Recommendation

Texas babies tend to show up in late summer, which means spring is prime time for parents‑to‑be to enter their research era. One minute you’re casually browsing, and the next you’re deep in a debate about stroller wheels, sound machine settings, and how many onesies a newborn can possibly go through in a day.

That’s why we created the 2026 Baby Essentials & Baby Gear Guide — a fun, friendly roundup of the must‑haves, the nice‑to‑haves, and the “oh wow, that’s actually genius” finds that make preparing for a new baby feel exciting instead of overwhelming. Think of it as your cheerful companion for the months ahead.

My Brave Friend is a special book for young children. It focuses on Noah, a first grader, who notices his best friend Emma did not come back to school after winter break. His teacher explains Emma is in the hospital and she has cancer. The book uses calm, simple language that is easy for children to understand. It explains what it is like to be a patient in a children’s hospital and also that cancer is not contagious like some other illnesses.

Read Victoria's book review.

Ever find your child or even yourself struggling to achieve perfection? While this can feel problematic, readers are introduced to Petunia, a young girl who takes pride in doing everything perfectly. Throughout her journey, we can start to feel normalized that not everyone or everything can be perfect.

Read Jessica's book review. 

Book reviews are essential for authors—especially indie authors who rely on visibility, word of mouth, and authentic reader feedback. As a community of readers, parents, and book lovers, we love supporting fellow writers and helping great books find their audience.

We also believe deeply in fostering a love of reading in children and making books accessible to families in our community. This program supports authors while also putting more stories into the hands of young readers.

This Read & Share Book Review Program connects children’s book authors with real readers and provides honest reviews that are shared on the Live Grow Play Austin blog, newsletter, and Facebook page, with many reviewers also choosing to post their honest review on Amazon.

Nestled in the heart of Liberty Hill, Texas, Simply Home Boutique stands as a charming yellow house brimming with unique treasures. Established in 2012, this delightful boutique has become a local favorite, offering an eclectic mix of home décor, fashion, kitchen treats, and gifts for all occasions. Whether you're stopping by for a fun shopping event, hunting for the perfect gift, or simply soaking in the boutique’s cozy charm, every visit feels like a little getaway filled with warmth, community, and delightful treasures.

The holidays are here, and so is the hunt for the perfect gift! But, don’t stress, we’ve put together "The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: From Tots to Teens" to make give you some ideas. Whether it’s toys, games, or creative picks for every age, our guide has something for all the kids on your list. Let’s make their holidays unforgettable (and yours a little easier)!

It took about 10 years until Cedar allergies finally got me. Fortunately, so far my symptoms have been rather mild. I occasionally experience sinus pressure, itchy eyes, and ear aches. 

Here are some tips and treatment suggestions to ease the misery of winter cedar allergies.

Keeping your new baby close to your heart in a wrap or sling not only feels natural, it makes things a little bit easier in those busy first few months. 
If you notice that it seems to make baby calmer, it's not a fluke — science has proven that wearing your baby can benefit their physical and emotional health.

So, what can babywearing do for you and your little one? Read on to learn about 23 evidence-based benefits of babywearing.

Christmas is the most important and most celebrated holiday in Germany and is very much enjoyed by children and parents alike. However, the Holiday season and pretty much the entire month of December (even the last week of November) demands a lot from parents in Germany. Preparing for the festivities is very time consuming and due to extreme sugar consumption you’ll see more kids bouncing off the walls and driving their parents insane than in any other month – as the following Christmas traditions will attest.

Does your child have difficulties adjusting to school or being away from you? 

This is one of our favorite books: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn that may help your child ease his or her fears. 

The book is "for any child who confronts a difficult situation, and for the child within each of us who sometimes needs reassurance." Perfect for first day of school or back-to-school.

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