The Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, by Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz--

When I was pregnant with my first daughter, a couple that we were good friends with were also expecting. After talking to folks they knew who had kids, my friend carefully crafted a "must get" list for baby. He promptly sent me a copy of this hand scrawled list, with his researched picks in many categories, and with a minimalist sensibility that we agreed on. This was a good start.

Fast forward a few years and now I'm the one being asked what to get when expecting, and I usually feel woefully inadequate when making my list. Sure, it has some good items that worked well for us. But it is lacking in details, and specificity.

That's where is new book, called the Baby Gizmo Buying Guide, by Heather Maclean and Hollie Schultz comes in.

Keep in mind that I am a proponent of hand me downs, consignment stores and buying less. It doesn't have to be an all out consumer fest as many folks would like you to believe.

But there are some things you can't get around when buying for a baby. And if you are feeling overwhelmed, and want to know the skinny on all types of baby gear, then this is the book for you. It is seriously girthy, and has some outstanding features for sleep deprived and spacey pregnant people. Such as--

*a whole first chapter about product safety and recalls, including a list about what is safer to buy new, what products are unsafe

*there are drawings of each item for the visual learner (sorry, that is the teacher in me), useful for in store situations

*there are some helpful charts in this book; one favorite is a height, weight, age and characteristics one that helps parents understand their babies needs and specs when making purchasing decisions

*I really like this: in each chapter, for each product, there is summary sidebar that shares the age range a baby might use the product, for how long, a recommendation if it is a must have, nice to have, or don't need item, and tips for when to buy a particular item.

The authors write these chapters with serious mama humor and wit. I may not agree with all their picks, opinions and preferences, but I was happy to see there are sidebar articles about chemicals in crib mattresses and baby bottles (although I myself am a wee bit more obsessed about these issues).

And there is a rockin' good appendix. How many times have you been out shopping (especially when pregnant) and completely forgot all the features to look for in a product, or what you were going to look for in the first place? There is a list of in store reminders to help you, with lists for each product. Now that is seriously helpful. What else? Their picks for what to register for, some cash saving measures, and a full glossary.

Now here is the fun part. You, dear Non-Toxic Kids reader, can win this book. I was contacted to review this book, and was given 9 copies to give away to you all. This is my first giveaway, so your chances are really good. All you need to do to enter is sign up to receive email updates from Non-Toxic Kids (you'll see the Feedblitz link on your left). Already receive email updates? No problem-- just tell me that in a comment to this post and I will add you to the list before I draw. Please enter before April 7. If you enter via comment, please leave a link to your email address so I can contact you if you win!