Here Susan Brewer turns her attention to the world of girls' toys. She reflects on Victorian times and how the child of a wealthy family might have a rocking horse and a doll's pram, whereas the child in a relatively poor family would be lucky if she owned a small wooden doll. What a contrast to today's girls, who accumulate so many toys that many of them are scarcely played with.

Antiques Diary

It will always remain a reference work to be consulted from time-to-time, it is also a good read from first page o last.
There are lovely little surprises as well, peppered with little nuggests of information and anecdote, who knew there was a board-fame called “Lively Polly the Fascinating Wash Day Game”! Or that Monday was traditionally the nation’s wash-day. If you are remotely interested in toys and their social history or the commercial histories of the companies that made them, you should add this book to your library.

Small Scale World Review

This is a nostalgia-filled book that will appeal to readers of all ages, and is guaranteed to waft them back to their carefree- childhood days. It also poses the pertinent question, ' Why do manufacturers paint so many girls' toys pink?' Any female who was once a small girl will love this one!

Arc Magazine

In this book, Susan Brewer explores the fascinating world of girls toys: from the Victorian era, where children of a really wealthy family might possess a china doll, to modern-day bombardment and fascination with 'pink for girls'. Each chapter is devoted to a differing topic, including 'Caring and Cooking', 'Houses and Homes', 'Traditional Toys', 'Cuddlies and Character Creatures' and 'Outdoor Play', and contained within each are wonderful descriptions of hundreds of varying toys owned, and loved, by girls throughout the decades. Particular attention is paid to those toys of the 1970s and 80s, which witnessed a stark rise in the number of character toys, such as Care Bears. A wonderful book of nostalgia, and a wealth of knowledge to those with an interest in collectables.

EJH

Readers will probably be familiar with the style of Susan's books by ow. This has a similar approach, selecting prominent toys from different periods. The photographs are once again excellent, and there are plenty of them. Nostalgia, social history - it is impossible to put this book into any one category. Read it and muse.

Galatea