The story of the man who invented the Erector Set.C. Gilbert was all of these, but he made his name by refusing to grow up.

For over a year, the photographer and journal­ist Gabriele Galimberti visited more than 50 countries and created colorful images of boys and girls in their homes and neighborhoods with their most prized possessions: their toys. From Texas to India, Malawi to China, Iceland, Morocco, and Fiji, Galimberti recorded the spontaneous and natural joy that unites kids despite their diverse backgrounds. Whether the child owns a veritable fleet of miniature cars or a single stuffed monkey, the pride that Galimberti captures is moving, funny, and thought provoking.

Nicholas Whittaker's Toys Were Us is an analysis of the world of toys. Unashamedly nostalgic in parts, Whittaker rolls back the years and lovingly examines the detail of many lost, forgotten, or just plain old toys. Provisionally broken down into subjects and themes -- from 'having wheels' (pedal cars, roller skates) to 'war' (toy soldiers, airfix kits), etc -- the book is a chronology but also tackles many contemporary issues such as media-fuelled crazes, controversial violations of safety regulations, how Britain has lost its hold on the toy market and the ever-increasing commercialisation of toys. This is a hitherto unwritten cultural history, full of Whittaker's characteristic wit, irreverence and eye for hidden, obscure detail.

Takes the reader on a chronological & nostalgic journey through 20th-cent. Brit. toy mfg. Pre-WW1, Frank Hornby's system of ÔMechanics Made Easy' -- a tin box full of nuts, bolts & flexible strips of metal, had young boys attempting to build models of the Eiffel tower. In the 1920s, kids zoomed around in handcarts & scooters. The 1930s saw jigsaw puzzles & playing Escalado, Ôthe racecourse on a table'. The 1950s & 1960s saw battery-powered toys, street marbles, & Airfix kits. The 1970s belonged to Subbuteo, Mastermind, & Lego, & the 1980s to Space Invaders, Cabbage Patch Dolls & PlayStation 2. The present day is made up of Pokemon cards & media fueled crazes. A witty & irreverent cultural history with an eye for hidden, obscure detail. Illustrated.