I wonder why children of today would be interested in wooden animal toys. Most modern ones of today made in animal likeness can perform basic talents like singing and dancing, and even baffling features like eating, pooping and eating the excrements again.

Maybe that’s the reason why I was the only person around the Ostheimer section in a busy Munich toy shop where I picked up these fellows. It is a strange starter family of deer, donkey, hedgehog and mouse, but I will be back for more.

Handmade, gentle, and sparks for the imagination. I don’t know what there is not to like about them, but I think they fall into the category of “what parents think children will like or hope they will like”. At least there won’t be any potential nasties in these Ostheimer creatures. Angry Chicken also has an interesting post in response to the scandals over certain Chinese toy manufacturers and a list of alternative toys and resources.

For now, I guess companies like Ostheimer will have to be contented that they appeal more to the young-at-heart, rather than the young.

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传统木制玩具

很难想像，现在的儿童怎么可能对木制动物玩具有兴趣。因为现代的动物玩偶通常都会唱回跳，还有一些有令人想不通的“才能“。

难怪在慕尼黑的一间繁忙的玩具店里，Ostheimer专柜处只有我一人。一只驴，一只鹿，一只猬，一只老鼠，一个很怪异的家庭。但我还会回去多买几种动物的。

虽然简单得有点迟钝，但至少不会对孩童的身心有害，而且我觉得越简单的玩具越能刺激想像力。因为最近报道有批中国制的玩具含铅，Angry Chicken写了对这新闻的感想还有介绍了一些可靠的玩具商。

像Ostheimer这类型的传统玩具公司虽好，但很难和那些五花八门的新玩具比，只能满足与吸引像我这样永远长不大的人吧。

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Replies

CA: When is TJ coming in again?

tsilli: Seems like lots of new food and retail businesses are opening up in Singapore. I hope there will be lots to see when I next go back.

jk: You went despite the weather? Wow…I didn’t even make it to the farmers’ market. I am seriously saving for a house (as of this week) and so have worked out a pocket money system to manage my finances. I leave all my cards at home and bring a limited amount of cash every day!

pea: Not really, CA works part-time. TJ doesn’t come in often, it’s the holidays at the moment for the children.

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A note on: animal, craft, handmade, lifestyle, munich, panasonic lumix dmc-fz50, toy