The Toy Book

First published in 1972, Steven Caney's classic Toy Book was written only after much research by the author and a group of 30 friends, all under the age of 13. A designer at the Boston Children's Museum (who had lectured at Harvard on the virtues of the refrigerator carton as a plaything), Caney came up with ideas the kids tested: they constructed and built, tried variations, used different materials, played. No toy could be included in the now-famous collection until it was agreed upon by every child. Could it be made easily? Was it fun? Safe? Caney and the children did their work well. As soon as Toy Book was released, it was recommended by the Museum of Modern Art, numerous book clubs, critics. Use it now as boys and girls always have: to enter new worlds of imagination, concentration, and confidence.