Guest Author - Paula Petrie

The American Specialty Toy Retailing Association, ASTRA, is the largest association for companies of toy and children's products.

ASTRA brings retailers, manufacturers, manufacturers' representatives, and industry affiliates together to help them achieve their business goals and promote the growth of the industry by delivering products that serve children's best interests.

"Every year, parents tell us how some of the latest, trendy toys and gadgets end up at the bottom of the toy box soon after the holidays," said Kathleen McHugh, executive director of ASTRA. "But a toy from one of our local neighborhood toy stores will ignite the imagination and provide a different play experience every time the child picks it up. These unique, fun toys inspire creativity, making them favorites the children turn to again and again all year round."

These toys have a strong reputation for approval ratings from both parents and educators. Toys are chosen to help children build developmental skills, reinforce classroom lessons, teach sharing and caring, and for getting off the couch.

This year's holiday theme is "Caring & Sharing Play," to encourage kids through toys and games to cultivate kindness and friendship.

Here are ASTRA's top picks for toys this holiday season

Alex Knot a Quilt Alex, Northvale NJ

Alex Sticker Factory Bilibo Kid-O-Distribution, New York, NY

Calico Critters Baby Park International Playthings, Parsippany, NJ and

Playhouse Chunky Puzzles Melissa & Doug, Westport, CT

Small World Toys, Culver City, CA

Ghost Phantom Pirate Ship Papo from Hotaling Imports, Sherrill, NY (I can tell you that this really is great!)

I Never Forget a Face Eeboo, New York, NY

Little Builder Whimsy Block Set Beka, St. Paul, MN

Magna-Tiles ValTech, La Grange, IL

Magneatos Guidecraft, Englewood, NJ Micro

TREK Thames & Kosmos, Portsmouth, RI

Mighty World International Playthings, Parsippany, NJ

My First Dolls: Calins & Tidoos Corolle, Grantsville, MD

My First Science Kit Scientific Explorer, Seattle, WA

Peacock Puppet Folkmanis, Emeryville, CA

Play Foam Educational Insights, Rancho Dominguez, CA

Kit by Creativity for Kids, Valley View, OH RC

Demolition Derby Kid Galaxy, Manchester, NH

Ringgz Blue Orange Games, San Francisco

Storybook Musical Treasure Boxes Enchantmints, Sebastopol, CA

UglyDolls Prettyugly LLC, Kenilworth, NJ

Shoppers interested in locating an ASTRA-member specialty toy retailer in their area can visit www.astratoy.org or call ASTRA at 312-222-0984.