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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this British docuseries takes a very close look at classic toys. In each episode, host James May picks a single well-known plaything and then uses it on a grand scale -- such as a full-size house made of LEGOs or an enormous slot-car race track. There's no swearing, sex, drinking, or anything else that takes away from the show's sense of childlike fun, but each episode does heavily promote classic toy brands.
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What's the Story?
James May has a very fun job. The genial British host of JAMES MAY'S TOY STORIES spends every episode playing with some of the world's best-known toys. He brings a child's sense of fun and curiosity to the show, combining it with adult-scale ambitions. The result? Building a full-size, two-story house with 3.5 million LEGOs, creating a real bridge made with an Erector set, and crafting a lovely British garden out of modeling clay. Along the way, May also explains the history of the various toys, basic physics, modern design, and other adult concepts, but he never lets any of it get in the way of playtime.
Is It Any Good?
May clearly has a grand time playing with his toys, and watching him at play is great fun as well. His enthusiasm is infectious, and his sense of wonder never lets up. He solicits plenty of help, and while everyone is clearly having fun, they also take their jobs seriously -- watching a hardened contractor boss his crew around because their LEGO house is behind schedule is such a crazy juxtaposition that's impossible not to smile. This is a show that kids and adults can happily watch together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about toys. Do May's larger-than-life games look like fun? Would you like to take on similar projects? What kind of toy would you choose? What is/was your favorite toy?
Do you think adults need to play? How do grown ups play?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 27, 2009
- Cast: James May
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Educational
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 25, 2022
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