Overview

This entertaining and informative book is both an overview and a celebration of all the toys inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame to date - from the yoyo to Barbie, this fun-filled and photo-packed coffee table book will hook readers of all ages! There is a fully illustrated review and celebration of the greatest toys of all time to be inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York. Each toy's section includes interesting and intriguing history, trivia, historic timeline, and fantastic photos. Inductees to date include: Barbie, Crayola Crayons, Erector Set, Etch-a-Sketch, Frisbee, LEGO, marbles, Monopoly, Play-Doh, teddy bear, Tinkertoy, Yo-Yo, Hula Hoop, Lincoln Logs, Radio Flyer Wagon, roller skates, View Master, bicycle, jacks, jump rope, Mr. Potato Head, Slinky, Silly Putty, Tonka Trucks, jigsaw puzzle, Raggedy Ann, alphabet blocks, checkers, GI Joe, rocking horse, Scrabble, Candyland, cardboard box, jack-in-the-box, Easy-Bake Oven, Lionel Trains, Atari 2600, kite, Raggedy Andy, stick (yes, from a tree), skateboard, and baby doll. The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, NY, is one of the nation's largest history museums, and holds the most comprehensive collection of toys the U.S. It also holds the National Toy Hall of Fame, whose annual November induction ceremony is seen by nearly 50 million people via widespread and various media coverage.

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9780762435654

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Reviews

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, October 21, 2009 Curator Scott Eberle writes lively histories of the toys, photographed in whimsical poses. Dallas Morning News, December 7, 2009 Kids will love thumbing through this one, but they'll no doubt have to pry it out of the hands of their rapt parents first. The book is sure to evoke lots of boomer-generation childhood memories, and might even coax a 21st-century tot into wanting something as archaic as, say, a Raggedy Ann doll or a Hula Hoop. The text displays a nice sense of humor and irony. For instance: 'The bubble-cut Barbie that appeared in 1961 softened the doll's look by replacing the tight Teutonic ponytail. When Barbie parted her hair on the side, she seemed more casual and less severe, more Fresno and less Frankfurt.' Ann Strainchamps, Wisconsin Public Radio, December 4, 2009 One of the best coffee table books of the year. Babble.com Get it for you, then share the stories with the kids. The Journal-Register, December 10, 2009 Nostalgia, history, sociology -- this book covers all of the imaginable bases that are involved with play. Eberle's work makes for a truly tremendous toy story. The Washington Post, December 24, 2009 .. .wonderful...There's no doubt that Classic Toys will entice even the most hard-nosed Scrooge or hardhearted Grinch to waste a lot of valuable, billable time simply smiling over pictures of Radio Flyer wagons, wooden rocking horses and fancy Duncan yo-yos. Those of a more sentimental nature may simply find themselves aching with nostalgia. But the pictures are only half the story here. Don't neglect Scott G. Eberle's fact-filled essays...Because of Eberle's sharply written text, Classic Toys isn't just a sentimental journey into childhood: It's also a work of incisive cultural commentary and a pleasure to read. The Commercial Dispatch, February 5, 2010 .. .a big, colorful book that is bound

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, October 21, 2009<br> Curator Scott Eberle writes lively histories of the toys, photographed in whimsical poses. <br> Dallas Morning News, December 7, 2009<br> Kids will love thumbing through this one, but they'll no doubt have to pry it out of the hands of their rapt parents first. The book is sure to evoke lots of boomer-generation childhood memories, and might even coax a 21st-century tot into wanting something as archaic as, say, a Raggedy Ann doll or a Hula Hoop. <br> The text displays a nice sense of humor and irony. For instance: 'The bubble-cut Barbie that appeared in 1961 softened the doll's look by replacing the tight Teutonic ponytail. When Barbie parted her hair on the side, she seemed more casual and less severe, more Fresno and less Frankfurt.' <br>Ann Strainchamps, Wisconsin Public Radio, December 4, 2009<br> One of the best coffee table books of the year. <br>Babble.com<br> Get it for you, then share the stories with the kids. <br> The Journal-Register, December 10, 2009<br> Nostalgia, history, sociology -- this book covers all of the imaginable bases that are involved with play. Eberle's work makes for a truly tremendous toy story. <br> The Washington Post, December 24, 2009<br> .. .wonderful...There's no doubt that Classic Toys will entice even the most hard-nosed Scrooge or hardhearted Grinch to waste a lot of valuable, billable time simply smiling over pictures of Radio Flyer wagons, wooden rocking horses and fancy Duncan yo-yos. Those of a more sentimental nature may simply find themselves aching with nostalgia. But the pictures are only half the story here. Don't neglect Scott G. Eberle's fact-filled essays...Because of Eberle's sharply written text, Classic Toys isn't just a sentimental journey into childhood: It's also a work of incisive cultural commentary and a pleasure to read. <br> The Commercial Dispatch, February 5, 2010<br> .. .a big, colorful book that is bound

Author Information

Scott G. Eberle is Vice President for Interpretation at Strong National Museum of Play. He has developed numerous exhibitions on toys and play, and has written extensively on these topics. He holds a doctorate in Cultural History from the University at Buffalo, and is also the author of several works on American cultural history. He lives in Rochester.

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