Stories About "Toys"

This is the time of year that there are commercials all over the TV about toys. Not only that, every kid you pass will tell you what they want. Something bigger and better than what the last kid asked for.

These stories look at toys in different ways. They examine everything from the relationship between 2 different people, to the dependency a person can have on a toy.

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Benny
by K.C. Scott
47 pages

First things first, I picked this short story up for a couple of reasons. My grandmother used to call my Grandpa "Benny", so it piqued my curiosity off the bat.

The story itself is interesting, it starts off expressing the worry that a parent may have about an expensive item when money is tight. Not only that it voices the idea that even adults need a willing ear to bend at times. It also explores the idea that there is always someone watching out for us.

I would not recommend this as a story to read to younger children. It would be unwise because it starts off by dispelling the existence of Santa Claus. Which may be a bit disheartening to a younger reader if they believe in the old saint still.
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All I Want For Christmas is a V.R. Supercube
by Dan Absalonson
17 pages

This is an interesting story because it examines the way people see each other. It also involves a rather grown up reaction to a situation. This story is a nice one to share with teens, because it offers a look at two very different boys. With something in common, they both want the same thing for Christmas. But we all know, not everyone gets what they want.

Read this if you want to get a glimpse at how some members of humanity care for others that may be in need. It is really a sweet story, appropriate for middle school type age group and up in my opinion. But the theme is more or less universal.
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Adventures in Toyland
Edith King Hall
58 pages

This is more a collection of stories than one singular story. But at the same time it is one continual story. What is unique about this piece though, is that it is an older one.

I picked it up online, likely at Project Gutenburg, because the title sounded interesting. Part of me wondered if it was going to be anything like the movie Disney did: "Babes in Toyland". But it was nothing like that. Nowhere in the book is Mother Goose mentioned. Father Christmas is mentioned though. So that is what helps to make this an appropriate piece for this season.

If you have a small child, this would be a nice piece to read to them the nights before the big holiday. Why? Because the story hints at the way toys react to each other and various events. Many of the movies they will see seem to miss the fact that there are morals to stories. there are reasons that the bad guys do not win. This story book is very good at showing morals and situations in a way that a child would find understandable.
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I'm sure that there are more stories about toys that will find their way onto this blog. But for today I think that's enough. If you have any recommendations, don't be afraid to let me know.