Comments on: Elmo’s Head: An Analysis of Recalled Fisher-Price Toys http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html A dad's eye view of baby and toddler stuff Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:34:58 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Wendy http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4093 Wendy Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:24:54 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4093 <p>For what it's worth, as much as I prefer educational non-licensed toys, I would rather buy Sesame Street toys for my son and help support the educational programs of the Children's Television Workshop rather than a (seemingly) purely commercial character like Dora. I loved growing up with Sesame Street, and if buying Elmo toys will ensure that my grandkids will be able to grow up with it, too, then I'm all for that. </p> For what it’s worth, as much as I prefer educational non-licensed toys, I would rather buy Sesame Street toys for my son and help support the educational programs of the Children’s Television Workshop rather than a (seemingly) purely commercial character like Dora. I loved growing up with Sesame Street, and if buying Elmo toys will ensure that my grandkids will be able to grow up with it, too, then I’m all for that.

]]> By: Alyssa http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4092 Alyssa Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:39:45 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4092 <p>Thanks for the info.!</p> Thanks for the info.!

]]> By: Papergirl http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4091 Papergirl Wed, 05 Sep 2007 04:41:13 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4091 <p>Hello. I found this blog when I did a search on Playtown figures, which I recently discovered and was completely charmed by. They are reminiscent of the old-school Fisher-Price little people that I used to play with as a child. </p> <p>As I read more of the comments to this post, I am struck by the conspiratorial motives we've assigned the toy companies who produce licensed character products. Aren't the decision makers at these companies also parents, friends, neighbors, and family members -- just like the people who continue to purchase these toys and perpetuate the demand? I guess what I'm saying is THEY are WE. Let's stop demonizing each other. </p> <p>Furthermore, let's let our kids play with whatever toys capture their imaginations. Last I checked, Elmo never did drugs, shot anyone or voted for George Bush. Does the fact that Children's Television Workshop wants my son to like Elmo diminish Elmo's good qualities? I say no. I don't think the fact that my son worships at the altar of Thomas the Tank Engine as a three year-old is going to prevent him from growing up to be a functioning, happy and healthy member of society.</p> <p>And another thing. Kids who've never even met a licensed product throw huge tantrums over toys, too. Just different ones. Without batteries. </p> Hello. I found this blog when I did a search on Playtown figures, which I recently discovered and was completely charmed by. They are reminiscent of the old-school Fisher-Price little people that I used to play with as a child.

As I read more of the comments to this post, I am struck by the conspiratorial motives we’ve assigned the toy companies who produce licensed character products. Aren’t the decision makers at these companies also parents, friends, neighbors, and family members — just like the people who continue to purchase these toys and perpetuate the demand? I guess what I’m saying is THEY are WE. Let’s stop demonizing each other.

Furthermore, let’s let our kids play with whatever toys capture their imaginations. Last I checked, Elmo never did drugs, shot anyone or voted for George Bush. Does the fact that Children’s Television Workshop wants my son to like Elmo diminish Elmo’s good qualities? I say no. I don’t think the fact that my son worships at the altar of Thomas the Tank Engine as a three year-old is going to prevent him from growing up to be a functioning, happy and healthy member of society.

And another thing. Kids who’ve never even met a licensed product throw huge tantrums over toys, too. Just different ones. Without batteries.

]]> By: Mark http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4090 Mark Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:26:09 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4090 <p>We don't have any of the stuff on the list but it's more by coincidence, since my extended family thinks all that stuff is fantastic and give him character licensed stuff at every opportunity. Like Marianne's family above, they find my push away from it puzzling, but they mostly figure I'm being silly and blow it off.</p> <p>And as for the lead testing kits, I seem to remember an old blog posting either here on Thingamababy or possibly on Brett's Dadtalk.typepad.com site about relatively inexpensive lead testing kits ($15-20?) being available at hardware stores. That might be a good place to check</p> We don’t have any of the stuff on the list but it’s more by coincidence, since my extended family thinks all that stuff is fantastic and give him character licensed stuff at every opportunity. Like Marianne’s family above, they find my push away from it puzzling, but they mostly figure I’m being silly and blow it off.

And as for the lead testing kits, I seem to remember an old blog posting either here on Thingamababy or possibly on Brett’s Dadtalk.typepad.com site about relatively inexpensive lead testing kits ($15-20?) being available at hardware stores. That might be a good place to check

]]> By: Dragon http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4089 Dragon Sat, 04 Aug 2007 06:57:54 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4089 <p>I'm not crazy! I hate all the licensed character merchandise marketed to children. Not only are most of those toys garish and ill-made, but I think it's terribly underhanded to market to a population segment that doesn't even have it's own cash flow. I've seen (and when I was a child, been involved in) more tantrums and arguments related to toys than probably most other issues combined. It really is rediculous that it's actually difficult to find toys that encourage unstructured, imaginitive play.</p> I’m not crazy! I hate all the licensed character merchandise marketed to children. Not only are most of those toys garish and ill-made, but I think it’s terribly underhanded to market to a population segment that doesn’t even have it’s own cash flow. I’ve seen (and when I was a child, been involved in) more tantrums and arguments related to toys than probably most other issues combined. It really is rediculous that it’s actually difficult to find toys that encourage unstructured, imaginitive play.

]]> By: Lisa Mandriota http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4088 Lisa Mandriota Sat, 04 Aug 2007 02:13:17 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4088 <p>If you go online to the Mattel site, it says that the tool bench is recalled but it says "(Canada Only)".....so i guess if you've bought it here, you are fine......</p> If you go online to the Mattel site, it says that the tool bench is recalled but it says “(Canada Only)”…..so i guess if you’ve bought it here, you are fine……

]]> By: Sarah http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4087 Sarah Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:36:13 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4087 <p>Just the other day it occurred to me how weird it is that Sesame Street characters are all over merchandise, while the show itself is on Public Television (is Dora, too? My son is only 9 mo so I don't know yet). I just think that's kind of a disconnect...</p> Just the other day it occurred to me how weird it is that Sesame Street characters are all over merchandise, while the show itself is on Public Television (is Dora, too? My son is only 9 mo so I don’t know yet). I just think that’s kind of a disconnect…

]]> By: Kaely http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4086 Kaely Fri, 03 Aug 2007 14:17:05 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4086 <p>We don't have any of these toys. Character toys are not my thing. Even so, I'm getting to the point where I want to lead test everything before I bring it home. Any one have a source for testing supplies?</p> We don’t have any of these toys. Character toys are not my thing. Even so, I’m getting to the point where I want to lead test everything before I bring it home. Any one have a source for testing supplies?

]]> By: clothdipes4us http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4085 clothdipes4us Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:35:53 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4085 <p>personally i have about 5 or 6 of these toys but all of them are older ones that i picked up ultra cheap at garage sales or thrift stores. although my kids like these toys (theyre all seasame street) i actually bought them for myself, lol, i know i'm an adult but they are fun..... my kids actually prefer their barbies, little cars and blocks.... though the peek a boo blocks are all of my kids faves! i think (not certian) these are fisher price toys too....</p> personally i have about 5 or 6 of these toys but all of them are older ones that i picked up ultra cheap at garage sales or thrift stores. although my kids like these toys (theyre all seasame street) i actually bought them for myself, lol, i know i’m an adult but they are fun….. my kids actually prefer their barbies, little cars and blocks…. though the peek a boo blocks are all of my kids faves! i think (not certian) these are fisher price toys too….

]]> By: STL Mom http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/08/recall.html/comment-page-1#comment-4084 STL Mom Thu, 02 Aug 2007 21:30:32 +0000 http://s54748.gridserver.com/baby/2007/08/elmos-head-an-analysis-of-recalled-fisher-price-toys.html#comment-4084 <p>One issue with licensed characters on toys is that my kids often outgrow the characters before they outgrow the toy. My daughter isn't too tall to ride her Disney Princess scooter, but she doesn't like the princess theme anymore. Planned obsolescence, anyone?</p> One issue with licensed characters on toys is that my kids often outgrow the characters before they outgrow the toy. My daughter isn’t too tall to ride her Disney Princess scooter, but she doesn’t like the princess theme anymore. Planned obsolescence, anyone?

]]>