From our founder
I created Haliburtons & Co. after observing what held our children's attention. Often, not the loudest or brightest toys, but the ones with depth and possibility. The wooden building blocks used in countless ways. The books returned to again and again. The pens that became daily companions.
These observations shaped what matters to me: fewer, better things. Design with purpose. Choices that respect children's intelligence and spark their imagination.
I wanted to create a place to share these discoveries—championing brands making innovative and inspiring products that I would be proud to have in my own home. Gifts that bring joy today and will still matter tomorrow.
Design that sparks imagination
We seek out products where every detail has been considered – from the way a wooden block fits perfectly in small hands to the satisfying click of puzzle pieces finding their place.
Good design isn't just about how something looks; it's about how it feels to use, how it invites exploration, and how it stands up to the enthusiastic play of childhood.
When form and function work together beautifully, the result are gifts that children return to again and again.
Learning and play are siblings
We believe the most joyful learning happens through play. We choose toys where discovery feels natural – geography puzzles that spark curiosity about our world, art supplies that invite creative expression, building sets that bring ideas to life.
These aren't just educational tools – they're designed for the simple joy of learning through doing.
Thoughtfully chosen, responsibly made
Every choice we make considers the world our children will inherit. We only champion brands who use responsibly sourced materials, avoid harmful chemicals, and package thoughtfully without waste – whether it's a handcrafted wooden toy, beautifully illustrated book or everyday art supplies.
Latest posts
Billes & Co | The French Atelier Rediscovering Marbles
Marbles have been played with since Ancient Egypt — but somewhere along the way they ended up in plastic bags, their beauty hidden. Billes & Co is the French atelier that decided to change that, presenting the world's finest glass marbles as the treasures they've always been.
Creative Gifts for Children | Building Confidence Through Making
Every child has a creative instinct. From beeswax crayons for little hands to Liberty London pencil sets for developing artists, discover creative gifts that take children's making seriously — organised by age, from Under 5s through to Older Children.
Uncle Goose | Classic Wooden Blocks Made in America
Uncle Goose wooden blocks have a satisfying weight to them. The edges are gently bevelled, the embossing has real depth, and the basswood feels smooth but not slippery. They're the kind of wooden toy that feels right in the hand—which makes sense, given they've been handcrafted in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1983. How It Started In 1983, William Bultman realised something odd: no one in America seemed to be making classic wooden alphabet blocks anymore. The inch-and-three-quarter cubes that had been a staple of toy boxes for generations had simply disappeared from production. Rather than accept this, Bultman started making them himself. He set up in Grand Rapids and began hand-manufacturing Classic ABC Blocks, calling his new company Uncle Goose. More than forty years later, Uncle Goose blocks remain the only classic ABC blocks still 100% handmade in the USA. Classic ABC Blocks by Uncle Goose A Family Business William's sons Scott and Pete joined him in the mid-1980s, working alongside their father in the family garage—hand-cutting blocks, embossing letters. When William died unexpectedly in 1992, the brothers took over the business. They experimented with new product lines, expanded the range, and learned through trial and error as the company grew. Pete eventually became sole owner and runs Uncle Goose today. It's still a family operation, still based in Grand Rapids, still making every block by hand. Why Basswood Uncle Goose uses American basswood—also called the Linden tree—which grows abundantly around the Great Lakes. It's well-suited for children's wooden toys for several practical reasons. Basswood is technically a hardwood, so it's durable. But it's not as dense or heavy as maple or oak, which makes it comfortable for small hands. The light colour shows printed letters and images clearly. It machines well, doesn't warp, and has no sap to cause problems. The blocks arrive uncoated—no varnish, polish, or gloss. This is partly for safety: if a child puts a block in their mouth, plain basswood tastes bland and uninteresting. But over time, the natural oils from hands create a soft patina on the wood. These blocks genuinely do get better with use—making them perfect sustainable gifts that last for generations. Classic ABC Blocks with Wagon How They're Made Uncle Goose takes safety seriously. They source inks from American manufacturers that don't use heavy metals, then independently test every gallon before it goes into production. Most companies rely only on in-house testing, but Uncle Goose uses third-party verification. The manufacturing process produces minimal waste. Scrap wood becomes bedding for horses or fuel for heating. Packaging uses recycled paper. It's not about making sustainability claims—it's just how they've always done things. Because basswood grows quickly around the Great Lakes, it's a genuinely renewable resource. The trees can be harvested before developing heavy knotting or colour variation, which gives the blocks their consistent appearance. Beyond ABC Blocks While Classic ABC Blocks remain their core product, Uncle Goose has developed an extensive range over the years. The Classic ABC Blocks with Wagon include a handcrafted wooden wagon for storage, while the Watercolor ABC Blocks feature soft watercolour patterns that appeal to design-conscious families. They make language blocks in 18 different languages, sign language blocks, Egyptian hieroglyphics, the periodic table. For themed collections, there are Nursery Rhyme Blocks featuring classic verses, Dinosaur Blocks with prehistoric creatures, Planet Blocks exploring our solar system, and Environments Space Blocks for budding astronomers. Planet Blocks by Uncle Goose The Environments Neighbourhood Blocks create miniature communities, while Cubelings Memory Games offer a different way to play with wooden blocks. Some products, like story-building sets, are made from scrap wood—finding uses for every bit of material. The blocks are designed to grow with children. What starts as simple stacking and building for toddlers aged 1-2 becomes letter recognition and spelling for 3-4 year olds, then more complex building projects and storytelling for older children. They fit naturally into our educational gifts and Montessori toys collections. Open-Ended Play Blocks offer something that many modern toys don't: there's no single way to use them. A block can be part of a tower, a character in a story, a pretend phone, whatever a child imagines. There are no instructions, no batteries, no correct answers. Pete Bultman mentions that his nephews, despite having access to tablets and electronic toys, often choose blocks when they visit the workshop. They stack, knock down, build, and experiment—the play just happens naturally. This makes Uncle Goose blocks ideal for screen-free play and quiet activities. Why They Last Uncle Goose blocks are built to last. The solid basswood construction, non-toxic inks, and simple design mean these are toys that get passed down rather than thrown away. Many families find themselves buying a set for one child and still using the same blocks years later with younger siblings—making them excellent first birthday gifts that grow with the family. They're handcrafted in Grand Rapids using materials sourced from around the Great Lakes. The manufacturing process is careful and the quality control is thorough. Uncle Goose blocks aren't inexpensive, but they're the kind of toy you only need to buy once. They represent genuine value as heirloom-quality wooden toys that can be passed down through generations. After four decades, Uncle Goose remains a family business making the only classic ABC blocks still 100% produced in America. They've outlasted the companies that stopped making wooden blocks in the early 1980s, and there's no reason to think they won't be around for another forty years. Our Uncle Goose Collection We stock a carefully selected range of Uncle Goose blocks at Haliburtons & Co. Classic Sets Classic ABC Blocks – The original 28-block set with four alphabets, numbers, and embossed animal illustrations Classic ABC Blocks with Canvas Bag – Includes a sturdy canvas storage bag Classic ABC Blocks with Wagon – Complete with handcrafted wooden wagon for storage and play Watercolor ABC Blocks – Soft watercolour patterns with embossed letters Watercolor ABC Blocks with Wagon – Watercolor blocks with wagon Themed Collections Nursery Rhyme Blocks – Classic verses and rhymes Dinosaur Blocks – Prehistoric creatures for young palaeontologists Planet Blocks – Our solar system in wooden block form Environments Space Blocks – Rockets, astronauts, and space exploration Environments Neighbourhood Blocks – Build communities and tell stories Games & Activities Cubelings Memory Game – Wooden block memory game with contemporary design All Uncle Goose blocks are suitable for children aged 2 and up, with many sets growing with children through their early school years. They make excellent birthday gifts, first birthday treasures, and educational gifts that combine learning with genuine play. Explore our complete Uncle Goose collection of handcrafted wooden blocks, or browse our full range of wooden toys and educational gifts from makers who share Uncle Goose's commitment to quality, sustainability, and timeless design. We offer premium gift wrapping using FSC-certified sustainable paper in a choice of designs, with each gift expertly hand-wrapped in plastic-free packaging. Add a personalised message, and we can send directly to the recipient—perfect for thoughtful birthday gifts or just because surprises.
Magic Cat Publishing | Award-Winning Books for Curious Minds
Magic Cat Publishing creates spaces for wonder, understanding, and connection—beautifully illustrated pages that invite children to discover the natural world, explore big ideas, and grow into thoughtful, aware young people. Founded in 2019 by Rachel Williams and Jenny Broom—two award-winning publishers with years of experience at Big Picture Press and Wide Eyed Editions—Magic Cat Publishing emerged with a clear mission: to create children's books that gently weave ideas that matter into stories that engage, entertain, and bring joy. The Story Behind the Books Working from their studio in Bethnal Green, London, Rachel and Jenny built Magic Cat around a simple belief: children's books can be tools to help navigate an increasingly complex world. They create visually compelling, design-led books that make topics like environmental care, inclusivity, mindfulness, and natural history genuinely engaging for young readers. The approach resonated immediately. Their first major title, Slow Down: Discovering the Extraordinary in the Ordinary, published during the COVID lockdowns, captured something families were desperately seeking—a gentle invitation to appreciate the natural wonders right outside the window. It sold over 500,000 copies and has been translated into 30 languages. In 2021, Magic Cat won the IPG Nick Robinson Newcomer Award and was highly commended for the Bookseller Small Press of the Year. Three of their titles have won Waterstones Children's Book Prizes. For a publisher barely five years old, that's remarkable—and it speaks to the quality and thoughtfulness that goes into every book they create. What Makes Magic Cat Publishing Special Every Magic Cat book is a visual feast. The illustrations are integral to how children engage with the content—each one carefully crafted to tell its own story. Whether it's Freya Hartas's delicate nature scenes, Chaaya Prabhat's vibrant animal portraits, or the atmospheric artwork in their Brown Bear Wood series, the visual storytelling invites children to linger on each page, discovering new details with every reading. Educational Depth With Genuine Engagement About 65% of Magic Cat's titles qualify as STEM-themed, presented through compelling visual storytelling that makes complex topics accessible. Take Minibeasts: Under the Magnifying Glass—it presents genuine entomological information (antennae structure, metamorphosis stages, anatomical details) through stunning close-up illustrations and approachable text that makes the microscopic world feel wonderfully accessible. Their encyclopaedias, like Wild: A Child's Guide to the Animal Kingdom and the Lift-the-Flap Encyclopaedia of Oceans, offer comprehensive natural history content organised by habitat and ecosystem. Children get proper zoological information presented in ways that spark curiosity and deepen understanding. Environmental Themes Throughout Magic Cat helps children fall in love with the natural world—and when you care about something, you naturally want to protect it. Books like How to Grow a Garden, The Fossil Keeper's Treasure, and Slow Down celebrate the wonder of nature while gently introducing ideas about conservation, biodiversity, and our role in protecting the planet for future generations. These titles fit perfectly with our sustainable gifts collection. Stories with Heart Alongside their reference titles, Magic Cat creates picture books and stories that explore friendship, feelings, and belonging. The Dinosaur Next Door is a gentle tale about overcoming shyness and making unexpected friends. Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings gives young children language for emotions through ten mindful stories. The Brown Bear Wood series celebrates community and seasonal changes in the forest. These are genuine narratives that children return to because they're engaging and emotionally resonant. Books for Shared Reading Magic Cat designs their books with family time in mind. The larger format reference books work beautifully spread across laps, with enough detail to spark conversations between children and adults. The interactive elements (lift-the-flaps, touch-and-feel components) invite tactile exploration. Most of their titles work beautifully for children aged 5-7 and beyond. Even their sticker activity books—the Sticker Life Stories series featuring Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo, and Maya Angelou are designed to introduce inspiring figures through creative, hands-on engagement. Highlights from Our Magic Cat Collection Nature & Science Discovery Wild: A Child's Guide to the Animal Kingdom (£16.99) – A comprehensive journey through Earth's habitats, from coral reefs to arctic tundra, featuring hundreds of creatures in their natural environments Minibeasts: Under the Magnifying Glass (£16.99) – The hidden world of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates revealed through stunning close-up illustrations and fascinating facts Lift-the-Flap Encyclopaedia of Oceans (£16.99) – Interactive exploration of marine ecosystems with over 125 flaps revealing the secrets of the underwater world How to Grow a Garden (£14.99) – Practical gardening guidance for young growers, from planting seeds to understanding ecosystems The Fossil Keeper's Treasure (£16.99) – Dinosaurs, ancient creatures, and the story of life on Earth told through fossils and palaeontology Stories & Picture Books Brown Bear Wood: If You Go Down to the Woods Today (£14.99) – A year in the forest following woodland creatures through the seasons, illustrated with warmth and gentle humour The Dinosaur Next Door (£12.99 hardback, £7.99 paperback) – A shy dinosaur moves in next door, leading to an unlikely friendship that celebrates difference and connection Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings – Ten mindful stories helping young children navigate emotions from excitement to worry, featuring lovable dinosaur characters 500 Dreams: Which One Will You Choose? (£14.99) – A choose-your-own-adventure bedtime journey offering endless possibilities for imagination Inspiring People & Creativity Sticker Life Stories series (£7.99 each) – Interactive biographies of Maya Angelou, Marie Curie, and Frida Kahlo combining storytelling with creative sticker activities The Inventor's Workshop (£14.99) – From ancient tools to modern innovations, celebrating human ingenuity and creative problem-solving The Handbook of Forgotten Skills (£17.99) – Traditional crafts, outdoor skills, and time-honoured activities for hands-on learning Proud to Stock Magic Cat Publishing When we're selecting books for Haliburtons & Co. we look for publishers who respect children's intelligence and curiosity. Magic Cat Publishing gets this balance exactly right—they create books that are genuinely informative, beautifully designed, and deeply engaging. Their environmental focus aligns perfectly with our values around sustainability and fostering connection with the natural world. Their STEM content makes science and natural history genuinely exciting and accessible. And their stories—whether about shy dinosaurs or woodland creatures—celebrate kindness, friendship, and the simple pleasures of noticing the world around you. They're perfect examples of educational gifts that truly engage. These are books that families return to repeatedly. The reference titles live on bookshelves for years, growing with children as they're ready to absorb more detail and complexity. The stories become bedtime favourites requested again and again. They're the kind of books that get passed down to younger siblings, loaned to friends, and remembered long after childhood—exactly what we look for in our curated book collection. Magic Cat Publishing creates books that truly do more—and that's exactly what we want to offer families who trust us to help them choose thoughtfully. Explore Our Magic Cat Collection Browse our carefully selected range of Magic Cat Publishing titles, from stunning natural history encyclopaedias to heartwarming stories about friendship and belonging. Each book combines beautiful illustration with meaningful content designed to spark curiosity and conversation. View the Magic Cat Publishing collection
Le Toy Van | British Craft Meets French Design
When Georges Le Van built his first wooden dollhouse in a Surrey garden workshop in 1994, he couldn't have known it would become the foundation of one of Britain's most beloved toy companies. What began as a gift for his sons Jonathan and Steven has grown into a family business now run by son Steven and his French wife Marie, combining British craftsmanship with unmistakable French design flair. Today, Le Toy Van's toys are found in premium retailers, earning over 65 international awards for design, quality, and educational value. But what truly sets them apart is their commitment to creating toys that last—not just through childhood, but across generations. Made from FSC-certified wood with non-toxic paints and moving towards 100% plastic-free packaging, these are toys designed to be treasured, passed down, and discovered anew by each child who plays with them.
Montessori Toys | A Gift-Giver's Guide to Choosing Thoughtfully
Understanding Montessori doesn't require expert knowledge - just a few key principles. This guide helps gift-givers choose wooden toys that support independence, concentration, and genuine learning through play.
