Parents' Guide to

Too Many Toys

By Dawn Friedman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Perfect read before the holiday shopping season.

Book David Shannon Picture Book 2008
Too Many Toys Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

Rayni S.
Rayni S. Parent of 7-year-old
July 23, 2018
age 6+

Great message about culling AND creativity

Spencer has too many toys, like so many kids. He manages to cull some. And, then he finds the "best" toy of all. I liked the anti-consumerism message.
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Spencer has more toys than he knows what to do with! They're filling up his sandbox, spilling out of his bathtub, and making his room a mess. He has all kinds of toys, too -- quiet and loud, baby and big kid. And the toys just keep on coming! Spencer's parents have had it and so they announce that Spencer will need to go through his toys and winnow out his favorites. But every toy is special and every single one is so much fun -- will Spencer be able to do it?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Parents will recognize their own lives and laugh (along with their kids) at the comical illustrations of Spencer's parents stepping on jacks and tripping over train tracks. What parent doesn't know the challenge of walking through the toy obstacle course in their kids' bedrooms to get to the other side? Hey -- we've all been there! And that's what makes this book so good.

Spencer acts like a real kid (and reacts like a real kid when he hears his mom wants him to give away his toys!) and his parents act like real parents. It's a funny story that will help families put their own toy trials on the table and open the discussion up to solutions. What do the kids think Spencer should do? And could they maybe apply their brainstorming to their own overflowing toy boxes?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their own kids' toy collections. Is it possible to have too many toys? Is it easy to forget toys that are tucked away? Does it help to keep everything where you can find it or is it too hard to organize them?

Book Details

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