Preschool

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.

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.

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.

Your kids love to ham it up in front of the camera — and although the shots you snap with your iPhone are pretty priceless, you’d love for a professional to preserve the precious age they’re at.

Opening tomorrow on the Upper West Side, PhotoOp family photography studio is just the place to get your little ones in front of the lens. Led by creative director Brian Marcus (who has photographed a fair share of celebrity weddings, including Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner), the studio has a team of senior-level photo stylists to capture your kids’ most memorable moments in both modern and classic family portraits. Take a spin though the sample closet for accessories such as a denim jacket or pink tutu to add pop to the photos, pick out a colorful backdrop like a candy wall, and strike a pose. A sitting fee includes retouching, editing and a digital slideshow, and there are plenty of packages and a la carte options to choose (depending on how many 8×10s the grandparents will want). The studio also offers birthday party options (you can’t go wrong with dress-up clothes, snacks and your favorite soundtrack) and photo-based keepsakes as a token of your star treatment.

That’s a wrap.

422 Columbus Ave. at 81st St., 212-362-1911, photoopnyc.com. 

Sesame Street was originally based on NYC’s urban landscape (the set culled inspiration from the Upper West Side, Harlem and the Bronx), so it’s only fitting for city kids to jump on board with the timeless show’s latest techie twist.

If your 4-year-old has already taught you the intricacies of the iPad, he’ll love playing around with the latest app. The Monster at the End of this Book, a classic children’s story starring lovable Grover, is now available as an app designed specifically for the iPad, with interactive animation, sound and music. In honor of the book’s 40th anniversary (the original first appeared in 1971, if you can believe it), the 2011 version still features everyone’s favorite furry blue monster as he hilariously tries to prevent little readers from reaching the end of the book. But this time you’ve got educational add-ons like word highlighting and activities that encourage critical thinking and listening skills.

Just don’t spoil the “surprise” ending.

Visit itunes.com/appstore.

The intense private-school admission process (and sky-high tuition) is just not for you — that’s not to say that finding a great public school to stimulate your kid’s mind is a piece of cake, either. Finding a great neighborhood school, or gaining admission to a coveted citywide spot, brings back memories of applying to college.

Get help now: Tomorrow, educational consultant Robin Aronow, Ph.D., will moderate a panel of public school parents representing District 3 (Upper West Side), plus citywide options including Hunter, Anderson, NEST + M, TAG and others on “Life After Nursery School.” Hear what fellow parents have to say about their experiences and gain some insight on each school’s special qualities (parents in Districts 4, 5 and 6 may pick up a tip or two as well). Sign up online (do it now before the price goes up tomorrow), hire a babysitter, and take notes.

When: Tues., 10/26, 6:30-8:30pm (registration begins at 6:15); $35 through 10/25, $40 on 10/26.
Where: Ansche Cheshed, 251 West 100th St. at West End Ave., schoolsearchnyc.com.

New Yorkers fell in love with the Novogratz family during their hit Bravo show, 9 by Design — even though most local folks can’t exactly relate to the fab city spaces (a rooftop basketball court, really?). Cooler-than-thou husband-and-wife team Cortney and Robert Novogratz of NYC-based Sixx Design are known for renovating otherwise drab spaces into spectacular homes any family would dream to live in (check out their book, Downtown Chic). But as parents of seven kids, they also have great practical tips for transforming your baby’s room, whether it’s your first or fifth:

Learn to Share
“A lot of people don’t look at the bright side of sharing a room,” says Cortney, who designed a joint bedroom for her then-infant twins and two older boys in a former home. Big kids may enjoy reading to little roommates, and everyone quickly learns how to share. Side-by-side cribs allow twins to pass toys or babble to one another. Give each baby her own toys and stuffed animals so she can express herself and start to form an identity that’s separate from her sibling – this can be as simple as giving one baby a teddy bear and the other a tiger.

Get Organized
Make sure there are enough soft books and blocks to go around, and establish an organizational system so toys can be stashed away quickly. Stock up on inexpensive baskets, or invest in an armoire with doors to hide the clutter inside.

Use Art Everywhere
“We love art, so we have a huge collection and don’t save it for just the living room,” Cortney says. “Open your whole house up, and put good things in every room. Since everybody comes to see the new baby, consider hanging your best piece of art in there.” Nursery art doesn’t have to be limited to the ABCs: Hang sophisticated pieces that you enjoy – after all, you’ll be spending a lot of time in there, too! Frame items in Plexiglas to make them more baby-friendly. Infants will quickly outgrow a room that is too juvenile, but if you make it hip and stylish they’ll still love it in their tween years.

Stick to the Essentials
When it comes to nursery gear, it’s tempting to indulge in every imaginable accessory – but you’ll do just fine with a few basics. Essentials: A basic crib that serves as a great focal point, a cool modern-looking chair, drapes or roller shades for the windows and an interesting piece with timeless appeal, like a cool lamp. And don’t forget a soft rug, since you’ll spend a lot of time on the floor with games and toys.

Visit sixxdesign.com. 

Ever noticed that your kid is dressed even better than you are? The local stroller and preschool sets really step up when it comes to cutting a figure, and this fall is no exception.

To get a better handle on some of this season’s biggest back-to-school kiddie trends, we consulted the experts. Stylesight is an NYC-based firm that forecasts worldwide trends before most of us even see them. Here’s what the children’s editors, Khalym Schell and Nicole Yee, report will be big for little ones across the city:

Geek Chic
With one eye on the Ivy League, even the tiniest tots are into collegiate looks with a hipster edge. Tailored, preppy pieces like blazers, crewneck sweaters, layered jumper dresses and cuffed pants (similar to a school uniform) are popular everyday clothes. For important play dates, retro-inspired athletic tees, anoraks and varsity hoodies are big hits.

A Little Bit Country
Country prints like plaids, gingham checks and liberty florals are showing up on pint-sized barn jackets, embroidered knit tops, cotton tunics and oversized sweaters. These looks are best worn layered — let kids have fun and be playful with this trend.

World Explorers
Young jetsetters with a hippie spirit are digging bright hues and a medley of Fair Isle patterns, ethnic and animal prints, and lots of faux fur for girls. For the urban jungle, safari-inspired khaki jackets and pants rule. Or simply throw on a graphic tee emblazoned with wild animals like lions and tigers.

Glam Rockers
Little punks are getting a bit more dressed up in bow ties, tuxedo blouses and ruffled skirts mixed with skinny jeans, jeggings and leggings. Distressed denim with wear-and-tear details means they can still be rough on their clothes and look cool, too.

For more information, visit Stylesight’s blog Small Talk.

Summer may be over, but take advantage of a little family fun to beat the fall blues.

Go
JCC Open House
Stop in for a glimpse of kid and parent-friendly classes. Try the Music for Aardvarks & Rock a Baby Concert (10-11am, ages 1-7), Movin’ Mamas bootcamp for moms and their crawling-age babies (10:30-11:30am), or the Kids Sports Expo (11am-12:30pm, ages 1-8).
When: Sun. 9/12, 10am-12:30pm; Free.
Where: JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St., 646-505-5708, jccmanhattan.org.

See
Books to Film for Children
As part of the Brooklyn Book Festival, see a series of short films based on children’s books, followed by a Q&A.
When: Sat. 9/11, 10:30; Ages 2-6; $12/Adults, $9/Kids. Check the schedule for additional kid-friendly workshops and readings throughout the weekend.
Where: BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., Brooklyn, brooklynbookfestival.org.

Hear
The Deedle Deedle Dees
A family-friendly rock-n-roll variety show comes to The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.
When: Sat. 9/11, 11am; Ages 2+: $10-$20.
Where: Knitting Factory Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Ave., 347-529-6696, bk.knittingfactory.com.

Shop
Fashion’s Night Out at Destination Maternity
Join the glitterati in midtown, as Heidi Klum previews her Fall 2010 collections, Lavish by Heidi Klum for A Pea in the Pod and Loved by Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity, from 6:30-8:30pm. Plus, see inspiring exhibitions of maternity fashion from the 1950s to today, and enjoy moctails and hors d’oeuvres. 
When: Fri. 9/10, 6-11pm; Free.
Where: Destination Maternity, 57th St. & Madison Ave, RSVP at 212-246-2977, destinationmaternity.com.

Fashion’s Night Out at Baby CZ
Browse the classic kids’ styles, sip a little bubbly and enter to win a cashmere shopping spree.
When: Fri. 9/10
Where: Baby CZ, 820 Madison Ave. (bet. 68th & 69th St.), 212-288-8030, babycz.com.