I'm not even sure how to being this review because truthfully, I'm still awestruck with the impressive backgrounds of the owners of this fine company. The product they have to offer is extremely unique and I have a feeling these dolls are going to fly right off of the shelves (launched this past summer 2007).
I am talking about KidsGive, LLC and their product, Karito Kids. The message behind these dolls is a big one and it's one that I hope all parents will pass along to their children. The word "Karito" means "charity and love of one's neighbor". The Karito Kids dolls are here to help our children understand just that, to love their neighbors (across the street and across the world).
The importance of these dolls is to help our kids understand that there are others out there less fortunate and they can make a difference in someone's life.
These 21" tall, ethnically accurate, fashion play dolls (approx. age 11) are a child's dream come true (for children ages 6 and up). The five doll's characteristics are truly unique to their ethnicities; Latin, African, Asian, Mediterranean and Caucasian. You're sure to find something to love about each of them, as they each come with their own story book. Your child can learn so much and fall completely in love with them.
One of the best features about the phthalate-free vinyl play dolls is that once you've purchased one, you may log into the Karito Kids website with your child and activate their "donation". Their donation is actually 3% of the retail price of the doll and once activated, goes toward Plan USA and the cause of your child's choice (growing up healthy, learning, habitat or livelihood). You can sign up to receive email updates from Karito Kids and learn where your donation has gone to helping someone in need.
Owners Laura and Lisa graciously guided me through the activation process and showed me the technology side to the Karito Kids. I'm pretty sure I stood there, jaw dropped, as I watched them click through and show me the amazing features of these dolls and their easy-to-navigate website. It's truly incredible how "playing" has become something so interactive for kids with the entire world. There are many ways for our kids to become "best friends" with their Karito Kids' dolls and help those in need at the same time. The dolls, outfits and books are available for purchase HERE or in a store NEAR YOU.
With all that being said, we are very honored to have the opportunity to GIVE AWAY a Karito Kids doll!
Meet Pita Rena Corta. She is from Mexico City, Mexico and LOVES horses. She has a horse named Estrella and you can read about Pita's adventure with Estrella in the story book that comes packaged with her (a $99.95 retail value).
Ok, I'll say it. I'M JEALOUS. I want one of these dolls for my Hailey! But in the spirit of the season, we will gladly give one away. :)
TO ENTER:
Day One Question:
Email us the number of iParentingMedia Outstanding Product Awards Karito Kids have received in 2007. (Hint: click HERE). Send the email to mumsthewurd[at]gmail[dot]com with Karito Kids in the subject line.
*This contest is part of our "Games for Giving" series.
Contest ends on Sunday, December 2nd at 10 pm.
You are allowed to enter ONCE every day that this contest is running pending the following rules.
*DAILY ENTRY RULES:
Check out MTW DAILY for new product reviews during the Games for Giving Series which will run for the next seven days (new prize each day).
Each day, a new Karito Kids' question will be posted on our site. To be eligible for a daily entry to win Pita, you will have to submit a new email to the above email address with the new answer (and Karito Kids in the subject line). Your email MUST BE RECEIVED on the same date as the corresponding day's question.
Emails received on a different date than the corresponding question will not qualify. By the end, you will have up to 12 chances to win her!
***An email with the answer to the question above (Day one) will be accepted at any time for the duration of the contest. So if you're visiting late, you still have at least one chance to win her.
***This contest is open to the U.S. only (sorry about that, other countries!)***
*I will ship out the doll so the winner will receive her before the Christmas holiday (12/25)
GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! =)
Lindie and Friends are adorably different. They're definitely not your ordinary doll! They're tailored to bring out your child's imagination. Handmade of soft fleece, each Lindie doll is huggable, hand washable, outfitted in the coolest retro fabric and unique!
Lindie & Friends came straight out of the imagination of the creator's head. Kara Lesondak has always had a passion for toys and remembered as a young child, drawing these odd-shaped characters, much like her dolls are patterned after today.
Kara has also started her own not-for-profit organization that is incomparable-Crafty Kids. She teaches her doll-making skills to a group of children at a school in New York, where she resides. Those children then travel to Kenya to teach other children how to make dolls. Those dolls are then sold, and the profits from sales go directly to the school in Kenya. Ten percent of the sales from Lindie and Friends goes toward
Crafty Kids.
These fun and crafty dolls come in all colors and shapes. Find one that looks like your child, or one that you just like! Pictured is Noel with his Joey doll, and Hailey with Beatrice. Both of them love to hug these squishy cuties. As you can see, Hailey and Bea are doing one of Bea's favorite activities, going down the slide (click on each doll's picture to see what they like to do). Unfortunately, Noel does not have a kazoo, but we'll be picking one up soon for Joey, so he can practice. Pick up one of these cool little dolls for that special kid in your life!
PLAJAPETS! Plajapets are the quirky and loveable new plush toys created by Jason Johnson and Adam Kittelson. "What's so different about Plajapets?" you might be wondering. Well, these imaginative toys have removeable (magnetized) heads and tails, so your tot can get crazy and mix up his or her pets! Ever heard of a panragold? How about a bunfida? A goldait? No? But they're right here! 
Plajapets are super soft and cuddly, and come in a variety of "species" (you'll see the other three currently available in this post soon!). There are six different animals available currently, with six more coming soon! My only warning though, is if your child is pretty young, you may find your Plajapet with a missing head or tail...these smaller parts seem to go MIA pretty easily around the house, but luckily, we've manajed to keep all our pets with heads and tails fully intact, so far (just not at ALL times).
Can't decide what pet you want? Why don't you order three, and Jason & Adam will throw the other three in for FREE?!! That's almost a $40 savings! Just type Mums The Wurd in the comments section of checkout, and they'll throw the whole crew into your order. This discount is valid until October 30th.
Enjoy some Plajapets today!
More recalls in the news this week. My nerves are just about shot with all of this "Made in China" nonsense. As a mother of a toddler, it's my responsibility to educate myself on what she's got in her precious little hands. I've just been sick about all of these recalls, considering quite a few of her toys are from Fisher Price and "made in China". My husband and I have seriously contemplated just throwing everything out. Why don't we then? We're trying to remain calm and just make conscious decisions on the toys we buy from now on.
Thankfully, we found a company by the name of "Natural Pod" out of Vancouver. Natural Pod owners, Bridgitte and her husband are parents of two and make very well sure that their little ones are playing with safe toys. Are you going to pay a little bit more for these natural or wooden toys? Maybe in some cases but you have to ask yourself what is more important, a ton of flashy plastic toys in toy box that may be hazardous to your child's health or a few good quality toys that they will be just as happy with? I think I'll go with the obvious decision here.
If you take a look at Natural Pod's website, you'll see they have natural products ranging from the baby stages to school-age children. For instance, they have this fun wool fruit you see pictured to the left. An interesting texture for your baby to touch and soft enough for your toddler to toss around.
They also carry adorable natural baby dolls. Hailey has a pouchy doll that she totes around all over the place. Little girl's LOVE 
baby dolls, especially soft ones like the pouchy dolls. These dolls are filled with wool. Did you know that wool is naturally an anti-bacterial?
Wooden cars and trucks for the boys, clothing, bikes and musical instruments. Natural Pod has a huge selection of items and you can rest assure that there are no harmful ingredients in their products.
So, let's get back to the basics, shall we? We here at MTW really want to raise awareness about lead paint and these unsafe, exported children's toys and we'd love to involve you.
We are giving away a $100 gift certificate to Natural Pod's online store.
To enter this contest, here are the steps you need to take:
1. Leave us a comment on this post with your contact information (i.e. email address) so we can contact you if you win.
If you'd like to, go ahead and leave your thoughts and feelings on the recent toy recalls. We will compile all of your comments and submit them to the FDA (under Docket 2009N-0330) to be taken to a meeting held by the Bush Administration on October 1st. We need to be heard and they are giving us this opportunity, so let's take advantage. If you'd rather not, that's fine too, you can still enter, we'll just leave your comment out.
If you'd like to link up to this contest on your site, here are a couple of button codes for you:
This contest will end on Wednesday, September 19th at 10:00pm CST.
Good luck!
Last year, my in-laws bought Hailey the Neurosmith "Together Tunes Sing Along" block. She LOVES it!
This giant, soft cube plays numerous nursery rhyme favorites, such as:
The itsy bitsy spider, the wheels on the bus and five little monkeys to name a few.
All you do is give it a little tap and it starts to play a song. It has a weasel that you can make "pop" out, a spider that you can pull out, wheels that actually turn and animals that squeak. Here is my lovely toddler, at 11 months old, modeling the size of the block:
The Together Tunes Sing Along Block was rated by Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products for 2005, Top Creative Toys Awards - Preferred Choice. Unfortunately, I do not believe Neurosmith carries this particular block anymore. However, there are several other blocks just like it that would be just as much fun, I'm sure. If you go onto Ebay and/or Amazon.com, you can most likely find the block I'm reviewing here.
I highly suggest checking out the Small World Toys website and taking a look at all of the other great early learning toys they offer.
as my husband's been working on his ebay store & his own blog, he came across this very cool doll maker. she won me over with her username, veruka salt, and then i saw this!
isn't it cute??? she does specialty items too. noel's got a tv doll coming to him soon! go & check her out and get yourself a kooky doll of your own.