The Biz: Feature Articles

Lullabies are traditionally used to transition young children into peaceful sleep. However, current research also indicates that infants have the ability to retain portions of what they hear during sleep. Comforting music may help them wake up energized and ready to absorb the wonders of their world. Rockabye Baby Music, Hushabye Baby Music and Sleep Lullabies offer a new age symphony of relaxing harmonies to help calm and nurture such developing young minds. When it comes to lullabies, babies have never had such a hit parade of merry musical innovations and orchestrations.

It probably comes as no surprise that Moms are the big shoppers in most families. However, Dads do play an important role, especially during the holiday season. ‘Tis the season for Dads to play Santa Claus! The Giggle Guide® surveyed 26 mothers, living throughout the U.S. and Canada, about today’s children’s market and the products they purchase. The sixth question in our exclusive series asks…

What role does Dad play in the purchasing of children’s products for your family?

Bill Cook is known as the “Bullfrog” of Frogs Frills and Daffodils, a unique children’s clothing company with an equally non-traditional approach to design, brand collections, merchandising and sales strategy. Together with his wife and designer Mary, these grandparents have brought an original and successful approach to specialty stores that want to do business in a different, and for many, a better way. Innovations include $100 minimum orders, no pre-packs, and mix-and-match combo orders for styles, brands, and seasons.

In the spirit of sharing the Good News, Christians from every denomination are moved to carry Christ’s message of love and peace into their daily lives, and especially to their young children. 80% of Americans believe in God, and 60% consider themselves to be Christians. With numbers like that, the Christian market can provide retailers with a good following, if they carry a selection of Christian-based products for children.

What’s for dinner?” is a common question uttered nightly by children with rumbling tummies. Savvy parents know that encouraging kids to help out in the kitchen is a great way to bond as a family and teach children about good food! Today there are several products available that take children from a “make-believe” kitchen to actually making delicious meals of their own. The Giggle Guide® presents Sassafras, Growing Cooks and Dressing Up Dishes… a hot three-course meal of cooking sets and activities designed especially for children. Bon appetite!

Children love creative play that imitates the activities they see Mom and Dad perform — like cooking! For generations, little chefs have dished up everything from mud pies to elaborate tea parties using realistic, make-believe toys. Kitchen play sets deliver an educational recipe for fun times that allows children to pretend they can cook, just like grown-ups! The Giggle Guide® has found some products to help kids cook up all kinds of make-believe adventures with pretend goodies! Add HaPe, Guidecraft and KidKraft to your retail product menus!

Did you know there is an estimated 5-6 billion pounds of pre-consumer cotton remnants being thrown into our landfills every year? Fortunately, as a nation, we are becoming more and more environmentally aware. Today we recycle our bottles and cans, plastic containers and cardboard — but isn’t there more we can do? Is it possible to recycle or re-use fashion? Yes there is, and yes you can! Here are some children’s wear companies that are making this change for the better, through passion and innovation.

When Carol Yenne’s grandson was born prematurely, weighing only 2 lbs 11 oz, this San Francisco granny realized it was time to make hard-to-find preemie outfits readily available for other families. At her store, Small Frys, she now offers a variety of sweet clothing collections, designed for babies weighing 2 pounds and up. The preemie collections are from Coccoli, Kissy Kissy Preemie, Petite Bateau and Le Top. At Small Frys, they know that when babies come early, having comforting little outfits can make a big difference.

Premature infants benefit from an extra special dose of tender love and care, as well as some unique products to help with their special needs. In honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, and the The March of Dimes’ efforts, The Giggle Guide® recognizes the following companies who offer products designed to help small infants, with special attention to the needs of preemies: Mommy’s Little Helpers, Comfort Silkie,Itzy Ritzy, TummyTubs and AvaBaby’s.

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