Want the shopping challenge of a lifetime? Try finding cute plus-size apparel for kids. Or extra-wide shoes. Or slim-cut bottoms. Although the average-sized kid is well taken care of in retail, any child who falls outside of the "normal" range is stuck scrounging for whatever styles he or she can find.

My kids fall into all three special size ranges -- slim, extra-wide shoes and plus/husky -- so here's what I recommend:

• Husky boys -- I like Levi's best for husky boys jeans (find them at Sears, Macys, JCPenney and other department stores)
• Extra-wide shoes -- For little kids I really like Stride Rite; for older kids' athletic shoes New Balance has extra-wide sizes, too.
• Slim-cut bottoms -- I rely on Gap and Old Navy for girls' slim-cut bottoms.