It’s very rare that I come across a children’s animated DVD that appeals to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, but that’s exactly how I’d describe the Bumblz series of DVDs. Targeted to the age 0 to 6 group, Bumblz is a friendly bee who, along with his friends, goes on adventures and learns life lessons, all along with a great musical beat. Usually when a DVD says it’s for such a wide age group, I’m skeptical. But my 5 year old sat with me and watched the DVD “The Pirate’s Treasure” and was mesmerized, paying close attention to not only the story but also the words to the songs (after each story, the DVD includes sing-a-longs with the words displayed on the screen). The music is catchy, and the stories really do provide lessons that kids will remember. The animation is beautiful as well with its eye-catching colors. This is truly a series that you’ll want to buy for your child no matter what the age and that, I think, he’ll want to watch again and again for years to come. You can view the entire Bumblz collection of DVDs and CDs at Bumblz.com. DVDs range in price from $10.99 to $12.99 and CDs are $9.99 to $11.99. They are also available at Amazon.com.

Gap has announced a voluntary recall on some of its babyGap toggle coats. The toggles on the coats may become detached, posing a choking hazard. The recalled styles include Rose Toggle Hoodie (style 600298), Pink Duffle Coat (style 600344), and Blue Plaid and Mojave Toggle Coat (style 600942). These coats were sold at babyGap, Gap Kids, Gap Stores, and online at Gap.com from October 2008 to April 2009. They were sold in sizes up to 24 months and were priced from $20 to $50. If you purchased one of these coats, you can return it to any babyGap, Gap Kids, or Gap store for a full refund. If purchased online, please contact Gap via their website. If you return the coat before August 31, 2009, Gap will issue you a coupon good for 20% off any regular priced item.

Wal-Mart has issued a recall on its Buster Brown & Co. Cars Fleece Clog Children’s Shoes. Decorative wheels on the shoes can become loose, causing a possible choking hazard for children. These shoes are red, plastic clogs with fleece lining, designed to look like Lightning McQueen from the “Cars” movie. They were sold exclusively at Wal-Mart from September 2008 through March 2009. If you own these shoes, bring them back to Wal-Mart for a full refund.

Trebimbi makes some truly amazing children’s tableware, and this Party set is no exception. Available in several fun colors, it includes an easy to use bowl, a cup, and child-sized cutlery perfect for new eaters. Everything is dishwasher safe, so clean-up is simple. You can also attach the cutlery to the plate and cup to keep everything together. That way, you can just reach in the cupboard and have everything you need for meal time. That in itself is worth the price. You can purchase the Trebimbi Party Children’s Tableware Set for $45 at BareBabies.com.

I continue to be amazed by how much laundry my eight week old manages to generate on a daily basis. Although I don’t like the way it looks in her nursery, her messiness has necessitated a hamper. I just went with a natural linen one because it is the least distracting one I could find, but I would have loved to have had something that coordinates a little better with her furniture and bedding. If you are in a similar boat, or are still in the process of designing a nursery for your baby-to-be, you might consider these fun hampers from Hoohobbers. The design is simple, but the best part is that there are 35 different fabric options to choose from, so you can fairly easily customize the basket to fit your nursery. At $80, this product isn’t cheap, but it is a practical baby necessity that will get a lot of use. You can purchase one at luxurybabynursery.com. Your basket can be personlaized for an additional $12.

I can’t believe the number of absolutely adorable hats for infants and toddlers that I keep encountering. My latest find is this cute little froggy hat from Animal Designs. Made from a wool knit that is fully lined in fleece for added warmth, this hat is designed to look like a frog, complete with oversized froggy eyes on the top of the head. Ear flaps provide extra protection against cold weather.

Not only will this hat keep your little guy or gal warm, but it may inspire a lot of frog-themed fun as well. Best of all, this great piece of outerwear is currently on sale for 20% off.  You can purchase one for the sale price of $24 at PolkaDotPatch.com.

If your household is anything like mine, it will be filled with cooking and baking this holiday season. It’s the simplest and most personal way of giving during the holidays, and it’s a fun way to include your children in making the gifts. You can make it an extra special activity by giving your child her own personalized Chef Apron and Hat by Barefoot Bella. Don’t forget to take plenty of video and pics.

Visit BarefootBella.net to view this item which is priced at just $20. The apron measures 18.25″ long and 17.5″ wide. Enjoy the Holidays!

Of course, not everyone has a an elaborate Home Theater in their home, but no studio would be complete without this Children’s 3-Seat Recliner Set. by Brazil Furniture. More often than not we provide for all of our adult needs and just sort of fit our children in. If you’re planning a home theater studio for the family, be sure to include special seating for the children.

The Brazil Furniture Children’s 3 Seat Home Theater Recliner Set includes three children’s recliners and two console tables for storage. Each recliner includes one cupholder. It has a solid Oak frame with plush fiber fill backrest, flared poly fill armrests and foam seats. The chairs are easy to clean with a damp cloth and lukewarm water. This product is meant for children from 3 to 9 years old and up to 90 lbs.

The recliner measures 29″ H x 24″ W x 25″ D, and the storage console measures 16″ H x 12″ W x 21″ D. The set costs $659.99 at allchildrensfurniture.com.

This Wooden Toy Organizer with Casters is handcrafted by Little Colorado and includes eight plastic bins and lids for storing all kinds of “kid stuff”. The six quart-size bins are great for organizing blocks, doll clothes, art supplies, Hot Wheels, rock and seashell collections, etc. (Note: Toy Organizer is shown without casters in above photo).

To make it easier for your child (and for you) to sort toys in the matching bins, find a picture of the toy and tape or paste it to the end of the plastic bin. This organizer measures 33″W x 15″D x 23″H and is designed for ages 3 and up. It can be purchased for $146.70 at TheBabyOffice.com.

Shop the Frontier is a web site which calls itself a “non-profit rural marketplace.” Its proceeds go towards training women in business and to providing micro-lending programs for women in small businesses. As the company grows, it promises to support business start-ups in its area (Ferry County in Washington State) and youth technology. The mission of Shop the Frontier is to “serve rural women and their communities by being a catalyst for entrepreneurial success.”

This soft fuzzy, polyester fleece Children’s Lady Bug Jacket is accented by black pearl cotton hand-blanket stich edging and lady bug applique. It’s all put together by artist, “Sherry,” who heads Small Fries designs. Sherry lives with her husband in a cabin in Montana. The cabin is remote and, while currently powered by a generator, a windmill and solar panels are in the process of being installed.

The Children’s Lady Bug Jacket by Small Fries is available in sizes 1, 4, & 6 for $36.00 at ShopTheFrontier.com.

I have never been a big fan of the grooming tasks required for infants–especially when it comes to clipping and caring for little finger and toenails. This cute little set from Tweezerman, the Children’s Care Kit, promises to make the job a little easier.

The set comes with a nail clippers, a nail file, a nail brush, and stainless steel scissors. All of the products are designed to meet the special requirements of tiny fingers and toes. Moreover, they are awfully cute, featuring cool colors and fun patterns.

You can definitely buy a grooming set for less than the $30 that this set costs, but I don’t think I have ever seen a set that was quite this appealing. It would also make a great shower or new baby gift. You can purchase the set at Nordstrom.com.