When it comes to Christmas and other gift-giving occasions for infants and toddlers, I often rely on books. Interest in toys fades and clothes are outgrown, but books retain their magic for many years. They are read over and over again – in the car, before bed, and throughout the day.
We recently went on a road trip and I pulled out two new books for the journey “Shiny, Touchy, Smelly: Colors” and “Shiny, Touchy, Smelly: First Words,” both created and published by Make Believe Ideas.
My daughter was mesmerised. The books are “shiny” because they have “sparkling pages to catch the eye.” They are “touchy” because the have “soft, rough, and smooth textures to explore.” Finally, they are “smelly” because they feature “a range of smells to find and identify.”
I have to admit that I was impressed by the books – the bold colors, the wide range of photos and graphics, and the cool textures to feel (scaly dinosaur skin, fluffy duckling fur, and more). Plus, who can resist the “scratch and sniff” component – the ability to smell lemon and licorice, play-doh and pine trees. I love how my daughter brings her nose up to the page to sniff the scents.
My only [very minor] critique of the books is that the “smells” could have been fine tuned and engineered to more closely match the “real” scent of the objects pictured. There was very little difference between bubbles and licorice, for example…and that’s just a little weird.
Overall, though, these books delivered. They are fun, interactive, and exciting…and they definitely top the list of my daughter’s favorite books. And for $7.95 a book, these books are a real steal.
WIN IT! There will be two lucky winners for this giveaway. One winner will receive “Shiny, Touchy, Smelly: Colors” and one winner will receive “Shiny, Touchy, Smelly: First Words.” To enter, leave a comment and your e-mail address on this post prior to Monday, December 3rd, at midnight. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, December 4th. * Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.
*UPDATE* The winner of “Shiny, Touchy, Smelly: Colors” is #22 Shannon and the winner of “Shiny, Touchy, Smelly: First Words” is #54 Jason and Caryn. Congratulations!
Am I the first to post?!?!?
juliesweeps@hotmail.com
I have never heard of these, but I ablsoutely love the idea! What a neat and interactive way to explore all the senses! I’m SO keeping my fingers crossed for this…It would be great for my little man this Christmas!
sblilly14(@)yahoo(.)com
hi stephanie~
these sound like great books- it’s a neat concept. we’ve just begun collecting books for our little one on the way. these sound like they would be a great addition! please enter me.
thanks! jessie (j_purpero@hotmail.com)
Hi Stephanie! I have a two year old. I she would love to read these books! count me in..
kristenjfox@yahoo.com
my baby loves shiny things!
mom2maria at yahoo.com
great idea
I think my son would find this book interesting.
bebemiqui82 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Connor would totally love that!
with a title like that….who would not waht to win!! I have a 3 year old and a 5 month old…we are all about shiny, touchy ,feel me please around here..
thanks for entering us!
These books look fantastic. Thanks for the recomendation.
mclanek[at]gmail[dot]com
My son just turned 1 so this sounds perfect for his age. Thanks for the chance to win!
My son will be mesmerized by these books! maraco36@yahoo.com
Shiny touchy smelly sounds like a little guys dream. Thanks for the chancE
How much fun!!! My one year old, Anna, would love this!
My youngest has sensory issues – so I’m always looking for sensory toys for her, and this looks perfect!
I think my 8-month-old would love these books! Thanks for the giveaway.
Both my little girls would love these books! Great giveaway!
Looks like a great book! We love reading! My 2 year old would enjoy this.
very cool!!
melissahopenice@yahoo.com
Oh pick us!
kammy28@gmail.com
I want to start collecting books for my 3 month daughter and this would be a great start thanks for the giveaway
What a fun book. Love one for my little boy. Thanks!
Shannon
palmersf@comcast.net
I’ve seen these books and they are great – I’d love to own one for my son!
bobjodimd@yahoo.com
My daughter would love this book!!!
Not only would my little one like this, but the kids at school clamor for scratch-n-sniff, no matter how odd they sometimes smell!!
Thanks!
dianna_ball(at)hotmail(dot)com
My baby would LOVE these! breetrott (at) comcast (dot) net
Please randomly select me!
Cute book!
angel83199@hotmail.com
these are too cool! fingers crossed…
This is great!
Cute book, my kids would love it.
vickers@insightbb.com
Those sound amazing! I know my little ones and the ones I babysit would love them, but I bet my teens and preteens would “read” them to the little ones just so they could smell the things, too, lol.
I would love to win this for my son!!
ashley_tignor(at)yahoo(dot)com
These look great! Would love to read them with my son!
I’d love to win this!
I’m sure my kids would love this
Thanks for the giveaway!
Me please!
taryn237[at]yahoo.com
What cool books, count me in! scrappydesigns @ gmail.com
Great book. My daughter would love it for years to come.
powercourt@hotmail.com
Great idea. My kids would adore these.
my 2 year old would love one.
my daughter would love reading either of these with me! It’s our favorite together activity.
jennifer.smithson [at] gmail.com
we are huge readers!!!!!!!!!!
Pick me!!!!
fivestrongs@aol.com
Very cool book!
We LOVE new books…Thanks!
stbaisch@yahoo.com
My 2 year old would either of these books. Thanks!!!
healngpwr@yahoo.com
What a great concept!
Mari – meshopsi AT gmail DOT com
Sounds interesting!
Count me in please!
blogged ya: http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2007/12/saturday-edition-of-contests-galore.html
What a cute book — great for my kiddos!
Sounds like a fun book! Just right for my little eggroll!
Sounds like the title of my life!
Yeah for scratch and sniff! This sounds like a cute book! Count me in please.
I LOVE scratch and sniff stuff!
These sound like fun! My daughter loves books!
What a fun concept. My daughter would love it!
Count me in please. My daughters love books!
I’ve got a nephew who’d love one of these. Just started exploring books.
my daughter would love this!
Great books! My boys would love them :) Thank you.
Miss Baby would love it!
missalexmissalex (at) hotmail
I think my son would love this!
This book sounds super! We love fun, new books!
sharvey at connections-etc dot net
My son LOVES it! : )