“”Be grateful you’re not in the forest in France
Where the average young person just hasn’t a chance
To escape from the perilous pants eating plants
But your pants are safe, you’re a fortunate guy
You ought to be shouting how lucky am I”

- Dr. Seuss, Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?

As much as we love creating superior products for you and your child, we also enjoy giving back to the community. For the second year in a row, Bumkins is proud to be participating in Goodwill of Central Arizona’s “2010 Evening of Goodwill: Denim and Diamonds.” We have donated a wonderfully whimsical Suessian basket, filled with enough Seuss gear to turn your child into a Who! You can bid on this basket and many other fantastical items during the silent auction, as well as meet over 350 local community leaders and supporters at this evening affair.

About the Evening of Goodwill – The 10th Annual Evening of Goodwill will be held Saturday, October 16, 2010 at Desert Foothills, 5-9 pm. Throughout the evening, there will be a silent auction, a hosted reception, a buffet-style dinner, western-inspired games, live entertainment and an award presentation honoring their clients, partners and community supporters. Tickets are open to the public and are $100. Proceeds go towards furthering the education of Goodwill clients, as well as local adults and youths.

About Goodwill of Central Arizona -”We Put People to Work.” Their motto rings true in everything they do, from recently opening a new store [Redesign by Goodwill] to creating a used auto lot! There mission is simple, “Through the work of Goodwill, all people will have the opportunity to learn, work and achieve their greatest potential.” By practicing this vision and following their values, Goodwill has received recognition and become a leader in the “Charities You Can Trust” list.

As most of you know, Bumkins prides itself in having safe products for both you and your child. We make sure that our products are lead safe, PVC, BPA, phthalate & vinyl free. The Center for Health, Environment & Justice, an advocate for “responsible corporate behavior” and the use of safer chemical alternatives, released a “Back-to-School Guide to PVC-Free School Supplies.” The Bumkins Art Smocks made the list!

Our art smocks come in multiple prints, ranging from our Bumkins original designs to our loveable Seuss and Haring patterns. Keep your child and their favorite clothes and accessories mess free…and the paint stains to a minimum!

Bumkins Lunch Boxes are also free from such harmful chemicals and are another fantastic back-to-school item. Be sure to check them out and keep your children’s lunches and snacks safe next school year, while also keeping them looking cool with the 8 different designs now available.

What is PVC? It is found in everything…from plastic and clothing to ceiling tiles and pipes! Known to its chemical buddies as polyvinyl chloride, this multifunctional plastic is harmful and detrimental to one’s health. Products with PVC and its additives [used to make it flexible] have been found to be releasing toxins into the air. Luckily, there has been an increase in awareness of its harmful effects and companies have been using a safer alternative for their items.

What is BPA? Known to its chemical friends as bisphenol A, this organic compound is also commonly used in plastic production. Most commonly used as the inside coating for most food and beverage cans, it is also found in everything from baby toys to medical and dental devices to electronics in the household. Its harmful effects include obesity, neurological issues, thyroid complications, cancer…the list goes on. However, there is hope! As you may have noticed, awareness of this horrendous compound’s effects has also increased and BPA-free products are becoming more readily available.

What are phthalates? Working with the above in health crime, phthalates are also used in plastics to make them more durable and increases their longevity of use. They are found in almost everything: as coating on your everyday pills and vitamins, makeup, toys, household items, packaging, detergents, perfumes, electronics…the list goes on! Like BPA, it also has a long list of harmful effects. Also like BPA and PVC, it is being phased out of production in many countries, including the United States.

Well, more like Dr. Seuss’ beloved characters will be running amuck in the the new line of shoes for both children and adults by Converse. Inspired by the classic stories and characters, the Seuss line by Converse has already launched and comes in 17 fantastic designs. Grab a pair and release your inner Seuss today at the Converse website. Prices range from $35-$65 and each pair you purchase comes with a free cinch bag!

Don’t forget to check out our Dr. Seuss Lunch Boxes to match these stylish kicks!

Take a look at what goes on behind the scenes at a Bumkins photo shoot! This shoot was filmed in Scottsdale, Arizona, featuring the Spring 2010 collections of Keith Haring by Bumkins and Dr. Suess by Bumkins.

A big thank you goes out to the parents and babies who helped us get great photos!

Bumkins Spring 2010 Photo Shoot from Marlee Liberman on Vimeo.

Bumkins has been a licenser of Keith Haring’s designs for almost a year now.  Chosen because of his powerful themes and legacy, Haring’s art provides a perfect visual for both children and parents. If you haven’t noticed, Haring has been quite the influence in the fashion and celebrity realm.

While we here at Bumkins have yet to become celebrities ourselves, we are giving you and your child a chance to sport the fashionable trend. A lot of our products feature Haring’s designs, from our popular SuperBib and reversible blanket to our lunch boxes and diaper bags.

Giveaway!!!

In commemoration of Keith Haring, as this year marks the 20^th anniversary of his death, and celebration of our first anniversary of having the opportunity of using Haring’s art, we are offering one lucky reader a chance to win a Keith Haring Diaper Cluth Bag in the Radiant Baby print.

About Keith Haring

“Everything I’m doing right now is exactly what I want to do.” – Keith Haring

An artist all his own, Haring’s entire career is nothing short of legendary. Inspired by the cartoons of his father, as well as Dr. Seuss and Walt Disney, Haring created works that connected with individuals of all ages. They are simplistic, consisting of outlined characters and bold colors. The pieces, while basic, convey powerful messages through universal concepts, such as birth and love. His works received support from his mentors, such as Andy Warhol, and allowed him to work with other artists, including Madonna, Yoko Ono, and William Burroughs. Unfortunately, Haring’s career ended just as quickly as it began. He died at the age of 31 on February 16, 1990.

Although his life was so quickly lived, his talent remains, and his messages resound and are immortalized through the pieces he has left behind.

Visit The Pop-Shop, Haring’s store that he had started before his death. Also check out The Keith Haring Foundation and Haring Kids.