So You Want To Be A Toy Designer (So You Want To Be A...)
About
WINNER of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award
The toy looks simple. That is the most difficult thing about it.
Behind the smooth plastic, the satisfying click, the way it fits exactly right in a child’s hand and does exactly the thing that makes them want to do it again — behind all of that is months of work that the child will never see and never need to think about. That invisibility is not a failure of the design. It is the whole point. The best toy ever made feels like it always existed. Someone had to invent it anyway.
So You Want To Be A Toy Designer takes young readers ages 10–14 inside one of the most creatively demanding and most technically rigorous professions in all of product design — not the playroom version, but the real one. The years of industrial design training and child development study that happen before a single prototype is built. The specific discipline of designing not for yourself but for someone else entirely — for a mind that works differently, a hand that is smaller, an imagination that needs an invitation rather than an instruction. The team of designers, engineers, child psychologists, safety testers, and manufacturing specialists working in careful coordination so that an idea that began as a sketch becomes something a child picks up and immediately understands. The prototype that almost works — and the one that a six-year-old picks up, plays with for three hours, and refuses to put down.
This is a book about what toy designers actually do: the child development principles they study to understand how play shapes learning at every age, the materials engineering they apply to make objects that are durable, safe, and satisfying to touch and use, the iterative prototyping process they run — sketch to model to test to redesign — until the toy does what a child needs it to do rather than what an adult thinks it should, and the creative joy they bring to a profession where the ultimate test of success is the look on a child’s face when they first hold the thing you made. It’s also a book about what the work costs, what it gives back, and why the people who do it say that of all the things a designer can make, a toy that a child loves is the one that matters most.
Inside, young readers will discover:
- What a real toy designer’s process looks like — from first sketch to safety testing to the moment it appears on a shelf
- The blend of child psychology, industrial design, materials science, and manufacturing that every toy designer must master
- The creative and technical demands the profession makes — and how designers learn to see the world through a child’s eyes while solving an adult’s engineering problems
- The history of toy design and the visionary creators whose inventions became the defining objects of childhood for generations
- What young people can do right now to discover if this might be their calling
Honest, specific, and genuinely illuminating, So You Want To Be A Toy Designer doesn’t talk down to young readers — it brings them all the way in. Because the child who wants to know what this work is really like deserves a real answer.
For readers who feel the pull toward something that is equal parts imagination and engineering, equal parts art and science, equal parts making and understanding. For the kid who has always played differently — who builds, modifies, imagines improvements, and sees every object as a starting point — and feels something shift.
The toy that will define the next generation of childhood has not been designed yet. It is waiting for someone with the curiosity, the craft, and the joy to bring it into the world. Maybe that someone is you.
Praise for this book
"So You Want To Be A Toy Designer by Linda Soules is a fun and eye-opening nonfiction children's book that gives kids a real look at what it takes to create the toys they love. Rather than treating toy design like a simple dream job where people just sketch cool ideas all day, the book shows how much thought, testing, teamwork, and problem-solving goes into every toy before it ever reaches a store shelf. It's especially great for creative kids who like to draw, build, tinker, or take things apart just to see how they work.
One of the best things about this book is how clearly it explains the connection between imagination and engineering. Readers learn that toy designers don't just ask, 'Would this be fun?' They also have to think about child development, safety, materials, manufacturing, and how kids actually play. The book walks through the full process, from early sketches and prototypes to play testing, redesigning, and safety reviews.
I especially liked the prototyping section because it makes the design process feel real and exciting. The artwork showing how an idea can move from a simple drawing, to a clay model, then a 3D print, and eventually into a finished toy was one of the most interesting parts of the book for me. I like it because it helps readers see that toy design is not just about having a fun idea; it's about shaping, testing, changing, and improving that idea until it becomes something kids can actually play with.
The layout of the book is kid-friendly, with sections about the best parts of the job, the hardest parts, surprising facts, tools designers use, and even a day-in-the-life look at the profession. The fun facts about famous toys and inventors, and the accidental creation of the Slinky, make the book even more engaging and educational. The illustrations are vibrant and helpful, and the glossary is a nice bonus for readers who are learning toy design terms for the first time.
This is an informative and genuinely inspiring career guide for elementary and middle school readers. It's honest about the challenges, including the fact that not every toy idea works, but it still makes the field feel exciting and possible. So You Want To Be A Toy Designer would be a great choice for classrooms, libraries, career reports, or any kid who has ever looked at a toy and thought, 'I could make something like that.'"
"So You Want To Be A Toy Designer by Linda Soules introduces young readers to toy creation, showing how toys evolve from simple ideas into finished products children can hold, explore, and enjoy. The book explains how toy design involves an understanding of how children think, learn, solve problems, and express creativity through play. Through colorful illustrations, the book traces the stages of toy development, including sketching ideas, building prototypes, testing for safety, observing children at play, and refining concepts based on what works in real life. Soules highlights how toy designers carefully study childhood behavior, paying close attention to how children interact with objects, invent stories, and use their imagination during unstructured play. Readers are introduced to the collaborative nature of the profession, as engineers, artists, sculptors, safety experts, and researchers work together to create toys that are durable, safe, and engaging.
Linda Soules combines clear explanations with examples that make toy design exciting without oversimplification. The pacing flows smoothly from one stage of the design process to the next, helping readers see how ideas evolve through sketching, testing, collaboration, and revision. The book makes strong use of direct address, descriptive imagery, and real-world examples to keep the material energetic. Colorful illustrations help readers visualize studios, prototypes, workshops, and the joyful interactions children have with toys. Readers who enjoy art, engineering, invention, storytelling, or hands-on creativity will appreciate the detailed look at how toys are imagined and developed. So You Want To Be A Toy Designer focuses on play as an important part of childhood learning and emotional growth, rather than simply entertainment. Soules blends warmth, creativity, and encouragement while teaching young readers about artistic and imaginative work."
"We all remember those days as kids, dreaming of what we would be when we grew up. I personally covered the gamut from doctor, nurse, veterinarian, or astronaut to cowgirl, fireman, hair stylist, or comedian. It’s an inherent part of our make-up as children to dream, and I had a ton of ‘em. That’s why I’m so happy to see this series out for mid-grade readers and teens focusing on career paths. But of course, it has uses way cooler names than 'Choosing Your Career Path.' Linda Soules’ So You Want to Be a… has a whopping 182 titles (to date) for kids and their parents to explore different job choices. Wow. I would have loved this as a kid.
So You Want to Be a Toy Designer is author Linda Soules’ amazingly informative book on what it takes to be a toy designer; an engineer of imagination; a fun-maker. Featuring brightly rendered illustrations, it might be easy to assume this book is a little light on content. But that would be to underestimate the amount of information laid out in this 38-page book. For within these colorful pages is the stuff a person needs to know about designing toys: the good and the not-so-good. Soules has made it her mission not to speak down to her audience, but to provide them with genuine facts about a job that seems to be all child’s play.
Did you know that when Erno Rubik designed his Rubik’s Cube, not even he could solve it? It took more than a month of experimentation for him- the creator- to solve it the first time! Did you know that the 'hot new toy' for Christmas this year began its design journey years previously? Toy designers have to be prepared to create toys that children will want in a future no one can completely predict, and it will take years to go from concept to store shelves—if it even makes it that far.
People who design toys have a lot more to do than just come up with an idea, and this book will show readers the many steps in the process. From concept drawing to rough model, to prototype, safety testing, endurance testing, affordability studies, and finally the ultimate test: giving your toy to children to see how they interact with it. Designers have to be prepared to face setbacks at any of these steps, and often more than once. When they finally have their design in hand at a good price point, with all testing accomplished, and ready for child-testing, that’s when things really get interesting. They have to be prepared for the child to like playing with the box more than the toy they just worked on for four years. That sounds rough.
It is impressive how unflinching Linda Soules’ assessments are. She doesn’t sugar-coat the issue or talk down to her readers. Her goal is to help teens find the right fit for them, not fill them full of unrealistic expectations. Readers will find practical, real-world advice about the job, including what sort of temperament and qualities a person will need, the people you might work with, the hardest parts of the job, and what a day in the life of a toy designer might look like. Additional fun facts and famous toy designers from history add interest to an already fascinating book. There’s even a glossary of terms, a list of things you can do now to prepare, and a much-appreciated resource section. It is amazing how much is packed into this small book.
I want this entire series for my grandchildren to explore! I wholeheartedly recommend So You Want to Be a Toy Designer and the entire series by Linda Soules to readers aged 10-14, parents, grandparents, teachers, librarians, and anyone who works with teens who dare to wonder what they’ll be when they grow up."
"Linda Soules's So You Want To Be A Toy Designer is a clear-eyed career guide for curious ten- to twelve-year-olds who already treat the playroom like a workshop. Soules frames play as rigorous creative work, not a distraction from learning, and the book belongs on any family shelf devoted to real career exploration.
What pulled me in is how practical Soules makes the career feel. The guide opens with play as real learning, then explains the full design path: the play question, fast sketches, rough prototypes, child testing with no instructions, safety checks, and manufacturing headaches. One passage shows twelve kids mixing magnetic animal pieces in ways the designer never planned, which captures the book's central idea that children finish the design. Profiles, fun facts, and hands-on activities give readers and parents plenty to discuss.
Soules writes in short, confident bursts that fit how curious readers actually read. The glossary and practical pages give parents something concrete to try on a rainy afternoon...For families reading together, this is a sturdy invitation, not a career lecture. It made me want to pass a cardboard box across the table and ask what a child would build next. Worth keeping where curious kids can find it."
"So You Want To Be A Toy Designer by Linda Soules is a bright, inviting career guide for curious kids who have ever taken apart a toy, redesigned it in their head, or wondered who creates the things children love. It does not treat toy design as 'just play.' Instead, it makes a convincing case that play is serious, creative, emotional work. The book has the warmth of a picture book and the structure of a beginner-friendly career introduction, making it especially appealing for young readers, parents, teachers, and creative kids who need permission to see imagination as a real skill.
Spoiler-Free Plot: This is not a traditional story with a main character and conflict. It is an illustrated nonfiction guide that walks readers through the world of toy design: how ideas begin, how prototypes are made, why playtesting matters, where designers work, who they collaborate with, and what kind of personality the job requires. The book shows that a toy designer's work is part art, part engineering, part child psychology, and part patience. It also highlights the emotional side of the job: the joy of seeing a child love something you made, and the humility of watching a child ignore a toy you thought was brilliant.
My Take on So You Want To Be A Toy Designer: What I liked most is the way the book respects children's intelligence. It never talks down to them. Instead of simply saying 'make something fun,' it explains why toys matter: they help children imagine, learn, solve problems, tell stories, and feel seen. That message gives the book a surprising amount of heart.
The strongest parts are the sections on playtesting and open-ended play. Soules understands that the best toys often leave room for the child to complete the experience. I also loved how the book shows the less glamorous side of creative work: failed prototypes, safety rules, manufacturing limits, and long development cycles. That honesty makes the career feel real without draining the wonder from it.
The illustrations are colorful and full of movement, which fits the subject beautifully. They give the book a cozy, creative-studio feeling and make the information easier to absorb. The glossary, fun facts, famous designer examples, and 'what you can do right now' section are also practical additions, especially for kids who may actually want to try designing something after reading...It is inspiring, accessible, and thoughtful, with a lovely reminder that toys are not small things to the children who love them."
"I expected a book with the positive, fun aspects of being a toy designer. Instead, it is a book that explains all the aspects, positive and negative, of becoming a toy designer in simple terms."
"I read this book with my 8 year old who is very into 'what I want to be when I grow up.' This series has allowed him to explore different jobs and career paths than what is usually shared with children. The illustrations are wonderful, lots of color, engaging scenes, and attention grabbing. He learned quite a bit about toy designing and then headed to his room on his own, to build something new to play with."
"If you are interested in becoming a toy designer, this book is a great starting point for understanding the role and how to begin in this field. I especially enjoyed the idea that toy design begins with observing how children learn through play. This was a unique and insightful takeaway."
"A beautifully illustrated book that helps kids learn about what it means to be a toy designer. For every child that has said they could design it better, or the child who draws toys they want to see made into things they can play with, this encourages their imagination to soar and for them to learn about a job they may not otherwise hear about."
"The book beautifully describes the process, the mentality, the resilience a toy designer needs to have. For any child who has grown up taking their toys apart or adapting them to new and innovative ways of playing, this would be a good book to assess interest in this field. There is also a nice section in the back describing the work of some of the more famous toy maker's and their creations."
"I really like this series of books, and love this one in particular since it has helped me show my middle school students the process of design and prototyping. Love the way it portrays the regular day of a product designer, its good and bad, highs and lows."
"I did not realize everything that goes into making a toy. This book was very informative and helpful if you're thinking about becoming a toy designer. There's a lot that goes into it. The biggest things are going through the safety measures and if the child plays with it or sets it aside and plays with the box. There's a lot to think about if this is something you want to do."
"This book is colorful and full of knowledge and content. It has a lot of writing and information on each page about everything from physics to building. This would make a great discovery project for late elementary age or a fun learning story if a child is interested in the topic."
"I love how this book starts with an idea and shows the steps to making it a product. This is a great book for kids who like to try or are curious."
"This book is very detailed and beautifully done."
"This book does a fantastic job of showing kids that toy design is much more than just coming up with fun ideas. I was impressed by how it breaks down the entire process, from the first sketch to prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and finally getting a toy onto store shelves.
What makes this book stand out is that it treats young readers with respect. Instead of oversimplifying the career, it explains the real skills toy designers need, including creativity, problem-solving, engineering, child development, and teamwork. The examples are engaging and make it easy to understand how much thought goes into creating toys children love.
I especially liked that it encourages kids to start developing design skills on their own through observation, drawing, and hands-on creativity. The profiles of toy inventors and designers were inspiring and showed how imagination can become a real career.
A great read for curious kids, aspiring inventors, and anyone who has ever wondered how their favorite toys are created. Educational, motivating, and surprisingly detailed without being overwhelming."
"Such an interesting and fact-filled book about every kid’s favorite thing: toys! Or more specifically, the people who design toys. If you want to be a toy designer, you can learn about exactly what the job entails, what qualities are needed, what a day in the life looks like, people you’ll work with, famous toy designers in history, fun facts, and much, much more. Anyone who loves toys - kids AND kids at heart - will enjoy reading this book!"
"I have read about 6 books in this series now and have begun to share them with my teenagers. Each books is informative and I find myself as an adult learning something with each book. I have taken tours of manufacturing and worked in distribution of goods but I have never taken the time to consider the design and testing of those products. This book takes the reader through every step from idea to use. I will never look at toys the same. Like each book in this series I think this book would make a great addition to the classroom or to the guidance counselors office. The breakdown of what a toy designer does was informative, the conceptual idea of day in the life and tools. I wonder how this industry will change with AI implementation. I am sure the author is already thinking of that. I look forward to sharing this with others and reading more by this author."
"This is a very descriptive book on how to become a toy designer. I love the illustrations that go with each section. It explains what they do, where they work, what tools they use, and so much more. This is perfect for kids interested in designing toys."
"So You Want to Be a Toy Designer is a creative book introducing kids to toy design. It simplifies the design process, fosters imagination, problem-solving, and innovation, and includes activities and insights that engage young inventors who enjoy creating and building."
"My 11 year old has been talking about being a toy designer/inventor for as long as he’s been playing. His ideas are innovative and original, so when I came across this book I thought it was cool to be able to streamline what a realistic career goal would be for him and how he can make it happen. He especially loved the fun facts towards the end about famous toy designers and toys that have been around for a while. I never knew the slinky was an accident!!"
"Becoming a toy maker is such a fun concept to read about for a child this age. A way to introduce concepts of growth inside of a fun package is a great way to inspire a child. The author finds a way to make learning (and thinking about future careers) a truly enriching and engaging experience. Excellent as always."
"I have zero background in the toy industry, but I do love reading and learning about how things are made. This book completely hooked me from the first page. Aside from being incredibly well illustrated, it's also very accessible, entertaining, and packed with details about how a simple idea eventually transforms into a real product on store shelves. The author not only explains complex manufacturing and business concepts (without becoming dry or boring), but also covers the more personal side of the designers, their mentality, their goals, their struggles, and the occasional humility experienced when their ideas/prototypes are put to the ultimate children-play-test, only to be ignored, quickly discarded, or potentially used in a manner the designer never even considered. This book gave me a whole new appreciation for the toys I see in stores, and the designers behind their creation. It's a pretty short read, but a fun and enlightening one. So, if you're considering toy design as a career, or maybe just a curious mind that enjoys learning how the world works, I think you'll love this book!"
"This is another creative career that takes lots of resilience. To be able to come up with multiple creations but only one may make it through the full process is another form of delayed gratification. This book is a great source of information and inspiration for someone who has such a creative mind."
"I really enjoyed reading this book. I chose it because my son has always loved toys and now that he is actually a man he still wants to play with and develop toys. I had him look at this book and, even though he may be a bit old for it, we both enjoyed how it was written by showing the process that goes into making toys and how important they really are. I think that with technology today we get distracted by things that don’t challenge your imaginations like toys do. I hope that more parents focus more on toys rather than technology and tablets in the future for their small children. Toys help trigger a different part of the brain that can bring magic and joy. That shouldn’t be minimized no matter what! Great book!!!"
"I was kind of surprised when I read this book because I expected a little children’s book but actually it was a very in-depth book on what toy makers have to think and go through when they’re designing toys for children. It is probably a book that is for the 12 to 15-year-old kids out there if they’re wanting to be designers. I have a 10-year-old grandson that I will probably get this book for, and I do recommend reading others in the series."
"This is an engaging and thorough introduction to the creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork involved in designing toys. This is definitely not an easy job and this book explains the good and not so good aspects of the job field. It makes the career feel exciting while also explaining the importance of prototypes, play testing, safety, and redesign. This would be a great addition to an upper elementary classroom or a great gift for a child interested in this field."
"Great book for young children who are interested in becoming a toy designer! It talks about the skills needed that may not be thought about as well as things that may be challenging in the job. Pictures are beautiful and engaging."
"This book is one that paints a picture of the life of a toy designer and all of the things that come into play when designing toys for children. It is interesting as if I hadn’t read this, I wouldn’t have known all of the processes that new toys undergo. I learned that designing a toy is more than just the design. It is one that has to be measured for likability, creativity, durability, safety, and it must be age appropriate. Toy designers must ensure that not only must a kid enjoy their toy, but they must ensure that it is built to last and doesn’t cause children harm.
The book touches on different careers and degrees that might also work in the toy industry, such as psychology and engineering. Additionally, it was interesting learning about the creators of Barbie and Hello Kitty. The author mentioned a few famous toy designers and a little of their background.
Among these things, the images within the book are very colorful and engaging, making the book even more interesting to read. In reading this book, I learned something new today, and it makes me want to try my hand at creating a new toy!"
"So You Want to Be a Toy Designer: A Kid's Guide introduces young readers to the exciting world of toy design. The book explains what toy designers do, how they come up with creative ideas, and the steps involved in turning an idea into a real toy. It encourages kids to use their imagination, solve problems, and learn from mistakes while designing toys that are fun and safe. Readers also discover the importance of sketching, building prototypes, testing ideas, and working with others. Overall, the book inspires children to explore their creativity and shows that with practice, curiosity, and hard work, they can develop the skills needed to become toy designers."
"This is such a cute book (and series) for kids exploring professions and potential jobs — this encompasses a full day, glossary and realistic expectations that both prepare and excite kids about becoming a toy designer!! This book was a fun read, and my son is even more motivated after reading!! We will be buying more from this series!"
"Such a fun book, even if your kid doesn't want to be a toy designer. I was fascinated by the toymaking and testing process especially, plus the skills you might not expect to need (resilience after heartbreak when your toy doesn't work out, aww). At the end you get to learn about a couple famous toymakers and the history behind the world's greatest toys. Such a cool concept for a book."
"This is a wonderful book that shows kids how playing and building can turn into a real job making toys. It teaches them about the hard work behind the scenes in a fun, easy way. It is perfect for any kid who loves to build things and wants to know how toys are created!"
"I really enjoyed how this book goes beyond simply encouraging creativity and actually explains the details of the toy making process. The sections on developing prototypes, testing ideas, and understanding what makes a toy both marketable AND fun were especially interesting. It does a wonderful job of showing that successful toy design is about balancing your imagination with solving problems. Whether the child in your life is dreaming of designing toys professionally or just curious about the industry in general, this book is an inspiring and informative read."
"So You Want to Be a Toy Designer is a nonfiction book that gives young readers a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting world of toy design. Instead of just explaining how toys are made, the book shows how play helps children learn, imagine, and solve problems. Author Linda Soules makes complex ideas easy to understand by using real examples, fun facts, and stories about famous toy designers. Readers will discover how toy designers sketch ideas, build prototypes, test toys with children, and work with engineers and safety experts to bring new creations to life. The book encourages creativity and curiosity while showing that imagination can be an important part of a future career.
The illustrations are colorful, playful, and packed with interesting details that help bring the text to life. From imaginative toy concepts and workshop scenes to diagrams, prototypes, and whimsical creature designs, the artwork keeps readers engaged and makes the information easier to understand. The images complement the book's message that creativity and experimentation are at the heart of toy design. Young readers will enjoy exploring the illustrations as much as reading the text, making this book both educational and visually appealing. Overall, So You Want to Be a Toy Designer is a wonderful choice for children who love building, inventing, creating, or simply wondering how their favorite toys came to be."
"Amazing book. It shows children the behind the scenes of how toys are made and all the steps involved. It shows them that it is a long process but it is something they could choose to do as a career."
"Interesting book in a series about a career that is not often talked about even though toys are central to a child's life. I love the illustration in these books. The colors are vibrant and eye-catching. It is also easy to follow and breaks down the steps and the background of toy designing in ways that are encouraging and easy to understand."
"I love how this book is structured. You can understand it clearly and it provides great information to get started into toy making. I like how it shows the whole process of getting into toy making. Really worth it."
"This book made me think about all the toys my son loved over the years and what might have went into actually making them. He now wants to be an engineer! Maybe toys?"