From Waterstones.com

“I’ve found that it’s a book that benefits going through with a few friends, as it stirs memories and is a good conversation starter. I personally filled a few lunch hours at work going over which toys we had and what became of them.”

From Play.com

“Unlike similiar books, this one strongly focuses on toys that were available in the UK, so you should know most of the items here.”

From Librarything.com

“If you have any sense of nostalgia for the toys that were great when we were kids in the 80’s this is a treasure.”

From UsingEnglish.com

“By the time you’ve finished laughing out loud, you’ve cross-referenced one toy against another and you’ve gazed wistfully at the toy photos, wishing you were 8 years old again, this book will have kept you interested for many hours.”

And there’s a video review over at Ninety Second Review plus some nice mentions of the book on people’s blogs, including my old mate GiaGia (who one day I hope to work with again), Fustar, Box Vox, Out On Blue Six, Retro To Go, Me And My Big Mouth, the Liverpool Daily Post, and Mirror.co.uk. Thank you all.

The truth is, aside from what’s in the reports already out there, I know little else: speculation suggests that someone is buying up the company (or at least some of its backlist), and that some of the outstanding authors’ contracts will be honoured, some may not.  Whether this is true or not (and for whom) is only partially confirmed. However, having sat with TV Cream Toys in purgatory for about 12 months (it was released almost two years after the original pitch), I can at least empathise with those who now wonder if their book will ever make it to the shops. 

On the thorny issue of reprints, I don’t know if that will ever happen either (although I’d like to see paperback versions of TV Cream Toys and TV Cream’s Anatomy Of Cinema), so perhaps buy up the unsold stock while you still can, eh? 

It’s just some blurb and various links to online retailers who are already stocking the book on pre-order, but I’m already obsessing over the Amazon sales ranking (anywhere between 32,000 and 180,000 depending on which way the wind is blowing) so, if you’re flush, do cough up for one. 

If it does well, I already have loads of ideas for what can go into volume two.  There are also some other TV Cream titles in the pipeline (from the same publishing company, The Friday Project), so expect plenty more exciting news in the future. 

As well as the entries on this site, plus a bundle of other toys, the book also has some fabbo pics (courtesy of yours truly and his travelling camera), plus brilliant illustrations from
a guy in the States of all places.  There is talk of a limited edition calendar version of the book too (which will be much more photo heavy and less fact-conscious). 

In the mean time, toy enthusiasts should get themselves along to The Science Museum in London, where there is currently an exhibition called “Playing With Science” which explains how scientific principles can be taught through common playthings.  Oh, and you can take your own toys along too. 

Would you like to help?  I’m after loads of stuff but mainly I need photos.  Don’t worry, I’m not expecting people to turn up the Hasbro archive of toy images (although if someone could, that’d be fab!).  I’m actually going to take the photos myself.  But in order to do so I need to get in touch with collectors of toys, people who have a great stack of nostalgic toys and games in their attics in pretty good condition.  I have a portable photography studio which packs into a rucksack and a high-quality digital camera to take photos with - well, good enough to replicate the standard of photography used in the old Argos catalogues.  I’m willing to travel so anyone who’s prepared to let their collection star in the book, please do get in touch.  Credit and thanks will be provided, cash - unfortunately - cannot. 

Speaking of Argos catalogues, loads of people have been kind enough to donate their old ones to the cause.  You’d be surprised how many memories have been jogged by looking through these so, if anyone’s sitting on an old catalogue and is prepared to either scan it, loan it or give it to me to help provide some source material, I’d be much obliged. 

Finally, if anyone feels up to writing a eulogy to their favourite toy or game - one that is not listed already, of course, and you feel able to colour it with house style anecdotage, reminiscence and, well, crap jokes, I’m in the market for contributions.  Once again, cash or royalties cannot be provided, but credit and acknowledgement will.  It’s just for the glory this time. 

As always, please contact by the link in the left hand column.  It’s back to the writing for me.