Too Many Toys by David Shannon

Spencer has way too many toys.  They pile up in his room, fill his sandbox and float in his bath.  Everyone gives him toys, all of his relatives, his friends, and even the restaurants his family eats at.  His parents reached a point after stepping on Legos and tripping on train tracks where something had to be done.  Spencer’s mother asks him to fill a box with toys he is willing to give up.  But it isn’t that easy.  Deals must be made and agreed to before any toys can be put in the box. 

Shannon always manages to capture perfectly the state of mind of children.  In this case, he captures the relationship of children to their toys.  His illustrations are perfection: the jumble of toys will make any child want to dive in and play forever.  I recognize the anguish of stepping on a Lego and the struggle of getting a child to relinquish a toy. 

The message here is clear.  Too many toys don’t add to the fun.  The ending is good humored and childlike.  A winner, especially around the excesses of the holidays.  Appropriate for ages 4-7.