Brazenmom

What could possibly cooler for a literature enthusiast like myself than Macbeth Finger Puppets? Nothing – that’s what. The set, available online from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, includes Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, a witch, Banquo and Macduff. My fingers tingle at the thought of doing a ‘finger-play’ for my baba as an introduction to the awesomeness of Shakespeare. These finger puppets are also fabulous for those who think that Shakespeare is overdone and overrated: my husband cannot wait to bastardise Macbeth in a ‘finger play’ that will undoubtedly serve as an ode to the lameness of Shakespeare. Either way, entertainment is guaranteed. Once hubby and I have had our fun with these little felt darlings, we will pass them on to our daughter who will hopefully enact her own little plays using the puppets. Or, most likely, she will use them as proof that her parents are embarrassingly insane: justification for any ensuing psychological problems.

Attention alternative moms: hold on to your platforms, piercings and corsets! I am OVERWHELMINGLY eager to share an awesome discovery that I know is going to make you as excited as it made me. The company is called Rockabye Baby! and the site is Rockabyebabymusic.com. You may wonder how I discovered this delicious beauty of a commercial enterprise. Well, my baby girl was the lucky recipient of a Lullaby Renditions of The Cure album; purchased for her from the Rockabye Baby! site by her very wise Aunty ‘F-dawg’, who couldn’t have chosen a more perfect gift. The treasured CD was delivered in black wrapping adorned with a lime-green ribbon, making my baby girl squirm with glee inside my bulging belly. If the wrapping was able to elicit such excitement I can’t wait to see how she will react to the music when I play it to her.

Rockabye Baby!, headquartered in Los Angeles, aims to make children’s music cool – not only for babies but for their parents too. The company specialises in lullaby renditions inspired by punk, metal and classic rock acts including the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Metallica, Nirvana, U2, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Queen.The possible launch of a lullaby rendition of Slayer is sure to send fans with babies into some kind of frenzy (be sure to check out the site and vote for the next Rockabye album). The company also provides gift packaging and wrapping options that will make your gifts all the more special.

Many years ago A Nightmare Before Christmas, the most magical of fairytales, was birthed in the mind of Tim Burton and was brought to life through the genius of stop motion animation. Disney produced the film, and the result of Disney’s involvement and consequential copyright ownership has been the pop-culturalisation of Jack Skellington; appropriator of Christmas and Halloween Town’s Pumpkin King. Jack has become the pop-icon of the alternative movement, largely because of the mass production and ready availability of Jack merchandise. One could argue the inconsistencies associated with the notions of alternative, mass production and pop-culture but the message of the moment is: every funky baby needs a Jack. Upon my perusal of the Disney store a couple of weekends ago, I picked out a Jack for my Christmas baby due on December 17. Here is some of what Disney has on offer in the plush toy category this Christmas: Read the rest of this entry »

So what’s a cool soft-toy to get for an alternative baby girl? Little Red Riding Kitty is what. My baby girl was lucky enough to receive this gorgeous plush toy as a gift from her Aunty and Uncle. The special thing about my baby’s Little Red Riding Kitty is that it reflects the personality of its givers and the relationship between friends – something my baby girl will grow to appreciate when she is a bit older. Being a lover of Fairytales and cats, I am under strict instruction that the Kitty is not for me but is for my daughter. In this case I may just have to purchase the accompanying Wolf Kitty for myself. These collectors toys are found on Emilystrange.com and retail for $24.99 (£15) each.