100 Classic Toys for Generations

David Smith

270 x 210 mm (8¼ x 10½ in)
208 pages
Flexiback
ISBN 978-1-908126-05-4
Available

£19.95 €24.95 US$29.95

This fascinating book covers one hundred classic toys that have enchanted, captivated and enthralled generations of children. From the simplest building blocks to the most sophisticated robots, each toy included is still being manufactured or is easily available through sites like eBay. The author presents the background on how each toy was created and explains why it has become a classic. Anybody flicking through the pages of 100 Classic Toys for Generations will be able to see a toy and say, "I used to have one of those!"

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Book reviews:

Review by: Ed Newman, Weekly News

What was your favourite toy as a child? Mr Potato Head perhaps, a Meccano set, a Slinky, Lego, a Hula Hoop or just a good old Teddy Bear. Whatever it was, the chances are it appears in 100 Classic Toys, a fascinating new book by David Smith that charts the history of some of our best-loved toys and games. All the toys selected have stood the test of time. You can still buy them for your children or grandchildren. David Smith says of the classic toys: I think those that have stood the test of time are the simple ones that don't limit the child's play. "Unlike today's video games, you can never exhaust the possibilities of something like Lego. "It's great to watch my boys playing with their Lego bricks. They get completely absorbed in it." Some of the best-known toys weren't actually meant to be played with originally. Often, it was just a chance discovery that made them into best-selling favourites. Play-Doh, for instance, spent 20 years as Kutol Wall Cleaner, before somebody realised it would be great for kids. A quick rebranding and the addition of the famous scent and Play-Doh was soon selling fast – over two billion tubs have now been sold worldwide.
Another toy was invented by chance by an American naval engineer. Richard James was experimenting with springs when he noticed how elegantly they fell to the floor in a series of steps. The Slinky was born and went on to sell over 300 million. That included a boost to sales when it was one of the characters in the Toy Story series. "The toy industry must have been rubbing their hands with glee when those films came out," said David. "Parents seeing the film wanted to buy the toys for their kids or just for the nostalgic thrill of having one again themselves".

Review by: Sarah's Book Reviews

"The one hundred classic toys have been split into eight sections within the book: building toys; games and puzzles; activity toys; role-play toys; trucks and transports; toys for making things; future classics; and finally... Along with lots of photographs of how the toys included have changed throughout the years, there is lots of additional information and facts about the toys. Who knew that when Twister was released in 1966, that executives were worried that it would attract criticism, but it went on to sell three million copies in its first year..." read more