Recently, I've joined a co-op preschool for "Rocket" with a few of my friends. Their husbands all attend MIT, so naturally, these friends of mine are very education-minded, and I was so excited to get in on this program in hopes of giving my boy a head start with mothers who also care a great deal about what their children are learning. We rotate every week, each taking turns teaching that week's curriculum. Passed around with the notes and supplies is a big "All About Today" calendar that my toddler is CRAZY about. However, when preschool isn't at our house, he still begs to update a calendar. Good thing we found this adorable children's calendar and a cute cloth activity book from Alma's Designs!! Now we can talk about the days, weather, months, and seasons even when he's not at preschool.
Alma's Designs Children's Calendar
At no cost to facilitate this review, Alma's Designs sent us this terrific Today Is Red Children's calendar and the quiet book you'll see below. Alma's Designs carries all sorts of educational and visually bright and beautiful charts and books for children.
As you can see, some of the pieces were a little bent from shipment and there are some stray strings to clip off the edges, but otherwise, the pieces are pretty sturdy. They are starched and interfaced, and because certain spaces on the large red backing are fuzzy, you don't have to find the matching small velcro square--it will adhere anywhere.
Good thing we've got a few more years before this calendar is outdated! I love that there are so many things to do besides changing the date. As you can see, we're learning about the days of the week, months, years, seasons, and the weather. Every morning, this guy rushes to update the calendar! What a fun thing to have in our house.
Now, "Little Brother" is a little young to understand the rotating seasons and days of the week, but Alma's Designs definitely has younger children covered! We were also sent this CUTE little cloth activity book, also known as a Quiet Book. My boy was instantly attracted to it by the embroidered train on the front.
I grew with quiet books that my mom put together herself. I still have some of them, in fact. They are utterly adorable with such fun pieces and activities, but they are basically in shreds. Snaps have come loose, hand-stitching has begun unraveling, and colored markers have faded. It's such a shame that my boys can't really use them because of the condition that they are in. This book, however, has been constructed in such a sturdy manner and attention to detail, that it looks like it could stay intact, completely functional, and attractive for years and years, as long as the pieces don't get lost. I can certainly see grandchildren being able to enjoy this just as much as my children.
There are 10 pages with a good variety of activities to do: balloons to velcro, shapes to snap, things to zip and button, animals that go in and out of train cars, a shoe to tie, pants to buckle, textures to feel, and a clock to set the time. We sit through THREE hours of church every Sunday, and I'm happy to report that this book was very engaging and extremely helpful last Sunday in church. Tossing this in your bag for outings, grocery trips, or doctors office visits is going to make your life easier and your toddler happier!
Buy it: You can find this children's calendar and cloth activity book and other learning wall charts on their website, or you can get them on Amazon.com.
If you'd like to try your hand at making a quiet book, check out our post about the best quiet book pages and 21 awesome quiet book patterns.
Disclosure: I (Camille) received the wall calendar and quiet book at no cost to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own and may differ from yours. //
Melissa Douglass says
Goodnight Sleep Tight book!
Janet W. says
I also love the ABC Animal Chart!
Heidi Daily says
I also like the Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Stortytelling set.
Stephanie Easterling says
I love the ABC Animal Chart.
Sarah Kurtz says
Love the calendar and the quiet book. My 5yr old daughter would love the calendar and my 2 yr old son would love the book. Excellent learning tools! Thank you for the chance to win!
Laurie Snow says
Pirate Counting Book
Gail Gail McMurray says
I love the On the farm quiet book. I have the Monkeys on the bed set, they are so well made.
Abbey R. says
This site is so cool! The two favorite products that I saw on the site were the quiet book (this would be very helpful in mass!) and I love the storytelling activity sets!
Jan Lee says
I'd like to get the Doctor's Kit or the Dentist's Kit 🙂
Jessica Jackson says
I really like the USA Map. 🙂
Erin Schled says
Love the cloth activity books & learning wall charts
S.K. McDonald says
I loved everything! I love the Merry Christmas Advent calendar as it is so cute!! I love the reversible storytelling dolls as I had one of these as a kid and would love one of those!! I love the Let Count Wall hanging!! The play sets are so cute as I want the first tea party and the U.S. Map as those would be so much fun for us!! WOW!! So many GREAT things!! Thanks!! :o)
Camille says
Oh I love the Merry Christmas Advent too! I bought that last year for my SIL and they love it! Good luck!
sheri anderson says
Love the Storytelling Activity Sets, thanks!
ellen Kowal says
I love all the imaginative play sets!
Bree says
I love the ABC animal chart.
Cindy McElwee says
I also love the Imaginative Play, First Tea Party, so much fun ♥
Shay says
Abc animal alphabet chart.
Cassandra WM says
I love the USA map and all of the story telling activity kits.
Jeri E. says
I really like the Goldilocks Reversible Storytelling Doll...what a fun idea! Thank you for the giveaway!!
Christa Lopez says
I love the Three Billy Goats Gruff storytelling activity set!
Dandi D says
I think my son would really enjoy the Tool Kit.
megan bailly says
I just love the busy books! I've been wanting to make one for my girls!
Penni says
Love the Goldilocks & Red Riding Hood Storytelling Dolls!
Tamara Terni says
I LOVE THE STORY TELLING ACTIVITIE SETS THEY ARE GREAT LOVE THE CHICKA CHICKA BOOM
Beanybopp says
I also love the Dentist's Kit
Natalie Brown says
Hi! I love these products! One of my favorites is the On The Farm Soft Fabric Activity Book. My grandson would love it! Thank-you!
Nicole Bear says
I also love the Aquarium set. My daughter loves going to the aquarium!
allyson tice says
I am loving the ABC ANIMAL CLOTH BOOK!
Sam Minor says
Love the First Tea Party kit.
Jennifer Sheldon says
I like the old mcdonald barn set. These are very cute.
nadine says
I love the storytelling activity sets!!!
barnolds barnes says
I like the abc animal chart
Jessica Linsey says
I love all the wall charts counting, ABC and today charts!
Sarh S says
I also like the ABC Chart and Lets Count! Both would be great for my 2yo and 4yo!
Colleen Maurina says
I also like their USA Map!
Shannon says
Love the Bible Heroes book!
Tarah says
I like the Merry Christmas Advent Calendar as well.
Hannah Avery says
I like the Bible Heroes book!
Carrie says
Good Night Sleep Tight Book
Claiborne says
I like the reversible storytelling dolls.
Cindy B says
I love their three billy goats gruff story telling set (and the other sets, too).
Alyssa v says
I love he ABC animal chart
violet says
the animal chart is cute
Anita says
Wow I have to say that I honestly like all the smart idea's.
Carissa Joslyn says
I really like the
Merry Christmas Advent Calender! I have always wanted a quiet book for my kids, but I lack the ability to make things..and have them come out decent. I think everything on her site is great, we are trying to reduce the toxic plastic in kids toys, but we'er low on money, so it's very slow going!
Lauren H says
I love the first tea party!
jenn huey says
Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly doll
Gabby Dunai says
My son would definitely love the 10 Little Monkeys Storybook toys. I am a big fan of the calenders tho!
Yolonda P. says
The first Tea Party Set is super cute! Daughter would love it!
Huri Kouzouyan says
OMG! Daddy is a carpenter and I know my son would go wild for the imaginative play Tool Kit!
polly says
I also like the kids Tool Kit
Laura Waltz says
We would love the Polar Bear Puppet set. What a great addition this would be when we read their book!
Ashley Dionne says
I love the story telling dolls!
Ashley F says
I like the ABC Animal Chart from Almas Designs
Becca M says
I'm in love with all the activity sets they have. Everything is so cute, I can't believe I never noticed these before!
Karrie Everett says
The pirate counting book is super cute!
Kelley S says
I love the story telling Sets!
Rebeca Kanagy says
I like the Nativity Advent Calendar
Angela Patino says
love the doctor kit
Megan Loop says
I love so many of the items on the website! I think I would also really like the ABC animal chart!
Stephanie M. says
Old McDonald Barn
Gabrielle says
Love the Old Mcdonald Barn!! My Toddler would love it too!
Susan S., TN says
I would also love to have Imaginative Play set for the Fish & Friends also for the Old McDonald Barn.
Lily Kwan says
I like First Tea Party.
Sue Hull says
I'd love to get my granddaughter the Goodnight Sleep Tight and Bible Heroes Activity Books. I'd also love to get the On The Farm Soft Fabric Book. Thank you for the awesome giveaway 🙂
Nancy says
I also like their ABC Animal Chart.