Exploring the History of Childhood and Play through 50 Historic Treasures

Starred review from April 15, 2020
There has been considerable research devoted to the importance of childhood play, and there are catalogues that list collectible toys from the past. In this readable overview, author Fletcher draws from both areas to chronicle evolving twentieth-century American social values through the lens of 50 iconic playthings. Brief introductory essays discuss various toy genres, such as dolls or electronic games, before detailed, multi-page entries look at specific products, including who invented them (and for what audience) and why they became, and in many cases, remain, so popular. For instance, the board game Candyland was invented in 1949 to amuse young polio patients. Pac-Man was a 1980s effort to develop a non-violent video game for girls, and was inspired by its creator's disappearing pizza slices. Entries combine interesting facts with relatable anecdotes, resulting in addictive stories that will resonate with researchers and casual readers alike, whether they remember Easy Bake Ovens from the 1960s or lean more towards 1980s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures. Period photos, chapter notes, and a timeline attest to this offering's scholarship, while its insightful and often amusing commentary will keep readers' attention. All in all, this is a very attractive package.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)