EDITOR’S PICKS

American Grown Hand Soaps

This collection of luxe yet ultra-affordable hand soaps is inspired by great American destinations—think Napa Valley in California (Napa Grape), Washington State (Washington Apple) and even my home state, Georgia (Savannah Mint). Formulated with invigorating botanicals grown right here in the U.S., these big, bold, colorful bottles of sudsers by your sink will keep you feeling patriotic long after the Fourth of July.

($12.50, www.bathandbodyworks.com)

The Piggy Story Chalk N Doodle

I’m a sucker for anything pink and frilly (I have two little boys, after all), so I naturally flipped for this traveling lap chalkboard and chalk set decorated with little piggy mermaids. The chalkboard doubles as a drawing tablet with elastic bands to hold a doodle pad, activity book or piece of paper, and it has two side flaps that keep chalk or crayons handy. A built-in lap cushion makes it perfect for traveling or even a quick ride in the car. I’m thinking this might be my new favorite birthday gift to give.

($17, www.thepiggystory.com)

Asheba’s In the Kid Zone

In general, kids’ music tends to make me gag. This collection of songs by the pied piper of calypso music, however, is anything but annoying. Asheba’s rhythmically folkloric style is completely authentic; the music sounds like it could just as easily be found on a mainstream calypso disk as on one recorded especially for tykes. It’s been on constant rotation in my car for months, and I’m still not sick of it, so that’s saying something! I dare you to not love it too.

($15, www.cdbaby.com)