Toys And Why We Need An Extra Room

The world as we know it is really messed up. Mattelpersona. She has appeared as a teacher, on
and Fisher Price, the very people who brought ushorseback, as a gymnast, a ballet dancer as well as
Tickle-Me-Elmo as the toy of the season lastmodeling her annual Christmas outfit. You can buy her
Christmas, have allowed some of America's babies todressed in costumes representing countries around
play with and put in their little mouths, toys paintedthe world. Barbie loves Tickle-Me-Elmo as much as
with lead paint. I do accept the explanation that theirthe kids do. She comes packaged with a little copy
executives set guidelines for the factory owners inof him. She wears a picture of him on her shirt and
China. Part of the directive was don't use lead paint,carries a purse with him peeking from the front of it
however someone should have followed up on that.and his face is on her belt buckle. He giggles when
This is not a case of putting the wrong labels onyou press his tummy just as the big acrobatic one
clothing and not having it fit the American baby. Thisdoes. The only warning on the box says "WARNING
is an extreme danger to the little toddlers. How ironicMay Cause Uncontrollable Laughter." I hope that
that parents are buying educational toys - that mayindicates we don't have to worry about lead paint on
cause brain damage if - change that to when - theythis toy.
put them in their mouths. It will be some time beforeLet's create a fictitious little girl about six years old.
the company regains the trust of the American public.For fun we'll name her Ruby Doo. She loves her
On the positive side, Fisher Price/Mattel has broughtElmos (and I say Elmos since there is the first Elmo
us that amazing Tickle-Me-Elmo. He can laugh, kick hisfrom ten years ago, the Chicken Dance Elmo, the
feet in the air after falling on his back. He can thenHokey Pokey Elmo who sits next to the Elmo who
roll over and stand up all by himself. He even does asimply is stuffed and soft and looks cute. He must be
somersault. All this with one arm attached to hisnamed old-fashioned Elmo. She lines them up and
body. Did I mention that he can talk. I cannot praiseplays with one every now and then.
him enough for his comedic value.This week though it is her Barbie doll house and little
Back to the negative. That Barbie is still a sexy littlesister Chrissy who keep her busy. I'm not sure which
thing for the three to seven year old set. Sure hercompanies make all the craft toys but they are
hair is beautiful and I believe she dumped Ken lastwonderful and she loves making things with them.
year, but she still has her feet permanently ready toBut the latest advance that has mothers sighing with
slip in to high heels. She has definitely raised herrelief is the finger painting book which sells with paint
aspirations from wanting to settle down in herthat won't show up except on the paper it was
townhouse with Ken and drive around in herintended to show up on. I think it is made by Crayola.
convertible with her hair flowing behind her. BarbieI don't know how she or he did it but the employee
has evolved into a modern girl. You will find her onwho invented this deserves a big raise. From the
the shelf at your favorite store wearing her white labmothers of America, we don't know what your
coat as she cares for animals in her Veterinarianname is but thank you - thank you - thank you..