1.  Greenzys Literature-Based Eco-Friendly Plush

I do love soft, cuddly plush toys, and I had quite the collections as a child. I am thrilled to see more environmentally-themed and eco-friendly materials used in stuffed animals.  Greenzys is a new line of earth-friendly plush that will be featured at FAO Schwarz for Earth Day.

The soft cuddly plush toys are made in socially responsible factories from soy fibers and non-toxic dyes with packaging made from recycled paperboard. When you purchase one of these loveable toys, you and your child will have an opportunity to actively help preserve the environment.  For every toy purchased, a tree is planted. Your child can personalize a printable, digital certificate documenting the planting of the tree that they will cherish forever. Imagine the excitement children will experience knowing they can personally make a difference!

I was not sent a review copy of the book, so I feel like I don’t quite understand the connection of the stuffed animals to helping children feel like they are making a difference.  Planting a tree is great, but printing out a certificate is not so eco-friendly.  Greenzys has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation for the tree plantings.

Would I buy this product? No.  I think $30 is a lot of money for plush toy, but it is cute.  I would pay $30 for a toy made in the USA (in fact, I would pay more), but sadly these toys are made in China.  I personally prefer stuffed toys that are more realistic and actually educate children about endangered species, for example. Without the book, I may be missing something.  All of the toys in this line are colored green, and I am not sure if that is just a gimmick or what.  I do like that they are made from eco-friendly materials.

2.  Ranky Tanky Family Music CD by Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem

I am really picky about children’s music.  I get annoyed very easily with music that lacks quality and/or aesthetics just because it is designed for children. This is not the case with Ranky Tanky!  I’ve never heard of Rani Arbo or Daisy Mayhem, but I am very impressed with their family music album.  You can listen to samples of classics like “The Green Grass Grows All Around” and “Bear to the Left”.    I love the flower power cd cover, and I can tell this is going to be a favorite cd of my classroom and home.  I love what Ed McKeon of the Middletown Eye says about Ranky Tanky:

This is not a kids album. It’s too good to simply consign to the kids’ rack. Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem have a new album that will appeal to the kid in all of us. The kid who likes to sing, and dance and roll around on the floor. The band has obviously scoured their record collections to find songs that have a positive message, and a perfect vibe. So they channel and reconfigure Cat Stevens, John Gorka, Sheb Wooley (Purple People Eater) and a bunch of traditional songs, seeking that ultimate goal – to get us shaking our fannies while we celebrate life.

Would I buy this product? Absolutely yes!  I wish the album was available to download on iTunes, as I feel this is more eco-friendly than printing cds.

3.  The Green Creation “Fun, Comfy, Organic” Baby Clothes

As I’ve said before, I am really pleased at the plethora of organic baby clothes that are on the market today.  Most of these companies are started by families who are concerned about their children’s health and the environment.  The Green Creation is no exception:

Every child has a special personality, a special something that’s very attractive. We’ve exemplified that special characteristic of your child in our clothing. May it be organically sporty for your child who loves to play sports or hip in organics for your little one who is so adorable and stylish or just simply wrapped in green for your cute little baby who is all cozy and cuddly in your arms. At the same time, we also know that global warming has been talked about more often than ever, as we’ve passed through stronger climatic conditions in recent times. We know that it just takes one more person like you to step forward and do something to stop this and motivate others to do the same. Keeping this in mind, we’ve created clothes that speak a lot about your little one, and also care for the environment. Our products are made using 100% certified organic cotton and low-impact dyes, as well as working with Fair Trade and Fair Wage suppliers around the world.

These clothes are printed with with Azo-free dyes and 100% certified organic cotton.

Would I buy this product? No.  I think $19.99 is too much money for a little onesie when cheaper organic versions are available; however, it would make a nice gift.

Editor’s update: I am so impressed with The Green Creation!  After reading this review, they dropped their prices to $13.99!

I really value your review. It’s very important that I get important feedback from experts like yourself on our company/products. Having read your review this morning really got me thinking on our price point. Though we are on par with most organic clothing companies out there, I felt that by “listening” to you, we can reach out to a larger mass. We’ve acted quickly and made our products more affordable; please check out our website for the updated prices. Though we make a very small profit from it now, I’m happier and I’m all for the consumer.

4.  I.D. Me Labels

When my children were toddlers and all of their friends converted to Klean Kanteen sippy cups, it was difficult keeping them straight. We placed stickers on ours, but I.D Me Labels offers a solution that includes your child’s name and holds up to multiple washings.

ID Me Labels are specially laminated so they’re UVA-resistant, microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and highly durable. Our research proves that millions of childrens’ untagged personal items end up lost or in the lost-and-found departments of daycare facilities, schools, camps, and swim schools annually. And with a relatively small investment in ID Me Labels, most loss can be prevented. ID Me Labels are perfect on baby bottles, backpacks, bibs, binkies, bowls, cameras, CDs, DVDs, clothing, craft supplies, cell phones, luggage, eyeglasses, lunch boxes, school supplies, sporting goods, toys, toothbrushes, pencil boxes, water bottles, and the list goes endlessly.

I like that these labels are dishwasher safe, as our stickers fell off over time.  I also like how the child’s name helps them with name recognition.  It is suggested by early childhood educators that children encounter their name in print multiple times throughout the day; however, there are some safety concerns with having your child’s name evident in public places where predators could use this information to lure your child.  I try not to be paranoid, but it is good to be cautious.  That being said, these labels are perfect for camp and daycare situations where you child’s items must be labeled.

Would I buy this product? Yes.  This company has super fast turn around time, and I will need labels this summer when my daughter attends camp. I still remember my sewing labels into my clothing before camp, and I think applying stickers will be much easier and efficient use of my time.   There is not anything eco-friendly about this product other than it will cause you not to have to replace items and consume more.

5. Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things

Written by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, Slow Death by Rubber Duck: The Secret Danger of Everyday Things is an extremely informative book about the commonplace chemicals found in everyday products. From children’s pajamas to lotion, we are “poisoned on a daily basis”.

Pollution is no longer just about belching smokestacks and ugly sewer pipes—now, it’s personal. The most dangerous pollution, it turns out, comes from commonplace items in our homes and workplaces. To prove this point, for one week authors Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie ingested and inhaled a host of things that surround all of us. Using their own bodies as the reference point to tell the story of pollution in our modern world, they expose the miscreant corporate giants who manufacture the toxins, the weak-kneed government officials who let it happen, and the effects on people and families across the globe. This book—the testimony of their experience—exposes the extent to which we are poisoned every day of our lives, from the simple household dust that is polluting our blood to the toxins in our urine that are created by run-of-the-mill shampoos and toothpaste.

This book is not intended to simply scare you, but readers are empowered to make choices to protect themselves and their families. There’s not much we can do about the “belching smokestacks”, but we can make everyday product choices that are safer and more eco-friendly.

Would I buy this product? Yes. This book is so well referenced and written that you could write a thesis on it!  I especially like the chapters on “Germaphobia” and “Mothers Know Best”.  The images of how “BPA dramatically stimulates milk duct growth” are enough to convince anyone this toxin should be removed from all products.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples, unless noted differently in the review. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions.