With a theme song that’s catchy enough to stay in your head for days after watching a single episode and characters more endearing, somehow, than SpongeBob, Bob the Builder is more popular than Barney ever was and will stay popular much longer.
Bob the Buider toys range from things as simple as action figurines to remote controlled bulldozers to full-size (for kids) four wheelers. Of course, bedding, clocks, school supplies, and a multitude of other things can also be found; the toys just happen to be absolutely the most fun!
Bob the Builder works with his team of workers on various projects, as seen on their DvDs. Their battle cry is ‘Can we fix it?! YES, we CAN!’, which not only gets kids excited, but also perpetuates the Thomas the Tank Engine philosophy of earlier generations of children’s toys. Bob the Builder and his teammates always work together to fix whatever is on hand that needs fixing; there are innumerable opportunities for children to learn cooperation, sharing, and working together.
In a time when video games are quickly becoming not just the ‘favorite’ toy, but the ONLY toy, Bob the Builder toys are a refreshing mix of old-school toy and new-school warm and fuzzy childhood. Bob the Builder is a tough worker, but he’s also what can only be described as a family man. Bob the Builder toys are masculine (ahem, Barney was NOT), but they are a far cry from Bionicles (a spawn of earlier destroyer action figurines). The toys inspired by Bob the Builder strongly appeal to kids; the bonus is that it’s an appeal that parents can feel good about supporting.
