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As featured on NBC's TODAY Show! The experts from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, the independent consumer organization rate the best (and worst) in children's toys, books and dvds. Don't waste any more money on products that are a waste of your money and your child's time. Here's the guide that every parent (and grandparent) should have before they go shopping. Guide includes important child development information, basic gear checklists, product comparisons, best shower and birthday presents for every budget, multicultural products, science toys, and educational toys.
An absolute necessityReviewed by K. Marr, 2007-06-12
An absolute necessity!! As a new parent, I look at this book before purchasing any toy or book for my child.
The authors' toy-selecting philosophy is sound making the book
invaluableReviewed by sskein, 2007-02-11
We get this book every year to help us with our holiday shopping
and toy buying all year long.
As parents, we have all made the mistake(s) of buying toys that 1)
are inappropriate for their child's age (believing that our kids
are smarter or more advanced than they actually are), 2) too loud,
3) too flimsy, and/or 4) unable to hold children's attention for
more than a week.
This book's authors test toys, books, videos, and computer/video
games each year with parents and children to make sure they are a
success. They don't review everything or comment on all toys, but
they feature the best and often comment on popular toys that should
not be bought.
Most importantly, their beliefs about what toys should do/be and
shouldn't do/be are also spot on with scholars and practitioners of
the early childhood education community. They know what's good for
children and what kinds of toys enhances children's play and
enriches their minds. The introduction is a must-read for any
toy-buying individual.
Before buying toys for my children or gifts for other children, I
always consult this book. As a result, I've wasted less money than
I have in the past and have received many compliments from other
parents whose children love our gifts.
Outstanding resourceReviewed by Manxman, 2007-02-07
Although it's true that you can get pretty much all of the printed information on line these days, this is a singular reference to have and hold onto. Only downside are the video/DVD "recommendations" they offer for children under three; I would strongly pause before recommending any interactive entertainment, even in the guise of learning, to children within the first year of life, if not the first two or three. Never the less, a valuable resource for anyone with small, and not-so-small, children.
We buy this every November for ChristmasReviewed by Guthrie, 2007-01-10
This book helps us get reviews on what are good quality toys. I do not always agree with the reviews, but overall, it gives us a great guide to weed out the "junk" toys and to buy the good. I wish it kept the reviews for some of the older toys as well. We have to refer back to older books to get reviews on older toys. That said, we will still keep buying it.
Very accurate for 1 and 2 year oldsReviewed by M. Toohey, 2007-01-09
I don't know the first thing about children's toys, games, videos,
or cd's. I admit this willingly.
Nonetheless, I have been a superstar at Christmas, showers, and
birthdays by solely relying upon this guide. While I can't speak to
the efficacy of the recommendations for older kids, the ideas for
newborn-toddler are right on the money. I have probably purchased
15-20 items, mostly Platinum Award Winners and have been amazed at
how my kids (and others who we've given to) have loved the
items.
I may sound like I have had too much Oppenheim kool-aid, but this
guide could not be more helpful. Plus, everything in it seems to be
on ebay or Amazon - so I never have to set foot in a toystore in
the holidays (a double blessing!).
