Melted Crayon Canvas

This is so awesome. I think I'm going to try it with my students when we're back at school next week!

A Pint-Sized Gift Guide

Buying gifts for the children in your life is the absolute best. I tend to steer away from plastic and commercial and gravitate towards classic and handmade. An extra dash of whimsy is always a plus, too! I would happily purchase any of these items for my classroom or my future kid's playroom.

Nerdy Bug Print; Dancing Bears Waltz; Wooden Elephant; Classic Cars; Tea & Crumpets Apron; Honeycomb Puzzle; Rainbow Stacker; Marquant Classic Ride-On Taxi

One Day...

  ...My children will have a room just like this: a beautifully designed personal library to house their massive picture book collection. Magical, yes?

This one belongs to the young sons of design-maven, Kelly Wearstler. You can read an interview detailing how she created the snazzy space right here.

Child's Own Studio

How cool is this? Submit a child's drawing and see it transformed into a custom stuffed toy! I cannot get over how great a gift this would make for the special little one in your life. Visit Child's Own Studio to learn more.

A Place to Go

 Roald Dahl's writing hut. I need this in my backyard. I'm convinced I'd get so much more accomplished.  It had me at "yellow door."

A Summer Afternoon

Simple equals beautiful. Visit A Summer Afternoon for more handcrafted and eco-friendly wooden toys. The Ferris Wheel is my absolute favorite.

My Secret Habit

Can we talk babies for a minute? Does anyone else feel sorely tempted to buy pint-sized presents for their not-yet-conceived offspring? We're not planning on having a baby for at least a couple of years but that doesn't stop me from doing some serious window shopping. I already have a huge storage closet full of kid stuff (hello, I teach nursery school!), yet something tells me I couldn't explain a newborn romper in quite the same way...

(handmade infant romper; gold trumpette baby moccasins)

Keep This In Mind

Back to school next week. I'll keep the above words in mind as the year kicks off. Poster available here for $17. There are several others in the collection, too: Wouldn't they serve as nice "life" reminders framed in the family foyer or a classroom?

Chalk It Up to Experience

One of the many, many things I've learned in my tenure as an early childhood educator is that almost all young children love to draw on unconventional canvases. In need of a change of scenery? Take your kids outdoors and let them go crazy on the sidewalk or the wall. Traditional sidewalk chalk will certainly do the trick but why not jazz things up with these adorable dinosaur, floral and heart-shaped chalks in a variety of fun colors? $5 packs available to order at Red Maple Grove Crafts.

Rocking Horse

Clean, classic, truly beautiful design. Oh what I would give to store one away for my future children...

(Calidu Rocking Horse by Gunther Schunn, discovered via Seesaw).

Process

There's almost nothing I love more than watching a child work. My colleague recently sent me these photos from the end of the school year in which she captured the process of one of my students creating a masterpiece. I can't stop scrolling through to relive the wonder. Isn't it amazing?

(All photos courtesy of Jasmin Ortiz)

Postmark Paris

I recently returned from my first ever trip to Paris, France, and if my self-proclaimed francophilia was pronounced before, it's in full on obsession-mode now. That's why I cannot wait to pick up this adorable children's book about a young girl's experience and adventures in Paris conveyed through her growing stamp collection. Available in hardcover from Chronicle Books for $12.95.

Bumblebee Backpack

This bumblebee backpack from the MOMA store is pint-sized and perfect for transporting after-school snacks, library books and other daily preschool necessities. At $20, the price couldn't be any cuter.

I Wish I Could Show You Actual Photos Of Their Sweet Faces

...so you could see first hand how incredible their self-portraits actually are. They make my heart go boom boom!

Self-Portrait

Well this is just too cute: "How to take self-portrait." (Note the face-against-lens). Photo by Soup & Sunday. Visit the flickr stream for more. So much kidspiration!

Eco-Friendly & Aesthetically-Pleasing Wooden Book

When a kid's product is both eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing, it deserves a special accolade. This simple wooden picture book is made in Switzerland from locally-harvested, sustainable maple and fir trees from the region and printed in non-toxic ink. I can't get enough of the colorful pictures and solid durability. $20 from The Acorn Toyshop in Brooklyn, NY.

The Most Beautiful Thing

Let The Wild Rumpus Start!

I can't help but smile at this artistic print adaptation of one of the most famous lines in children's literature. I adore the rainbow lettering and simple design: it would add a colorful, whimsical element to any child-centered space. $25 from Ruka Ruka.

Conversations

Student: "I love butterflies so much."

Me: "So do I! Butterflies are one of my favorites."

Student: "And I love bumblebees, the big fat ones that don't sting me."

Me: "Same here! Bumblebees are so cute."

Student: "And ladybugs!"

Me: "Oh ladybugs! Yes, yes, yes, ladybugs."

Student: "And flowers! Lots and lots of flowers."

Me: "This is amazing! I love flowers, too."

Student: "And pickles for eating. Yum!"

Me: (gaping mouth). "How did I not know that you love all of the very same things I do?!"

Student: (giggling). "You're a teacher! It's your job to keep learning about me."

By the way, she's three.

(Photo by Holli Horton)

When Pigasso Met Mootisse

I actually haven't seen this book in person, but couldn't help but fall immediately in love as soon as I read the title. It looks like a fun and developmentally appropriate way to introduce modern art to kids.

From the website: What begins as a neighborly overture escalates into a mess. Soon, two artists become fierce rivals, calling each other names and ultimately building a fence between them. But when the two painters paint opposite sides of the fence that divides them, they unknowingly create a modern art masterpiece, and learn it is their friendship that is the true work of art. Nina Laden's wacky illustrations complement this funny story that not only introduces children to two of the world's most extraordinary modern artists, but teaches a very important lesson-how to creatively resolve a conflict-in a most unusual way.

Summer Circle Puzzle

This is one of the most beautiful puzzles I have ever seen. And that's saying something when your nose is frequently buried in toy catalogs. Available from The Wooden Wagon for $27.

Snapshots

Scenes from preschool today. Courtesy of snap-happy students and my iPhone. (Those tiny handprint hole punches get me every time).

For the Artist

We go through crayons, markers and colored pencils like candy in my classroom, and while I think most coloring tools are certainly sufficient for every day use, I can't help but admire stylistically beautiful variations. These adorable sets of twig crayons and crayon rocks would completely thrill any kid (and grown-up, too).

Elephant Hamper

I love this Rattan Elephant Hamper from Home Decorators. It would look fabulous in a nursery and could provide extra storage space in a classroom or playroom. $45.

Welcome!

Welcome to Exquisite Banana...the junior edition! A fun little side project to organize all of my kid-related treasures and inspirations.

(image source)