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The Real Toy Story
Book

The Real Toy Story

Inside the Ruthless Battle for America's Youngest Consumers

Free Press, 2007 plus...


Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Innovative
  • Eye Opening

Recommendation

This is almost a fun book. It goes into the magic behind all the toys you've enjoyed personally or given to your kids or grandchildren. And, it will intrigue anybody who's ever wrangled with a Rubik’s Cube, hugged a Gund Bear or become rich speculating in Mattel shares way back when Barbie was a girl. But, after the fun part, the book hits you in the gut. There's a nasty side to the toy business and author Eric Clark lays it out clearly as he describes child laborers who make toys in Third World sweat shops, particularly in China and Mexico. getAbstract recommends this book to anyone who buys toys for children, or to those who want to know about child labor and address its abuses. With its illuminating examination of invention, manufacture and retailing in the toy industry, this is a valuable resource.

Take-Aways

  • Toys are a $22 billion business – as exciting and tricky as Hollywood.
  • Two nonmanufacturing companies (Mattel, Hasbro) sell most of the world's toys.
  • Tremendous planning and luck are required to make a toy the next blockbuster.

About the Author

Eric Clark is a journalist and has written five novels.


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