Brilliant Sky Toys & Books Brilliance Award Winner: Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel

I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

Service with a Smile.  That is a phrase I have not heard in a while in the modern day of quick and informal consumer services.  I'm sure most know what I am referring to when being placed on hold and transferred a dozen times before speaking to a representative or even being dropped after waiting a very long time.  That leads to frustration and a distaste for such company and/or product.

In such a society a specialty toy store chain called Brilliant Sky has been proudly standing by the good phrase by defining customer interaction/service as it should be.  

The first Brilliant Sky Toys & Books® was founded in 2002 in Lansing, Michigan with the singular goal of being the finest specialty toy store in America. Based on the belief that the right playthings give children a gateway to physical, emotional and cognitive development, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books provides the highest quality products in an atmosphere that is both active and interactive. Its unique aesthetic approach is vibrant yet warm, exciting yet comforting and exploratory yet safe. From rich colors and woods to low sightlines and custom fixtures the Brilliant Sky sensory experience is unlike any other. Now based in Brentwood, TN and featuring more than 10,000 high-quality specialty products, Brilliant Sky Toys & Books is truly the place where everyone can find their way to play.

Brilliant Sky has 15 stores stretching from North Carolina to Colorado.  They are expanding as franchise opportunities are available.  Check the full store location list to see if there is a brick & morter store near you.  They offer concierge-style service for those in need of finding the perfect gift. 

Brilliant Sky has announced 12 products that made this year's Brilliance Award list and Kenzie received the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel. Priced from $12.99 to $84.99, the top 12 Brilliance Award winners are an eclectic bunch, just like today's kids. The list includes Lego City Brickmaster ($29.99) for the future engineer, How Big Is The Lion? ($14.95) book for an educational storytime plus Melissa & Doug's Deluxe Magic Set ($34.99) for the family entertainer. An easel, darts, toy treehouse, chubby vehicles, circuit board and world map puzzle round out the wide range of childhood toys that spark imagination. These Top 12 run on brain power, wonder and imagination. 

Since she enjoys art at school, I thought she would love having an easel at home. It was fairly easy to put together and Kenzie was itching to use it. We picked up some finger paints a few days earlier and since I am neurotic about non-messy play, it was the perfect opportunity to let Kenzie have at it. Since I didn't have the coordinating roll of paper, I had to tape together some construction paper and use the included clips to clip to the easel. 

Kenzie was a pro and started her masterpiece. I do have to admit that I really couldn't see her creation, I applauded and urged her to embrace her creativity. 10 messy fingers later, Kenzie was ready for me to buy her some chalk and dry erase markers. She kept telling me that her friends use chalk on their easel and I kept insisting that it was too messy in the house. Guess who won the argument? I have ordered the roll paper, dry erase markers/eraser and chalk. I think I should get something to place under the easel as well. It is such a great product that will grow with your child(ren) as it adjusts in height. I am very much for any sort of learning whether it be scholarly or artistic. 

The Brilliant Sky Toys & Books neighborhood toy store is just amazing in that they offer selections based on fostering your child's imagination, brain power and wonder. They offer free gift wrapping and if you are lucky to be local to a store, your child(ren) can spend hours upon hours without ever getting bored.   

The retail chain tips its hat to "toys that represent the very ideals that Brilliant Sky Toys & Books was founded upon -- the importance of quality, the value of open-ended play and the simple beauty of a child's fascination and delight."

Make sure to connect with Brilliant Sky on Facebook! 

Being MVP received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for evaluation purposes. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials In Advertising. Being MVP Disclosure.