The Biz

In her new children’s chapter book, Scary Spring: Our Polio Fright of 1955, author C.A. Hartnell seeks to bring the spirit of the ‘50s alive for elementary school-age readers. The events are seen through the eyes of 11-year-old Carol-Ann and her friend Pete, whose adventures in their neighborhood are a mix of classic youthful mischief (finding a stray puppy, spying on the local “crabby old man”) to more serious themes like witnessing the dangerous consequences of hot rod racing and facing the realities of polio. Pete and Carol-Ann’s friendship is a good old-fashioned coming of age buddy adventure.

Hollow Woodworks began in a barn in 1985 with a mission to provide high quality personalized name stools and puzzles. Over the years, Hollow Woodworks has made significant additions to their product line, mostly due to the inspiring customer suggestions they receive. The company takes great pride in producing products with innovative designs and styles, while providing quality customer service. Attention to detail, quality craftsmanship and superior customer service have created a large customer following, not only in the U.S.A., but spanning worldwide.

For some parents, the quest for the perfect sippy cup can become a time-consuming pursuit. A cup should be easily washable, leak-proof, and strong enough to hold up to the daily wear and tear that young children can dish out. For a lot of parents, the material the sippy cup is made of is very important; not only does it affect the performance of the cup; it may also have an impact on the child’s health. California-based Kid Basix has created a line of youth cups made to be safe, efficient and attractive.

Caring for an infant can be overwhelming enough without throwing skin problems into the mix. With Baby Pibu™ products, infant skincare doesn’t have to be a confusing chore. The loving brainchild of dermatologist mom Dr. Amy Kim, Baby Pibu produces the ideal combination of gentle, effective products made from high-quality, clinically-tested ingredients, so parents can focus less on figuring skincare out, and more on their tiny bundles of joy.

It’s a sad occasion for a parent when they buy a brand new, adorable outfit for their little one only to discover that it doesn’t fit a few months later. It’s a universal parenting truth that growth spurts happen at the most inopportune times. Three cheers for the designers at Hooray Haroo, who have created the Serendipity Dress! Hooray Haroo is a fun brand that creates stylish and delightful looks for all ages, but their Serendipity Dress is what sets them apart. This dress is designed to be wearable for years, not months.

Be honest, at some point “What’s in it for me?” has crossed your mind. Generally, this question is accompanied with negative, self-serving behavior. It carries with it derogatory connotations and if this was a conversation about generational behaviors, think Boomers, Gen-Xers and Millennials. Then the conversation would spin towards entitlement and the supposition that many people approach the world today with an “I am, therefore I should receive” mentality. But before I go too far into opening that Pandora’s box, I want to stop and see if I can convince some that maybe it’s not all bad to surmise “What’s in it for me?”

By now, all merchandisers who have an ear cocked to the public pulse show lots of green products. Sustainable fabric, environmentally-friendly packaging, and companies that truly embrace their workforce are good for everyone. Some green companies may have taken their path to differentiate themselves from others. They may find setting a positive example makes customers think more highly of them. Often, the company really likes making and selling goods that don’t harm anyone, either in the making or the end usage. The Giggle Guide® presents four companies with green profiles and offerings: Winter Water Factory, Bright-Brained Toys, trash-á-porter, and Dot&Co.

Happy Earth Day! Initially started to call attention to the necessity of protecting the environment and natural resources, Earth Day has evolved into a celebration that highlights the grandeur of nature and the various ways that we can all pull together to make the world a better place. Of course, many children’s companies have strong environmental policies they practice every day of the year. Companies like Prince Lionheart, Simple Nature, BooginHead and Tiny Tater Tees are bringing useful products to families while helping to build a better world.

As a surgical nurse, Neeta Tvelil knew the amount of germs that linger on the bathroom floor, which is why whenever she’d see a towel one of her three boys had left on the floor wet, she would cringe. She knew there had to be a solution. With a few tweaks to a basic hand towel, she created the Tottels towel for tots. The product promotes good hygiene and responsibility by making it easy to keep the towel attached to the rack and off the floor.

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