Do you get the Anime craze? Not everyone does, but it’s a powerful and appealing subculture. So, I decided to ask my 16-year-old friend Faith D’Isa to represent us at the recent Anime expo in New York. Here’s her report: Bet you wouldn’t let your child venture out at ten years old with no way […]
I’m in Hong Kong this week at the annual Toy Fair, and in addition to talking toys my friends and colleagues from around the world, like everyone back home, is talking about the tragic shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords and several others unfortunate enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While
Of Tragedies and Teddy Bears Read More »
I laughed out loud when I read the piece in the New York Times about the movement to “restore play.”
Why Parents Should Heed The “Restore Play” Movement Read More »
I know, I know, it’s kind of easy—and expected—at the first of the year to write a blog about resolutions, particularly since most of them probably will be abandoned by the end of January. (Despite my good intentions, I will still be eating chocolate, for example.)
New Year’s Resolution—Play More Read More »
Stores love gift cards, and according to a recent New York Times article, they’re pulling out all the stops to get you to buy them. With fees, restricted spending and the ability to get your money in advance, why not?
The Gift Card Conundrum Read More »
For years, girls have projected their fantasies on that beautifully designed lump of plastic called Barbie—just as neurotic adults have projected their unresolved issues and fears on her. Barbie is a cultural icon, and it’s easy to attack her, and media eats that up. But in the latest attack on the 51-year-old star, clarity of thought has been chucked, insanity rules, and the only response is a wide-eyed OMFG, as they say in text-speak.
Barbie Takes Another Hit—Insanity Rules Read More »
Thanksgiving is bearing down on us this week, with all the other holidays hot on its heels, and the drive to create perfection is weighing heavily on many minds. The search for perfection, and even the belief that it is possible is one of the great myths of our time. It was brought home even more fully this week by an article in the New York Times about altering kids’ school pictures so they could appear perfect.
The Perfection Trap—Staying Real Can Set You Free Read More »
If anyone else is scratching his or her head about the recent San Francisco ordinance to ban toys with fast food meals over 600 calories, they may be banging those same heads against the wall at a recent Yale study that effectively criticizes the line workers at fast food restaurants for adding to childhood obesity.
Fast Food Fracas — What You Can Do. Read More »
As I’m writing this, the polls are opening, and I for one won’t miss the robo-calls, the reams of direct mail and most of all the contentious, virtually inescapable ads, arguments and incessant news coverage highlighting the most excessive outbursts from candidates. Whatever the outcome, however, the permanent campaigning will simply go on, but perhaps the tone will be ratcheted back a bit, and that’s going to be a relief.
How did this happen? How did Halloween and Trick-or-Treating go from innocent fun to a night fraught with fear and worry? How did the joy of dressing up as a favorite character and getting treats from neighbors become the one day of the year many parents are convinced that their little ones are in mortal danger? It is insanity.
The Trick’s On You: Halloween is Nothing to be Scared Of Read More »
If I ever have to get bad news, I hope it’s from someone like Nora Brennan. She’s the children’s casting director for “Billy Elliott,” and about as big hearted and warm and attentive as possible. Faced with a phalanx of more than 140 girls at the open auditions for the show last month, she was welcoming, encouraging and supportive.
The Chance To Dance: Part 2 Read More »
No one really knows when dance entered human experience. There are paintings dating back more than 9,000 years that show figures in what we think of as dance. There isn’t a culture on the planet that doesn’t engage in some form of dance. Whether learned as part of ritual or as part of a discipline such as ballet or contemporary dance, the desire to move rhythmically and expressively is inherently human, and we idolize the grace and beauty of the human form in motion.
The Chance to Dance: Part 1 Read More »
The Toy Guy visits the 10! show in Philadelphia to share fun playdate ideas for your children!
Create the Perfect Playdate! Read More »
With schools in many parts of the country in session for a couple of weeks and all kids back in school this week, learning is—or should be—on top of all parents’ minds. I spent the last month talking to parents and kids about going back to school, and one of the things they’re very concerned about is performance. In fact, almost too much. For some kids, especially those starting high school, the level of anxiety was particularly high. Why? Because they’re already concerned about their performance and how that’s going to affect their ability to get into college.
School’s In Session: Time to Fail Read More »
I’m afraid I’ve been spending way too much time over the past couple of evenings (and one afternoon) going through a very cool site for kids…from our own government.
Great Site for Kids Read More »
The Toy Guy visits the 10! show in Philadelphia to show off some of the must have back to school items!
Back to School Cool! Read More »
When it came to table manners, I grew up in a very strict home. I mean, really strict. My brothers and I were constantly corrected about which fork to pick up, how to hold the flatware, where to put the napkin, how to chew and so forth. It was a constant battle for my parents with four rowdy boys who thought the height of hilarity was flinging a roll across the table when one said, “Please pass…” Or that peas or lima beans (ick) could be effective weapons when catapulted with a spoon. Still, mom and dad were tireless, saying we’d thank them later.
Mind Your Table Manners—It May Matter Later Read More »
Lots of kids are reading, and that’s cause for celebration. At least that’s what I take away from conversations with teachers, parents and bookstore managers over the past two weeks. Reading-and getting kids to read-is one of my passions, so any time I’m hearing this news I’m happy. And I don’t care how they got there.
Cheap Trick or Brilliance? Read All About It. Read More »
With an estimated opening weekend box office of $109 Million, you don’t need me to tell you that Toy Story 3 is a major hit. Pixar’s biggest opening yet speaks to the power of the franchise-and the indelible mark that Woody, Buzz and the whole crew have left on our culture in just 15 years. In fact, it’s hard to imagine many kids growing up without these films-like Star Wars and The Wizard of Oz, they are now part of the kids’ movie pantheon. Yes, the reviews have all been glowing, and even our reviewer Cynthia Fuchs gave the movie 10 stars. Yet what has intrigued me are some of the subtle-and not so-messages that the movie delivers and the brilliant worldview of Pixar and Disney that offers all of us so much insight and food for thought over and above the sheer entertainment value.
What’s So Great About Toy Story 3? Read More »
In the new musical “The Addams Family,” Pugsley says to Grandma, “I don’t get your references.” Grandma replies, “Well, you might if you stop the darn texting and pick up a book.” It gets, as you might expect a huge laugh.
Summer Reading. Ready? Read More »
A boy in a preschool setting is happily playing with a truck. Another boy comes over and snatches it. The first boy yells and snatches it back. Who got in trouble?
For the Good of the Group Read More »
I was in the supermarket earlier this week when I had the opportunity to watch a totalitarian regime in action, and let me tell you, it wasn’t pretty. From a mobile throne (aka a shopping cart), the little dictator somewhere around age five, was barking orders at the serf, who in a different form of government would be called “mom,” and her screams filled the store.
What’s With the ‘Tude? Read More »
Bans don’t work. Or at least they don’t achieve the desired end, which is generally to fix some problem in the culture. The Prohibition of alcohol in the U. S. from 1920-1933 was a disaster and gave rise to modern organized crime, helped fuel the “Roaring Twenties” and did nothing to prevent those who really wanted alcohol from getting their hands on it.
Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time on the Dreamworks Animation online gaming site Kung Fun Panda World. Find it at www.kungfupandaworld.com.
A New Online World—Try it Free for a Month Read More »
