Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley became the first (but not last!) big-time journalist to make note of the Sandbox Party, devoting her entire July 18 column to it. It began like this:

The tea party movement may not be the most important force affecting the races for governor and the Legislature in Michigan this year. Children's advocates across the state have joined forces to create the Sandbox Party, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization that wants to force candidates to focus on a child's first 1,000 days of life, the time period most vital to development and future success.

And ended like this:

If the Sandbox Party could harness the fire of parents statewide, it could create a lobby that could greatly impact public policy.

The stuff in between was just as good. It's a highly recommended read. (Click here to do just that.)

Andrew Heller is Media Director for the Early Childhood Investment Corporation.