’vi history and culture and Pandora while wandering through the landscape with its floating mountains and waterfalls. The plant life is unique to Pandora with its blue Bladder Polyps that glow at night and other unique flora. I’m told the Bladder Polyps on Pandora taste like pickles. Humans have to take their word for it. Eating in this picturesque land is also an interesting experience, The Satu’li Canteen is set in a Quonset hut that was abandoned by the invaders. Wholesome and nourishing food is available here where guests dine in the Na’vi designed interior. Next to the Canteen is the Pongu Pongu where you can take advantage of some interesting libations, including the Night Blossom frozen concoction that blends apple and pear topped with passion fruit boba. If you prefer a little alcohol in your drink, try the Mo’ara Margarita. And let’s not forget merchandising. Even the Na’vi have plenty of items guests will want to bring home to remember their trip to Pandora. The goal of this land is to encourage careful attention to nature. This world of Pandora takes guests to Avatar a generation after the movie ends. Peace is everywhere. There is no conflict. After leaving guests will have a newfound appreciation of nature here on earth. “Whether it’s planting a single seed, going out and getting involved in environmental issues in their home communities, or getting involved in animal care — whatever it is, they will be inspired to have a call to action in their own lives,” explains Avatar producer Jon Landau. Pandora — The World of Avatar is a spiritual experience for the entire family. It is filled with the Na’vi spirit of harmony. To experience this magnificent land you must go to Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. Here you will be infused with the wonder and joy of Pandora and the culture of the Na’vi.

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