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82
Top Gifts
FOR Kids
CELEBRATING
OUR 20th YEAR!
The Year’s Best Children’s Products –
From Toys, Story CDs and DVDs to
Books, Music, Software and
Video Games
NAPPA Gold Toy Winner,
the Ground Force Drifter
THE REST
OF THE BEST
Find more gifts kids will love
among the NAPPA Honors
winners featured at
www.NAPPA.Parenthood.com.
Here, you can download
handy shopping lists –
by age group – of all
the 2010 NAPPA
winners!
1 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
As
the season of giving approaches, the 2010
National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA)
program is here to help. In our 20th anniversary year
of setting the Gold standard for children’s educational
and entertainment products, NAPPA shares this year’s
top picks for toys, books, software, music, DVDs, CDs
and video games.
By Ellen Metrick
Toys
Toys allow children to mimic the world and do what the
grown-ups do. Today’s toys provide “grown-up” technology
in durable, kid- and eco-friendly versions with less packaging
and more natural elements. Dolls and plush animals continue
to provide nurturing play, even as whimsical sounds and soft
glows add new life to these classic favorites.
FOR INFANTS & TODDLERS
Sing-a-ma-jigs!
Babipouce Activities, Corolle, $50; www.corolle.com; birth
to age 3. This perfect first plush doll has soft vinyl hands and
face. To lull baby to sleep, press the doll’s back for a lullaby
and gentle twinkling lights that gradually fade and stop.
Machine washable.
“This doll is so precious. My granddaughter
immediately settles down when the music plays.”
– Grandmother of four
Flow ’N’ Fill Spout, Yookidoo by International Playthings,
$16.99; www.intplay.com; ages 9 months and up. A batterypowered spout suctions to the side of the bathtub and continuously draws bath water up from the tub itself, allowing kids
to play with running water without overflowing the tub.
Cups are included for exploratory water fun.
Spring Roller, Chicco, $19.99;
www.chiccousa.com; ages 6
months and up. This colorful,
cylindrical toy invites baby to
crawl, as it plays upbeat
Caribbean tunes when
rolling along the carpet or
floor. Encircling the toy are
manipulative activities with
cause-and-effect buttons to push,
and lights and sounds to intrigue.
Sing-a-ma-jigs!,
“These little guys are
Fisher-Price, $12.99;
hilarious! Every person
www.thesingamajigs.com;
I’ve shown them to
ages 3 and up. Oozing with laughs and wants to get
personality, these plush
their hands on one!”
characters make you smile
– Educator and mother of two
and brighten your mood!
Push their tummies and they talk and sing in goofy chipmunklike voices. Each has a different pitch so that they can sing
in harmony.
Spring Roller
FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Hot Dots Jr. – Ace the Talking Teaching Dog, Educational
Insights Inc., $39.99; www.educationalinsights.com; ages 3 and
up. The electronic dog “Ace” supports learning by pointing to
correct answers on cards that focus on fundamental literacy
skills. She lights up, gives a verbal “good job” and occasionally
vibrates for added kudos. Ace lets kids know when an answer
is incorrect, too.
MobiGo Touch Learning System, VTech, $59.99;
www.vtechkids.com; ages 3 and up. “Edu-gaming” at its
finest! Touch screen and slide-out keyboard accompany a
clear voice and excellent video quality. Insert cartridge and
start playing and learning. More games can be downloaded
from the website.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Zoobies, $40;
www.zoobies.com; ages 5 and up. Snuggle up to this beloved
bug from Eric Carle’s classic tale – while reading! Exquisitely
soft, the caterpillar plush toy opens up to a comfy pillow and
unzips to reveal what he really ate: a warm, fuzzy blanket!
“This is the perfect gift set! It’s familiar and
adorable. I’m definitely giving several as holiday
presents, and keeping one set for us!”
– Mother of two
FOR AGES 5 & UP
Liv Dolls, Spin Master Ltd., $14.99 each;
www.spinmaster.com; ages 5 and up. Glam to the hilt, Liv
teenage dolls strut in style. Each of four diverse dolls can be
posed and comes with interchangeable wigs and an online
code for more games and fashion fun.
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 2
Makedo, Makedo/Reeves International Inc., $15;
FAMILY www.makedo.com.au; ages 5 and up. Kids create
fun and functional items by using imagination
FUN
and ordinary household recyclables. Armed with
this set of connectors, hinges and multi-purpose tools, young
children can saw cardboard and punch holes to make cars,
costumes and more.
Real Construction Deluxe Tool Set, JAKKS
Pacific, Inc., $29.99; www.jakks.com; ages 5 and
up. A “must have” for builders who are too old
for pretend tools but too young for real ones.
Build a garage for toy cars or a dollhouse with lightweight
tools, Styrofoam™-like faux wood and screws for solid
construction.
TOP
PICK
Springfree Trampoline, Springfree Trampoline, Inc.,
$1,599; www.springfreetrampoline.com; ages 6 and up.
Marketed as the safest trampoline, flexible fiberglass rods
replace traditional metal springs and are located beneath the
jumping surface for a safer and more natural bounce. The
FlexiNet enclosure keeps kids safely inside and guides them
back to the trampoline’s center.
Board
& Card
Games
By Peggy Brown, with Kim Vandenbroucke
Games are more popular than ever and for good
reason. They pack a lot of entertainment into a
box and offer a cost-friendly alternative to
movies, sports events and, of course, boredom!
A game can also become the centerpiece of good,
old-fashioned family togetherness.
FOR AGES 8 & UP
Ground Force Drifter, Razor USA, LLC, $299.99;
www.razor.com; ages 8 and up. This steel-framed, electric
go-kart zips through neighborhoods at speeds of up to 12
mph. Thumb-tab acceleration and a rear-wheel hand break
put control in the palm of kids’ hands; a high torque motor
and Super Slider™ rear tires give the power and precision for
spin-outs, fishtails and 360s.
Perplexus, PlaSmart, Inc.,
$24.99; www.plasmarttoys.com;
ages 6 and up. Methodically
rotate and tilt this 3-D
labyrinth-like maze, encapsulated in a clear plastic ball, to
move a small metal marble
through an intricate web of shoots
and track. Totally addictive!
The Amazing Alphabotz Superphonic Decoder Cards,
Ideopolis LLC, $19.95; www.alphabotz.com; ages 3 and up.
These oversized flashcards demystify upper and lowercase
letters, the sounds they make, and how they work as a
system. Charming and cheerful characters identified for
each letter are designed in a new-but-retro style.
FOR AGES 5 & UP
Perplexus
Potato Chip Science, Workman Publishing,
BEST
$17.95; www.workman.com; ages 9 and up.
BANG
FOR THE “High in saturated facts,” as the package states,
BUCK this is not your typical science kit. Packaged in a
potato chip bag, this set uses potato chip bags, tubes, lids,
spuds and chips to conduct experiments with immediate
results.
“As an engineer by trade, I enjoy the science
behind this kit. As a kid by trade, my son loves
the attraction of using potato chips in the
experiments.”
– Father of one
3 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Can You See What I See? Bingo Link, Gamewright,
$15.99; www.gamewright.com; ages 6 and up. Quick! Find
the soccer ball! The mitten! The scissors! Identify items and
cover them to create a connection across your board. Learn
simple strategy and how to be descriptive in the process.
The first player to link across the board wins.
Animal Mastermind
Towers, Pressman Toy,
$11.99;
www.pressmantoy.com; ages
5 and up. This problemsolving and deduction game
makes you use your noodle
to figure out the order of
stacked animals on your
opponent’s tower. It’s simple
but tricky at the same time;
fun to set up and figure out.
Animal Mastermind Towers
FOR AGES 7 & UP
Spot It!, BlueOrange Games,
BEST
BANG
$11.99; www.blueorange
FOR THE games.com; ages 8 and
BUCK
up. Four quickmatch games come
packed in a little round
tin box. Magically elegant, each circular card
has a series of
pictures on it: one (and
only one) picture on
each card matches one
(and only one) on every
other card.
Spot It!
Minotaurus, LEGO Systems Inc., $24.99;
www.LEGO.com; ages 7 and up. Setting up
the game board is as much fun as playing it.
A little chance and light strategy can get one
of your heroes to the temple without confronting the
Minotaur. The “game-scape” can be changed limitlessly
for creative and imaginative play.
TOP
PICK
FOR AGES 8 & UP
Dweebies, Gamewright, $10.99;
BEST
BANG www.gamewright.com; ages 8
FOR THE and up. Cute and colorful, the
BUCK appropriately named Dweebies
are lovable, laughable and clever characters. Capture
them by playing matches at each end of a row to
collect the most.
TOP
PICK
Scrabble Flash, Hasbro Games, $29.99;
www.hasbrogames.com; ages 8 and up.
Scrabble meets electronics in an unusually
fresh way. Five electronic “tiles” have LCD
displays and each shows one letter. Players arrange and
re-arrange the tiles to make words. The tiles magically
know rules to three games and track your time.
TOP
PICK
“This is so much more fun than those
unscrambling puzzles in the paper.”
– Mom of three
Q-bitz, MindWare, $24.95;
www.mindware.com; ages 8 and up.
Complete visual masterpieces by using
cubes with simple graphic elements on each
side. Each player has his own tray, which he uses to
align his cubes in a race to be the first to match the
graphic on the card. Q-bitz includes three games with
fun twists.
TOP
PICK
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 4
DVDs
By Ranny Levy
This year, three KIDS FIRST! senior jurors worked
closely with child jurors to winnow the best
from a pool of excellent submissions. We saw an
exponential up-tick in sophistication and the
use of computer-generated graphics and digital
recording. The quality of content clearly reflects
a commitment to create better programming
that both teaches and inspires children.
FOR TODDLERS
Big Bird, Little Bird, Sleeveless, 2010;
35 min.; $14.99; www.sarahickman.com;
ages 0 to 5. Texas’ official State
Musician Sara Hickman nurtures babies’
transition into tot-hood with this loving,
quiet-time video. Gentle, colorful
animation brings tender lyrics to life.
Everything is pitch perfect as it flows
from a cappella renditions to acoustic
and string accompaniments. The cover art is also a winner!
FOR PRESCHOOLERS
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus … And
FAMILY More Stories by Mo Willems, Scholastic
Media/New Video, 2010; 49 min.; $14.95;
FUN
www.newkideo.com; ages 2 to 5. A hoot HOOT!
Mo’s pigeon uses every imaginable kid ploy to persuade off-screen kids to let him drive, but they don’t buy it!
Simple graphics and story lines, Woody-Allen-style humor
and vaudevillian timing prove that Mo really “gets” kids.
Look Out World Here I Come! New York,
Look Out World LLC, 2010; 30 min.; $19.95;
INDIE
www.lookoutworldhereicome.com;
ages 2 to 5. Imaginary
travelers Otto, Blink and Casey
guide young viewers on a tour
of New York City via cleverly
mixed animation and real
images. An unhurried pace,
sing-along tunes and a 36page activity book encourage
fun and interactive learning.
5 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
Meet the Sight Words DVD Boxed Set, Preschool Prep
Company, 2009; 108 min.; $39.97;
www.preschoolprepco.com;
ages 2 to 5. “Sight words” are
words that are frequently seen
but not easily decoded, such as
“a,” “and,” “for,” “have,” “he”
and “I.” Using playful
approaches with animation,
graphics and letter personification, this series helps kids
recognize words without
having to “figure them out.”
“The children testers laughed and shouted
and asked for more. Readers and non-readers
were equally engaged.”
– Senior Juror and mother of two
Wimzie’s House – A World of Enchantment,
Mill Creek Entertainment, 2010; 4 hrs. 10
min.; $9.98; www.millcreekent.com; ages 2 to 5.
When Wimzie opens the door to her enchanting
home, we can’t resist stepping in … and all that
follows is good. It’s puppetry at its three-dimensional best!
Superb theatrical sets and engrossing scripts help
preschoolers sort through daily challenges.
TOP
PICK
FOR AGES 5 & UP
The Wheels on the Bus Sing-Along Travel
BEST
Kit, Scholastic Media/New Video, 2010; 2 hrs.
BANG
FOR THE 12 min.; $24.95; www.newkideo.com; ages 5 to
BUCK 8. Fifteen brilliantly illustrated musical storybooks on two DVDs keep kids and parents happy on road
trips. Together with 13 songs on a music CD and an activity
booklet with crayons, children are introduced to good,
diverse music and art styles.
FOR AGES 8 TO 12
The Secret of Moonacre, E1
Entertainment, 2010; 103 min.; $24.95;
www.E1homevideo.com; ages 8 to 12.
Stunning 1900s sets and costumes bring
fantasy, history and mystery together in
this film about 13-year-old Maria who,
once orphaned, must rise to meet her
destiny in a magical moonlit world of
exotic characters and mythical beasts.
“For those who enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia
stories and The Golden Compass, I promise
you will not be disappointed by this.”
– Senior Juror and grandmother of one
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 6
Storytelling
& Spoken
Word
By Marilyn McPhie
Storytelling has been called the oldest form of human communication.
These days, instead of creating cave paintings and campfires as the
backdrop for our stories, we pop in a CD and ride to the dentist via
an island of wild horses or a sweetly shared imaginary world.
FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
Guess How Much I Miss
You, written by Julia Lobo,
illustrated by Rebecca Elliott,
Publications International,
Ltd., 2010; $19.99;
www.pubint.com; ages 18
months to 3 years. This board
book tells of two bears who
miss each other while apart.
A concealed panel allows loved ones to record the tale in
their own voice so that a child can hear her out-of-town
grandparent, mom or dad read a bedtime story.
Perfectly Arugula, written by Sarah
Dillard, Sterling Children’s Books, 2009;
Free; www.listenalongstorybook.com; ages
3 and up. A perfectly cute little hedgehog
organizes a perfect party, but everyone is
perfectly miserable until an uninvited
guest shakes things up …
perfectly. Directions for downloading free
audio and streaming audio are provided.
FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN
The Lost Bicycle, by Cory Hills, Reach Out
Kansas, Inc., 2010; $12.97; www.coryhills.com,
TOP
PICK www.reachoutkansas.org; ages 5 to 12. Master
percussionist Hills
uses marimba,
BEST
kalimba, water
BANG
FOR THE glasses, gong, wood
BUCK block, cow bell and
cymbals to punctuate his
stories. This mix of folktales,
original and personal tales is
snappy and satisfying.
7 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
Frindle, written by Andrew Clements and read by
Keith Nobbs, Simon &
Schuster Audio, 2009; $14.99;
audio.simonandschuster.com;
ages 8 to 12. This classic story –
FAMILY students in a battle of wits and
FUN
words with a strong-willed
teacher over a “frindle” (aka pen)
– is funny, fast-paced and heart-warming.
TOP
PICK
FOR TWEENS & TEENS
Sisters Red, written by Jackson Pearce and read by Erin
Moon, Michal Friedman and Suzanne Toren, Hachette
Audio, 2010; $22.98; www.jacksonpearce.com,
www.hachetteaudio.com; ages 12 and
up. Granny’s dead, werewolves are on
the prowl, and sisters Scarlett and
Rosie are out for revenge and blood –
literally. The setting is contemporary
and gritty; the characters are distinctive. Not your baby sister’s Little Red
Riding Hood.
“The story grabbed me. I couldn’t stop listening.
Really, really good.”
– Alicia, age 16
FOR FAMILY LISTENING
Tales2Go, Tales2Go LLC, 2010; $24.99 annual
FAMILY subscription; www.tales2go.com; ages
3 to 11. Get stories from great storytellers
FUN
anytime from this on-demand website that offers
more than 1,200 audio books and storytelling
BEST
for under $25/year. (Note: One subscription
BANG
FOR THE covers downloads to one iPod, iPad or iPhone
BUCK
device.)
Books &
Magazines
By Dr. Helen Foster James and Rubin Pfeffer
FOR PRESCHOOLERS & UP
What a thrill to see the remarkable range of
entries in the children’s books category this
year. Despite the press about the potential
demise of the printed book and the electronic
takeover of our reading habits, it’s wonderful to
hold and read these stunning titles. Learn more
about these Gold winners and discover our
excellent list of NAPPA Honors books at
www.NAPPA.Parenthood.com.
Beautiful Oops!, by Barney Saltzberg; Workman
BEST
Publishing, 2010; $11.95; www.workman.com.
BANG
FOR THE This perfect gift book shows that there are life
BUCK lessons in every “oops!” The book turns – through
story and illustration – everyday spills, drips and rips into a
beautiful and whimsical piece of art.
FOR INFANTS & TODDLERS
Dancing Feet, by Lindsey Craig, illustrated by
TOP
Marc Brown; Random House Children’s Books,
PICK 2010; $16.99; www.randomhouse.com/kids. The
lively rhyming language and jubilant art in this
hardcover book will have kids joyfully dancing on happy feet.
Old MacDonald Had a Farm, adapted by Kim Mitzo
Thompson and Karen Mitzo
Hilderbrand, illustrated by Patrick
Girouard; Twin Sisters
Productions, 2010; $10.99;
www.twinsisters.com. This
traditional song is presented as a
brightly colored, padded board
book that includes a CD of 14
additional fun songs.
One Pup’s Up, by Marsha Wilson Chall, illustrated by
Henry Cole; Simon & Schuster Children’s, 2010; $16.99;
http://kids.simonandschuster.com. A counting book as sweet
and peppy as 10 little puppies.
Up, Up, Up!, by Susan Reed and
Rachel Oldfield; Barefoot Books,
2010; $16.99;
www.barefootbooks.com. Sail away
in a hot air balloon with three children and their dog in this beautifully
illustrated book, which includes a
sing-along CD.
Chirp Magazine, Owl Kids; $29.99
for 1-year subscription; $45 for 2-year
subscription; www.owlkids.com. This
popular magazine is packed with fun
activities and stories for your preschooler
or beginner reader.
Heads, by Matthew van Fleet; Simon & Schuster Children’s
Publishing, 2010; $16.99;
http://kids.simonandschuster.com.
This book is a treat for the senses. Its
fun, stimulating, interactive play and
lilting language celebrate a wild
menagerie of happy and busy animals.
The Peter Yarrow Songbook: Songs for Little Folks, by
Peter Yarrow, illustrated by Terry Widener; Sterling Children’s
Books, 2010; $16.95; www.sterlingpublishing.com/kids.
Families can sing favorite folk songs with folk legend Peter
Yarrow; a sing-along CD is included.
Swim! Swim!, by Lerch; Scholastic,
2010; $16.99; www.scholastic.com.
Lerch is a fish in a tank who’s lonely
and looking for a friend. This silly
tale of friendship is told from the
fish’s point of view and complemented
with bold, comic illustrations.
FOR AGES 6 TO 8
Amazing Airplanes, by Gaby Goldsack, illustrated
FAMILY by Lee Montgomery and Anthony Williams; Silver
Dolphin Books, 2010; $14.95;
FUN
www.silverdolphinbooks.com. Build five gliders with
this hands-on look at aviation history. The book also includes
historical photos, detailed diagrams and colorful comic strips.
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 8
Farm, by Elisha Cooper; Orchard Books, 2010; $17.99;
www.scholastic.com. A beautifully told and comprehensive
picture book that celebrates farm life poetically and factually
through the changing seasons. The art is stunning.
The Dreamer, by Pam Muñoz Ryan, illustrated by Peter Sis;
Scholastic, 2010; $17.99; www.scholastic.com. This novel is
a beautifully presented, fictionalized biography of Pablo
Neruda, the Nobel Prize-winning poet.
“The opening line is great: ‘Take a farmer, another
farmer, a boy, a girl. The wife is NOT the farmer’s
wife. She’s as much a farmer as the husband!’”
The Popularity Papers, by Amy Ignatow; Abrams/Amulet
Books, 2010; $15.99; www.amuletbooks.com. Fifth-graders
Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends
and vow that they’ll become more popular in school this year.
First-time author Amy Ignatow nails a winner with this
laugh-out-loud novel, told through text and graphics.
– Judge
My Name is Not Isabella, by Jennifer Fosberry, illustrated
by Mike Litwin; Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2010; $16.99;
www.Sourcebooks.com. A little girl decides to be many
amazing women in history – all in one day.
“This would be great for my grandson. I want
him to know about famous women.”
– Grandmother of one
Who Will Plant a Tree?, by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by
Tom Leonard; Sleeping Bear Press, 2010; $15.95;
www.sleepingbearpress.com. The wonders of nature are
shown through animals around the world as they contribute
to the greening of our planet. The text is simple, yet
profound.
FOR AGES 9 TO 12
American Girl Magazine, American Girl; $22.96 for 1-year
subscription (6 issues); www.americangirlmagazine.com. An
age-appropriate alternative to teen magazines, this is the
largest bimonthly publication dedicated to girls age 8 and up.
Content includes school talk, health and beauty, party ideas,
inspiring real-life stories, crafts and more.
Birmingham Sunday, by Larry Dane Brimner;
Boyds Mills Press, 2010; $17.95;
www.boydsmillspress.com. This illustrated book
presents a pivotal moment in Civil Rights history
and the consequences that followed.
TOP
PICK
Do Something!, by Nancy Lublin, Manessa Martir and
Julia Steers; Workman Publishing, 2010; $13.95;
www.workman.com. This guide to activism includes simple,
do-able ways for kids of all ages to make a difference. It’s a
real get-off-your-butt book!
9 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
The Social Times Magazine, Autism
Asperger Publishing Company; $51 for a
year’s subscription (nine issues), 10 student
copies of each issue included;
www.asperger.net. Teachers and students will
find this a fun and educational supplement
for social skills programs.
FOR AGES 12 AND UP
The Cardturner, by Louis Sachar; Random
House Children’s Books, 2010; $17.99;
www.randomhouse.com/teens. Alton Richards
is recruited by his parents to assist his blind
great-uncle at frequent bridge club meetings,
with the goal of inheriting the man's estate.
Fat Boy Chronicles, by Diane Lang and Michael Buchanan;
Sleeping Bear Press, 2010; $9.95; www.sleepingbearpress.com.
Inspired by a true story, these first-person journal entries
unfold the story of Jimmy, an obese teenager, and his
emotional struggle to lose weight.
A Girl Named Mister, by Nikki Grimes; Zondervan, 2010;
$15.99; www.zondervan.com. In free verse, the parallel
stories of the Virgin Mary and a contemporary pregnant
teen are non-judgmentally, yet grippingly, told.
Poetry Speaks Who I Am, edited by Elise
Paschen; Sourcebooks, 2010; $19.99;
www.sourcebooks.com. The greatest contemporary poets speak to our youth through more
than 100 poems that matter. A CD of the poets
reading their own work is included.
Music
By John Wood and Tor Hyams
Music for children and their families is alive and
well! Indie artists shone brightly in NAPPA’s 20th
year, as they blended with established performers
who continue to deliver. What a tremendous
mix of new takes on traditional songs, terrific
original songs and outstanding musicianship!
LULLABIES
Music Together® Lullabies, various artists, Music
Together, LLC, 2009; $14.95; www.musictogether.com;
ages 0 to 6. Music Together® CDs are perfect companions
to this company’s live classes, but the music can stand
alone. This album contains traditional folk songs arranged
simply and with minimal instrumentation.
Party Like a Twinkle Star, Charity and the JAMband,
2010; $17.98 double CD;
www.jamjamjam.com; ages 0 to 9. From
songs that sound like mom at your
bedside (“So Long to the Day”) to a folk
version of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,”
your child will fall asleep with a smile.
Sing Me Goodnight, Lisa Redfern, Hurricane Music,
2010; $15; www.lisaredfern.com; ages 0
and up. Gentle and soothing vocals ride
effortlessly on original and traditional
folk tunes, with simple yet elegant
arrangements. Two songs are dedicated
to parents growing their families
through adoption.
Sing Me to Sleep – Indie Lullabies, Various
Artists, American Laundromat Records, 2010;
$13.95; www.alr-music.com; ages 0 and up.
Different, different, different! Indie artists
embrace and retrace classic lullabies with a fresh
heartfelt zest!
BEST
BANG
FOR THE
BUCK
FOR TODDLERS & UP
A Mighty Good Day, Hullabaloo, Hullabaloo Music,
2010; $12; www.hullabalooband.com; ages 0 to 6. Who
knew that being a superhero depends on having the right
“supersuit,” or that anticipating a baby brother is like
getting a “Baby Basketball” to play with?
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 10
Rock and Roll Garden, Bari Koral
Family Rock Band, Loopytunes, 2010;
$10.99; www.barikoral.com; ages 1 to 5.
When little ones wants to rock out,
Koral’s crystal clean voice and modern
piano style will get them moving. Songs
about a little ducky, popcorn, colors and
an “Uh Oh” tune are geared perfectly for this age.
substance and skewed perspective because you will blow it
out your nose!
Ranky Tanky, Rani Arbo, Mayhem Music, 2010;
$15; www.raniarbo.com; ages 3 and up. Audio
candy for the ears. This album sounds like you’re
at a house party and you
brought the kids. The musicianship is
stellar and the “set list” is on the nose!
TOP
PICK
The Wild World of Wildlife, Birdie Mendoza,
FAMILY Birdie’s Playhouse, 2010; $10.99;
www.birdiesplayhouse.com; ages 0 to 5. Engaging
FUN
“Of all the amazing entries, this
is among my top five.”
vocals, bouncy world rhythms and fun songs about
animals from around the globe have you movin’ and groovin’
while learning!
– Judge
FOR AGES 4 & UP
A Cow Says Moock, Alastair Moock,
FAMILY Moockshake Music, 2010;
FUN
$15; www.moockmusic.com;
ages 2 to 10. Intelligent,
high-energy folk-rock with serious pop!
Moock’s distinctive voice gives pause to
songs about a loving “Two Mommies”
family, a new take on “Belly Buttons”
and even “Spaghetti in My Shoes.”
Eat a Bowl of Cherries, Rhythm Child, The Rhythm Child
Network, 2009; $15; www.rhythmchild.net; ages 0 to 6.
Focusing on the beat, Rhythm Child transforms traditional
songs into new and soulful tracks that inspire us all to stomp
our feet and shake our booties!
Funky Fresh and Sugar Free, Sugar
Free Allstars, Wiser Music, 2010; $12.97;
www.sugarfreeallstars.com; ages 3 to 10.
This album is well produced and speaks
to our inner child. From toy army men
stuffed “In My Pocket” to wild beasts like
a “Tiger in My Backyard,” listeners travel with the fullest
sounding two-man band you’ve ever heard.
Jungle Gym, Justin Roberts, Carpet Square Records, 2010;
$16; www.justinrobertsmusic.com; ages
3 to 9. This album is a master class in
writing and performing “family music”
that doesn’t talk down, around or in too
precious a manner. Parents identify with
Roberts’ musical influences; kids just
plain enjoy it.
The Kids Are All Id, Randy Kaplan,
Randy Kaplan Music, 2010; $12.99$17.99; www.randykaplan.com; ages 4
and up. Do not drink a glass of milk when
listening to these silly songs of zany
11 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
Swimming in Noodles, Jim Cosgrove,
Hiccup Productions, Inc., 2010; $13;
www.jimcosgrove.com; ages 3 to 8. The
album title suits this eclectic mix of
genres, woven together perfectly by
the band’s world sounds. Carefully
constructed lyrics in the song “Just Like
You” provide subtle, poignant lessons on how we’re all equal
no matter where we come from.
Take It Outside, The Okee Dokee Brothers, Okee Dokee
Music, 2010; $15; www.okeedokee.org; ages 3 to 9.
Seamlessly threading bluegrass and rock, this sassy musical
hybrid album reminds us that fantasy
(“The Extraterrestrials”) and fun
(“Auctioneer”) are wherever we are.
“I like this so much ’cause I can
really dance cool to it.”
– Lyon, age 4
FOR AGES 9 & UP
Sunny Day, Elizabeth Mitchell, Smithsonian
Folkways Recordings, 2010; $11.98;
www.folkways.si.edu; ages 9 and up. I fell in love
with this one. Mitchell’s beautiful, endearing
voice draws you into the folk-rock songs. Traditional,
organic instrumentation keeps the thread of classic folk
songs alive.
TOP
PICK
We’re Not Kidding! A Tribute to Barry Louis
BEST
Polisar, various artists, Rainbow Morning
BANG
E
TH
Music,
2010; $14.95;
R
FO
BUCK www.Barrylou.com; ages 9
and up. Polisar gained
legendary status as a sassy songwriter
who treated children with respect.
This massive tribute album (60 tracks)
has been re-imagined, rewritten and
rearranged by some of today’s most
interesting Indie artists.
Software
Video Games
& Websites
By Alex Chisholm
This year’s big story is Xbox 360 Kinect. Microsoft’s
latest innovation eliminates the controller to open
up fully immersive digital play. The early titles we
tested are solid and just a glimpse of what we’ll
see in the future. Another headline: Increasingly
wonderful content is now available online for all
ages and for family gaming.
FOR PRESCHOOL & UP
Tag™ Reading System, LeapFrog® Enterprises, 2008;
$39.99; www.leapfrog.com; ages 4 to 8. Tag brings the printed
page to life with a pad-less, un-tethered pen system that
provides new readers with word-by-word audio support for
more than 40 Tag-enabled books. Youngsters explore words
and images, sound out words and build vocabulary through
games and fun audio. Parents can download additional
content and track their child’s learning
progress online.
“Tag is a terrific
way to supplement a child’s
early reading.”
– Judge
Tag™ Reading System
FOR EARLY ELEMENTARY
STUDENTS
Herotopia, Herotainment, LLC, 2010; free (or
BEST
upgrade with membership, $5.95/ month);
BANG
FOR THE www.herotopia.com; ages 6 to 12. This highly
BUCK engaging virtual world invites youngsters to select
and customize their own Superhero to defeat the Bully Bunch
in settings around the world. Games, such as “Confucius
Challenge,” quiz students on international foods, flags, animals
and landmarks. Herotopia is for parents looking for a safe,
smart and entertaining learning experience for their kids.
Leapster Explorer
Leapster Explorer,
LeapFrog® Enterprises, 2010; $69.99;
www.leapfrog.com; ages 4 to 8. Leapster is a great “first”
handheld for young gamers with a bigger and brighter touch
screen and easy-to-hold stylus. Kids play games, explore
e-books and watch videos that feature such popular characters
as Kai-Lan™, Dora™ and SpongeBob™. Content supports
learning that parents can track, from reading to early skill
development in math, science and social studies.
FOR UPPER ELEMENTARY
STUDENTS
Kinect for Xbox 360, Microsoft,
TOP
FAMILY 2010; $149.99; www.xbox.com; ages 6
and up. Here’s a gaming experience
PICK
FUN
where you don’t have to hold any
controller! With a special motion capture
sensor that sits in front of your television, Kinect for Xbox
360 puts all of you at the center of gameplay. Whether you’re
cresting the white water rapids in Kinect Adventures, kicking
the soccer ball in Kinect
Sports or kart-racing in
Kinect Joy Ride, you feel
the action as you lean, jump,
steer, swing and engage your
entire body in controlling
the game. Our kids testers
LOVED it!
Kinect for Xbox 360
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Square Enix, Inc., 2010;
$39.99; www.kingdomhearts.com; ages 10 and up. Kingdom
Hearts has been a wildly successful game that takes players
through a series of fantastical adventures with new characters,
heroes and villains. Kids play alongside favorite Disney
characters and experience the stories and worlds they know
so well in exciting new ways. In this latest installment for
PSP, players solve the mystery of a missing Keyblade Master.
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 12
The Travels of Wiglington and Wenks Virtual
BEST
World, Wiglington and Wenks Worldwide Pte.,
BANG
FOR THE Ltd., 2009; free (or upgrade with membership,
BUCK
$5.99/month); www.wiglingtonandwenks.com;
ages 7 to 14. Who knew that Marco Polo traveled the globe
with the help of a water rat who navigated by the stars? In
this imaginative and highly engaging virtual world, children
open secret portals, unveil the future and gain unimaginable
powers by unlocking the secrets of Carto Wiglington’s
maps. Players are introduced to important people, places
and topics in history, geography, mythology, science, culture
and more.
“Wiglington and Wenks can inspire kids to
want to learn more about our world: past,
present and future.”
– Judge
FAMILY RESOURCES
KidZui K2 Browser, KidZui:The Internet for
Kids, 2010; free (or upgrade with subscription:
$8/month and $40/annual); www.kidzui.com;
ages 3 and up. This previous NAPPA Gold
winner still sets the standard for providing access to a broad
range of popular kids’ Web sites, while enabling parents to
better track their kids’ Internet usage, explore new resources
to support homework and provide access to exclusive
KidZui content (with membership). The avatar creator tool
and communication features with friends are zippier than
before, and a special filter pulls fun, yet appropriate clips
from YouTube.
KidZui K2 Browser
TOP
PICK
FOR TWEENS & TEENS
Echo Smartpen, Livescribe, 2010;
$169.95 for 4GB, $199.95 for
8GB; www.livescribe.com;
ages 12 and
up. This remarkable
pen is a wonderful tool
for learning how to listen,
take notes and organize
ideas. Simply point the pen
tip to a pre-printed record
button on special paper and
Echo Smartpen
write key points or draw. Echo
captures anything that’s spoken or amplified within earshot,
tying recorded audio to what’s written. Students upload
their recordings, writings and drawings to a computer to
better organize, search and share their notes.
TOP
PICK
“Our high school freshmen testers loved the
ability to just write on paper and move their
content onto their laptops.”
– Judge
13 NOVEMBER 2010 NAPPA.Parenthood.com
Global Agenda, Hi-Rez Studios Inc., 2010; $39.99;
www.globalagendagame.com; ages 13 and up. One of our
edgier entries, Global Agenda is a highly engaging strategy
and action, multiplayer online game for teens. Although the
crude humor and fantasy violence (ESRB Rating T for
Teen) may not be right for all young people, our boy game
testers loved the experience, which took them to the year
2155 and into a world devastated by the Third Great War.
Players collaborate as teams on leveled missions to overtake
an oppressive world government and protect humanity. Our
testers really enjoyed the futuristic weaponry, gadgetry and
richly rendered game world. The game’s first expansion,
Global Agenda: Sandstone, is also available.
Meet NAPPA’s Judges!
TOYS & GAMES – Ellen Metrick is a consultant,
researcher and evaluator for major toy retailers and
manufacturers, advising on toy design and the
impact of play on childhood development. She is
manager of business development at the National
Lekotek Center (www.lekotek.org), a nationwide nonprofit, which focuses on accessible play for children of
all abilities. Peggy Brown, has worked for many of the
world’s biggest toy companies as an inventor, designer,
writer, creative director and consultant. She’s a developer of games and an author of children’s activity
books. Assistant Games Judge Kim Vandenbroucke is
a game inventor and developer, president of Brainy
Chick Inc., and runs TheGameAisle.com, a game
review site.
DVDs – Ranny Levy, founder and president of KIDS
FIRST!® Coalition for Quality Children’s Media
(www.kidsfirst.org), has advocated for quality
children’s media since 1989. KIDS FIRST! evaluates,
rates and reviews children’s programming; produces
the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival; and recently launched a
campaign to find five kids nationwide to become
official KIDS FIRST! Film Critics. Additional judges
include Lauren Longworth and Deborah Cool.
STORYTELLING & SPOKEN WORD – Marilyn McPhie has
been a professional storyteller for 25 years. She is a
state liaison for the National Storytelling Network and
a presenter at festivals and conferences nationwide.
BOOKS & MAGAZINES – Helen Foster James, Ed.D., is a
lecturer at San Diego State University and former
coordinator of library media services for the San
Diego County Office of Education. She’s the author of
S is for S’mores: A Camping Alphabet. Rubin Pfeffer
has held executive positions at several top publishing
companies over the past 30 years, launched Beach
Lane Books in 2008, and recently established the
Boston office of East West Literary Agency, where he
is a partner.
MUSIC – John Wood brings more than 30 years of
expertise to his reviews of children’s music, which
appear in parenting magazines across the country
and on Kidzmusic.com. He has performed more than
8,000 shows with his children’s group, J.P. Nightingale.
In the last two decades, Tor Hyams has produced
more than 50 albums from world-class recording
artists, composed film and television scores, created
live music festivals for children (Kidzapalooza),
launched the Happiness Records family music label,
and written and produced a NAPPA-winning
children’s CD.
SOFTWARE, WEB SITES & VIDEO GAMES – Alex Chisholm
is a media research and development consultant
who recently created games for iCue with NBC News
and produced Generation Cures at Children’s
Hospital Boston. He’s a founding member and
executive director of the Learning Games Network
(www.learninggamesnetwork.org), a nonprofit that
supports innovation in the use of games for learning.
NAPPA.Parenthood.com NOVEMBER 2010 14