Frightfully cool stuff for October!
In the hood
Bling out your baby boogeyman in this adorable monster hoody, made in Seattle by a crazy-talented mom who really gets it. Elise Hooper knows that dressing kids up in funny outfits is fun! And she understands that kids need comfy clothes with flat seams and big, kid-friendly fasteners. Her monster hoody (also available as a vest) is made of supersoft fleece, with lovely touches, such as a contrasting button placket and sleeve trim. Jacket $45; vest $38. elisehooperdesigns.com
Take the cake
The mark of a good Halloween cookbook? At least one recipe that looks so disgusting, you actually say, “Ewwww!” By that standard, A Zombie Ate My Cupcake is a great Halloween cookbook! Test your frosting chops — and your tolerance for faux gross — with this delightful collection of spooky sweets. Recipes are a tad involved for us kitchen zombies; try using a mix for the cakes, then go batty with the bling. From the brilliantly simple (“Monstrous Mummies”) to the inventive (“Shattered Glass”) to the downright disgusting (“Mutant Ears”), you’ll have the whole slumber party howling. $15.95; CICO Books.
Happy much?
What’s the best way to raise happy kids? Dr. Christine Carter offers 10 simple things parents can do to up their kids’ happy factor in Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. Based on the latest science — and backed by her research at the University of California at Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center — Carter covers everything from discipline to motivation, to emotional intelligence in this inspiring guide for parents. $24; Ballantine.
Learn more about the science of happiness at a special all-day event sponsored by ParentMap! For details of the Meaningful Life event on Nov. 5 — featuring Dr. John Gottman — visit parentmap.com/meaningful-life-event. ParentMap is also pleased to bring Dr. Carter to Seattle Children’s Theatre in May 2011. Details are at parentmap.com/lectures.
Giveaway
Spy time
Harriet the Spy has come a long way! In this new Disney Channel movie, Harriet the Spy: Blog Wars, tweens do battle for web dominance and learn a few lessons about online privacy — and friendship! — along the way. $19.99; Vivendi.
We have copies to give away! To enter, visit parentmap.com/giveaway by Oct. 31.
— Kristen Russell
