60 pages in these handsome spiral sketchpads 8.5 x 11.5. Choose from the many covers to appeal to the child you are shopping for this season. We like the fact that there are covers to appeal to boys as well as girls and pencil kits that match. This gives a real gifty look to what we consider basic gear for school-aged kids who will use these kinds of supplies well past the holiday season.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012.

Choose from the many packs of special printed papers that are ideal for origami, collage, scrapbooking and general paper crafts. There are 54 sheets in a pack, all in different colorful patterns. Inside the package are directions for simple origami and other craft ideas.  The self-sealing envelope keeps the paper supply fresh between projects.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012.

There are 12 pencils with 24 colors, since each pencil has two colors. High math! These are standard size pencils. Choose a set of pastel colors or a different set with primary colors. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012.

Learning to write letters and drawing is just more fun when the pencils have colors. This wonderful set comes with a special pencil sharpener to fit the wider shaft. It has six extra big easier to grasp pencils; each have two different colors. There is a set with primary colors or another with pastels. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years. Award Year: 2012.

There are six pairs of Fancy Scissors, each with a different kind of edge. There are zig zags, scallops, sawtooth edges that are perfect for making cards, giftwrapping, borders for bookmarks, or scrapbooking. Getting kids to develop their fine motor skills has never been more fun. These work well for righties as well as lefties. Pair these with some of eeBoo's new paper packs of printed squares. Also available Plain stainless steel scissors with two color handles($3.50) and a blunt tip but sharp enough for success. 5 & up.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012.

We don't usually suggest monsters for babies, but this is one sweet square-ish blue plush toy that is silky to the touch and not in the least monster-ish. He sports a mirror on his belly, stitched features, a striped tail and some very small discreet horns. The dangly striped arms have chewy textured hands and the hot pink. The body has a crisp crinkle sound to attract baby's attention. There is nothing scary about this very friendly so-called monster. It resembles some of the Ugly dolls more than any monster we have seen. Newborn & up.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2012.

We like the visual playfulness of this rollerball rattle. Just a swipe of the hand sets the patterned ball twirling and changing its look. There are tiny beads in a see through ring that add a quiet sound. Attach to car seat or stroller or haul one out for play time interactions. These were designed forInfantino's Pop & Swap Gym that we passed on, but this and the Chime Pod are fun stand-alones. Newborn & up

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Attach this big eyed fabric caterpillar to the stroller or use it for lap games. There are four segments, black on white polka-dots and white on black dots, a green velour like head and a bright yellow corduroy segment, as well. You can hang them all on the yellow ring or interest baby in grabbing the textured purple ring. Push the segment that says press and it has small lights that blink and electronic music. We are not thrilled with high pitched electronic music, but this is something only an adult will be able to activate. You can use it for auditory tracking by moving it from the left or right side of baby’s head. Newborn & up.

Age: Infants. Award Year: 2012.

We recognize that parents are handing their iphones off to toddlers and allowing them to play apps designed for young children. We have serious reservations about the wisdom of this, but we do think a case that protects the screen and phone from inexperienced hands makes a lot of sense. This one has side handles and rings to play with. The see through screen protects the phone from dribbles and sticky fingers. The home button is blocked so your toddler won’t be making any calls. It also gives you access to free learning apps. Marked 6 months & up. We think that is really way too young for little screen watching games. Remember the more you put a screen on in their face, the more they will be hooked on screens...babies and toddlers learn best from people and real things, not images on a screen.

Age: Toddlers. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Designed for older experienced builders, this model of the Empire State Building has very, very small pieces. It is one of a series of architectural landmarks that can be constructed in miniature.  Our tester also built a small but elegant model of the Big Ben. 12 & up.

Age: Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2012. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.