Advantages: Great lyrics - depressingly upbeat
Disadvantages: A little cheesy in parts

...This album is Broken Toy Shop by E. Background: E is the singer in the band Eels. This album preceded his work with Eels. I was first introduced to Eels about 6 or 7 years ago. I needed a CD to listen to as I was getting bored of some of the albums that I had in my collection. I really only started getting interested in music about 8 years ago or so, and had heard an Eels song before, so I asked to borrow this from my friend. This proved to be one of the best ideas I’d ever had!! I’ve said in other reviews how much I love the artists I’m talking about but Eels were one of my favourite bands and still are!! Once I had collected a few of their albums, I was looking online and happened to see that the lead singer –E- had done some solo work, I thought it was definitely worth looking into. E has brought out 2 solo... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great selection...
Disadvantages: ...of overpriced, poor quality goods

...... In the toy superstore league, ToysRUs is pretty much on its own, but I think there may be a few stores which do stock a relatively large range of toys. Shops like Woolworths, Allders and other big department stores tend to stock a relatively large toy selection. Although they often stock some of the same goods as ToysRUs, they are often more expensive and no store can have such a comprehensive range – they just have everything, from bicycles to baby food, balloons to board games – everything’s there. What’s so great about ToysRUs... There seems to be some magic about ToysRUs, which seems to wear off as you grow older (I hate the place). But children all seem magnetically drawn to it – I’ve even noticed that when we walk past my kids almost... ...well... kind of drift towards it. So what causes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Toys, millions of them, so much to choose from, you can find almost anything instore.
Disadvantages: You want to buy everything you see

...It's not very often that I get to visit our local Toys R Us. Although it is in the town centre it's in the opposite direction to most of the other shops so I only really go there when I can't find what I'm after elsewhere. It was my sons first birthday a few months ago and having searched all over town to no avail I decided it was time to pay a visit. So I left him at home with his dad and me and my daughter went shopping. On arrival at the store you are greeted with signs asking you to either leave your other shopping in the car or behind the counter and collect it on your way out. I pressume that this is to make it harder for the shop lifters and I guess it works as I noticed a distinct lack of security guards. The shop itself is huge and is literally an Aladdins cave. Brightly lit and very spacious. Despite it's size... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: huge variety of toys available, good price, all current fads catered for
Disadvantages: extremely slow service

...Well, it’s that time of the year again. You know, the one where you save up large amounts of cash, only to plough it all into one day – December 25th. This is usually when I make my annual trip to Toys R Us and this year is no exception. With mum-in-law accompanying me and £200 restlessly trying to burst out of my purse, we set off for the whole shopping experience. Toys R Us is usually ideal for us, as the kids are aged 5, 8, 9 and 11, so it is handy to be able to buy everything in one place. I’m not sure how long this will be the place though, as it seemed quite hard to find enough for my 11 and 8 year old daughters, although there were loads for my other two. I guess it depends on what your child is into. Anyway, let’s not rush into the store just yet. First, a couple of things to consider. The parking... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Its all there
Disadvantages: you buy more than you need

...I dont very often frequent huge shops such as this, infact I hate shopping.......unless its over the internet. But on a few occassions such as christmas or birthdays toys are us is where I go as the wide selection of GOODIES offers me more choice than the internet ever can. As is often the case, timing is the essence when planning a trip to TOYS R US. If you want to go after 4pm then good luck as it will be the most headache inducing experience, starting from the inevitable 'FIND A SPACE FOR THE CAR'to check out and going home. Queues are the main reason I hate shopping. I am so impatient and have been know to start arguing with these, what I call AWKWARD customers who make it their mission in life to ANNOY me......a subject I wont go into at this point. I always go at around 10/11 oclock-but obviously time varies depending... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Cheap, great bargains,help a good cause
Disadvantages: can mean raking

...as to obtain other essentials such as medical care. Anyway, on Thursday, I packed the kids into the car and drove to the depot. Outside the building was toys of every variety, prams, cars, teddies, books, computers...almost everything. In fact, there was even an identical tractor to one I had just spent £50 on (cue me being sick into a bucket as it was selling for only £8) My two children went running in and emerged with a guitar each, a barbie, a hoover (my sons first choice), a set of phones and a book. All this while I was still browsing outside. Inside the shop there were toys beyond my wildest imagination. Many went back to the days when I was a girl..oh the memories. The phones we bought were stamped 1975 and were still in working order. All toys are tested before being sold so you know they are working. After attempting... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Learning is actualy fun!
Disadvantages: The item cards are easy to loose

...Shopping List from Orchard Toys What is shopping list? ----------------------------------- Shopping list is a great little game for ages 3-7 suitable for 2-4 players, It comes in a small rectangular box with a picture on the front of two people shopping and lots of food in there trolly. Inside the box there is: 4x wipe clean trolleys 4x wipe clean shopping lists 32 item cards one of the other good things is that the instructions are printed clearly on the base so no worrying about loosing instructions or sitting around trying to understand them before being able to play. How easy is it to play? ------------------------------- Shopping list is a very easy and fun game to play, the object is simply to be the first player to fill their trolley with the items on their list. To Play: . Each player takes... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: GOOD STORE
Disadvantages: COST

...A store kids love and one that adults don’t mind go in themselves. It’s packed full of colourful and wonderful toys, ranging from things from battery operated toys to dolls, to trucks to the latest toy out. You’ll find all your Pokemon characters and lots more……. I can spend loads of time in this shop and although, the prices are quite expensive, the only consolation is that the likes of ‘Tomy’ toys are well worth purchasing and can be fairly education as well. The best toys are the interactive ones, ones which speak to the child or speak out a loud when you press a number. The stores are big, and neatly arranged it’s like a supermarket without food but with toys galore, children’s heaven a parents nightmare. They have such a good range of toys, from small to huge... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: latest toys always in
Disadvantages: none

...I am passed the age of running into toy stores and not coming out. This is a great department store with every toy thinkable in it. It sells bikes, keyboards, books, teddy's, games consoles, CD-Roms, board games everything! This is a great shop to buy things in at Christmas for kids and little ones because I'm sure you'll find something for them if you don't there isn't really anywhere else to shop. They always have the latest toys, and this is always the shop you hear mothers queuing up ages outside to be first to get the toys for the kids.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Fun, educational, easy to play, not too many pieces
Disadvantages: None

...Shopping List from Orchard Toys was one of the great successes from our family Christmas. My 2 oldest children aged 7 and 4 both got an Orchard Toys game for Christmas 2007. The older child a girl got Tummy Ache, and the younger a boy got Shopping List. We were first introduced to Orchard Toys by my 4 year old's nursery school. They provide Story Sacks for the children to take home, a large number of the Story Sacks contain a game from Orchard Toys. The games are supposed to be fun and educational and I couldn't agree more. Shopping List, cost me around £4.99 from Smyth's Toys. It is a memory game aimed at 3-7 year olds, and for 2-4 players. The box is quite small but is brightly coloured and pleasing to look at. The game contains 4 shopping trolleys (cardboard), 4 shopping lists (a bit like colourful menu cards, cardboard... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful