Columnist Muriel Stevens: Lots of choices for kids

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at [email protected] or 259-4080.

Being included in the test mailing of the new Pottery Barn for Kids catalog gave me a peek into what's new and exciting for kids these days. The pages are filled with mostly upscale and pricey merchandise. It is a terrific catalog. Geared to kids from newborn to age 12, Pottery Barn Kids items are available only by mail.

Included are well-designed furniture, bedding, window treatment, toys, lighting, rugs and accessories -- all captivating. Most of the merchandise is exclusive to Pottery Barn Kids.

The imagination in play here is the kind youngsters adore. What kid wouldn't love peekaboo panels that can be used as window cover or to divide a room or hang in a doorway? The heights of the peekaboo openings are sized for youngsters and adults. Panels have grommet tops and come in various lengths.

The furniture appears to be sturdy and well-made, destined to be used by future generations. Some of my favorite items: the set of nesting tables ($79) that have a hole in the middle of each so kids can tote them wherever a table is needed; elephant and dog terry coverups for after a bath or a swim ($39 each); and a sleigh bed/trundle bed combination. The upholstered furniture is marvelous. To request a catalog call 800-290-8181.

More kid stuff: Zany Brainy educational toy stores are holding their first "Trade-A-Toy" event designed to get kids to trade in violent kinds of toys. The program will kick off Saturday at Zany Brainy stores in 26 states and continue through Dec. 24.

Youngsters who bring in such a toy can sign up for a free nonviolent toy to be mailed to them. The educational toy they'll receive is valued at $15.

The exchange program is a joint effort between Zany Brainy and The Lion & the Lamb Project, a national grass-roots effort that provides information about the effects of violent media and toys on children's behavior. Hundreds of kids and parents are expected to participate in the toy exchange.

And still more kid stuff: Pokemon, the Japanese cartoon character introduced last year is still hot, hot, hot, according to Jolette Gowens, FAO Schwarz personal shopper. "Pokemon has gone absolutely insane. There are so many products and characters associated with Pokemon that it's hard for parents to keep up with what their kids have."

Pokemon products range from the recently released trading cards, Fossil Cards, which are part of the Pokemon card game, to Nintendo games, watches, pencils and stuffed characters. If the stress of trying to find the right Pokemon product gets to you, just pick up a nice squishy Pokemon stress ball for yourself ... if you can find one. They come in the shape of some of the many Pokemon characters -- there are 150!

Gowens said there have been many requests for such classic toys as baby dolls and wood toys -- so there is life beyond Pokemon. It would appear that customers this year are passing up hot high-tech toys for the basics, she said.

One basic, the eternally young classic character, Madeline, turns 60 this year and is still going strong. There's even a cowgirl Madeline doll to go with the new "Madeline in America" book.

Collector edition games such as Monopoly are already selling out. Said Gowens, "shoppers who don't start buying early may have to search for alternatives to what they were hoping to find."

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