By Elizabeth Cloutman
Downtown Los Altos stores offer toys, books and clothing for every child’s tastes
What an adult wants most when giving a child a holiday gift is that the recipient derive lasting enjoyment from that gift, whether it’s a toy, a craft kit, a book or a special outfit. Shoppers are likely to find that gift among a huge selection of items in downtown Los Altos stores.
Many elementary-age children, even reluctant readers, are fascinated by J.K. Rowling’s four Harry Potter novels and the movie version of the first novel, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Adventure Toys and Teachers’ Supplies, the Imaginarium, and Linden Tree Children’s Records and Books carry Harry Potter merchandise. Adventure Toys and the Imaginarium carry Harry Potter stuffed toys, games and Lego sets.
Linden Tree owner Dennis Ronberg said that in addition to carrying the popular novels, his store also has Harry Potter Christmas stockings and ornaments.
“(Bay Area children’s booksellers) thought the books were fun, but we never dreamed they’d be this big,” he added.
Adventure Toys’ owner Leslie Chiaverini said her store carries toys new this year that she believes children will enjoy throughout the coming year.
For infants, she recommended the colorful plush Sunshine Symphony, which has safe flashing lights and four classical musical selections. Preschoolers really enjoy the Bob the Builder toys and videos.
New games include the Renaissance Art Game and Smart Mouth, a game of quick thinking that “even adults have enjoyed,” Chiaverini said.
Construction toys that provide hours of enjoyment include Mags magnetic construction toys for children five or older, as well as two new Playmobil sets, the pirate ship and modern doll house. For elementary students, there are the K’NEX Screamin’ Serpent Roller Coaster set and the classic Erector sets.
Chiaverini also recommends Skylar’s Get Real Girls dolls, who are dressed and equipped for activities such as snowboarding, scuba diving and soccer.
Adventure Toys also carries popular arts and crafts such as Creations by You’s Illustory, in which a child can write and illustrate his or her own story.
Josephina Duron-Bergner, supervisor of the Imaginarium recommends the Supertoys Rescue Squad play sets and any item involving PBS’s Thomas the Train Engine characters for preschoolers. “Kids actually sleep with (Thomas characters).”
Lego Bionacles, Transformers-like characters with interchangeable masks, are huge sellers at the Imaginarium for school-age kids.
Girls love the Groovy Girls Posh Party rag dolls and furniture as well as Madeline book character dolls, clothes and tea sets; Kid Galaxy Bendos and Corolle baby dolls.
Lin’s Toy Cupboard on State Street carries toys and dolls that are “classics.” “What we advocate is if people buy our toys, those toys will look just as good a year from now,” said owner Linda Dodge. The classics include Steiff stuffed animals; dress-up clothes; wooden blocks; and Corolle, Ginny and Madame Alexander dolls. Lin’s also carries building kits, craft kits, crayons, pencils and pastels.
Relatives and friends who give special holiday and party outfits as gifts from Marion Jackstons and Young Villagers are likely to see appreciative recipients. Kids Only also carries clothing, including novelty raingear, as well as perennially popular Hello Kitty and Barbie items.
Linden Tree has a large selection of Christmas and Hanukkah books and items. Among Ronberg’s favorites are Helen Ward’s “The Animals’ Christmas Carol,” and Dean Smith’s “Hanukkah Lights.”
If a child loves anything and everything about horses, he or she will appreciate gifts from Tiedown English and Western Saddlery. Owner Connie Clark said her store carries many items for children, including cowboy boots; dress-up vests and chaps; Breyer model horses and wooden corrals; and classic children’s novels. Tiedown also has assorted plush toys and hobby horses.
