Spring 1999
Seal of Approval
Product Testing Report
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Products recognized as winners in this report have been judged by independent parent testers. Submitted products are evaluated on their individual levels of appeal, desirability, sturdiness, interactive stimulation, price and other elements essential in the make-up of a quality product.
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Character Markers
Crayon Factory
The chubby markers that hide inside the molded plastic cases really inspired our artistic testers. Parents and children alike were taken with the adorable designs that include animals, holiday characters and more. Priced right, these markers will fit the bill for many parents who are looking for stocking stuffers or party favors. The round base of the markers fit snugly into the palm of a young child, making coloring fun and easy.
Suggested Age: 3 and Up Price: $9.00 (for set of 6)
Color Workshop's Blopens
P&M Products UK/USA
Blopens are one of those products that recently burst onto the craft scene as the new tool of choice. Kids love making airbrush art that is created with the power of their own lungs. This Blopen workshop kit is really a fun and complete artistic experience, effectively expanding the play value of the small sets that are also available. It comes packed with 16 different color blopens, a wonderful assortment of stencils and paper in a single, easy-to-carry case. The kit provides the space for your child to create soft colorful scenes are truly amazing.
Suggested Age: 4 and Up Price: $19.99
The Pencil Grip
The Pencil Grip, Inc.
Learning how to grip a pencil is one of the most demanding of all life's early lessons. Positioning little digits around that thin object can be most perplexing. The Pencil Grip is the ingenious answer to this manipulative riddle. Placed snuggly near the head of the pencil the fingers fall naturally into a comfortable writing angle and the words, letters, images just come flowing. Parents raved after watching their children take the rubberized guide for a test write. They told us how they foresaw a decrease in painful blisters and indented index fingers from pressing too hard on hardened pencils and pens. Such a simple concept, such a simple answer, wouldn't it be nice if life imitated The Pencil Grip?
Suggested Age: 6 and Up Price: $1.79
The Natural Brush
The Pencil Grip, Inc.
Having seen the success and approval of the Pencil Grip and how effective it could be in guiding young hands while writing, parents were equally impressed with its ability to manipulate this brush set. Handsomely packaged in a wooden box this set features the highest quality brushes that will surely aid any painting project. Just like any craftsman who likes to have the best tools on their workbench, so to do fine artists. If either you or your child is a budding artist you both will be very pleased to have a tool like this at the ready.
Suggested Age: 6 and Up Price: $35.99
The Natural Cut
The Pencil Grip, Inc.
This impressive collection of cutting blades combined with a pencil grip for sure-fingered holds is all you'd ever want in a kit. Parents were amazed at all the different blades included here and anxious to discover the different projects they could do with them. The Pencil Grip holder really came in handy when longer or more precise cutting was required. Make no mistake this is not a toy and should not be used by anyone who is less than proficient with very sharp blades. It is their sharpness that makes The Natural Cut a superb tool for any serious artist.
Suggested Age: 12 and Up Price: $26.99
Or, for more information about The Seal of Approval or The National Parenting Center call: 1-800-753-6667
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Last Update: April 17, 1999