The Toys Store

The wild things--with their mismatched parts and giant eyes--manage somehow to be scary-looking without ever really being scary; at times they're downright hilarious. Sendak's defiantly run-on sentences--one of his trademarks--lend the perfect touch of stream of consciousness to the tale, which floats between the land of dreams and a child's imagination.

Looking for the perfect Barbie Girl? Be sure and check out our full selection of Barbie Girls and accessories at Amazon.com.

The world seems a lot smaller these days thanks to connective technology such as MP3 players, cell phones, PDAs, the Internet, and more. So what better way for girls to go global than with this Barbie Girl device? Barbie has been at the forefront of trendsetting for nearly 50 years and now she’s offering today’s young girls a way to share their passion for fashion, music, and chat with their bffs.

At barbiegirls.com girls can create their own, personalized online space--everything from designing a "room" to creating a character--where they can then play games, chat with gal pals, watch videos, and even shop with earned virtual money. Word filters, moderation tools, and other safety features ensure that the virtual world stays friendly and fun to all visitors, but the added security and benefits of this Barbie Girl device are ingenious.

The Barbie Girl device is basically an MP3 player with attitude. First, it offers a range of customizable fashions and accessories, delivering the next generation of fashion doll play. Second, it is a music device with 1GB of on-board memory. Third, the Barbie Girl device acts as a "key" for girls who have a room on barbiegirls.com. Girls who have this device and who have physically connected them into one another’s computer docking stations can become "best friends" and chat in "secret." It’s a more personal touch to the site experience and an extra layer of safety for parents. The device also allows its user to unlock additional pets, games, hangouts, fashions, and more online.

This Barbie Girl Device is mostly orange, comes with two hairstyles, two faces, two tops, a skirt, a pair of pants, boots, and wedges that can be interchanged to match the owner’s current mood and style. The tech gadget also includes adjustable earbuds, a belt clip, and a durable storage case so it’s easy to take everywhere. Additional packs of fashions, pets, and accessories are sold separately and offer the ability for girls to make their Barbie Girl as unique as themselves.

Tech Specs

• 1GB on-board memory
• Expandable miniSD slot that holds a memory card up to 2 GB (sold separately)
• The device can play any non-DRM-encrypted MP3 or WMA files
• Comes with Windows Media Player 11
• Built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery that charges via a USB port

Recommended system requirements

• Broadband Internet connection
• Windows XP or Windows Vista
• DirectX 9.0 or above
• Pentium III 800 MHz or above processor (or equivalent)
• 512 MB RAM
• 200 MB free hard drive space
• Internet Explorer 6.0 or later with SP1 and Macromedia Flash Plug In
• CD-ROM drive
• USB 2.0 Port

The two-sided kitchen offers lots of opportunities for interaction. View larger.

Keep play money in the cash register's working drawer. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Interactive restaurant counter with lots of accessories The Bad: Sound effects could grow tiresome In a Nutshell: Fun features inspire hours of imaginative play At a Glance Ages: 18 months to 4 years Requires: 3 AA batteries

Open for Business
Before kids start helping Elmo run this restaurant, a parent will need to snap the legs and arch onto the main unit and check the batteries. The pieces fit together easily and securely. Since these parts make use of one-time snaps, the unit cannot be broken down once it is assembled. Batteries for demonstration purposes are included, but these may need to be replaced with three new AA batteries, which requires use of a Philips head screwdriver.

Once this is done, simply make sure the switch, located inside the oven, is in the "on" position and watch as children explore the restaurant and delight in prerecorded messages from their Sesame Street friends.

Detailed, Interactive Construction
With the idea of a restaurant as their starting point, kids will quickly begin role playing and inviting their friends to enjoy a piece of pizza pie or a bunch of broccoli--once they've paid with some Duck Bills or Trash Cash, of course.

Kids will love the surprise of discovering what makes their favorite characters speak. They'll hear an effect right away when play begins with taking the spatula from Elmo or picking up the menu from its resting place in Grover's hand. Opening and closing the oven prompts the hungry Cookie Monster to speak, and knobs picturing Bert and Ernie let kids know whether they are cranking up the heat or turning it down. The smart stove makes a sizzling noise when the frying pan is set on its burner. There's even a bell to ring that inspires a yell of "order's up," just like in a real kitchen. The cash register offers a drawer for stashing bills, and it includes a working microphone so that kids can hear themselves talk with the same speaker that plays all the restaurant's fun sound effects.

Room for Imaginative Play to Flourish
With a side for cooking and a side for serving, this set is perfect for inspiring cooperative play between friends and siblings, or keeping a single child with an active imagination engaged for hours. Since the restaurant only comes with one set of utensils, kids will need to get creative if there are lots of diners.

Parents will love the way all the accessories that come with this set can be neatly stored inside the oven and refrigerator. Of course, getting kids to remember to clean-up may be tough when they're having so much fun. Coming from Fisher-Price, a brand know for fun, durable toys that inspire learning, Elmo's kitchen is well-suited for the demands of active play. Parents will love the sturdy construction and the way accessories can be neatly stored inside the oven and refrigerator.

A Child-Friendly Design
The ClickStart features a child-friendly wireless keyboard, plug and play console, and a child-sized mouse with a right- or-left-handed adjustable mouse pad. It transforms the TV into a PC, which allows kids to work on a big screen and the whole family to join in on the fun. The miniature mouse is perfectly formed for little fingers to point and click. Large, colored buttons make it easy for kids to learn basic keystrokes, and four friendly games create a safe, age-appropriate environment to navigate. ClickStart is built to withstand rough toddler handling, a plus for parents who want to spare their high-end desktops from child's play. And the wireless keyboard is light and convenient to transport from place to place, so kids can bring the fun with them wherever they go.

Transform your TV into a PC for your child, complete with wireless keyboard and mouse. View larger.

Your child can click any of the icons on the desktop to play a game and learn.

Encourages Age-Appropriate Learning
It is never too early to teach children the correct way to use a computer. The ClickStart ensures that a child's first computing experience is age appropriate and pleasant, with engaging games that not only enhance basic computer skills, but prepare children for pre-school and kindergarten. This educational tool has four games that teach phonics, letters, animal facts, and counting, while sharpening a child's screen navigation skills. Friendly puppy Scout guides kids through keyboard functions and allows them to work at their own pace. Techno tots can click on a faux in-box to receive their first e-mail; it even has sound for nonreaders. Should the youngster ever become stumped, a hint button gives them a clue. Additional ClickStart software packages, sold separately, feature well-known characters such as Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer, and Nemo.

The Razor A is built of aircraft-grade aluminum, a sturdy material that holds up to use and abuse through the years. Its T-tube and deck, meanwhile, fold up into a compact footprint, so riders can fit the scooter inside a bag or carry it at their side when riding isn't appropriate (it weighs around 6 pounds). And thanks to the 98 mm inline-style urethane wheels, ABEC 5 bearings, and patented rear fender brake, riders will always feel smooth and in control when kicking along the sidewalk.

Recommended for ages 5 and older, this version of the Razor A sports pink handlebars, a pink deck logo, and pink wheels, with a max rider weight of 143 pounds. It's also backed by a six-month warranty. For the next step up, try the Razor A2 Scooter.

Key Features:

• For riders ages 5 and older
• Sturdy aluminum construction
• Weighs approximately six pounds
• Retractable kickstand
• Rear fender brake
• Patented folding mechanism
• 143-pound user weight capacity
• Six-month warranty

The buyer and rider of the Razor A scooter are responsible for knowing and obeying all local, state, and federal regulations regarding the riding and use of scooters.