A Couple of Musical Toys and an Intro to FAT BRAIN TOYS

Okay, first I have to say that Fat Brain Toys (Click the name to go to their site) is one of my favorite online toy stores. I can't believe I haven't yet mentioned them!

Unlike most toy stores that may bring out that "ho-hum: my children have seen this and done that--for five minutes before they got bored"--impulse/reaction, this family-owned and operated business strives to introduce children to toys that will stimulate growth (with your guidance). Fat Brain Toys focuses on connecting you and your children with toys that invigorate the imagination, cultivate coordination, nurture problem-solving skills, and maximize mind-enhancing play-time experiences.

Apart from the company's dedication to this philosophy, they offer incredible customer service. For example, via email, I queried them about one of their products, and I received a polite yet concise response within three hours. (You can get additional examples by visiting their website.) They offer free shipping, if you order more than $99.00 worth of toys, and they do ship to APO addresses.

One other thing that I really appreciate about Fat Brain Toys: they take the time to create an Age/Gender Usage and a Toy Value Index (IQ) about each of their toys.

Recently, Fat Brain Toys won the "Big Break" for Small Business Award, for 2011. Here is a video they put out prior to receiving the award. The video also captures the essence of what they are out to achieve.

 So, without further ado, onto some of their products, some of which can be found for less elsewhere (I do mention a few alternatives--yes, Amazon, for now), and others that are so hard to find that you simply must--if the toy appeals to you/your children--buy, whether now or sometime in the future.
                                   

Image Credit to Fat Brain Toys: today's price is $22.95 

Naturally, when I saw this musical product, I had to spotlight it! A lollipop drum. What better toy to feature on a site called Lollipops and Lattes? Well, there are many more important reasons highlight it.
The parents who have purchased this item appear to enjoy it almost as much as do their toddlers and pre-toddlers. The reviews I read have mentioned everything from its crisp sound/deep range in tones, depending upon how and where the drum is struck, to the durability of the rubber mallet. A number of parents also mentioned that they had first seen this in their children's Kinder-music classes. This festive drum seems to be the most popular with parents who have children aged 12 months-28 months. Note: one parent mentioned that the colors of the lollipop appear on but one side.
The Remo Lollipop Drum comes in a variety of sizes--the one shown here is 10 inches. This drum has won the coveted Oppenheim Best Toy Award, which attests to its quality.

Click Image to go to Amazon

But I do like to price compare: The same product, with the same diameter is also being sold on Amazon (and, yes, Fat Brain Toys is an associate of Amazon--many independent toy sellers are these days) by another company for $16.76. On Amazon, the drum has also received rave reviews, including one that mentions that this product is pretty much indestructible, and makes an incredible outdoor drum.

Image from Fat Brain Toys

Another musical toy that has gotten rave reviews both at Fat Brain Toys and Amazon. Fat Brain Toys definitely provides you with more details about the product, and why it could be just the right toy for your child. Amazon, for now, has the better price (but that could change any day). At Fat Brain Toys, the Mozart Magic Cube is selling for $32.95--that is the price for the day). At Amazon, see link below, the same item is selling for $15.00. On both sites, you get incredible reviews (between the two sites, you get a total about 600 reviews, of which 496--about--rank the product between 4-5 stars. Those who hate it, seem to have issues with it sounding a bit electronic. I have also purchased and reviewed this product, so I shall share my review with you (below). To go to Amazon's link for the $15.00 (on sale) version, please hit the following: Magic Mozart Cube from Amazon.



My Review of the Magic Mozart Cube, published in October, 2011:
I purchased this for my daughter when she was seven months old, and it was an instant success, and so it remains (she shall be two in late December). While it is true that the music has a slightly computerized feel to it, it doesn't grate on the nerves, and more importantly seems to be (at least for my little one) attractive to the ear. An added plus: you have music without the addition of character voices narrating what instrument is being played, etc.

You can choose from hearing a small selection of Mozart's pieces on the piano, violin, french horn, harp, flute. You/your little one can combine these instruments as you wish, or, if you want to go all out, you can employ the orchestra mode. The instrument tabs are very large, making it easy for little hands to manipulate the cube. The cube is made of highly durable plastic: ours has endured being dropped endless times from various heights and doesn't have a single crack. Also, though the cube was played daily (multiple times) for months on end, the battery did not need to be changed until about 6 months ago.

Other nice features: Bright, vibrant colors on each of the cube's sides that attract the eye. This feature allows you (as your little one gets older) to ask "could you push the blue button," etc. This helps, to an extent, teach colors and their names. Something else that is nice: each of the instruments is illustrated and the name labelled. So, as your little one pushes into the toddler years, you can teach them the names of various musical instruments while having them listen to that instrument.

All in all, I have to say that this is one of the best purchases, in terms of play value, that I have made. She adores listening to and dancing to the music. The only negative is that the cube is light enough to be fairly easily lifted, but heavy enough to give your little one a little clack on the head unless you're there to supervise. But once they're a little older and gain better finger/hand dexterity and control, you can feel pretty confident about leaving them unattended (in a play area!), as there are no small parts and the cube is very well constructed.

I would certainly buy this for a little one, especially if I noticed an interest in music. Highly recommend!


While I'm at it, I thought I'd also share another musical toy that you won't see on Fat Brain Toys.



I'm only spotlighting it because my little one simply adores it! My review of the product follows:
I bought this piano for my daughter last year, shortly after she turned one. At one, the toy did not get much use, unless her older sister (7), my husband or I initiated contact with it. At one, my little one was still captivated by the Mozart Cube. However, once my little one approached 18 months, this toy became a favorite (though she still plays with the Cube). This piano is almost always on. My little one has learned which buttons play her favorite songs, and she plays her favorites ALL the time and dances to them!

It is true, as one reviewer noted, that older babies and young toddlers will find it nearly impossible to "learn to play" the music by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Schubert provided on the piano. The format for learning is not particularly engaging: my seven-year-old can follow the blinking lights with no problem, but she's restricted to using her pointer fingers unless she had actually memorized the piece. Ultimately, you play the piece off-time. But if you're using the piano for exposure to classical music and terms, and exposure encased in a VERY durable piece of plastic that can get dropped and clunked without breaking, this piano is quite phenomenal (and the batteries last).

The piano also has a quiz mode, which works a bit like a memory game. My little one never uses this feature. She's about choosing the music and listening to it, and she loves that she can turn her piano on and off according to her desires. She totes this around the playroom, placing it on tables, on the floor, or sits down and puts it on her lap, all the while listening to "her" music. She's particularly fond of Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and she gets fired up with hilarious dance moves when she listens to the cancan. Essentially, this toy enchants her, which is all I can ask of it!

While she rarely tries to play the piano, preferring its music to her own, she often picks up her tambourine, or her maracas and accompanies a piece. So, though I'm a little tired of the limited number of musical selections and the voices of Quincy, June, etc., I have to rate this as a wonderful purchase. She loves this piano so much that she becomes downright offended if any one else tries to play it--we'll be working on the concept of sharing once she turns two!

I highly recommend this for little ones who seem interested in music: it gets them up and dancing; it gives them a sense of control, as they get to choose the piece that will be played!


BUT BACK TO FAT BRAIN TOYS:

As I mentioned earlier, some products can be found for less money (and with the economy as it is, this is something about which we all care about), but other times, you do need to go to a speciality toy store to get products that are simply not readily available elsewhere (or, as on a site like Amazon, are not likely to be found--UNLESS you are aware of the particular brand for which you are looking). Fat Brain Toys should certainly, in my humble opinion, be one of the first stores towards which you look if you're searching for something chosen to optimize the play-time experience--do check elsewhere, as well, in case you can get the same product for less. But irrespective of from where you choose to buy, this site definitely provides you with an alternative perspective to the world of toys! You may find yourself so captivated by their products and their philosophy that you opt to spend an extra dollar or two (for similarly priced items that are also found elsewhere) simply to support their cause: a world of toys that teach and entertain, a world in which toys have substance.  Now, that is rare indeed.


NOTE: I am working on the Charlie and Lola/Lauren Child post, but am disappointed to see that many of her books have gone out of print and that some Amazon sellers are letting their imaginations (and possibly greed) run away from them, leading to higher than necessary prices for some lovely books. So I am working on the post, working on reviews, etc., but also researching where you might find some of the books at better prices (yes, I am visiting my preferred list of used and remainder bookstores to see if I can find some of her out-of-print wonders for you to bring home to your family). Should have that post up by Monday.

I'm also working on a post on the Kimmidoll's rival. Yes, she has one!

Finally, I will be working on my page, currently under construction (about sales, stores, etc.,) and adding new content to it (like, for instance, Fat Brain Toys)--you'll be seeing more on that page once the holidays are over.

Oh, and I should mention that I am learning HTML (gradually), and will do my best to make this site amazing for you by learning how to incorporate all different kinds of features, but as I am not particularly computer-literate, please bare with me as I go through the learning process!

Thanks in advance for your understanding. Should have a post ready for you by tomorrow or Friday, and Charlie and Lola should be ready by this weekend.