Scalliwag Toys

We're Moving (The Blog, That Is)

2010-05-01T10:41:00.002-04:00

I'm presently moving the blog to www.scalliwagtoys.wordpress.com, as I've finally come to the conclusion that the tools offered by blog host Wordpress are just that little bit better than those offered by Blogger.

All the past posts are there, and some new ones, too.

So, if you've subscribed to the RSS feed from Blogger, you'll need to change that to the Wordpress feed. I daresay that there will be a bit of confusion at first (I have to change the links from the website, for example) but it should all fall into place over the next few weeks.

Fingers crossed.

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

2010-04-30T13:56:00.004-04:00

by Wendell Berry

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

Keeping It Clean: How to Clean Your Child's Toys

2010-04-28T13:38:00.004-04:00

Let's get one thing straight: I'm no germophobe. I think that there's an element of truth to the old saying that we all "must eat a peck of dirt before we die". Still, those of us around small children are often uncomfortably aware of how easily germs may pass from one child to another (think of chickenpox going round a kindergarten classroom, for example). Small children tend to have sticky fingers, do often mouth their toys, and may resist handwashing -- all recipes for an abundance of germs.

We are often asked, by parents who are understandably concerned about hygiene but who are loath to ruin a favorite plaything, how to clean toys safely and thoroughly. And, of course -- as in so many things -- the answer is: it depends.

Many well-made small plastic toys such as Lego bricks or Playmobil pieces may be cleaned in a basin filled with a squirt of liquid dish detergent dissolved in hot water. (Of course, this method does not work for any pieces containing electronic parts or batteries.) Simply let the pieces soak for 30 minutes, swishing them round occasionally in order to encourage the dirt to lift. Drain carefully into a sieve or colander (some of those pieces can be pretty small and you don't want them going down the drain) and rinse in two or three changes of warm water. Air-dry on a towel till completely dry.

Larger toys made of plastic; painted, stained, or natural wooden toys; or those which you suspect might be difficult to dry if immersed can be cleaned using a regular white vinegar (5% acetic acid by volume) and water solution. I use one part vinegar to three parts water (1:3). Spray it on, let it sit for a moment, then wipe with a soft dry cloth till no more dirt is visible. The vinegar's mild acidity helps to kill bacteria and other germs, but will leave no harmful residue as can other commercial cleaners. Really caked-on goo may be gently scrubbed off with a dampened cloth dipped into baking soda, then wiped again with the cloth rinsed in clear water. Any baking soda residue that may be left is harmless, and will disappear once the toy is completely dry.

Stuffed animals and dolls are probably the most problematic category as far as cleaning is concerned. Many stuffed animals can be carefully laundered, by tying them into a pillowcase and washing them on a gentle or "hand-wash" cycle in the washing machine. Use a gentle detergent, as well, such as Woolite Zero or Ivory Snow. Give the item a second (or even a third) rinse in order to make sure that all the soap is removed, then hang to dry or dry flat. I don't recommend washing any jointed stuffed animals or dolls, or anything manufactured using mohair, porcelain, or wigged hair, as they may be irreparably damaged by water. Even with robust, everyday stuffed animals, the nap of the toy's fur may be damaged slightly by the washing process, but sometimes it's that or throw the thing out. Bear in mind, too, that sometimes children reject their beloved blankies or stuffies once they have been washed because the smell has changed.

Some plush animal and doll companies such as Kids Preferred are now producing items that stand up well to repeated stints in the washer and the dryer; these are great for families who suffer from allergies or asthma, as the dust mite population, dust, and pollen levels in the fabric can be controlled through frequent washing. This feature is usually announced loudly on the item's tag, using terms such as "asthma-friendly" and "washable".

Dirt and small children may be inseparable companions, but using these low-tech and eco-friendly techniques can at least help you as a parent reduce the number of germs your little ones will meet in the playroom.

Sale Discounts Part Two

2010-04-26T13:24:00.003-04:00

For those of you who have been dozing in the back of the classroom, here's a reminder about our 25th Birthday Sale. Three days only: Thursday, 29 April; Friday, 30 April, and Saturday, 1 May 2010. Everything is at least 10% off, and a lot of things are discounted up to 40%.

All Games Workshop products -- Warhammer, Warhammer 40K, and Lord of the Rings plus scenery, paint, and accessories -- are 10% off.
All Corolle dolls and accessories will be 20% off.
Lego gets a 10% discount.
Melissa & Doug products will be 15% off.
Take 15% off the price of all Playmobil in-store.
All Schleich animals, figures, and accessories are 15% off.
30% off all Thomas the Tank Engine die-cast (Take-Along Thomas)
20% off all Thomas wooden trains, cars, tracks and accessories.

All sales are final. Discounts apply to in-stock items only, and no special orders will be taken during the sale.

See you then.

Some Sale Details

2010-04-23T11:53:00.005-04:00

Here are a few details about pricing for the upcoming sale (29 April, 30 April, 1 May 2010). More info will follow as we think of it.

All in-stock Karito Kids dolls, clothing, books, and accessories will be 40% off, meaning that the dolls will be $69 instead of $114.99.
All Horrible Science kits will be 25% off. These are great kits (Richard's fave is the Snotty Slime Clock) but we just need to clear out the stock room a bit.
A really good selection of assorted game titles at 40% off. These are distinct from the regular on-sale game section, which will be 15% off. Here are some examples of games you'll see in the 40% Off Sale Bin:

Inverse (was $35, now $21)
Big League Manager ($40, now $24)
Can't Stop (was $44, now $26)
Heroclix and Horrorclix all 30% off marked price.

Yummy Dough will be 40% off, just in time to bake those cookies for Grandma for Mother's Day! A fabulous deal at $6 instead of $9.99.
Moonjar savings banks will be $18 instead of $30.

Supplies are limited to what is in stock -- when it's gone, it's gone.

Watch this space.

It's Like a Field Trip to the Cubicle Farm!

2010-04-17T10:37:00.004-04:00

Here's a little something introduced by respected toy manufacturer Little Tikes -- but which has mysteriously become more difficult to find on their website and online catalogue (perhaps due to the universal hoots of laughter with which it was greeted). Only the linked review page remains accessible.

It's the Young Explorer workstation, which retailed for approximately US$2500, and which consisted of what various journalists dubbed "Baby's First Cubicle", outfitted with the following:

* Flat desk area
* Left and Right built-in mouse pads
* Bench seat that fits two children and offers storage inside for supplies
* Two locking cabinet doors
* Computer wiring stores safely inside ventilated cabinet.
* Locking castors keep unit from rolling during use.

Computer equipment features:

* Think Centre PC
* Internal DVD-ROM
* 1GB RAM (minimum)
* 160GB Hard Drive (minimum)
* 10/100 Ethernet
* Microsoft® Windows
* Sound Card and 2 External Speakers
* Surge protector
* 19" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor
* Custom Little Tikes Learning keyboard and Tiny Mouse (colors are subject to change without notice)

Computer Warranty: 1-year parts and labor.
Pre-loaded educational software:

* Millie's Math House®
* Sammy's Science House®
* Bailey's Book House®
* Trudy's Time and Place®
* Thinkin' Things®

I guess it's never too early to start preparing your kids for life as office drones. Interestingly, though, the two posted reviews are positive.

Look for one of these at a garage or yard sale near you this summer.

Birthday Sale Coming Up!

2010-04-12T10:11:00.005-04:00

Would you believe it if I said that this year Scalliwag Toys is turning twenty-five?

Well, it's true -- even if you were going to say that we don't look a day over twenty. Scalliwag Toys opened its doors for the first time in the Spring of 1985 (and we're still chugging along, which calls for a celebration all of its own). So, this year, we are having a 25th Birthday Sale, running from Thursday 29 April to Saturday 1 May, 2010. The hours will be as follows:

Thursday 29 April 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Friday 30 April 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 1 May 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Everything in the store will be on sale, with scheduled discounts up to 40% -- though there may be some items slashed even more, since over 25 years we've accumulated quite a few end-of-lines and bits-and-pieces that we'd like to see go to good homes.

There will also be a draw for prizes, the nuts-and-bolts of which we'll announce next week, though I think it's safe to say that the grand prize will be a huge stuffed animal such as Rex (left), whose value is about $250.00.

More details to follow. See you soon!

Scalliwag Toys Web Store Coming Soon!

2010-04-12T10:02:00.004-04:00

We hope.

I've discovered that I can actually create a web store using my current HTML editor, Sandvox from Karelia Software (yay!), rather than using one of the somewhat lame templates offered by my ISP. This makes me really happy, since Sandvox is (in my opinion, admittedly) one of the best site-building programs on offer and I would have been sorry to have had to give it up.

So, that's what I'm doing right now. It might still take some time for the thing to be up and ready, since there is a great deal of information to gather and to shuffle into some semblance of order, but it does look manageable.

Fingers crossed.

Recall From Health Canada on Pre-1991 Fisher-Price Little People

2010-03-27T13:44:00.005-04:00

A recall reminder has been issued by Health Canada on Fisher-Price Little People manufactured before 1991, due to inhalation risk. Notice the difference between the earlier figures (illustration left, top row) and the revised figures available after 1991 (illustration left, bottom row).

Here's the text of the bulletin from Health Canada:

Advisory
2010-47
March 25, 2010
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada is reminding parents, grandparents and caregivers to immediately discard all older Fisher-Price "Little People" figures manufactured before 1991, due to the risk of serious injury or death posed by these older, but popular, toys. The size and shape of the older Fisher-Price "Little People" figures are such that the toys can become lodged in a child's throat, causing a complete block of airflow which can result in serious injury or death.

The older "Little People" figures, which were manufactured before 1991, have a circular base approximately 2 cm (3/4 inch) in diameter. The figures include a variety of characters, such as a little girl, a train conductor, a dog and a father (see photo below).

The newer "Little People" figures, which have been manufactured since 1991, have a larger circular base, approximately 3 cm (1 ¼ inches) in diameter. These figures are taller, in chunkier shapes and are of sizes that cannot be taken into the throat of a young child (see photo below). These newer figures are not the subject of this advisory.

Recently, Health Canada has become aware of the death of a 10-month-old child resulting from the use of one of these older products. The death occurred after an older "Little People" figure became lodged in the child's throat. This incident has brought attention to the fact that these products are still used in play in Canadian households. Additionally, these products continue to be sold in some second-hand retail establishments (including internet retailers and resellers).

Health Canada strongly encourages parents, grandparents and caregivers who still have possession of any older "Little People" figures to immediately and safely discard of them. The toys should be disposed of in normal household garbage in such a way that they cannot be used or re-sold. Additionally, Health Canada encourages second-hand retailers (including internet retailers and resellers) to discontinue the sale and distribution of the older "Little People" figurines.

Fisher-Price launched a public information campaign in 1992, entitled the "Family Alert Program" in response to reports of seven fatalities and one serious injury related to the use of these figures by children under the age of three. The program provided education to parents and caregivers concerning the risks of continued use of the older "Little People" figures. The program also provided education on other health and safety risks present in the home.

Health Canada reminds consumers to choose toys carefully and provides tips to help keep children safe when they play with toys at the following link: Toy Safety Tips.

Health Canada is also asking Canadians to report any health or safety incidents, past or present, related to the use of a consumer product or cosmetic. An easy-to-use incident report form is now available on the Department's website.

Consumers may also contact Health Canada's Consumer Product Safety Bureau by phone toll-free at 1-866-662-0666, or by email at cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (if contacting via e-mail, please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).

***********

Is March Too Late for a New New Year's Resolution?

2010-03-22T20:55:00.004-04:00

I need to apologize.

Every year, my New Year's Resolution is that I will become organized. Somehow, this one lonely resolution becomes an epic fail by February of each year. True to form, I am still disorganized.

Oh, I still get the things done that absolutely need to be done (usually on the due date, no earlier). Taxes are filed, remittances are paid, our suppliers get their money. But the things that can possibly be rescheduled, in order to make way for all the little crises that arise day-to-day? They do get rescheduled, and they get put off, and eventually they languish under the accumulated crud in the to-do pile.

And that's what has happened here, with the blog. And I swear (as in "make an promise" swear, not the wash-out-your-mouth kind) that I'll do better from here on out. Look for a review of our Triops Kit later this week right here, complete with pictures! (I'm charging the camera battery now.)

Cross my heart.

Love is All You Need

2010-01-06T21:57:00.002-05:00

Truer words were never spoken. Or sung.

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

As Canadian as ... Crokinole!

2009-12-15T10:05:00.006-05:00

The British may have darts, and the Americans may have shut-the-box, but we Canadians can lay claim to our own original table-top game -- crokinole!

Crokinole was invented in nineteenth-century rural Ontario by a gentleman named Eckhardt Wettlaufer. The word "crokinole" is believed to be derived from the French word "croquignole", meaning a small crunchy pastry or biscuit.

The game is played upon a horizontal circular wooden board marked with concentric rings (rather like a darts board), worth 5, 10, and 15 points respectively. The innermost ring is actually a shallow hole in the very centre, worth 20 points, and guarded by a series of eight evenly-spaced pegs round the perimeter of the 15 ring. Players shoot small wooden disks by flicking them with thumb and middle finger from the board's edge in the player's own quadrant, trying to remove opponent's disks from the board and to position their own -- ideally in the centre hole.

A sturdy folk favourite played for generations, crokinole is just as much fun today as it was for our snowbound ancestors. Like euchre, tarte au sucre, Timbits, and Hudson's Bay blankets, crokinole is a great Canadian tradition.

Not exactly as shown -- we are bringing in the 3-in-1 Crokinole (includes chess and backgammon boards on reverse) for the same price as the 2-in-1. Great deal!

CAD$44.99 In stock now.

Now -- Fewer Planets!

2009-12-04T11:51:00.003-05:00

We just received a re-stock shipment of our 3-Dimensional Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Making Kit, and it's official in toyland: Pluto has been given the boot. The kit now contains only the Sun and eight planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, for those of you who dozed through science class.)

Poor Pluto. I feel kind of sorry for it, being dropped like that. Still, who knows -- maybe it will stage a comeback one of these days.

I'm rooting for you, Pluto.

CAD$26.99, in stock now.

A Toy You Can Bank On!

2009-11-30T13:21:00.004-05:00

The Moonjar® is a three-part moneybox designed to help children build their dreams by learning how to save, to spend, and to share. It is divided into three separate retro-tin sections: one for Spending, one for Saving, and one for Sharing (there's also a Moonjar Band to help keep the three sections together!).

This simple bank is a wonderful way to introduce the idea and the mechanics of savings. By using the bank in conjunction with an allowance, you as a parent can help your child learn to budget and to control money. As the company says, "Moonjar Moneyboxes help kids build their dreams by managing their allowances." Learning to manage money is one of the best gifts that a parent or grandparent can give a child.

And Moonjars make the learning fun. By dividing the bank into three discrete parts, Moonjar® helps the child to take control of how much he or she wants to allocate to any one area. A passbook is included to help the child keep track of deposits and withdrawals to the bank -- a great way to keep an eye on the bigger picture when saving for a goal. A step-by-step Family Guide with advice and ideas is also included.

It's not surprising that this simple and attractive little bank has won many awards, including a Best Product from Dr. Toy, and Oppenheim Award, and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval.

$29.99, in stock now.

Toy Buy or Not Toy Buy?

2009-11-27T16:14:00.018-05:00

Worlds Apart, an English manufacturer of children's lifestyle products, has created an online toy value calculator aimed at helping parents figure out the relative worth of various playthings.

You simply enter in a value of 1 through 5 for attributes such as whether the toy promotes individual play, play with others, creativity, utility, and the likelihood of the item's being passed down to younger siblings. You then estimate the number of hours per week that the child may play with the toy, and a guess as to how many months the toy will last in the household. Finally, enter the price (the calculator asks for a price in UK pounds sterling, so just take an estimated Canadian or US price and cut it in half, which is close enough.) Voila! A numerical score for the toy or game in question, relative to other playthings.

This is, of course, a subjective exercise: what I consider to be a toy high on the "social" scale may not strike you thus, and vice versa, so that our scores for the same toy might be quite different. Still, it is the item's rating relative to other items you are considering that counts. Here's an example:

Let's say that you would like to buy a doll for your child. You are hesitating between two dolls: one, an electronic marvel that speaks phrases in four languages and has a price of CAD$75.00 (or roughly £37.00). You estimate that your child, who is four, will play with this doll for two years, or 24 months, for about four hours per week. Entering these values into the calculator gave me an estimated play value of 43 for this doll.

The other doll is a fashion doll with no electronic components. She has hair that can be combed and brushed. You figure that the child will play with her for the same number of hours weekly, but possibly over a shorter period, since your previous experience has been that these dolls break or are discarded in just a few months. The price of this doll is CAD$20, or roughly £10. Entering these guess-timates into the calculator brings up a play value of only 34, based (I suppose) largely on the shorter lifespan of the toy.

It's an interesting exercise, this attempt to pin down a quantitative idea of value in playthings. Something that is more expensive may not really be so, in the long run -- for it may be a toy that is cherished for years, and passed down to younger siblings or even to children. A great toy's value may be a question not of dollars per hour of play, but rather of hours of play per dollar.

Of course, this is not to say that more expensive toys are always the better buy -- far from it. Still, you may be surprised to discover which toys your own estimated ratings rank most highly on the value scale!

Three Melissa & Doug Items Recalled by Health Canada

2009-11-25T13:28:00.008-05:00

Even the best, most conscientious manufacturers occasionally have a problem.

On 20 November 2009, Health Canada issued a recall notice for three of Melissa & Doug's wooden toys due to barium levels exceeding allowable limits. The Canadian standard for permissible limits of barium in painted children's items has recently been upgraded to one of the most stringent in the world. These toys do not exceed limits set by the U.S. or the U.K., or by any other country that I know of. Mind you, I am not saying that it's a bad thing that we have demanding standards -- but rather that we as consumers should not panic over a recall like this. I don't believe that this is a case of sloppy manufacturing, but rather of increased testing standards particular to Canada that are weeding out some toys (particularly painted wooden toys) whose content was perfectly okay until the standard was recently changed by Health Canada.

Here's a link to the relevant page on Health Canada's website. The full text is as follows:

Slice and Bake Cookie set, Shape Sorting Cube, and Pound a Peg by Melissa & Doug

Full Product Description

This recall involves all batches of the following three products by Melissa & Doug.

Slice and Bake Cookie Set: The set includes a tube of 12 sliceable wooden cookies with 12 decorative toppings, a kitchen mitt, a wooden cookie sheet, knife and spatula. The recalled sets can be identified by UPC 000772040747. Health Canada tested batch number ZP1208.

Shape Sorting Cube: This toy is a wooden cube with a lid and 12 colourful cut-out shapes that fit into 12 holes, based on the shape. The cut-out shapes are red, yellow, green, and blue. The recalled toys can be identified by UPC 000772005753. Health Canada tested batch number XY0309.

Pound-a-Peg: This toy includes 8 colourful wooden pegs, a wooden hammer, and a wooden bench. The pegs are red, green, yellow, and blue, and can be pounded into the wooden bench using the hammer. The recalled toys can be identified by UPC 000772004961. Health Canada tested batch number ZP0609.

The UPC and lot number can be found on the product packaging.

Hazard Identified

Testing by Health Canada has revealed that the surface paint on the toys contains barium in excess of the allowable limit.

Some forms of barium are safely used in medical and commercial applications, while other forms of barium can be toxic, causing adverse health effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps as well as more severe symptoms. Children's toys coated with paint containing barium in excess of the allowable limit are strictly prohibited in Canada.

Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or illnesses related to the use of this product.

For some tips to help consumers choose safe toys and to help them keep children safe when they play with toys, see Health Canada's Toy Safety Tips.

Corrective Action

Consumers should immediately take the recalled toys away from children.

Melissa & Doug has said that consumers should contact them directly at 1-203-762-4500 in order to obtain a free-of-charge replacement.

Number Sold

Approximately 26,290 units of the recalled products were sold across Canada.

Time Period Sold

The recalled products were sold from November 2008 to November 2009.

Manufactured in China.

Companies

Manufacturer
Melissa & Doug Inc. of Westport, Connecticut

Toy Hall of Fame 2009 Inductees

2009-11-14T09:49:00.017-05:00

We received a press release yesterday (dated 5 November 2009, but never mind that) announcing the 2009 inductees into the Strong National Museum of Play's Toy Hall of Fame. The winners this year were: the Big Wheel® (Louis Marx & Co.), the Game Boy® (Nintendo Co.), and the ball (everyone and anyone).

According to the Marx company Toy Museum, "the BIG WHEEL was designed in Erie, Pa. by Ray Lohr. Mr Lohr was the number one man in the design department and was Louis Marx's right hand when it came to development of new items. In Mr. Lohr's basement one evening he took parts from a tricycle and turned them around and VIOLA!!!! the BIG WHEEL was born. Look at a picture of the toy and you will see a tricycle UPSIDE-DOWN!!!"

I think the writer meant 'Voila!", but you get the idea. In any event, the design of the Big Wheel was a stroke of genius. The low centre of gravity gave it tremendous stability -- a wonderful attribute in a ride-on meant for little kids -- and its large front wheel gave it superior handling, allowing riders to feel in control. A most amazing design.

A few decades later, Nintendo's original Game Boy came along and revolutionized electronic gaming by making it portable. One could argue that every one of today's multi-tasking electronic gizmos (yes, I'm looking at you, iPhone) owes its success to the sea-change brought about by Game Boy, which allowed users to play untethered from the computer or television. Its design and portability, its amazing games like Super Mario, plus the ability of later versions to allow multi-player gaming mean that Game Boy has become synonymous with electronic gaming. I am proud to say that we still have an original, functioning Game Boy at our house.

Somewhere.

Last, ladies, and gentlemen, please consider the ball, a toy whose history stretches back thousands of years. Like the wheel, another invention whose importance cannot be overstated, the sphere-as-toy has planted itself so firmly inside the human experience that it is difficult to imagine life without it: think of golf, basketball, baseball, soccer, billiards, cricket, pinball, tennis!

It's worth a visit to the Hall of Fame's website. I'm willing to bet that many childhood memories will be kindled by the sight of these old favourites -- most of which are still just as popular today as they ever were.

Carcassonne: Wheel of Fortune

2009-11-12T15:10:00.011-05:00

The concept of the Wheel of Fortune, representing the unpredictable turns of fate in people's lives, arose in antiquity and has proven a durable metaphor. Hans im Gluck's new Carcassonne: Wheel of Fortune, the newest iteration of their best-selling game, pays homage to this sturdy philosophical idea by introducing a literal wheel-shaped piece, which is divided into six wedges marked "Fortune", "Tax", "Famine", "Storm", "Inquisition", and "Plague".

Play proceeds in the accustomed way, with players choosing random tiles (sight unseen), building the game board, and scoring points by staking claim to features with the little wooden followers known colloquially as "meeples". Only if the a player draws a land tile holding a Wheel of Fortune symbol does he take a chance by moving the pig (Fortune's mover!) around the wheel the number of spaces indicated on the tile, and by taking the action shown on the segment on which the pig lands. Only the segment marked Fortune solely rewards the player whose turn it is: Tax, Famine, Storm, and Inquisition will each reward all players under certain circumstances, while anyone's landing upon Plague demands that each player remove one follower from a land tile back to his supply.

Carcassonne: Wheel of Fortune is designed so that it may be played as a replacement for the original game, or as an expansion for the original game and all previous expansions.

2 to 5 players, 30 to 45 minutes (longer with more players). CAD$34.99

Have Yourself a Munchkin Little Christmas ....

2009-11-12T13:31:00.007-05:00

Anyone who has ever played an RPG (role-playing game), video or otherwise, will recognize the basic elements of Munchkin: monsters, treasure, and peril. Oh, and treacherous backstabbing of your friends -- but that part is new.

Munchkin is not merely a game, but the flagship in a series from publisher Steve Jackson Games that includes stand-alone games Star Munchkin; Munchkin Cthulhu; Munchkin Bites; Munchkin Impossible; Munchkin Fu; The Good, the Bad, and the Munchkin; Munchkin Booty; and Munchkin Blender. Many of the games can also be expanded with additional cards featuring new treasure, more monsters, and rule tweaks.

The most important thing to realize about Munchkin is that it is a very funny parody, based on an affectionate skewering of the characters and conventions of the classic RPG: the heroes, the weapons, the situations, and the monsters. It has a ridiculous, rather Python-esque, sense of humour -- how could it be otherwise when the monsters include the Potted Plant (not much of a challenge, as "Escape is automatic"), and the Large Angry Chicken ("Fried chicken is delicious. Gain 1 extra level instantly if you defeat it with fire or flame").

Game play is simple: on his turn, a player Opens a Door, by drawing a card from the Door deck and turning it over. If it's a Monster, he fights it. If the card is a Curse, it is applied to the player immediately. Any other card may be held in the player's hand or played immediately. The player can then Loot the Room (assuming that he managed to kill the monster) by taking the number of treasures shown on the Monster's card. The final turn phase for the player is to discard (Charity) so that he holds no more than 5 cards (6 if he's a Dwarf) by giving the excess to the player with the lowest level.

Players also have the opportunity to "help" other players in ways that cost their opponents treasure, or to gang up on other players, or to backstab (if they are playing as a Thief). Rule disputes are dealt with through the simple method of loud arguments among the players, with the owner of the game having the last word.

I have worked in offices like this. Honestly.

And that's part of what makes Munchkin so much fun. Who doesn't relish the opportunity to behave badly (very badly)? To wield a weapon such as the Chainsaw of Bloody Dismemberment? To force a friend to suffer the curse of "Chicken Upon Your Head?"

3 to 6 players, suitable for ages 13+ (or just for "those stuck permanently at a mental age of 13", I guess. Nothing wrong with that, either.) Game duration about one hour. Weakness from laughter will last much longer than that.

Go Ahead and Play With Your Food

2009-11-05T12:19:00.005-05:00

Okay.

It's confession time. Who among us -- parents, children -- hasn't at one time nibbled a bit of Play-Doh? I know I have (okay, it was a long time ago. Really.) There is just something so tempting about modelling dough ... so pliable, so moldable, so smooth ... mmmmmm.

Ahem. Sorry.

PlaSmart, the company that brought the PlasmaCar to the world, has just introduced North America to Yummy Dough, the first moldable, edible, and playable dough in the world. Just add water to the dry mix, and knead it to a smooth dough that can be baked and eaten as a cookie! (Or, if you prefer, go ahead and eat it raw. It just tastes better cooked.)

Yummy Dough is a food product, and as such it is held to a very high standard of quality through a rigorous process of inspection and labelling. It does contain milk and egg products, and may contain soy and nut products through cross-contamination at the factory, so this is not for those with serious food allergies.

Each kit includes 4 x 113 of dough mix (red, blue, green, and yellow) that can be mixed in powder form (prior to adding water, that is) or squished together as dough in order to make additional colours (there's a colour reference chart on the side of the box.) Also included are a measuring device and an ideas leaflet. Finished edible creations make delightful, tasty treats for parents or friends.

Yummy Dough sells for $9.99. In stock now.

Because Even Doll Play Should Involve TV Time ...

2009-11-03T13:36:00.007-05:00

From a U.K. advertisement for Nintendo's new Wii-Mote peripheral:

"Baby & Me offers Girls aged 6-10 a chance to interact with their favourite dolls in an entirely new way! Pick out your favourite doll, attach the Wii Remote with the included holster – and she’ll come to life! Do everything you would with a real baby – rock her to sleep, teach her to walk… just like a real mummy!"

I guess our kids are not getting enough time in front of the tube as it is.

Thanks to David Hesel, from the Toy Shop of Concord, Massachusetts, for drawing our attention to this.

A Heartfelt Thank-You to Our Customers

2009-09-19T11:07:00.004-04:00

We received a charming surprise a few weeks ago, in the form of a brief note from a customer from another province, accompanied by a cheque. Here's what the note said:

"Hi! You probably don't remember me but I was in your store just over a week ago & was so impressed with all of your Doug & Melissa toys and science ones et cetera I asked for your card. Anyway, I think that you didn't charge me for two items ... I figured out the tax and have enclosed a cheque! I think that you have the greatest store & greatest selection! Thanks!"

Wow. We were knew that our customers were -- of course -- the greatest, and this just confirmed it. Thank you.

(I wanted to frame the note and the cheque and hang them over the front desk, but Richard -- ever practical -- said that the customer would then never be able to balance her bank account again. I guess he's right. We cashed it.)

Best Toys for Kids 2009 - Toddler Play

2009-09-18T10:23:00.009-04:00

These toys have been chosen by the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association as "Best in Class" for toddlers, ages one through three.

First is Twilight Ladybug by Cloud B. This is a combination nightlight and bedroom constellation-maker, designed to help parents and small children deal with fear of the dark and sleep disturbance. The ladybug is a large, friendly-looking plush creature (about 14 inches in length) with a hard, perforated plastic shell. The "stars" are projected onto the ceiling and walls of the room through the perforations, and the shell itself illuminates as a nightlight. A 45-minute timer acts as an auto-shutoff feature, a good thing since it does use batteries. Around CAD$50.00.

Second is Wee Wedgits, an innovative building toy from ImagAbility. This is a five-piece set of squeezably-soft, nontoxic, polyvinyl blocks with rounded edges and intriguing building possibilities. The shape and sizes of the blocks mean that they fit together in a myriad of ways, lending themselves to all sorts of creative building ideas.

I must say, this is one of those toys that children themselves persuaded me to buy, and they were correct! 5-piece set in reuseable zippered case, under CAD$20.00.

Next time, I'll look at the category of pretend play.

The Philosophical Baby

2009-09-18T09:45:00.007-04:00

As parents, I suppose that it is natural for us to want the best for our children. We want them to do well, to achieve the best things that they are capable of. And in this advertising-permeated culture, I suppose, it's only natural that we internalize the fears implanted by the advertisements: Has my child kept up with his peers scholastically? Should he be reading before he starts kindergarten? Should she recognize colours, shapes, words before her first birthday?

In the store, we are often asked to recommend educational toys, or toys that will help children succeed in these various intellectual tasks. Usually, what parents are looking for is a system, or what they perceive to be a system -- a kind of home-based scholastic system -- to be administered to the child long before that child is ready to enter the formal educational system at age four or five. Parents often seem disappointed to find that we don't stock this sort of learning system, and they often seem perplexed that we recommend, instead, the most open-ended playthings possible -- many of which have been available for centuries: blocks, puzzles, things to sort, and so on. Most of the high-tech toys of recent years are mere variations on a theme, after all: is a truck that drives by itself inherently more fun than one that the child must push himself?

Alison Gopnik, a professor of psychology at University of California, Berkeley, was recently interviewed on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's radio program, The Current. During the interview she discussed her new book, The Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love and the Meaning of Life. She is not a big fan of pre-packaged learning systems, either. You can listen to a podcast of the program here (it's in Part Two of the program).

It's worth your time.

Best Toys for Kids 2009, Part One

2009-08-28T19:47:00.014-04:00

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA) has just released its Best Toys for Kids list for 2009. These toys are chosen by ASTRA retailers (disclosure: we are members of this group) for provoking good, old-fashioned, make-it-up-yourself, belly-laughing play for children of all ages.

Over the next few weeks, I'll examine the 2009 winners in all categories. We don't always stock all the winners, but we certainly take a hard look at the items suggested by our fellow independent toy retailers across Canada and the USA, whose suggestions will often inspire us to bring in an item we might have overlooked.

Infant Play (0-12 Months)

The two winners in this category are Sophie Giraffe (Vulli SA) and Natural Skwish (Manhattan Toy).

Sophie has become a North American phenomenon only recently, despite having an almost 50-year history in Europe. The natural rubber infant toy has all the elements of a classic: a safe and simple design; delicate and attractive colouring that is nonetheless high-contrast so that very young infants are provided visual stimulation; a soft and touchable surface; and an amusing squeaker.

The safe, natural rubber composition means that Sophie is -- and always has been -- free of the banned phthalates that were sometimes found in plastic toys in the past. Chewing on Sophie is the perfect antidote for teething babies' sore gums.

The Natural Skwish, from Manhattan Toy, is only the latest version of this beloved baby toy. The original Skwish was designed by a Canadian sculptor and inventor named Tom Flemons (you can check out his current projects here) who was, he says, inspired by the tensegrity structures of Buckminster Fuller. The Skwish is an intriguing construction of smooth rubber-tree wood, slide-y beads, and elastic cord that resembles nothing so much as a large molecular model. Compress it, and it pops back into shape. Turn it and admire its elegant symmetry. Roll it along the floor or teethe upon the smooth and non-toxic wooden parts.

Make no mistake -- this is a toy that babies adore. Whether in the original primary-colours version, the soft pastel version, or in this newest incarnation, the Skwish is functional art: a modern classic. We have sold the Skwish since 1985, and we love it. Your baby will love it too.

We have the Natural Skwish in stock (CAD$19.99), and we are waiting for Sophie the Giraffe (also CAD$19.99) to arrive.

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability" Sam Keen

2009-08-16T15:03:00.013-04:00

Summer is here at last -- with a vengeance. The temperature has been hovering in the 30s Celcius (that's between 80 and 90F for those of you who still use that system) and the humidity has been wicked. I don't know about all of you, but when it's this hot, I like to play games.

Board games.

We just received a review copy of a game called GiftTRAP from the inventor, a charming guy named Nick Kellet. GiftTRAP is not brand new: it won a bunch of awards in 2006, including a spot on the Chicago Tribune's Top Ten Games list; GAMES Magazine's Best Party Game of 2008; and in 2009, Spiel des Jahres Special Prize for Best Party Game.

Like all great games, the premise of this one is simple: give your friends the gifts that they really would like to have. The game mechanics are pretty straightforward:

DEAL - deal random gifts from one of the packs of gifts.
SHOP - think about how you match these gifts to the players.
GIVE - give one of these gifts to each player (using gift tokens).
GET - choose which gifts you want yourself (using get tokens Ok, Good, Great & No Way).
REVEAL - show people what you wanted and what you were given by each player.
SCORE - the giver and the receiver score for each gift (the giver gets GIVING points, the receiver gets GETTING points).

The game is played over a series of rounds. The game is over when one player manages to get both his GIVE and GET tokens into the end zone (easier said than done, as a bad gift -- either giving or getting -- can move you backwards.) The game components are sturdy and seem well-designed, with over 600 "gift ideas" beautifully photographed on heavy card stock, and clever plastic playing pieces (a wrapped box with a bow represents gifts you give, while an "opened" box represents gifts you get) packaged in colour-coded organza drawstring pouches.

Seems like a fun little game for dinner parties and cottage weekends. I think we'll be ordering it in. There's only one thing left to decide.

Would I rather receive the Hybrid Car, the 50 Bottles of Vintage Champagne, or the Fully-Equipped Workshop?

Decisions, decisions.

Herobits Collectible Card Game Just In

2009-08-08T13:38:00.018-04:00

We've just got in some copies of a new CCG-type game called Herobits; it looks very promising. It's not really a collectible card game in the currently-understood sense, since an initial 50-card deck is all that each player needs for a game, with no blind-boxed mystery boosters offered or required to amp up the experience.

The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where robots strip the Earth bare in order to feed the "Machine," and the few humans left on the planet train as heroes in order to do battle with the robots and reclaim the planet as their own. The game has a strong eco-subtext but the underlying message never upstages the actual game play, which is all about dominating your opponent!

Players take turns, placing their Hero cards face up on the table before them and drawing 7 cards at random from their own decks that form their playing hands. Then, through each round, players play cards that upgrade their hero's skills, cards that attack their opponent's Hero, or cards that defend their own Hero from an attack. Simple addition and subtraction of the cards' point values determines damage for the round, and, ultimately, the winner.

There are three initial Heroes: James Willstorm, Li Kui, and Ulrika Vidar. Each of the three decks contains the same assortment of cards, but with a different Hero and different artwork. The three decks were created by three separate artists or groups: James Willstorm was inked by Emmanuel Xerx Javier, an artist from the Phillipines with a background in engineering and IT;Ulrika Vidar was the brainchild of Carla Millar, a painter with a long history of graphic-novels work; and Li Kui came from the team at DesignFXPro, a group of Chinese artists working in game and graphic design.

New characters (villains, I believe) are in the works right now and their decks will be released shortly. The company has plans to release new decks on a quarterly schedule.

Did I mention that it's a Canadian company? Woot!

Money Isn't Everything, But Understanding It Sure Helps

2009-08-08T12:18:00.006-04:00

Are we raising a generation of children who will be less equipped to deal with money and the financial obligations of day-to-day life than any generation before them?

Has the (unbelievably swift) transition to a cashless society, coupled with an economy almost entirely based upon consumer spending, left parents unprepared to teach their children anything about even the most rudimentary principles of finance and accounting? Robert Cole, a financial journalist at the Times Online, would say so. According to Mr. Cole, society's move towards ever more abstract forms of money has meant that children -- not to mention their parents -- may have difficulty learning about where money comes from, how difficult it can be to obtain, and the very real consequences of overspending.

Abstractions are usually more difficult to comprehend than are concrete examples. If a dietician tells you that you may have 2000 calories tomorrow without over- or under-eating, this is an abstraction. The 2000 calories seem limitless. If, on the other hand, you are led to a table on which your 2000 calories are displayed as portions of fruit, vegetables, skinless chicken, milk, and so on, it clarifies your idea of what those calories actually mean. One might be less inclined to sneak a doughnut if one realized that it represented the same number of calories as does a chicken breast, four spears of broccoli, and a cup of carrot coins, say.

Money is itself a sort of abstraction, of course, that saves us the trouble of completing straight barter deals on every item we wish to acquire ("I'll give you a million kilos of carrots for that Chevrolet Malibu." "Sold!") Money is just stuff to which we assign an arbitrary value by common consent, after all -- there's nothing in a $20 bill that is in and of itself worth $20 -- not the paper, not the ink. It's worth $20 because we agree that it is. That's tough enough to understand when you are a child and every idea is new and challenging.

But cashless money, in the sense of debit and credit transactions, is just that little bit more abstract and vague. When a child never sees money, how can we expect him to understand that sometimes there is not enough to buy him what he wants? Why could he spend ten dollars yesterday on a whim, and not today? The tangible possession of money is a powerful teaching tool, as in "If you don't have the money physically in your hand, you cannot spend it." We see this respect for money develop, to some extent, in our teenaged customers who often go, during the period of a year or so, from being children with pocket money to young adults who hold part-time jobs that suddenly supply their spending allowance. When they come to purchase an item, we watch them pick it up and hold it, hefting the thing as if to weigh it against the money that it costs, and you can almost see the wheels going round inside their heads: "This game costs $40. That is, roughly four and one-half hours of cleaning the grease pit at the restaurant where I work is required to make enough money to purchase this game. How badly do I want this?"

I don't suppose that one can turn back the clock as far as a cashless society is concerned, nor would I really want to (some estimates place Canadians as the world leaders in debit or bank card use for commercial transactions). Arguably, though, parents have to step up and teach their children that money does not grow on trees, much less in ATMs or Interac terminals.

J.S. Bach Would Have Loved This, Too

2009-07-27T07:12:00.006-04:00

Just for the record, this is why your mom always nagged you to practice your piano homework. Now all you need is the giant piano, and that next party is sure to be a success! (Just for the record, this particular enormous keyboard is located in the flagship F.A.O. Schwartz toy store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.)

FAO Schwarz - Big Piano
Uploaded by soanepowate. - See the latest featured music videos.

New Warhammer 40 K From Games Workshop

2009-07-21T11:06:00.006-04:00

Some new releases from Warhammer 40 000 are worthy of notice. Here are a couple of sets that landed on our shelves in the last week or so. Both are in stock right now.

Space Marine Land Speeder Storm

The Land Speeder Storm is designed to transport Space Marine Scouts deep into a battle zone, using speed and stealth to drop a small Scout squad behind enemy lines. The new plastic kit features a heavily-altered Land Speeder chassis, a crew of six Space Marine Scouts, and a variety of weapon options.

Aside from the dynamic crewmen, several innovations have been added to the classic Land Speeder design. The stretched chassis required the addition of a third thruster at the rear, compensating for the skimmer's greater mass. Underneath is the Cerberus Launcher, a unique piece of kit that stuns the enemy as the Scouts charge in.

Space Marine Ironclad Dreadnought

Designed to be a mobile siege engine, the eagerly-awaited Ironclad Dreadnought is encased in extra armour and armed with all manner of bunker-breaching and anti-infantry weaponry. This multi-part plastic kit allows you to assemble the Ironclad Dreadnought with any of the weapon configurations from the army list, including a new Dreadnought close combat weapon: the Seismic Hammer, with its rack of deadly hurricane bolters.

As well as arms options, the kit provides plenty of other components and accessories -- everything from searchlights, smoke launchers, hunter-killer missiles, and Ironclad assault launchers.

Knot Tonight, Kids. Mommy Needs a Break.

2009-07-20T09:10:00.007-04:00

Ah, those lazy days of summer, filled with soda, and pretzels, and ... boredom. Seriously. Who hasn't had a child whine that he or she was bored, bored, BORED! That there was Nothing To Do!

And so was invented the Craft Kit. (Also, sleep-away camp and visits to Grandma, but I don't need to tell you about the virtues of those. You already know.)

Good craft kits have four positive attributes: they are reasonably priced for what you get, they teach some skill, they provide a tangible end-product that can be proudly displayed, and they keep kids occupied for the duration. The Knot-a-Quilt and Knot-a-Hat-and-Scarf kits from Alex Toys fulfill all these requirements in spades. The instructions are clear, the materials are good quality and full of eye-appeal, and the end results are cute (and wearable.)

These kits can be done -- with a little help -- by children as young as six, but their packaging is cool enough to be acceptable to kids as old as ten or eleven. I suspect that the super-cozy quilt, especially, would remain a cherished memento for a long time to come. The YouTube video below shows just how easy it is to do this craft, and how neat the finished items look.

Bored? Knot anymore!

We Love Klutz Face Painting!

2009-07-19T09:54:00.006-04:00

A big thumbs-up to the Klutz Face Painting Kit, which we used at our face painting event here over the weekend. A team of two painted lots of faces (and hands, and arms) using the idea cards included in the kit. The cards break down these little painting ideas into three or four basic steps -- very helpful when one is trying to paint both fast and well.

The idea cards include motifs for a bunch of balloons, a dolphin, a car, a kitten face, a cupcake, a unicorn, a snake, a dinosaur, a spider, a heart, a flower, and a ladybug. The unicorn and the dolphin were far and away the most popular -- good thing that each was fairly easy to do!

The book itself has lots more ideas, tips, and tricks that will turn anyone into a competent face painter in no time. Only the full-face, more theatrical make-ups -- fancy faces such as butterflies, tigers, vampires, and so on -- may demand a little more time and paint, though they are just as well explained and just as easy to achieve.

The paints, which are manufactured by Wolfe Brothers, wash off quite easily using only water and a bit of soap. (Extra paint palettes are available, by the way, if you use up what comes with the book.) I found the coverage and consistency to be just right for face painting; you could achieve pretty good control on even the squirmiest child.

This kit works as an individual gift for a theatrically-inclined child, say (the kind who is forever staging performances in the living room, puppet-shows in the doorway, and impromptu concerts and parades). The kit can also be used as an amazing birthday party (or other occasion) activity, especially if you can round up an extra adult, paintbrush, and sponge to move the children through as quickly as possible.

The children and their parents all seemed happy, and we painters had just as good a time. We're already looking forward to next time!

Klutz Face Painting, CAD$29.99 Limited quantities in stock.

Into the Woods

2009-07-09T16:36:00.008-04:00

Our store is located in the historic downtown area of our city; our house is a scant kilometre away, in an older neighbourhood of large brick homes shaded by enormous maple trees. Both as business people and as homeowners, we have a vested interest in maintaining the health and viability of our city centre.

Even though we are neither urban planners nor property developers, we are fascinated by the concepts of city land-use, of density, and of sprawl. Anyone with an interest in history knows that civilizations -- and their cities -- grow during their ascendancies only to fall back, or even disappear, when their influence wanes. This is, in part, what has happened over the past quarter-century within many smaller centres to the traditional downtowns, as their economic strength was reduced by the influx of mass merchants and big box stores located on the cities' outer rims.

It should come as no surprise to any of us to see the same hallmarks of decline in those North American neighbourhoods -- even entire communities -- that have been devastated by the double whammy of systemic job loss and a falling real estate market: empty houses, boarded up and inviting vandalism and arson, causing the value of adjoining properties to decline more and faster in a race to the bottom.

And so, I was intrigued to read an article in the New York Times about radical surgery for dying cities. A case in point is Flint, Michigan -- a city whose population has fallen from roughly 200,000 to about half that, and whose unemployment rate was estimated to be 15% in 2007 -- whose city and county governments are exploring the idea of buying and tearing down derelict houses and neighbourhoods, essentially returning the legal title of the properties to a county land bank. The net result of this would be to shrink the city: to condense houses and the services they require into fewer and more viable areas. Less asphalt, more green space. Greater efficiency for collection of garbage, for policing, and for fire services.

Dan Kildee, Genesee County treasurer and a prime mover behind the plan, perhaps says it most simply and persuasively: “If it’s going to look abandoned, let it be clean and green,” he said. “Create the new Flint forest — something people will choose to live near, rather than something that symbolizes failure.”

"There's a Great Future in Plastics"

2009-07-09T06:44:00.008-04:00

This famous line from director Mike Nichols' 1967 film "The Graduate," whispered by a family friend to Dustin Hoffman's character, the confused and rudderless graduate of the title, has proven uncannily true. Plastic has become the primary building and manufacturing material of our time, incorporated into everything from toothbrushes and razors to televisions, automobiles, and clothing.

And architecture (think of window-frames, light-switch covers, and piping). And art.

Think of Lego, for example, and of artist Jan Vormann, whose Dispatchwork projects use Lego bricks to fill in gaps and holes in buildings damaged by war in Bocchignano, Italy, Tel Aviv, Israel, and Berlin, Germany. (Photos at left are from Vormann's website.)

In some of these places, small groups of people (citizen-artists?) carried the projects further, filling in more holes with Lego of their own.

There's a kind of unsettling dualism at work here: soft colours jarring with the bright plastic, natural materials shoulder-to-shoulder with the hard-edged bricks, the artifacts of war filled by one of the world's most famous children's toys.

I like it.

Do These Bugs Fear the Hex-terminator?

2009-07-06T10:43:00.002-04:00

We have a new pet at the office. His name is Charlie, and he's a HEXBUG.

Original HEXBUGs are tiny robots that react to touch and sound, constructed in recognizably insectoid shapes of metal and plastic. They chug doggedly around the floor or desktop, changing direction as their thin wire antennae touch an impediment, or when they perceive a loud noise such as a handclap or a shout directed at them. (They don't recognize, however, recognize impending disaster in the form of an approaching cliff -- such as the edge of the desktop -- and will skitter right off and fall to the floor. Be warned.)

Right now we have only Original HEXBUGs in stock, but there are different models available at different prices: Inchworm, an RC model; Crab, an autonomous robot that hides in the dark; and Ant, another autonomous creature that reacts to touch -- but this time moves (scurries?) at high speed. We'll be stocking these as space permits.

Charlie is powered by two AG13 batteries, which can be replaced. HEXBUGs are recommended for children aged 8 and up (and adults, of course.) For CAD$11.99, you can have your own robot. This is one seriously cool little toy.

You Have Received a Friend Request from Big Brother

2009-07-04T09:59:00.005-04:00

I'll admit it: I have a Facebook page. So does the store (it's here.) Social networking is here to stay, it would seem -- and as a behaviour, it's trickling down from trendy to everyday. And I have to admit that I don't have a big problem with this sort of networking and information-gathering as it relates to business.

Just like the website, the blog, Twitter, and the online Yellow Pages ads, a Facebook presence helps customers (both current and potential) find us, get a sense of what we're all about, and whether or not we can help them. It's truly amazing how quickly we have all come to depend upon this sort of online information gathering. Are you planning a trip? Map your route with Google Maps; find restaurants along the way; check out possible hotels using Trip Advisor. Google for supermarkets in Ithaca, NY. Look for a new apartment on Craigslist. Find that AC/DC lyric you've forgotten in one of the zillions of online compendiums.

Are there risks inherent in putting oneself out there, online, though? Yes, surely -- and that is a powerful argument for guarding what and how much personal data one reveals on sites such as Facebook. It's no secret that there are lots of people and organizations interested in data harvesting, whether it be to sell you something, to lobby a government using your data in order to buttress their claims, or to stalk you. Here's a tongue-in-cheek example (thank goodness!) of the kind of personal data gathering prospect that makes companies drool with anticipation and civil libertarians shudder with dread of Orwellian dystopias.

So, yes, we have a Facebook page, but we promise that it will be information-only. After all, an invasion of your privacy (and mine) would be ungood.

Kiva Means Unity

2009-07-04T09:00:00.001-04:00

Over the past few weeks, I have become a banker. Well, more precisely, I became a micro-banker. I lent (loaned?) US$25.00 to a lady in Mongolia, which was the final little bit of cash she needed in order to expand her small business, which in turn should help her to improve her financial circumstances. I then loaned (lent?) US$25.00 to a taxi-driver in Tajikistan so that he could purchase sheep and goats (presumably for food and some extra income.)

This was all done through the auspices of Kiva Microfunds, a non-profit organization dedicated to aggregating small loan amounts from many lenders -- ordinary individuals like me -- into micro-loans. Lenders choose the individual whom they wish to fund, and the money is disbursed at the other end (usually but not exclusively in the developing world) by a local partner, usually a bank. These individuals are entrepreneurs -- maybe livestock farmers, or small merchants -- who would like to expand their operations. Maybe they'd like to purchase some more chickens to increase their egg production, or a new sewing machine to make their tailor shop more efficient.

Over a set number of months, the borrower repays the cost to the lender, who can then re-lend the money to another entrepreneur. Everybody wins. I especially like the idea of small business people making their communities stronger, with sustainable increases in wealth arising from increased economic strength.

You can read more about Kiva and its projects here. Last week alone, Kiva's lenders put up more than $1,550,000.00 to some 4138 individual projects -- each of these micro-loans totalling an average $375, and each one having the potential to lift a family out of grinding poverty. Who knows where this could end?

Maybe Kiva, and other grass-roots organizations like it, could end poverty. I'm willing to give it a try.

An Update on the Playmobil Victorian House Theme

2009-06-20T15:04:00.007-04:00

Some of you might have noticed that the 2009 Canadian Playmobil consumer catalogue (the large glossy magazine that shows all the current themes and items) does not contain the Victorian Dollhouse (#5301) or any of the related items such as rooms of furniture.

This was an inadvertent omission; the Victorian Dollhouse theme is very much alive and available. We have it all in stock. I don't know whether it is just Canadian consumer catalogue that it is missing from, but there's no reference to it at all -- no page, nothing in the index, nothing in the table of contents.

Anyway, it's here. Phew!

Into the Land of Egypt with Playmobil

2009-06-20T14:00:00.008-04:00

The new Ancient Egyptian theme from Playmobil has had its North American launch date moved up; it is currently in transit from Germany to us, and we expect it to arrive in the next couple of weeks. This is an uncommonly beautiful collection -- even by Playmobil's high standards. The sculpting on the large pieces is gorgeous, and the rich colours in the various "painted" panels give you an idea of what present-day wonders such as the Pyramids and the Sphinx must have looked like when they were brand-spanking-new.

The marquee item is the Pyramid (#4240). At 52.5 x 52.5 x 35 cm (L x W x H) it is an amazing piece filled with secret chambers, trap doors, and collapsible stairs. The addition of a flip-down wall means easy access to the interior for play. The Sphinx (#4242) has a flip-down panel that reveals a secret chamber and a mummy.

The Royal Ship (#4241) has a sail emblazoned with the Eye of Horus, a stern steering oar, and a crew of enthusiastic warriors. Pharoah's Temple (#4243) comes with a "carved" obelisk, painted murals, and an amulet key that will open various secret shrines. Rounding off the theme are the Egyptian Soldiers (#4245), the Egyptian Chariot (#4244), Two Robbers with Camels (#4247), Robber with Horse (#4248), and the Tomb with Treasure (#4246), which I think could double nicely as an Ancient Egyptian Peasant House. Prices range from CAD$119.99 to CAD$7.99.

For all Playmobil fans, as well as for fans of ancient Egyptian culture and archaeology, this is a launch not to be missed.

Website Tidy-Up In Progress

2009-05-21T14:42:00.005-04:00

It was brought home to me just how important it is to prune the website of obsolete pages and links yesterday, as I received an email inquiring about an item on such an orphaned page. I had forgotten that with a Google keyword search, a page still in the Public Directory will be accessible, even if it's no longer part of the site structure. This was kind of embarrassing, as the particular item in question (Seafarers of Catan) has actually undergone an update in style, reference number, and price.

Yikes.

So, this weekend will be devoted to a general wash-and-brush-up of the website. Old pages lopped off mercilessly, new and fresh pages added. Links checked, and alternate text included for images. And tags. Lots of tags.

PLBKAC, I guess. Too much procrastination, too much nice weather out there (Canadian summers are so short! Don't make me work!) I'll try to do better.

I Am Now Officially a Cast-Off

2009-05-01T09:28:00.003-04:00

The nice folks at the Plaster Room down at the hospital sawed the cast off my right arm this morning, and I am as good as new.

Just don't ask me to clench my fist. Or straighten out my fingers. Or rotate my wrist. Ouch.

But that will improve with time, and some physiotherapy. Here's a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Steinitz and the ortho team at the Belleville General.

Now we return you to regularly-scheduled programming.

An Orthopedic Update

2009-04-29T11:47:00.003-04:00

I'm still swathed in plaster from the tips of my fingers to my elbow ... which explains the lack of blog updates (typing is slow and painful.)

On the other hand, the cast is supposed to come off on Friday ... cross your fingers (which is more than I can do) and maybe there will be more to read here by the weekend.

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.

2009-04-09T09:54:00.009-04:00

Picasso, the author of the statement above, was right.

Creativity for Kids® was born in the middle 1970s when Phyllis Brody and Evelyn Greenwald, two Cleveland, Ohio artists and mothers, were disturbed by what they described as "the turkey syndrome" in their children's classroom: the formulaic and assembly-line productions of craft items that passed for art activities.

Phyllis and Evelyn believed -- against all the generally-accepted wisdom to the contrary -- that there was a market for open-ended art activities meant to encourage children's imaginations, to build their skills, and to provide fabulous results. And the result of this belief was Creativity for Kids and its hundreds of kits, all designed in the USA and manufactured in Germany, Brazil, and China. Rigorous testing, both in-house and third-party, ensure that kit components are safe, meeting or exceeding all US safety standards including those for lead, phthalates and magnets.

We've just received a shipment from CFK; my favorite item from this assortment is the Windowsill Garden (CDN$24.99), an adorable little mini-garden sure to give any pint-sized gardener a green-thumb experience. Paint the wee ceramic pots and watering can, then plant the fast-growing wheatgrass seeds and watch 'em sprout!

Prices in this line range from about $10 to about $40, with lots of choice and satisfying results no matter which kit is chosen.

New Thomas Wooden Rail Characters Arrive

2009-04-09T09:33:00.010-04:00

Some new Thomas Wooden Railway engines and vehicles have arrived this week, along with some restock items. New in the store are:

Fearless Freddie
Flora
Hank
Smudger
Isabella
Proteus

Pictured at left is Hank, who is thought of (presumably by the other engines,) as a sort of All American Steam Engine, with the enthusiasm of a cheerleader, the strength of a titan, and the chiselled good looks of a Hollywood Hero. Hank will retail for CDN$27.99, as will Flora. Isabella is $21.99, Proteus is $17.99, while Smudger and Fearless Freddie will sell for $14.99.

Warhammer Painting Tutorial

2009-04-07T12:57:00.003-04:00

Award-winning painter James Craig will be here at 3 p.m. on April 16 for a painting workshop for Warhammer players. Bring an assembled, glued, and base-coated model or two, plus your favorite brushes, and prepare to learn from the master :)

I don't think that I will have my cast off by that time, so I'll merely be a spectator.

Some One-Handed Typing

2009-04-03T09:21:00.003-04:00

I fell out running yesterday and broke my baby finger; we were crossing the railway tracks in order to reach the lakeside park, and the wooden ties of the tracks were covered in frost ... I landed hard on the cinders with all my weight on my finger.

So now I am in a cast for the next few weeks, and blog updates will be minimal (unless I can think of vocabulary that only uses the left side of the keyboard.)

Aargh. Tired already.

On the bright side, apparently I was on the police radio as a "body reported on the tracks." My five minutes of fame, I guess.

A New Train Pulls In

2009-04-01T05:42:00.008-04:00

We've placed an order for Nuchi wooden trains, track, and accessories. The fellow behind the Nuchi line is Peter Reynolds, who was formerly president of the U.S. unit of BRIO AB, the Swedish maker of toy trains and other playthings. Reynold's new company, the Little Little Little Toy Company, is one that has, in a way, risen from the ashes of Brio's North American experience ...

Nuchi track is manufactured of natural beechwood, sanded to a velvety smoothness. The track, accessories, and trains are compatible with those made by BRIO, Thomas the Tank Engine, and others. The track itself is largely sold by the piece (although some specialized pieces are sold in packs of two,) which allows the consumer to choose exactly what is needed -- no more, no less. The price is very good as well; the lack of packaging for the track is both eco-friendly and easy on the wallet, since packaging itself can add amazingly to the cost of a product.

The designs are classic and elegant: this is a toy that will last for generations.

Look for the new items to arrive in April 2009.

Scalliwag Birthday Sale!

2009-03-26T15:10:00.004-04:00

Tomorrow and Saturday, 27 and 28 March, we're running our annual Birthday Sale here at Scalliwag Toys. We've discounted everything in the store a minimum of 20% (some things may be more, of course) as a way of saying "Thank you" to all our customers for hanging out with us all these years.

We won't be having cake (we tried that one year, and no moms wanted their kids to have any, so we ended up sending home a ginormous cake with about four square inches gone from one corner with some teenaged customers at the end of the day) and we won't be having presents (honestly, we don't need anything) but we will be having fun.

Besides, they say it's better to give than to receive, so I guess this is pretty much a win-win.

Happy Birthday to us!

New Playmobil Specials are Here

2009-03-26T14:40:00.005-04:00

The spring crop of Specials has arrived from Playmobil. There are twelve in all scheduled for 2009, with six now and six for September.

The Specials are always fun, as the designers tend to let their imaginations go to whimsy with these figures. In the past, Specials have run the gamut from Sherlock Holmes to Count Dracula, Cleopatra to a Mer-King; and almost always these have been figures unavailable in the regular line of Playmobil sets.

My favourites so far are #4685, the Masai Warrior, and #4683, the Cossack Soldier. Playmobil is offering an African Safari theme in Germany this year (complete with many amazing new sculpts of animals as diverse as ostriches and hyenas, and which we expect to see here in North America next year.) The Masai Warrior would be a wonderful add-on to this African theme.

Here's the whole list of the Spring introductions:

#4681 Woman with Float
#4682 Construction Worker
#4683 Cossack Soldier
#4684 Guard
#4685 Masai Warrior
#4686 Child's First Day at School

The Specials are CDN$3.99 each plus tax.

Life-Size Action Figures

2009-02-03T10:03:00.004-05:00

Move over, Superman. You have some competition in the never-ending battle against crime and injustice, in the form of the real-life super-heroes who populate the pages of the World Superhero Registry.

Has your illegally-parked car had its wheel clamped in London, England? Perhaps you will be lucky enough to enjoy a visit from Angle-Grinder Man, an anti-government vigilante who patrols the city by night looking for cars to set free. Those of us who live in Canada can be on the watch for Polar Man, who shovels the walks and driveways of elderly residents and keeps an eye peeled for vandalism. New York may be a safer place thanks to the Dark Guardian, who patrols its streets fighting for "all that is right and just."

Kooky? Maybe. Effective? Who knows? Fascinating? Without a doubt.

Thank you, Herr Beck

2009-02-03T09:12:00.002-05:00

I suppose that I've spent a fair bit of time here talking about Playmobil, which is understandable because it's both a toy of fabulous quality and of remarkable play value (the two don't always coincide.)

The sad news of the death of Hans Beck, the creator of Playmobil, reached us this morning. Here is a link to an obituary in Deutsche Welle.

The world of toys is a little poorer today. We'll miss you, Herr Beck.

Killing with Kindness, Government-Style

2009-01-23T09:40:00.010-05:00

On 10 February 2009 in the United States, all merchandise sold to -- or deemed to be marketed to -- persons under the age of 12 years will be subject to new and far more stringent regulations regarding lead and phthalate content. As of that date, children's products must contain no more than 600 parts per million (ppm) of lead, and no more than 0.1% of certain specific phthalates. (This 600 ppm allowable limit for lead is, by the way, the same as that currently in force in Canada, although here it is expressed as 600 mg/kg.) The general lead limit will fall to 300 ppm as of 14 August 2009, although as of that date surface paints containing lead must not exceed 90 ppm.

The flaw in the legislation is not the tightening of the limits, however, but rather in the testing and labeling requirements that have been imposed. There appears to be no consensus or clear legal direction on how to deal with the substantial amount of inventory already in supplier warehouses and on store shelves -- all of which may be considered "unproveable" and therefore illegal for U.S. retailers to sell after 10 February. In other words, it's not that the products have not been tested and found safe -- they have -- but that prior to a certain date, the products need not have been labeled as such, and so they weren't. And so, unlabeled, they may now be considered "toxic" by the U.S. government.

We have been paying serious attention to the situation confronting our American fellow toy retailers, and the manufacturers who supply them -- and who supply us as well. Not one of us wants to stock or sell a product that is inherently harmful, but this legislation as it stands right now would seem to jeopardize the viability of many small manufacturers and retailers. Here's a link to one manufacturer's story; the irony here is that he started this company in order to manufacture toys free of "questionable substances," toys that are made of natural materials, in small quantities, in North America. Ironic, indeed.

Chicken Socks for the Little Artist

2009-01-19T09:46:00.003-05:00

Chicken Socks is the line-up of art and craft books from Klutz Press, developed after exhaustive hands-on research and consultation with early-childhood experts. Of course, the fact that the research was conducted on the floor and the experts are under three feet tall only reinforces the legitimacy of their findings:

nothing beats the "look what I made" feeling of a craft project
games and puzzles are like gym equipment for your brain
the most influential gallery of contemporary art is your refrigerator door
every day can be improved with a little make-believe

Here are a couple of our favourite items from Chicken Socks, starting with Twinkly Tiaras.

Not surprisingly, this book is all about making tiaras, the perfect goes-with-everything accessory. It comes packaged with three ready-to-design tiaras and a stencil for making countless more (save those cereal boxes -- an excellent free source of cardboard,) along with sparkly doodads for decorating them (21 jewels, 100 sequins in various shapes and sizes, 16 pompoms, 36 gel stickers, stencils and a glue stick.) It will give any little girl that happily-ever-after feeling.

$13.99 CAD Ages 4 and up.

For those traveling with preschoolers over the upcoming March Break, we highly recommend Draw It Again (and again, and again, and again). It's a pretty simple idea: a reusable drawing book! A book with 20 laminated pages, four erasable markers, an eraser, and infinite possibilities. Each page contains a simple photographed image, eager to be transformed into a work of art. Fortunately, once the kids start drawing, they won't have to stop.

The perfect item to tuck into the back seat of the van or the in-flight bag for a trip with a squirrelly four or five-year-old.

$12.99 CAD Ages 4 and up.

Website Update

2009-01-17T10:54:00.009-05:00

I'll be renovating our website over the next few weeks, for both aesthetic and business reasons. Our initial website was amateurish in the extreme (it reflected both the limitations of my HTML editor and of my design skills) but it got the job done, I guess. The process of building it, however, was painfully slow for someone whose responsibilities are not confined to web design (that would be me) and so it was not updated nearly as often as it should have been.

This problem was compounded by my Scrooge-like nature: I hate to pay for anything that I can possibly do myself. The flip-side of this characteristic is a "can-do" attitude, of course -- but, like so many fixer-upper projects, the website turned from a creative exercise into a dead weight that I could neither cope with nor (in keeping with that thriftiness) farm out to a third party to take care of.

So in 2008 I admitted defeat and started the search for a better, newer, HTML editor. To my surprise, I found that editors have evolved over the past few years into true website-building software, in which the site builder gives up some creative control (no more raw HTML for me) in return for stunning simplicity and ease-of-use. The software I finally decided upon is called Sandvox, from a company called Karelia. I couldn't be happier.

So check out the new site. There is still a lot of work to do (correcting mismatched fonts, proofreading, and so on) and I'll be putting up new pages weekly, but it will get better. I promise.

A Winter's Tale

2009-01-15T10:33:00.007-05:00

We're in the middle of a deep-freeze here in Ontario -- the average temperature here is hovering in the -20C range (that's about -4F for those of you not comfortable with the Celcius scale.) It's cold. Very cold.

And it's dark ... the middle of a Canadian winter can take a toll on people, as they get up in the dark, and go to work or school in the dark, and come home in the dark. In the dark and the cold. Did I mention how it's freezing here?

But there is one little ray of sunshine in all this. It's at this time of year that we receive our 2009 catalogues from suppliers, showing us all the fabulous new toys and games on offer for the coming year. One or two catalogues generally arrive in each day's mail (along with a load of bills, of course -- some things never change) and we tear them open with little squeaks of delight, oooohing and aaahhhhing over each shiny new item.

Of course, the new price lists are also included in these catalogues, and sometimes those are not as exciting ... sometimes those show price increases, for example (sometimes there are price decreases, too -- but that is a rarity. We're pretty happy if things just stay the same.)

We'll be sharing our favourite new items with you as we discover them, this month and next. Most we won't see until Toy Fair, the toy industry's annual trade show that is coming up at the end of the month (we have to bring along a small wheeled carry-on bag to bring home all the catalogues we pick up at Toy Fair -- it takes us weeks to get through them afterwards.)

Tomorrow: some new kits launching from one of our favourite craft suppliers, those zany people at Klutz Press.

Sometimes I Feel Like ... Somebody's Watching Me

2008-12-10T09:20:00.008-05:00

Whether it starts just after Halloween, just after American Thanksgiving -- or indeed just after back-to-school -- the season leading up to Christmas is one long tease for small children. They face a barrage of toy-related advertising, not-so-veiled hints about the imminent arrival of Santa, and they undoubtedly are aware of the stresses inherent in a bustling household during the jam-packed holiday season. It's no wonder that children's behaviour often takes a turn for the worse at this time of year.

One mother-daughter team has come up with a charming solution to this problem. Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chandra Bell have written a picture book (illustrations are by Coë Steinwart) that introduces the idea of the "scout elf", who comes from Santa's workshop to live at your house until Christmas morning. His mission? To keep Santa informed as to whether the children have been naughty or nice, and in turn to serve as a conduit for wish lists, letters to Santa, and as a tangible semi-secular link to the magic of the season.

The book is packaged with a cute retro elf, chosen because Aebersold -- whose family tradition this arose from -- had one from her own childhood. He returns to the North Pole each night, and each morning is found in a different spot in the household (proof of his journey.) Aebersold suggests, through the story, that the elf should be named by the children, and that, in order to preserve his mystique, he not be touched or played with.

Children love this story, and feel great pride in having their personal elf guardian. Parents love the idea of positive behaviour modification, without the need for overt bribery. It's a win-win.

Elf on the Shelf. CDN$39.99 In stock now.

A Glimpse of the Future

2008-11-28T13:02:00.007-05:00

Tom Armitage, a writer and programmer living in the U.K., has written a very thought-provoking piece called "If Gamers Ran the World" which you can find here. It's well worth reading, not least because (in less time than seems possible) gamers will be running the world.

On second thought, maybe that's already begun ... think of Google and MicroSoft and Apple and Yahoo ... if they don't run the world -- in a sense -- then I don't know who does.

Thank goodness, on my time off I can always retreat into Spore and pretend that I'm in control.

And After Christmas ... It's Vacation Time!

2008-11-28T09:50:00.007-05:00

We've been at this a long time -- since 1985, in fact -- and in that time we've taken exactly one holiday. And as we all know, that's not healthy: not for us as people, not for us as business people, and not for us as spouses.

So we decided last year to make sure that we took a holiday every year, by hook or by crook (last year's was the first holiday Richard and I have taken since ... aaaahhhh ... 1982. Yikes.)

This year's holiday was planned before the exuberance of last year's had worn off, which is maybe a good thing, because if we'd left it till September and the market meltdown, we surely wouldn't have gone ahead with it.

So we'll be away from work from New Year's till Monday 12 January. The store will be open, but the hours may be erratic -- our staffers (as excellent as they are in many ways) are busy people who are making room in their schedules for this as a favour to us. So please be kind to them (we'd like them to come back to work for us again!)

And we are thankful for them, and for the generosity of spirit shown by our customers. May the spirit of the holidays make your time with family and friends the very best time of your year!

Christmas Hours at Scalliwag Toys

2008-11-28T09:08:00.006-05:00

Starting Sunday, 30 November 2008:

Saturday -- 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Sunday -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday -- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday -- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday -- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thursday -- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday -- 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Christmas Eve: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

So, the gist of it is that we're open every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 9 in the morning till 8 at night from now till 23 December. And we're open Sundays from now till 21 December (which is also the first day of winter, of course.)

We will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, open on 27 December from 9 to 5:30, then closed again as usual on 28 December (a Sunday.)

Then (this is complicated, isn't it?) we'll be open 29, 30, and 31 December from 9 to 5:30 -- the usual hours -- then closed New Year's Day.

Sorry if it seems complicated ... even after 23 years I haven't figured out a way to make it clearer (maybe it's just brain fog.) You can refer to the Google Calendar on the right hand side of the page for daily hours.

Meet the Webwilds

2008-11-26T17:39:00.008-05:00

We just received the Webwilds™ Baby Orangutan puppet from Folkmanis, and it has to be the cutest thing I've seen in a month of Sundays.

Teaming with the non-profit children’s internet site GLOBIO.org, WebWilds.com is a unique online environment where kids can keep their hands on a Folkmanis puppet while their minds are learning about their animal and others when logged onto the site. WebWilds are the only puppets with their own truly educational online virtual habitats created around real-world environments.

Also currently available in the store are the Lion and Koala Webwilds puppets (we're still waiting for the Rockhopper penguin, the Elephant, and the Koala).

Cute child not included.

Less is More When You Buy the Right Toys

2008-11-14T12:04:00.011-05:00

Sometimes, less is more.

Well-chosen, sturdy, impeccably-crafted toys and games -- such as Blokus Trigon, pictured at left -- often (almost always) repay their purchase price many times over. A toy that fits these criteria is one that children tend to return to, time and again, because it lends itself to a growth of experience and understanding.

Cheap junk can be had almost anywhere. As a consumer, you don't have to look hard to find sloppy, uninformed, and uninterested service from sales staff -- that's everywhere too. Independent toy stores sell good toys. We want to. We have to. It's why we exist. Here's a quote from the Hartford Courant:

"... For discount marketers like Wal-Mart, Target and Kmart, "toys are typically used as loss leaders to get people into the store."

"They can afford to sell toys at cost as a means of driving people into the stores to buy other stuff," (Richard Gottlieb, an industry expert) said.

But while you're shopping for toys, don't forget to visit local independent toy stores, said Kathleen McHugh, president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association.

"It's untrue that because they're independent toy stores they're expensive. They have plenty of toys and games under $20," McHugh said. "You can buy a lot of inexpensive toys and put them under the tree and in an hour the kids won't pick them up again.

"Focus on the best you can buy for the money, toys that are going to give your children hours and hours of play value.

"It's not about flashy boxes or razzmatazz, it's about the value that toys have for children. A few really good, well-chosen toys provide hours and hours of play value for children." "

And that's advice that you can take to the bank.

No Batteries Required -- The Discover Rig

2008-11-12T14:57:00.004-05:00

Tired of buying batteries for your children's toys? Did you know that an estimated 200 000 tons of disposable batteries are discarded each year in North America alone -- enough batteries to reach to the Moon, and back again?

How about a toy that works off the inexhaustible energy of children? The Discover Rig from Sprig Toys does just that: harnesses the natural kinetic energy of push- and pump-action play to generate lights and sounds – all without batteries. Interchangeable Adventure Guide characters plug into rugged yet appealing vehicles, engaging children in audio tales of exploration. Each character has a story to tell!

Designed for the active preschool child, the vehicle and character bodies are molded using Sprigwood™ – a durable, child-safe, bio-composite material made from recycled wood and reclaimed plastic -- milk jugs, bottles, and containers. The Sprigwood™ is dyed using safe pigments during the manufacturing process (and did I mention that it is made in Canada?!?) so that there is no need for paint and no odour (other than a slight smell of wood.)

Buckle your seatbelts and hang on to your hard hats, everybody. It’s going to be a fun ride!

Ages 2+ $64.99

Black Reach Painting Contest Results

2008-10-06T06:20:00.026-04:00

We held a painting competition on Saturday 4 October, in honour of the September release of Games Workshop's new Warhammer 40 000 starter set, Assault on Black Reach. The entrants each painted one model of their choice -- which could be modified if they so desired -- from the set. The competition was judged by James Craig, a Golden Demon-winning master painter.

This was a smaller competition than normal: there are at least 13 armies available for Warhammer 40 000 and a similar number for Fantasy (some armies have been discontinued, spun off into armies in their own right, or folded into others over the years) but only models from the Space Orks and Space Marines -- the two armies featured in the starter box -- were eligible for the contest.

The winner was painted by Matt Dey, an area college student with a long experience of miniature painting. His entry, the Ork Warboss (left), shows a masterly grasp of shading and highlighting (note the definition on the muscles, the facial features, and the creases in the trousers -- and remember that the character is just a few centimetres in height!)

Matt also mentioned that he made use of Games Workshop's range of Foundation paints in coating his model. This is a sub-set of the regular paint line, designed to provide superlative, one-coat coverage of the recommended spray-bomb basecoat, and which allows the painter to concentrate his subsequent efforts on painting for detailed effect. Matt mentioned that the bright colours in the regular range particularly "popped" when painted over a Foundation colour (note the vivid yellow). This colour saturation was a point particularly noted by James Craig in his analysis.

Matt took home a selection of Games Workshop product for his win.

The calibre of the entrants' model painting was very high, the result of many hours' work. (Unfortunately, the photographs were taken in relatively low light, with a camera whose batteries were on their last few specks of charge, and without benefit of a tripod, so that the crispness leaves much to be desired. The actual models looked much better, and are shown here in no particular order.)

Congratulations and thanks to all participants -- in alphabetical order --

Liam Arendt
Robert Bailey
Nathan Cerone
Matthew Dey
Alex Hope
Alex Steenburg

Thanks also to our judge, James Craig.

The New Playmobil Specials are Here and It's Time For Me to Get Back to Work

2008-09-18T10:17:00.004-04:00

I've been watching the financial markets melt down over the past few days with a sort of morbid fascination, and in consequence I've kind of neglected my paperwork, including updating the blog.

So, here we go.

Just in this morning are the Playmobil Fall 2008 Specials, six new items value-priced at CDN$3.49. They are as follows:

#4675 Fireman
#4676 Fairy
#4677 Barbarian Chief
#4678 Musketeer
#4679 Santa Claus
#4680 Child with Snowman

These make great stocking-stuffers, or birthday party loot bag gifts, or just little surprises for kids. And they are highly collectible, too -- many of the figures in the Specials series cannot be found anywhere else in the Playmobil line, and each is available for a limited time before it is retired (although that time may vary, and there is no guarantee that the value of any one special may rise.)

But still, a pretty good investment.

This Little Old House

2008-09-11T20:46:00.008-04:00

I built a house yesterday. It took just over an hour and a half from start to finish, and that included finding the tools.

A customer purchased the Melissa and Doug Victorian Dollhouse from us on Tuesday afternoon, and asked whether we could assemble it before she picked it up on Thursday morning. I scored the assignment because I am the biggest Ikea fan in the store. I'm the one who loves nothing better than to sit down on the living room floor with an Allen key and a bunch of anonymous pieces of wood and turn the whole thing into a futon or a kitchen cart.

I don't mind telling you, though, that I was a little bit daunted when I opened up the box. There were a lot of smaller boxes inside the outer carton. The picture on the carton shows the whole thing assembled, after all -- they don't want to scare you by showing you just how much stuff there is inside.

But the instruction manual was very well done: the pieces (once I had emptied all those smaller boxes) were easily identified.

You build a doll's house just like a life-size one -- from the ground up -- except that in this case the whole thing just screws together. I was impressed by the fact that a) all the various holes that were supposed to correspond did, in fact, do so; and that b) there were more than enough of the screws provided, so that if you were unfortunate enough to drop one or two onto the floor, where they might bounce away never to be seen again, it wouldn't matter too much. Purely hypothetically, of course.

And before I knew it, the walls were up, and the floors were in, and so were the staircases. The interior and exterior designs, or decor, are wall-to-wall stickers, which actually look quite nice. The floors are glossy representations of tile, or hardwood, while the walls are "papered" as befits the various rooms. This house is a standard one inch to a foot scale, so that it's easy to find dollhouse furniture that will fit into it (although it won't accomodate Barbie or any of her fashion-doll friends, who are too tall to fit and who thus require a dollhouse that is quite monstrously large.)

I would certainly give this dollhouse the parental thumbs-up: it feels substantial, it looks good, and it is functional. It will give any child lots of room for imaginative play for many years to come.

That's a good toy.

The Circus is in Town!

2008-08-28T12:50:00.014-04:00

Our modern circus, with its familiar acrobats, clowns, and animal acts, dates approximately from the end of the 18th century. The word "circus" comes from the Latin, meaning quite literally "loop", and referred to the shape of the ring in which the performers worked. Rome's Circus Maximus, built by the Etruscans and later enlarged by Julius Caesar, is perhaps the best-known of these ancient entertainment venues.

It's been more than fifteen years since Playmobil last had a Circus theme, but it's back -- and better than ever! The first, and largest, item is #4230, the Circus Tent. With adjustable tent opening, room for 30 "spectators", and LED lighting, this is one big top. Completing the set are high-wire acrobats, a Ringmaster (in the obligatory top hat!), a ticket-seller, and some customers.
#4230 Circus Tent CDN$99.99

Next in the line-up is #4231, the Circus Band. You can hear one of their musical pieces in the video above; four buttons on the front of the stage allow children control of these sound effects (musical theme one and two, drum roll, and applause). I like the chimp -- do you suppose he's the band's vocalist?
#4231 Circus Band CDN$15.99

What circus would be complete with lions and a lion-tamer? (Do you suppose that he used to be a chartered accountant, by any chance?) #4232, Cage with Trailer, includes the Lion Tamer as well as lions, their accommodation, and various lion-care odds and ends. The set may be combined with #4233, Animal Trainer (which comes with "access tunnel and predators". Yikes.) Siegfried and Roy, anyone?

#4232 Cage with Trailer CDN$45.99
#4233 Animal Trainer CDN$27.99

You can round out your circus with a number of other options, including #4234, Horse Dressage (CDN$31.99), #4235, Baby Elephant (CDN$15.99), #4236, Acrobats and Tightrope Artists (CDN$24.99, look out Cirque du Soleil!), #4237, Dog Show (CDN$13.99), and finally #4238, Clown with Flower (CDN$4.99 -- and the flower squirts water! How cool is that?!)

"La-deeeeeez and Gentlemen! In the centre ring ... "

Lego Goes to the Olympics!

2008-08-13T11:49:00.006-04:00

Well, kind of. This re-creation of the Bird's Nest stadium at the Beijing Olympics was made by the Hong Kong Lego Users' Group. You can see more photos here.

And people say that kids have no patience these days! Well, I beg to differ (even though these kids may ... ah ... in fact be adults. Who knows?)

It's still fantastic.

It May Be 32C Outside, But the Playmobil Advent Calendars Have Arrived

2008-08-06T10:30:00.008-04:00

Advent is the Christian liturgical season that celebrates the coming birth of Jesus Christ, on 25 December, or Christmas. The modern Advent calendar, which simply counts up from 1 December to 24 December, or Christmas Eve, has its roots in German Lutheranism of the 19th century. The Advent calendar (like its fellow German tradition adopted by Christians world-wide, the Christmas tree) has become a popular symbol of the holidays.

Playmobil has for some time now offered a variety of Advent calendars each year. These calendars are the sort that contain 24 little numbered boxes and a cardboard hanger upon which to mount them; the parent inserts a piece of Playmobil into each box prior to 1 December, and the child then opens one per day until Christmas Eve, adding each piece to the growing diorama at the base of the calendar.

We've just received a shipment of three different Playmobil Advent calendars -- two versions from last year, and one new one. Shown at left, #4156 is "Advent Calendar Pirates," which has no overt religious images. This joins #4153, "Advent Calendar Knight's Duel," and #4154, "Advent Calendar Unicorn Paradise," which were available last year, and which are similarly non-religious.

Also on the way for this year (but not yet arrived) is #4155, "Christmas in the Forest" (see below left.) This set will contain a nice assortment of forest creatures and a Santa Claus figure of the sort familiar to North Americans, conventionalized by the poetry of Clement Moore and the advertising of Coca-Cola (see the example at right.) "Christmas in the Forest" is expected to arrive some time in October.

Each of the Advent Calendars will sell for CDN$17.99, a fabulous price for a largish set.

Marvel Heroclix Secret Invasion

2008-07-29T13:11:00.007-04:00

The Skrulls are invading Earth, following a multi-front strategy that has taken them not only to the streets but also to the Negative Zone, the mystic lands of Otherworld, and even the realms of the gods in an unrelenting attack that seems unstoppable. It’s even brought them to HeroClix, in the Secret Invasion expansion released on July 23. Marvel™ Heroclix: Secret Invasion heralds a new era in Heroclix, with 60 all-new figures that match current comic storylines more closely than ever before.

Each Secret Invasion Booster Pack contains a combination of five randomly inserted characters (click here for the full list). (This fellow to the right is Mephisto, one of the Ultra-Rares in the series.) Be sure to check our Events Calendar (in the sidebar to the right) to see when the Heroclix games and tournaments are held.

Playmobil Pirates Attack!

2008-07-24T09:12:00.010-04:00

For as long as there has been sea-going commerce, there has been piracy. Anyone who has ever sailed on the ocean knows how very empty the horizon can appear, and how vast an expanse of water lies between a ship and the safety of port. That solitude, in conjunction with the relative slowness of commercial shipping and the lawlessness of the open ocean, produced perfect conditions for the rise of piracy.

The so-called "Golden Age" of piracy spanned the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and coincided with the development of speedier, more manoeuvrable ships and the emergence of European colonialism. Colonies in the New World, Africa, and the Far East were producing valuable goods that were then shipped by sea to the European nations; these relatively slow, heavily-laden and often minimally-defended merchantmen were far too tempting a target for pirates to ignore.

The new Playmobil Pirates were due to arrive in August 2008, but true to their piratical ways, have arrived early and without warning! First in the line-up is the completely rebuilt Pirate Ship, #4290. She is ready to fool any unsuspecting merchant ship into allowing her to come within striking distance, for her long guns cleverly swivel out of sight, her figurehead of a grinning skull can be instantly changed for an unassuming carved scroll, and her Jolly Roger flag lies hidden within a tube atop the mainmast. She carries a crew of four scurvy buccaneers, two monkeys, a parrot, and all the equipment and loot that a successful pirate needs. CDN$99.99

Every sailer faces the risk of shipwreck, and those raft-building skills definitely came in handy for the two pirates in #4291, Pirates and Octopus. Not only do they face the danger of the open water, however, but also the giant (and angry) octopus who attacks their flimsy craft. Both raft and octopus float, and the pirates have a full complement of weaponry (pistols, muskets, cutlasses, and sword) plus a grog-bottle and an empty sea-chest to lash to the raft. CDN$20.99

After a hard day's work looting, nothing spells relaxation like counting those pieces of eight. Set #4292, Pirates with Barrels, provides four more pirates for the crew (including a tanned lady pirate in a fetching lace-up bustier and breeches) and all their swag -- gold bricks, coins, and precious gems. CDN$17.99

What is an escapade without a mastermind? #4293 provides the Pirate Captain, a full-fledged ruffian in a dashing scarlet coat with gold epaulettes and braided trim. He is hard at work planning the next attack, with his map, sextant, and compass. CDN$5.49

The obligatory good guys are provided by #4294, Soldier Fortress with Lighthouse -- three vaguely conquistador-like soldiers in a stone lighthouse tower (beacon requires two AAA batteries, not included.) They don't look as though they'd be any match for the pirates, quite frankly ... especially since they don't have a ship of their own. (Maybe the pirate ship in its "good" incarnation would work for them?) CDN$51.99

Last of all is #4295, Treasure Transporter with Rowboat. These two soldiers appear to be out rowing around with a large chest full of coins and two small kegs of ... something (drinking water, perhaps?) Talk about inviting trouble! CDN$12.99

One final note: September 19 is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Mark it on your calendar now, matey -- you know what to do. Arrrrgggghhhh!

We're Back!

2008-07-16T18:19:00.003-04:00

I've been somewhat distracted over the past few weeks, as my father was first diagnosed with some heart trouble and then underwent emergency treatment -- as it turned out, a two-week hospital stay followed by a trip to a larger teaching hospital an hour away for an angiogram and successful angioplasty with two stents.

We've had a houseful of family here to support my mother during this anxious time, and I just haven't had the energy to do more than the absolute minimum (you should see the laundry room -- yikes.)

But now we are mostly back to normal, or getting there, anyway, and I'll be back to posting on a regular basis.

I really need some play time, so tomorrow I'll be talking about more games.

Happy Canada Day!

2008-06-30T13:29:00.005-04:00

Yes, well, I know it's actually tomorrow, but I plan to be pulling weeds on the patio, not blogging. It's still work, if you see what I mean, but it's not work work.

And I'll also try to get in a game of Settlers (an excuse to sit under the ceiling fan during the hottest part of the day,) and wish that I had had the foresight to order in Keltis, the 2008 Spiel des Jahres winner (designed by Reiner Knizia.) Here's what Boardgamegeek.com has to say about Keltis:

Keltis is a multi-player game that has some similarities to Knizia's "Lost Cities".

Players play cards to move their playing pieces along stone paths. There are cards with 5 different colors/symbols, each corresponding to one path; in addition, each card shows a number (0-10, twice each). In each color, each player can play his cards either ascending or descending. Like Lost Cities, it's better to concentrate on a few paths, since the last spaces grants high points, but ending early gives negative ones.

The player in turn plays one card (out of a hand of 8), or discards one. He moves the corresponding playing piece on the path. Many of the spaces have a token that grants some bonus; either direct points (counted the scoring track), an extra move on a path, or wish stones that are needed at game end to avoid negative points.

The game ends when a total of 5 playing pieces have reached the 7th space (or more) on their paths. Now, scoring happens:

Pieces which only moved 1-3 steps give negative points (-4, -3, -2).
Pieces with 4+ steps grant points (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 10).
One piece of each player is higher and scores double.
Less than two wish stones grant negative points (-3 / -4)
5+ wish stones yield a bonus of 10 points.
All this is added to the points scored during the game

______________

Looks good, doesn't it? We'll be getting some ASAP.

Tub Tunes

2008-06-12T13:22:00.006-04:00

Alex Toys manufactures some of the most interesting bath toys I have ever seen, and my favourite amongst these has to be the Water Flutes.

This little toy consists of five colour-coded plastic flutes held together with a dense foam dohickey. Each flute is designed to be filled with water; the height of the column of water inside the flute dictates the note that the flute will make. The clear plastic columns are calibrated, showing precisely how much water to add in order to achieve any note within one full octave (C to C). The mouthpiece of each flute is a different colour, corresponding to two notes outlined in the same colour on the body of the flute: fill each column to the upper notes for one key, and to the lower notes for another.

There are simple (and waterproof) song sheets included, but what I like best is the experimental nature of the toy. This is pure science -- does the pitch go down or up if I add more water? -- married to bathtub fun and to the delight of making music. And remember, music sounds great in the bathroom.

Go ahead and sing along, Dad.

Left Center Right Game

2008-06-09T14:57:00.010-04:00

LCR has to be one of the simplest and best group games ever made. The letters "LCR" stand for "Left, Centre, Right," and refer to the letters on the three dice with which the game is played -- three of each die's six faces contain a single pip, while the other three sport an L, a C, or an R respectively.

Players start with three chips each, and on their turn roll the three dice simultaneously. For each L rolled, pass one chip to the player at your left; for each R, pass one chip to the player on your right. For each C, one chip goes into the centre, to the pot. The pips are null, and do not affect the chips' movement.

And that's it. The chips move around the table, gradually accumulating in the pot, and the last player to have a chip wins the pot. It couldn't be simpler.

The secret to this game's broader appeal, of course, is that hardly anyone actually uses the chips ... here in Canada, it is most often played with quarters substituted for the chips, but I have had customers tell me that they have played games with $1 or $2 coins instead. That pot in the centre grows quickly!

So, although this is a game that relies entirely on the random fall of the dice, it is a great deal of fun to play -- especially for larger groups of six or more, who differ in ages and gaming skill levels. Games are brisk and reasonably brief, at an average of ten minutes or so. A great game for family reunions!

LCR CDN$8.99

Thinking About New Hours at Scalliwag Toys

2008-06-09T10:00:00.001-04:00

For the past year or so, we've been asking customers whether they prefer to have us open earlier in the morning, or later in the evening (since we can't do both, as a rule. Hey, we're only human!)

The consensus seems to be that customers like the idea of being able to shop a little later in the evening -- on the way home from work or school, say -- rather than at the crack of dawn.

We are considering opening at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and closing at 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as well as Saturday. We would still be open till 8:00 p.m. on Friday evenings. And I think that we'll still be closed on Sunday, except for Christmas hours.

We'll see how people feel about this, and re-evaluate if necessary sometime during the summer months.

Catan Card Game™

2008-06-09T05:53:00.013-04:00

I make no secret of the fact that I consider The Settlers of Catan® (Mayfair Games) to be the best board game ever designed (see my original review here.) To win requires an elusive combination of skill and luck, and the game has an uncanny ability to turn even the mildest group of geeks into trash-talking would-be robber barons. The one complaint that I do hear from people is that sometimes, due to that intrusive thing called "real life," they have trouble gathering enough people -- even the minimum of three -- for an session of Catan gaming.

Catan Card Game™ was designed by Klaus Teuber -- the genius behind the Catan games -- to remedy just this situation. It cleverly shifts the mechanics of the original game so that two players -- and it is designed for only two -- have just as absorbing an experience, with just as many agonizing decisions and twists of strategy and luck.

Each player starts with nine cards representing his or her principality: two villages, one road segment (that doubles as an event-die cheat sheet,) and six resource tiles. Just as in the original Settlers, each resource tile is marked with a number corresponding to one face of the die; the difference is that the numbers are not randomly allocated but rather are fixed. Each player thus starts with one each of six resource tiles, each of which is marked with a number from one to six. Unlike original Settlers, which uses two D6 dice and thus has a predictable hierarchy of probable dice combinations, this permanent allocation recognizes that in using only one numerical die, no one number is more likely to come up than any other. As additional settlements are built, more resource tiles are added (usually chosen at random) so that a player's chances of gathering resources on any given roll increase as he builds his principality.

Players struggle to reach 12 points, first by building settlements and cities, and then by expanding those through trade fleets, city expansions, and judicious use of knights and other protective units. Players can visit disaster upon each other -- and frequently upon themselves, too -- by means of the Event Cards, which are triggered by rolling a question mark upon the Event Die (the other three possibilities on this die are Tournament, which awards a free resource to the player who controls the Knight; Trade Advantage, which allows the player controlling the Windmill to steal a resource from his opponent; and Year of Plenty, which awards a bonus resource to each player.)

Play time is 1-2 hours. Total space needed for play is about the area of a standard card table, so it's not a great choice for whiling away hours of air travel, but would be fine in a hotel room. Recommended for ages 10+. The learning curve is not steep (although as always it's far easier to learn if the other player is experienced) but it will withstand many playings, as there are lots of nuances and strategies to try.

MFG0485 CDN$22.99

Website Redesign

2008-06-07T10:05:00.005-04:00

I've been working on the store website, in case you're wondering why there hasn't been a post here on the blog in ... ah ... some time.

The website is currently pretty lame, I know. I'm not going to make excuses for it (I'm no HTML geek; my editor is really, really old; it's been so long since I worked on the site that I've forgotten everything I knew including how to operate the UNIX-based upload protocols on the host site.)

The whole project is kind of mind-boggling. There's the content, which is only half the problem -- what needs to be added? Deleted? Rewritten? -- and then there's the design element and all the nuts-and-bolts associated with that -- page hierarchy, links, templates, and so on. It's like trying to turn an empty lot into a formal garden -- it takes time, and effort, and lots of planning. (Add to all this the fact that I tend to have a lot of projects on the go at any one time, and that I possess the powers of concentration of your average two-year-old.)

So here's what I've done up till now. I've downloaded a demo version of RapidWeaver, a Mac WYSIWYG HTML editor from RealMac Software, and I've been immersing myself in it (and in the manual -- thank God for the bigger screen on my new iMac, so that I can have two pages open at once, side by side.) I'm fairly sure that it's going to be the one to replace my last editor; the late, lamented (at least by me) PageMill from Adobe. RapidWeaver certainly does everything that I'm likely to need -- and much more, most of which I haven't a clue how to use.

I've also been doing a lot of research on webpage design. As one great philosopher said, "With great power comes great responsibility." (Okay, it was Spider-Man, in the 2002 movie of the same name, according to imdb.com. But the responsibility part is still true.) There are so many ways to make web pages more powerful, more intricate, and more interesting, with CSS and Javascript and all kinds of bells and whistles -- and so many of them have the potential to turn a site into a ghastly mess. A lot of my research time has been spent at Web Pages That Suck, in the hopes that I can avoid some of the more hideous mistakes.

Anyway, bear with me. Next time, I'll be reviewing the Settlers of Catan Card Game from Mayfair Games.

Who Wants Ice Cream?!

2008-05-22T05:41:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was National Strawberries and Cream Day for our American friends (disclosure: I am a dual U.S./Canadian citizen, so I got to celebrate too) -- a welcome holiday, don't you think? Here in Canada, of course, the strawberries won't be ready for about another month (maybe more, if it stays as chilly as it has done) but I suppose in the balmier South they are ready to pick.

I know, I know -- nowadays we can find fresh strawberries in the local supermarket anywhere, at any time, so why celebrate? Yes, well, those January strawberries taste like ... well, "cardboard" is an over-used comparison, even if it's true. Of course, we can still freeze berries to eat year round, or make them into jams or jellies, or we can distill their very essence to make into ...

Astronaut Ice Cream!

Well, to be truthful, the strawberries form only a part of one flavour -- the stripey Neapolitan -- but you get the idea.

Freeze-dried ice cream (which is what Astronaut Ice Cream is) was developed for the Apollo space missions by Whirlpool Corporation. What does it taste like, you ask? Surprisingly good -- it kind of melts in the mouth.

And, for those whose tastes run to the Jurassic, there is Fossilized Dino Slime (freeze-dried mint chocolate chip ice cream.) Mmmmmm.

132003 Fossilized Dino Slime CDN$3.99
130001 Astronaut Ice Cream CDN$3.99

The Worst Toys of All Time

2008-05-21T13:52:00.003-04:00

Toy safety is always top of mind for us as toy retailers, but considering that my family owned at least three of the toys mentioned in Very Bad Toys, I guess I'm lucky to have reached adulthood at all.

Check out #4 especially: the Gilbert U-238 Atomic Energy Lab (no, I'm not kidding.) We didn't own that one, no ... but wouldn't it have been great for playing games of make-believe Pierre and Marie Curie?

The Game of Takes and Double-Takes

2008-05-19T14:13:00.007-04:00

One game that has caught our eye at the store recently is Ruckus™. This card game from Funstreet Inc. has won itself a devoted following amongst families, as it can be played (and won!) by children as young as five or six years of age.

The name is appropriate, as the play is fast and furious. A hand of seven cards is dealt to each player, and any sets of two or more matching cards in one's hand must be laid down on the table in front of the player concerned. This is just where the fun begins, however, since in the next phase of play anyone who owns a single card of the same type may now "steal" the set by claiming it with his or her single card. More cards are dealt out, and the set-building and set-stealing begin anew. The first player to end up with one card in his hand signals the end of play, at which point the points are counted and the winner determined.

Speed and skill both play a part, but speed at recognizing sets trumps skill. And there are no turns in the game -- everyone plays simultaneously -- which makes for a boisterous good time.

Ages 5 years and up, 2-4 players, CDN$11.99

A Great Flame Follows a Little Spark

2008-05-18T21:07:00.006-04:00

Socialspark is a new blogger community and marketplace from Izea. Like PayPerPost (another Izea creation), it helps bloggers link with one another and with companies in the outside world; through its system of blogger-to-blogger feedback, it helps us become better and more targeted writers (all too often, bloggers exist in a sort of vacuum, never really knowing what readers think -- or whether there are any readers at all.)

Socialspark has a three-part interaction system. First, there are sponsored post opportunities, in which the writer reviews a particular item in return for payment (in the screenshot at left, you can see that the featured opportunity is from Dockers.) The second form is a blog sponsorship, in which an advertiser will place an ad on a blog for a specified period and pay the blogger for the privilege. The third form of interaction lies in the community-building aspect of blog-to-blog linking and feedback.

It's important to note that Socialspark has a comprehensive code of ethics: sponsored blogs and posts must disclose that they are just that, with in-post disclosure that can be fully audited; with complete transparency; and with 100% real opinions being expressed on the part of the bloggers. No one is forced to take an opportunity he does not want, and no one is forced to say anything he does not believe.

There is a further requirement that a blogger may insert at most one sponsored post after each non-sponsored post. This helps to prevent advertisers falling victim to what one might call "faux blogs," which are really nothing more than electronic billboards filled with badly-written mentions of this product or that -- such a venue is not likely to achieve the advertisers' goal of getting their product noticed in this most viral of media.

Of course, the rating system for blogs can be (and probably is) gamed by many, but still in all Socialspark provides a relatively low-cost avenue for companies to market their products, and for bloggers to defray at least some of the costs associated with their pet publishing efforts.

An Ounce of Prevention

2008-05-17T05:22:00.007-04:00

Tomorrow, Sunday 18 May, is Visit Your Relatives Day (I'm not making this up, honest). I did a little research, and found lots of sites offering free e-cards that presumably you send electronically to all the relatives whom you are not going to visit anyway -- but no hint of where or when this so-called "holiday" started.

Be that as it may. Visiting your relatives is a good idea, because social contact keeps people ... ah ... normal. Mothers who do not get a visit every now and again from their ungrateful adult children, who have no idea how much we sacrificed, and they never, never call, and -- oh, sorry. Well, mothers like me -- I mean, like that -- stand a good chance of eventually turning into Crazy Cat Ladies. On the other hand, if you do have a mother like that, now you can get an action figure that you can sit on top of your computer monitor that will remind you of her.

The wild-eyed Crazy Cat Lady action figure is 5 1/4 inches (13.3 cm) tall, and is dressed in what appears to be a fetching bathrobe / pyjama ensemble, liberally decorated with cats. Six additional cats (I think it's six ... I lost count) are included. Lots of fun.

Go and call your mother -- now -- before it's too late.

At Last I Can List My Occupation as "Writer" on the Income Tax Form ...

2008-05-16T16:21:00.009-04:00

I've just joined an affiliate marketing program called PayPerPost, which provides blog reviews as part of its mission. Why, you may ask, have I done this?

Two reasons. The first, and less important, is that periodically advertisers will pay me to mention their website, or review their products. Now, this really isn't any different from what I have been doing in the past -- except I haven't been paid for it up till now. There's no obligation for me to shill for any product or company that I don't approve of, and part of the deal is that I have to disclose the fact that a sponsored post is just that -- sponsored.

The second reason is the one I consider to be more important. PayPerPost consists of a large community of bloggers and businesses, between which there is a sort of symbiotic relationship. By becoming part of this larger community, I can build this blog's profile and reach a wider audience. Of course, in order to do that, I have to devote more time (and money) to blogging -- so the sponsorships help a little to defray the costs associated with the blog.

Furthermore, there's a lot I can learn by seeing how other bloggers have stoked their success; by reading more blogs, I'll be better able to see how I can improve this one.

Win / win.

At least that's the theory.

Go Bananas!

2008-05-16T10:56:00.004-04:00

Here in Canada, this coming weekend is the Victoria Day long weekend, traditionally associated with the beginning of the all-too-short Canadian summer. Lots of families will be on the move this weekend -- maybe going camping, or making the trek to open the cottage, or merely taking advantage of that extra day to do a little vacation traveling.

Bananagrams® is one game that I can enthusiastically recommend for word-game lovers, especially those for whom storage space is an issue. A multiple award winner, Bananagrams® doesn't require pencils, papers, or boards. The tiles (144 in all, and surprisingly weighty, ivory-like little things they are) store inside the clever cloth pouch.

Players draw tiles from the pile, and each player then forms his or her own grid of intersecting and interconnecting words. Not only can new words be built as new tiles are drawn, but also old words may be anagrammed into new, more advantageous ones.

I also like this game for children (and impatient adults, too) because all players play simultaneously; the games move quickly and even young children can win through strategies of speed. It has developed quite a following!

In fact, one could say that this is a game with definite a-peel!

Retails for CDN$16.99

Let's Roll Back Malaria

2008-05-15T09:25:00.005-04:00

Here in Canada, mosquitoes are a summertime nuisance, but in other, warmer, parts of the world, they are a significant vector of deadly disease. Malaria is the single-biggest killer of children under the age of 5 in Africa, killing some 3,000 children each and every day.

Spread the Net is a charitable organization dedicated to providing bed nets to sub-Saharan Africans. The simple bed net, which is treated with insecticide, provides a physical and chemical barrier to disease-carrying mosquitoes. One net can protect a child for up to five years, at a cost of CDN$10.00.

Check out Spread the Net here. It's a good cause.

A New Angle on an Old Cereal

2008-05-15T08:18:00.007-04:00

As a retailer, part of my job has to do with marketing -- and I'll freely admit that I'm not very good at it.

That's why I am so full of admiration for the new Shreddies campaign. Shreddies is a Post cereal brand, manufactured by Kraft for sale in Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. It's made with whole wheat (the jingle I remember from my childhood ran: "Good, good whole wheat Shreddies!") and pressed into a lattice-woven square about three-quarters of an inch on a side. A good cereal, but hardly exciting any more (it has been sold since 1955 -- a baby boomer cereal), and therein lies the challenge for the marketer. How does one take a venerable brand like Shreddies and refresh it for the purposes of advertising, without tinkering with the product itself?

Thanks to the genius of Hunter Somerville, of Toronto's Ogilvy and Mather advertising agency, the world can now enjoy new "Diamond Shreddies".

The subtle irony implicit in this parody of corporate "re-branding" is squarely on the money, right down to the ridiculous questions asked of the faux "focus groups" (the participants were not in on the joke: one question asked the participants to "Rank Diamond Shreddies as an animal, from an amoeba up to an elephant".

A brilliant campaign like "Diamond Shreddies" shows us what it is possible to do, and see, just by tilting our field of view 45 degrees.

Collected Memories

2008-05-15T06:10:00.002-04:00

"Will this be worth something someday?"

We hear this question all the time from would-be collectors, whether it be of Webkinz, or Lego, or tin toys. And the answer? Well, it would have to be: "Only time will tell."

Everyone knows someone who has a huge collection of Beanie Babies, or Star Wars paraphernilia, or Thomas the Tank Engine trains. A large collection is not in and of itself valuable over and above its sentimental value, however, since the other half of the equation is rarity. (And monetary worth doesn't hurt, either -- it stands to reason that a painting by Picasso will appreciate more in your collection than will a box of Lego, just because the Picasso cost more to begin with.)

So go ahead and collect your favorite toys, but do it because they give you pleasure, as much as for any potential financial windfall. That way, you can't really be disappointed.

Here's a link to a board game collection that I do wish I had, though. Just think of the rainy Saturday afternoons you could get through if you had all these to amuse you ...

P.S. Here's a link to my very own (cough cough) Picasso. You can make one too.)

Dado Cubes Are Really Cool

2008-05-14T15:06:00.009-04:00

Building blocks are pretty much classic toys (see my recent post here on Hall-of-Fame toys, including the building block), but Fat Brain Toy Co. has managed to ring a change on them anyway with their Dado Cubes™.

These nifty blocks are hollow cubes of smooth plastic, slit on each of the four "walls", so that they may be interlocked to create a huge variety of three-dimensional structures. As Fat Brain says, "Dado combines art and science as you explore architectural principles . . . proportion, balance, structure and color."

They're also made in the U.S.A. (for those of you who are interested, Fat Brain is headquartered in Elkhorn, NE, which is now a suburb of Omaha -- here's a link to its Wikipedia page).

Best of all, though, they are cool. This is the sort of toy that doesn't leap out at you when you pass it on the shelf; it doesn't have TV advertising, and I don't think it'll ever be packaged with a fast-food meal. What it will do is engage kids' imaginations and help them develop spatial awareness and problem-solving skills (handy attributes when later in life they are trying to assemble something from IKEA, say).

Look for Dado Cubes™ at your local independent toy shop. Here in Canada they sell for around $24.99.

The Mechanics of Blogging

2008-05-14T13:57:00.001-04:00

I've decided, after a couple of years of pretty desultory blogging, to take this a lot more seriously. There are several reasons for this: first, it provides an outlet for the frustrated writer in me; and second, it helps me to communicate with my customers.

So now I'm researching all the nuts-and-bolts of hard-core blogging -- how to get your blog indexed by a major search engine, for example. 'Till quite recently, I didn't even know that there were indexes (indices?) let alone that bloggers actually sweated to make sure their works showed up.

And I'm increasing the frequency of my posts (you might have noticed that one -- as of May 13, 2008, I've posted as often as in all of 2007. And it's only going up from here.) I'm analyzing the traffic on the blog using Google Analytics, checking out which pages readers find most interesting (or at least on which they spend the most time!) I am also exploring the use of reciprocal linking with other bloggers, such as Link Back Link, in an effort to increase readership.

We'll see how it goes.

Chaotic Trading Card Game

2008-05-14T10:07:00.001-04:00

We are now carrying the Chaotic TCG (First Edition). Chaotic differs from other card games such as Magic: The Gathering in that it has an online community, so that the game can be played either offline by groups of friends or online with a wider fanbase. Purchase of any card pack allows entrance to the online game, where the player can engage in virtual battles and participate in the community, whether it be by competing in tournaments, managing their virtual card collection, or chatting with other players in moderated forums and chat areas.

Booster packs contain a random assortment of 9 cards.

$3.99

New Neighbours

2008-05-13T09:23:00.003-04:00

Earlier this year, we were thrilled to have new neighbours move in next door. L'Auberge de France is a deli and bistro owned by Jean-Marc Salvagno and Valerie Niles, and they -- and the restaurant -- are delightful.

We've already dropped our fair share of lunch money in there; I can heartily recommend their home-made soups and sandwiches (the rare roast beef with sliced brie on baguette is marvelous.) The breads are organic and baked by Jean-Marc (it's really quite lucky that our common wall appears impervious to smells ... I was haunted by the thought that I'd come in to work every day only to be seduced next door by the smell of freshly-baked bread. No amount of running or sit-ups can counter that.)

They also offer a selection of artisan cheeses and charcuterie, including made-on-premises terrines, paté de campagne, and foie gras, and will be expanding their product lines as they go. In addition, the restaurant is open for dinner, serving such bistro classics as "steak and frites" and "leg of duck confit".

We're happy to have them here.

Open Nice and Wide, Please ...

2008-05-13T09:09:00.008-04:00

Tomorrow, May 14, is National Root Canal Appreciation Day. Consider this a round of applause to all dentists and dental hygienists (including my sister, bless her and her sharp little instruments!)

OW!

How Much Screen Time is Too Much?

2008-05-12T13:46:00.006-04:00

There's a controversy raging amongst parents, educational experts, and toy manufacturers to do with how much time children should be spending in front of a television screen, a computer monitor, or online, and at what age parents should permit it.

In a recent New York Times article, writer Warren Buckleitner outlines the various websites that seek to attract your children's attention -- and, in many cases, your dollars. Most of the sites require a code for entrée, usually acquired through the purchase of a toy item (Webkins, Shining Stars, Beanie Babies, and so on.) Some require a subscription, payable monthly, in order to play.

There is a strong current of feeling among independent toy store owners that use of video and computer games should not be encouraged in children below a certain age. Evidence suggests that too-early and too-frequent use of such games is linked to increasing rates of childhood obesity and ill-health through supplanting more traditional, vigorous playtime.

I would also submit that many of the skills supposedly "taught" in these games are equally -- if not better -- taught by interaction with parents, siblings, and friends. Colour and shape recognition, early literacy and numeracy skills, and problem-solving -- all these lend themselves to face-to-face learning. There is no reason to think that the television or the computer will teach the child earlier or "better" than will the caregiver.

That's not to say that I disapprove of or would forbid such games entirely ... they are part of our culture now, for better or for worse. There have even been studies that correlate video-gaming skill with surgeons' skill in performing certain laparoscopic surgical techniques (and I am all for having my surgeon skilled, thanks very much.) What I don't want to see is children giving up all other activities -- playing outside, lying in a hammock reading, and so on -- in virtue of spending all their free time hunched in front of a monitor.

Goodness knows they will likely have more than enough of that as adults.

Playmobil Limited Edition Recycling Truck

2008-05-12T11:31:00.004-04:00

This is a welcome addition to the line, and at a great price (we're talking promotional pricing here, steeply discounted from what you would usually expect to pay for a truck of this size.) The truck comes with two sanitation workers and three recycling bins (two smaller ones and one large.) The truck's cab roof can be removed, and the back part tips up for easy dumping of waste.

The truck is an absolute steal at $25.99, and supplies are limited.

The Cost of Toys Will Be Going Up (Along with Everything Else)

2008-05-11T06:53:00.005-04:00

We have recently heard some rumblings from suppliers that toy prices will be going up this year ... we've already received a few mid-year revised price sheets showing hefty increases on some items. Other suppliers have said that they intend to charge more for freight this year than they have done in the past.

The reason for all this is, of course, the recent huge increase in the price of oil. You need oil to make plastic -- and some analysts have suggested that half of all toys manufactured are at least partly plastic, though I would suggest that the proportion is far, far higher than that. Gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel are also needed to move toys (and other goods, of course) from their place of manufacture to the retail store, and thus to the consumer.

We will be sifting through our suppliers' catalogues and shipping policies over the next months, trying to get a grip on these changes. Some of these price increases will change the way that we order, and some will change what we order, or from whom. We may find, for example, that once all the new and upwardly-adjusted production costs and shipping charges are applied, some toys manufactured in China are now less attractive a buy than similar toys manufactured in the Czech Republic or Germany.

We'll keep you posted.

90% Child, 10% Toy

2008-05-10T11:58:00.012-04:00

What makes a great toy?

Is greatness an effect of corporate advertising? Quality of materials? Fad-free nature?

In my opinion, the best toys offer children the opportunity to create, to imagine, and to learn. So, in a sense, 90% of the "play power" comes from the child, and only 10% from the toy.

Since its founding in 1998, the National Toy Hall of Fame (now a part of the Strong National Museum of Play, located in Rochester, NY) has celebrated the very best in playthings. There are currently 39 different toys in the Hall of Fame, each of which has been nominated on the basis of the following criteria: iconic status, longevity, discovery, and innovation. And while some of the members may surprise you, I'm pretty sure that your toybox -- if it looked anything like mine -- contained many of these Hall of Famers.

(My personal favorite? As you may have guessed, the cardboard box. Cheap, durable, paintable, recyclable -- sometimes that's all you need in order to unleash the creative genius in your child. Rocket ship, anyone?)

Carcassonne Abbey & Mayor

2008-05-08T11:54:00.007-04:00

Carcassonne is an extremely clever game designed by Klaus-Jürgen Wrede and published in 2000, first in Germany by Hans im Gluck, then in the U.S. by Rio Grande Games. The original game won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres (Game of the Year) prize in 2001.

This is what is known in gamers' circles as a "German-style" board game, meaning that it is designed for adults (or older children, at the very least) and features a sophisticated game engine that incorporates both strategy and luck. Part of its allure rests on the fact that, as a tile-based game, the board is literally built anew each time the game is played, so that a player's particular strategies may have to change from game to game. Further, the game may be played by any number of players from two to five, with resultingly different dynamics.

Carcassonne is considered by many to be a "gateway game," so-called because it allows entry into the world of strategic gaming without requiring a huge investment in time or learning curve on the part of the players. The rules are relatively simple, the number of players is somewhat elastic, and the game plays quickly (about 30 minutes is average.) It rewards both skill and luck; on every turn, a player may be faced with difficult decisions, on the outcome of which may hang victory or defeat. Still, the draw of a needed tile at an opportune moment may turn the tide, by allowing a player lagging in points to complete a points-rich structure and thereby pull into the lead.

Rio Grande Games also offer many expansions for the basic game of Carcassonne, including (among others) Traders and Builders, Princess and Dragon, and The Tower. The newest expansion is Abbey and Mayor, which introduces the idea of traveling merchants, who transport their goods to the cities and monasteries formed within the game. The cities in the countryside can increase to a size large enough to elect their own mayors, simple farmers build up large and lucrative farms, and the church tries to strengthen its influence by establishing abbeys. This expansion also allows a sixth player to join the game, and increases the duration of the average game to approximately 45 minutes.

RGG341 $18.99

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition

2008-05-07T12:53:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'll admit it right off the bat -- I've never played Dungeons & Dragons. I don't particularly know why, since during my teens I was a big fan of authors such as Jack Vance, Fritz Leiber, and L. Sprague de Camp, all of whom were acknowledged influences of Gary Gygax, D&D's co-creator. It was only much later in my gaming history, when I discovered video RPGs such as the Final Fantasy series, that I became aware of how hugely D&D had contributed to the genre.

The original Dungeons & Dragons was published in 1974, and established many of the conventions of the role-playing game: the use of dice to establish numerical values for attack and defence, the changing attributes of the players' characters (as they increase in experience, for example,) and the text-based nature of the gameplay -- the experiences of the characters lie within the campaign storyline, which is in turn affected by the players' decisions and the rolls of the dice, rather than existing on a static game board alone.

Wizards of the Coast, the current publisher of D&D, is set to launch the 4th Edition Core Rulebooks on June 6, 2008. This release increases the flexibility and speed of the game, while incorporating ease of learning for new players. The first adventure, Keep on the Shadowfell, will be available after May 20 at an approximate cost of CDN$33.00

The June launch includes the Player’s Handbook (approximately CDN$40.00), the Monster Manual (CDN$40.00), and the Dungeon Master’s Guide (CDN$40.00). We have some promotional material in the store (including a Quick-Start Rule set and a copy of Keep on the Shadowfell) that you are welcome to take a look at if you wish.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to do some seriously-needed leveling up on my Halfling Rogue.

Gift Ideas for Babies -- Part Two

2008-05-02T05:49:00.000-04:00

Ages 1 to 2 Years

This is a huge year, as babies make the transition from infant to toddler. The list of things that they learn to do during this year is staggering: walk, talk, run, feed themselves, toilet train.

And play. Their play is still largely concrete, as in "Can I fit this shape through this hole in the sorter?" and "What will happen if I stack the blocks this high?" In effect, babies are acting as small scientists, testing the boundaries of their world and seeing how things work.

So this is the time to supply them with the tools for that work -- while always being sure that the toys in question are safe for children this age, who still tend to mouth objects. (In Canada, as in most countries, there are strict guidelines on what constitutes a safe toy, including how small a toy can be in order to be labelled as safe for any child under the age of three.) And I don't care how brilliant your child is (and I'm sure he is, truly) -- the fact that children are experimenters makes them vulnerable to danger when presented with something that has small pieces that they can ingest, or with a cord long enough to pose a wrap-around hazard, or what-have-you. I can't tell you how many parents have confessed to having found a Lego brick or other small toy in a child's dirty diaper, which is of course evidence of the item having been swallowed, in this case without serious consequence (usually the child is a younger sibling, who therefore has some access to toys designed for older children.)

Some suggestions:

shape-sorters
pounding benches (our favorite is plastic, has colour-matching activities as well, and allows the baby to watch the ball travel down and out of the box after being successfully pounded through the hole
chunky puzzles
age-appropriate imaginative playthings (Playmobil's 1-2-3 is a collection of sturdy, colourful people, animals, trucks, and accessories (made in Germany of food-grade plastic) that encourage toddlers in pretend play.)
baby-safe plush animals (embroidered noses and eyes, say, instead of buttons that might come off given determined chewing.)
large-muscle playthings, like the Baby Basketball set from International Playthings, left.

Next time: preschool play.

Happy Smurfday!

2008-04-30T11:16:00.001-04:00

Believe it or not, 2008 marks the 50th birthday for the Smurfs! These little blue beings were the brainchild of Pierre Culliford, the Belgian artist better known as Peyo. The Smurfs (or les Schtroumpfs, as they were known in French,) made their first appearance on October 23, 1958, as supporting characters in a children's comic book series called Johan et Pirlouit. Their popularity soon ensured them a comic series of their own, and in 1965 Schleich GmbH, a German toy maker, began to produce the small PVC figures that we know today.

Over the years, Schleich has created around 400 different Smurf figures (including, of course, the villain Gargamel and his equally crafty cat, Azrael.) Over 300 million Smurf figurines have been sold since 1965 -- and they are highly collectible, prized by adults as well as children.

For 2008, the new Smurf figures produced by Schleich celebrate this 50th anniversary. The eight commemorative figures include Papa Smurf (dressed in white tie and tails) to Smurfette perched atop a large pink-and-white birthday cake. The price remains the same at $4.99 plus tax.