Share this Mister Wong Digg Del.icio.us Slashdot Furl Yahoo Technorati Newsvine Googlize this Blinklist Facebook Wikio Export PDF Print E-mail Tags nanaimo wipeout toy war

Toys in Nanaimo
by Dyane Brown
Stores selling toys in Nanaimo were recently checked out by members of the Nanaimo chapter of The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, (WILPF).

“We wanted to find out  who was selling war toys for children and who chose not to and what  alternatives there were”, said local member Dyane brown. “We also wanted to express appreciation to the stores we found that chose creative, positive toys.”

In contrast to the several large chain stores who simply told us they had no imput into what they sold. “It is all decided at head office.” we found five local stores who offered delightful alternatives. We have made up certificates to present to those five stores.

The manager of Canadian Tire assured us that they continued their established policy of not carrying war toys. We had checked stores out three years ago and had been surprised and pleased at not finding any violent children’s toys there.  If they can do it, why not the others?  Zellers, Sears and Toys R Us had a disappointing array of simulated weaponry for young children. 

 

One of the more disturbing toys we found at Toys R Us was a little character called “Super Patriot” for ages 8 and up. This  fellow was holding a machine gun and sported  shoulder pads and a loin cloth with stars and stripes. When we asked why such a product was being sold in Canada and what was their thinking,  the systems manager of this store told us,

“We are corporate.  We have no say at all in what we stock.”  

At Sears we were not impressed by RISK TRANSFORMERS -Robot Armies of MEGATRON OPTIMUS PRIME are fighting a global war.  Whoever wins will not only rule CYBERTON but will also control ASLSPARK - the force that gives life to TRANSFORMERS. Here we also found  an Explosive DVD game that puts you in the middle of action to identify and neutralize an imminent threat to national security before 24 hours are up and win. Here the Product Specialist Manager agreed he didn't like the idea of war toys and would speak to his manager.  At Zellers there were quite a few more - a couple of examples were - FORCES OF VALOR -  Real World Battle Hardened Machines - US M270 multiple launch rocket system, and two NERF - LIGHT BEAM TARGETING  - BUILD YOUR OWN BLASTER N-STRIKE RECON C5-6 and MAVERICK N-STRIKE quick firing rotary barret.  A woman in services said they had no control of what is bought because it all comes from head office in Toronto.

You can only imagine how refreshing it was to go from these stores to Kool & Child on Wallace Street where there is an amazing supply of fascinating and creative toys and activities for children.  Some of our favorites were the Power House, Sustainable Living in the 21st Century, a house you can build using 20 alternate energy models.  There is a solar print kit for ages 5 and up.  For 12 and up there is a windmill generator you can construct or a kit to build your own telephone.  There are weather kits, building kits and a whole shelf of kits for magic making. The Horrible Science series caught our attention,  kits like Sick Stomach, what you need to make your own vomit or Building Brain, how to make your own brain. Their selection of music and books were hard to resist. My friend and I could not pass the Audubon birds without buying two each. These are soft replicas of different species that make their particular bird call.  I ended up with a meadow lark and a red vireo.  Beautiful.    Manager, Karen Corrigan tells us

“We are a locally-owned family business presently celebrating our 15th year of serving the Nanaimo and mid-island community.  Our mission is to provide quality educational toys with lasting play value.  We pride ourselves on our vast selection of toys. puzzles, arts and crafts, science kits, puppets, baby toys and so much more.  For the most part, we are able to avoid war toys, guns and other toys that may have scary images, etc.  We make decisions at the store level, so we are able to control what we bring in to the store.  We are also able to respond to customers requests and concerns in a proactive way.  One of our lines, Playmobil, does have a pirate/knight theme, but their image is very wholesome and the toys not at all horrifying.  It is one of our most popular lines.  We also avoid things like water guns unless, like last year, we are able to find them in the shape of animals!  Then it is more of a water squirter than a water gun! “

Another locally owned store with only nonviolent toys is Stuffed With Love which has just relocated to the North Town Centre Mall.  Here Jada Bohmer sells  stuffed animals of all sizes and colours with small toys  which can go inside and an intriguing selection of outfits to dress the bears in! Jada assured us that boys as well as girls just love these cuddly toys.

Although the selection of toys might be smaller at Pumpkin Pie on Fitzwilliam  Street and at Global Village Store on Bowen Rd, again the  selection of toys is positive with a care for children in mind.  

We are grateful to these innovative and principled  people in our community who choose to  make our  shopping choices easy, fun and peaceful.
 

As consumers, we can each make a difference.  

 

 

Press Release
submitted by Dyane Brown