We are delighted to announce the winners of our 2009 Independent Toy Awards as chosen by the nation’s independent toy retailers.
BABY: 7 in 1 Activity Centre (I'm Toy)
CREATIVE PLAY: Tellatale Hand Puppets (Fiesta Crafts)
CONSTRUCTION: Quadrila Basic Set (Quadrilla)
DOLLS: Baby Stella (Manhattan Toy)
ECO: Dragon A-Z Jigsaw Puzzle (Lanka Kade)
EDUCATIONAL: Chemistry Set (John Adams)
ELECTRONIC: Kidilook (Vtech)
GAMES & PUZZLES: Farm Animals Chunky Puzzle (Melissa & Doug)
MODELS: Lewis Hamilton McLaren Kit (Airfix)
WOODEN: Sophie's House (Le Toy Van)
In contrast to most ‘top toy’ lists that are chosen by either a panel of judges or the sales department of a single company, our list has been compiled by asking 300 independent toy retailers to tell us what they think are the best toys this year from 10 categories.
Although a huge variety of products were voted for, some toys stood out as being popular right across the board, with the brands Le Toy Van and Manhattan Toy being particularly celebrated. The winner of our dolls category, Baby Stella, deserves a special mention for getting more votes than any other toy - although Imajo's Traditional Rag Doll wasn't too far behind.
There were no winning products this year from popular brands such as Pintoy, John Crane, Orchard Toys or BigJigs - although these companies deserve honorable mentions as they were singled out by many retailers as having particularly strong product lines this season.
It’s very exciting to have an Airfix product recognised in this way. This was a product launch into a new category for Airfix and has been received with great enthusiasm by new and old modellers alike.
We are delighted that Sophie's House is the winner of the Wooden Category in these awards. It is fantastic to receive this recognition from the nation's independent toy shops, the very core of our business. We would like to say a big THANK-YOU to all those who voted for us.
We are delighted that our Tellatale Hand Puppets have won an Independent Toy Award. We already see how much children love these puppets and it is fabulous to have been recognised in this way by toy shops themselves.
It is absolutely brilliant to hear that our Dragon A-Z Jigsaw has been voted a winner by the independent toy retailers. We are thrilled and very grateful to receive this award - I have spoken to a couple of the independents and they are as proud of our product being selected as we are and they certainly appreciate their opinions being valued. Massive thanks.
A traditional combination toy shop and baby clothes boutique.
Online products include toys, gifts, games, RC toys and lots more.
High quality timber model farm buildings in two different scales.
