The winner is Ona!

Ona, it is your lucky day. You are the winner of a Spring Flower Fairy or an Easter Doll from Magic Cabin.



Arielle is calling you on her pretend telephone to give you all the details, but I'll contact by email as well. Congratulations!



Thank you, Magic Cabin for sponsoring this great giveaway.

Hippity, Hoppity...Easter's on its way! Beautiful dolls from Magic Cabin...

....AND A GIVEAWAY!!!!

After months of gloomy weather, March has brought sunny skies, temperatures above freezing and muddy shoes. It's a nice change for me to review Easter gifts and to think of spring.

Magic Cabin goes all out for holidays. I look forward to their spring catalog. They always have the cutest dolls, neat egg decorating kits, and even made in the USA treats. I like the sets of German nesting eggs ($19.98) for hiding small treasures.

Arielle and Linnea got to review a Spring Flower Fairy and an Easter Doll ($34.98 each).

These are wonderful Easter gifts for the little girls in your life.


These 7 inch dolls are made by Kathe Kruse of Germany. They come in a pretty pouch...



...and would look adorable tucked into an Easter basket. What a nice alternative to the traditional stuffed bunny! After all, if you give your child an Easter bunny every year, they'll multiply like rabbits :0)

Here's the Daffodil doll tucked into Arielle's purse. (We'll be reviewing the purses later this week.)



Lucky us, the dolls are pink (Arielle's favorite color) and yellow (Linnea's favorite). Linnea was very excited, but said the doll was "not quite bootiful."


Then she proceeded to undress the doll. The fact that the clothing (and the flower) is removable is a big plus for Linnea.


After she dressed the doll by herself, the doll named "Lila" was pronounced perfect.


Arielle is more grown-up. She told me, "I love the pretty pink dress and she has princess hair. Her name is Daisy and she is the Easter Bunny's helper. She gives the eggs out and makes the baskets when the Easter Bunny needs a break."


A close up of Daisy without the removable basket of felt Easter Eggs.


Daisy and Lila have been very busy picnicking and attending tea parties with the other dolls and the stuffed bunnies from three Easters ago. Daisy is especially fond of strawberry tea.

Seven inches is also the perfect size to tuck in a backpack.

And, like all Kathe Kruse dolls, these dolls are beautifully made and will stand up to lots of love. In future years, they will look adorable on a seasonal or nature table. I can just picture the doll, a jar of daffodils, and some decorated eggs on a pink play silk.

But even better, one lucky reader will win an Easter Doll or Spring Flower Fairy of their choice. All you have to do is go to Magic Cabin and tell me what you'd like to put in an Easter basket. You can post a comment with a link here or on Facebook - just make sure I can contact you if you win. I will randomly choose a winner on March 15th.

Thank you, Magic Cabin. Check them out for more Easter treats and don't forget to sign up for the mailing list so you can find out about free shipping deals and coupon codes.

And, thank you readers. Stay tuned for more Easter reviews.

Win a Kathe Kruse Mini Bambina from Blueberry Forest Toys

Santa's elves at Blueberry Forest Toys are sponsoring another giveaway. On November 30th, one lucky Sara's Toy Box reader will win a Kathe Kruse Mini Bambina Crumpet Doll (normally retails for $86) from Blueberry Forest Toys.



Kathe Kruse Mini Bambina dolls are made in Germany and have beautiful, hand-painted faces. They have soft, cuddly bodies with dangling vinyl legs, arms, and head. The vinyl is certified phthalate-free and nonyphenol-free. Phthalates and nonyphenols are plastic softeners that are linked to hormone disruption and early puberty. It is not easy to find vinyl dolls without nonyphenol and without phthalates, and that are not made in China, but Blueberry Forest has a huge selection of dolls that are made in Europe and free of both nonyphenol and phthalates!

And, this is very important - there is Mini Bambina clothing available. All the outfits are available separately, so the doll can be dressed. Dressing and undressing dolls is a fun learning/playing experience for three-year-olds.

To enter to win a Kathe Kruse Mini Bambina Crumpet doll, visit the Blueberry Forest website and check out the Kathe Kruse doll selections. Then let me know your vote for the cutest Kathe Kruse doll. You can enter by comment, Facebook, or email to Sara's Toy Box.

Maybe your choices will help me pick the perfect Christmas Baby for Linnea. I'll announce the winner on November 30th.

And if you just happen to fall in love... Blueberry Forest is offering our readers 15% off Kathe Kruse. Enter Coupon Code "STB2" for 15% off your Kathe Kruse merchandise total at Blueberry Forest, valid through 12/15/09.

Blueberry Forest Toys - 15% off magical toys

When I look at the Blueberry Forest Toys website, I feel like I'm taking a peek at Santa's Workshop. It just feels like the toys are especially chosen to give that sparkly Christmas morning feeling. Which is why it is one of my favorites for Holiday shopping.

And, I'll definitely be doing some shopping at Blueberry Forest this year. Blueberry Forest has a huge selection of Kathe Kruse Dolls. Linnea would really like a vinyl baby doll. The new, bigger (14.5") bath babies are a possibility.

Kathe Kruse Baby Mein Doll, "My First Trip" ($94.95)



Kathe Kruse vinyl dolls are made of vinyl that is free of nonyphenol and phtalates. The vinyl is made in Germany and tested in Germany at the Chemical-Technical Institute. Most vinyl dolls are made of PVC.

Little girls love being able to bathe their baby dolls. Kathe Kruse bath baby dolls can be played with in the bath or swimming pool and can then be dried off and dressed, all ready for more adventures with their little mommies.

If you are looking for a Nativity scene for this holiday, Blueberry Forest Toys has several alternatives that are both beautiful and fun.

I like the Kathe Kruse Finger Puppet Nativity Set. It comes with comes with Mary and Baby Jesus, Joseph, angel, ox, and donkey finger puppets, and a manger stage. What a fun way to tech your child the story of Christmas.

Kathe Kruse Nativity Finger Puppet Theater Set ($65.95)



While I'm on a Kathe Kruse roll, let me mention the Kathe Kruse Advent Doll. This seven inch doll comes with 22 pieces of handmade clothing - one for each day of the Advent. After the holidays, she can be put away for next year or played with year round.


Kathe Kruse 7 in. Advent Doll ($96.95)



But, Blueberry Forest isn't just about Kathe Kruse. They offer a huge range of European and American toys, gifts and photo albums.

They are not a toys, but I love the antique replica cookie and craft molds. These are made of a wood and resin composite. If you are like me and make baked goods as holiday gifts, these are an easy way to make something truly special for your friends. The molds also have hanging rings so they can be displayed on a wall.

Baroque Owl Cookie Mold ($21.00)



Now, back to toys! Blueberry Forest offers HABA toys, Kettler tricycles, Plan Toys, Selecta (while supplies last), Sarah's Silks, Ostheimer figures, Kinderkram toys and Evi Dolls. There are special sections for fairy and mermaid play, pirate play, castle toys, blocks, and wooden figures.

Look at the Kinderkram Snow White Set ($248.95)



What a creative alternative to the Disney version.

Blueberry Forest Toys has offered Sara's Toy Box readers a coupon code good for 15% off all Kathe Kruse items on the site. Please enter Coupon Code "STB2" valid through 12/15/09.

euroToyShop store review and coupon

If you are looking for European brands like Bruder, LEGO, Kathe Kruse, HABA, Siku, Ravensburger, or Schleich, then euroToyShop is the place for you. EuroToyShop sells European brand toys - both plastic and wooden, and some made in China (although most are made in Europe).

They carry an extensive selection of Selecta wooden toys. Unfortunately, because of the costs involved in labeling for the CPSIA, Selecta is no longer shipping to the United States so these toys have a rhino on their page. Like the rhinoceros, these toys are endangered and when these are sold, they are gone. Such a sad thing because Selecta makes especially lovely toys.


Variola Ball and Track System ($117.65)



Another favorite of mine is Kathe Kruse. In addition to cloth dolls and dollhouse dolls, euroToyShop carries Kathe Kruse vinyl dolls. The 12" bath baby can be taken in the bath and cared for by little mommies. This is especially fun for toddlers, but Arielle and Linnea love playing with dolls in the shower. They bring in a tea set and feed their babies, wash them and then wrap them in wash cloths and tuck them in bed.

Kathe Kruse Bath Baby $67.72




Ravensburger Puzzles are made in Europe. I have not bought any for Arielle and Linnea yet, but my older children played with them many years ago. They are cardboard, but well made and reasonably-priced, and there is a wide selection to capture the interests and abilities of any child.

Ballet class 43 piece frame puzzle ($6.65)



I had the chance to see some Bruder trucks recently. These are made in Germany of tough phthalate-free plastic. I especially like the snow plow as the snow plow is a daily part of our lives from December until spring. The snow plow is a big L 18.5 x W 6.3 x H 7.7 inches and the plow rotates to the left or right and can be raised and lowered. This would be awesome on one of our icky, sub-freezing days; I would bring a tub of snow in and let the girls plow it.


Bruder snow plow ($34.27)



EuroToyShop has offered our readers 10% off for early holiday shopping. "SARASTOYBOX" is good on all items until Thanksgiving (November 26, 2009). Enjoy!

More Fairies! from Magic Cabin.

Magic Cabin is the place for fairies!!! Look at what we are reviewing, another Magic Cabin Exclusive.

The Magic Cabin Tree Trunk Fairy Home ($99.00 and accessories from $24.98)



Yes, it is as amazing as it looks. And, that's why I'm using all the exclamation marks :0)

The box arrived a little over a week ago, and two very very excited little girls played with the accessories while I tried to figure out the assembly of the house.



It wasn't hard. I needed a small Phillips head screwdriver.



The trick is not to tighten the screws until the home is fully assembled. During assembly it looked like the pieces weren't quite lining up at the bottom (and I was thinking, "Oh no! such a great toy and I can't assemble it!"), but when everything was together, they magically lined up. That was the right time to tighten the screws. Voila! A fairy home.

With two doors that open and close.



Daddy Fairy coming home from work after a hard day of gathering acorns.

Daddy Fairy ($18.98) is a Kathe Kruse Woodland Fairy. The dolls (Daddy, Mommy, Big Sister, Little Brother, Grandma and Grandpa) are super cute and sturdy and well-made and exclusive to Magic Cabin.



The fairy home is surrounded by a puzzle-yard. This adds another dimension to playing.



Here are the cozy insides. Some woodland friends came to visit. The spiral staircase is movable. Ours are from Holztiger, but Magic Cabin also has a Woodland Animals Set ($24.98) from Poland.



The cute mushroom table and chairs are part of the Hammock/Table Set ($24.98). I wish my dining table looked like that.


Here's Big Sister Fairy ($18.98) relaxing in the hammock. She's my favorite. I love her rosy cheeks and braids. The hammock can double as a swing for two dolls.



The River Bridge Puzzle Set ($24.98) includes 8 pieces that assemble to make the perfect hiding place for trolls. Watch out, Fairy Family!



Arielle and Linnea decided to add the log furniture that belongs in their older sister's tree house. Magic Cabin also sells the Tree Block Furniture ($59.98). It looks cute in the house, but is a little small for the dolls.



But, Arielle and Linnea weren't bothered at all. They played nicely for hours and hours!!!!! (always worth many exclamation points, and they are still playing nicely more than a week later). Arielle says it is one of the best toys ever.



Magic Cabin has offered our readers free shipping on the Tree Trunk Fairy Home, Woodland Fairies, and the Tree Trunk accessories - the bridge, dinette set and hammock. The code is "HOME" and it is good until October 15, 2009.

If you are looking for a really special, heirloom quality toy for a little girl (or a few of them) this Christmas, Arielle and Linnea highly recommend this. The toys are suggested for ages three and up.


Thank you! Thank you! Magic Cabin.

Puppy Love

I wish that this had arrived earlier, because the In the Doghouse Puppy Dog Collection ($89.98) from Magic Cabin Toys is the perfect big gift for the preschool aged child who isn't quite ready for the responsibility of a real pet.




The set includes one snuggly puppy dog made in Latvia by Kathe Kruse, a wooden doghouse made in the USA by Little Colorado, and puppy dog accessories - a cotton velour dog bed, two wooden dog bones, a wooden water dish and a red leather collar with a detachable leash.



Arielle named her puppy Chocolate Tapdancey Licky-Barky. Chocolate is made out of cotton with wood stuffing and has weighted ("tappy") paws filled with quartz sand. Hence, Chocolate's love of tap-dancing. The set is also available with a white puppy with a brown spot over the eye. And, the puppy dog or accessories (if a child already has a special dog) are also available separately.

What surprised me was the size of the set. I didn't read the dimensions, so I was thinking tiny. But Chocolate is just the right size for cuddling and the dog house is 11"x11"x13", so it will need it's own special spot. But, this contributes to the feeling of a real pet.



Chocolate has been Arielle's best friend for the past week, and has attended "show and tell" at preschool where he was much admired, even amid toys with blinking lights and TV characters. She has been giving Chocolate dog food (wooden acorns) and a bone for a treat. She makes sure Chocolate has water and takes him for walks.

When I asked Arielle what she thought the very best toy that we had tried this year was, she immediately said "Chocolate". Linnea, of course, is totally jealous so we tied a ribbon around an old stuffed dog, so she could play as well. Her dog is called "Doggy".



The Puppy Dog Collection is a Magic Cabin exclusive, and I wanted to say a few words about Magic Cabin. Before internet shopping, when my big kids (now 16 and 19) were little, it was much harder to find high quality, natural toys. But, Magic Cabin filled that void. I was a single mom then, and I worked through my vacations so I could buy my kids the "good" toys. They still treasure their Waldorf dolls, and there are some Magic Cabin toys have been handed down to Linnea and Arielle. I get a little nostalgic when the catalog arrives.

Kathe Kruse at Petit Baby

I love "Waldorf Dolls" and "Kathe Kruse" Waldorf Dolls are just gorgeous. Arielle and Linnea recently had the opportunity to review Kathe Kruse's Mini Baby It's Me.

Kathe Kruse Waldorf Doll Mini Baby It's Me Baby Brown ($71.70)



This sweet baby is only 8.5 inches tall. Just the right amount of baby cuteness to be carried in a backpack or played with in a car seat. Since she comes with her own soft little carrier, her little mommy can take her anywhere. There are also blond and red-haired versions. And - they have the bellybuttons! (this is a big deal.)

Linnea was basically interested in undressing the doll. This is her new favorite activity (both for herself and for dolls) and everything was off within minutes, including the cute flower hair band. Then she stuffed the doll down my shirt for "milky", a privilege granted only to the most-favored of toys.

Fortunately, Arielle adopted "Baby Potato" and she's now getting much better care. When asked to comment, Arielle said "this is a really good doll." I think in this case, pictures definitely say more than words.









Check out Petit Baby for a selection of dolls and other toys made in Germany. And, don't forget to use our coupon code "Sara10" to receive 10% off all regularly-priced items.

Kathe Kruse Waldorf Doll Mini It's Me Flower ($71.99)