New York, NY (October 18, 2006) -- Take a trip down memory lane this holiday season and reminisce about some of your favorite toys and gifts from your childhood. This holiday season Back to Basics Toys®, a subsidiary of Scholastic, and a leading retailer of classic and quality toys for kids, celebrates a century of gift giving with the best classic toys that take parents and grandparents back to their childhood —and bring the classics back in style for a whole new generation of fans to enjoy. Families can shop for favorite classic toys at www.backtobasicstoys.com.
 
“A simple gift can transport a grandparent or parent back to their childhood to reminisce about wonderful memories with the family during the holiday season,” stated Ken Moe, Managing Director for Back To Basics Toys. “Classic toys have stood the test of time and generations later are still entertaining kids, while creating new family memories.”
 
Over A Century of the Best Classic Toys for Holiday Gift Lists
(Available at www.backtobasicstoys.com)
 
1890-1910  -- The 1890's saw the advent of the Industrial Revolution and mass production, but popular games and toys were primarily made from wood:
 
Carrom Board (1890)—This two-sided hardboard-playing surface made of solid pine features 100 different games, including Carroms, Crokinole, Billiards and Checkers (Age 6+; $37.99)
 
Dart Board (1904)– Although the original boards were made of wood, this indoor version from Back to Basics is magnetic and much safer for kids. (Age 5+; $25.99)
 
1910-1920 -- While Thomas Edison was introducing the first talking motion picture, Arthur Wynne was creating the Crossword Puzzle, and stainless steel was making its way into many products:
 
Erector Set (1913)-- Build unlimited creations like an airplane, forklift, pulley, steam shovel, barge, and helicopter with this Special Collection Erector Set that was inspired by railroad workers erecting an electrical system out of steel girders and rivets. (Age 8+; $99.99)
 
Gyroscope Twin Pack (1917) – Cool and hip in their vintage packaging, the gravity-defying toy allows kids to balance them on a lip of a drinking glass or even piggybank one whirling gyro on top of the other! (Age 6+; $12.99)
 
Jumbo Raggedy Ann and Andy (1915)— Let these floppy 30-inch redheaded darlings take you back to a sweet and innocent time. Created by cartoonist John Gruelle, the cuddly duo took the world by storm in 1915 and will win your little ones’ heart today with their traditional button eyes and embroidered accents. (Age 3+;  $30.99)
 
1920- 1930--The twenties were ‘roaring’ with the invention of Pez Candy, Bubble gum and these great toys:
 
Drop in the Bucket (1930)— This old-time favorite tin shooting marble game, featuring 15 marbles and 5 buckets will become your child’s new favorite this holiday season! Match marble colors to buckets for hours of fun! (Age 6+;  $29.99)
 
Plush Spring Horse (1930)— This exclusive 44-inch tall Spring Horse provides a plush and comfortable ride for your little one--Squeeze the horse’s ear to make galloping sounds to add to the fun!  (Age 2-6; $129.99)
 
1930 – 1940 -- Highlighted by modern-day necessities like Scotch Tape, Polaroid photography, and the first jet engine, the 1930s welcomed the invention of the following great classic games:
 
Bill Ding Stacking Clowns (1931)—Great for concentration and hand-eye coordination, these solid wood, award winning clowns can be stacked in endless combinations and in any direction.  Use a steady hand and watch your tower of circus fun grow! (Age 2+; $13.99)
 
Shuffleboard (1934) – This tabletop version is constructed out of quality wood with end-zone rubber bands that provide bounce and increase the challenge. For 2-4 players. (Ages 3+; $24.99)
 
1940-1950 -- America was hard at work inventing the first color television system, Silly Putty and the microwave oven, as well as these classic toys:
 
Curious George (1941)— This adorable monkey never loses his grip on kids’ hearts!  A perfect companion for your child’s imaginative adventures, Curious George, international star of books, TV and film will make the perfect stocking-stuffer this holiday season. (Age 3+;  $19.99)
 
Slinky (1943)— End-over-end across floors and down stairs, the slinky is a toy that has weathered the test of time.  Providing hours of fun for kids and adults alike, Slinky is ideal for holiday stocking-stuffers or anytime! (Age 5+; $7.99)
 
Original Nok Hockey  (1948)—Bring back memories this holiday season with everyone’s favorite classic game of strategy and hand-eye coordination.  Guard your goal and never let your opponent score! (Age 6+; $37.99)
 
1950-1960 -- As super glue was arriving on the scene in the 1950s, Hollywood and ‘Westerns’ had a huge influence on popular culture and music:
 
Roy Rogers Guitar (1956)—Your child’s ‘trails’ are all bound to be happy with this limited numbered edition wood and fiberboard replica of the collectible Roy Rogers toy guitar that comes with a letter of authenticity signed by Roy Rogers, Jr. (Age 3+; $29.99)
 
Colorforms  (1951)—By easily arranging more than 350 different reusable, colored shapes and sizes, the creative possibilities are infinite.  Embellish the spiral-bound book with art boards in your favorite holiday colors and designs, or just bring them along to decorate car windows on the way to Grandma’s! (Age 3+; $32.99)
 
1960-1970 --The 1960s was a period of great change that brought the innovative audiocassette, the handheld calculator, and these fun toys and games:
 
Bozo Bop Bag (1965)--If someone in your family has a lot of energy, let Bozo help out! This fun vinyl classic features 3D hair, squeaky 3D nose, a bop zone, and a sand-filled base for bounce-back action. (Air pump sold separately) (Age 3+; $15.99)
 
Ants in the Pants (1967)-- The classic toddler game is now updated and cooler! ‘Tis the season for all players to get all of their ants into the pants first! (Age 3+; $9.99)
 
1970-1980 -- The word processor began to change everything, and the first video game hit the market, and so did the following toys.
 
Extreme Evel Knievel Signature Set (1973)— Three Classic Evel Knievel vehicles including the official chrome-plated stunt motorcycle with Evel’s signature on the gas tank, plus action figure make this set the coolest in collectible fun –-comes with numbered certificate of authenticity and amazing 30-minute DVD of spectacular jumps tops off this exciting set! (Age 5+; $99.99)
 
Simon (1978)—The original electronic game great for cultivating memory skills!  Try this trickster version and remember the proper order of the patterns as you play the original game or three brain-teasing new variations. ( Age 7+; $35.99)
 
1980-1990 -- Kids were spending countless hours playing the hottest new arcade games with the arrival of these hot games:
 
Arcade-style Pinball Action (1981)– Three fast-action flippers and real ballpark sounds make this a sure homerun! Digital scoring keeps track of the action. (Age 6+; 59.99)
 
Tabletop Frogger Arcade (1982)—Test your arcade game strategy with Frogger, an ‘80s favorite, now in a fun tabletop version. Crossing a busy highway and fast-flowing river was never as hard as this as the difficulty increases as the game advances. (Age 8+; $29.99)
 
TODAY --Kids are looking for the next hot toy to play with…and with all the tech toys out there, kids still love some of the wonderful low-tech gifts, that are sure to be holiday classics for years to come:
 
The Sudoku Cube–Based on the Rubik’s Cube, the Sudoku Cube, an exclusive, is sure to make a Sudokuphile out of anyone this holiday season, and roadtrips to Grandma's will never be the same!  (Age 6; $9.99)
 
Battery-Operated  Old-Fashioned Car – Let your child experience the beautiful design of an old-fashioned classic car with this battery-operated version--Perfect for tooling around the neighborhood!  (Age 3-7; $299.99)
 
Fashion Designer Kit --Project Fun-way!  Now your little designer can create the latest fashions, without having to be proficient at drawing.  A variety of templates, including dresses, body, heads, and textures make the experience fun and the possibilities endless. (Age 3+; $19.99)
 
For more information, visit www.backtobasicstoys.com.
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology.  Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, film, videos and toys.  The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, and school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries and television networks; and the Company's Internet site, www.scholastic.com.

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