1. Catherine Zeta-Jones, 2003

Catherine Zeta-Jones was just entering her ninth month when she walked down the red carpet in a low-cut black gown with beaded straps and pink coral Fred Leighton earrings. When she won for Best Supporting Actress (for Chicago), the actress cried “My hormones are way too out of control to be dealing with this!” Backstage, Zeta-Jones reported that her unborn daughter Carys was “kicking like crazy.”

2. Naomi Watts, 2007

Naomi Watts hadn’t yet announced her pregnancy (five months along) when she walked the red carpet in a yellow drop-sleeved Escada gown — but the loose fit and empire waist had tongues wagging. Lucky for gossip hounds, before Naomi could confirm or deny, the Escada PR department released a statement announcing that the dress “set off her most precious new asset — the baby she is expecting with longtime boyfriend Liev Schreiber.”

3. Eva Marie Saint, 1955

Eva Marie Saint, who won for her performance opposite Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront, has the distinction of being the most pregnant woman ever to attend the Oscars — in a time when many people found it downright improper. Her giddy comment when she accepted the award — “I think I may have the baby right here” — shocked the day’s gossip columnists, who accused her of being “tasteless” (Louella Parsons) and “cheapening the ceremony” (Hedda Hopper). Saint’s first child, Darrell, was born just two days after the ceremony.

4. Ann Blyth, 1953

Actress Blyth caused a minor scandal at the Academy Awards when, visibly pregnant, she performed the Best Song nominee “Secret Love” ? with the lyric “And my secret love’s no secret anymore.” The awards committee nearly prohibited Blyth the song, but ultimately decided that it was okay — since she was married.

5. Meryl Streep, 1983

Unbeknownst to the public, Meryl Streep was six months pregnant with Mamie Gummer when she won the Oscar for Sophie’s Choice. The beading on her stunning gold gown kept all eyes on the star’s face, and the clever pleated skirt disguised her bump.

6. Lauren Bacall, 1952

Lauren Bacall wasn’t nominated for any awards in 1952, but she got to watch her husband Humphrey Bogart walk away with his first and only Oscar, for Best Leading Actor in The African Queen. As she recalls in her autobiography: “I was in my fourth month, but had managed to squeeze myself into the only original Christian Dior dress I would ever own.”

7. Rachel Weisz, 2006

Designer Narcisco Rodriguez made three separate dresses for seven-months-pregnant Rachel Weisz to choose from; the Best Supporting Actress winner (for The Constant Gardener) selected a black off-the-shoulder number the day of the ceremony.

8. Nicole Kidman, 2008

Five-months-pregnant Nicole Kidman, in black Balenciaga, kept things simple — except for that L’Wren Scott diamond necklace, which weighed in at a whopping 1,399 carats.

9. Annette Bening, 2000

Pregnancy has never kept Annette Bening away from an awards ceremony; she attended the Golden Globes for Bugsy just ten days after giving birth, and in 2000, she made the rounds (along with husband and baby-daddy Warren Beatty) to accept accolades for her role in American Beauty. Although she lost the Best Supporting Actress Oscar to Hilary Swank (for Boys Don’t Cry), Bening looked stunning at the ceremony. She gave birth to daughter Ella two weeks later.

10. Cate Blanchett, 2008

2008 was a big year for Cate Blanchett, nominated in two Academy Awards categories (Best Actress for Elizabeth: The Golden Age and Best Supporting Actress for I’m Not There) and eight months pregnant at the ceremony. Rather than downplaying her bump, Cate Blanchett decked it out in the night’s most intriguing ensemble — lethal stilettos, a blue satin Dries Van Noten gown, oversized jewellery by Lorraine Schwartz jewels and a Roger Vivier clutch.

11. Vanessa Williams, 2000

Best Original Song presenter Vanessa Williams selected a basic black Carmen Marc Valvo gown to try and downplay her 18 kilos of pregnancy weight (and show off her fabulous mum-to-be cleavage). Her daughter was born two months later.

12. Judy Garland, 1954

No designer was making glamorous maternity gowns in 1955, but Judy Garland (nominated for A Star is Born) looked swanky in satin at the Oscar nominations telecast. She had to skip the actual ceremony, as her son Joey Luft was born the day before.

13. Jessica Alba, 2008

Given her year of clunkers (Good Luck Chuck, anybody? Fantastic Four 2?), Jessica Alba (7 months pregnant at the ceremony) failed to secure any Oscar nominations in 2008. However, her wine-colored, feathered Marchesa gown and Cartier diamonds put her at the top of many of the year’s best-dressed lists.

14. Marcia Gay Harden, 2004

Other stars have attended the ceremony seven months pregnant — but so far, Marcia Gay Harden (nominated for Mystic River) is the only one to have done it with twins. Her royal blue Badgley Mischka gown, lined at the waist with antique beads, was selected to show off her growing belly.

15. Glenn Close, 1988

Nominated for Fatal Attraction, Glenn Close nearly didn’t make the ceremony because of a horrendous traffic jam — she was one of several stars who got out of her limo and walked! Her daughter Annie was born just fifteen days after the ceremony.

1. Dora the Explorer

Look – we can see where Dora can be a positive role model for kids. She’s a girl. She’s hispanic. She doesn’t dress like a Bratz doll. But her shouty, repetitive voice is as annoying as hell.

“Where are we going? Strawberry mountain! Where are we going? Strawberry mountain! Where are we going? Strawberry mountain! Where are we going? Strawberry mountain! Where are we going? Strawberry mountain! Where are we going? Strawberry mountain! Where are we going? Strawberry mountain!” again. As one frustrated mother opined, by the time she’s halfway through the song, the dog and the houseplants have figured out where we’re going. Give it a rest.

2. Elmo

Sure, he’s small and red and fluffy, but don’t be fooled. Elmo is an annoying tool.

John Lee, co-creators of the dark “Sesame Street” parody, “Wonder Showzen,” complains that Elmo doesn’t really well, do anything (except shake and laugh hysterically): “Elmo doesn’t grow. People show him something and he laughs. He doesn’t learn a lesson.” In fact, Elmo is not unlike a typical gabbering, self-obsessed toddler. Maybe that’s why they like him so much. “Elmo is just a baby-voiced, self-obsessed character who is only concerned with Elmo,” says Lee. “He just passively observes things: ‘Elmo is looking at a sandwich. Elmo is eating a sandwich. Elmo is crapping out the sandwich and writing his name on the wall with it.’

3. The Teletubbies

Otherwise known as toddler crack, Teletubbies is the granddaddy of weirdass suited character shows. Four lumpy alien creatures live on a golf course but spend their spare time watching the televisions in their bellies. Every once in a while a talking shower head rises out of the turf and gives them instructions to please the creepy, disembodied baby deity who lives in the sun. The Teletubbies like to dance around with handbags while singing nonsensical songs. And no, they don’t have alcohol or pills to blame.

4. Barney the Dinosaur

The concept of Stranger Danger goes out the window when Barney the Overly Familiar Dinosaur comes on TV. “When I hear Barney say, ‘You’re my special friend’ — that’s a disingenuous statement,” said Allen Cypher, a founder of Stagecast Software, which designs children’s programs. “It’s a fraudulent claim. It deceives kids into believing that Barney has some emotional attachment to them, and that’s not true.” And when he sings “I love you/You love me/We’re best friends like friends should be” face it kid – he’s just not that into you.

5. Bindi Irwin

She’s the freakishly precocious jungle girl whose been wrestling crocs since she was in nappies. But the reason Bindi was recently named Australia’s number one annoying celebrity is because Bindi is everywhere. DVDs. Dolls. TV. Clothing. What we want to know is; where does Brand Bindi stop and a normal 10-yr-old girl begin?

6. Thomas the Tank Engine

Just what is going down on the little island of Sodor? From racial tension (steamies vs. diesels, especially the diesels), to the pervy Trevor the tractor engine (“I love giving rides. Especially to children!”), and Sir Topham Hatt who runs the entire island like a communist paradise (“I only have room for useful engines on my island”).

Then there’s poor Annie and Clarabel, the lowly coaches, who despite being much cleverer than dim-witted Thomas are consigned to the second-tier status of Rolling Stock. In fact Sodor only has one female engine, Emily. Just what message does this send out to our girls?

7. Yo Gabba Gabba

Look, we won’t deny that we’re big fans of this delightfully bizarre toddler TV show. But what is the deal with Muno? He’s a one-eyed monster (pun intended) with strangely erm.. stimulating little bumps not unlike you’d find in a packet marked “For her Pleasure”.

Just to confuse matters, you can buy your own wriggling, battery-operated “silly head” Muno.

OK. So that would be for mum, or baby?

8. Boohbah

Keen to set your child up for a lifetime of hallucinogenic drug use and therapy? Switch on Boohbah. These rotund, furry creatures squeeze themselves to make strange noises. There doesn’t appear to be any actual language being spoken. They just make weird noises and make their heads go in and out of their necks like turtles. They’re beyond creepy. I’d like to tell you more about them but the official website is one long acid trip. Try it. Not surprisingly, its producers were also behind Teletubbies.

9. In the Night Garden

Also produced by the crack-sniffing folk behind the Teletubbies, In the Night Garden is a little slice of life in a mental asylum. There’s Iggle Piggle, the narcissistic one who wont go to bed, Upsy Daisy the exhibitionist who lifts her skirt and flashes her knickers whenever she gets excited, and then there’s poor old Makka Pakka, the OCD-afflicted homeless dude who lives out his days carrying around a cleaning cart and washing rocks. If anything, at least ITNG will teach our children tolerance.

10. Bob the Builder

He’s handy, he’s energetic but wait – is our yellow-hatted Bob a scab? It’s quite obvious that Bob and his anthropomorphic vehicle friends are engaging in non-union labor. Nor do we ever see any competitive bidding for his contracting jobs. Just who is handing out the preferential treatment Bob’s way? And that’s not the only suspicious activity happening in Bobsville. As SFGate asks, is Farmer Pickles growing dope? “Doesn’t it seem odd that Farmer Pickles constantly spends thousands of dollars to fix a fence that’s surrounding just seven carrots? There’s only one explanation…”

Butterfly backpack

This applique backpack from My Baby Rocks is sure to stand out in the locker room. While this design features butterflies and daisies, the 35cm high backpack also comes in boy and unisex versions. $29.95.

Personalised lunchbox

Not only do these lunchboxes by Identity Direct feature popular licensed characters, they also come personalised with your child’s name. $16.95.

Texta Jumbo Zoom Crayons

This 20 pack of crayons from Officeworks don’t need sharpening, simply twist barrel to propel crayon, for no mess colouring. $14.96.

Pencil Grips

A must for all children learning to write, these pencil grips from Educational Experience can be used by left or right-handed children on all standard pens and pencils, providing comfort and support and encouraging the correct grip. $21.89 for a pack of 20.

Swim bag

Keep wet towels and swimmers away from exercise books with these bright swim bags from Officeworks. Available in a range of colours for $9.98.

Reusable sandwich wraps

It’s the sustainable lunch packaging that can be used again and again! These lighweight, washable wraps from Going Green Solutions secure with velcro so they are easy for small hands to open. Prices start at $7.95.

Boon snack ball

This innovative spherical snack container by Boon is great for travel. Available at the Kids Store, the two halves of the ball unscrew for easy cleaning and the lid snaps in place to keep snacks inside. $14.95

Multi-Spots Drink Bottle By Rush
Keep your child’s drinks warm or cooler for longer in this cute drink bottle from The Kids Store.  Designed by Bobble Art, this bottle is made from durable, light weight aluminium (a much favoured alternative to plastic) and features an hygienic lid which seals over the ‘pop-top’ mouth nozzle. $19.95

Lunch-in-style insulated bag
Protect your kid’s lunch with this reusable lunch bag made with oilcloth and vinyl. Available on Etsy,  the bags come in a range of vintage fabrics and fasten with velcro. $US18.00.

EZ Freeze drink bottle
These colourful drink bottles from Officeworks keep drinks cooler longer with the use of the freezer gel stick, included. Just screw in before adding water or juice and your child’s drink will stay cool for hours. $9.99.

Certified Organic Kid lunch bag
Made of 100% certified organic cotton, these re-usable cloth lunch bags from I’m Organic Make a statement without saying a word. $17.00.

Kikki K erasers
The humble pencil eraser has had a striking makeover thanks to Swedish stationery chain Kikki K. Choose from a wide range of delicious designs, and match with the equally adorable kikki.K Pencils. $0.50 each.

Cocoon Couture library bags

These 100% cotton calico library Bags are ideal for trips to the library, visits to Nana & Grandpa’s, outings to the park, or even to use as their very own shopping bag. Available from Urban Child for $13.50.

Dinosaur pencil case

The Terrific Dinosaur Large Pencil Case from The Kids Store is ideal for taking to kindy or school. It has enough room to fit all the bits and pieces that kids may need and even has enough room for a 30cm ruler. A name tag is featured inside so little ones won’t lose sight of their pencil case for very long. $12.95.