COMMENTS ABOUT
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys
Smart Play + Smart Parents = Smart Kids. Stevanne Auerbach, PhD, writes with the rare power of original analysis. Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is the most significant, thorough, thoughtful book for parents wishing to match the right toy to the right stage of their child’s development. Follow Dr. Toy’s prescription for a happy, playful, skill building childhood.
— RICHARD C. LEVY
Toy Inventor/Author, TOY AND GAME INVENTOR’S HANDBOOK
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is the best tool out there for anyone who wants to know the role of toys and play. I’ve quoted from it in Baby Magazine and Parenting. My only regret is this book wasn’t around when my kids were young.
— J.J. DESPAIN
Journalist
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is one smart book.
— SUSAN M. LAPINSKI
Family Journalist Former Editor, Sesame Street Parents Magazine
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is a must read and also an invaluable research tool. Not only does this book review toys but it’s a fun read and educates parents to be a “Play Guide.” I highly recommend this book.
— RUSSELL LEVINE
Content Developer, Daily Bread
With over 50 years of experience in the toy industry, Dr. Stevanne Auerbach has dedicated her life to helping parents create meaningful play experiences for their children. Her extensive knowledge and passion for everything involving play and toys is evidenced in this thoughtfully written, easy to read book, full of play ideas, as well as tips and advice on everything from toy safety to toy storage. Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is more than just a guide to choosing the best toys, it is a timeless resource on play and how play contributes to children’s social, cognitive, physical, and emotional development.
— JENNIE ITO, PHD
Play and Toy Consultant
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys strips away marketing blitz, helps parents, and teachers, make informed choices as Dr. Toy provides a highly refined way to evaluate PQ—Play Quotient—play being learning, for children of all ages.
— MICHAEL MENDIZZA
Founder, Touch the Future ww.ttfuture.org
If a parent could just have one book to guide them in rearing their kids, I would strongly suggest Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys.
— JAY BECKWITH
Creative Playground Designer
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is a perfect guide for anyone searching for the right toy for creative play, building developmental skills, or fun. It’s easy to use, well organized and invaluable.
— ALICE BERGMAN
West Side Kids Toy Store (ASTRA member) New York, NY
When our staff has questions about developmentally appropriate toys we refer them to Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys. This book is easy to read, and understandable for both for parents and toy industry employees who have a lot to gain by reading this very valuable guide to the world of toys.
— PAM BYARS
Founder, The Ark Toy Store, San Francisco, CAwww.thearktoys.com
I recommend Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys to anyone who takes an active interest in raising inquisitive, creative, and well-balanced children.
— MELISSA BERNSTEIN
www.MelissaAndDoug.com
Being committed to developing playthings that enrich early childhood development for over a decade, I find myself often re-reading Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys for Dr. Toy’s helpful insights and guidance on the intersection between play theory, playthings and kids at play.
— MATTHEW P.D. BROWN
Toy/Play Expert
Dr. Toy’s long and thoughtful immersion in the world of play and toys has established her as the premier authority for this often difficult combination. She “gets it” that the best use of toys is for them to serve as an extension of a child’s own imaginative play drive. She also understands children’s developmental stages so her book, Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is of inestimable help to parents and grandparents as they struggle to make good choices from among the often dazzling and confusing array offered by the toy industry.
— STUART L. BROWN, MD
Founder and President, The National Institute for Play, Author,
PLAY: HOW IT SHAPES THE BRAIN, OPENS THE IMAGINATION, AND INVIGORATES THE SOUL
www.nifplay.org
As a pediatrician, mother of two sets of twins, and toy inventor, I have tremendous respect for the comprehensive, interesting, fact filled, sensible advice and learning Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys provides. This book is a tremendous resource for parents, professionals working with children, and children’s buyers. Play is so important in today’s busy world. Dr. Toy’s approach to understanding play is unique and important. A fabulous book!
— JENNIFER CANTER, MD
Inventor, Play This Way Every Daywww.playthisway.com
As a toy industry veteran with more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and product development I enjoyed Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys and appreciate the vast array of knowledge, information, and love for toys Dr. Toy shares. A great guide for parents to use when considering purchasing toys. Best of all it reminds us that we’re all kids at heart, and never outgrow the joy of playing. Thank you, Dr. Toy!
— RON CANTOR
President, Rainbow Concepts, Inc.
Play, especially active, creative, and educational play, helps children develop such basic social and academic skills as concentration, problem solving, communication, and cooperation. Factors such as safety, durability, flexibility, and age appropriateness complicate the challenge parents’ face in choosing the right toys for their children. Dr. Auerbach applies her scientific, but not preachy expertise to that challenge.
— KATHRYN CARPENTER
Booklist, American Library Association www.ala.org
Dr. Toy’s Smart Play/Smart Toys is a valuable guide for parents and grandparents to better understand what types of toys provide developmentally appropriate play at each stage from baby to older children with plenty of specific examples of suggested interaction. Just what busy families need these days is to slow down and discover the value and benefit of more play time together.
— HYLA CASS, MD
Author, 8 WEEKS TO VIBRANT HEALTH
www.drcass.com
This book