In the spirit of supporting the long tail, I thought I’d link to a few nifty items you likely won’t find in stores, but that are just as worthy as many of the items that are backed by big marketing budgets.
I found the booklet “Why Mommy is a Democrat” one day by clicking on a sponsored link in GMail (the line just above the message area). I liked the idea of communicating a message of this sort to little kids so I ordered a copy. I like the way the author and illustrator approached the topic. The idea of self-publishing something of this sort is also interesting. I purposefully use the word booklet instead of book despite the information on the site. The “book” feels more like a booklet. That doesn’t detract from its value. I mention it in the interest of realistic expectations. Cost: $10 including shipping in North America (with some possible savings for bulk orders).
On a different note, I highly recommend the California Soups and Salads 2006-07 Academic Calendar by Susan Beach. It covers September, 2006-December, 2007. Each month comes with a very inviting photo of a wonderful soup or salad dish plus its recipe on the side. Susan is our resident chef here at the Center and is an amazing cook. This could be a great gift for a myriad of people. Cost: $10 including shipping.
Moving on, I found the jams and jellies maker McKenzie’s Own at a summer fair last year and thought their products were divine. I bought two spreads: Mom’s Horseradish Spread and the White Chocolate Raspberry Spread. Both were great. Cost: $6.50 each plus $6.00 shipping.
I only have experience with online ordering regarding the first product, the others I bought in person. Full disclosure: I have no financial interest in promoting these products, I bought them and liked them, that’s all there is to it. I do know Susan personally though.
The site Etsy hosts lots of independent sellers although some of the products there tend to be on the expensive side. Lulu lets people self-publish books, calendar, etc. Of course, one can also find independents on ebay and on various corners of the Web. But what are those corners? Do share your favorites, I’m always curious to find the hidden gems.
This is second in the Gift guide series. Next week: giving through donations.
{ 10 comments }
thetruth 12.14.06 at 9:57 pm
n thr nws, th wrld s gng t hll, bt thr’s lts f cl crp t by.
[If you have nothing better to do than leave nasty comments, fine, but only do so if you are willing to sign your name to it. – Ed.]
The Continental Op 12.14.06 at 10:02 pm
Personally, I find “Why Mommy is a Democrat” to be nauseating treacle, to which I would never subject my own child. In fact, the first time I came across it, I strongly suspected that it was some kind of bizarre Rovian hoax.
When it comes to political children’s books, I much prefer “Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type.”
jacob 12.14.06 at 10:58 pm
I agree with The Contiental Op–“Click Clack Moo” has the advantage that it teaches people to organize to change their lot and the world, rather than to rely on political parties to do it. It’s also a fun read. There’s a sequel, but I’ve never read it. My very first present to my now-three-month-old niece was a Wobbly bib from the Northland Poster Collective, but she’ll be getting Click Clack Moo when she’s old enough to get it. (Mind you, I follow my mother’s–her grandmother’s–example and sing lullabies like “I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill” and “Union Maid.” It’s never too early to learn.)
Eszter 12.15.06 at 12:58 am
Jacob, can you elaborate on how Why Mommy is a Democrat teaches people “to rely on political parties to” change the world?
thetruth 12.15.06 at 2:10 am
It wasn’t a nasty comment. It was a truthful observation of the state of the planet we live on. As always, feel free to blame the messenger if it makes you feel better. I sincerely hope it does.
chris y 12.15.06 at 7:45 am
I notice the soup calendar is sold out already. The power of CT strikes again.
SamChevre 12.15.06 at 9:21 am
I really like the “Becky” and “Benjie” books from Pathway Publishers. They are children’s storybooks–Becky and Benjie are 6 or 7–about Amish children.
Things I like:
1) They are FUBU books; Pathway is an Amish publisher (they don’t even have a phone number). So they get the details right.
2) The children are very realistic. They think and act like children.
As I mentioned, the only way to order from Pathway directly is by mail. You can buy the books online at Rod and Staff Books; I’ve never bought from Rod and Staff Books (which has no affiliation with Rod and Staff Publishers), so caveat emptor.
Alex Fradera 12.15.06 at 9:35 am
On the long tail, there are plenty of independent story/roleplaying games out there. Jim Henley reviews one that looks well suited to play together – adults, kids and all – on Boxing day afternoon. It’s available via Lulu, too.
You can find many aggregated here.
My Chrimbo recommendations? Icy, poetic tragedy played via ritualistic phrases; romance games for 2-3 players; and The Sex and the City game. Read, plonk and play.
radek 12.15.06 at 5:22 pm
Holy crap, for like the first time in my life I agree with Rush Limbaugh; “Who wrote this thing?”
“Democrats make sure we all share our toys, just like Mommy does.”
“Democrats make sure we are always safe, just like Mommy does.”
“Democrats make sure children can go to school, just like Mommy does.”
I mean, I guess you wanna start the indoctrination early (though this is probably a sure fire way to make sure the kids grow up to be Mormons) but my kids better damn well known how to disagree with me.
Doug K 12.18.06 at 2:26 pm
you have to remember “Why Mommy is a Democrat” is a direct response to “Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed! ”
http://www.amazon.com/Help-Mom-There-Liberals-Under/dp/0976726904
The publisher says:
“This full-color illustrated book is a fun way for parents to teach young children the valuable lessons of conservatism. Written in simple text, readers can follow along with Tommy and Lou as they open a lemonade stand to earn money for a swing set. But when liberals start demanding that Tommy and Lou pay half their money in taxes, take down their picture of Jesus, and serve broccoli with every glass of lemonade, the young brothers experience the downside to living in Liberaland.”
Rush Limbaugh and Grover Norquist praised the book.
Honest, I’m not making this up. Children’s stories indeed.
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