ParentDish

New Rules to Cut Confusion on Sunscreen Claims

Associated Press — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: In The News, Alerts & Recalls, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Devon Garrison plays in the pool at the clubhouse of his sub-division in Montgomery, Ala., Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Garrison wears sunscreen with an SPF factor of 100. Credit: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) - Help is on the way to consumers confused by the jumble of sun protection numbers, symbols and other claims on sunscreens. Starting next summer, consumers can start looking for SPF 15 bottles with the label "broad spectrum" and feel confident they're being protected from an increased risk of cancer.

Currently, standards of protection apply only to one part of the sun's spectrum, ultraviolet B rays, which cause sunburn. Under new rules published Tuesday, they will also have to protect against the more penetrating ultraviolet A rays associated with skin cancer.

The guidelines, which spent more than 30 years in bureaucratic limbo, are designed to enhance the effectiveness of sunscreens and make them easier to use.

The key takeaway for consumers: Look for a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 15 and above that also says "broad spectrum." That's the new buzzword from the Food and Drug Administration to describe a product that does an acceptable job blocking both types of damaging rays.

Starting next summer, sunscreens with less than an SPF of 15 or that aren't "broad spectrum" will have to carry a warning label: "This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging."

That will help people like Paul Woodburn, 55, who says he mainly buys brands he trusts and judges sun screen by one factor

"The SPF number is what counts for me," the Indianapolis resident said as he sat next to a public pool. "Beyond the SPF, I don't think anybody really watches." Woodburn said he wasn't familiar with the difference between UVA and UVB rays or the broad spectrum label.

"These changes to sunscreen labels are an important part of helping consumers have the information they need so they can choose the right sun protection for themselves and their families," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of FDA's drug division.

The new regulations require testing for the more dangerous ultraviolet A rays, which can penetrate glass and pose the greatest risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Now, the FDA only requires testing for ultraviolet B rays that cause sunburn. That's what the familiar SPF measure is based on.

"For the first time, the FDA has clearly defined the testing required to make a broad-spectrum protection claim in a sunscreen and indicate which type of sunscreen can reduce skin cancer risk," said Dr. Ronald L. Moy, president of The American Academy of Dermatology Association.

Under the new rules:

- The FDA will prohibit sunscreen marketing claims like "waterproof" and "sweatproof," which the agency said "are exaggerations of performance."

- The FDA also proposes capping the highest SPF value at 50, unless companies can provide results of further testing that support a higher number.

- FDA says manufacturers must phase out a four-star system currently used by some companies to rate UVA protection.

In reviewing more than 3,000 comments submitted to the agency, the FDA decided the star system was too confusing. Instead, protection against UVA should be proportional to protection against UVB, which is already measured using SPF.

The SPF figure indicates the amount of sun exposure needed to cause sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin compared with unprotected skin. For example, an SPF rating of 30 means it would take the person 30 times longer to burn wearing sunscreen than with exposed skin.

The rules were decades in the making.

FDA announced its intent to draft sunscreen rules in 1978 and published them in 1999. The agency delayed finalizing its guidelines for years until it could address issues concerning both UVA and UVB protection.

Some consumer advocates complained that the agency's final guidelines were less strict than draft proposals circulated over the years.

"About 20 percent of products that meet the new FDA standards could not be sold in Europe, where UVA standards are strict," said David Andrews, senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group.

Many companies have already adopted the some of the labeling outlined by the government. For example, all Coppertone products from Merck & Co.'s Schering-Plough unit and Neutrogena sunscreens from Johnson & Johnson already boast "broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection."

Most dermatologists recommend a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher every two hours while outside.

Last year an estimated 68,130 people in the U.S. were diagnosed with melanoma - the most dangerous form of skin cancer - and an estimated 8,700 died, according to the National Cancer Institute. Nearly $2 billion is spent treating the disease each year.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. This article was written by MATTHEW PERRONE, Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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What to Buy Teachers for an End of the Year School Gift

the editors at iVillage.com — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Just for You, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

What teacher gifts will make the grade? Credit: Getty Images

School is nearly out -- and the annual hunt for the perfect end-of-year teacher gift is on. What do you get that won't collect dust, garner a (private) yawn or duplicate what every other mom buys?

Here's our unofficial guide to teacher-gift giving:

Follow the rules. Does your kid's school have a policy limiting the amount that can be spent on gifts? If so, honor it. It's also smart to check with other parents in your school to find out what they're doing; this helps you avoid feeling sheepish if your gift is out of step with everyone else's. And don't forget to recognize teacher aides with a small token, too.

Consider a group gift. Ask for a small donation ($5 to $10 per family) towards something larger (a massage! a Kindle!) It's an easy, budget-friendly way to gift a nice present while taking the burden off individual parents. If you're coordinating the gift, remember that not everyone can -- or will -- participate. Regardless, include every student's name on the card. It's just classier.

Gift cards are always appreciated. Yes, it's a little impersonal, but you know it's going to get used! Consider a gift certificate towards something the teacher may not splurge on herself -- a manicure, a restaurant, a class, that kind of thing.

"Things" are great -- if you know your teacher's taste. Imagine getting 15 gifts from well-meaning pseudo-strangers. Some you'll love, but most will likely miss the mark. By all means, buy your teacher a monogramed tote bag, an umbrella or a pretty scarf if you're confident you know her taste. But if you don't, stick to the gift certificate or the group gift.

Make the packaging personal. Whatever you gift, include drawings or handwritten notes from the kids! Consider using the drawings as the gift wrap itself.

Finally, remember that no teacher needs a mug/pen/frame with the words No. 1 Teacher on it -- no matter how cute it looks in the store.

More from ivillage:

12 Tips to Keep Your Kids Busy Without TV
Best Family Vacations
Creative Kid's Birthday Cake Ideas

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GPS Tracking: Should Your Teens Use Location Services?

the editors at Common Sense Media — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Media, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens, Apps

Do you know where your children are? Foursquare does! Credit: AP

Location apps change the game by identifying your physical location:

Location apps let kids post their actual, physical location.
According to a 2010 study by McAfee Inc., 69 percent of kids ages 13 to 17 have included their physical location in their social networking status update.
Safety and privacy are the major areas of concern.
Marketers use these programs to send highly targeted ads.
If you're going to use them, set privacy controls to the strictest settings.

Social Networking Gets Really Personal

Social networks connect kids online. But a new technology takes connecting a step further -- to face-to-face meet-ups. New programs called location-sharing use geographic information from your smartphone to connect people to specific places, as well as to each other.

You may have heard of some of the most popular ones: Loopt, Foursquare, Gowalla and Facebook Places. Most of these programs are designed for smartphones, but they also can be accessed on the Web. Once you join, you can post your actual physical location.

And that's what makes location sharing a no-go for kids and teens. These programs bring up two big issues: safety and privacy. Since they let you post your location, they can expose your kid's whereabouts to anyone they "friend" -- or, in some cases, to any other user of the program. Also, advertisers are already using social mapping to target users with ads and incentives to visit their businesses (most of which are bars and restaurants).

Foursquare was one of the first entries into the location-sharing game. Here's how it works: When you sign up, you import contacts from other programs like Facebook, Twitter and Gmail. Using Foursquare's mobile website or its smartphone app, you "check in" -- send a message saying where you are and what you're doing -- and the program alerts your friends to tell them where they can find you. (Foursquare does allows you to hide your location, so you can check in without revealing it.) Foursquare uses a gaming motif, which makes it especially appealing for kids.

Facebook Places is available on iPhones or accessible through the company's touch.facebook.com site. It gives you the option of sharing your location with your Facebook friends and checking specific locations to see if your friends are there. For users younger than 17, Places is an "opt in" feature, meaning you have to enable it to use it. But make sure you check your kid's privacy settings anyway.

Gowalla works very much the same way as Foursquare, with a gaming aspect that rewards people for visiting certain places and doing interesting things. Unlike Foursquare's more finely customizable privacy settings, Gowalla's privacy settings are either on or off -- allowing people to view you or not. But Gowalla retains certain features that are publicly available even if you've checked "off." For example, if you recommend something, your recommendation appears under your user name.

Another popular program in this category is Loopt, which is currently only available as a downloadable app with phones using GPS. It's also geared more for singles looking for relationships -- the personal profile asks you to check boxes indicating your relationship status and what type of relationship you're looking for.

Like Facebook, Loopt gives its users the ability to send messages to friends, and while its ability to connect people face-to-face is highly targeted, it does offer fairly customizable privacy settings, including the ability to hide your location and block people.

What Parents Need to Know

1. These programs aren't for your kids. Ignore the "ratings" you may see online. The apps must be downloaded, and even though they're free, you'll get a receipt for it, so you'll know whether it's been installed. Either way, check your child's phone for these apps. You need to know what they're doing.

2. If you think it's OK for your kid to use one of these apps, then you must make sure that their privacy settings are set to the strictest options (as in, designated "friends only). That said, there are no guarantees that your child will be 100% protected from strangers or unwanted advertisers.

3. Since the programs allow users to post directly to Facebook or Twitter from any location, questions of safety and responsible behavior must be addressed. You don't want someone telling everyone about a party at someone else's house.

4. Finally, don't our kids have enough ads in their lives? These programs have the ability to send highly targeted ads -- to your kids' favorite store at the mall, for example. Constant advertising has a tendency to give people the "gimmes." Reinforce the fact that they can use the word "no."

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Kids May Be Overdosing on Prescription Meds, Report Says

Tom Henderson — Tue, 03 May 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: In The News, Health & Safety: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Health & Safety: Teens

Know what, and how much your kids are taking. Credit: Getty Images

Your child could be at risk of overdosing on prescription pain medications.

WebMD reports a lot of prescriptions given to children end up with 53 percent more medicine than they should. That constitutes an overdose.

Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston looked at 149,791 prescriptions for pain meds given to kids up to 36 months old.

They found 14.9 percent of prescriptions qualified as overdoses based on the quantity dispensed by the pharmacist. WebMD reports 61.1 percent of kids 2 months and younger who were prescribed a narcotic drug got an overdose.

The website adds 35 percent of infants ages 3 months to 5 months were overdosed along with 17.1 percent of infants ages 6 months to 11 months and 8 percent of children who were 1 year or older.

"The reasons why children 0 to 36 months old might take narcotics include postoperative or posttraumatic pain or for cough due to respiratory illnesses," lead researcher William T. Basco, an associate professor and director of the division of general pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina, tells WebMD. "In fact, the majority of narcotic-containing preparations we valuated were cough and cold medications containing hydrocodone. The drugs are indicated for this purpose, so we do not mean to imply that the drugs are being used improperly."

Nonetheless, Lee Sanders, an associate professor of pediatrics at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, says prescribing narcotics for infants and young children is risky.

"The risks to child safety are real and very concerning because if you overdose on certain pain medications like opioids, there is a risk of respiratory suppression and potentially death," he tells WebMD.

Although there are times when a higher dose is warranted, he tells the website, parents should schedule a thorough medication review with your pediatrician.

"Bring in all of your child's medication and the dosing devices to make sure your child is getting the right medication in the right amount," he adds.

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Giveaway: Pinkalicious Prize Pack

Jessica Samakow — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Giveaways, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens

Credit: Victoria Kann, Harper Collins

Looking for a magical book to read to your little princess? How about Silverlicious, the newest book in the Pinkalicious series, from HarperCollins?

The New York Times best-selling publishing series has become a favorite of millions of readers. Pinkalicious has launched a line of consumer products so that fans can dress-up like their favorite storybook character.

From unicorns to a cupcake decorating set, the line has everything readers need to bring the story off the pages and into real life.

We are giving three winners:
-Silverlicious hard-cover book from HarperCollins
-Pinkalicious Medieval Princess Dress
-Goldilicious Unicorn Plush
-Pinkeriffic Perfectly Pink Shoes
-Pinkalicious Small Soft Doll
-Pinktastic Cupcake Decorating Set

To enter to win, leave us a comment telling us what your kid's favorite book is.

But wait! That's not all! We're also giving away an HP laptop, Jessica Simpson Collection Perfume, a luxury Suki skincare package and AVON lipstick. Click here to enter and share with your friends!

GIVEAWAY RULES

o. To enter, leave a comment below telling us your kids's favorite book.
o. The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on March 25, 2011.
o. You may enter only once.
o. Three winners will be selected in a random drawing.
o. Three winners will receive a Silverlicious hard-cover book from HarperCollins, Pinkalicious Medieval Princess Dress, Goldilicious Unicorn Plush, Pinkeriffic Perfectly Pink Shoes, Pinkalicious Small Soft Doll, Pinktastic Cupcake Decorating Set. Retail value of each prize is $85.88.
o. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
o. Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

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Japan Relief T-Shirt Round-Up

Jessica Samakow — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fashion, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Watching the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan makes us want to open our hearts -- and maybe our wallets -- to help. And, with so many products with proceeds going to relief efforts popping up, it's easy to support those in need.

Just because your baby can't walk yet, doesn't mean he can't make a difference, too. We rounded up our favorite Japan relief kids T-shirts and baby onesies.

Credit: CafePress.com

Baby Onesies from CafePress.com: $15

A portion of the profits from sales will be donated to the American Red Cross - Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

Credit: CafePress.com

Kids T-Shirts from CafePress.com: $18-$20

A portion of the profits from sales will be donated to the American Red Cross - Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

Credit: MyShirtHelps.com

My Shirt Helps: $20

Funds are going to the International Medical Corps, Save the Children and Samaritan's Purse.

Credit: Hide & Seek Clothing

Hide & Seek Clothing: $22

Profits will go to Save the Children: Emergency Response, Japan Earthquake & Tsunami Relief Fund: A GlobalGiving Project, Hands on Tokyo, American Red Cross

Credit: Merchline.com

Merchline.com: $20

One hundred percent of the proceeds of the sales of this shirt will go toward The Salvation Army's relief efforts in Japan.

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Kids, Vote Now for Your Favorite Children's Books

Lesley Kennedy — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Books for Kids, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens

Vote now for your favorite Children's Books. Credit: Amazon

Hamsters, monsters, lunch ladies, vampires and zebrafish are all contending characters in the race for the title of top books for kids.

The winners of the Children's Choice Book Awards, presented by the Children's Book Council in association with Every Child a Reader, are chosen by young readers themselves. And now, through April 29, kids can vote on 30 finalists in six categories for their favorite books, author, and illustrator at bookstores, school libraries and BookWeekOnline.

Winners will be announced at the annual Children's Choice Book Awards Gala on May 2 as part of Children's Book Week (May 2-8), the oldest national literacy event in the United States.

Time to get reading! The Children's Choice Book Award categories and finalists:

Kindergarten to Second Grade Book of the Year:

"Even Monsters Need Haircuts" by Matthew McElligott (Walker)
"Hot Rod Hamster" by Cynthia Lord, illustrated by Derek Anderson (Scholastic Press)
"How Rocket Learned to Read" by Tad Hills (Schwartz & Wade/ Random House)
"Little Pink Pup" by Johanna Kerby (Putnam/Penguin)
"Shark vs. Train" by Chris Barton, illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld (Little, Brown)

Third Grade to Fourth Grade Book of the Year:

"Babymouse # 12: Burns Rubber" by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm (Random House)
"Bad Kitty vs. Uncle Murray: The Uproar at the Front Door" by Nick Bruel (Roaring Brook/Macmillan)
"Encyclopedia Mythologica: Gods & Heroes" by Matthew Reinhart and Robert Sabuda (Candlewick)
"Finally" by Wendy Mass (Scholastic Press)
"Lunch Lady and the Summer Camp Shakedown" by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Knopf/Random House)

Fifth Grade to Sixth Grade Book of the Year:

"Big Nate: In a Class by Himself" by Lincoln Peirce (HarperCollins)
"It's a Book" by Lane Smith (Roaring Brook/Macmillan)
"The Red Pyramid (The Kane ChroncilesChronicles, Book 1)" by Rick Riordan (Disney-Hyperion)
"Smile" by Raina Telgemeier (Graphix/Scholastic)
"Zebrafish" by Peter H. Reynolds and FableVision (Atheneum/Simon & Schuster)

Teen Choice Book of the Year:

"Burned (House of Night, Book 7)" by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (St. Martin's Griffin/Macmillan)
"Fang (A Maximum Ride Novel)" by James Patterson (Little, Brown)
"Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)" by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic Press)
"Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Book 5)" by Richelle Mead (Razorbill/Penguin)
"Will Grayson, Will Grayson" by John Green and David Levithan (Dutton/Penguin)

Author of the Year:

Cassandra Clare for "Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1)" (McElderry/Simon & Schuster)
Suzanne Collins for "Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games)" (Scholastic Press)
Jeff Kinney for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth" (Amulet/Abrams)
Stephenie Meyer for "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" (Megan Tingley/Little, Brown)
Rick Riordan for "The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, Book 1)" (Disney-Hyperion)

Illustrator of the Year:

Robin Preiss Glasser for "Fancy Nancy and the Fabulous Fashion Boutique" (HarperCollins)
Loren Long for "Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters" (Knopf/Random House)
Nancy Tillman for "Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You" (Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan)
David Wiesner for "Art & Max" (Clarion/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Mo Willems for "Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion" (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins)

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Giveaway: Flip MinoHD Video Camera!

Jessica Samakow — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Giveaways, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

The new Flip MinoHD can fit in your pocket! Credit: Flip Video

How many times a day do your kids do something hilarious or adorable and you wish someone else could have seen it? Well, wish no longer. The Flip MinoHD video camera is all you need to capture your memories.

Flip has revolutionized home videos, so capturing them is nothing like the old days when your dad carried his tripod around to film you. The Flip MinoHd is so small that it can fit in your pocket. When you're done, the Flip plugs right into your computer and uploads easily to your own Flip channel, YouTube, Facebook or Twitter.

All of the celebrity parents are flipping too. You can watch Brooke Burke on the trampoline with her kids, Jenna Elfman pushing her adorable son on his bike, plus many more at doyouflip.com.

To enter to win, leave us a comment telling us what one moment in your kids' lives you wish you could have caught on camera.

GIVEAWAY RULES

o. To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what one moment in your kids' lives you wish you could have caught on camera.
o. The comment must be left before 5 pm ET on Friday, January 28, 2011.
o. You may enter only once.
o. Three winners will be selected in a random drawing.
o. Three winners will receive a Flip MinoHD. Retail value of each prize is $179.99.
o. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
o. Click here for complete Official Rules. Winners will be notified by email, so be sure to provide a valid address!

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Top 100 Books for Tweens: ParentDish Picks

Elizabeth Humphrey — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Books for Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens

Lois Lowry's "The Giver" won the Newbery Medal in 1994. Credit: Amazon

As much as counting and alphabet books stand out as the choices for young readers, tales of adventurous heroes and heroines pack the reading lists for kids in their tween years. More subjects are handled for the reader who is not yet a teen, although some deal with serious subjects, many such selections are reserved for their older peers.

1."The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain (1884): Huck Finn and an escaped slave make their way down the Mississippi, experiencing all sorts of dangers and adventures.

2."The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain (1876): The adventures of a 12-year-old mischievous boy who lives along the Mississippi River.

3."American Sports Poems" compiled by R.R. Knudson and May Swenson (1988): Arranged by sport, this books is an eclectic collection of writers.

4."And Then There Was One: The Mysteries of Extinction" by Margery Facklam (1990): A Sierra Club book ponders the extinction of species, including the dodo and dinosaurs.

5."Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery (1908): The Cuthbert siblings decide to adopt a boy to help around Green Gables in Prince Edward Island, so when Anne turns up, she's not exactly welcomed.

6."Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" by Judy Blume (1970): A rite of passage to read, as it is to ponder all that Blume's character Margaret Simon does as she struggles with the approach of puberty.

7."Around the World in Eighty Days" by Jules Verne (1873): Phileas Fogg attempts win a bet by traveling around the globe in a challenging amount of time.

8."The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Book 1)" by Lemony Snicket (1999): The lives of the the three orphaned Baudelaire children go from bad to worse in the opening book in this somewhat wacky series.

9."Behind the Attic Wall" by Sylvia Cassedy (1983): Maggie, a 12-year-old, is sent to live with an uncle and two great aunts in a spooky tale.

10."The BFG" by Roald Dahl (1982): The Big Friendly Giant takes an 8-year-old orphan to Giantland and then protects her against other giants who wish to eat her.

11."Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell (1877): The standard-bearer for horse stories, which follows the adventures of a black horse.

12."Black Whiteness: Admiral Byrd Alone in the Antarctic" by Robert Burleigh and Walter Lyon Krudop (1998): In 1934, one-man made a successful 6-month excursion to the Antarctic.

13."The Borrowers" by Mary Norton, illustrations by Beth Krush and Joe Krush (1953) Little people who live their lives tucked into the homes of big people.

14."The Bronze Cauldron: Myths and Legends of the World" by Geraldine McCaughrean, illustrated by Bee Willey (1998): An around-the-world look that includes more than two dozen tales, such as Faust and Cupid.

15."The Burning Questions of Bingo Brown" by Betsy Byars (1988): A sixth grader journals as he prepares to handle the upcoming time of transition.

16."Caddie Woodlawn" by Carol Ryrie Brink (1935): A story about living in Wisconsin during the 1860s.

17."Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction" by David Macaulay (1977): Although the French town in which the cathedral is built may be fictional, the descriptions of building the cathedral are nonfiction.

18."Catherine, Called Birdy" by Karen Cushman (1994): A 14-year-old in the Middle Ages keeps a journal and depicts all the ways she avoids suitors selected by her father.

19."The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis (1950): In seven books, readers follow the adventures of anyone entering the world of Narnia from the Wardrobe.

20."City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction" by David Macaulay (1974): For those who like to know the hows and whys, this book sets for the reasoning behind city planning.

21."The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau (2003): Living in a post-apocalyptic city underground, Lina and Doon manage to find something that should help them escape. More books follow this first in the Books of Ember.

22."The Dark Is Rising" by Susan Cooper (1973): The second in a series of fantasy novels where Will Stanton battles against evil.

23."Dear Benjamin Banneker" by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Brian Pinkney (1994): This book portrays the life of an 18th-century black scientist.

24."The Devil in Vienna" by Doris Orgel (1978): In 1938, Inge and Lieselotte try to continue their friendship although one is Jewish and the other is in the Nazi Youth.

25."The Devil's Storybook" by Natalie Babbitt (1984): Stories of how the devil tricks people into joining his "side."

26."The Doll's House" by Rumer Godden, illustrated by Tasha Tudor (1948): The lives of the dolls Tottie and Marchpane after their dollhouse is restored.

27."The Fledgling" by Jane Langton (1980): Georgie dreams about flying. When she meets a goose, this fantasy takes flight.

28."The Gathering Room" by Colby F. Rodowsky (1981): An aunt encourages her family to move from their home in a graveyard.

29."The Gettysburg Address" by Abraham Lincoln and Michael McCurdy (1995): This illustrated version of the battlefield speech creates an accessible entry for American history discussions.

30."A Girl Called Al" by Constance C. Greene illustrated by Byron Barton (1969): A nonconformist, Alexandra gives preteens a lot to identify with and think about.

31."A Girl from Yamhill: A Memoir" by Beverly Cleary (1988): The remembrances of one of America's best-loved authors, who grew up in Oregon.

32."The Giver" by Lois Lowry (1993): A preteen is chosen to be the conscience for his community and he wrestles with the dichotomy it presents.

33."The Goats" by Brock Cole (1988): Taunted, a boy and a girl are left on Goat Island during summer camp. Learning from the challenges they face, the two start to recognize their own strengths.

34."The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials, Book One" by Philip Pullman (1996): In the first of the "His Dark Materials" trilogy , Lyra is off on a mission to save the world.

35."The Golden Key" by George MacDonald (1967): Two children are on a quest to fit the rainbow's key into its hole.

36."The Golem: A Version" by Barbara Rogasky, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman (1996): One of the many versions of the folktale of the golem, which was brought to life to protect the Jewish people from their enemies.

37."Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye (1997): Before relocating to Jerusalem, 14-year-old Liyana's Arab-American family had lived in St. Louis. The story follows the adjustments the young girl must make.

38."Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt (1981): Abandoned by their mother in the middle of Connecticut, four children journey to find a place to call home.

39."Homes in the Wilderness: A Pilgrim's Journal of the Plymouth Plantation in 1620" by William Bradford and Others of the Mayflower Company, edited by William Bradford and Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Mary Wilson Stewart (1988): Contemporary accounts of the Pilgrims' landing at Plymouth Rock.

40."Homesick: My Own Story" by Jean Fritz, illustrated by Margot Tomes (1982): A memoir of a woman who grew up in China during the 1920s.

41."Hoops" by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson (1997): Basketball and poetry celebrated together and accompanied by active illustrations.

42."A House Called Awful End: Book One of the Eddie Dickens Trilogy" by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by David Roberts (2002): A silly and absurd book about a boy who goes on a quest in England.

43."The House of Dies Drear" by Virginia Hamilton (1968): The Small family purchases a house in Ohio where Dies Drear and two slaves had been killed during the Civil War.

44."I Once Was a Monkey: Stories Buddha Told" by Jeanne M. Lee (1999): A half dozen birth stories are recounted in this book which also imparts Buddhist wisdom along with the engaging tales.

45."I Rode a Horse of Milk White Jade" by Diane Wilson (1998): The story, set in Mongolia in the 14th century, tells of a girl equestrian who needs to disguise herself as a boy when her horse is taken."

46."I, Juan de Pareja" by Elizabeth Borton De Trevino (1965): A novel based on the life of a slave of Spanish artist Velazquez.

47."Ice Story: Shackleton's Lost Expedition" by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel (1999): The doomed 1914 Antarctica expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton is recounted, along with the fate of the Endurance.

48."The Incredible Journey" by Sheila Burnford (1961): A man travels to his new home 250 miles away and is followed by his loyal pets.

49."Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke (2003): Written in German, this is first of the Inkworld trilogy which follows Meggie Folchart who has discovered her father has the ability to bring characters from books to life.

50."It Came from Ohio!: My Life as a Writer" by R.L. Stine as told to Joe Arthur (1998): The author of the successful Goosebumps series tells his life story.

51."It's Perfectly Normal: A Book about Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health" by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Michael Emberley (1995): A resource for the whole family with cartoon-like illustrations, which makes it accessible to children of a wide age range.

52."Joan of Arc" by Diane Stanley (1998): Stanley uses eyewitness accounts to create this portrait of Joan of Arc.

53."Julie of the Wolves" by Jean Craighead George, illustrated by John Schoenherr (1972): A lost Eskimo girl finds protection in a pack of wolves.

54."Just So Stories" by Rudyard Kipling (1902): Animal stories to delight readers of all ages, especially wonderful when read aloud.

55."Kennedy Assassinated! The World Mourns: A Reporter's Story" by Wilborn Hampton (1997): A young reporter working for UPI at the time of President Kennedy's assassination, the author recounts the events of the day.

56."King of Shadows" by Susan Cooper (1999): The time-traveling tale of a boy who visits Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in 1599.

57."The Land I Lost: Adventures of a Boy in Vietnam" by Quang Nhuong Huynh, illustrated by Vo-dinh Mai (1982): Rembrances from a boyhood in a small village in Vietnam.

58."The Landry News" by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick and Salvatore Murdocca (1999): When Mr. Larson stops teaching his fifth graders, Cara Landry starts a newspaper which editorializes about the teacher.

59."The Lemming Condition" by Alan Arkin, illustrated by Joan Sandin (1976): A lemming named Bubber is not a conformist, which presents some interesting questions to ponder.

60."The Little Ships: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II" by Louise Borden, illustrated by Michael Foreman (1997): The evacuation of Dunkirk told through the eyes of a child.

61."Loser" by Jerry Spinelli (2002): Donald Zinkoff's inadequacies were largely ignored by his classmates until fourth grade, when he officially becomes a "loser."

62."Love that Dog" by Sharon Creech (2002): A free-verse novel written in the voice of a young boy who thinks poetry is for girls, but learns otherwise as he studies it in school.

63."Mermaid Tales from Around the World" by Mary Pope Osborne, illustrated by Troy Howell (1993): This isn't your usual group of 12 mermaid tales accompanied by researched illustrations, as well.

64."The Misfits" by James Howe (2001): Through running for student council, a group of misfits decide to "get back" at those who have tormented them.

65."The Moon and I" by Betsy Byars (1992): As the author describes a run-in with a snake, she portrays her childhood and how she writes.

66."Nothing's Fair in Fifth Grade" by Barthe DeClements (1981): Elsie, the overweight new student, and Jenny navigate the ups and downs of fifth grade where nothing seems fair.

67."Oliver Twist" by Charles Dickens (1838): An orphan boy who escapes the workhouse finds himself facing a life of crime, until he is rescued.

68."Out of the Dust" by Karen Hesse (1997): The book, exploring the Oklahoma Dust Bowls during the Depression, is written as a series of free-verse poems.

69."The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales" by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Leo Dillon and Diane Dillon (1985): An award-winning book with two dozen stories explore various themes of slave folklore.

70."The Phantom Toolbooth" by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer (1961): A classic that depicts Milo driving through a tollbooth he thinks is normal, but then finds himself in other surroundings.

71."Pictures of Hollis Woods" by Patricia Reilly Giff (2002): An orphaned girl ends up at the foster home of a retired art teacher, who subsequently Hollis needs to take care of.

72."Pollyanna" by Eleanor H. Porter (1913): A happy girl, orphan Pollyanna's cheer is the basis for her creation of the Glad Game.

73."The Pushcart War" by Jean Merill, illustrated by Ronni Solbert (1964): Peddlers and truckers are at war on the streets of New York City.

74."The Railway Children" by E. Nesbit (1906): A family deals with the repurcussions of a father released from prison after being falsely accused of a crime.

75."Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry" by Mildred Taylor (1976): A black family's struggles during the Depression, based on the author's family stories.

76."Sahara Special" by Esme Raji Codell (2003): Instead of completing homework, Sahara Jones spends her time writing to her father, who has left her family. This gets her in trouble!

77."The Seeing Stone" by Kevin Crossley-Holland (2000): The King Arthur legend told from his days as a teenager. This is the first volume in a trilogy, which follows him through his life.

78."Smoke and Ashes: The Story of the Holocaust" by Barbara Rogasky (1988): A steady and educational look at the Holocaust, which is strengthened by its photographs.

79."Soldier's Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers" by Gary Paulsen (1998): Charley Goddard joins the Union Army during the Civil War. This novella is based on an actual soldier who joined at the age of 15.

80."The Story of King Arthur and His Knights" by Howard Pyle (1903): The legendary stories of King Arthur beginning in the days of the Sword in the Stone.

81."The Children of Green Knowe" by L.M. Boston, illustrated by Peter Boston (1954): Living in his ancestral home, Toseland discovers some spirits inhabiting the house. This is the first of a series.

82."Swallows and Amazons" by Arthur Ransome (1931): Youthful sailing adventures of the Blackett and Walker children around an island in England.

83."The Tale of Despereaux" by Kate Dicamillo, illustrated by Timothy B. Ering (2003): Four stories interwoven to tell the story of the mouse Despereaux and Princess Pea.

84."Tituba of Salem Village" by Ann Petry (1964): A slave, accused of being a witch, and her husband sold into a Salem home live through the witchcraft trials.

85."To Be a Slave" by Julius Lester, illustrated by Tom Feelings (1968): A compilation of original material about slavery, Lester adds educational commentary.

86."Treasure Island" by Robert Louis Stevenson, illustrated by N. C. Wyeth (1911): Pirates abound in this adventure tale featuring Long John Silver.

87."The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle" by Avi (1990): In 1832, Charlotte is setting sail to meet her family when pirates enter the scene.

88."The Trumpeter of Krakow" by Eric P. Kelly, illustrated by Janina Domanska (1928): With a backdrop of 15th century Poland, this is a tale of a boy and a jewel.

89."Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbitt (1975): Winnie, who is 10 years old, discovers the secret of a family who lives forever.

90."Victor: A Novel Based on the Life of the Savage of Aveyron" by Mordicai Gerstein (1998): Based on an event in 1800 when a boy was discovered in the woods of Aveyron and taken to Paris for "civilizing."

91."Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech (1994): Sal heads west with her grandparents in search of her mother.

92."The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis (1995): A fictional account of the Watson family, which melds with the actual bombing at the Birmingham church in 1963.

93."The New Way Things Work" by David Macaulay (1998): Revised from the 1988 edition, Macaulay guides readers through various scientific innovations.

94."What Jamie Saw" by Carolyn Coman (1995): A boy witnesses domestic violence against a young sibling, which shifts his existence as his family works to restart their lives.

95."Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls (1961): Set in the Depression, a coming-of-age story about a boy in the Ozarks earns the money to buy a pair of coonhounds.

96."Where the Sidewalk Ends: Poems and Drawings" by Shel Silverstein (1974): Silverstein delivers another humorous book of poems and clever drawings.

97."The Whipping Boy" by Sid Fleischman, illustrated by Peter Sis (1986): Jemmy and Prince Brat are the characters in this book along the vein of the switched-identity device of the Prince and the Pauper.

98."Witness" by Karen Hesse (2001): A Klan appears in a town and Hesse bases this novel on the voices of 11 members of the community.

99."A Wizard of Earthsea" by Ursula K. Le Guin, illustrated by Ruth Robbins (1968):The beginning book in the Earthsea saga, Le Guin pulls her readers into a fantasy world, which has been compared to those of C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkein.

100."The Wolves of Willoughby Chase" by Joan Aiken (1987): Cousins try to escape an evil governess who is set on taking over Willoughby Chase.

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Dress Up Your Bandz With Charmz

Mary Kate Baumann — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Toys, Fashion, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens

Mix 'em, match 'em, trade 'em! Credit: Whomp!

Are your kid's arms covered in Silly Bandz? If so, then it's time to accessorize.

Whomp! Charmz are carefully-designed charms that easily clip to all kid's stringy things including headphone wires, necklaces and all other bands.

These cool, collectible (and biodegradable) come in five fun packages for $5.99 each: Manic Monkeys, Bleeps & Bots, Pond Pals, Sassy Kitties, and Chomp Dogs with 8 Charmz in each package.

Visit Whomp! Charmz to find a store near you.

Max - Bleep Bot! Credit: Whomp!

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Hot Toys for the Holidays

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

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Top Specialty Toys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot specialty toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

Furnished School Building
Playmobil(R) USA
playmobilusa.com
Ages 4+
$169.99
The Playmobil(R) Furnished School Building includes nine figures, a school building with a functioning bell, a furnished classroom, a science room, an art and music room, and many other accessories. Kids can even write on the chalkboard.

Toy Industry Association

HEXBUG(R) Nano Habitat Set
Innovation First Labs, Inc.
hexbug.com/nano
Ages 3+
$29.99
The HEXBUG Nano Habitat Set challenges kids to build unique environments for their lifelike HEXBUG Nano Micro Robotic Creatures to explore. Kids use connecting track parts to create an infinite variety of mazes for their Nano to explore. The expandable set comes with two tiny, collectible, robotic creatures which scurry and explore, unpredictably finding their way through each new maze. The physics of vibration propels the bugs forward in a surprisingly lifelike way.

Toy Industry Association

My Take Along Puppet Theater
Playmobil(R) USA
playmobilusa.com
Ages 4+
$49.99
Create your own show and have the Playmobil(R) characters act it out with My Take Along Puppet Theater. The set comes with six figures, changeable scenes, four different sound effects, and many accessories that can all be stored in the puppet theater so you can take it along with you anywhere.

Toy Industry Association

Shrinky Dinks(R) Deluxe
Creativity for Kids/Faber-Castell USA
creativityforkids.com
Ages 7+
$24.99
This kit contains 10 sheets of pre-printed film with a variety of designs, including butterflies, flowers, cupcakes. Color in the designs using the 8 color pencils in the kit, shrink them in an oven, then use your creations to make charm bracelets, gift tags, hair clips, and more. The kit also includes a pencil sharpener and hole punch.

Toy Industry Association

Solitaire Chess[TM]
ThinkFun Inc.
ThinkFun.com
Ages 8+
$19.99
In this addictive logic game, players set up the chess pieces on the board according to one of the 60 challenge cards, and then eliminate all but one piece using only the moves allowed in traditional chess. The innovative board stores all game components, making this game perfect for home or travel.

Toy Industry Association

UPPY[TM] Uglydoll(R)
Pretty Ugly[TM] LLC/Uglydoll(R)
uglydolls.com
All ages
$20
You'll never meet anyone more optimistic than UPPY[TM], the UGLYDOLL(R). He's super positive! He's positive that the snack you have in your hand belongs to him, and that your bank account should be in his name, not yours. He's sure that you guys would make the perfect team, and that your team should make it's way down to the bakery to order something really delicious. You handle the money part and UPPY[TM]; he can do all the eating. UPPY[TM] stands 14" tall.

More Hot Toys for the Holidays.

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Top Big Media Toys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot big media toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

Ben 10 Ultimate Alien
Cartoon Network Enterprises
cartoonnetwork.com
6 to 11 years
The Ben 10 franchise has solidified its position as a top global evergreen brand, becoming a multi-category success since debuting on shelves in the U.S. in 2006. Led by a master toy line from Bandai, a top-selling interactive franchise from D3Publisher and a wide range of product categories, Ben 10 has enjoyed consistent global growth because of its high-quality products and CNE's commitment to keeping the brand and its consumer products line relevant to today's consumers.

Toy Industry Association

Chuggington[TM]
Ludorum
chuggington.com
2 to 6 years
Chuggington is a modern television series that appeals to children ages 2 to 6. Using feature-quality CGI animation, Chuggington follows the adventures of Koko, Wilson and Brewster - Chuggington's 'trainees' - as they learn to 'ride the rails' of life. Chuggington features fast-paced action, social readiness lessons and stories that resonate with kids and parents around the world.

Toy Industry Association

Dinosaur Train
The Jim Henson Company
PBSKIDS.org/dinosaurtrain
3 to 6 years
Dinosaur Train embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills. The Dinosaur Train is a colorful locomotive customized to accommodate all kinds of dinosaurs. It has the ability to visit the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous worlds, while the Trains' Conductor, a knowledgeable Troodon, provides passengers with fascinating facts along the way.

Toy Industry Association

Monster High[TM]
Mattel
monsterhigh.com
Tween to teen
Monster High[TM] brings together the teenage descendants of the world's most famous monsters to brave high school. Grounded in a fun and humorous storyline that captures the awkward moments teens experience, Monster High[TM] explores the powerful bonds of friendship and the challenges of fitting in -- all delivered through a "monster" chic aesthetic and tone. Mattel offers rich publishing, web and entertainment content, as well as an array of consumer products like apparel, accessories and toys.

Toy Industry Association

Thomas & Friends[TM]
HIT Entertainment
www.thomasandfriends.com
2 to 5 years
Thomas & Friends has been making tracks to great destinations for over 65 years with classic stories of adventures from the railways on the Island of Sodor. The #1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. As children embark for fun and excitement with their engine friends, adventures unfold that lead to timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Toy Industry Association

Toy Story 3
Disney Consumer Products
www.disney.com/toystory
All ages
Toy Story first delighted audiences 15 years ago when Woody, Buzz and the rest of the gang jumped out of the toy box and into our hearts. Proving that you can't take the toys out of the Toy Story, Disney Consumer Products and its best-in-class toy manufacturing partners created a robust selection of toys and an unprecedented retail marketing program inspired by Toy Story 3, the highest grossing animated film of all time.

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Top Outdoor Toys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot outdoor toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

Flickin' Chicken[TM]
Haywire Group, Inc
haywiregroup.com
Ages 6+ $
19.99
Flickin' Chicken is a wacky fun game that'll get everyone up and moving. The flying target is thrown and then each player takes a turn flickin' their rubber chicken at the target. Keep flicking until every player's chicken lands on the target. After nine rounds of chicken throwing, the player with the lowest score is the winner.

Toy Industry Association

Makin' Mudpies[TM]
Little Tikes
littletikes.com
Ages 2+
$39.99 Make a perfect mud pie every time with this amazing outdoor kitchen set, featuring a hand-crank mud mixer. The mixer head pivots up and down just like a real one, a working sink uses a water reservoir, and a pump button releases water. Best of all - no batteries needed.

Toy Industry Association

Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast
Hasbro, Inc.
supersoaker.com
Ages 6+
$19.99
The NERF Super Soaker Shot Blast can drench your opponents from up to 25 feet away. All you need is a single pump to unleash a huge blast of water and soak them all. The water blaster is compatible with the Tactical Rail System accessories and features adjustable and removable shoulder stock for maximum customization.

Toy Industry Association

Razor(R) Siege[TM]
Caster Scooter Razor USA, LLC
razor.com
Ages 8+
$89.99
The Razor(R) Siege[TM], the latest in hybrid ride technology, is a mash-up of the original Razor(R) kick scooter and the RipStik(R) casterboard, so riders can kick like a scooter or twist and propel for a totally new ride. With the steel, reinforced twistable deck and 360-degree inclined rear caster wheel, the Razor(R) Siege[TM] enhances turning performance and sideways drifting.

Toy Industry Association

Sky Ball(R) and Bat
Maui Toys (R)
mauitoys.com
Ages 6+
$14.99
With a bounce of up to 75 feet, Sky Ball(R) is the world's highest bouncing ball ... And it can bounce up to 300 feet if you hit it with the Sky Bouncin' Baseball bat, which is the farthest hitting plastic bat.

Toy Industry Association

Whiplash[TM]
Street Surfing
whiplashscooter.com
Ages 5+
$69.99
Whiplash[TM] is part Wave Casterboard, part scooter. Kids can ride it like a traditional scooter when they're young, and as they grow older and have better coordination they can learn to carve and drift like the Wave Casterboard. Whiplash[TM] teaches balance, coordination and works core stability all while having fun!

Toy Industry Association

YBIKE
National Sporting Goods
ybikeusa.com
2 to 4 years
$79.99
The YBIKE's unique design enables toddlers to meet the challenge of independently riding a bike. It includes an extended front fork angle to allow for safe turning, as well as two closely aligned rear wheels that help with balance but still allow a child to lean from side to side while turning. Other design features include high ground clearance to ensure safety regardless of terrain and large wheels for safe riding.

More Hot Toys for the Holidays.

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Top Innovative Toys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot innovative toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

iXL[TM] Learning System
Fisher-Price(R), Inc.
fisher-price.com
3 to 7 years
$79.99
iXL[TM] Learning System is a 6-in-1 smart device that wraps learning and fun into the ultimate handheld gadget. The System includes six great applications - digital e-reader, game player, learn-to-write notepad, art studio, music player and photo viewer - for endless creativity and fun. Character licensed software is sold separately.

Toy Industry Association

LEGO(R) Games Minotaurus
LEGO Systems, Inc.
games.lego.com
Ages 6+
$24.99
The mighty Minotaur, a mythical creature, protects a secret temple hidden deep inside a labyrinth. Players must be the first to lead their three heroes to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur and cleverly placing walls to block opponents. By changing the LEGO(R) dice, players can change game play, and by re-building the maze, every game is a new adventure

Toy Industry Association

Spy Net[TM] Video Watch
JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
SpyNetHQ.com
Ages 5+
$49.99
The Spy Net[TM] Video Watch features a hidden video camera and audio system with onboard memory to record and store video, audio, and photos, all displayable on a built-in, full color video screen. Easily and safely upload files to SpyNetHQ.com to analyze evidence with lie detector software, conduct video/audio analysis, crack secret codes, receive mission briefings, and more.

Toy Industry Association

The Sing-a-ma-jigs![TM]
Mattel Inc.
thesingamajigs.com
Ages 3+
$12.99
The Sing-a-ma-jigs![TM] are plush characters that set off unexpected laughter and excitement with each squeeze of their tummies. When The Sing-a-ma-jigs![TM] sing, their little mouths open wide for each note, showing off their cute little teeth and creating an engaging look and sound. First they chatter, then they each sing their own song, and when kids put them all together and squeeze their tummies one more time, they erupt in harmony.

Toy Industry Association

V.Reader[TM]
VTech Electronics North America
vtechkids.com/vreader
3 to 7 years
$59.99
V.Reader is the first interactive e-reading system for children. Stories come to life with animation, sound and touch screen features. Reading games help build critical early language skills while keeping the play pattern fun and engaging. And the Learning Lodge, an online library of downloadable content, ensures that kids and parents have a constant stream of new stories to explore.

Toy Industry Association

Paper Jamz[TM] Guitar
WowWee
paperJamz.com
Ages 8+
$24.99
Paper Jamz lets kids fill the shoes of their favorite rock stars by playing along with one of the three built in songs ... or kick it into Freestyle and create their own "Jamz Session" with real chords for limitless play.

Toy Industry Association

Scrabble Flash
Parker Bros.
hasbro.com/scrabble
Ages 8+
$29.99
Scrabble Flash provides a fast, frantic play experience as players slide, swap and shuffle five electronic letter tiles in a race to try to find as many 3, 4, and 5 letter words as they can in 75 seconds. Digital letter tiles contain 'Wonder-Link Technology' which recognizes formed words when the tiles are placed side by side, and keeps score of correctly spelled words. Players can compete individually against the game and try to earn the highest score possible or as an elimination game in a social setting.

More Hot Toys for the Holidays.

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Top Games

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot games are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

5 Second Rule(R)
Patch Products
patchproducts.com
Ages 10+
$24.99
Time's not on your side when you're playing 5 Second Rule, the game that asks you questions - like "Name 3 breeds of dogs" - as time twirls down on the unique twisted marble timer. Say the first things that come to mind...and risk ridiculous answers slipping out!

Toy Industry Association

LEGO(R) Games Creationary
LEGO Systems, Inc.
games.lego.com
Ages 7+
$34.99
Imagine playing charades by building with LEGO bricks! Players roll the dice to select one of four exciting building categories, and then sift through the LEGO pieces to build their object. Cards offer three levels of difficulty, challenging players' creative building skills so that others can guess what is being created.

Toy Industry Association

LEGO(R) Games Minotaurus
LEGO Systems, Inc.
games.lego.com
Ages 8+
$24.99
The mighty Minotaur, a mythical creature, protects a secret temple hidden deep inside a labyrinth. Players must be the first to lead their three heroes to the temple, avoiding the Minotaur and cleverly placing walls to block opponents. By changing the LEGO(R) dice, players can change game play, and by re-building the maze, every game is a new adventure.

Toy Industry Association

LOOPZ[TM]
Radica
playloopz.com
Ages 7+
$29.99
Loopz[TM] is an interactive memory game consisting of four independent semi-circular rings or "loops." Combining music, motion and memory, Loopz[TM] gets people moving as they match the patterns of light and sound that emerge. As each ring pulsates, players must quickly put their hand through the lit loop to keep the music sequence going.

Toy Industry Association

Rory's Story Cubes(R)
Gamewright
gamewright.com
Ages 8+
$7.99 Rory's Story Cubes is a pocket-sized creative story generator, providing hours of imaginative play for all ages. With Rory's Story Cubes, anyone can become a great storyteller. Simply roll the cubes and let the pictures spark your imagination ... Cubes reinforces artistic expression and vocabulary development.

Toy Industry Association

SPOT IT!
Blue Orange Games
blueorangegames.com
Ages 7+
$12.99
Spot It! contains four fast, challenging mini-party games in which all players play simultaneously. With fast action and endless fun, this unique card game is sure to be a splash at your next party and to become a family favorite. There is always one, and only one, matching symbol between any two cards in this game. Spot it and you win!

More Hot Toys for the Holidays.

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Top Educational Toys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot educational toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

Alphie
Hasbro/ Playskool
playskool.com
Ages 3+
$39.99
Alphie, the loveable, learning robot encourages children to learn and have fun. With the help of their treasured, talking pal, preschoolers can learn about the alphabet, rhyming, counting, color and shape recognition, matching, animal names, instrument sounds and much more.

Toy Industry Association

Leapster Explorer[TM] Learning Experience
LeapFrog
shop.leapfrog.com
4 to 9 years
$69.99
The new Leapster Explorer offers the latest in high-tech design for young children, featuring finger-touch interactivity and the biggest, brightest full-color screen ever from LeapFrog. The powerful processor allows for dozens of downloadable Leaplet[TM] learning apps including e-books, videos, flash cards, and includes an ever-expanding library of games that covers school skills, creativity and life skills.

Toy Industry Association

Math Dice(R) Jr. Kid's First Mental Math Game
ThinkFun Inc.
ThinkFun.com
Ages 6+
$7.99
Math Dice Jr. helps build math confidence in early learners. Roll the Target Die to obtain the target number - then roll the chunky, brightly colored Scoring Dice. Using addition and subtraction, players combine the Scoring Dice to match the target - the first player to reach the finish line on the scoring track wins.

Toy Industry Association

MobiGo[TM]
VTech Electronics North America
vtechkids.com/mobigo
3 to 8 years
$59.99
Preschoolers will get in "touch" with learning math, logic and categorization on MobiGo. Young learners can mimic Mom and Dad's smartphones with the touch-screen controls that allow tap, flick and drag interaction. The slide-open QWERTY keyboard introduces older kids to typing skills. And the Learning Lodge, an online library of downloadable content, ensures that kids and parents have a constant stream of new content.

Toy Industry Association

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Top Toys for Boys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot toys for boys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

Air Hogs(R) Hawk Eye[TM]
Spin Master Ltd.
airhogs.com
Ages 12+
$64.99
The Air Hogs(R) Hawk Eye[TM] is the first-ever, indoor, remote-controlled helicopter that can take pictures and capture video while flying. Once done flying, simply hook the Hawk Eye up to your computer via the included USB cable and instantly upload the files to view, share and edit.

Toy Industry Association

Hot Wheels(R) RC Stealth Rides[TM]
Mattel
stealthrides.com
Ages 8+
$24.99
Stealth Rides[TM] is the first remote control vehicle to fold flat and fit in a super slim carrying case. A touch of a button transforms the flat vehicle into a fully functioning RC vehicle with the carrying case now doubling as the remote control.

Toy Industry Association

NERF N-Strike Stampede ECS blaster
Hasbro, Inc.
nerf.com
Ages 8+
$49.99
The NERF N-Strike Stampede ECS blaster is the first fully automatic NERF Clip System blaster. The blaster features a new pop-out bipod, which doubles as a handle, and a removable shield allowing players to transition to attack mode. Also comes complete with one six-dart clip and three extended clips which hold 18 darts each, offering the highest clip capacity from NERF yet.

Toy Industry Association

Real Construction[TM] Deluxe Workshop
JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
realconstructiontoys.com
Ages 6+
$24.99
Real Construction[TM] reinvents construction play by using Kid Wood[TM], a durable foam material that looks, saws and nails just like real wood, but is safe and easy-to-use with little clean-up required. Real Construction playsets come with cool, safe, easy-to-use tools that work just like real tools on Kid Wood material, allowing kids to safely design and build real projects.

Toy Industry Association

Spy Net[TM] Video Watch
JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
SpyNetHQ.com
Ages 8+
$49.99
The Spy Net[TM] Video Watch features a hidden video camera and audio system with onboard memory to record and store video, audio, and photos, all displayable on a built-in, full color video screen. Easily and safely upload files to SpyNetHQ.com to analyze evidence with lie detector software, conduct video/audio analysis, crack secret codes, receive mission briefings, and more.

Toy Industry Association

Toy Story 3 Blast Off Buzz Lightyear
Thinkway Toys
thinkwaytoys.com
Ages 4+
$34.99-$39.99
Buzz's rocket pack comes to life with awesome bursts of light and blast-off sound effects. Press the 'Mission Mode' button and he responds with related phrases and sounds. The 12-inch tall figure comes with pop-out wings, a retractable helmet, and an arm button for laser sounds and light.

Toy Industry Association

TRON: Legacy Zero Gravity Light Cycle
Disney and Spin Master
www.spinmaster.com/tron
Ages 8+
$34.99
The remote control TRON: Legacy Zero Gravity Light Cycle, featuring industry leading Air Hogs technology, can be driven on walls or ceilings as kids act out their favorite movie moments from TRON: Legacy or their own stories. The Light Cycle features light-emitting trails as it drives, and different frequencies for the Sam Flynn and Clu Light Cycles allow for simultaneous racing.

More Hot Toys for the Holidays.

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Top Activity Toys

the editors at ParentDish — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Holidays, Toys, Gear Guides: Babies, Gear Guides: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Gear Guides: Big Kids, Gear Guides: Tweens, Gear Guides: Teens

Sure, you can watch the toy commercials on TV and read the advertising inserts in your local newspaper. But if you really want to know what the hot activity toys are this holiday season, listen to the playtime experts at the Toy Industry Association.

Click on these links to find what's hot right now. Then, if you want to play even further, go to ToyAwards.org and register your vote for the 2011 Toy of the Year awards. Winners will be announced in early 2011.

In the meantime, happy shopping and merry everything!

Toy Industry Association

Crayola Color Wonder Sound Studio[TM]
Crayola, LLC
crayola.com
Ages 3+
$29.99
The Crayola Color Wonder Sound Studio[TM] gives a voice to a child's imagination. Children can add sound effects to their coloring pages and play them back as they color ... and hidden images make every coloring page an adventure. Once a child has created an imaginative story, he or she can play back the sounds or erase and start all over.

Toy Industry Association

LEGO(R) Atlantis Neptune Carrier
LEGO Systems, Inc.
atlantis.lego.com
Ages 6+
$59.99
LEGO(R) builders help treasure hunting heroes construct awesome underwater vehicles and overcome dangerous sea creatures that guard the mythical treasures that lead to the greatest discovery of all... the portal to the lost city of Atlantis!

Toy Industry Association

LEGO(R) Toy Story Western Train Chase
LEGO Systems, Inc.
lego.com/toystory
Ages 6+
$79.99
Buzz Lightyear and Woody are joined by other favorite characters in minifigure form as the adventure builds in the playroom with LEGO sets inspired by the classic Toy Story franchise.

Toy Industry Association

Paper Jamz[TM] Guitar
WowWee
paperjamz.com
Ages 8+
$24.99
Paper Jamz lets kids fill the shoes of their favorite rock stars by playing along with one of the three built in songs ... or kick it into Freestyle and create their own "Jamz Session" with real chords for limitless play.

Toy Industry Association

Play-Doh Mega Fun Factory
Hasbro, Inc.
playdoh.com
Ages 3+
$29.99
The brand new Mega Fun Factory set takes classic play to a whole new level! A motorized conveyor belt provides nonstop action as kids crank out favorite toys and "treats" in this lively Fun Factory world.

Toy Industry Association

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American Girl Kits Let Kids Get Crafty

Honey Berk — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Toys, Gear Guides: Tweens

We had a blast making these raccoons with our American Girl fan. Credit: American Girl Crafts

In an era of video games, cell phones and email, we're thankful that our friends at American Girl keep thinking up ways to engage our little girls in some good old-fashioned fun.

American Girl Crafts kits present girls ages 8 to 12 with easy-to-complete projects that enhance their creative thinking skills while helping them learn basic sewing techniques, develop drawing and writing skills and learn other fun crafting techniques.

Chose from wearable art kits that let girls design a mini tote bag or apron with iron-on designs for their American Girl dolls; needlecraft kits to make stuffed raccoons or felt pencil toppers; or paper crafting memory books.

Age-appropriate, illustrated instructions are included in every kit, so your little girl can actually master skills instead of relying on you to take the lead.

The best part: You get to spend one-on-one time with her and she ends up with some great crafts to show off.

Available exclusively at Michaels craft stores nationwide for $1.99 to $29.99.

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