Book description
Toys - from teddy bears to Barbie dolls to train sets - define our
image of childhood innocence. But the truth is that toys represent a
billion a year industry, and with so much money at stake, the toy
business is anything but child's play.
In The Real Toy Story, investigative journalist Eric Clark
exposes the startling truths behind Britain's favourite toys. Drawing
on interviews with over 200 industry insiders, Clark names and shames
the corporations spending millions on research into the best way to
manipulate their target audience while manufacturing products in China
under virtual slave labour conditions.
In a world of cut-throat competition and cold-blooded marketing, toy
companies are increasingly willing to sacrifice our children in the
rush for profits. And as more children forsake cuddly play things for
Ipods and cell phones, companies are using even more extreme tactics-
unashamedly using sex and violence to sell dolls and action men to
children as young as three - to make sure that their toy is the
one that children want to have.
The Real Toy Story is essential reading for the millions of
adults who care about the toys they choose for the children in their lives.
Eric Clark is a former investigative reporter for the
Observer
and the
Guardian
. He lives in London.
