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 Top Value Presents For Babies & Older Kids
by
Avani Agarwal
and
Kids will enjoy these books, DVDs and accessories before they hit the road. Want to raise a little travel bug? Hoping to spread some of your enthusiasm for the new and the different? Here are some of this year's books, DVDs and toys -- all learning presents to introduce infants, preschoolers and elementary school children to the pleasure of exploring the world beyond home. Presents to Share with Babies & Toddlers
Join Babar, Celeste and the rest of family as they pack up and leave Celesteville to travel to Europe, Asia, Mexico, South America, Egypt and Antarctica. On the way, they learn a few words in other languages, and visit landmarks from Red Square in Russia to Machu Picchu in Peru. Watch the gang as they take a ride in a gondola and master the use of chopsticks. In a special promotion (read more here), families who join Family Travel Forum this month will have a chance to win one of this master illustrator's beautiful Babar prints.
Babies get such a kick from playing peek-a-boo as well as from recognizing their image. Just slide a photo of your baby into the slot on the back cover of these books, and she becomes a main character as she visits a farm or gets ready for bed. A flap on the bottom of each page covers her face and then allows her to appear. She'll want to see this again and again. This personalized board book is perfect for toddlers.
Taking this concept to the next level, Kideo enables your kids to become characters in personalized videos based on such popular characters as Arthur, Baby Genius, CareBears, Dora the Explorer, Gregory and Spiderman. All you need to do is supply a photo of your child either via mail or by uploading it through their website, and he or she takes on the persona or interacts with their idols. In most of the videos your kids will hear their name spoken in the dialogue. The DVDs cost $39.95 and are ordered through their site.
Planning to take a trip with your children and want to help them get ready? Some traveling parents have created the Shae by Air DVD Tool Kit for toddlers, offering an entertaining and easy-to-understand video to prepare them for being good travelers, under the premise that “children, even small ones, have the ability to understand what to expect and what is expected of them and, with that, the ability to be respectful, good little travelers”. Our reviewer’s 2-year-old daughter was bored with the video, but his 5 year-old daughter was somewhat intrigued; as a seasoned flyer, she liked what she saw. Child development specialists aided the filmmakers in describing travel to eliminate the fear factor which often leads to tantrums and unpleasant behavior. The kit includes the video covering topics such as the airport, security, the airplane cabin, ear popping and air travel etiquette; as well as an airplane “music video;” two luggage tags; and a packing list to help kids prepare for the big adventure. FTF's reviewer strongly recommends the Tool Kit for a child who is about to take a first trip. Order the kit at www.goodlittletraveler.com for $19.99.
Another take on this topic is provided by the folks at Tot-A-Doodle-Do. Their “Transportation” DVD and attached craft activity will prepare your 3 to 7-year-olds for traveling by car, train or plane (while reducing some of your stress). Features include a real airline pilot who answers questions from children about flying, and offers tips of behavior while they are in flight. Kids participate by singing and dancing, pretending to drive different vehicles and planning what to pack. The craft project, to make a cardboard train, can be done with basic supplies. While our reviewer’s 2-year-old was too young to be interested, he thought his 5-year-old would have stayed more focused on the activities if she were watching with other kids. He recommends that you have the supplies on hand for the craft project before you start to watch. The entire series (including “Family and Friends,” “Your Body,” “Music,” “Animals” and “School”) can be ordered through www.totadoodledo.com for $19.95 with the craft project, and $14.95 without it. Gifts for School-Age Children There's cover to cover adventure in the well crafted suspense novel, The Criminal in the Caymans, written with the kids in mind. It is sure to capture their hearts and imaginations, while its many twists and turns will undoubtedly keep their eyes firmly fixated within its 88 pages.
Heroism comes in the form of two young twins, Max and Sam, who sweat and strive to escape trouble, danger and mysteries shadowing every step their little feet make. Black and white illustrations add visual eye-candy, while further building upon the plot's fast-paced, action packed vibe. Forget about the hassles of traveling with kids -- after a few words into this novel your kids will be hooked, right where they are. Connie Lee Berry continues her exciting saga with Treasure in Tahiti, the much anticipated sister novel to "The Criminal in the Caymans." Max and Sam can only begin to wonder what lies ahead. But take our word for it, this story unfolds in a manner unlike any piece of adolescent literature in the market. Imagination is desired -- though not required -- to experience the entire scope, density and richness of this novel. If your family enjoyed these tales from Connie Lee Berry, keep your eyes open for Adventure In Africa. When it's published, I'm sure the kids will welcome this exotic complimentary tale. Priced at only $3.49 each, they're well worth the investment. To purchase these fun adventure stories by mail, just click on their titles and you'll soon have a great little car trip gift.
If you and your family are planning to take an Eastern adventure in China, this book will be your kids’ perfect companion. Your school-aged children are introduced to four Chinese friends who travel with them from historical Beijing to scenic Lhasa. From calligraphy to traditional recipes, the four children provide interesting facts and stories to their young readers, while inculcating them with information about the ethnicities and history of China. Each child takes you to a different region, introduces its religion and the various festivals and languages. This book is a great learning source to share with your kids and will prove to be a perfect fit in their library.
This book invites your children on a traditional journey to the oldest civilization in the world. Here they will explore the diversity of the country of festivals, varied religions and castes with three companions: Shubha, Jyoti and Bhagat. Shubha lives in South India and likes visiting temples and wants to be a classical dancer, Jyoti lives in Kolkata and wants to learn different languages, while Bhagat lives in a poor village in North India and is greatly affected by the caste system. Each child introduces different customs, cuisines and Indian costumes. Through colorful photographs and illustrations, this book also addresses Indian cinema, gender issues and the essence and meaning of Hinduism. All in all, this book will provide you and your child with all you need to know before and during your trip to India.
“What is the largest continent,” you might ask, as the family hovers over the brightly-colored Around The World board game. Sure the box says for children 8 and older, but all ages will welcome this distraction. The answers to some questions came easy, however, for others you'll have to rack our brains for grammar-school knowledge of geography, the continents, and important historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and the Wright brothers. The object of this board game is to travel around the world by answering questions correctly, and gaining tokens to fill your “Global Scorecard.” Players roll the dice to move, and navigate their “travels” through the spaces they land on. The question cards are divided into four major categories: Language, Culture and Customs, People and Places, and Geography; some deal with modern people and trends such as Princess Diana and sushi. There are two other elements of the game: World Bank cards, and World Wonder spaces. Eight-year-olds may find certain questions such as “Which is the official language spoken in Taiwan?” challenging, while older kids may breeze through them, but still there are some guaranteed stumpers. Our collegiate reviewer thought it was a lot of fun for everyone, and a great study aid for younger students to brush up on their social studies. Visit the site to order the game ($26.99), ask a question, or send in your own suggestions to expand Around the World. Travel Meets Christmas: Destinations Ornaments by Ornaments to Remember
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Cha-Cha and ZEE are a brother and sister penguin duo who come to San Antonio to visit their cousin, Frobby, and learn about the city’s history while enjoying the sites. While in San Antonio, Cha-Cha and ZEE visit the River Walk, the Mexican Market, the Alamo, and a few other main attractions that the city has to offer. This imaginitive book is illustrated with real photographs that have been altered to include the penguins and some of their other critter friends. 
Travel the Globe with 
Have your Christmas tree be the world traveler in the room with the lovely collection of Ornaments to Remember. This line of colorful ball ornaments features destinations from all over the United States, including San Francisco (pictured here), New York City, Washington, D.C., Chicago, California, Florida, Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest. These stunning, carefully hand-crafted balls offer detailed glimpses into the best of what each location has to offer. Just some of the "sights" include Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Statue of Liberty and Mt. Saint Helens. Additionally, there are different lines of unique ornaments to remind you of your favorite vacations. What better way to recreate the tropical weather and the carefree atmosphere of your last trip to Hawaii than a shimmering blue hibiscus skateboard, a surfboard painted with an island sunset or an Aloha Shirt dangling from the branches of your Christmas tree? Generally, the Destinations ball ornaments cost $20, while the others can cost anywhere between $10 and $50. To place an order for any of these ornaments, or to view the entire collection with many other themes, visit the Ornaments to Remember site or call 
800/330-3382.