Jessica Adams

The Underground Toy Society helps toys find new homes. Sometimes finding new homes is not easy. When Murry Mole took a wrong turn and dug a tunnel to a toy store, the Underground Toy Society thought the toy bin would help forgotten toys find new homes faster and easier. However, only new toys were allowed in the toy bin. How will forgotten toys find a home in time for Christmas?

The Underground Toy Society and the Annual Toy Drive

Briar's Reviews

The Underground Toy Society by Jessica D. Adams is a charming little book following toys who just want to be played with!

This book gave me Toy Story vibes. There are two dolls who want to be reunited and decide to help take care of toys. It's a sweet premise and works really well within the book. Add in the aspect of the underground toy society taking toys to loving homes so they are played with, and you have a real winner.

My positives:
1. This book thematically makes sense: you don't need a ton of toys but you do need to give love to the toys you have. It also showcases friendship and love in general. Educational books always make me pleased as a reader!
2. I haven't seen much of this premise out in the children's book world, so it was a lovely treat.
3. The book is obviously home made which makes it stand out. I am curious who drew the pictures that are used in this book. I know this aesthetic will be a negative for some people, but for reviewers like me I like seeing variation in the books I read. I can imagine children reading it and realizing they too could draw pictures for books and we might get them more interested in reading. It's all in the mind frame of the readers.
4. This book is simple and easy to read. It's not complicated and makes for a nice, smooth read.
5. The reason behind this book is super cute - Jessica kept her toys for her children. The adult readers will appreciate this fact way more than the kids. 

My negatives:
1. I see the book is listed as 3-10 but I would almost argue some 3 year olds these days wouldn't have the patience to sit through this book. That being said, I know there are some wickedly smart 3 year olds who would love it. Keep in mind that this book is short, but has a paragraph on each page. Know your child! I would recommend age five to ten as the best age group.
2. The aesthetic for the pictures will be a negative for some readers. It isn't for me, but I wanted to include that 's' on negatives.

Overall, this was a charming little book that I think will be a perfect addition to your child's book shelf. Pick it up for the holidays (since I read this just before Christmas) and share your love of reading with your little ones! 

Four out of five stars!

 I received a free copy of this book from the author, Jessica D. Adams, in exchange for an honest review.