This Grandpa Creates Inclusive Crocheted Dolls with Vitiligo

by Erica LoopSeptember 23, 2019

João Stanganelli, Jr.’s dolls are getting major props on social media—and for a very good reason. The grandpa from Brazil crochets inclusive dolls, including toys with vitiligo, cochlear implants and so much more.

So how did this grandfather get into the crocheted doll business? Stanganelli’s first crocheted project was a vitiligo doll for his granddaughter. The grandpa has had the skin condition, which results in the loss of pigment since he was in his 30’s. Wanting to give his granddaughter something to remember him by, Stanganelli crafted a doll with vitiligo patches.

The 64-year-old is semi-retired from the gastronomy industry and told Bored Panda, “I’m not yet retired, I still keep up my old work with food, but much less intensely. At the moment I spend 90% of my time with the dolls. I have many orders.”

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A post shared by João Stanganelli Junior (@vovocrocheteiro)

He told Bored Panda, “My view of vitiligo seems to me to be very different from the general, I think it is necessary first that you have vitiligo, after this acceptance you choose what you want to do.” Stanganelli continued, “I still quote Benjamin Disraeli: ‘Life is too short to be small.’”

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A post shared by João Stanganelli Junior (@vovocrocheteiro)

Along with vitiligo dolls, Stanganelli has also branched into other inclusive options. Not only are these dolls awesomely adorable, but they can help children understand, value and normalize the conditions Stanganelli crochets.

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A post shared by João Stanganelli Junior (@vovocrocheteiro)

To see more of Stanganelli’s work, visit his Instagram or Facebook pages.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: João Stanganelli, Jr’s via Instagram

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Recall Alert: Some Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Flavors Have Undeclared Tree Nuts

by Erica LoopApril 17, 2019

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced a recall of Ben & Jerry’s Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk and Chunky Monkey pints due to an undeclared tree nut allergen issue. According to an emailed comment by a Ben & Jerry’s spokesperson, the Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk portion recall only extends to Scoop Shops/franchises.

The spokesperson also noted that while the Chunky Monkey pints are labeled with “may contain other tree nuts,” only walnuts are included in the ingredients list. If you, your child or anyone else in your household has a tree nut allergy, read on for more information on this recall.

Recalled Product Description: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

The current recall only includes Ben & Jerry’s Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk and Chunky Monkey pints. The Coconut flavor is sold to Scoop Shops/franchises in 2.4 gallon tubs—meaning that you can’t find this product in your grocer’s freezer section. The Chunky Monkey product is sold by the pint at numerous retail locations.

Why the Ice Cream Was Recalled

These flavors may contain undeclared tree nuts, including almonds, Brazil nuts and hazelnuts. While the products do include “Contains Walnuts” and “May contain other tree nuts,” the above mentioned nuts aren’t specified.

How to Tell If Your Ice Cream Is Part of the Recall

The affected Ben & Jerry’s Coconut Seven Layer Bar bulk ice cream has the Consumer UPC of 076840104246 and best by date of SEP1520BJ4.The Ben & Jerry’s Chunk Money pints have the Consumer UPC of 076840100354 and best by dates of AUG2820BH2, AUG2920BH2, or AUG3020BH2.

What Parents Can Do

If you have the affected products and your child (or any household member( has a tree nut allergy, don’t eat it. Keep the container and call 833-236-1237 for what to do next.

—Erica Loop

Photos: Courtesy of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration

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Your Kid Could Take Home Olympic Gold One Day—in Skateboarding

by Erica LoopMarch 28, 2019

Skateboarding as an Olympic sport? According to a recent announcement by the International Olympic Committee, skateboarding—along with breaking (as in break dancing), sport climbing and surfing may join the roster of eligible sports for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games.

Olympic fans may already recognize some of these sports as existing events—but for a more younger set. The 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Brazil included breaking, skateboarding and sport climbing as medal events.

https://twitter.com/breakingforgold/status/1110965668969697280

Following on the heels of the 2018 Youth Games, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing will make their grand debuts in Tokyo, Japan during the 2020 Summer Games. Even though these sports are already included in the 2020 program of events, there’s no guarantee that any of them will make a reappearance. In other words, they’re not permanent sports. The Olympic Programme Commission will evaluate the additions and recommend either inclusion or exclusion to the IOC.

So why include break dancing, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing in the Summer Olympics? According to a statement made by IOC President Thomas Bach, “They contribute to make the program of the Games more gender-balanced, more youthful and more urban.” Bach also added, “These four sports also offer the opportunity to connect with the young generation there.”

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: David Whittaker via Pexels

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The BEST New Kid Shows to Watch This Fall

by rtmeredithAugust 30, 2017

In case you needed another reason to love fall, we’ve got you covered. Not only can you look forward to new shows for yourself, but there’s an all-star line-up of kid entertainment too. From a Duck Tales revitalization to a cautious safety egg, there’s plenty of good stuff on TV (or tablet) this season. Flip through to see our picks for fall’s best new shows for kids.

Duck Tales (Disney)

If you’re at all nostalgic for Disney’s original Duck Tales from the late '80s, you’re going to want to snuggle up with your littles and catch the new, reimagined series. The globetrotting adventures of Scrooge McDuck and his feisty grandnephews have been revived to take place in a contemporary setting, in exciting countries like Egypt and Brazil. You can expect a dose of learning and culture with a huge side of family values.

Ages: 6+

Online: Disney

Which new show are you excited to share with your kids? Share with us in the comments below.

— Meredith Mortensen

All images courtesy of media companies.

Go For The Gold at This Amazing Free Olympics Event!

by Mimi O'ConnorAugust 3, 2016

The world is getting keyed-up for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, and of course, New York is no exception. If this Olympic Games is like any other, New Yorkers in every borough will cheer on U.S. athletes — as well as competitors from other countries considered first homes for so many transplants — all month long. We’ve found a way to kick off the festivities with the kids in style!

photo: via Rio 2016 Facebook page

Welcome to Rio!
From Friday, August 5 to Thursday, August 11, “Rio on the Hudson” will take over Pier 26 in Hudson River Park. Free and open to the public, the event will transform Pier 26 into a playscape for young and old inspired by the Olympic Games and host country Brazil.

Visitors can expect beaches, real palm trees, samba music and dancers and Capoeira performances, as well as Brazilian DJs, live graffiti artists creating large-scale Olympic-themed murals, and Brazilian food and drink.

Opening Night
If your family likes its Olympic Games-watching experience to be communal, this might be your spot to view to the Opening Ceremony broadcast. The event opens at 5 p.m. on Friday August 5, with a team USA Celebration featuring a cauldron lighting and kickoff at 7 p.m., followed by the Opening Ceremony broadcast at 7:30 on a big screen.

photo: via Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation Facebook page

Meet & Greet Olympians
One of the highlights of the event — especially, we imagine, for aspiring mini Olympians — will be meet and greets with Olympic athletes and current Paralymipans, the latter of which will be heading to Rio in September to compete.

Athletes currently scheduled to appear include Christie Rampone, Mia Hamm, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Rudy Garcia-Tolson, Scout Bassett, Steve Serio and Sam Kavanagh.

Fun & Games
Rio on the Hudson will give visitors a few opportunities to test their own athletic prowess. Kids can participate in an Olympic Hula Hoop contest; test their speed in the “dash” against Olympian Allyson Felix by racing against her high school or Olympic times, and join a pickup beach volleyball game.

Additional kids programming includes face-painting, and multiple crafting activities such as making your very own Olympic torch.

photo: Simon Law via Flickr

Learn & Watch Some Brazilian Moves
Both kids and adults can take lessons in the Brazilian martial art Capoeria, and then see how the pros (of all ages) do it at performances. Rio on the Hudson will also feature multiple Samba performances and mixers.

Don’t Forget to Eat
All that dancing and dashing will make you hungry. Top NYC Brazilian chefs will be cooking up traditional and authentic pao de quiejo, fried plantains with sett chili sauce, steak & cilantro empanadas, beef skewers and flan and caramel.

Citi Celebrates Team USA: Rio on The Hudson
August 5 – August 11
Pier 26
Hudson River Park
Tribeca
Online: citi.com & hudsonriverpark.org

Where will you get in the Olympic Spirit this year? Tell us in the comments!

— Mimi O’Connor

Sweet Samba! How to Make a Brazilian Headdress

by Gabby CullenJuly 27, 2016

This summer, make the Olympics a cultural celebration; spend an afternoon working on a colorful and fun craft that puts the spotlight on one of Brazil’s most iconic events—Carnival. We’ve gathered the supplies to make a Brazilian headdress, which your budding Samba school tykes can wear during the opening ceremonies on August 5. Scroll down for the entire tutorial and remember—bigger and brighter is always better!

What You’ll Need

Costume Masks – we used these

Feathers – we used these

Gemstones – we used these

Paint – any tempera or acrylic with work

Glitter Glue – we used this in red

Hot Glue Gun or Elmer’s Glue

Spray Glitter (optional)

Paint the Mask

Get your kids set up with the materials and let them paint away. If they want to add designs with paint, be sure to wait until each coat is dry before beginning another

Decorate the Mask

Step One
Using either a hot glue gun (parental supervision is required) or Elmer’s glue, let your crafters embellish their headdresses with colorful jewels. During Carnival, Samba schools try to outshine each other with dazzling displays, so encourage your kids to add as much as they want!

Step Two
If you have glitter glue, this is the time to use it, either around the gemstones or as the glue for the gemstones—it’s up to your kids and their imaginations!

Step Three
Adding feathers can be tricky. Parents should help (or supervise older kids) with the hot glue gun. If you don’t have one, use tape to fasten the feathers to the back of the mask. Go with one color or make a colorful display with as many different feathers as possible. Afterwards, spray the feathers with spray glitter if you have it on hand.

Wear the Mask

After everything dries, it’s time to shake a tail feather.

Try it as a mask.

Then, try it as a headdress!

Have you ever made a Carnival-inspired craft? Share with us in a Comment below.

Images and copy by Gabby Cullen

Project inspired by Globescouts

Watch Your Favorite American Girl Come to Life

by Erin LemMay 21, 2016

Your kiddo has set-up tea parties with her American Girl and toted her sidekick to the playground, grocery store and beyond. Take your little one’s love of everything American Girl to the next level with the movie, Lea to the Rescue, available now on Digital HD and on DVD and Blu-ray. Read on to find out how this new flick will make your summer much more than just dolls and bed-time stories.

Know Before You Watch
Right on time to get your little one excited for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, this family-friendly movie is a live-action flick showcasing Lea Clark, American Girl’s 2016 Girl of the Year, as she embarks on her journey through the Brazilian rainforest.

The Scoop
The kid-friendly flick follows Lea as she embarks on an adventure to the Brazilian rain forest to try to find her missing brother and save the exotic animals she loves from poachers. The outgoing Lea won’t be deterred in her mission–she’s born for adventure even if that means exploring new cultures, befriending new people and trekking through the unfamiliar country of Brazil. Throughout the entire journey Leah totes her handy camera to photograph the cultures, foods and animals she encounters along the way to finding her brother. Entertaining and fun, this movie comes complete with helicopters, photography, and even a sloth!

The Takeaway
The all new summer movie will bring your kiddo’s sidekick from the books to life in your very home. Your child will follow Lea throughout her story, and when the movie is over your little one will surely imagine his or her own outdoor adventure, just like Lea.

Watch Lea come to life before your very eyes in the trailer below. Want more adventure for your kid this summer? Buy the DVD, Blu-ray, or Digital HD of Lea to the Rescue by clicking here.

Are you excited to watch this new movie? Does your child own an American Girl Doll or love to read the books? Tell us your thoughts below!

Primate Primer: 3 Monkeys We’re Wild About

by Amber GuetebierOctober 10, 2015

Since it’s Monkey Day we couldn’t resist telling you about our favorite monkeys. Read on for some fun facts about these mammals we learned when we visited the local zoo!

Black Howler Monkey

Alouatta caraya

The Black Howler is just one of many species of monkeys known as howler mokeys. Native to eastern Bolivia, northeastern Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil, they eat leaves, fruit and vegetable matter. The males are black and the females and young are yellow-brown or olive-colored. They get their name because they have enlarged throats and extra large voice boxes which allows them to howls. They also have a special bony pouch beneath their throat that acts as a resonator which helps project their howls at great distances, sometimes more than a kilmometer! Click here to hear it. Young howlers are cared for by several females who carry, groom and protect it. Males will also help out.

Fun fact: They don’t have opposable thumbs.

Squirrel Monkey

Saimiri sciureus

Native to the lowland rainforest of Panama, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil these tree loving little guys eat insects, spiders, bird’s eggs and nestlings, fruits, nuts, blossoms and other edibles. Squirrel monkeys have the largest groups of any other New World monkey, with as many as 100 monkeys in a given band. There were once thought to be only two species of squirrel monkeys, but scientist today classify 5 species and 8 subspecies of squirrel monkeys. They are not only smaller in size, but they make chirps and peeps for contact and alarms, earning them their likeness to the squirrel.

Fun fact: Births coincide with the time of greatest rainfall.

Patas Monkey

Erythrocebus patas

Sometimes called Hussar monkeys, military monkeys and dancing red monkeys, the Patas Monkey’s habitat is brush and grass savannas of Central Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Tanzania. Their diet consists mainly of grasses, shelled fruits seeds, berries, locusts and other insects, birds and lizards. The Patas is large and slender, usually reddish gray, white or pale pink, with a long tail that is dark above and light underneath.Adults have white mustache and whiskers and the males have mane-like hair. They can go several days without drinking water.

Fun fact: Patas not only have opposable thumbs, they also have opposable big toes!

What’s your favorite kind of monkey? Tell us in the comments below!

—Amber Guetebier

All photos credit Marianne Hale courtesy the SF Zoo; Special thanks to the Education Department at the San Francisco Zoological Gardens for helping out with the monkey facts!

Getting Global: Ways To Get Cultural In San Diego

by Lenya McGrathApril 22, 2015

The world is a big place and can get a little scary for the smallest of humans. But we’ve got a way to make the world feel a little bit smaller for your kiddos (or should we say bambinos). San Diego is home to museums, classes and attractions that celebrate the diverse cultures living together under the SoCal sun. Grab the chicos and chicas, and connect with some wonders from around the world in your own backyard.

Photo credit: San Diego Chinese History Museum via Facebook

A Trip To Historical Chinatown: San Diego Chinese History Museum
Head downtown and you’ll hit San Diego’s historic Chinatown and the Chinese History Museum. This little gem is dedicated to sharing San Diego’s Chinese-American history and culture. You’ll be able to go back in time and see scale models of old Chinatown homes and businesses, archaeological remains from historical San Diego buildings, and lots of Chinese art and antiques. Once you’ve gotten your cultural fix, head outside to find the Chuang garden. Your beansprouts can run through the serpentine stone path to explore exotic plants, a waterfall and koi pond.

Fact of the Day: Did you know San Diego’s Chinatown began in the 1860s and was settled by abalone fishermen?

San Diego Chinese History Museum
404 Third Ave.
San Diego, Ca 92101
(619) 338-9888
Online: sdchm.org

Photo credit: Capoeria Brazil

A Taste Of Brazil: Capoeria
Get the kids limbered up and ready to have fun at Capoeira Brazil San Diego. Capoeria is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, music and acrobatics. It’s a perfect way to learn about a South American culture while getting a healthy dose of exercise. Classes run for both toddlers and kids at the Point Loma and soon-to-be-opened North County locations. And better yet, they offer free trial classes so there’s any easy way to start kicking, spinning, dipping and diving Capoeria style without any big commitment.

Move of the Day: The ginga — a move in which you rock back and forth in a triangular motion — is the fundamental footwork of Capoeira.

Capoeria Brazil San Diego
2590 Truxtun Rd.
San Diego, Ca 92106
(619) 928-2276
Online: capoeirabrasil.org

Photo credit: Cook For Thought

A Continental Cook Off: Food For Though
Get ready to go on a culinary journey with Fernada, a mom and creative force behind Cook for Thought. This six-week cooking class is held at the Ocean Air Recreation Center and will give your junior master chefs a taste of globe with dishes from Mexico, the Caribbean, Brazil, Argentina, Hawaii and the United States. Kids 6 and over are welcome and will love the world wide culinary education, while mom and dad will appreciate the healthy dose of nutritional understanding that goes into how the course is structured. As Fernanda puts it: Junior chefs will learn to cook AND cook to learn!

Ingredient of the Day: Cumin — a peppery spice that can be used whole or grounded — is a staple of Mexican food.

Ocean Air Recreation Center
4770 Fairport Way
San Diego, Ca 92130
(858) 679-7760
Online: cookforthought.com

Photo credit: Lenya McGrath

An Australian Outback Adventure: San Diego Zoo
Put on your akubra and say g’day to the Australian wildlife at San Diego Zoo’s Australian Outback. You’ll step into a piece of Down Under where you and your little vegemites can visit Australian animals like wombats, wallabies, kookaburras, cockatoos, and even the tasmanian devil. Shaded by a eucalyptus grove, you’ll also be able to visit Koalafornication, the San Diego Zoo’s koala colony. Here you can learn all about Australia’s sleepiest and cutest marsupial while you watch them sun, nap and eat.

Animal of the Day: The kookaburra is also know as the “bushman’s alarm clock” because of it’s distinctive cackling laugh that hits at dawn and dusk.

San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Dr.
San Diego, Ca 92101
(619) 231-1515
Online: sandiegozoo.org/koalafornia/about

Photo credit: Italian American Academy of San Diego via Facebook

A Language Lesson: Italian Cultural Centre of San Diego
Want the kids to take on a second language? Like the sound of Italian? Say “Ciao bella” to the Italian Cultural Centre of San Diego. They offer Italian classes where your little bambinos can learn in a relaxed environment. Courses are split between kindergarteners, 1st – 5th grade, and kids in 6th – 8th grade. Classes are taught with a focus on speaking and listening in Italian. Through games, story time, singing songs and craft activities, lesson time will fly by in a flurry of fun.

Word of the Day: Imponente! This means awesome in Italian, as in “An Italian lesson would be imponente!”

1669 Columbia St.
San Diego, Ca 92101
(619) 237-0601
Online: icc-sd.org

How do you get cultural in San Diego? Tell us your go-to spots in the Comments!

— Lenya McGrath

13 Trees That Will-ow Amaze You

by Christal Y.April 18, 2015

Your kiddos play beneath their shade all summer long, and you have aspiring dreams of building a fortress among the leaves. No doubt about it, trees are pretty awesome. Living beings that produce over half of the fresh air we breathe, there’s reason to celebrate their lofty reach. In honor of Arbor Day, we’ve complied a gallery of the coolest trees in the world. Read about an ancient bristlecone pine tree in California, a Guinness World Record cashew tree in Brazil and more breathtaking beauties below.

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Tree – Secret Location in Ca, United States

The grandaddy of them all---this ancient wonder is more than 46 centuries old and said to be the world’s oldest living thing. It maintains life by letting dying parts fall off so it can sustain a single living branch and regrow from there. Think of it like the Benjamin Button of all trees; talk about a cool dinner conversation with your budding ecologist. Find out more about the history at PBS.

photo: Achim via flickr

Which tree is your favorite? Let us know in the Comments below!

— Christal Yuen

ML Interest Tag: brazil

Recall Alert: Some Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Flavors Have Undeclared Tree Nuts

Recalled Product Description: Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

Why the Ice Cream Was Recalled

How to Tell If Your Ice Cream Is Part of the Recall

What Parents Can Do

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