His most beloved and recognizable work, A Child’s Garden of Verses, has been published in a beautiful gift-giving volume by HarperCollins Publishers, suitable for every baby’s nursery and child’s bookshelves.

Though first published in the year 1885, the verses shine light on the simpler times of yesteryear, while many within this collection still ring true today.

Such precious rhymes, so tender and lovely read from every mother or father’s lips at bedtime — or during any time of the day.

“Then, when Mama goes by to bed,

She shall come in with tiptoe tread,

And see me lying warm and fast

And in the land of Nod at last.”

(from Northwest Passage)

Barbara McClintock’s delightful illustrations lend historic charm to these verses, though they are all present-day additives to this work.

Verses about springtime, swinging, sleeping, and just being a child — there’s something in here to delight every pair of little ears.

A perfect baby shower or birthday gift, A Child’s Garden of Verses can be purchased from these online retailers — or be sure to look for it at a bookstore near you.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product and product information from HarperCollins at no cost per my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

As a mom, you do lots of things.

As a mom, you do lots of things RIGHT.

Don’t you wish there was some way to tell the world when you celebrate these triumphs? Have you ever found yourself saying, “I should get an award for that!”?

Thanks to The First Years, there is, and you can!

The First Years’ Facebook Page has a new Brag Badge app, a neat way to proclaim your parenting victories as well as record those precious milestones in a creative way.

Celebrate the firsts, like “First Smile,” “First Laugh,” even “First Time with Peas.” You can share these fun, and sometimes unexpected moments, with your friends and family on Facebook….a cute way of bragging, so to speak, about your little one’s progress!

Head over to The First Year’s Facebook page, “like” them, then proceed in making your very first Brag Badge for FREE.

Win it!

Courtesy of The First Years, to celebrate the release of the Brag Badge app, I am able to give away one The First Years Compass B570 Pathway Booster Car Seat!

The features of the Pathway (B570) Booster Seat include:

· As with all of the booster seats from The First Years, this has the patented one-hand fold, making storage and moving from car to car easy and stress-free.

· This booster seat is used with children 30-100 lbs. or 3-10 years old. MSRP: $99.99

Here’s how to enter:

1) MANDATORY: Describe to me, in a comment below, the Brag Badge you made!

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close the contest on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011, at 11:59pm EST. US mailing addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #37, Hannah Gardner!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above product from The First Years at no cost per my endorsement of this app and my review….but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Spring is just a week away, and summer’s just around the corner. It’s time to head outside and get moving! The First Years’ new Ignite Stroller can help make outings a lot easier for both baby/toddler and parents.

The Ignite Stroller comes in five terrific color/design styles, each trendy and unique. The First Years sent us the Ignite Stroller in the Abstract Os style, and I have to say it’s pretty nifty looking! The colors are modern and the overall appearance is ultra unique.

Here’s some of the features of the Ignite Stroller:

~ A 5-point harness for added safety
~ A wider seat base, meaning a more comfortable ride
~ Extended handlebar length, making it easier to push and not as likely to get in the way while walking
~ Extra large storage pouch at the top with plenty of room for keys, music players, and camera….plus a water bottle holder
~ Real wheel brakes and front wheel swivel locks
~ Larger wheels (8″ diameter)
~ Removable and adjustable sun shield/canopy
~ One-handed closure
~ Weighs only 14 lbs.
~ Double frame, rated for use up to 50 lbs.

Each Ignite Stroller also comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

I have to say my favorite feature is the extended handles. Having to hunch over while walking and pushing was my chief complaint with past strollers we’ve owned.

The Ignite Stroller retails for $64.99 and is available from The First Years’/Learning Curve store, Amazon.com, and select color styles at BabiesRUs.com and AlbeeBaby.com.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed product at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. Since we have no need for a stroller at this time, I have passed along the sample I received to friends. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Daytime accidents can be caught and dealt with immediately, but it’s the nighttime accidents that can cause the most frustration and mess.

Protect-A-Bed knows full well the demands on mattresses and beds that potty training can bring.

One of the best tools you can arm yourself with during the throes of potty training is the Protect-A-Bed Potty Training Protection Kit!

Here’s some info about the kit:

This revolutionary Protect-A-Bed® system is designed to waterproof and keep your child mattress free of stains while reducing the amount of clean up time and embarrassment associated with bedwetting. Our Potty Training Kit includes:

* 2 Twin Premium Mattress Protectors
* 1 Stardard Size Pillow Protector

Right now, Protect-A-Bed is hosting a contest on their Facebook page called The Potty Pro Contest. They’re looking for the best tips, stories and photos related to potty training. Each Friday, they will be giving away three free potty training protection kits to anyone who submits an entry.

At the end of the promotion on Feb. 25th, they will give away the grand prize of a potty training protection kit, as well as complete mattress protection for up to four beds in the winner’s household!

To enter, simply “like” Protect-A-Bed on Facebook and leave a comment on their page with your tip.

Also, be sure to check out the special discount for fans of Protect-A-Bed on Facebook: 30% off crib mattress protectors through February 25th, 2011!

Good luck!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the chance to win a Protect-A-Bed blogger prize kit at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When you think of Petit Trésor, you think of luxurious goods, layette for baby that’s soft and one-of-a-kind, stemming from the famed LA boutique frequented by stars.

Petit Trésor debuted a collection in Target stores this past October 31st, making its appearance not only as a beautiful gift collection for infants, but also as a support of a charity.

Petit Trésor’s Target line has paired up with Jessica Seinfeld’s Baby Buggy charity, an organization that provides the most neediest families with the items needed to raise their children. 10% of the sales from this line will go directly to Baby Buggy.

We received a few samples from this line to preview, and I must say, the soft pastel colors are so endearing and the fabric is luxuriously soft. The only pattern is a simple, same-colored gingham that accents here and there. There are options for baby girls, baby boys, and “surprises,” for which there is an assortment of linens and accessories in a cool, mint green.

The prices are super reasonable ($9.99 for a long-sleeved sleep ‘n play). Shop online or hurry in to a store near you — the line is only in Target stores through January 1st, 2011.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed product samples at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Powered and thought up by the folks at Milo Creative, Tiny Ocean is a multi-age game/activity application that has a range of educational pluses:

~ Teaches first words/vocabulary building skills
~ Cause/effect animations and sound effects when images on the screen are touched
~ Personalization by way of the ability to record your own sounds for each object
~ Teaches several languages

Move from the seashore underneath the water to explore even more animals and treasures — all with the swipe of a finger. Pleasing calypso music serenades your little one’s ears as he or she navigates the seaside and ocean floor, meeting so many friendly faces….a shrimp, a crab, a clown fish, even a grinning little boy powering a submarine!

What we love most about the Tiny Ocean app? The record-your-own-voice feature. It didn’t take too long for our kids (4 & 6) to figure out how to record their words and/or sounds into the mic. It wasn’t long before they’d created quite a varied dialogue among the undersea characters — creating a new “screenplay” every time they play! Hearing their tiny voices resonate out of the adorably-drawn sea animals is simply precious.

I can only imagine that this will reach further — for when they begin learning Spanish (or another language) and I can record the words for each item in that language for drill and practice. Learning disguised as fun!

You can watch this video to get a good idea what all Tiny Ocean does:

You can download the Tiny Ocean iPhone app for $1.99 from the iTunes store (click here to go there directly).

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received a free download of this iPhone app at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have you checked out the new Halloween-themed items for babies and toddlers from Carter’s? From PJs to costumes, you’ll be sure to find a Halloween-ensemble for your little one — even sibling costumes that match!

Here’s just a sampling of the costume lineup available for purchase:

~ Friendliest Green Monster

~ Black and Red Ladybug

~ Orange and Black Tiger

~ Go Bananas Furry Gorilla

Check out these precious Glow-In-the-Dark Bones PJs!

And wouldn’t your little one be all decked out in cuteness if he/she donned Carter’s Yellow Baby Ducky costume with matching striped tights?

Check out the complete assortment of Halloween-themed costumes and sleepwear at Carters.com — or look for them wherever Carter’s items are sold near you. Suggested retail prices range from just $15 to $31.50.

(**Thanks to Carters for providing product samples for us to see — and thanks to my dear friends for letting their adorable son be the photogenic model for this review!)

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received samples of these items at no cost per my review, but my review is honest and my opinions are my own. I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Protect-A-Bed offers a full line of premium mattress protectors. Not only do they offer 100% waterproof protection, they also prevent dust mites, pollen, bed bugs, and more.

We have Protect-A-Bed Mattress Protectors and love them.

We love that Protect-A-Bed Mattress Protectors are thin, quiet (not loud or “crunchy” sounding), and easy to launder again and again.

No more worries about nighttime accidents, water spills, or allergies….any time of year. The life of your mattress, a gigantic investment, is extended and preserved.

AND! Protect-A-Bed is currently celebrating 30 YEARS of dedicated service to its customers. To celebrate, beginning today, Protect-A-Bed is offering a $30,000 Sweepstakes contest at their website. From now until 11:59pm CT on October 31, 2010, fill in the form on their page for your chance to win! You could win the $30,000 cash grand prize or one of ten 1st place prizes.

(Full contest rules are available for download at the bottom of the online form.)

Win it! Courtesy of Protect-A-Bed, one lucky Muse Reviews reader will win a Protect-A-Bed protector of his or her choice: Choice of size of one Protect-A-Bed Mattress Protector, a set of Protect-A-Bed Pillow Protectors, or a Protect-A-Bed Crib Mattress Protector!

Here’s how to enter:

1. MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, the Protect-A-Bed product you’d choose if you win this giveaway.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close the contest next Tuesday, August 17th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US mailing addresses only. Good luck!


CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the lucky winner, commenter #63, Aisling!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this product for free for review purposes; however, my review was honest and my opinions are my own. I only received the product itself; I received no other monetary compensation for this review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I’m excited to tell you about ecoSTORE USA and the unique, natural products they carry! ecoSTORE USA is an American extension of a 15+ year New Zealand company (www.ecostore.co.nz).

Founded by a guy named Malcolm Rands, who lived in a NZ eco village, ecoSTORE has grown exponentially since it’s humble beginnings. (Read more about ecoSTORE’s fascinating history here.)

ecoSTORE USA carries a host of chemical-free, natural products for the earth-and-safety conscious home and family. From natural house cleaning products to hair shampoos to baby moisturizers to “wool wash,” ecoSTORE USA has it covered.

The generous folks at ecoSTORE USA sent our family two products of our choice to try out:

Coconut and Vanilla Body Wash
This stuff? Is awesome. It smells like a can of coconut milk when it’s opened. It’s silky soft without leaving any residue on our skin. We are a family of dry skin/mild eczema flare ups, and truthfully, we’ve all noticed a decrease in our itchiness and dryness while using this body wash.

Auto Dish Powder
I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical about using a powdered detergent in our dishwasher — we’ve always used gels. I’ve read so many things about the dangerous additives housed within popular dishwasher detergents, though, so I knew I wanted to try a safer, more natural alternative. Not only do our dishes come out streak and scratch-free, they exit cleaner than after being washed with our “usual” detergent brands! Totally natural ingredients (like palm and coconut-derived surfactants) make this dish powder worry-free.

You can buy these both at ecoSTORE USA’s online store, as well as the spectrum of their other products.

AND!!!!

Through July 31st, 2010, to celebrate the grand opening of ecoSTORE USA’s headquarters in Michigan, every order placed on their site will instantly be “BOGO.” This means — your order is doubled — for free!

And, as always, all orders over $25 are automatically shipped FREE.

Head on over to start shopping….

Cristina has published her first interactive journal, The Changing Room: A Mother’s Journal of Gratitude to Her Little Girl. This interactive journal by Cristina Carlino and YOU captures all those astonishing parenting moments before they fade into the swirl of everyday life.

Throughout the book, Cristina shares her personal story and asks questions that inspire you to remember those first precious years of motherhood. This journal is a special place for your memories, drawings and letters. One day it will become a priceless keepsake for your daughter.

(Click here to watch a video presentation about this fabulous journal.)

Cristina’s friend, actress Mariska Hargitay, is in love with the book, and she and Cristina have joined forces for her Joyful Heart Foundation, benefiting survivors of rape, incest and abuse. 100% of the net proceeds for The Changing Room will go to Joyful Heart!

Christina is also hosting a “Wishes for My Little Girl” photo contest via her Facebook page. Five lucky winners will each receive a copy of The Changing Room journal.

To enter to win, click on Carlino’s Facebook page and post your favorite photo of the little girl in your life — it can be your daughter, a niece, a neighbor, the daughter of a friend….and tell us a wish you have for her. (*Winners will be determined by the number of “Likes” they receive from other Cristina Carlino Fans, so invite your friends to Cristina’s fan page!*)

Hurry! Contest ends on Monday, May 10th.

FTC info — Disclaimer: I was given an opportunity to receive a copy of The Changing Room for posting this announcement. I received no other monetary compensation for this post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”