Baby’s First Words: Diamond and Caviar

For shoppers wondering what to bring to a baby shower or to take along on a visit to a new tyke, here are a few unique ideas from a company that takes itself seriously burnished with a sense of humor. No bunny rabbits, teddy bears or airplanes: The Tiny Universe has produced The Picture Book for the Finest of Babies, a hilarious “first book” with more than a dash of fun. The Picture Book will make adult recipients laugh out loud with pictures of necessary nouns for the one percent like “yacht”, “polo” and “diamond”, to say nothing of “caviar.”

The sixteen-page, four-color book has a bold illustration on each bright colored page and while a little one may not absolutely need to know “mansion” instead of “house,” parents can’t help but find the concept novel and worth showing off. The board book, with a velour cover, is sturdy so it can withstand plenty of handling from hands of all sizes. Since all parents feel their baby is the most special human on earth and clearly the finest thing in the world, extending this feeling is this original work that took Sweden by storm, selling over 25000 copies in 2010, its debut year.

Maria and Johan, the Swedish design duo who founded The Tiny Universe, were so turned off by pink and blue with the traditional bear-and-blankie look they came up with several novel approaches to books and clothes.

Books where parents can fill in stories about their babies is so last decade. Why not, thought Maria and Johan, let all the guests who visit the baby for the first time, fill in their own stories and best tips about life? Enter The Baby Guest Book for Babies Who Can Handle the Truth for visitors to input their thoughts.

There’s space for entries from thirty-six guests who can share their feelings on the truth about what passes for art, the truth about professional life, the truth about love and more with prompts to note important people to turn to and personal thoughts on what is key in life, love and careers.

Each visitor has space to explain how he or she met the baby’s parents and to leave messages for the baby to peruse when she’s old enough to understand. There is plenty of truth in this book as well as sheer camp. The Guest Book has one hundred and fifty-two pages with a woven cover.

With such sophisticated reading, and a new book on the way, it’s only natural that clothing from The Tiny Universe also nods in an upmarket direction. Along with comfy, wearable dresses such as The Tiny Check, a one piece that looks like two with a puff-sleeve, dark pink top and black and white checked skirt and The Tiny Pink, a dark pink dress with a black collar that begs for a party, don’t overlook The Tiny Wrap, a soft velour black-and-white “shawl” to fight chilly air.

For little guys, stock The Tiny Suit, a comfy, cotton “tuxedo” with snap buttons at neck and crotch and The Tiny Tux, a classic white tuxedo look. Tiny Universe believes in comfort combined with quality, mixed with clean Nordic design and a touch of humor. All garments are produced in factories where no harmful substances are used.

Show customers some Swedish surprises: www.thetinyuniverse.se