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The Real Toy Story
Apr. 26th, 2008 10:15 amI love fantasy books and movies, but I could never have imagined what it's like to live inside the toy industry. I unabashedly love toys, so I was really surprised by some of the insider stories revealed in Eric Clark's The Real Toy Story
. Sure it's all fun and games on the outside, but on the inside, well...
Really, the book just scratches the surface of so many tangents, but Clark is a very engaging, conspiratorial writer. He still manages to touch on so many areas, from the inventors who desperately want to make a dream reality, to how an old brand like Barbie reacts to whippersnapper Bratz, and then finally the life of Chinese toy factory workers. That was easily the best chapter in the book. I didn't realize that migrant worker women in China need an unmarried status permit, so by the time they arrive at the factory, they already rack up debts. Then there's garnishing for meals, lodging, being late and not making pieces properly.
I didn't realize what a fragile industry toys are. Kids outgrow toys too fast, they have too much choice and retailers like Wal-Mart try to drive prices down even more. It's unfortunate that this book came out before last year's lead scandals - it would have surely added another chapter.
. Sure it's all fun and games on the outside, but on the inside, well...Really, the book just scratches the surface of so many tangents, but Clark is a very engaging, conspiratorial writer. He still manages to touch on so many areas, from the inventors who desperately want to make a dream reality, to how an old brand like Barbie reacts to whippersnapper Bratz, and then finally the life of Chinese toy factory workers. That was easily the best chapter in the book. I didn't realize that migrant worker women in China need an unmarried status permit, so by the time they arrive at the factory, they already rack up debts. Then there's garnishing for meals, lodging, being late and not making pieces properly.
I didn't realize what a fragile industry toys are. Kids outgrow toys too fast, they have too much choice and retailers like Wal-Mart try to drive prices down even more. It's unfortunate that this book came out before last year's lead scandals - it would have surely added another chapter.
