As Mr. Cross shows in his enjoyable history, the origins of this trend are old. As Cross makes clear, the story of toys is the story of parenting, of the way we view our children and the kind of adults we hope they will become. Its nuanced and accessibly written discussions highlight some of the cultural tensions inherent in rearing children in an age of mass consumption and make it an important contribution to the history of childhood, popular culture, and consumerism. Cross mingles social history with economic history, as he tells us about the toy manufacturers, the strategies used to market their products, the consumer market, and the changing toys themselves. I recommend this book to anyone interested in socialization, childhood, children and family life, or toys.
Some books just beg to be read.
Gary Cross's Kids' Stuff is one of those books. With its blue cover and colorful Romper Room lettering, featuring an enormous FAO Schwarz bear, the book demands the reader's attention. Kids' Stuff is a marvelous read. It is a fascinating topic, presented in a readable, enjoyable manner. The author has done an excellent job of researching how all sorts of adults have attempted to mold the wants and desires of American children.