• For the trend spotters of the world, new source: GeekChicDaily. http://bit.ly/cKoHV #
• In the iTunes app store today: I Spy Spooky Mansion. Excited to test this out. #
• "Don't call it a comeback" says the theme park. http://bit.ly/1d43vi #
• Pinocchio, Vampire Slayer. Yes, this is a new comic title. And a well-reviewed one too. (via PW) http://bit.ly/4ednqJ #
• Domo goes DSi. (via LicenseMag) http://bit.ly/8bnox #
• Chinese version of Farmville inspires real life farmers. (via @PSFKRSS) http://bit.ly/1nvkZS #
• Pass it on! RT @kidbookexaminer: Celebrate teen read week with the readergirlz http://ow.ly/vt0G #kidlit #
• Unfortunately…RT @todayshottoys: Toy companies continue to stereotype gender roles in kids http://bit.ly/UkCBi #
• When it's ok to play with matches: the Matchstick Garden let's kids get their green thumb on. (via @trendhunter) http://bit.ly/VkLIb #
• Publisher's Weekly profiles Orca, creator of graphic novels for teen, teachers and librarians. http://bit.ly/4gTCOq #
• Nice! Free song from the wonderful Renee and Jeremy. Their music is NOT just for kids. http://bit.ly/2ao2CW (via @jeremytoback himself) #
• We have been having fun with the kid's iPhone app: Slide-a-ma-jig. Goofy, good fun. http://bit.ly/jbV1D (via @LuckyRadish) #
• Buckyballs magnetic toy looks rad! (via @joshspear) http://bit.ly/3EHnkI #
• The world is about to get a bit more Pinkalicious thanks to new licensing deals. (via @PlaythingsMag) http://bit.ly/2LjijJ #
• Harlem Globetrotters are returning to TV in a new animated series. Really? (via @animag) http://bit.ly/28tiSc #
• Pigtails and Potbellies is a new twist on the iPhone storybook app. Every 24 hours a new chapter is unlocked. http://bit.ly/RCooR #
• Heroes in a half-shell live on! RT @THR: Ninja Turtles snapped up by Nickelodeon http://bit.ly/14NSem #
• Sure does! RT @SaturdayMorning: More details on Disney's Epic Mickey – this game looks awesome! http://bit.ly/1NGuKZ #
• Study – Gen Y Says: You Can Take Facebook, But Please Don't Take Our Email! (via ReadWriteWeb) http://bit.ly/447Zcl #
• Great list from @honestbaby: 10 Films for a Family Friendly Halloween Fright Fest http://bit.ly/2k3Vwm #
• Fantasy film Kniga Masterov (Book of Masters) is the first movie created by Disney in Russia. (via Twitch) http://bit.ly/2hyyuG #
• 90's alternative band The Verve Pipe has a kid's cd out. @zooglobble has the details. http://bit.ly/3wpuc5 #
• In case you missed it, Disney's new digital strategy (via @mashable) http://bit.ly/77GsU #
• Wicomico County, Maryland says "no" to Dragon Ball. (via ICv2) http://bit.ly/OMuIj #
• It appears to be a license-friendly week in video game land. (via License Mag) http://bit.ly/X9iG #
• On the road again. Looking for new career opportunities in new media/social media and very amped about it! #
• Wishing I could go…RT @ImaginaryEric: Chicago – the center of my children's media world for the next ten days! http://bit.ly/DNhpM #CICFF #
• Good list! RT @breezymamasite: And the Top 6 Pop-Up and Fun Filled Books for Kids of all Ages are…http://bit.ly/4yhKXO #
• Babble.com has an interview with Imagination Movers. What do the fellas have to say? http://bit.ly/aUGT7 #
• What do kids think about the future of TV? Check out @derekeb 's blog. http://bit.ly/2vSxWH #
• Zinkia has put out an official press release announcing Pocoyo World. http://bit.ly/481BMO #
• GM markets cars to kids with 'Passport to Knowledge' show explaining how plug-in tech works. (@trendhunter) http://bit.ly/4uybdW #
• Something new to eat! RT @CScoutJapan: Just blogged: Puchipuchi Pudding: Something for the kids… http://bit.ly/KfBgl #
• Have you heard of the character Pip (no, not the Dicken's one)? Well, read up. http://bit.ly/kVMPo #
• Red Kite Animation is hoping The Imp character will take over the world. http://bit.ly/2XTftn (via Licensing.biz) #
• Blamo Toys: Fun for you, frightening for your children? (via @trendhunter) http://bit.ly/2BI7d8 #
• 3 films will vie for the best animated film at European Film Academy’s awards show. And they are…(via @animag) http://tinyurl.com/ykf5vtj #
• Great list on Time.com: The Sugary Brands Doing the Most Kid-Chasing. http://tinyurl.com/yksnwgw #
• Apparently, the new Clue board game incorporates text messaging. (via @springwise) http://tinyurl.com/ygsme52 #
• With all the Disney news lately, you may have missed the tidbit that Mickey comics are back too. http://tinyurl.com/yz8tm64 #
• New kid-targeted comic to watch: Happyloo (via SLJ) http://tinyurl.com/yhyntb6 #

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• Suddenly Darling is a teen fashion site with ‘Wholesome’ content. (via @paidcontent) http://bit.ly/rv4Z7 #
• RT @ToyNewsMag: Orchard Toys launches game designed by school kids http://bit.ly/bOmW5 #
• Monkeytail & Wellington has a profile on the very cool Anorak Magazine for kids. http://bit.ly/JSMn7 #
• Bembo's Zoo is a cool book with a great supporting website. (via Babyology) http://bit.ly/Hr4EW #
• Why I heart Schylling Toys. http://bit.ly/13ZBA9 #toys #
• Six-year-old wins toy design competition, to see her concept brought to life. (via Toy News) http://bit.ly/4om0b1 #
• Scholastic is hoping you Halloween gives you "Goosebumps" (via License!) http://bit.ly/Dl0b6 #
• So ,apparently Babushkas are a trend in kids room deco. (via (KidStyleFile) http://bit.ly/YYvpi #
• who new? RT @sarahnewton: READING Why Facebook can help your child do better at school. http://ow.ly/15UyyP #
• WSJ on how videogame makers are reaching out to females: http://bit.ly/vMAJb #
• Manhattan Toy’s Kreechers Klub toys….very cool. Think Ugly Monsters meets your favorite pillow. (via ToyTalk) http://bit.ly/uHJIB #
• sounds like a cool concept! RT @animag: TV: Moonscoop Co-Production Starts On DaVincibles http://tinyurl.com/yhykkwd #
• This is great! RT @Storybird: The indie rock coloring book http://bit.ly/LFvwC #
• Check out the Apples In Stereo segment on Yo Gabba Gabba. http://bit.ly/hURtC (via @GabbaFriends ) #
• Interesting idea RT @SubcatJames: iBankUp launched today as an online banking alternative for Gen Y. http://tinyurl.com/yfjsrc2 #
• Out from the Comic Shop has its weekly list of Kid-Friendly Comics. Get your kid's geek on! http://bit.ly/KGZ26 #
• Very cool new product from Crayola: Glow Dome brings kid's drawings to life. (via @chip_chick) http://bit.ly/Tw3Qr #
• Playthings Magazine has highlights from the Fall Toy Preview show. http://bit.ly/qkf3C #
• Stay to make you go wow: Virtual Goods To Reach $1 Billion In 2009. (via Media Post) http://bit.ly/UWB6v #
• *stat #
• Great list of family-friendly horror films for this spooky season: http://bit.ly/jcip7 #
• Why not, right? RT @TheCoolHunter: A kitchen bench made out of Lego's http://bit.ly/28YM0j #
• Comic book The Bradleys is small screen bound. (via @animag) http://bit.ly/wciyR #
• New game to watch (as called out by @joshspear) Fatty Bum Bum: http://bit.ly/3tNU7v #
• Coming out in middle school… (via @Iconoculture) http://bit.ly/1vm2Ff #
• One remake I approve of…and kid-friendly RT @BD_News: 'Frankenweenie' Could be Black and White and in 3D http://tinyurl.com/ygmvuu6 #
• Gogo's Crazy Bones shows no sign of slowing down in the UK…despite any serious US presence. (via Licensing.biz) http://bit.ly/1ZhSMJ #
• New tween and teen targeted social networking site to watch: Fanlala.com #
• Check out this concept: a web store for mystery t-shirts. Called "Hipstery" via @springwise) http://bit.ly/1cEO5d #
• RT @todayshottoys: Musicians find new audience in children http://bit.ly/3mo08B #
• Farming too? RT @mmpow: Gaming now central to Facebook experience – http://bit.ly/3XOtsv #
• Designer flash drive company Mimoco (@mimobot) is opening a pop-up shop. L.A. folks, check it out! http://bit.ly/3GtlLI #
• yay! RT @TargetingKids: RT @picpocketbooks via @readwriteweb: Where the Wild Things Are comes to the iPhone: http://bit.ly/1LdAB2 #
• Hello Kitty fans: you now have a collectible card game! (via ICV2) http://bit.ly/zn1HU #
• Great job @zinkia_es and @pocoyo_es on the launch of PocoyoWorld.com. Haven't sprung for a paid subscription yet, but considering. #
• gr8 article 4 ths A.M. RT @Pixelsteam: "Cool the Earth: Inspiring Kids As Stewards of the Planet " at http://bit.ly/Imauc RT @ShapingYouth #
• Blog post: Your Family-Friendly Halloween Mega-Mix. (Hat tip to @zooglobble, @AboutKidsMusic, @billchilds, and @gbkids) http://bit.ly/1uQ9nO #
• Hello Kitty’s 35th is gonna be big. ICV2 has some details. http://bit.ly/3CT3J9 #
• 4Kids is bringing back Tyco's 90's-era 'Quints' dolls. (via @PlaythingsMag) http://bit.ly/2cKXtc #
• Right back at my #FF friends: @LuckyRadish, @Storybird, @360KID and some luv to @KidZuiTrends, @IconoGeorge , @SubcatJames , @mediamacaroni #
• Cool Crayola web app lets you turn your own photos into coloring books. (via GeekDad) http://bit.ly/4fXAAJ #
• Babble.com on "Why your kid's most important job is to play" http://bit.ly/m8nLQ #
• Interesting…RT @mmpow: Kidzter.com, an Online Musical Virtual World for Kids – http://bit.ly/2rzbt5 #
• It was bound to happen! RT @kidscreen: ABC Family brings Build-A-Bear Workshop to the small screen http://ow.ly/uPUt – ECA #

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Halloween is my holiday. As a horror movie junkie and a lover of all things creepy, crawly and spooky, I absolutely delight in a day of the year where everyone of all ages accepts a little macabre into their manor.  Sure, it has to be down-aged for the little ones, but as soon as the decorations appear in stores, I am ready to celebrate.

G-Rated Boos from Schnitzer

As my blog clearly demonstrates, I also enjoy celebrating quality and entertaining music with my daughter. So when All Hallows Eve comes around, it is an essential to find songs that match the season. As Maia is only three, I have to be somewhat selective in fright-themed tunes, but with wonderful sites like  Zooglobble.com, Kidsmusic.about.com, gooney bird kids, and Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child to guide me, we can get quite the playlist going. Here are a few songs to add to your mix this season.

Kindie Blood Curdles

“Howling at the Moon” by The Hipwaders -  This California kindie trio offers a fun werewolf tale that will inspire some backseat howling.

“Boo, Cackle, Trick or Treat” by Sue Schnitzer - A fun folk ditty from Sue’s full album of Halloween songs for kids.

“The Day After Halloween” by The Sippy Cups – We fell in love with this song last year, as well as its accompanying video. Another kindie superstar band, the song comes from their EP One Day Soon.

“The Edison Museum” by They Might Be Giants – This song is on their No! album. A spooky ditty  about a haunted mansion, this track will be creeping the kiddies out all year.

Give them something good to eat

“A Monster Goes Rrraargh!” by ScribbleMonster & His Pals – This hard rocker from Chicago-area kindie quintet ScribbleMonster will have the little ones practicing their best monster growls well past the season of scares.

“Moogie Monster Man” by Kevin Kammeraad and Friends – Off Kevin’s 50+ track collection The Tomato Collection: The Big Album, this is less a Halloween song and more a celebration of make-pretend monsters.

“Monster Face” by Roger Day- Doing his best Pee-Wee Herman voice, Day demands all the kids make their best monster face and then dance, dance, freeze.

“Skeleton Song” by Mary Kaye – Maine-based Mary Kaye has created a delightfully quirky Halloween song with some fun xylophone instrumentation and mouth sound effects.

“Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet” by Monty Harper – Oklahoma-based children’s performer Harper tells a (kid-safe) creepy tale of a troll who exacts revenge on a house with no candy left.

Assorted Halloween Songs from Yo Gabba Gabba – In case you missed the  Halloween-themed episode, it features some great music, both from the regular cast of characters, as well as musical guests Shiny Toy Guns and I Monster. We love these songs so much, we had to find a way to extract and save the songs from the episode after we purchased it on iTunes.

Adult Supervision Recommended

Zacherley cooks up Halloween fun in the lab

“Ghoul Bash” by Eban Schletter featuring Dave Gruber Allen – This composer/songwriter has brought a team of talent on board for his more adult-skewing album Witching Hour. Jill Sobule, Dave Foley, Paul F. Tompkins, Grant Lee Phillips and Tom Kenny (aka Spongebob Squarepants) all show up on various Halloween-themed tracks.

“Halloween Dance” by Reverend Horton Heat , “No Costume, No Candy” by The Swingin’ Neckbreakers – Both of these songs are from the Rob Zombie-produced compilation Halloween Hootenanny. While his adult efforts (both film and music) aren’t exactly family fare, these hard rocking songs are safe for your Halloween shuffle mix.

“Thriller” by Michael Jackson – ‘Tis the season to appreciate all things MJ.  Like most people in my age bracket, I was a bit traumatized by this video as a kid. Regardless, the song is relatively harmless, as long as the Vincent Price voice-over doesn’t unnerve any young ears.

Classic Cuts

“Monster Mash” by Bobby “Boris” Pickett and “The Purple People Eater” by Sheb Wooley - As a kid, these songs drove me crazy. Now, it is with tongue in cheek that I share them with my daughter..

“Which Witch is Which” from Walt Disney Record’s Halloween Songs & Sounds - Pulled f

Disney scares

rom a Disney novelty record, this track will entertain the Mickey lovers in the minivan.

“This is Halloween” by Danny Elfman (Nightmare Before Christmas OST) – While the accompanying images from the film may be a bit too intense for younger kids, the song itself has become a seasonal classic.

“Zombie Jamboree (Back To Back)” by Harry Belafonte – The “King of Calypso” sings about the undead in one of my favorite songs from these picks.  While you are at it, pick up the whole Belafonte collection for the rest of the year.

Halloween Detox (Or,  how to “unspook” your child through the power of music)

“Under My Bed” by Recess Monkey – Seattle kindie band (and teachers by day) turn the monster-under-bed story on its side with this not-so-scary story song.

“Soaper the Scaredy-Bot” by The Jimmies – Let Ashley Albert and co. remind your little ones not to be afraid of silly things with this irresistible kids’ tune that will distract them from that evil ghoul in the closet.

“Maybe the Monster” by Justin Roberts – This song, from the popular Chicago children’s singer-songwriter, is just one of the many songs out there to help kids remember that monsters are “make pretend.”

Happy Halloween!

• love the techie twist RT @springwise: Interactive piggy bank teaches kids about money — http://bit.ly/3dSVQ3 #
• A MIPCOM wrap-up from the always comprehensive @animag. http://bit.ly/wGhA9 #
• FTC Plans Effort To Educate Kids About Advertising (from Marketing Daily) http://bit.ly/15yaI9 #
• Agreed. I hope they keep online content going. RT @SubcatJames: Just heard @CookieMagazine is shutting down. This is a huge loss. #
• You will also want these, too: Coloring Cutlery – forks on one end, crayons on the others. (via @trendhunter) http://bit.ly/lBszt #
• For new parents, introducing the The Toddler Owner’s Manual. (via @ThePlaygrounder). http://bit.ly/PFMO1 #
• Electronic Arts and IDW partner to create a videogame-based comics imprint. (via ICV2) http://bit.ly/wZJ8f #
• Voltron is coming back…maybe? (also via ICv2) http://bit.ly/ppUpk #
• Adults have True Blood, teens have Twilight and now kids can get their vamp fix with “Fang Force.” (via @animag) http://bit.ly/Bu6BN #
• FYI toy folks RT @ToyBook: Check out ths week’s Toy Report! The Toy Insider names its Hot 20 Toys 4 the Holidays! http://tinyurl.com/ydvf4vh #
• Coming this month: American Apparel X Sesame Street http://bit.ly/3tOvZj #
• The soon-to–be-departed Cookie Mag lists unheralded classic children’s books. http://bit.ly/2cYRE #
• WIth bad industry news comes good news RT @derekeb: EA Launches Two New Virtual Worlds, While MTV & CW Pull The Plug http://bit.ly/nkjKE #
• Babble.com on the best Internet browsers for kids: http://bit.ly/e8UWT #
• Apparently “Angelo Rules” is the new kiddie show to watch. This based on screenings out of MIPJunior . (via @animag) http://bit.ly/1RjQfF #
• Good catch from the @theiPhonemom. Toddler apps are an “iTunes essential” this week. http://bit.ly/3NjbnK #
• Good article from @SubcatJames on why Cookie Magazine failed. http://bit.ly/Z7yXK #
• One of our favorite family shows, Pocoyo, has launched a virtual world: http://www.pocoyoworld.com/ #
• In related news, Pocoyo is coming to the US airways. Stephen Fry as a narrator, how can u lose? (via Licencing.biz) http://bit.ly/3iAsHG #
• On 35th anniversary, Sanrio is producing a multimedia exhibition of Hello Kitty-inspired art. (via @flavorpill ) http://bit.ly/30zCFZ #
• The UK government has launched a cool website to encourage kids to study math and science. (via Adverblog) http://bit.ly/oLj5g #
• Two rival manga magazines in Japan happily celebrate anniversary together. http://bit.ly/Cduux #
• Wow…four Disney princess gowns in one. A night of Princess-mania in my house. (via @ThePlaygrounder) http://bit.ly/3dPrGq #
• And, of course, I will download them all! RT @mediamacaroni: Halloween? There’s an app for that! http://bit.ly/iUMB5 #
• great list! RT @joshdhaliwal: RT @congbo: A brilliant list of articles that shaped how we (mobileYouth) think. http://is.gd/45DRl T #
• Another reason to buy your preschooler a DS (via Licensing.biz) http://bit.ly/1aEno7 #
• Does your child heart Caillou? Hat tip to Punnybop for a lead on new books. http://bit.ly/GWfpX #
• Female pop star to watch: “Lights”. (via @flavorpill) http://bit.ly/K7UWK #
• This new cartoon series sounds fun: “Galactik Football.” (via @animag) http://bit.ly/q3CPo #
• Wondering what music to buy for the little ones? Check a roundup of reviews thanks to @gbkids. http://bit.ly/1El98R #
• Geekdad made my day with a list of Ten Great Halloween Books for Geeks http://bit.ly/1qSK9 #
• Wisely following the iPod/iPhone trend, EA will be releasing kid’s books on the DS. (via Industry Gamers) http://bit.ly/GQxd6 #

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While Hasbro may be the most well known New England-based toy company,  toy store owners across the country may instead think of the Schylling brand. Rowley-MA based Schylling Toys specializes in classic, timeless toys with modern appeal. You won’t see any fly-by-night tech gadgets coming out of their catalogue.

That’s precisely what makes this company so cool. Through the 30 plus years they have been in business, Schylling has been putting out a line of playthings with appeal to both kids and adults. Here are just a few off the more interesting items coming off the Schylling production line.

Sock Monkey Mania

Who doesn’t love a kitschy sock monkey toy? For those of us who aren’t talented enough to create our own, or too thrifty to splurge on an Etsy creation, Schylling has its own model. In addition, you can also celebrate your child’s love for all things Sock Monkey with a yo-yo,  playground ball, alarm clock, jack in the boxes or tin tea set, all featuring the stuffed simian.

Retro Tin Collector Toys

Adult Schylling fans know them as much for their extensive collection of retro tin toys as for their classic playthings. For collectors of offbeat and collectible toys, this company is a great go-to. Visitors to their the site will find original tin toy creations like the  irreverent wind-up Duck On Bike, the amusement park-themed Rocket Ride Carousel, a mini car Rocket Racer, a Cowboy with a tin lasso, or the ray gun-toting  Tin Wind Up Spaceman.

Attack of the Robots!

Speaking of retro, it is impossible not to call out their collection of robots. Parents can get their geek on, while inspiring future sci-fi lovers. My personal favorite is the Planet Robot model (with sparking eyes!), and for those too young to go the tin-toy route just yet, a very cool robot-inspired kickball.

I’m With the Band

For the young musician in your house, Schylling has a wide selection of authentic, but down-aged, musical instruments. Items like their wooden accordion, mini baby grand piano, 6 string acoustic guitar and cowboy guitar are more than just toys, but, instead, functioning instruments to introduce kids into the world of music.

Little Princess

For those who have accepted the fact that your child has somehow been programmed to love all things pink and princessy, Schylling has options. Further, for those who prefer their princess toys license-free, Schylling can fulfill that as well: dresses, accessories, and mini-castle included!

The Magic Lives On

When I was a kid, everyone on the block had a magic kit. Whether it was a card tricks, ball tricks or magic wands, we were all trying to be little Houdinis. How refreshing that Schylling is keeping the classic magic kit alive with over a dozen products in their Fantasma line, including the deluxe Lengths of Magic kit that includes an instructional DVD.

Other cool and classic products  coming out of the Schylling house include Erector sets, Jack in the Box toys, dress up clothes, diecasts, science sets, and Sea Monkeys.