Stages

Your DD is like a little Eloise, turning ordinary trips to the library or playground into a land of make-believe — and she looks ever-so-stylish doing so.

Indulge her imagination: Children’s book The Super Adventures of Sophie and the City follows a little girl on her adventures in her dad’s office building, as she peeks into the glam worlds of fashion and design. The story is based on author Kelly Florio Kasouf’s childhood surrounded by the bright lights of Conde Nast, where her father was a longtime exec. This lighthearted trek through the famed 4 Times Square features cameos from style icons like Andre Leon Talley and Isaac Mizrahi, while detailed watercolor illustrations by Judit Garcia-Talavera feature fashions by the likes of Philip Treacy and Alexander McQueen.

Sophie’s trip through a glitz-and-glitter fantasyland may give your own pint-sized fashionista some wild ideas (enter the discussion why it’s not the norm for tots to attend to the Met Gala or New York Fashion Week, and why Manhattan office buildings don’t actually have magic elevators), but it does capture some of the wonder the big city holds for a young heroine (and may inspire you to bring your kids to your own less-than-enchanted office). Plus, the book’s new iPad app lets you explore Sophie’s world even more, with mini city guides based on some of the character’s favorite local NYC spots, an animated video tour of the book and behind-the-scenes looks, and a coloring section to customize some of the whimsical illustrations.

Cue the models.

Visit superadventuresofsophie.com.

When it comes to dressing your baby bump, leggings can only take you so far. A few disposable duds work well in a pinch (as in, you’ll never wear them again after the 9 months are over) but you’re looking for clothes that will instantly transform you into one of those effortlessly put-together, only-in-New York pregnant women.

Hatch is a chic and comfy new maternity collection, born of a designing mom and founder of twobirds Bridesmaid. These wardrobe essentials — about a dozen key pieces that include a cozy Japanese cotton cardigan, simple striped dress and silk drawstring pants — are classics you can wear from before you’re actually showing through those first few months of post-pregnancy mayhem. Mix and match a wear-with-everything wrap with an extra-fine knit maxi dress, and you’ll achieve a mommy-to-be-style to take you through winter without a fashion mishap.

We don’t know how you do it.

Visit hatchcollection.com.

Your BFF is expecting her first bundle, and you want to throw her a shower that will give her a moment of calm before the insanity starts.

Head to a downtown oasis: The Spa at Trump SoHo will now help you plan the perfect pre-baby bash at its sleek hotel. The selection of party themes is especially enticing to pamper a mom-to-be and her pals: Baby Shower Brunch, where the ladies can indulge in mini 15-minute spa treatments like a seated aromatherapy massage or organic spray tan; Beauty Bar Baby Shower with makeup applications, oxygen facials and hand exfoliations; or Happy Baby Hour, an after-work fete with mocktails and cocktails, and 30-minute treatments like reflexology and scalp massage. Each option includes yummy treats and spa gifts for guests. Parties take place in chic Bar d’Eau, or in the spa’s serene relaxation room or pretty private outdoor area, depending on the size and season.

Nothing but luxe for the baby bump.

Visit trumpsohohotel.com.

Your preschooler has mastered the iPad, but you’re falling a bit behind when it comes to cool new tech. Time to get with the times before the holiday onslaught starts (and before your kindergartener needs to give you a tutorial on the Kindle).

Get your hands on the hottest gadgets and gleam a little expert advice at CNET Gotham, a five-day (free!) pop-up event that introduces NYC to the best new technology in a sleek downtown showcase, starting tomorrow. Check out the Nolita location to play with of-the-moment gadgets, attend how-to sessions and workshops, chat with CNET’s tech-obsessed editors and get a few ideas for your holiday gift list. Parents can download the scoop on family essentials like setting up social media privacy, video game suggestions for kids, and the season’s best cameras or phones (don’t miss the tricked-out living room, an interactive exhibit that shows how gadgets can work in the real world). Check out the online schedule of special events for the full lineup — including Saturday’s Adobe kiddie photo session that will give you a great professional portrait of your little one (ages 4+, 12-5pm) to share for the holidays.

It’s geek chic.

When: Wed.-Sun., 11/9-11/13, 11am-7pm; Free.
Where: Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry St. (at Spring St.), cnet.com/gotham.

Driving back and forth to and from the Hamptons, Jersey Shore or Catskills in various rental cars takes long enough. But the time spent installing and taking out the essential car seat each weekend ranks up there with bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Simplify the trip with Cybex’s new infant car seat/carrier, the Aton, which has an easy-to-install base perfect for summer travel — the seat safely clicks in and out with the help of a few cues (plus, you can buy an extra base to keep in car number two). For quickly hopping in and out of taxis to Prospect Park or town cars to JFK sans extra gear, the seat also tightly installs even faster using the “European” method without the base (check out the instructional video on YouTube). Flip down the sun-protective canopy of your pretty purple or blue seat, and you and your mini-me (babes from 4 to 32 pounds, and up to 30 inches tall) are good to go.

Sit tight.

Visit cybex-online.com.

Any high chair your little one will sit in long enough to eat a few spoonfuls of organic peas is a good one. But not all seats are made equally.

BabyBjorn has just introduced its sleek, slim, space-saving high chair, perfect to blend in small-but-chic city apartments. Compact, portable and lightweight, it’s easy to hide when you have child-free friends over for cocktails and simple to transport to the in-laws’ house in the ‘burbs. Plus, the ergonomic design means your babe may be so comfy he’ll finally finish a meal without a meltdown. Available now for pre-order exclusively at giggle, the cool and clean white chair will ship at the end of July — just in time to start on solids.

Available at giggle.com.

Though your little one has developed a taste for homemade organic baby food, you’ve been surviving on greasy takeout for months. But sleep-deprived parents adjusting to life with an infant need not give up their once-refined paletes.

New York Times writer, father and foodie Keith Dixon tackles new parenthood in his kitchen-centric memoir, Cooking For Gracie: The Making of a Parent from Scratch. On sale today, the book speaks to NYC moms and dads who are dealing with the upheaval a baby brings to their lives and their stomachs. As he navigates from infant reflux to first words, Dixon (an enthusiastic home cook) peppers his personal stories with more than 40 simple but delicious recipes he cooks for both his wife and young daughter, from short ribs with carrot-rosemary puree to farfalle with marinated tomatoes and mint oil. To keep you on track, many of his healthy how-tos are arranged in pre- and post-bedtime steps; others (like sole with poached veggies) instruct how to prepare for adults vs. baby.

Slice, chop and saute your way back to sanity.

Available at randomhouse.com.

Baby bingo, baby trivia, finish the baby rhyme…you’ve played every game at every shower. Next time, skip the games and go straight to the fun.

Put an artful spin on your baby shower: Akiyo Henna does beautiful, exotic, temporary (and safe!) body art with a modern twist. Henna artist Akiyo will expertly paint your baby bump with intricate patterns (using a henna paste that’s safe for pregnancy) that you’ll want to show off. Have her bedeck your growing belly to take center stage at your shower, then have her stay for the party to give guests equally fabulous Luxe Glow (a waterproof glitter body art) on their hands, shoulders or feet. A few of the girls might jump up on the couch to bellydance, but hey, it sure beats baby bingo.

Go for the glow.

Visit akiyohenna.com.

Chances are that perfectly behaved child at the next table didn’t just come out that way, but had a few pointers worthy of Emily Post. Give your kid a leg up when it comes to impeccable manners in an often less-than-polite world.

Socialsklz offers interactive workshops on how to best navigate today’s rapidly changing social atmosphere. For little ladies and gents ages 4 to 7, Socialkidz is a two-workshop series that teaches the basics of please, thank you and other important pointers through interactive games, a “dinner party,” and mini-excursions. Kids will learn the importance of how to be a great birthday party guest, greeting with a solid handshake, writing thank-you notes, making friends and other vital skills to take them from preschool to Princeton. For older kids ages 8 and up, try Socialtweenz or Socialteenz (plus a special empowering workshop for girls) — maybe the classes will even banish “like” and “um” from their vocabs. The Union Square-based company also offers adult classes, just in case the entire family wants to mind its Ps and Qs.

Pretty please.

Visit socialsklz.com.

See
Madeline and the Bad Hat
Enjoy an original musical production starring the happy-go-lucky Parisian heroine of Ludwig Bemelmans’ famous books. In this adventure by ArtsPower, Madeline sets off to save her new neighbor, and learns that first impressions are often misleading.
When: Sun. 2/13, 1pm & 3pm; $12.
Where: Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 718-760-0064, queenstheatre.org.

Hear
The Itty Biddies
CarnegieKids presents this energetic, interactive show of storytelling and song by the NYC all-female trio that takes kids on a journey through America and beyond.
When: Sat. 2/12, 1pm; Free.
Where: Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture, BPL Central Library, 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, 718-230-2100, brooklynpubliclibrary.org.

Go
Manhattan Youth Ballet Dance Invitational
Budding ballerinas will love this performance by MYB dancers and students, joined by Off Center Dance Theatre, The Ballet School of Stamford and Dorothy’s School of Dance.
When: Sat. 2/12, 7pm; $30.
Where: Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, 248 West 60th St. (bet. Amsterdam & West End), manhattanyouthballet.org.

Visit
February Book Bonanza
Books of Wonder hosts author/artists Alex Beard, Brett Helquist and Vincent X. Kirsch, who will present their new picture books and sign copies.
When: Sat. 2/12, 12-2pm; Ages 4-8; Free.
Where: 18 West 18th St., 212-989-3270, booksofwonder.com.

Do
Eat for Kids 2011
To improve wellness and healthy eating in NYC public schools, Wellness in the Schools (WITS) has teamed up with 40 local restaurants like Babbo, Porter House, Esca, Magnolia Bakery and Tribeca Grill. Treat yourself to a delicious meal, and look for a card for select an amount to donate to the non-profit org devoted to serving students healthy food.
When: Through Sun., 2/20.
Where: See the website for participating restaurants; wellnessintheschools.org.