Toy Tips: A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices

Many parents don't take a close look at their children's toys until they hear about a recall of a particular item on the news. Szymanski, founder and president of the research group Toy Tips, presents an unbiased guide to help parents sort out the morass of toys on the market before they even purchase them. She advises readers to approach magazine articles and news stories with a judicious eye, and suggests they become experts themselves (by reading her book, naturally), because many award stickers on toys are""nothing more than thinly disguised public relations campaigns designed to herd parents toward particular products."" Szymanski (along with coauthor Neuborne, a business journalist) covers the various types of toys available (activity toys, board games, puzzles, etc.) and evaluates their suitability for infants through preteens. The breadth of information she offers is overwhelming, but conscientious parents won't find a more comprehensive and impartial approach to intelligently purchasing toys for their children.