Customer Reviews

Too Many Toys

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this book on a store shelf while I was doing my Christmas shopping for my kids. I stood there in the aisle, totally overwhelmed and exhausted. I didn't even want to buy them one more single item and take it home. I was actually wishing I could just skip the Christmas shopping all together. We had passed a "Toys For Tots" barrel a few days earlier and my oldest looked into it covetously and said, "What lucky kids." I whipped around and got down on his level fast enough to make his head spin, "Those kids are NOT lucky!" I realized right then that we needed to learn a thing or two at our house. Imagine my emotions when I happened upon this literary treasure. As I turned page after page, my eyes welled up and I knew I had to have a copy. It seriously made me cry. I have stepped on jacks and Legos. I have tripped on race tracks while trying to carry a load of laundry down the hall. So, given that I feel like David Shannon came to my house and peeked in my windows, not to mention, has been reading my mind, here's what happened: This morning (Sunday the 21st) There was a note from Santa and this book. What a surprise! Santa came by several days early to our place! He left this book and three empty boxes (one for each child) and in his note, Santa gave clear instructions that the boxes were to be filled with "fun stuff." He added that that Mama and Daddy would help the kids find a worthy donation location. (oh boy, would we!) I woke up this morning to giggles and grins as the oldest read this hilarious book aloud to the other two. They LOVED it! I had no trouble getting them to fill up those boxes Santa brought by, and Dad hauled it all to the homeless shelter this afternoon. A glorious Christmas book, and a perfect lesson in charity and generosity. I know the book is meant to be an exaggeration, but...aaack!! My house is really like that!! The humor of the story, just helps to make the lesson stick. My favorite part is the sad warbling egg shaped pirate. So true!! Santa is so wise, and so is David Shannon.

David Shannon is amazing! I am a Librarian for an elementary school and his books are always among the favorites, and "Too Many Toys" is no different. He has a great way of relating to children. All children relate to this story because we all tend to hang on to things that don't even work just for the sentimentality of it. The art work is delightful (as always), and the combination of the story and the pictures just works so wonderfully. I really cannot think of any of his books that I would not fully recommend!

As you might imagine, this book is about a young boy who had too many toys. His family tripped over them, he hoarded even the ones that were broken, and his mom finally decided that some of them had to go!

This book is illustrated in David Shannon's typical bright and whimsical style. I think that kids are attracted to the larger-than-life characterizations of the children, parents, and even inanimate objects.

My four-year-old son Kyle enjoyed it, chuckling in all the right places, and has even asked to hear it again. As for me -- well, it's inspired me to clear out some of those toys, and to even think twice about what I buy -- for my kids and others -- this holiday season.

This book is my 3 year old son's favorite. He loves staring at all the toys and will even read it to himself sometimes. The illustrations are amazing, and the story teaches a good lesson I don't mind him hearing over and over and over and over again.

I don't know about you, but David Shannon described our son and his toys almost to a tee. We have a room just for his toys and still, they manage to appear in all different places -- in the house, car, my purse. Children think the book is funny, but adults (myself, my son's pre-school teachers, librarians) love this funny and sympathetic book.

Don't we all just have too many toys! That is exactly why we should buy more books and in particular this one this Holiday Season. The book is clever, fun & the most important thing: my kids love it. I think it is something all kids will be able to relate too :)

Mommy's High Heel Shoes

My daughter brought this home from the school library on Friday. It's book-dedication time at school and I think this is the book we'll be dedicating to both kids this year.

I have to admit, my high opinion of "Too Many Toys" is partly because I'm so thrilled to know we aren't the only parents who are a little overwhelmed by the whole concept of toy management. An outsider who sees toys "spilling down the stairs and into the living room," as the book so aptly describes, might wonder why we're so lazy. Haven't we EVER cleaned our house or told our kids "no!"? It's all easier said than done, as this book portrays beautifully. For both parent and child.

My kids laughed out loud, insisted we read it to them several times and each read it out loud themselves a few times more. When I asked if they saw themselves in Spencer, their sheepish smiles told me they did. It helped them recognize their own silliness a bit, as well as their parents' frustration.

Be sure to look at the illustrations. Spencer's big sad eyes, the mom's expression when she's looking at the egg-shaped pirate telling her off, and the details in the ridiculous toys Spencer can't part with--are all priceless.

This book brings parents to tears in laughter. The author seems to know my own kid all too well. Our 6 yr old son loves the book and likes how much we enjoy reading it with him. The art work is fantastic and detailed. We plan to buy this book for other kids as presents.

David Shannon's books have beautiful illustrations and inventive, quirky stories that every adult can relate to. Makes them fun to read for parents, and fun and interesting for children. There is a hidden lesson, but it takes some discussion after the story to help kids understand. Bottom line: Beautiful, detailed illustrations; funny, well written story. Highly recommended.

Too Many Toys is the perfect book for kids and moms who have a hard time organizing and saying good-bye to old toys. David Shannon is a master at getting to the heart and mind of the child.