Lisa's picks

The set includes 10m string, 2 large baskets, and 2 wooden crank stations (with clamps, and additonal parts).

For an extended course, add-ons available sold separately: Corner taking support and elevated support.

Figures also sold separately.

Assembly 9 yrs+;  Play 4 yrs+. 

Made in Germany. 

Nest Notes: this is one of the very rare times that we could recommend to deviate from Walter Kraul's age suggestions, as we do find that some children as young as 4 years can be heavily involved in the assembly.  An older child or adult could help with the screwdriver and as needed.

Rainbow String Game, hand dyed in USA.  

String games are a good workout for the brain.  And, they are fun!

Many parents carry string games along on trips, to restaurants, and visits with relatives as a way to pass the time and share tricks with their children.

Wonderful for older children and adults to teach to younger children.

Recommended for ages 5 and up.  It can really depend on the child.  Most children begin finger strings around 8 years old.

'Finger Strings' book sold separately with endless activities for the advanced string game enthusiast.

These are the kind of finger strings used in most of the Waldorf schools; grades 1-5.

For years these have been cut, melted and hand-dyed by Sarah's Silks owner's son, Noah, in USA.

If they break (from rough yanking) light a candle and burn the ends back together (adults only).

Playclips are popular for securing play silkscapes or bedsheets to playstands and other forts.  Sold individually.

Made in USA.

Spinning tops, perfect for birthday loot bags, party favours, a tooth fairy gift, stocking stuffer, or just a little fun just because. Spinning the top makes it 'stand' on its head.

Made of European hardwood, with non-toxic surface.

Stained in 4 different colours. Sold individually. Please let us know if you have colour preferences.

3 cm Diameter.

Made in Germany.

2 board games of hide and seek in the light of a candle for 2-8 players.

First version: The burning tealight moves through the dark forest and tries to find the small dwarves in their hiding places.  If a dwarf is touched by the light, it is frozen and not allowed to move any more. The other dwarves try to release it.  All dwarves try to unite under one tree while the candle tries to freeze the dwarves.  Who will win?  A co-operative game for children starting at 5+ years, with adult supervision because of the candle.

Second version: The light remains stationary in one place.  The dwarves must move through the shadows and jump over the light.  A dwarf which has to stop in the shadow must wait until another player helps him by flashing him a ray of light.  The game ends when all the dwarves have made it home safe and sound.  It may not seem obvious, but learning about the path of light rays and direct and diffuse light is also being taught whilst engaged in play.  Recommended for 7+ years, with adult supervision.

Instructions in English, French, and German.

Made in Germany.

Small water wheel, also known as the 'backpack water wheel', great to take along for a day's hike. It can find a place in a brook, between two makeshift branch-forks or on suitable stones as bearings. The waterwheel may also be positioned horizontally (with a vertical axis) and water may then fall onto the blades from above as a jet or in a spray to power the waterwheel.

Standalone fun, or connect it up to the hammermill to get some work done! (Hammermill sold separately).

Price is for one waterwheel per kit. Assembly required (which is part of the fun and learning).

Recommended for 5 yrs+.

22 cm diameter when assembled. Weight is 75 grams.

Made in Germany.

Spinning tops, perfect for birthday loot bags, party favours, a tooth fairy gift, stocking stuffer, or just a little fun just because. Spinning the top makes it 'stand' on its head.

Made of European hardwood, with non-toxic surface.

Sold individually. Please let us know if you have colour preferences.

3 cm Diameter.

Made in Germany.

by Adam Ford

Who isn’t fascinated by the sheer size of the universe? Stars offers a straightforward guide to what we know and how we know it—from the Big Bang to star nurseries to the beginnings of life on planet Earth.

Find out why you can’t draw a diagram of the solar system to scale, discover how gravity holds our planet together, and learn why we’re all made of stardust.

Included inside:

• season-by-season guide to stargazing
• double-sided star chart covering the northern and southern hemispheres
• pull-out activities, including "Test Your Eyesight" cards and a “What Do You Weigh on Other Planets?” spinning wheel, plus four sheets of stickers

Hardcover, 48 pages.  7.25 x 7.25 inches.

Roost Books.

Playclips are popular for securing play silkscapes or bedsheets to playstands and other forts! Sold individually.

Made in USA.

Spinning tops, perfect for birthday loot bags, party favours, a tooth fairy gift, stocking stuffer, or just a little fun just because.

We find these blank wooden tops a great activity for young children, starting at even as young as 5 years old (they could colour it at a younger age, but the finesse to make a wooden top spin perhaps starts at around 5 or 6 years old, although it can vary), and then even for older children and adults, painting or drawing a pattern that will optically come to life in motion is a fun little activity. Pencil crayons or our Stockmar paint with a little beeswax finish recommended. Stockmar watercolours or Stockmar paints in a tin work well.

Made of European hardwood, with non-toxic surface.

Sold individually.

4.2 cm diameter.

Made in Germany.

The corner taking support is meant to be added to the basket cable car kit to make for a more elaborate set-up. The basket cable car kit on its own has a single straight path, but with the corner taking support, you can have an L shape configuration. Attach it to tabletop, shelf, chair, bookcase, or also possible with some doorframes.

5 metres of string included.

Assembly 9 yrs+; Play 6 yrs+.

Please note: baskets sold separately with basket cable car kit.

Made in Germany.

Nest Notes: this is one of the very rare times that we could recommend to deviate from Walter Kraul's age suggestions, as we do find that some children as young as 4 years can be heavily involved in the assembly.  An older child or adult could help with the screwdriver and as needed.

by Meredith & Sofie Jacobs

From the bestselling authors of the Just Between Us series comes a set of conversation cards to help the whole family get beyond the chit-chat and deepen the conversation.

Housed in a sturdy and pleasing keepsake box, these conversation starters can sit on a shelf near a family gathering place, or be tossed into a bag for a road trip.

If you like, you can slip a conversation card into the display window in the front of the box. Take turns answering the question. Then flip the card over for more ways to enrich the conversation.

With more than 150 prompts, these cards generate many rich opportunities for connection, and because the questions are open-ended, they can be reused again and again.

75 cards, front and back. More than 150 prompts.

Chronicle Books. Published April 2019.

Nest Note: We also find this to be a nice activity before bed, as a kind of journalling aloud together. We have used 'the cuddle cards journal' for this same activity, and it is an absolute family favourite for children kindergarten aged right up to adults. This set from the 'just between us' series for us feels like a natural expansion of the cuddle cards journal.

Sample prompts:

Front of card: "Imagine you're my age - what's your day like?"

Back of card, digging deeper: "Imagine you're my age - what are you like?"

About the Authors:

Sofie Jacobs graduated from the University of Michigan and lives in Rockville, Maryland.

Meredith Jacobs is an award-winning columnist and author. She lives in Rockville, Maryland.

Irresistible little tumbling men made from felt and card with a ball-bearing. They will turn somersaults on any non-slippery inclined surface. Kit includes all the pieces to make 4 large tumbling gnomes.

Gnomes approximately 13 cm (5") tall.

Assembly 8+ yrs.; Play 3+ yrs.

Made in Germany.

These nice thick threads of plant dyed sheep wool are ideal for weaving or finger knitting (finger crocheting) with young children.

Soft but durable yarn.

Pastel assortment: pink, violet, light blue, and light green.

100 gram wool, 4 colours 25 gram each ball.

Made in Germany from Bioland wool by Filges.

Gentle and unbelievably efficient. Curaprox of Switzerland makes these ultra soft toothbrushes to be all at once extremely gentle on gums (which is very nice for those with receding gumlines in particular or to avoid such a condition), and, thanks to the CUREN filament bristles, capable of such an effective tooth cleaning that one feels like they've just come from a cleaning with their hygienist.

We highly recommend these toothbrushes as part of overall dental care regimen. While they may cost a little more than a regular drugstore toothbrush, the difference in your dental care is significant. They clean teeth so much more effectively, and without hurting or damaging gums, thanks to each toothbrush's 5,460 CUREN® filaments. A CS 5460 ultra soft toothbrush offers gentleness and efficiency – and is popular all over the world. 5,460 CUREN® filaments, 0.1 mm in diameter.

Curaprox toothbrushes come in a fun assortment of colours. Please let us know if you have preferences for colours.

Made in Switzerland.

Spinning tops, perfect for birthday loot bags, party favours, a tooth fairy gift, stocking stuffer, or just a little fun just because. There is a little ‘surprise’ with this top, which is fun to discover for oneself. With the right momentum and conditions, spinning the top makes it 'stand' and spin on its head.

We find these blank wooden tops a great activity for young children, starting at around 6 years old (they could colour it at a younger age, but the finesse to make this top spin perhaps starts at around 6 years old, although it can vary), and then even for older children and adults, painting or drawing a pattern that will optically come to life in motion is a fun little activity. Pencil crayons or our Stockmar paint with a little beeswax finish recommended. Stockmar watercolours or Stockmar paints in a tin work well.

Made of European hardwood, with non-toxic surface.

Sold individually.

3 cm Diameter.

Made in Germany.

OrganYc beauty cotton swabs are manufactured with certified organic cotton and recyclable cardboard stems.  Especially suited for daily cosmetics and body care.  The packaging is made with recyclable and biodegradable materials.

200 count.

About the manufacturer: OrganYc makes 100% certified organic cotton biodegradable feminine care products. Healthier for people and the environment.  They are preferred by those with sensitive skin.  They help to prevent and alleviate skin irritations and rashes that can be caused by products made of paper, plastic, wood pulp and super-absorbent powders.  Chlorine bleach free.

Made in Italy.

A personal favourite at Nest!

The cuddle journal is wonderful for families to read aloud, listen to the answers without comment if you like.  A great oral journalling experience for little ones and people of all ages.  To think, to feel, and to discover together.  Judgement does not feel present in the questions.  All of the emotions are given sunlight and air in this way.

Purchase just the journal, just the cards, or both together.  In our home, our littlest one liked to play with the cards, while we read the questions aloud.  Whomever liked could comment aloud, with little good, good pauses in between.  Rare moments of calm and quiet overtook our household with this thoughtful and special journal.

The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World

The textured knit of this baby blanket makes for a cozy, spring-y feel.  It is a joy to bundle and warm an infant, toddler, and it even makes for a special sweet blankie for a pre-schooler or kindergartener.

In Disana's words: "No other article fulfills the feeling of security and warmth more than our baby blanket made of merino new wool.  In no other of our articles can natural wool with all its positive properties shine as in this wonderful piece of knitting art.  It is as light as a feather and yet forms a protective cover around the child.  It is cozy and warm and at the same time balances out temperatures.  It is soft and fluffy and can withstand fun and games.  Anyone who has ever felt our disana baby blanket will share our enthusiasm for natural textiles.  The noble ajour pattern can only be knitted by very few mechanical machines in our production.  This precious look is supported by an elaborate shell seam that surrounds the edge of the ceiling."

Material: 100% new wool.

Merino wool from organic farming.

80 x 100 cm.

Made in Germany.

Watch the caterpillar car race down the tower. It's a delight to see.

36 cm tall. Beech and birch plywood.

Recommended for Ages 1.5 yrs and up, or with supervision for under 3 yrs (due to small pieces).

Please note that while the separate individual cars are available by special request, we choose to stock this car with a single 3-car-caterpillar, as we find the overall effect more fun with the 3-cars joined together.

Made in Germany.

Soft, unbleached organic cotton flannel cloths.  Each cloth is 40 x 40 cm.  (Expect some shrinkage upon washing in hot water, and putting in the dryer.)

Nest Owners' Notes: One of the most consistently reached for products from our shop in our household for the last ten years.  These cotton flannel clothes are made to be folded inserts in baby's cloth diapers, and they do very well at providing extra absorbency for this.  Their other usefulness we quickly discovered in our household, is during middle of the night spills of glasses of water, incidents with wetness on the mattress or elsewhere.  Because they are such a soft, thin, yet super-absorbent layer, we'd find ourselves reaching for them to lay on a mattress to soak up some moisture and allow everyone to return to a cozy, dry sleep.

100% organic cotton.

Made in Finland by Ruskovilla.

~~~~~

About organic cotton from Ruskovilla:

Properties

Cleans extra thoroughly and extra gently!

For pots, pans, stovetops, glass, high grade stainless steel, and more. Removes layers of rust from cutlery. Ideal also for bicycles, cars, motorcycles, and much more.

Fine copper threads gently remove even persistent dirt - copper is a soft metal, which does not scratch. It frees pots, pans, and stovetops from burnt grime, does not leave scratches on enamel or stovetops, polishes the sink until it gleams. Ideal for high grade stainless steel articles, glass, china, ceramics, etc. Also removes layers of rust from blades, bicycles, cars, motorcycles, etc.

Double layered for extra strength, extremely long lastings, washable in the washing machine at 60 degrees Celsius (please put in a laundry bag or sock). Do not use on Teflon or similar surfaces. Use in wet condition only.

Set of 2.

Made in the Netherlands.

Made from organic cotton, these cloths are delightfully soft and absorbent.

We've found so many uses for them!  Some people like to use them on sensitive faces or hands, as they are so incredibly soft, many young children or people of all ages appreciate the gentle touch.

In our home, however, we use these for dusting, as they are the perfect re-usable, eco-friendly dusting cloth that we can use in dry in the hand or to put on the end of a sweeping tool, to easily pick up dust and dirt.  A great addition to the weekly home maintenance and cleaning routine.  They are so soft and effective, they are quite satisfying to use!

~19.5 x 19.5 cm (7.75 x 7.75")

90% organic dye-free cotton, 10% polyester.

Made in Canada.

Spring-action loaded for good pop.

Ostheimer figures are made entirely by hand in Germany. The high quality of environmentally-friendly Ostheimer wooden toys is based on the use of certified materials. The warm, natural material of wood comes from sustainable domestic forestry and certified organic wood, and the selected childsafe colors and organic oils preserve the natural characteristics of the wood and make it tangible for the child. Many senses are thus involved: the grains of the surface of the wood, the smell of high-quality oils, the beautiful sight for the eye. Artistic and practical designing and painting have a focus so that the characteristic peculiarities of an animal's very typical appearance, in short its spirit, are expressed in it. This is so achieved, not in merely the naturalistic depiction that each outer detail creates, but rather the shapes and painting are deliberately limited to essentials; something special from the character and gesture of an animal or a human figure. The child is not getting something finished in the hand, not a detailed snapshot of a trotting horse with defined eyelashes and facial expression - rather, an Ostheimer wooden figure leaves the child completely immersed in the exciting world of "horse" and gives their imagination much space for play, again and again new scenes and situations to make: as the horse is galloping, standing, neighing, nestling their head against me or it lies down to rest. The design of Ostheimer figures can behave in typical fashion in their movement, as they can look at any moment quite different. All that is in the restrained design of the wooden figure in it, and the child can bring it out, imaginative play coming to life.

Stainless Steel cutlery set. Made from 18/8 stainless steel, this set will last for generations.

The four-piece cutlery set includes a fork, a knife, and two spoons. The smaller of the two spoons can be used for babies and toddlers, while the rest of the set is more suited to a child starting ~4 years of age and up.

The forks and spoons are rounded, which not only holds food better, but fits better in a child's mouth.

Designed in Canada. Made responsibly in China.

Gentle and unbelievably efficient. Curaprox of Switzerland makes these ultra soft toothbrushes to be all at once extremely gentle on gums (which is very nice for those with receding gumlines in particular or to avoid such a condition), and, thanks to the CUREN filament bristles, capable of such an effective tooth cleaning that one feels like they've just come from a cleaning with their hygienist.

We highly recommend these toothbrushes as part of overall dental care regimen. While they may cost a little more than a regular drugstore toothbrush, the difference in your dental care is significant. They clean teeth so much more effectively, and without hurting or damaging gums.

Curaprox toothbrushes come in a fun assortment of colours.  Please let us know if you have preferences for colours, and we'll try our best to accommodate.

Made in Switzerland.

Board is 26.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 2.5 cm thick, including puzzle pieces in thickness.

Beechwood board (18 mm thick) and butterflies made of sycamore wood (13 mm).

Made in Poland.

by Maja Säfström

Did you know that an octopus has three hearts?
Or that ostriches can’t walk backward?
Or that a group of owls is called a parliament, or that they have three eyelids?

Sea otters hold hands in their sleep, bees never sleep, and penguins laugh when they’re tickled!

This charming compendium contains over 100 pages of fascinating facts about the animal kingdom illustrated with whimsical detail.

Have a look inside the book.

ABOUT MAJA SÄFSTRÖM

Maja Säfström is a Stockholm-based illustrator and architect, and the author of The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts and Animals of a Bygone Era: An Illustrated Compendium.

Hardcover, 120 pages. 6 x 7.5".

Published by Ten Speed Press. 2016.

A gentle, healing salve. Traditionally used in Western herbalism to heal sprains, bruises and fractures.

Directions: Adults and children, apply a generous amount of salve on the affected area. Do not use on broken skin or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. External use only.

Small is 15 ml and Large is 50 mL in a glass jar.

Ingredients:

Each ml of Comfrey ointment contains:
Comfrey, fresh organic roots and leaves Symphytum officinale 1:2, 478 mg,
NMI: first cold pressed organic olive oil, organic beeswax.

A leader of traditional herbalism in Canada, Clef des Champs grows organic herbs and manufactures therapeutic extracts since 1978. Our extracts are made with certified organic fresh herbs, grown in our biodynamic gardens. Accredited by Health Canada, Clef des Champs holds a site license since 2006. Clef des Champs manufactures and distributes two certified organic product lines: a therapeutic line comprised of medicinal herb products and a culinary line that includes spices, herbal and other teas. All of our extracts are free of GMOs, gluten, soy and wheat.

Made in Quebec, Canada.

An illustrated Compendium

by Maja Säfström

A whimsically illustrated collection of fascinating, surprising, and funny facts about baby animals and their parents, from the author of The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts.

Who doesn’t love baby animals? Amazing Facts About Baby Animals is an adorable celebration of all kinds of fuzzy, fluffy, scaly, and feathery animal babies and their parents. This charming collection by beloved Swedish artist Maja Säfström is full of interesting, weird, and funny facts about animals before they are born (elephants are pregnant for 22 months!), when they are born (whales are born tail-first so they don’t drown!), and life as babies (parrots give their offspring names! Baby macaques have snowball fights!). Perfect for art- and nature-loving kids and adults, this sweet book makes a wonderful gift and conversation starter for the whole family.

ABOUT MAJA SÄFSTRÖM

Maja Säfström is a Stockholm-based illustrator and architect, and the author of The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts and Animals of a Bygone Era: An Illustrated Compendium.

Have a Look inside the book.

Hardcover, 112 pages. 6 x 7.5".

Published by Ten Speed Press. 2019.

by Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman

In today’s thriving maker culture, kids are hungry for hands-on guidance in creating stylish wearables and practical objects, or hacking and customizing existing ones. Authors Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman get them started with complete instructions for mastering six favourite fibre crafts. Step-by-step photos teach kids ages 9–14 the basics of how to sew, knit, crochet, felt, embroider, and weave, plus how to make three projects for each craft. (In our experience, children as young as 6.5 or 7 years old can well manage and be inspired by several crafts from the book). From woven patches and a knitted backpack to embroidered merit badges and a crocheted bracelet, the fresh, kid-approved projects encourage creative variations and build confidence along with valuable life skills.

Softcover, 208 pages. 20.3 x 2.3 x 25.1 cm

Storey Publishing, 2017.

Reviews

From the Back Cover

Ready, Set, Make!

About the Author

Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman are the coauthors of Stitch Camp. They are longtime friends and cocreators who have been crafting for many years with each other, their families, and groups of kids at home camps and studio workshops. Blum is the coauthor of Improv Sewing. Newman edits ChopChop, a nonprofit family cooking magazine, and is the author of One Mixed-Up Night, Catastrophic Happiness, and Waiting for Birdy. Blum and Newman live in western Massachusetts.

Read more at the publisher's website.

Excerpt from the Book

Beanbag Hand Warmer

The project description below is an excerpt from “Stitch Camp” by Nicole Blum and Catherine Newman (Storey Publishing, 2017).

Toss them into a bucket and keep score — and they’re toys. Heat them in the microwave and pop them in your pockets — and they’re hand warmers. Either way, this is a project that comes together quickly, and it makes a great gift. Make your beanbag as big or small as you like, or vary the sizes for different projects.

What You Need

♦ Enough craft felt, polar fleece, or felted wool to cut a front and back piece

♦ Straight pins

♦ A small bowl (or a square cut from cardboard) for tracing (any size 3 to 5 inches is good)

♦ Chalk

♦ Scissors

♦ Embroidery floss or sturdy thread

♦ Sharp needle

♦ Rice or other grains, lentils or other small dried beans, or popcorn, for filling

♦ Kitchen funnel or a piece of paper or small spoon

How You Make It

1. Stack or fold the fabric so there are two layers and stick a pin through the middle to hold the layers together while you’re cutting. Trace the bowl or cardboard square onto the top layer with chalk. Keeping both pieces of fabric pinned together, carefully cut the shapes out. Taking your time here will make sewing easier, and you won’t have to fix rough edges later.

2. Measure an arm’s length of embroidery floss, thread your needle, and knot the end. Starting in between the two layers, push your needle up through the top piece of fabric and pull the thread through until the knot is snugly against the underside.

3. Stitch around the edge of both layers using a nice, even backstitch. It is important to make your stitches very close together so the filling won’t pop out, especially if you’re using rice.

4. When you have about 1 inch left open, stop sewing but don’t tie off your thread yet; just lay the needle and thread out of the way or push the needle into the fabric to keep it safe. Use the unstitched hole to fill the bag with rice, beans, or the filling of your choice. A kitchen funnel makes this easy, but you can roll up a piece of paper to make a funnel if you like, or just use a small spoon and some patience.

5. When the bag is full, finish stitching until you meet up with where you started, then tie off your thread and snip it close to the fabric. If it’s important to you to conceal the knot, you can push the needle between the two layers before knotting.

Tip: Materials for Hand Warmers

If you’re planning to offer your beanbags up (or use them yourself) as hand warmers, use wool felt for the outside. Synthetics can behave strangely in the microwave, which is where you’ll heat them up. Rice is our favorite choice for filling hand warmers (it smells good when you heat it.), but whatever you choose, don’t use popcorn.

A lovely postcard by Marjan van Zeyl.

10.7 x 15 cm

Printed in the Netherlands.

Pack of 2.

Safely and gently removes burnt residue from your most precious pots, pans, and stovetops.

7.5 cm diameter, 20 grams.

Made in the Netherlands.

See 16 constellations. Two debossed sides present the constellation with and without lines. Four printed sides feature a constellation symbol, name, hemisphere, and scale of magnitude.

70% organic wool, and 30% silk blend. Cozy and soft, with full coverage against drafts. Snaps at shoulders, and on the insides of the legs. Comes in lilac or light blue. Available in 4 different sizes. Sizes are in centimetres and correspond to overall height of child (from bottom of flexed foot to top of head).

50/56 centimetres (newborn)

62/68 (2 - 5 or 6 months)

74/80 (5 or 6 months to just over a year

86/92 cm (just over 1yr to 2 yrs...).

Made in Germany.

by Maja Säfström

A beautifully illustrated collection of fascinating, surprising, and funny facts about extinct animals.

In the past, amazing and strange animals roamed the earth, including giant sea scorpions, tiny horses, enormous sloths, and fierce "terror birds." These and many more fantastic extinct animals are illustrated in this whimsical collection by Swedish artist Maja Säfström.

Have a look inside the book.

ABOUT MAJA SÄFSTRÖM

Maja Säfström is a Stockholm-based illustrator and architect, and the author of The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts and Animals of a Bygone Era: An Illustrated Compendium.

Hardcover, 112 pages. 6 x 7.5".

Published by Ten Speed Press. 2017.

A gentle, healing salve. Traditionally used to aid in wound healing.

Directions: Adults: apply the salve externally, up to 7 days. Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist. Do not use if pregnant, breastfeeding or allergic to the Asteraceae family.

Small is 15 ml and Large is 50 mL in a glass jar.

Ingredients:

A leader of traditional herbalism in Canada, Clef des Champs grows organic herbs and manufactures therapeutic extracts since 1978. Our extracts are made with certified organic fresh herbs, grown in our biodynamic gardens. Accredited by Health Canada, Clef des Champs holds a site license since 2006. Clef des Champs manufactures and distributes two certified organic product lines: a therapeutic line comprised of medicinal herb products and a culinary line that includes spices, herbal and other teas. All of our extracts are free of GMOs, gluten, soy and wheat.

Made in Quebec, Canada.

By Meredith & Jules Jacobs

The bestselling journal series, Just Between Us—now for moms and their sons.

This thoughtful keepsake journal is the perfect place for a mother and son to share stories and dreams, hopes and fears.

Advice, guidelines, and prompts by author Meredith Jacobs and her son pave the way to discussing everything exciting and scary about growing up, from friendships and school to positive masculinity. With plenty of free space to write about whatever's on their minds and fun pages for drawing pictures and making lists, this journal will open the lines of communication and help strengthen mother-son relationships.

• In the age of #metoo, conversations between mothers and their sons are even more important—this journal allows a safe space for sharing.
• Perfect Mother's Day gift!
• A great way to approach and share difficult challenges that boys face growing up, and share important milestones and memories.

Written by a mother (Meredith Jacobs, the award-winning coauthor of the Just Between Us series) and her son, Jules Jacobs.

Recommended for ages 10 and up. Mothers can begin making entries when their daughters are younger, in preparation for handing it over...

Hardcover. 6.5" x 8.75". 144 pages.

Chronicle Books, 2020.

Glockenspiel 8 fixed notes.  The slightly curved, slightly inclined arrangement of the sound carrier offers a good platform to play.  Chimes come with booklet with sheet music with some pentatonic and some diatonic songs.  Includes one hard and one soft (rubber padded) wooden mallet.

Comes in two options:

~ the diatonic scale, which is the traditional DO-RE-MI scale. (c''' - c'''')

~ penatonic scale, traditionally used with musical instruments in Waldorf education for young children. d''' - g'''' notes. In the pentatonic scale, notes that have more of a sound of pausing or tension have been removed, leaving only notes that compose a continuous free-flowing sound when played together.

Made in Germany.

by Helen Friel and Ian Friel

Henry Hoakes has gone missing and Hoakes Island Amusement Park is in grave danger.  This notebook, a hastily assembled collection of diary entries, notes, puzzles and clues, is the only key to find out what’s happened to Henry and stop the dastardly developers who want to knock down the park.

Solve the puzzles and discover keys and clues as you travel around the island on a quest to rescue Rita the anteater, Granville the gorilla and the rest of the talking animals who live there.  It’s a race against time that only a puzzle master can win!

This ingenious and immersive puzzle adventure comes with a fold-out map of Hoakes Island and a special red lens to discover secret messages and clues. Can you solve the mystery and save Hoakes Island?  We’re counting on you!

• Quarterbinding with PLC (hardcover)
• 115 illustrations
• 64 pages
• Size: 255 x 185 mm

Recommended for ages 7-11 years (grades 2-5).

Hardcover.  Published by Laurence King.

Please note that this version of Hoakes Island is in English, but it is available elsewhere in German.  One may also purchase the book in English, and refer to the online version of the map in German, for German language study, found here.

About the Authors:

Helen Friel is a freelance paper engineer and illustrator, living and working in London.  Her commercial clients include Vogue, The Telegraph, Ted Baker and Time magazine.  She is also the author of Midnight Creatures: A Pop-Up Shadow Search.

Ian Friel became a freelance writer and historian in 2007, after a long career in museums.  He has published several books on maritime history, and has co-written Billy Bow, a musical set during the Napoleonic Wars.  Hoakes Island is his first children’s book, written with his daughter, Helen Friel.

An old design, made new again.  The light of years past shines through, with this simple story of the Star Money, gifted to the child generous of heart.

Dimensions: 35 x 26 x 1cm

Handmade in Germany.

A beautiful version of the classic game of solitaire - a test of skill and a practice to stretch one's patience. For some nice solo time.

Beech wood, varnished. With 33 holes and 32 red wooden pegs (plus 3 additional spare pegs). For peg storage and deposit during the game, there is a hinged lid with a compartment at the side. Instructions included.

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Instructions:

At the start of the game, insert 32 pegs into the holes. Only the middle hole (#17 in the paper diagram included) remains free. Now jump with one peg over the other and take the 'jumped over' peg away. (Placing the pegs in the attached container). It may only be jumped in a straight line (up, down or across), and only over one peg; Also, a peg cannot jump over an empty hole.

There are infinitely many ways to get to the goal.  You have to jump the pegs with the end in mind so that only 1 peg remains.  And now have fun!

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Nest Notes: For age recommendations, it is going to vary by person, but generally Solitaire is a nice game even for adults.  For children, many could get the concept already at 6 or 7 years old maybe, but we might suggest to wait to begin until 8 years old, for the child to have chance to satisfyingly bring it to a conclusion, even if not getting all the pegs but one removed in the end... It is simply a game to see how many you have remaining at the end, and try and get the lowest number possible.  It need not be only 1 left.  The goal is perhaps best introduced as to see how many pegs left at the end, rather than just try to have 1 peg left. ;)  We've seen this game introduced to children around 9-12 years of age as a golden time for delighting in it, and older children, teens, and adults too then find it absorbing.

Made in Germany.

Sonett’s particularly energy-saving method of saponification, the use of oils and essential oils derived from certified organic cultivation, and its good value for money as far as the laundry liquid’s washing performance is concerned are the outstanding features of this product.

Ranges of application:

Suitable for coloured and white textiles made from cotton, linen, hemp, and fabric blends; 30–95 °C (85–200 °F). Suitable for HE washing machines.

• With organic vegetable oil soap,
  without enzymes, GMO-free
• Good washing performance,
  suitable for white and coloured textiles
• Lovely fragrance of essential lavender oil
  from certified organic cultivation
• 100% biodegradable

Biodegradability

Soap made from vegetable oils has one outstanding feature compared to all the other active washing substances, namely that, right after its use, it reacts chemically with the limescale always present in waste water, resulting in calcium soap, thus neutralising its surfactant effect on aquatic organisms (primary degradation). The calcium soap is then, by microorganisms, 100% degraded into carbon dioxide and water (secondary degradation). Despite the fact that during the manufacturing of sugar surfactants, coconut oil alcohol sulphate and sulphated castor oil, constituents are being extracted from the plant-based raw materials starch, sugar, and fat, they remain completely intact in their natural molecular structure. For this reason it is relatively easy for the microorganisms to 100% decompose these surfactants. Soap, sugar surfactant, coconut oil alcohol sulphate, and sulphated castor oil are classified as being readily biodegradable according to OECD guidelines.

Suitable for septic tanks and filtration systems.

Certifications:

• Ecogarantie
• CSE (Certified Sustainable Economics)
• Vegan Society

Packaging:

• Bottle, canister: PE
• Label, cap: PE / PP
• Outer carton: 100% recycling material

Product declaration

• Soap from rapeseed / sunflower oil, certified organically grown 5–15%
• Sugar surfactant 5–15%
• Coconut oil alcohol sulphate 5–15%
• Vegetable alcohol (ethanol) 1–5%
• Sulphated castor oil <1%
• Citrate <1%
• Natural essential lavender oil, certified organically grown <1%
• Gurjun balsam <1%
• Balsamic additives, certified organically grown / 
• collection from wild-growing plants <1%
• Water, swirled up to 100%

List of ingredients as per EC 648/2004

Aqua, potassium soap*, alkylpolyglucoside C8–C16 (coco glucoside, lauryl glucoside), sodium C8–C14 fatty alcohol sulphate (sodium octyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate), alcohol, sulphated castor oil, sodium/potassium citrate, parfum*, linalool*, dipterocarpus turbinatus balm extract

*certified organically grown

Made in Germany.

Cleans extra thoroughly and extra gently!

You can easily clean small areas, surfaces, edges and hard to reach corners with this small copper pad.

Fine copper threads gently remove even persistent dirt - copper is a soft metal, which does not scratch.  Ideal for high grade steel-articles, glass, china, ceramics, etc.  Also removes layers of rust from blades, bikes, cars, etc.

Do NOT use on teflon or similar surfaces.  Use in wet condition only!

Ecologically beneficial, 100% recyclable.  Extremely long lasting.  This is a braided copper pad, more densely compacted than our other copper pads and sponges we also sell.

Please note the dimensions: 5 x 4 cm.  22 grams.

Made in the Netherlands.

Playing cards, deck of 32 cards with the beautiful watercolour paintings of Eva-Maria Ott-Heidmann.

A simple game with rules simlar to Go Fish, or other game version possibilities, can be enjoyed by children as young as 4 years.

Printed in Germany.

A wonderful gift set in undyed natural off-white silkwool blend for a newborn.

By Meredith & Sofie Jacobs

A journal to share, to hand back and forth, and communicate by pen, with helpful advice from a mother-daughter writing team. Includes writing prompts for discussing friends, school, crushes, and growing up. Fun pages for drawing pictures and making lists.

Recommended for ages 10 and up. Mothers can begin making entries when their daughters are younger, in preparation for handing it over...

Hardcover. 22 cm (8.8 inches) high.

Chronicle Books, 2010.

A fascinating and soothing game in which the marbles spin in the different plates and roll out in a chime at the end.

A crowd favourite. Watch the marbles wind their way down the tower, and they play a little tune at the end. 8 glass marbles included.

Recommended for ages 3 years and up due to small parts (marbles).

41 cm high. Diameter of wooden plates is 7 cm.

Solid maple wood, with water-based child-safe paints and varnishes.

Made in Germany.

Board is 17 cm high x 24 cm long x 3 cm thick, including puzzle pieces in thickness.

Made in Poland.