Author – Cartoonist – Toyologist – Dreamer: James Spence

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Click here to read the comic toy reviews I create as part of the Toys R Us Toyologist programme.

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Barbie Puppy Water Park

November 13th 2011 Posted at Toys
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When Toys R Us asked me to review Barbie’s Puppy Water Park, I just wasn’t sure where to begin. So much so that I immediately turned to Tiffany for help. Tiff had had many Barbies as a kid so was more than qualified to assess this one.

The water park is a good playset. I’m not sure if Puppy Water Parks exist in the real world or if this is something Barbie herself dreamed up and then sent Ken out to the shed to build one!

It does work well and is both bright and colourful. I would recommend putting down a tray or mat to avoid getting your carpets wet. Better yet, play with it in the kitchen.

I think any Barbie-loving kid would enjoy adding this toy to their collection.

Barbie Puppy Water Park is available from Toys R Us

Girl’s World Bead and Style

November 6th 2011 Posted at Toys
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When Toys R Us ask me to review a girls toy, I must admit I usually turn to my wife and ask for help. Not that Tiff is a particularly girly girl, but she is certainly girlier than me (or, at least, so I’d like to think!)

The Girl’s World Bead and Style head is a large plastic head with reasonably realistic hair and open facial features just waiting to be styled.

The toy comes with hair styling and make-up goodies and beads. However (as the comic above says) it only comes with one type of bead (admittedly in a variety of colours). We have played with some very cheap ‘make your own bracelet’ sets with Charlotte which contained loads of types of beads, so it is just a little disappointing that they haven’t supplied more of the beads.

Of course, that is a fairly small criticism. The toy itself is very good and ideal for a wee girl, especially a girly girl.

Girl’s World Bead and Style is available from Toys R Us

Leap Frog Xylophone Zoo

November 4th 2011 Posted at Toys
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I’d love to know where the concept behind certain toys came from. In my mind, there is a toy genius out there sitting around dreaming up crazy ideas, like a Willy Wonka but without tooth decay. The good people at Leap Frog must employ such a person because when Toys R Us asked me to review the leap Frog Xylophone Zoo I couldn’t imagine how this idea may have been conceived!

Yes, Xylophone Zoo: A Xylophone combined with a Zoo, complete with French translations!!

Leap Frog are well known for building electronic components into their toys to encourage interaction and to teach a child how to play with it. This is what Xylophone Zoo does. The colour-coded animals correspond to the bars on the instrument. Each animal is a button with a light on it. It all seems to make sense when you play with it…

The cynical part of me wonders if the French mode is there so that Leap Frog can sell this toy to another market, but even if this is the case, it’s still a good idea! It’s a bonus feature rather than a key ingredient in making this toy work.

I really do like this toy. It’s fun to use and play with while guiding a child through the initial steps of playing an instument. So whoever the creator of this crazy concept was, I salute you! Kudos.

Xylophone Zoo by Leap Frog is available from Toys R Us

Baby Born’s Clapping Hands Doll

October 31st 2011 Posted at Toys
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Toys R Us sent me a Clapping Hands doll from Baby Born to review. As first I wasn’t sure what to make of her as dolls are not really something I’ve ever had a lot of expertise in, so I pretty much immediately handed her over to Tiffany for her considered opinion…

Although the clapping feature is the main thing that distinguishes it from other dolls, it would be unfair to dismiss this doll as a one trick pony. Her cute singing voice, snazzy clothes and hair are good features too. It would actually be a pretty good doll even without the clapping hands.

The doll is a reasonable size and would feel like a fairly substantial toy to the 3+ age range it is aimed at. I’m sure this toy will make many wee girls happy this Christmas.

Clapping Hands by Baby Born is available from Toys R Us

K’NEX Mariokart Luigi

October 31st 2011 Posted at Toys
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As part of the Toys R Us Toyologist programme, I was asked to review a Mariokart toy by K’Nex (a Lego-like construction system). The set in queston was Luigi and his Standard Kart, based on the Mariokart Wii console game.

The toy includes a buildable figure (in two pieces – legs and body), pieces to build a vehicle with a working pull-back motor and the ‘star trophy’ from the game. The packaging can also be used as a ramp!

I normally review toys based on how the kids in my life enjoy them. On this occassion, I must confess, it was more about about my own enjoyment…

I have loved Mariokart ever since it was first released on the Super Nintendo games system and I have followed it through many generations up to the Wii version currently popular. So it was great to be able to build a physical version of one of the karts.

At the moment there are only three figures (Mario, Luigi and Yoshi) but hopefully they’ll release more soon. Everyone has a favourite character (so how about Koopa Troupa next, K’nex!)

K’Nex Mariokart Luigi is available from Toys R Us

Competition – Old MacDonald Lotto by Orchard Toys

October 18th 2011 Posted at Blog
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Thanks to Toys R Us and the Toyology Programme, I have one Old MacDonald Lotto to give away as a competition prize.

I reviewed this toy recently and thought it was an excellent game for a wee one. I hope the winner enjoys it too.

So, if you’d like the chance to win one, read on:

To enter, all you need to do is visit and ‘like’ the Toys R Us Facebook page then leave a comment on this post telling me you have done so. The Toys R Us UK page regularly posts competitions, news and reviews of toys and, in my honest opinion, is a great page to subscribe to.

The competition closes at 6pm (GMT) on Monday 24 October 2011. The winner will be drawn at random and asked to provide their address and phone number (for the purpose of sending out the prize only).

The winner will be drawn at random from all valid entries.

Facebook has no affiliation or responsibility for this competition.

The toy will be sent directly from Toys R Us at the beginning of October.

No alternative is available. No cash equivalent.

UK entries only.

Good luck!

Pirate Snakes and Ladders and Ludo

October 14th 2011 Posted at Toys
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One of the first toys that Toys R Us sent me was Old MacDonald Lotto by Orchard Toys, and as I recall, I thought it was a very nicely made and wholesome feeling. So when another Orchard Toys came through from Toys R Us, I was looking forward to reviewing it.

Pirates Snakes and Ladders and Ludo is really two toys in one. A double-sided board lets you choose which game you want to play.

The colours are very nice and the images are fun and jolly-looking (rather than the gruff mean-looking pirates you sometimes see).

Orchard Toys whole approach to toy-making seems very friendly and genuine. Their printed toys are consistently well made, being made of thick durable card.

Let’s face it, sooner or later if you have kids you’ll end up with snakes and ladders and ludo. You may as well get a nice-looking set from a good British company!

Pirate Snakes and Ladders is available from Toys R Us

Silver Cross Ranger (Marshmallow)

October 14th 2011 Posted at Toys
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In the fast-paced, ever-changing world of toyology, you never know what you’re going to be asked to review. So when a Silver Cross doll pram arrived at my house, I wasn’t really sure where to begin! However, after thinking about it I realised that I am the perfect person to test out a toy pram given that I’m always pushing around a real pram these days!

The pram is a very nicely made toy and feels like a miniature real pram rather than a toy pram. It feels quite sturdy when you push it around. The tires are nice and thick (loads better than one my sister had when we were kids).

The matching bag is a really nice feature. It transforms the play from just being about pushing around a doll to being a way of treating the doll like a real baby.

It’s a very good toy and the colours of the marshmallow version are very pleasant (in my humble opinion the best looking of the whole Silver Cross Ranger range). I’m sure this would be a big hit for any wee girl who likes playing with dolls.

Silver Cross Ranger (in Marshmallow) is available from Toys R Us

Little Tikes Town Playhouse

October 9th 2011 Posted at Toys
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Toys R Us had warned me that a large item was going to be delivered for review. However, it wasn’t until I saw the box that I realised just how large the item was. The Little Tikes Town Playhouse is available from Toys R Us but is sent direct from the vendor because, believe me, unless you drive a van or lorry you wouldn’t be able to take it home!

The Town Playhouse is, on the surface, a wendy house. However, it is so much more. Rather than just one house, this toy represents an entire town!

The house has a lot of great features which provide many ways for a child to interact with the toy. It’s not a cheap toy, but then it is a very substantial item which I am confident will be well-used as time goes on.

Little Tikes Town Playhouse is available from Toys R Us

Leap Frog Learn & Groove Musical Table

October 9th 2011 Posted at Toys
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Toys R Us sent me the Leap Frog Learn and Groove Musical Table to review. The toy is a colourful, flashy, all-singing station designed to encourage a toddler to start standing and experimenting.

With different types of buttons, keys, sliders and doors, there are plenty of different things to capture a child’s attention.

The French mode is an interesting feature. It’s quite cool to operate the toy in another language. It’s a shame there aren’t even more languages to choose from. Perhaps an Esperanto version!

Leapfrog Learn and Groove Musical Table is available from Toys R Us

James Spence