Peekaboo Zoo: A Lift-The-Flap Book (Lamaze : Infant Development System : 18 Months & Up)
by Susan Hood Simone Abel
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 December, 1999)
list price: $9.99
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Reviews (15)

Great book - not just for the age limit.
We received this when my son was 15 months and he has loved it since.Initially, he just loved to lift the flaps, and it has handled his roughness.With the great pictures, we also use it to ask him to find an animal on a given page or within the whole book.

Sturdy lift-the-flap book; great fun.
My little guy received this for his 1st birthday and just loves it!He hasn't yet been able to rip the flaps off - as he has already done with so many of our other books.He enjoys the bright colors, lifting the flap to "peek-a-boo", checking out the different animals at the zoo and trying to open the owl's two flaps/wings.A lovely book.

Absolute must have!!A favorite at our house!
My son received this book as a gift for his first Christmas and has loved it ever since.It says it's for 18 month olds, but we started reading it when my son was 8 months old.He's now almost 3 and still loves it.

My son is also autistic and I would highly recommend this book for parents of autistic or developmentally delayed children.The story is very attention-grabbing and the flaps provide the anticipation needed to stimulate spontaneous speech.

Great book! ... Read more

Isbn: 1567998968
Sales Rank: 45659
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Lift the Flap    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Concepts - Alphabet    4. General    5. Juvenile Fiction   

Little Red Riding Hood (Lamaze : Infant Development System : 24 Months & Up)
by Tracey Moroney
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 December, 1999)
list price: $7.99
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Reviews (3)

A Gentle Version--just whatI was looking for!
This is the perfect version of the familiar tale if you're looking for a gentler version.I think it's a good way to familiarize the youngest children with the story without scaring them.The little animals under the flaps who try to warn Little Red Riding Hood are amusing also.The illustrations are rich in color and very appropriate.

A wonderful, stimulating, interactive book inspiring reading
My daughter (almost 2 years) has been hooked into reading by scratch and sniff books and lift the flap books.

I enjoy them with her...but I particularly love this book as it is humorous and appealing even to the adult reader...

My daughter loves seeing the sideline characters (underneath the flaps) who try to warn Little Red Riding Hood about the wolf...

I can't imagine why everyone doesn't give it five stars...

It's a wonderful way to spend loving and educational time with your baby.

A kinder, gentler Little Red Riding Hood
To our delight, our17-month old daughter is not too young for this beautifully illustrated Lamaze title. She becomes completely absorbed in this quick read: she especially likes the little surprises behind thestory-related flaps.We love the rich illustrations, rhyming text and thenon-violent version of the story, where nobody gets eaten or hacked todeath with an axe. ... Read more

Isbn: 1567998984
Sales Rank: 345754
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Lift the Flap    2. Children: Babies & Toddlers    3. Fairy Tales & Folklore - Single Title   

Animal Kisses
by Barney Saltzberg
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 September, 2000)
list price: $7.95 -- our price: $7.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (27)

Both of my nieces loved this one--a fun little book!
Animal Kisses is a cute little touch and feel book that will bring enjoyment to a variety of ages.Each 2-page layout features a different type of colorfully illustrated animal, and part of each animal is textured for the reader to feel.For example, the cat page asks "Do you like scratchy cat kisses?," and the cat's tongue is a sandpaper-like material.Other textures include smooth, sticky, velvety, and even squeaky for the pig (although, like other reviewers have said, you do have to press the pig's nose just right in order to get it to squeak).My 3-year old niece loved reading the book and was able to tell me which kisses were her favorites, and even my 1-year old niece enjoyed touching the pages.This is a fun, cute little book that is appropriate for both younger and older toddlers; highly recommended!

Pig squeaker aside, this book is still cute
I've had the same issues as other reviewers regarding the pig's squeaker: You really need to poke it just right (and hard) for it to squeak. My son (15 months) has trouble making it squeak all by himself, and so it can be somewhat frustrating for him.

That being said, he really enjoys the book. He enjoys touching each of the different textured "mouths" with his finger, and then proceeds to give sloppy kisses to each of the animals. That's a lot of spit, but the book is holding up fine so far (I quickly wipe off the page with his blankie or something else when he's done smooching it).

If your child is really into animals, I think this book is a good choice.There aren't a lot of words on each page (only about three to five), but even without words to read, the pictures of animals can still capture your kid's imagination and lead to lessons about animal sounds and faces.

Disappointing
I bought this book for my soon-to-be-born nephew.
First off, the book arrived with the squeaker broken. Second, the book's material is not drool and mouth-proof - my 2-year-old bookworm would make mincemeat out of it in no time. Third, the text is very uninspiring and the cutouts to 'touch' are quite small for little fingers which don't have much dexterity.

I am returning the book due to the broken squeaker but have asked for a refund instead of a replacement, I will find something more captivating than this book for my nephew. It is not worth the expensive price tag. ... Read more

Isbn: 0152023402
Sales Rank: 3666
Subjects:  1. Animals    2. Animals - General    3. Children's Baby - Picturebooks    4. Children: Preschool    5. Concepts - Senses & Sensation    6. Fiction    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Specimens    9. Textured books    10. Vocabulary    11. Juvenile Fiction / Animals / General   

Your Baby and Child : From Birth to Age Five (Revised Edition)
by PENELOPE LEACH
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (15 October, 1997)
list price: $20.00 -- our price: $13.60
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Penelope Leach's Your Baby & Child has been a beloved favorite for years. With this new, revised edition, Leach has updated her information and approach to reflect new findings in the field of child development, and to respond to the changing needs of today's families. Leach has utter respect for children and their parents; she explains development, child care, and parenting concerns clearly and without condescension.

Each developmental stage--newborn, settled baby, older baby, toddler, and young child--is discussed in terms of feeding, teeth and teething, growing, excreting, crying, sleeping, playing, and everyday care.For each stage, an additional set of appropriate topics is discussed, including muscle power, speech, child care, and appropriate toys. Colorful and expressive photos display infant, childhood, and toddler behavior.With her common-sense, child-positive approach, Leach carefully dispels negative parenting attitudes, and teaches readers how to stop, listen, and learn from their children. --Ericka Lutz ... Read more

Reviews (63)

Advocating for kids!
I loved this book! This book was full of practical advice to make the lives of children better - not parents.It is children first (another book she wrote but have not read it yet) in this book. I stayed home with my daughter for 3 years, giving up a full-time career and only going back to work recently. For me, a first-time mom, I had many an anxious moment with ny baby. Reading this book helped me to see the world through her eyes, not just mine, and this has truly helped me to become a better mother.

great, thorough, well written reference book
This is one of my all time favorites and will stay on my reference shelf for a long time. Her style is delightful and she covers key topics in just the right amount of depth. She bases the guidance on common sense and medical accuracy- a refreshing blend that so many other "expert" books lack.

This is a keeper.

Superb Book For New Parents With Beautiful Photos Of Babies
This extraordinary baby & child book of over 500 pages is available on Amazon for only one cent. It is an amazing bargain that could make your experience as a parent so much better and easier. The full-page baby pictures in the book are just stunning. One picture of a mother and her baby breastfeeding is so beautiful and so tasteful.

The book is subdivided into sections:
1. Birth
2. The Newborn - the first days of life
3. The Settled Baby - the first six months
4. The Older Baby - from six months to one year
5. The Toddler - from one year to two and a half
6. Thinking About Early Learning
7. The Pre-School Child - from two and a half to five
8. References
9. Playthings

This book is so good that every parent of a baby or young child should have this book on hand. ... Read more

Isbn: 0375700005
Subjects:  1. Care    2. Child Care    3. Child Care/Parenting    4. Child development    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. Infants    8. Infants & Toddlers - General    9. Infants & Toddlers - Infants    10. Family & Relationships / Child Care   

My First Word Touch and Feel
by AnneMillard
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 October, 2001)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Every parent who grew up with Pat the Bunny knows the appealof an interactive reading experience. With their Touch and Feel books, DKPublishing takes a cue from Pat the Bunny to offer pleasing textures in asimple, educational format. My First Word Touch and Feel is a big boardbook with DK's signature crisp photographs of lots of everyday objects withtextured surfaces: "Feel the squishy bath sponge.... Touch my velvety dress....Does this sandcastle feel rough?" The items that are not textured (lamp,sheepdog, sun hat, sandwiches, etc.) are captioned in easy-to-read text. Fivedouble-page spreads are sorted under the following headings: "Around the house,""At the beach," "Things to eat," "On the farm," and "What do you wear?" Toddlerswill love developing their vocabularies as they learn to identify pictures(visually and through touch) and match the corresponding words.

Be sure to explore DK's many other titles in their well-loved preschool learningseries, from My First Body BoardBook to My First NumberBoard Book to My FirstFarm Book. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very engaging
My twelve month old daughter loves this book and also the My First Farm Touch and Feel book.She will go to the bookcase and pull them out and sit and look at them by herself.These are the only books she will do this with at her young age.I love the bright photographs which make it easy for a baby to recognize familiar items.It was actually my older daughter's book when she was a baby and she too loved to sit and feel the textures.At three, she still enjoyes looking at the book with my twelve month old.There is lots to talk about in the pictures.Also, if you enjoy teaching your child baby signs, the photographs are good references for pointing and signing.So in summary, bright, engaging, with lots of fun textures.And it's survived in very good shape from my three year old down to my twelve month old so the cardboard pages are also very sturdy.Worth the ten bucks!

Excellent Book That Encourages Child Participation
My Daughter has loved this book since she was 31/2 months old. She loves touching the objects, especially fluffy teddy and the red velvet dress, but hates the feel of the sandcastle. She cringes when we get to that one. The objects are grouped together with similar things like items you wear. It is a truly interactive book that encourages child participation. There is one object you can feel on every page which delights my daughter and frustrates her at the same time. She tries to touch the other objects on the page and seems disappointed that they are only made of the cardboard the pages are made of. I would have given this book 5 stars except I feel a few more items should be made to touch.

Colorful Everyday Objects
Children will be intrigued by the furry bear teddy bear tummy and then open the book to find pictures of objects they will easily recognize. They will find objects from around the house like a pillow, comb or lamp. Those are just visual and children can go find the objects or just learn to recognize the words.

Other touch and feel objects include: Bath sponge, velvet dress, fleecy jacket, orange peel, crinkly chips, tractor tires, woolly sheep, a silky swimsuit and a rough sandcastle which made me instantly wish I was really building a sandcastle at the beach.

One of the best touch and feel books
I have seen so far! ... Read more

Isbn: 0789479311
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby/Preschool    2. Children: Preschool    3. Concepts - General    4. Concepts - Sense & Sensation    5. General    6. Juvenile Nonfiction    7. Juvenile literature    8. Readers - Beginner    9. Specimens    10. Textured books    11. Vocabulary    12. Juvenile Nonfiction / Concepts / Sense & Sensation    13. Early Education   

Baby Einstein - Baby Bach - Musical Adventure
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 March, 2002)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Designed for infants and toddlers (1 to 36 months), Baby Bach isa nicely produced video thatfeatures recognizable, familiar toys and colorful objects, moving to the complexly beautiful music ofJohann Sebastian Bach. According to the video producers, "Bach's music has shown to enhancecreativity, improve academic achievement, reduce anxiety and heighten mental awareness." Any parentwill embrace this theory. Not only did this video completely captivate a 22-month-old for its entire 30-minute run-time, but it's easy on the parents, too. The images arelively, clean, and sharp, and producers The Baby Einstein Company have a firm handle on what interests babies and toddlers. Theextraneous segments with two pretty little blonde girls is silly, but forgivable. Given that most children elect towatch a video repeatedly, this is one that parents won't mind in the slightest. The music, available onCD, is simply lovely. --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Features

• Color

Reviews (164)

Put this one Bach on the shelf....not worth it
I don't care for most of the Baby Einstein videos (I have only liked 4 out of 16 that I have watched).Baby Bach happens to be one of the ones I don't like.It's just music with toys and spinning things; like many of the Baby Einstein videos.One toy was pretty neat (a spinning top with blue water inside).Other then that, what really is the point of these videos?I really don't get it.I can just imagine my kid wanting all the toys they see.This video also had some very ugly clown faces in it.

I still don't like most of the Baby Einstein puppets and this video is no exception.At one point in the video you see a chicken puppet clucking.Then a you hear a voice that starts to say something and then instead of the chicken you see a little girl (Aspen Clark).She's apparently telling a joke.The first time you see and hear this you don't really know what's going on because she starts telling this joke while you still see the chicken puppet.By the time you understand that it's a girl telling a joke, the joke is half over.Her question is very difficult to understand.I had to listen four times to get what she says.She asks, "Why did the Mozart get rid of all his chickens?"Then you hear a squeeky adults voice say, "Why?"Aspen then says, "Because they kept saying Bach, Bach, Bach."Then you hear a bunch of adults in the background dying of laughter.I am sorry but it's lame.It's very poorly understandable and I don't think any babies or toddlers will even understand this joke.I don't know why it was included.At the very end of the video you see Aspen again and she says, "The video of me is all done?I'm not the star anymore?" Again, the adults burst into laughter.Sorry, I didn't find it funny.I wonder how Baby Einstien got so popular?Personally the only ones I like are Baby Neptune (water), Baby Galileo (sky) , Baby Newton (shapes), and Numbers Nursery (counting 1 - 5).I have reviewed these and other Baby Einstein videos as well.

Not to replace Baby Mozart!!!
Hi;

My 8 months old daughter loved Baby Mozart from the moment she watched it (she still does). I decided to add another baby einstein DVD to open up her horizon ... BIG MISTAKE!! I think that this is either a very boring DVD or it is for older kids (maybe over a year old).

My daughter is also terrified by the scene with the light show. She looks at it & cries like she is terrified. It is slowly getting better, but I continue using baby Mozart more!

Mona & Sina

Another fantastic Baby Einstein! You can't beat the music!
Can anything with Bach be bad?We don't think so.This one is great for younger children (my almost 4 year old does not want to watch this one anymore). The images, music and narration are simple but great for babies and toddlers. ... Read more

Asin: B00005YUPO
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

Activity Walker
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $19.99
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Editorial Review

This versatile product will be a favorite through many development stages. For those who aren't quite on their feet yet, the Activity Walker can be laid and babies can work their finger muscles by playing with the activities on the front of the walker: a clicking dial, five balls that spin on a metal bar, and a mirror. Newly mobile babies can push the walker around, chubby hands steady on the easy-grip blue plastic bar. And, older toddlers, with a simple adjustment to the red tray, can use the walker as a play stroller, with a favorite doll in a seat. --Elisa Murray ... Read more

Reviews (188)

Thankyou for a great toy!!!
Last year I purchased the activity walker for a little boy who was born extremely premature (weighing only 1lb3oz)and at 2 years old could not walk without assistance.Last month I saw him not walking but running around pushing the activity walker.He still has trouble walking alone but the activity walker was the ONLY thing that got him up and walking.He loves it and takes it everywhere.When he gets tired he sits down and plays with the front activity area. Slowly he is gaining strenght in his legs and is walking better everyday.THANKYOU!!

has a drawback
I recieved this toy, which had already been used, but still pretty new looking. My 9 month old son liked playing on the floor with it, but when he trys to walk behind it, it is way to fast, even on carpet. I do not know if it was this way brand new though, if so, is not so great for just starting to walk, it needs to have more resistance.

Let the good times roll!!
I actually have the brilliant basics activity walker, but this one is the older version of that one.I bought it when my daughter was trying to take her first steps (about 12 months).I bought this for her and from the moment that she put her hands on it, she was off and actually trying to run!!! The walker gives them confidence and although they may not be able to "walk" as well (or at all) without it, their confidence level is increased tremendously.My daughter would crawl to it and pull up on it and then proceed to walk around the house.She was like an elderly lady with a walker!Truly, any one of these is great. Let the good times roll!! ... Read more

Asin: B00000IZQV
Subjects:  1. Toddler    2. Activity    3. Baby and Infant   

Baby Basketball
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

There is a headboard and a net, but the rest of the game differs from the NBA version to become more baby-friendly. Attached to the headboard is a plastic contraption with three slots, where you set three balls. Tots press the buttons just below the slots to send the balls downward. The buttons to the sides send the balls not through the basket but down a secret chute and out the base. The button in the center, which squeaks when pressed, is the swish control--the ball goes straight through the hoop. Of course, older toddlers may wish to bypass the buttons and go directly to slam-dunk, one of the many advantages of a 13-inch net. We do have one caveat: while Baby Basketball was easy to assemble, it was quite difficult to take apart again. --Elisa Murray ... Read more

Reviews (70)

MAYBE FOR SOME BUT NOT FOR MINE
My 11 month,played with this toy for about a minute, he kept tipping it over because IT tips over easy!Have tried to get him interested over and over,not much fun for him.

Not as durable as other Fisher Price Toys
The baby basketball game is lots of fun for sitting babies - not only putting balls through the hoops and the holes up the top but also as they get older they can match the coloured balls to their respective slots and use shapes as well.While your baby is sitting or already standing this is a great toy.

It is very flimsy though if they use it to pull up on to stand.Although this toy is not advertised as a "pull up and stand toy" it's a bit difficult to stop your baby when they want to stand all the time.The toy isn't strong enough to hold baby's weight and will often tip over and shows sign of stress on the basket and I fear it will break off.

One good point though - no batteries which is pretty rare these days.

Baby basketball
This toy was great from the time my two boys were babies until kindergarten! They used it non-stop, and it is very durable. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IZN6
Subjects:  1. Sports    2. Learning    3. Baby and Infant    4. Toddler    5. Activity    6. Basketball   

Lamaze Play & Grow: Celeste
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $11.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Want to give your new baby the sun and the moon? Celeste has athree-dimensional, yellow velour sun face with black embroidery on oneside, and an embroidered satin moon face on the other. Trimmed inbrightly colored, boldly patterned cotton prints, this is one visuallystimulating toy. Dangling from Celeste's round body are four stretchyblack-and-white polka dot ribbons with a different toy suspended ateach end. There's a yellow star teether, a square of purple velour withan embroidered butterfly that rattles when shaken, a green velourcircle with embroidered ladybug that squeaks when pressed, and atriangular plastic link. Celeste is easy to carry, too, thanks to acrinkling fabric handle. --Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (133)

Daughter's first favorite
We got this as a gift for Maya before she was born and hung it on the toy bar of her pack & play.She loves it!It was the first thing she swatted at and grabbed.Now that she's sitting on her own, she loves to grab it and put it in her mouth.She seems to love the bright, smiling sun.And the stretchy arms are great to grab.

She still loves it!
At 4 months old my daughter "picked" Celeste out of the other Lamaze hanging toys.She immediately smiled and giggled when she saw it.We have always used it in the car primarily and to this day, even though she's 2 years old, if it's not hanging up in the car she asks for it.

Definitely recomend this
This is such a cute toy. When my son was younger we did not have this one but we had another toy that we hung form his carseat and he loved batting at it or just watching it . It was great for long car rides. I saw this on here and I plan on buying it for my next baby. ... Read more

Asin: B00004UD79
Subjects:  1. Baby toys    2. Baby and Infant    3. Rattles    4. Stuffed Animals    5. Learning    6. Toddler    7. Activity    8. Push and Pull Toys    9. Stuffed Toys   

Soft Sorter
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

The Lamaze Soft Sorter gives baby a surprise with every squeeze! Each side of the fabric cube has a different design and a differently shaped opening that matches one of the four shapes. And each fabric shape has a special sound to keep your little one laughing. Baby can reach through the flap on top or an X-shaped opening on the bottom to find his treasures all over again. Baby learns hand-eye coordination in a soft, colorful world full of funny sounds. Everything packs up nice and tidy to take along in a diaper bag or suitcase. The Soft Sorter has earned awards from Dr. Toy, Best Children's Vacation Products, Parents Magazine Top Toys, and Parenting Magazine Toys of the Year. Hand or machine washable and safety tested. Includes infant development guide and lifetime warranty. --Margaret Quinn ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Not that great
The real problem?It's soft and any of the shapes can be put through any of the holes.Not teaching a whole lot when that happens. I think I'll go by the old inexpensive, hard plastic version instead.

Too soft...
My daughter received this as a gift, and as an infant, she played with the shapes and box independently of one another.Now as a toddler, she "sorts" the shapes, but because the box is soft, she can force the square through the triangle, the triangle through the oval, etc., etc.She's not learning the shapes with this at all.I bought a wood "puzzle" sorter instead, and we've been much more successful with that.

B-o-r-i-n-g
Looks great, but it seems as if it makes parents happier than kids... our little girl had it around from 3mon to date (15mon), and still shows absolutely no interest. ... Read more

Asin: B00000J0AO
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Learning    3. Toddler    4. Activity    5. Hand-Eye Coordination    6. Stuffed Toys    7. Shape Sorting   

The Foot Book : Dr. Seuss's Wacky Book of Opposites (Bright & Early Board Book)
by Dr. Seuss
Average Customer Review:
Board book (26 November, 1996)
list price: $4.99 -- our price: $4.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The Foot Book is a delightful tribute to the diverse and multifaceted world of feet. Not merely a realm of ankles, arches, and toes--as this self-proclaimed "Wacky Book of Opposites" attests--the podiatry province welcomes all kinds: "Slow feet/Quick feet/Well feet/Sick feet." Dr. Seuss has put his best foot forward here, in a whimsical approach to showcasing opposites. Wet feet contrast dry feet, and low feet contrast high feet. Though hot feet and cold feet aren't specifically referenced, we get the sense that those are okay too. As usual, the rhymes are quick and quirky, and Seuss's illustrations will knock kids' socks off. (Baby to preschool) ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Bah.
My niece loved it, but I'm hiding this version now that I've gotten her the *real* version. Stupid editors, changing the text, cutting stuff out, just to make a board book.

Forgo this copy, just get the hardcover edition. You'll thank me later when you don't have to figure out why they forced an "opposites" theme on poor Dr. Seuss, or why they cut out some of the best passages.

Great first listening book....
I didn't know what to expect when I purchased this book.I should have known, having grown up with Dr. Seuss myself.
This book kept my daughter's attention on more than one occassion and as she got older she was able to read the book herself.
Just the words themselves: Left foot, left foot, right foot right....are enough to keep any child happy.
My daughter, who is now a teenager, still puts this book at the top of her list of all time favorites.She loves to purchase this book for the little children that she baby sits, so that they can enjoy the book as much as she had.

Dr. Seuss introduces young readers to the joy of adjectives
"The Foot Book: Dr. Seuss's Wacky Book of Opposites" is a board book adapted from the original Bright and Early Book for Beginning Readers, a series of books for the youngest of the young. The idea here is that the stories are brief and funny, the words are few and easy, and there is always a catchy sense of rhyme. Of course "The Foot Book" is about not only the foot (singular) but feet (plural). There are more references to feet (plural) than to feet (singular), if you happen to pay attention to such things (which, apparently, I did). But the key part of this book are all the adjectives that Dr. Seuss comes up with for all those feet.

This happens mostly in terms of oppositional pairs such as right and left, wet and dry, high and low, front and back, etc. Of course sometimes rhyme comes into play as well, such as when we go from small feet to big feet and then to pig feet. The illustrations all feature the strange hairy creatures that populate the imagination of Dr. Seuss, although you will see a pair of rather normal looking kids in the mix as well. Did you ever stop to think that Dr. Seuss is probably the most influential poet of his generation? He is certainly the most imitated, and behind all those silly rhymes was a deep desire to get kids to read. Once your beginning reader has read "The Foot Book," be sure to have them check out the sequel, "Fox in Sox." ... Read more

Isbn: 0679882804
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Concepts - Opposites    3. English language    4. Fiction    5. Foot    6. Humorous Stories    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Stories in rhyme    9. Synonyms and antonyms    10. Juvenile Fiction / Concepts / Opposites   

Scratch and Sniff: Garden
by Dorling Kindersley Publishing
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 March, 1999)
list price: $6.95 -- our price: $6.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

The smells of the great outdoors are captured in DK's small, sturdyboard book Scratch and Sniff Garden. "What can you smell in the garden? Is the scent of the rose sweet?" the book begins. When you scratch the lovely yellow rose, it does indeed smell quite realistically roselike. Kids can also experience the pungent smells of lavender, a log, a newly mowed lawn, and a bunch of mint. This is a great way to introduce your kids to the aromatic wonders of the plant kingdom. And, DK's Scratch and Sniff Food is fun, too. (Baby to preschool) ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Scents of Summer!
Santa brought my little 2 yr old daughter this book for X-mas! She loves this book and so do I as it is a delight to smell fresh cut grass and fresh cedar wood in the dead of winter here! Am even getting a copy of this book for my 90 yr old grandmother who lives in a nursing home. How she would love to revisit these "warm weather day" smells!

Great to teach little ones to smell!
My son who is 11 months loves this book and he loves to smell (and lick!) the different items.It has simple text in the form of questions ("Does the rose smell sweet?") alongside with real-life photos.

The smells are: Rose, Lavendar, Pine, Grass, Mint.

It has lasted for a few months of abuse so far except for the last page (Mint) which the scent has faded.

I would definitly recommend this book and I look forward to owning the others in the scratch and sniff series.

My son likes it (still)
I bought this book out of curiosity, and I am glad that I did, because my son liked it at first sight, and he still likes it even after a year.The book is really well made - sturdy, not heavy, safe, and of course smells nice.I was worried about the smell being a little bit toxic for a small child, but it did not bother my little one (he was 9 months old).He doesn;t particularly use the book for its smell, but he loves opening each page (I don't know why).The book is so well made that it must be fun for him to try to open and flip the pages.But I only bought this particular one, and I don't plan to buy any other ones... since my son doesn't seem interested in smelling the book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0789439891
Subjects:  1. Aromatic plants    2. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. Concepts - General    5. Gardening    6. Juvenile literature    7. Scented books    8. Specimens   

Rolie Polie Olie and Friends Box
by Bill Joyce
Average Customer Review:
Board book (01 April, 2002)
list price: $9.99 -- our price: $9.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Robotic charmer Rolie Polie Olie and his best friend, Billy, little sister, Zowie, and faithful dog, Spot, come together in one fabulous tote box, complete with a sheet of colorful Rolie Polie stickers and four mini board books by William Joyce (Olie, Billy, Zowie, and Spot). Kids love reading about the surprisingly ordinary day-to-day adventures of these otherworldly characters, with their shiny, spherical heads (except Billy, who's more cubical) and wiry antennae. The sturdy cardboard briefcase-shaped box has snap closures and a plastic handle, so young readers can take their robot pals everywhere. Brilliant colors, lighthearted stories, and a computer-generated contemporary style ensure an appreciative audience for these unusual and appealing books and stickers. (Ages 2 to 5) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Great Find
The book is very colorful but there isn't much of a plot line- then what do you expect from a 2 yr olds book right? I would say go for it its more of a picture book but the color quality is great for children. I purchased this for a little girl and she loves it to death. She's 3yrs old right now but still keeps reading or looking at the book. The box doesn't last long but its nice to get the entire set for this price.

a great collection!
This case filled with four books is so cute. One is about Olie, Zowie, Billy and Olie's dog Spot!! This set also comes with some very colorful sticker too!!!My son loves this collection. The books are very colorful!Each book has a cute little rhyming story about each of the characters.If you have an Olie fan out there this collection is a must have!

Excellent! Travel Box of Entertainment
My daughter loves her travel box of Rolie Polie Olie books! They are a life saver. Easy to read and sweet stories. Good graphics. Offers hours of wonderful reading. ... Read more

Isbn: 0786832940
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Children: Preschool    3. General    4. Juvenile Fiction    5. Movie Tie - In    6. Social Situations - Friendship    7. Juvenile Fiction / Movie or Television Tie-In   

Touch and Feel: Clothes
by Dorling Kindersley Publishing Deni Bown
Average Customer Review:
Board book (15 March, 1998)
list price: $6.95 -- our price: $6.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (5)

Shopoholic Mom to Triplets
We have *almost* all of the 'Touch and Feel' books and this is our least favorite.The touch things aren't very good and this book seems unusually short.I'd definitely recommend another 'Touch and Feel' choice over this one.

Babys Growing Up
Babys come from mommys. You start off just laying. Then you start rolling.Come on baby let's go roll. Then we start
crolling.Let's go faster come on let's go. We are holding on to stuff while we are walking. Then we just let go so are parents can see us go.And that is how we grow.Bye Bye babys I'll talk
to you again.

Babys Growing Up
Babys come from mommys. You start off just laying. Then you start rolling.Come on baby let's go roll. Then we start
crolling.Let's go faster come on let's go. We are holding on to stuff while we are walking. Then we just let go so are parents can see us go.And that is how we grow.Bye Bye babys I'll talk
to you again. ... Read more

Isbn: 0789429195
Sales Rank: 480300
Subjects:  1. Children's Baby - Boardbooks    2. Children's clothing    3. Children: Babies & Toddlers    4. Concepts - Sense & Sensation    5. Juvenile literature    6. Specimens    7. Textile fabrics    8. Textured books    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Concepts / Sense & Sensation   

Chicco Flip 'n Play Table
Average Customer Review:
Toy
list price: $24.99
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Editorial Review

Variety is the spice of life, especially for toddlers. The Flip 'n Play table answers the call. It comes with a two-sided insert and stands 13 inches off the ground. The table's strong point is its vast array of features: a miniature rotary phone, a small flipbook of circus animals, three each insert number and letter shapes, a jingling flip handle, a clock with spinning hands, and a mobile of colorful, spinning "balls within balls." But that's not all. A lever easily activates a circular train track with attachable train. A button next to the lever sets off an authentic train sound. Flip the entire insert over and you have a building table for blocks of squares, circles, rectangles, pyramids, and cat and dog heads (all included). Your child can build a multiplicity of configurations. For even more fun, add to this play center from a wide range of available accessories. --Sandy Hirsch ... Read more

Features

• Multi-activity toddler play table
• Develops coordination and imagination skills
• One side building-block base; 1 side interactive train yard
• Comes with 20 accessories
• Handy storage bin underneath

Reviews (69)

Terrific Table
It's got bells--and whistles! Plays train sounds and the clack clack bell sound of a train crossing. You wind up the track for the train manually, put the train on it and away you go. I LOVE the fact that this toy is not a battery-eater like most of his others, and that it does double duty as a block-building table, too! Alex at 17 months still plays with this; we got it for him at 9 1/2 months. He loves to take the top off and sit in it, or sit on the floor on his knees in front of it and use the inside area for a little table to eat a snack off of. He has his own table and chairs, but sometimes he prefers to use this. THERE ARE NO SONGS THAT PLAY, AND NONE WERE ADVERTISED, despite a previous reviewers comments. There are two versions of this table available--this one, and the so-called new, improved, electronic, musical version, which I think pales in comparison to this original. Who needs one more musical toy that does everything but allow the kid to use their imagination and play? Not me! And if you want a good old-fashioned toy, that your kid will love for a long time and that will stand up to that type of use, get this. You'll be glad you did. I only wish I could find more of the plastic blocks that come with this by themselves, rather than in playsets that are sold separately.

too late for my 1 year old!
I think I missed the boat on this one; I bought it for xmas for my 13 month old and the only real play it gets is when my daughter and her 3 year old brother take off the "play top" and sit inside it!They think thats fun but thats about it.

Awesome Toy
We bought this table based on other parent reviews, and though we couldn't find it locally the shipping cost was well worth it.
Our 11 month old twins love this toy, and when they get done playing with the activity center they pull it all apart and play even longer. The best part is it seems virtually indestructible, and only one small part uses a battery, the train track just winds up. We're very happy with this purchase. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IZYR
Subjects:  1. Baby and Infant    2. Furniture    3. Learning    4. Toddler    5. Activity    6. Preschool    7. Hand-Eye Coordination   

Cook N Clean Kitchen
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

While helping Mom and Dad in the kitchen is always great funfor preschoolers, having one's own kitchen is even better. This brightplastic pretend kitchen offers enough interactive fun to satisfy mostdomestic inclinations. All the basics are here--refrigerator, stove,and sink--as well as a microwave, clock, flip-up ironing board, and atowel rack that even holds real paper towels (not included). There'slots to do--turn the handle and watch the suds swish around in thewashing machine, use the little iron to press clothes, or fill theremovable sink with water. The kitchen comes with 25 sturdy plasticimplements including a juicer, kitchen scale, ice tray, two cookingpans, kitchen utensils, hangers, cookie sheet, butter dish, and twoforks, knives, spoons, and plates each. While assembly is fairly simple(all that's needed is a Phillips screwdriver), it's not something toattempt at midnight on Christmas Eve. --Marianne Painter ... Read more

Reviews (80)

The best pretend play toy
I bought this about 2 years ago for my older daugher who was a toddler then. She still enjoys it. And now my younger one who is a year old is also finding this toy to be the best amongst the lot. Both my girls have fun with this. Its very cute, sturdy and has everything rolled into one. I did not have to buy a microwave and a washer / dryer seperately.

The perfect size for my little one
When I saw the picture of this kitchen I thought it was perfect.After reading a bunch of bad reviews I became apprehensive and started looking around for a different model.Although after coming up with kitchens that were too big for our little one, ( she's 18-months ) and at least twice the price we went ahead and ordered it.I am so glad we did.Not only was it the hit of Christmas morning, but every morning.The stickers that decorate it are adorable, and I couldn't believe all the accessories you get.Plus it's more than a kitchen, with the washing machine and ironing board.The only problem I've had was the fact that when our daughter would reach for the top sometimes it would tip foward, so we attached it to the wall with no more problems.I would definately recommend this toy.

Excellent choice!
I did a lot of research into "pretend" kitchens in preparation for Christmas shopping for my niece: this was the perfect choice!The countertop is a total nightmare to put in, but I was forewarned by other reviews and was ready for the struggle.The effort was worth it: I highly recommend this kitchen for anyone shopping for a two-year-old - it's ideal! ... Read more

Asin: B00004TFTD
Subjects:  1. Pretend Play    2. Cooking   

Tiny Touch Phone
Average Customer Review:
Toy

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Editorial Review

This is the way to go for baby's first phone call. Activities abound in this multicolored toy phone. The LED buttons also light up and twinkle as they count out the numbers 1 through 4. There's so much to learn here, ranging from number and shape recognition to sound and word association. For an added bit of fun, the phone has a tiny mirror for kids who like to look their best while talking long distance to grandma or grandpa. Pleasing features include a parental volume control and an automatic shutoff. --Lee Strucker ... Read more

Reviews (49)

Fun and Educational
My toddler has a few toy telephones, and this one is one of his favorites.There are two settings--one teaches numbers 1-4, the other shapes and colors.It's especially fun to sit with him and talk abot the things that are lighting-up.He especially likes to watch the eyes on the telephone's face flip up and down--it really draws his attention.

Fun and Educational
My toddler has a few toy telephones, and this one is one of his favorites.There are two settings--one teaches numbers 1-4, the other shapes and colors.It's especially fun to sit with him and talk abot the things that are lighting-up.He especially likes to watch the eyes on the telephone's face flip up and down--it really draws his attention.

Distracts Baby from the Remote Control
I bought this toy to distract my infant from our remote control.I was looking for a hand held toy with buttons that light up.My son loves it!It's always a favorite and it has a volume control which has come in handy, especially for airline travel. I highly recommend this phone as an inexpensive toy that your child will actually play with.And, it is very sturdy.We have dropped it soooo many times. ... Read more

Asin: B00000IRR2
Subjects:  1. Games    2. Electronic    3. Learning    4. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    5. Baby and Infant    6. Musical   

Baby Einstein - Baby Mozart - Music Festival
Average Customer Review:
DVD (26 March, 2002)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

It's called "the Mozart Effect," the notion that exposing youngsters tothe melodies of the maestro can improve verbal ability, spatial intelligence, creativity, and memory. It's a pretty big leap of faith to understand that effect unless you personally see a toddler react to the stimulation. The Baby Einstein folks have a series of tapes (Baby Einstein, Baby Bach) that add visual stimulation to the bouncy recordings (using vibraphone, Rhodes electric piano, and even a glockenspiel). The melodies are heard against colorful imagery of spinning tops, wave machines, soft baby toys, mobiles, and the like. Several parenting groups and magazines have heralded the tapes for children 1 to 36 months, but the Orwellian aspect of introducing babes in arms to the TV screen may cause many to just pick up the CD. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Features

• Color

Reviews (439)

What a waste of money.
This was my first Baby Einstein purchase....and MY LAST !. I found this DVD to be insulting to the intelligence of infants and toddlers.

This was truly a waste of money !

In my opinion, another Baby Einstein flop
A lot of the toys shown in the dvd are the same old toys in the other Baby Einstein videos.This, like most Baby Einstien videos, have the typical toys, spinning things, shiny things and puppets.What really is the purpose of this?No words are spoken in this video.There is no live-action when it comes to the pictures of fruits, vegetables, animals, etc.They are just still pictures/photos.I just can't believe some of these Baby Einstein videos!It seems like they just have an idea or two and try to fill up a half hour tape and make tons of money marketing this to parents who think they are doing their children something wonderful, helpful and educational by purchasing them.And yet people will sing praises about it.I just don't get it.I have watched and reviewed 16 Baby Einstein videos and out of them all there are only 4 that I liked.They are Baby Neptune (water), Baby Newton (shapes), Baby Galileo (sky) and Numbers Nursery (1 - 5).The rest are such a waste of money and time, in my opinion.I couldn't even begin to think of letting my child sit and watch all but the four I think are decent.How can this nonsense be good for their little minds??I have written reveiws for them all.

What's wrong with real music?
My 14 month old has been listening to orchestral music since before she was born and loves it!! Why can't they use the real music on these DVD's? I can't stand the cheap synthesizer versions of this music. It is actually more educational for them to listen to the WHOLE ORCHESTRA and become familiar with all those sounds. Besides, they have also removed all the "musical" aspects of the actual music - no dynamics, no emotion. I think someone just decided that it would be more cost-effective to make a cheap synthesizer version of these tunes. I think it is mind-numbing. My daughter taps her feet and nods her head just fine to the orchestral versions of these pieces. (expecially Vivaldi's Four Seasons and the Bach Brandenburg Concertos!!) ... Read more

Asin: B00005YUPN
Subjects:  1. Children's Video   

"Love and Theft" (Limited Edition)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (11 September, 2001)
list price: $20.98 -- our price: $20.98
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

When we last left the ever-confounding saga that is Bob Dylan's now-superhuman recording career, he'd reunited with producer Daniel Lanois, with whom he cut 1997's Time Out of Mind, his most coherent and appealing collection in nearly a decade. Now the still-reigning prince of musical contrariety and potent wordplay is back with his most focused, well-played collection since 1989's Oh Mercy, another Lanois production. One listen to the fade-in of the opener "Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum" and it's clear that all Dylan's roadwork has shaped him and his band (including guitarist Charlie Sexton) into a mighty musical weapon. And while his craggy howl continues to resonate, it's the songs here that astonish. A sturdy midtempo melody makes "Mississippi" the equal of the best numbers on Time, which it was actually written for. He convincingly puts over the R&B swing (yes, swing) number "Summer Days." "Honest with Me" ("I'm not sorry for nuthin' I've done / I'm glad I fight, I only wished we'd won") is a driving rocker that packs a genuine punch. And the light, lounge-like "Bye and Bye" and the southland ramble "Floater (Too Much to Ask)" show extraordinary confidence. He's labeled these songs "blues-based," but in typical Dylan fashion what would promise to be the most overtly blues number here--"High Water (for Charlie Patton)"--sounds like a banjo-based gunfighter ballad. But then that's this artist's gift: confounding expectations. --Robert Baird ... Read more

Features

• Extra tracks

Reviews (69)

The Extra Tracks are Worth the Price, Just Extraordinary
Still again, after a long hiatus of no albums with original tunes, many people hailed "Time Out of Mind" as still another comeback for Dylan with this record, delivered four years later in 2001, building upon said comeback. Only this time he isn't as eerie, haunting and dark as he was on "Time". In fact at times it seems Mr. Dylan has turned downright playful with his music. We have Dylan kind of crooning on some of the songs in this set of very good rock and roll songs, many of which have kind of a jazzy inflection to them.

And then there are the two extra songs on that extra CD in this set, the alternate version of "The Times The Are A-Changin' is interesting, but in my opinion there was a reason the went with the other version back in 1963. However the price of this set is worth it and more just to get your hands on "I Was Young When I Left Home" which till now had only been available on the "John Birch Society Blues" Bootleg that came out back in the early Seventies. This long, acoustic ballad is just simply extraordinary.

In my opinion Dylan's gravely voice works well with this set and the songs blend into each other making a whole that is much better than the sum of its parts. I play this record quite a bit, but then I play most of his good records quite a bit. Some have said, my Gal Sara, for instance that perhaps I play Mr. Dylan's music a bit too much. Thank goodness I've got an iPod, so that when I'm up alone at night working on the computer or trying to hammer out words on paper with pen or pencil, I can listen to this record as loud as I want. My hearing may be going though, but so what, it's worth it.

Jack Priest, Writer from the Darkside

not as good as Time Out Of Mind
BUT, the song, 'I Was Young When I Left Home,' and although it was recorded in 1961, is one of the most heart wrenching, achingly, beautiful recordings I believe Dylan has ever done.Whoever chose to put it on as a bonus track, thanks.

One of Dylan's Best, Plus Great Extra Songs
I've heard it said that Bob Dylan said of this record that it's like "a greatest hits without the hits." Well, when you listen to this masterpiece, that's exactly the kind of feel you get for this album. It's like each of the songs is an old friend, like we've heard them all before. How did Dylan do that? Maybe it's because he recorded "Love and Theft" with his touring band and they were all so used to playing with each other. It shows. In a way this album reminds me of "Blood on the Tracks" the album that I consider Mr. Ds best. Every song on "The Tracks" belongs there, an integral part of the whole. Sure every song stands alone, but together they make a masterpiece. That's the way it is with "Love and Theft." I don't know if this is the best album Mr. D has ever done, cuz I still listen "The Tracks," all the time, but if it's not the best, it's certainly number two. And who knows, after listening to it for another year or so, I may reevaluate that, but for now I'll give "Love and Theft" five stars. This CD is so good it'll make you cry.

As for the extra songs, the version of "The Times They are A-Changin'" doesn't come close to being as good as the original, but it's interesting. However "I was Young when I Left Home," which Sony claims is unreleased, but those of use in the know, know that it originally came out in 1970 on the illegal bootleg, "GWW John Birch Society Blues," is an outstanding piece of work.

Reviewed by Stephanie Sane ... Read more

Asin: B00005NZBN
Subjects:  1. Album Rock    2. Folk-Rock    3. Pop    4. Rock    5. Rock & Roll    6. Singer/Songwriter   

Tiny the Mouse Sticker Book for 2 Year Olds (Balloon)
by Balloon Books
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 March, 1999)
list price: $3.95 -- our price: $3.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (2)

Loved it
My 2 yr old loved this book.Put the fishies in the fish tank etc.She loves stickers and this was a great way to match up what goes where.

Tiny the Mouse Sticker Book for 2 Year Olds
The book is fun and for the right age. My daughter is very content working with the book. She loves stickers and this book helps her on early learning about shapes, counting and where things belong while having fun with stickers. Very bright colorful book. ... Read more

Isbn: 0806959363
Sales Rank: 90384
Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children's Baby - Activity Books    3. Children: Preschool    4. Juvenile Nonfiction