Unique Gift Idea #1: Growth Charts w/ Black and Hispanic Kids

Parents of children of color regularly span the shelves of baby gift shops looking for culturally relevant gifts. I know this because I get several email messages a day asking if I have seen this item or that. These messages keep me on the lookout. Now wherever I go, I visit craft fairs and artist hangouts looking for unique and interesting items featuring children of color. I was on such a mission at the NYC Gift Fair when I met KiaNicole, a wonderful young artist. We had a lengthy chat about the meager assortment of quality room decor products featuring children of color. I specifically mentioned the need for high-quality growth charts. I am excited to report that Kia listened; they are here, and they are absolutely gorgeous.

This series of four high-quality wall charts make a perfect gift from a doting aunt or grandparent. They are bright, colorful, and sure to add just the right touch to any bedroom. Printed on high-quality vinyl (not paper or cardboard like most) with a coordinating grosgrain ribbon that hangs from two grommets, they are priced right in the same range as other high-quality, designer-inspired growth charts - $49. Two girl designs and two boy designs are available. Take a look, we think you will agree that at least one should be in every self-respecting nursery. This heirloom-quality gift can surely follow your little one until he or she has children of their own.

Win a Free Friends Forever Girls 19" Reina Doll (MSRP: $89)

Subscribe to the DollsLikeMe.com Insiders and be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win a Friends Forever Girls 19” Reina doll and companion book, The First Day of Forever. The Reina Doll Sweepstakes is DollsLikeMe.com’s first in a series of toy giveaways. No purchase necessary to win. However, winners must subscribe to DollsLikeMe.com Insiders to be eligible.

One winner will win the prize. Random drawing will take place on November 19, 2008 from all eligible entries received, and the winner will be notified by November 22, 2008 via the email address supplied during entry. Judges decisions are final.

Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada who are 18 years or older with Internet access at time of entry. Only entrants logging onto the Internet from within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia or Canada are eligible to enter the Sweepstakes.

To enter, simply subscribe to DollsLikeMe.com Insiders by sending an email including your full name to: sweepstakes@dollslikeme.com. That's it. You are entered. You will receive an instant reply confirming your entry. Complete rules are available at http://www.dollslikeme.com/contest.html.

Top 25 Hispanic Dolls for Christmas 2008

This year, we thought it would be helpful if we published a series of holiday guides featuring multicultural toys. The Top 25 Hispanic Dolls List (in the right column) is the first Guide and our attempt to respond to the hundreds of questions about Latina dolls we we received last year.

The list ranks dolls by a formula we created, which rates parent response, play value, cultural and ethnic representation, and quality. The four ratings are averaged and listed in order from highest to lowest. The full list is available at http://www.dollslikeme.com/ as a downloadable pdf. Lists featuring Black and Asian dolls, multicultural games and puzzles, and multicultural baby gifts will be published in the next few weeks.

Number one on this year's Top 25 Latina Dolls list is Reina (shown above in the Sweepstakes article) from Forever Friends Girls. 18" Reina arrives with a book bag, poncho and hardcover book, The First Day of Forever, which features Reina and her new friends. The Forever Friends Girls dolls were named as one of Dr. Toy’s “Best Children’s Products for 2008” and our favorite 18" -21" dress up dolls. The number 2 doll on our Top 25 is Rosa (shown). Rosa is a new 13" collectible fashion doll from Mixis.