KudosTraderJoe

I had thought that Trader Joe's check-out balloons were there to create a festive atmosphere. But Friday I witnessed the thrilled little girl who got to choose her favorite color to take home (you already know it). Her father's grateful pleasure and her shy joy sent a smile down the line. One happy child created contagious happiness.

I began to spot balloons bobbing on strollers in surrounding blocks.

So simple and visible. If I were a food manufacturer, I'd consider branding the helium tank or taking the idea to another retailer in return for balloon message-sharing.

Good trick for picky eaters

Billy Carton says he gets his children to eat everything from salmon to brussels sprouts by cutting foods small and impaling the pieces on those cocktail toothpicks with colorful frou-frou on the ends.

Perfect!

It adds color, kid-sizes, eating ritual, and provides a weapon (er, toy).

Add it to your kid food innovation armory.

Let them eat bright big colors!

What drew so many kids' eyes to these over-sized "milk cartons" of Pepperidge Farm Goldfish?

A) The familiar shape looks funny in its giant size B) the crackers are shaped like smiling animals or C) they're brighly and unexpectedly colorful. Answer: AB&CCC. Kids think that color influences flavor and that brighter is better.

I'd be willing to bet that they prize the red "goldfish" most.

The quest for color is shared by kids everywhere, as demonstrated here by Pien from Amsterdam, who loves colors so much that she makes room for them right in her mouth.

Zara's kids fashions for fall

The advantage of crossing the equator is that you can see the winter fashions before winter hits you.

In Morumbí Shopping Center, São Paulo, little boys T-shirts sport English words -- that's nothing new for kids clothes, but this year the exotic locations celebrated are in Canada. Including Ontario. Wonder what images that conjures up for a Brazilian toddler.

Judging by Zara and nighbors, little girls can look forward to a dusky pink and olive palette. Very subdued and cool.