During Oscar weekend, I had an opportunity to get an inside look on the ultimate star treatment during Jayneoni Moore’s Pre Oscar Studio.  Also known as the Boom Boom Room, this is the ultimate gifting suite for celebrities and their families and featured some of the latest products for moms and tots.  During the suite, I had an opportunity to speak with several brand representatives and even managed to get a few items to review.  So apart from the fact that these items are deemed “must haves,” I thought I’d share my personal experience for those of you looking for fabulous and functional products.

I’ve attended two other events hosted by Jayneoni Moore, and she truly is the expert on the best products for families.  When she’s not planning her hugely popular Hollywood showcases, she’s busy designing childrenswear.  Jayneoni Moore New York is “a collection of sophisticated, classic, fashion inspired clothing for little girls sizes 2t to 6t.”  While the line has not officially launched, you can see a preview on her site.  And…this spring, the style expert is planning to open Plum’s Imaginaporium, “an indoor children’s wonderland playcenter and gorgeous party destination.”  I can’t wait to see it!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing detailed reviews of some of my favorite companies represented at the event. But here is a preview:

Spanx:  I haven’t left the house without shapewear in 3 1/2 years.  And while there are dozens of shapewear companies on the market (many of which I’ve reviewed here on my site), I still find Sarah Blakely’s Assets line to be my favorite in terms of comfort and shaping.  The company recently launched a swimwear line, complete with built-in shaping to provide control where you need it most.  They also have Spanx for Men…I’ll let you read all about that! : ) Review pending.

Baby Gourmet:  My daughter is in that in-between phase where she wants to eat “real” food, but isn’t eating enough of it to sustain her.  Thus, we’re still mixing it up with baby food.  While I’ve dabbled in homemade baby food, I have stopped feeling guilty about using store-bought baby food.  My daughter actually doesn’t like most store brands.  However, when I gave her one of the purees, she ate about half of it.  I think she enjoyed feeding herself, and while it was messy, it kept her entertained.  Baby Gourmet’s 100% organic baby food is available in 3 stages and free from added sugar, salt, thickeners, or fillers.  It’s only available in Canada at present, but you can order it in bulk online. Review pending.

Playpants:  I can’t believe I have yet to get my daughter a pair of bloomers! Playpants are the “original modern bloomers” for children ages 0-3.  These Canadian made bloomers are made from 100% cotton, cotton/linen, or 100% GOTS certified organic cotton/recycled hemp, are available in modern prints and solids, and suitable for boys and girls.  They’re available in select US boutiques, in Canada, and online. Review pending.

Turtle Toppy: Protect your little ones in style with Turtle Toppy’s stroller and car seat covers. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to throw a blanket over my infant daughter to keep her warm and germ-free.  Unlike blankets, these covers include a breathable mesh, are available in adorably hip fabrics, and designed to fit car seats and strollers to at T. Review pending.

HippMAMA:  I laughed when I heard that Shannon Wyszynski, the creator of The HippMAMA tool belt stuffed pacifiers and cell phones in her bra because I can totally relate!  These days, with the scare of breast cancer, I stuff the cell phone elsewhere (as in the black hole that is my purse) but still continue to house the pacifier in my bra, despite the odd stares from strangers.  Fortunately, busy moms can have everything at their fingertips with the HippMAMA toolbelt.  While I would need a diaper bag for a day out with the kids, the toolbelt is perfect for short trips to the store or the park.  Review pending.

School Zone:  I truly believe that parents are the best educators of their children.  But sometimes, it’s nice to have a little assistance.  School Zone has been producing children’s educational products for over thirty years.  The company recently added iBook titles for the iPad to their collection of age-appropriate workbooks, software, and flash cards. Review pending.

Dapple:  The line of natural-based cleaning products was founded by two moms who wanted an effective solution for cleaning those items that go into a child’s mouth.  The entire line of dish, laundry, and toy/surface cleaners are free from phtalates, parabens, dyes, and SLES. Review pending.

Toe Blooms:  Dress up those adorable tootsies with the perfect accessory! I think Toe Blooms ties for cutest baby product.  Wear them on bare feet or over socks.  Review pending.

Little Diva Tutus:  Every little girl deserves a tutu.  And while there are a number of adorable options, none are as moving as those inspired by Layla Grace.  Perhaps you followed her story…  Her mother designed a bright, colorful layered tutu in celebration of her daughter who lost her battle to cancer. Little Diva Tutus donates $15 for each tutu sold to the Layla Grace Children’s Cancer Research Foundation.  Review pending.

Skinfix:  Lotions, creams, and pastes are abundant.  But Skinfix’s secret formula, comprised of minerals, botanical extracts, vitamins, and other natural ingredients, promises to fix it.  Diaper rash? Chapped lips? New tattoo?  Skinfix will fix it! Review pending.

Lil Kiddies Creations:  The adorable children’s boutique offers custom onesies with original applique, headband and bootie sets.  They also offer “Lil Parties” concepts for your child’s next birthday party or special event.

My Little Pony:  They’ve undergone a makeover but continue to delight little girls across the country. Children can engage in a world of pretend play by collecting all six friends. Review pending.

Exederm:  If your child suffers from eczema, dermatitis or sensitive skin, Exederm may just be the solution.  The line, which includes a baby bath, lotion, oil, shampoo, and moisturizer is free from fragrance, parabens, lanolin, dyes, propylene glycol, SLS, and phthalates. Review pending.

PaigeLauren:  The ultra comfy, chic children’s wear line features soft fabrics, classic cuts, and a bold palette.  Right now, you can save 50-75% off their Fall/Winter line.  I spotted dresses for $9.00 and bodysuits/rompers for $7.00.  Review pending.

Babybot:  With over 1,000 of the trendiest baby products on the market, Babybot seeks to offer a unique shopping experience.  The products are modern and beautifully designed. Go ahead and take a peek…you’ll love what you see!

Like Book:  I love the idea of a book that tells my child each thing I “like” about him/her.  I think children need to hear and see how much we adore them…everything about them…from their laugh to their dimples.  The concept is simple, yet profound and the company is aiming to change the world, one “like” at a time. Review pending.

LeapFrog:  The “leading designer, developer and marketer of innovative, technology-based educational products” gifted celebrities and their children with the Shapes & Sharing Picnic Basket and Count & Scan Shopper, emphasizing the importance of active, imaginative play.

Cutie Covers:  This is no ordinary blanket. These chic, cozy covers keep your baby warm and germ-free.  They attach securely to the car seat and can double as a blanker. Review pending.

DiaperBuds: Have children, will travel. These individually wrapped and vacuum sealed diapers fit conveniently into your purse or pocket for those times when you need it most.

Zoe Organics:  The company strives to offer products for moms and tots made from pure, organic ingredients.  Check out their Baby Balm, which can be used anywhere to help heal dry, chapped skin.

The Sugar Fairy Bakeshop:  Who knew that such beautifully handcrafted desserts could melt in your mouth.  Their baked goods are made with the freshest ingredients.  There is no dieting here!

Wean Green:  Carry your tots favorite snack or freeze some of that homemade baby food in their eco-friendly Wean Cubes.  Made from 100% recyclable glass, these containers can withstand fire heat and ice!

Colortime:  Tired of throwing away your child’s art projects? Check out Colortime’s wearable, usable crafts including backpacks, pillow cases and t-shirts.  Tip: This would make a great birthday party activity. Review pending.

Oh Baby:  The company’s baby care line includes a lotion, wash, bubble bath, sunscreen and diaper cream made with  natural ingredients, including antioxidants, vitamins, and soothing anti-inflammation botanicals.

Lollacup: When it’s time to ditch the bottle, transition your tot to this eco-friendly, valve-free, straw cup, suitable for infants over the age of 9 months. Review pending.

Smart Mom Jewelry:  Only a mom could design something as fashionable and functional as teething jewelry.  I rarely wear real jewelry for the same reason she developed the line.  They’re fashionable, chewable, and most importantly, they stay put!  Review.

No compensation was received for this post. I received samples from several of the companies listed above.

My son is at an age where he actually comprehends the basics of simple games.  I have fond memories of playing board games with my family and I’ve always envisioned a regular game night in our household when our children are old enough to participate.  I find it difficult to identify games targeted towards preschoolers.  While they’re not able to read yet, they’re still capable of following the basic instructions of a simple game.

MEGA Brands, a company that offers innovative products for children and families, offers several games targeted towards preschoolers.  These games incorporate the bloks they’re famous for to provide an interactive learning experience.  My son and I have been playing Mega Bloks Domino Build, a game that uses simple domino and building concepts to introduce children to colors, numbers, animals, and matching.  The game is relatively easy and has children collect bloks after matching the domino tiles.  The first player to collect all 4 parts of their animal blok wins.  The game is enjoyable, educational and perfect for preschoolers.  Throughout the game, I like to ask my son what the names of each animal are and use that time to provide a little education about them.  It’s a great way to educate children in an informal way. Domino Build retails for $10.99 and is available on Amazon.

Photo Credit: MEGA Brands

MEGA Brands recently launched their new Mega Bloks Family Club, a place where parents can come together for information and resources.  The website includes a blog which features articles on the benefits of construction toys, product reviews, and more.  Members receive a free newsletter filled with new building ideas and new Mega Bloks toys, a printable coupon for $5 off any $30 or more purchase, and exclusive offers, contests, and promotions.  You can join the club for free here.

Win It! One of you will win a Mega Bloks Domino Build Game. Simply leave me a comment with something useful you found on the site.  Comments will close on March 19th at 11:59 PM PST.

US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Products for review and giveaway were supplied by the company via Team Mom.

This year, Chuggington, the popular preschool show on Playhouse Disney, is launching new ways for children to bring the characters home.  Along with their play sets and games, they’ve launched a series of books based on the show in partnership with Scholastic.

New books always arouse excitement in our home.  My son loves books and while he definitely has his favorites, it’s nice to introduce new content to further his reading skills. The five books being introduced are geared towards preschoolers (which is also the target audience for the show) and include two board books, two colorful story books, and a sticker book.  Here is a brief summary of what’s to come:

The Chugger Championship follows Wilson and Koko as they complete the big train race.

All Around Chuggington is an interactive lift-the-flap board book that will teach your child about colors, numbers, animals, and more.

Welcome to Chuggington introduces children to the entire traintastic crew.

Let’s Ride the Rails is a sticker book where children use their imagination to complete the scenes.  It’s actually my son’s favorite of the five books being released.

Wilson and the Ice Cream Fair follows Frostini and Wilson as they deliver ice cream.

Children who know and love the show will enjoy following the trains of Chuggington on their adventures.  The pictures in the books are authentic and there is consistency throughout the books with the show.  Action and adventure drive the story lines, but it’s important to note that Chuggington aims to strengthen social-emotional skills and offer life lessons on friendship, respect, and truth-telling.  Overall, my son enjoyed the entire set of books.  He’s 3 1/2 and still enjoys board books, however, I feel that he’s most challenged by the story books. We’re both excited to see the number of books expand this year.

Win It! One of you will win all 5 Chuggington books from Scholastic.  Simply leave me a comment with something you like about the show.  Comments will close on January 29, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.  US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Books for review and giveaway supplied by the company.

In the town of Chuggington, Wilson, Brewster, and Koko “learn to ride the rails of life.”  The show, which debuted at the beginning of this year, houses positive life lessons designed to promote social readiness skills in preschoolers across the world.  Since it’s US debut, it’s become a favorite in our household.  Unlike other train-themed shows, Chuggington’s appeal to my preschooler is in the story lines, the humor, and of course the trains.

As the popularity of the show continues to grow, children want more Chuggington.  My son can now follow the adventures of Wilson, Brewster and Koko as they pick up stones at the quarry and deliver them to a farm in their latest book, Delivery Day by Publications International (retails for $14.99).  The colorful, hardback book features a movable steering wheel as well as sounds and the theme song from the show.  The sounds really add to the dynamic of retelling the story.  It’s highly interactive and together, my son and I can continue working on our reading with characters he knows and adores.

I find that my son learns best through play.  The new Chuggington Matching Game from I Can Do That! Games features the colorful trains from the popular preschool show.  It’s a fun take on the classic game of picture matching that will help preschoolers with memory, object identification, and of course, matching.  The game features 72 tiles and retails for $5.99 (perhaps a stocking stuffer?).

Both Delivery Day and the Matching Game are available at Toys R Us.

Through the end of December, you can enter to win Chuggington prizes including books, die-cast trains, and UK-exclusive interactive trains.  Just visit the Chuggington Cheer Sweepstakes daily to enter.

In other traintastic news, Chuggington has been named a finalist in the “Property of the Year” category in the Toy Industry Association’s Toy of the Year Awards (TODTYs).  You can have a say by voting for Chuggington.

Win It! One of you will win a traintastic holiday prize package (but please note that it won’t arrive until after the holidays) which will include Delivery Day, the Chuggington Matching Game, two die-cast trains from Learning Curve, a Launch and Go Roundhouse Playset, and a Straight and Curve Track Pack (ARV $75).  Simply leave me a comment with your favorite feature on Chuggington.com.  Comments will close on January 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  US Residents only.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one. Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow Chuggington on Twitter/Facebook (be sure to mention Rockin’ Mama sent you for credit)

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Review and giveaway items supplied by the company.

Who would have guessed that an animated series, sans dialogue, would be so appealing to preschoolers?  I wasn’t even sure my son would get it. But as we were watching, my son started telling me why Timmy was so sad during one of the episodes.  And then he started waking up early to watch it!   Here is a little more information about the show from the site:

Timmy Time follows the adventures of Timmy, a little lamb with a lot to learn as he enters preschool. Fans of Aardman’s hit children’s series Shaun the Sheep will recognize Timmy as the baby lamb on the farm who is frequently drawn into all kinds of chaotic adventures by the mischievous older sheep. Used to having his way by being “the only lamb in the flock,” Timmy is now heading to preschool to graze on some important life lessons about playing nicely with others, namely his fellow classmates of the furry, feathered and spiky types.

Timmy Time really requires that children watch and think about what’s going on, as opposed to shows that children can “watch” without really watching them. In reality, it’s more accurate to portray animals that don’t speak.  Timmy Time uses “expressive character animation, gesture and reactions, comedy and slapstick, bleats, quacks, oinks, and the like” to portray everything from snacking and napping to painting and making music.  You can imagine that the storylines must be relatively simple for a preschooler to “get it,” however, children will watch as Timmy and his friends help someone in need and show respect to others.

Timmy Time’s Halloween-themed episode airs on Monday, October 25th at 7:00 am and 11:00 am with repeat airings on the 29th at 11:00 am and the 31st at 5:30 am (eek!).

For more information regarding the show, or to see when it’s on in your area, just visit their website.

No compensation was received for this post.  We received screeners but you can watch the episodes on Playhouse Disney!

Earlier this week, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Sesame Street released two new educational games for preschoolers:  Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure and Sesame Street: Cookie’s Counting Carnival.  The games, which are based on the television series, encourage early literacy and math skills.  My preschooler has yet to play either the Wii or the DS, simply because he doesn’t have the dexterity to do so.  Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Sesame Street addressed that gap by introducing kid-friendly “gameplay helpers” to simplify gameplay controls with the goal of helping children understand which buttons to push on the remote.  They’re designed to resemble Cookie Monster and Elmo, which was definitely appealing to my son.

Here is a quick summary of the two games:

Elmo and Zoe head to the zoo in Sesame Street: Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure, where they explore exciting zoo habitats and play games based on a variety of literacy skills. Players learn such skills as letter identification, letter sounds and word families in the Aquarium, Savanna, Jungle, Wetlands and Arctic habitats.

In Sesame Street: Cookie’s Counting Carnival, kids join Cookie Monster and Big Bird at a fun-filled carnival with gameplay steeped in math skills, including number identification, counting, shapes and pattern recognition.

Last week, we had the privilege of being the invited guests of Warner Bros. Studios for a media preview of Sesame Street’s new video games.  While the adults ate lunch and received a demo, the kids had an opportunity to try out the DS versions.  When I picked up my son, he was sitting quietly playing Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure.  My son rarely sits quietly for anything so I know that he enjoyed the game.

Dr. Rosemarie Truglio, the Vice President of Education and Research at Sesame Workshop, led an interesting discussion about how the games were developed.  Dr. Truglio is responsible for the development of Sesame Street’s interdisciplinary curriculum and oversees all educational research related to the development of the show’s content.  The developers wanted to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of children while focusing on literacy and numeracy.  Recognizing that the needs of children change over time, they developed both games to include three different levels.  Once a child’s profile has been created, the game will retain that info for future play.

One of the most important aspects of the game is that is designed to be played with your children.  Sesame Workshop believes that media platforms should be shared with children, rather than serving as a babysitter (and I agree!).  The games possess a Parental Assist Mode that allows the use of a second Wii-Remote to assist the child through the game without taking the remote away from the child.  Preschool children like my son, strive to be autonomous, even if they’re not necessarily mature enough to do everything on their own.  The game was designed to be challenging but not frustrating. Parents can use those moments when a child answers a question wrong as a learning opportunity.

I didn’t get a chance to get hands on with the DS or Wii versions because I opted to go on a tour of  Warner Bros. Studios and Museum.  But we’re scheduled to receive the Wii version so I’ll update you on our experience soon!

Cookie’s Counting Carnival and Elmo’s A-to-Zoo Adventure are available now for Wii, DS, and PC.  You can save 10% when you enter the code MOMMY on their website (valid through December 20)

No compensation was received for this post.  I was invited to a media preview, courtesy of Warner Bros. and Sesame Workshop.

Some of the other bloggers had an opportunity to attend a live taping (you should check out what they had to say!) at their new home (Stage 13 on the Paramount Lot) but my kiddos are just too young to be quiet for any length of time. We did have an opportunity to tour the set and meet the members.  Here are some of the pictures from the event:

The Fresh Beat Band is currently in their second season of production.  Tomorrow, their Earth Day-themed episode “Bubble Blast” premieres in which the entire neighborhood cleans the street for Clean and Green Day.  The Fresh Beats use discarded woodwind instruments and cleaning supplies to build a bubble-making, music-cleaning machine that allows them to clean the street and play music at the same time.  We’ve already seen it and I can tell you my son and I were grooving and dancing as we watched it.  I like how the show incorporates music and dance into their problem-solving episodes.  You can watch The Fresh Beat Band weekdays at 1:30 pm ET/PT on Nickelodeon.  And if you’re planning on attending the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA this weekend, they’ll be performing both Saturday and Sunday at 10 am on the Target Children’s Stage (the event is free but be sure to check the website for details).

I did not receive compensation for this post.  We were guests on the Paramount Lot for lunch, a tour, and photo opportunities.

KinderCare Learning Centers also offers a Summer Camp, developed in partnership with teachers. KinderCare Summer Camp surveyed 3,000 kids to find out how they like to spend their summers.  The consensus was that kids want adventures, arts and crafts, and trips.  I take my son a lot of places and I know that when we have to stay home, he isn’t totally happy about it.  KinderCare Learning Centers developed 12 unique week-long camps with themes like Wild Wild West, Wilderness 101, Dig Ancient Egypt, You’ve Got Talent, Puppeteer Road Show, Gross & Gooey Science, Spectacular Sports, Animal Antics, Science Adventures, Art Expo, Kids’ Kitchen, Splish Splash, Surfs Up!, and Everday Heroes.  Last summer, my son caught the tale end of their summer camp and really enjoyed the water play days.  Because the themes are a week long, parents are offered the flexibility to sign their children up for as few or as many sessions as they’d like.

My son and I have had the opportunity to personally experience KinderCare Learning Centers and I can attest to how caring their teachers are.  My son new his teachers by name and would ask for them.  We’re planning on putting him back once cold & flu season is over.

There are 1700 KinderCare Learning Centers within 39 states (including DC) and offer a variety of educational programs and after-school care for infants (6 weeks old) to school-aged children (up through the age of 12).  The centers are accredited as an early childhood provider and are run by specially trained, passionate teachers who fully embrace a balanced approach to learning.  KinderCare Learning Centers aim to educate and entertain children within nurturing environment, and encourage strong communication between families and teachers.  I really like how my son would get a progress sheet on the day’s activities every day he was there.  I knew what he ate, how many diapers he had, what he learned and how he interacted with the kids.

For more information on KinderCare Learning Centers, just visit their website.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of KinderCare and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.  However, we have had my son at a learning center for almost one year.

I actually find shopping for toys to be a little difficult, given the sheer number of them available.  Even when I narrow it down by age and gender, I’m still left with way too many choices. So I’m left looking for other characteristics such as safety, price, and overall lasting value.  JAKKS Pacific designs, develops and produces toys for children.  You are probably familiar with brands such as Discovery Kids and Girl Gourmet.  Stay tuned as I will have another post with some awesome fun and educational toys offered by JAKKS Pacific.

If you’re looking to teach your child about science and animals, Discovery Kids toys make the perfect gift.  The Scanopedia Electronic Talking Encyclopedia is an interactive way to get children excited about animals while teaching them fun facts.  I’ve never seen a toy like this, so I was highly impressed with the way it works.  Who would have thought that any toy with the word “encyclopedia” in it, would be fun?  But my son really enjoys it.  

The electronic scanner can be used on the Smart Animals (which are sold separately) to hear special effects and learn unique facts about that particular animal. You can use the Scanopedia by itself to reveal information about animals and maps through activities and games, and with the included interactive poster (which is HUGE by the way).  The Scanopedia is truly an encyclopedia with over 2,500 sound effects, facts and quizzes and more than 200 animals to learn about.    

The Scanopedia and Smart Animals can be used with children for years as they grow and develop.  Right now my son particularly enjoys talking and playing with his Smart Animals.  He also really likes when we scan the map together and hear interesting animal sounds.  As he gets older, he’ll enjoy the games and quizzes.

The Scanopedia Electronic Talking Animal Encyclopedia retails for $29.99 and Smart Animals retail for $4.99-$12.99.  Both are available at retailers such as Toys R Us and Walmart.

For more fabulous Holiday Gift Ideas, visit The Mommy-Files

Reading is one of the most educational activities I can do with my son at this age.  His brain is taking in every experience and I do as much as I can to foster that.  If you are looking for some books to help prepare your child for school, Candlewick Press has an excellent assortment of titles for a variety of ages.

My son loves books that engage his senses.  Maisy Goes To School, by Lucy Cousins, follows Maisy the mouse on an adventurous day at school.  Here is a little summary about the book from the site:

School’s in session and it’s time for Maisy — and her readers — to have fun. As they watch Maisy spend an eventful day at school, little ones can pull the tabs and lift the flaps to help Maisy paint some pictures, write a story, add and subtract, and even dance like a ballerina. Toddlers who are crazy for Maisy will love going to school with their favorite mouse!

The hardcover book comes in both a full and mini size, so children can bring it with them in their backpacks if they’d like.  My son loves the pull tabs and flaps (those are his favorite kinds of books).  Maisy really portrays the school day as a fun, positive experience.  Interactive books are always the most entertaining for my son.  I spend a lot of time asking him questions about what’s going on in the story to get him to talk as well. We actually received both the larger version and the mini version (during BlogHer) and I think it’s great for children to carry the mini version with them if for nothing more than just comfort.  The book is geared towards toddlers and preschoolers.

Cornelius P. Mud, Are You Ready for School? conveys a similar message geared towards children ages 2 to 5.  It’s a simpler story about preparing for school.  Here is a summary from the site:

It’s time for school. Is Cornelius P. Mud up? Sure he is! The plucky pig has even made his bed, put on his clothes, and eaten his breakfast. But with Cornelius, things are never quite as they seem. Despite his clowning around, Cornelius does make his way through his morning routine and out to the bus stop — where readers are in for a big surprise! Barney Saltzberg is back with a second comical story about a single-mindedly silly pig. Kids who aim to do things their way — and what child doesn’t? — will squeal with pleasure at Cornelius’s merry morning mayhem.

If you’re looking for a book that will help prepare your child while showing them how easy preparing for school can be, this is a great book. We actually have another Cornelius P. Mudd book and I appreciate the gorgeous illustrations and simple way the author conveys each story’s message.  And I love that the author promotes a child’s individuality.  Children at this age (toddlers and preschoolers) are asserting their independence and I think that as long as they’re being appropriate, it’s ok to do things “their own way.”

These are just two of at least 10 titles that will help your child prepare for school.  Most are very reasonably priced.  Check them out on Candlewick Press.

For more fabulous Back to School Ideas, visit Mommy Mandy & Mommy Goggles!