Here’s another toy recall for you. USA Today reports that a toy called Aqua Dots (made in China - no surprise there) has been recalled.

But this time it is not a lead recall. Nope, not that simple. Apparently if kids (or any people or pets) eat the tiny beads - which is what this toy is, it turns into the “date rape” drug chemically known as gamma hydroxybutyrate, in their system. This is just beyond horrifying.

Anyhow, this product was sold in the US at mass-merchandise stores beginning in April of this year. Aqua Dots received lots of accolades both here and in Australia - so it was probably quite popular. If you have this toy, stop using it right away and contact the manufacturer - Spin Master - at 1-800-622-8339 or online at www.spinmaster.com.

How many times have you bought something (toys, electronics, whatever) and found the packaging to be downright frustrating?

All the molded plastic cases, twist ties, rubber bands, and more plastic inside take forever to open. The resulting sharp edges often result in cuts and scrapes. And the garbage that is generated is mindboggling.

I found this video at Two Knives, and it is time that we took a stand against excessive product packaging.

This holiday season, consider how something is packaged before you buy. And if you must get it anyway, commit to send an email, at the very least, to the manufacturer and complain about their wasteful, consumer UNfriendly practices.

If you don’t know by now, I love giveaways. Especially ones that only involve a comment to enter. Here is one I found at Parent Product Reviews. Go on over and comment and you may win a Leapster! Win a LeapFrog Leapster Educational Video Game System plus Sonic the Hedgehog Game | Parent Product Reviews

GoodyBlog is offering another great giveway. This time its baby toys. There are no babies here but I could definitely pass them on as gifts. Check it out and leave a comment on the post at GoodyBlog by 8 am tomorrow - Monday November 5, 2007, to be included in the drawing.

Hasbro’s newest addition to the Littlest Pet Shop Familyhas arrived at LittlestPetShop.com! Introducing Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s!. Hasbro gave me the opportunity to try a Littlest Pet Shop VIP for free so I gave these a whirl - and I liked what I saw.

What are the Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s?
For starters, VIP stands for “Virtual Interactive Pet”. You get to play with it online. The Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s are cuddly stuffed animals that come with a secret code on their collar. After you purchase the stuffed animal, you log on to LittlestPetShop.com, create an account, and register your secret code. Now your cute stuffed animal has come life online.

What is the Littlest Pet Shop VIP virtual world like?

The Littlest Pet Shop VIP virtual world is a fun place to be. The best part, of course, is the games. Choices include

• Flying High Hang Gliding,
• Super Sundae Maker,
• Leaping Lily Pads,
• Wildest Water Tubing, and
• Sporty Skateboarding.

Just to name a few - there are many more that I have not mentioned. And it appears that even more games are going to be added soon.

The games are fun for older kids, yet simple enough for younger children to have success with.

When you play a game you earn virtual dollars so your pet can go shopping. As of now the shops include:

• Supermart (here you can buy food to feed your pet),
• Pet Boutique (purchase the latest clothing and accessories for your pet), and
• Department Store (selling furnishings for your pet’s home).

These shops are located in the Village area of the Littlest Pet Shop VIP world. The VIP world is divided into six areas:

• Village,
• Get Better Center
• Playground
• Adoption Center
• Forest and
• Your House

Each area has lots of activities to do. Navigating around the Littlest Pet Shop VIP world is easy. At the bottom of the screen there are icons to help you during your visit. There is an interactive map that shows you where you are and allows you to jump from place to place. There is also an icon with a list of the shops and games, so you can click to go directly to any activity.

Social Interaction and Internet Safety
At this point your pet is the only pet in your Littlest Pet Shop VIP world.

In the interest of internet safety (very important!) Hasbro does not include the option to interact with other people’s pets. Most parents will appreciate this feature. However you can register more than one pet on each account.

There are also a few creatures that come with the Littlest Pet Shop VIP world that your pet can interact with. These are computer generated. For example there is one creature that will play a scavenger hunt with your pet.

Give it a Try - FREE
Still not sure if this is right for you? You can try out the Littlest Pet Shop VIP virtual world for FREE. Just create an account at LittlestPetShop.com, and in the adoption center click on Borrow. You will be given the opportunity to take the dalmation through the Littlest Pet Shop VIP world and play the games. I love this “try before you buy” feature.

I have to stress that the online world is NOT the only part of the Littlest Pet Shop VIP experience. Actually owning the stuffed animal is just as much fun. My son (who is 7) loves his stuffed penguin and actually takes it to school in his backpack everyday! And my 9 year old son is coveting the turtle (maybe a holiday gift?). Obviously, it’s not just for girls.

How do the Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s compare to Webkinz?
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Webkinz. After all, the two seem very similar. But it truly is comparing apples and oranges - they are not the same. Webkinz has been around for a while so the online interface is more mature. But the Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s are from the wildly popular Littlest Pet Shop line, so the stuffed toy itself is a cool toy. If you are already a Littlest Pet Shop fan then the VIP’s are a must have. If you are new to Littlest Pet Shop, then the VIP’s are a good place to start. They are fresh, they are fun, and they are not as common as Webkinz.

Where Can I Buy Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s?
The VIP’s are available at HasbroToyShop.com and Amazon.com and at major toy retailers in New York City. After the new year they will be in major toy retailers around the country.

The Littlest Pet Shop VIP world at LittlestPetShop.com is a fun, safe place for kids to play online. It appeals to all ages - from kindergartners (even some tech savvy preschoolers) through tweens. Just in time for the holidays, Littlest Pet Shop VIP’s will be turning up in stockings everywhere!