When it comes to christmas you go to every store and look down every isle to find things for your children what you think they would like, things that teach them new skills and will benifit them. You make sure that the things that you have bought are safe for your child. I like the colourful things to buy the brighter the better I feel that it helps with sight development and teaches colours from an early age.

I happen to have to take everyone shopping too so on this particular occasion I took my farther shopping for christmas. After trawling the shelves of Smiths toy store for my yongest daughter we spotted this. This is a teddy in the shape of an elephant but with activities. This toy is from birth upwards which is good because it means that it should be very safe for my child. It cost £14.99 and can not say that I have seen it cheaper anywhere else. I would say that it is only worth about £10 although it is appealing and very colourful and it has a sufficient ammout of learning toys on it that will amuse a young child it is not worth that much in my opinion.

This is a bright blue elephant with satin lime green ears in the inside that has purple and blue swirls and spots on them. It has two very big eyes that are securly stuck on. On his trunk there is an orange and pink coloured ball that is in a green hoop. This hoop is secure and allows the ball to be spinned around, this looks like he is spinning and balancing a ball on the end of his trunk. Inside the ball are small pieces that make a rattling sound when you turn it which will keep your child interested in the toy. It has a lip that has a pink inside to make it look like the elephant has a mouth which is just below the base of the trunk. It has one arm with a pink paw and a yellow paw on the other arm. Then around the waist of the elephant there is an orange pouch that has the playskool logo on it. This ensures me that it is made by a trusted toy brand. I am always reluctant to purchase products for my children made by unknown or non advised makers. In this pouch is a yellow star that is in a hoop shape, this is attached by a pink piece of ribbon and can be taken in and out of the pouch without running the risk that it will get lost. On one of the feet is a circle dial that has small holes in them, this reminds me of the old dial phones but this purple dial doesn't have numbers. This moves round when twisted and makes a clicking noise, it isn't easy for a young child to turn but over the age of 1 wouldn't struggle with this. On the other foot is a mirror. I like this part because all babies like to look at themselves because they think they are looking at another baby. This mirror is surrounded by a green piece of plastic to secure it in place.

The two things I like most about this is the bright colours I am a bit like a magpie I am drawn to it and the mirror because it is the most interesting thing that is on it.

This is a safe toy that will take alot of bashing because it is stuffed like a teddy and the toy parts are not small enough to be put into their mouths. It is stitched very weall and the accessories are attached securely. It is about 12cm tall and will sit propped up for a younger child. Upto yet my baby daughter is too young to benifit from this and my older daughter is not interested in even picking it up. I do hope that the youngest will get some enjoyment out of it but I don't think the facentation will last very long.

I wouldn't buy this again I really don't think it is worth the money if it was under £10 then I may say that it was worth it, there are definately better baby toys in the shops.