meet Jake & Ella…

Actually, our names are Evan and Elizabeth. We are siblings, born in a small town on the southern Oregon coast called Port Orford, where nearly constant rain and wind forced us to figure out creative ways to entertain ourselves. Our parents were hippies: we were both born at home, we were raised vegetarian, and we had no idea what a Transformer was. Instead of toy stores, Happy Meals, and television, we had an organic garden, homemade bread, and an endless supply of books.

But in the early eighties, our mom was finding that many of the children’s books she checked out at the library had messages that just didn’t agree with her values as a parent. Mother Goose rhymes could be pretty violent, and the usual fairy tales were sexist and scary. So, (very) long story short, in 1982 our parents started Chinaberry Book Service, a handwritten catalog of the best books, toys, games, and parenting resources our mom could find. Thirty years later, Chinaberry is still a leader in thoughtful, nonconformist parenting, with more than a million books sold and a catalog mailed to 1.5 million people around the world.

And, thirty years later, we and our friends are starting to confront our own parenting questions and concerns: conspicuous over-consumption, toxins in toys and household products, violence in our neighborhoods or in the news, commercialized children’s entertainment with narrow-minded messages, too much TV, additives in food, an absence of nature in our everyday lives, environmental dangers… And judging from all the talk in the news, on the web, and in parenting books, we aren’t the only ones wondering how best to raise a family in an increasingly confusing and artificial world. From homemade organic baby food to natural home births, local “unschool” playgroups to dozens of parenting blogs discussing sustainability and natural choices, our generation actively wants to raise kids who will play a positive role in the world.

So that’s where Jake & Ella come in. They are the next generation of babies—babies who will be raised with integrity and creativity, who will learn respect for the natural environment, and who will understand the far-reaching impacts of their actions and attitudes. They are the children who will take responsibility for making the world a healthier, more wholesome place for all of us, and who will have the knowledge, compassion, and inspiration to really make a difference.

In partnership with Chinaberry Inc., Jake & Ella offers:

• Handcrafted toys that teach important skills and games that spark the imagination
• Carefully selected books and CDs that impart positive messages and encourage creativity
• Clothing and bedding made from organic, recycled, or otherwise sustainable materials
• Natural health and personal care products free of pollutants, dangerous chemicals, and additives
• Books and tools for creating a home full of joy, inspiration, and respect
• Thoughtful gifts and products for parents, parents-to-be, and new siblings

Every single one of our products has been individually tested, approved, and reviewed. Please browse our shop and blog to learn more about us. If you have any questions or would like to be in touch directly, feel free to email us at elizabeth@jakeandella.com or evan@jakeandella.com.