The Alphabet Gang

the alphabet gang 3

We’re always on the lookout for items for Bookscape Babies, our community program for kids 0-2 and their caregivers. Previously, we’ve shared this Teddy Bear Picnic and an adorably cuddly alphabet. Today’s post also involves a cute alphabet – and one that doubles as a matching activity!

The “Animal Play and Learn” set by Jetbotell retails for around $15 on Amazon, and is intended for ages 18 months and up. The 52 piece plastic set features 10 kinds of animals printed with uppercase and lowercase letters. Each animal is about 3″ long, and easily pulls into two halves:

Bright, chunky, and easy to wipe clean, this set checked all the boxes for us! Special bonus: the set’s pieces are interchangeable, resulting into some very interesting animal combinations, not to mention two letter words and initials.

If you are looking for an terrific letter identification set that is an inexpensive addition to round out your baby story times, early literacy classrooms, and toddler play areas, we definitely recommend this fun little set!

Sneak Peek: Teddy Bear Picnic

sneak peek teddy bear picnic

Hold onto your binkies, we’re hosting a baby event! While we do host a weekly baby social hour, and while we did have legendary librarian Peggy Salwen do a story time at our library, next week we’re trying something new…something that involves this amazing snail ball pit!

The event is called Teddy Bear Picnic. The concept is pretty simple. Katie and I designed a picnic/outdoor “setting” for babies to explore. Our goal for the babies is interaction – with the setting, with their caregivers, and with other babies. Plus, we’re doing teddy bear giveaway. We’ll share full details and photos soon!


In the area and would like to attend? Teddy Bear Picnic is Monday, November 18th from 11am – 12pm in the Cotsen gallery. The program is intended for children ages 0-2. Details can be found here.

The Cuddly Alphabet

soft sensory alphabet by environments

I’m always on the lookout for literacy, and this has to be the cutest alphabet set I have EVER seen. Sweet little stuffed alphabet letters in various patterns, colors, and fabrics. Best of all, some of the letters crinkle, some squeak, some rattle, and some jingle. Just…so…adorable!

We discovered this set while putting together our new library baby program which involves unstructured social time and soft playscapes. But we also wanted a way to work in our best buddy, the alphabet. Enter the Soft Sensory Alphabet by Environments. The set comes with a fabric basket, and each machine washable letter is 5″ tall.

soft sensory alphabet with fabric basket by environmentsThe set retails for $62 online at Discount School Supply. The price is a little steep, but we couldn’t find it less expensively through any other vendors. Etsy, of course, has some fabulous fabric letters, but I don’t imagine they’re machine washable like this set.

How did the set go over? The babies and toddlers loved it. They pounced, sorted, stacked, and rattled the letters. Some traversed the gallery, grasping a favorite. Others spent a good amount of time removing letters from the fabric basket and putting them back in again…

alphabet playtimeThis little girl and her grandparents were naming all the letters as she picked them up. It was incredible to see her grab one and proudly say “W!” all on her own. The Soft Sensory Alphabet by Environments is definitely recommended!

alphabet friends