About two years ago my son and I were waiting in line at Walmart. He was sitting in the cart happily flapping and stimming as we waited. A lady, waiting in line behind us, started talking to him. When he didn’t respond I explained to her that he was non-verbal and on the autism spectrum. She immediately proceeded to thank me and tell me how great it was that I wasn’t ashamed to bring him out and about in the community.
I will never be ashamed that my son has autism. It’s one of the many parts of him that contribute to making him the amazing little boy that I love and adore.
No one could ever take over the space in my heart that he fills with his spins, squeals, smiles, jokes, and flaps. These things are mixed in amongst deep love, hope, and faith.
There is no room for shame here.
I’m not ashamed of autism and you shouldn’t be either because it’s not about a diagnosis.
It’s about the person.
My son brings so much more to this world than autism. He is smart, funny, charming, handsome, witty, kind, brave, loving.
I would hate for anyone to miss out on the positive bright light that he shines because they are consumed by the negatives.
Don’t miss out on something that could be amazing just because it could also be difficult.
Autism may look hard and challenging on the outside but he lives it every day from within.
Why would I punish him with shame for a life circumstance that he has absolutely no control over?
I will always take my son into the community. I will always encourage and support him. I will always hope for progress for him. I will always advocate for him. I will always walk beside him. I will always be his dance partner even when there is no music. I will always ensure that he is treated with respect and dignity because he is a human being and deserves to be treated as such.
As I watch this bright, brave boy climb mountains and shatter all the naysayers, I feel nothing but pride and gratitude because he’s mine and I am blessed beyond measure to be his Mama.
I am a proud wife, ASD Mom, Step-Mom. At 21 months, my son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. He is 5 years old and non-verbal. I have become a full-time stay-at-home mom. I am 1000% focused on raising autism awareness and helping my son live a full and fun life.
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a very special way with Lucky Charms-themed Crocs Jibbitz. These awesome accessories provide the perfect way to adorn your child’s fave pair of shoes with some holiday flair.
Your kiddo’s classic Crocs have 13 holes in the top—and each one is just waiting for some serious decor. Enter Crocs Jibbitz. These handy little charms are easy to put on and take off, giving your child the chance to decorate, re-decorate, and re-decorate again.
photo courtesy of Lucky Charms
What better to adorn your kid’s Crocs with than a “lucky charm.” Lucky Charms Jibbitz charms feature the beloved brand’s marshmallow shapes: Orange shooting stars, rainbows, unicorns, clovers, and blue moons. The Jibbitz line also includes a special Lucky Charms charm that looks just like the logo on the brand’s box. Your child can mix and match the Jibbitz, creating their own individual cool Crocs look!
The lucky line of Crocs Jibbitz is available starting Mar. 1, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! Find these cool Crocs accessories on Crocs.com and in select Crocs retail stores.
Whitney Popa is a Communications Consultant and mom of two toddlers. She lives where the mountains meet the sea near Seattle. She has very strong opinions about baby books.
I’m not great at giving people proper reaction faces, so baby showers are uniquely stressful for me. When I was pregnant with our son four years ago, I made several requests to open gifts after the main event. My requests were swiftly rebuffed. So, I sat on my throne in front of my admiring guests, leaned over my massive belly, and tried to give them the ooohs and ahhhs and “SO cute!” they came to see. By the time it was over, I was sweaty, out of breath, and exhausted, especially because I received multiples of almost every classic board book on the market.
Look, I enjoy Little Blue Truck as much as the next mom. However! At my baby shower, I received four copies of it. Two I kept, storing one on each floor of our house. I gave the two others to grandparents to keep at their houses. It worked out fine, but I sure would have preferred more variety in the baby books I received that day (as grateful as I am that people cared to give us gifts at all!).
There are thousands of incredible books I could mention and we’ve read countless already (we even have a book box subscription from Amazon), so I thought I’d help out moms like me who want fun variety in their baby books and, quite honestly, don’t want to be annoyed by the stories their toddlers ask to read over and over. Anyone who has met a toddler knows they have their little fixations that can last months at a time.
This list includes books with beautiful messages, gorgeous illustrations, and in various styles (board books, picture books, a sneaky looks-like-it’s-for-the-kiddos-but-is-actually-for-mom book). I hope it helps you think beyond Pout Pout Fish and Brown Bear, Brown Bear—two other stories I love, and that live in multiple copies within our family.
Happy reading!
1
You Belong Here
If you take just one of my recs, make it this one.
$14.49
My husband can't read this book very often because it makes him cry. It's probably the most gorgeously-illustrated book we own and the message is poetic and pure: you and your child are bound together no matter where the world takes you.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander is all of us.
$7.17
I grew up reading Alexander and was so excited to add it back to our library when we had kids. I love that the story is told just as Alexander would say it—with run on sentences and carpool and brothers and mischief and Australia. Alexander always helps put our bad days in perspective.
Another tear-jerker with glittery illustrations that make the story even more magical.
$9.99
This was one of the best baby shower books I was gifted. It's the perfect storm of a sweet story that will make parents weepy, animal illustrations, and glittery backgrounds. Prepare the tissues!
This sweet -You're perfect exactly as you are- book has an important message woven into the cutest illustrations and rhyming story. Our son gets sick of me asking if we can read it every night before bedtime—that's how much I love it.
A catchy little board book that doesn't get annoying after the 100th time reading it before bed.
$7.99
What's so cute and clever about this board book is that every animal in it is made out of multiple hearts. How can you not love a book like that? This was the first in our collection that our son was able to read with us (aka he memorized it and filled in much of the story when we would take a dramatic pause). Now that we have two kids, the ending that references a tired zookeeper feels particularly relevant.
A charming little board book about appreciating sweet moments in nature.
$6.99
Cute rhyming stories can very much have bigger messages. This charming tale teaches your littles how to count, about creatures they might see outside, and about kindness. Plus, it ends with a great, big hug!
A display-worthy book full of Scandinavian-inspired illustrations that will mesmerize any baby starting soon after they're born.
$12
My favorite thing about this book is that our three-year-old son flips through it with our one-year-old daughter. He points to the cow and she says Moooo! and it's the cutest thing in the world. This is a simple and beautiful book that grows with your kiddos, and it is so pretty you'll want to keep it around long after they've moved on to longer stories.
I am very much a sucker for stories about unlikely friendships.
$14
In the 10th anniversary edition of this classic, the author/illustrator included a section about the evolution of Otis's character and scene development. We always see the end product, and not necessarily the process, so as a big book nerd, I loved that addition. The story, too, is a charmer: a little tractor lulls a brown calf to sleep with the purr of his motor. They become best friends and help each other out of a pickle.
It may look like a board book for your baby, but it's also a board book for you, mama.
$5
The central message in this book is about a child who loves spending time with her mama, even when her mama isn't feeling herself because of postpartum depression/anxiety. It reminds moms that our children love us just as we are and shows children that mama putting her needs first is better for the whole family.
I can't keep myself from smiling every time we read this book. The message is an important one: that happiness is an inside job. Through a series of affirmations, the little pig in this story does a fabulous job relaying that it's important to be your own best friend. That's something we could all stand to hear more often.
Just in time for the New Year, Pottery Barn Kids is releasing its first-ever collaboration with Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. The beloved story of The Lorax is brought to life in colorful and amusing patterns inspired by the characters and famous Truffula trees nestled in the beautiful valley of Seussville.
The new collection includes personalized bedding, pillows and wall art.
Organic Dr. Seuss's The Lorax Sheet Set & Pillowcases
Pottery Barn Kids
This charming sheet set and pillowcases are GOTS certified organic cotton and will have kids ready for bedtime in no time.
We all know the story of the three little pigs… or do we? Just in time for holiday gifting, Academy Award-winning actress and activist Natalie Portman has introduced a new book that retells classic fables with a modern twist. Natalie Portman’s Fables, an instant New York Times bestseller,reimagines three popular fables—”The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “Country Mouse and City Mouse”—with wit, wisdom and a playful, kid-friendly voice.
The idea for the book came from Portman’s experience reading to her own kids, where she found books either had only male characters or were specifically “books for girls.” Rather than toss aside the popular stories—and the lessons that come along with them—Portman made her own edits, beginning with adjusting the pronouns.
In Natalie Portman’s Fables, Portman keeps the original messages of these timeless fables, like how hard work pays off (especially when a Big Bad Wolf knocks at your door), while adding modernized lessons, like the importance of respecting our planet. Each of the three stories is paired with charming artwork, making the book a timeless gift to teach kids about empathy, acceptance, and kindness while passing down classic fables.
Schools back in session and it’s time to hit the books! Do it right at one of our favorite kid-friendly independent bookstores in NYC where the littles ones (and their parents!) can stock up, hang out, or spend a cozy rainy afternoon. Whether it’s for the awesome selection in the stacks or the popping children’s events, these NYC bookstores are the place to be for budding bibliophiles! Find the NYC kids bookstore for your family below!
Are you looking for that one children's book from your own childhood that you sort of know the color of the cover for but not much else? This bookstore can help you find it. The staff here are touted by visitors as being extremely knowledgeable and helpful for finding any children's book you need.
Bank Street Bookstore is specifically intended for kids. On the shelves, you'll find many classics and popular books of today, but you may also snag a locally written or indie gem you might not find elsewhere. On most Saturdays, you can come in and listen to a children's author read their own books for storytime, and lead the young audience in a themed activity.
This quaint independent bookshop in Cobble Hill is a sanctuary for book lovers young and old. Along with a vast selection of children's books, the shop has a little nook for relaxing with a book as well as many chances to hear your favorite authors reading their books at storytime. Books are carefully selected and displayed in a way that encourages kids to pick up a tome they might not otherwise even see (like a cookbook). Its calm and quiet vibes make this a, well, magical place to stop by and find your new favorite book. Plus, the store is open every day!
Book Culture has four stores in New York City—three on the Upper West Side, and one in Long Island city, Queens. (The Queens location's entire bottom floor is dedicated to kids books, games and toys.) The bookstore offers a robust schedule of programming at its shops; examples include musical storytimes, Mozart for Munchkins, TocToc Spanish Class, music with Hopalong Andrew, and storytimes in English, German and Spanish. The store is also a great place to pick up fun and funky gift items. Book Culture is raising money to get them over a financial hump and keep its doors open, with the goal of profitability in 2020. They deserve your support!
26-09 Jackson Ave. 718-440-3120 Long Island City Online: bookculture.com
Books of Wonder proudly declares itself to be NYC's largest independent bookstore and the city's "leading specialist in children's literature," and the stacks are, well, stacked with tons of children's literature. Besides having a large and well-kept children's books section, this bookstore is a hotspot for family-friendly events, author readings, launch parties, and more. Especially worth noting are the regularly held panels, for various ages and covering many different topics, which feature groups of authors talking about their work and taking questions from the audience — a potentially excellent inspiration for kids who are showing an interest in writing or illustrating their own works of art.
This little Upper East Side French bookstore for kids just oozes charm. (Customers report feeling transported to Paris when they step inside.) Head here for classics and new titles for kids in French, as well as games. The store hosts Petites Histoires, a thematic reading program in which kids learn French through stories, songs, crafts and play. Additionally French marionette shows will be coming to the store soon. (Adults can learn French here, too!) You can read our full feature from when they opened, here!
The Greenlight Bookstore has everything you'd expect from a great bookstore: Excellent selection (though listed at jacket prices — no savings to be found here), regularly scheduled staff and author storytimes, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. In addition to all that, though, Greenlight has a few special offerings to make it stand out among the rest.
Children ages 9-12 are welcome to join the Greenlight Young Readers Book Group with or without their parents, which meets once a month to discuss the book of the month (which is always on sale at 15% off), eat pizza, and make literary friends. Additionally, Greenlight is a partner of BAM, which means that in addition to 15% off for BAM members, you can also snag some BAM merch through Greenlight's kiosks on-site at the Academy. It also means that the bookstore often hosts events in collaboration with BAM, like author talks and music-infused book readings, on stage. Keep an eye on the events page for kid-friendly BAM performances!
From the same minds behind the home to book happenings in DUMBO, The Powerhouse Arena, Powerhouse on 8th is a cozy store that curates not only an excellent collection on titles for kids and young readers, but an event calendar as well. Storytimes and author appearances are common; you can check out what's coming up here.
You might already love this bookstore — now you can give your children a reason to love it, too. The large bookstore stocks an eclectic selection of books, many of which can be purchased at a discounted price. Visit the space for Family Hour, which includes storytime and readings for kids on Saturdays and some Sundays. You can also find plenty of old and new children's books here, as well as perfect gifts for book lovers like plushies and quirky toys themed around reading and learning.
828 Broadway at 12th St. Greenwich Village 212-473-1452 Online: strandbooks.com
This charming bookstore in the heart of Astoria is a welcoming place for families to browse and relax together. It hosts Thursday storytimes (you can even volunteer to read for storytime, if you want!), as well as unique events like chess lessons for 3-year-olds and a young adult reading book club (which offers 10% off on the month's book).
Many of its other events not specifically created for children are still welcoming to the whole family. Get the whole family in on the 2019 reading BINGO challenge!
Used books, events, and whimsy abound in this Staten Island location. This bookstore also sells coffee, chocolate, as well as records and DVDs, and hosts art and performances in its indoor and outdoor patio space. The space is small and selection is limited but the whole family can enjoy a trip to sip a hot beverage and browse the used books as live music plays.
208 Bay St. Staten Island 718-447-8256 Online: etgstores.com
Surprise! The holidays (and holiday shopping) have snuck up on us again. One thing at the top of every parent’s to-do list: Find the perfect gift—something that’s cute, fun and keeps them entertained past New Year’s Day. Enter BABY born Surprise! Each BABY born Surprise doll and set is packed with surprises like color-changing hair, adorable trinkets and even glitter pee. With some sets including over 30 surprises, these dolls will keep your little one exploring long after the cookies are eaten and the decorations have been put away!
Check out our favorite BABY born Surprise gifts for the holiday season:
BABY born Surprise Mini Babies
These tiny toys are perfect for stocking stuffers. With the new BABY born Surprise Mini Babies, your tiny bean will get to unwrap a bundle of surprises! Are there twins or triplets? What accessories did they come with? Each bundle of joy has a theme, and comes with a crib and blanket along with other surprises that are unique to each set.
Splish splash into exciting new adventures with the BABY born Surprise Mermaid Surprise doll! With a little H2O, your little one can wipe away the doll’s sleepy eyelids to reveal her eye color, give her a bath in cool water to change her hair color, give her water from her sippy cup to discover a diaper surprise—a cute charm for the included charm bracelet—or even dip her starfish into water to reveal her shimmery swimsuit. Plus, this surprise-packed doll comes with her own sparkly seashell bathtub!
All these baby dolls will need a place to play! Enter BABY born Surprise Treehouse, a portable playset that’s perfect for imaginative, hands-on play. This isn’t your average treehouse either, there’s a Ferris wheel, merry-go-round, slide, swings, an elevator and even a flower shower that really sprays water so baby dolls and furry friends can splash in a bath. Plus, BABY born Surprise Treehouse comes with an exclusive baby doll!
A doll that is fun for your kiddo and makes potty training easier? We’re in! Baby born Surprise Magic Potty Surprise comes with more than 30 magical surprises. When your little one feeds her real doll food or gives her water from her sippy cup, they can help their doll sit on the potty and discover the doll peed colorful, sparkly glitter pee. If they add a Potty Pod to the potty, after giving the doll water and sitting her on the potty, they’ll discover the doll has “pooped” a magical charm!
Merry Grinchmas! Skechers and Dr. Seuss have teamed up to deliver a nostalgic holiday collection for women and children inspired by the author’s beloved story How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The seasonal capsule now available online and select Skechers retail stores nationwide, is the latest release from the Skechers x Dr. Seuss collaboration announced in August.
The limited-edition capsule highlights The Grinch, featuring charming illustrations of the “mean one” and utilizing his signature green coloring throughout the designs.
Popular Skechers Street and BOBS from Skechers women’s styles get The Grinch treatment as well as three pairs for toddlers and kids.
Women can choose between the fierce Skechers Street Uno Rugged – You’re A Mean One with mischievous Grinch eyes and lug sole or the BOBS Beach Bingo – Grinchmastime slip-on from the charity-minded BOBS from Skechers line.
Kids big and small can match mom in Grinch printed high-tops or light-up sneakers. Skechers Boys’ Duratronz – Seuss World and toddler size Duratronz – Lil Seuss-Land canvas high tops feature The Grinch in his signature Santa hat on the shoe’s exterior and an illustration of Max the dog in a matching hat on the shoe’s interior side. Red and black striped laces and Dr. Seuss branding on the tongue complete the pairs. Skechers Magna-Lights: Grinchtastic in toddler sizing rounds out the collection with The Grinch peeking out over the shoe’s light-up sole.
The animation studio behind PAW Patrol is bringing preschoolers a charming new adventure series about working together for the community. Pikwik Pack premieres two back-to-back episodes on Sat. Nov. 7 at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on Disney Junior and DisneyNOW. Pikwik Pack follows four adorable animal friends as they work together to deliver magical surprises to the kind citizens of their bustling town.
Suki the brave hedgehog, along with Axel the go-getter raccoon, Tibor the reliable hippo and Hazel the silly cat, travel together by land, sea and air to bring packages of joy to their neighbors. Whether it’s a telescope, birthday gift or even a snow-cone – young viewers will learn gentle life lessons about the importance of community, responsibility and working as a team to accomplish a common goal.
“Kids everywhere love the thrill of unwrapping a special surprise, and they’ll get to experience this joy in each episode of Pikwik Pack,” said series creator Frank Falcone. “Parcel delivery is increasingly becoming a central part of families’ daily lives. In the town of Pikwik, kids get to witness firsthand the important role that package delivery plays in bringing communities together.”
Pikwik Pack brings to life in colorful 2D animation a bustling town filled with unique vehicles, bright buildings and friends of all shapes, sizes and colors. Each day, a new surprise arrives at the Pikwik Post that must be delivered! Together with the Pikwik Pack, viewers at home learn about navigating directions, geography and weather to deliver packages safely to their destinations. And though they may face rough rapids, stormy skies or a foggy forest, when they work together, the Pikwik Pack always delivers.
There’s nothing quite like potty training that brings a whole new kind of stress to a parent’s life. From pull-up diapers to potty seats and positive reinforcement, every parent is looking for just the right tool to help their little one master this important milestone of child development. Baby born Surprise has introduced its latest doll, Magic Potty Surprise, which helps you teach your little one how to go to the potty on a real potty.
Baby born Surprise dolls are adorable and lifelike babies and pets. Each one is full of surprises, and they give kids the experience of caring for a lifelike "baby" through activities like bathing, diaper changing and now potty training. Magic Potty makes potty training magical because your kiddo can learn to potty train while she teaches her Magical Potty Surprise doll to potty train at the same time.
Your little one will love taking care of her Baby born Surprise Magical Potty Surprise doll. She can feed her doll her real doll food, then give her toddler doll water from her sippy cup, help her doll sit on the potty and then discover the doll peed colorful, sparkly glitter pee. And when she adds a Potty Pod to the potty, after giving her water and sitting her on the potty, she’ll discover her doll has “pooped” a magical charm. Magical Potty Surprise doll comes with more than 30 magical surprises, and a charm bracelet that your little one can proudly add charms to and wear.
Magical Potty Surprise comes with 9 doll food packets, 10 potty pods with surprise charms, a plate, spoon, sippy cup, potty, hairbrush, charm bracelet and a pacifier. And she has beautiful hair that your kiddo will love brushing, and a cute outfit and shoes. After all, fashion is important when baby is potty training!
Make potty training an exciting time in your little one’s life. Click here to buy the Baby born Surprise Magic Potty Surprise.
