Guest Author - Megan Romer

Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Invented Them is one of the most beautiful books about toys and games that I've ever seen. The author, Tim Walsh, is a game inventor himself: he invented the games TriBond and Blurt!

Walsh looked at the history of nearly every major toy and game invented in this century. He covers the history of Teddy Bears, Crayolas, Tonkas, Play-Doh, Crossword Puzzles, Mr. Potato Head, Frisbees, Etch-A-Sketch, G.I. Joes, and so many more. Whatever your favorite toy during childhood was, you'll probably find the history of it and the people who invented it in this book.

My primary interest in this book was, of course, board games. The first game mentioned in the book (which goes chronologically) is Monopoly. Walsh carefully delved into the history of Monopoly, uncovering the many people who had a part in its invention. The book shows pictures of its many incarnations, from Elizabeth Magie's original "Landlord's Game" to Charles Darrow's circular Monopoly board. It also shows pictures of all of the tokens used over the years.

The book also details the history of Candy Land. I must say that my somewhat hard opinion towards Candy Land was softened. The game was invented by a retired teacher named Eleanor Abbott, who contracted polio and found herself in a polio ward where most of the other patients were small children. She invented the game to help the suffering kids pass the time. In the book, it shows a picture of the very first Candy Land game, wherein it appears that the little boy may be wearing a leg brace, a fitting tribute to the game's beginnings in a polio ward. Abbott also donated most of the proceeds back to the children with polio. It's a very sweet story. Pun intended.

The book also covers Scrabble, Cootie, Clue, Yahtzee, Mouse Trap, Hands Down, Operation, The Mystery Date game, Ants in the Pants, Toss Across, The Game of Life, Twister, Kerplunk, Trivial Pursuit, Jenga, Uno, Pictionary.... and that's just the games! Dozens and dozens of toys are presented also.

I love that the book not only takes a look at the games themselves, but also at the real people who invented them and the stories behind them. Sometimes they're touching, sometimes they're silly. They're all interesting, though, and they'll bring you a new appreciation of all the toys and games you've always loved.

I can't emphasize enough how beautiful and interesting this book is. When we first got it, we actually argued over who got to read it first ("But Honey! I have to read it! For work!"). It's been sitting on my coffee table ever since, and every adult who has been in our living room has picked it up and become completely engrossed. Pick it up and see for yourself!