Stephanie Oppenheim is the co-founder of the independent consumer organization, Oppenheim Toy Portfolio (www.toyportfolio.com), along with her mother, noted child development expert Joanne Oppenheim. Together the Oppenheims have been reviewing children’s media since 1989. For the past 15 years the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio annual guide included the results of a year’s worth of reviewing (due to the lead safety issues they have cancelled this year’s edition). Their organization also started the Read It! Play It! Literacy Initiative – a series of books that encourage parents to both read and play with their children as a way of fostering a love of reading and developing language skills. The original title, Read It! Play it!, focuses on books every 3-8 should know and activities that relate to the 50 books reviewed and recommended. Read It! Play It! for Babies and Toddlers is now also available in Spanish. Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) uses the Read It! Play It! series in their literacy programs. Stephanie is also a Contributor to NBC’s TODAY Show and has appeared on Oprah, CNN, MSNBC, CBS Nightly News and Fox News. Prior to starting the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio, she practiced corporate law in NYC. (Can you guess which job is more fun?) She also holds a Masters in Psychology from NYU with a specialization in parenting. She lives with her husband and two sons in NYC.
Join Stephanie’s facebook page to get alerts on new toys, books, music and other notable products for kids.
November 7, 2007 at 12:13 am |
Visit my Facebook page
April 29, 2009 at 1:12 pm |
One of the best parts of our work at toyportfolio.com is finding new mom and pop businesses–they often offer great innovation and creativity. The idea is to give them as much support as possible–so if you see something great blogging about it can really help a smaller company get on the map with both consumers and retailers. My favorite example this year is blablakids.com….this collection of handmade dolls (made in Peru) is from a small company with a fresh looking product.
December 6, 2007 at 8:15 pm |
Congrats on your mention in FastCompany as “The Watchdog.”
I am particularly interested in learning more on the Oppenheim standard on sound levels.
Please email me at billybob2@rcn.com
Thank you
November 21, 2008 at 2:52 pm |
What do you think of the Blue Hat Teach and Learn for a 5-6 year old?
Thank you, Marcy
November 21, 2008 at 4:03 pm |
Hi Marcy
We haven’t tested the Blue Hat Teach and Learn. If you’re thinking about buying one, I’d look at the games that are included. These machines are drill machines more than “teaching” machines. Like old fashion workbooks, if you don’t understand the material–having pages of practice doesn’t really help you. For reinforcing beginning math skills, kids are better off with concrete experiences. My mother (a former first and second grade teacher) taught me basic counting skills with Hersey’s kisses—it made the whole experience much more playful. Of course you don’t need to use chocolate, there are counting opportunities everywhere…counting Lego bricks as you build…baking cookies…etc.
December 15, 2008 at 3:19 pm |
Are any of the toys you have “approved” made in China?
March 17, 2009 at 8:21 pm |
Yes. The majority of toys are made in China. We require all companies to verify that they meet our safety standards.
April 29, 2009 at 3:35 am |
Hi Stephanie,
I’m a mommyblogger and I’m hoping to showcase/review some great educational toys. Do you have any suggestions for new up and coming companies that would like to have product reviews of their new toys It seems the same companies are reviewed over and over, and I’d love to share some new products. My blog is growing quickly and I’d love to bring some exciting products to my readers’ attention.
Thanks!
October 1, 2009 at 10:13 pm |
Sure! If you look at our list you’ll find smaller companies like blablakids, dream big toy company, daydream toy company, acting out…one of the best parts of toy fair is finding new up and coming companies to write about! Good luck with your blog!
November 9, 2009 at 7:01 pm |
HI, I am wondering if you will publish the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio in book form again? Or have you decided to only do online reviews now? Thank you for your response.
November 9, 2009 at 7:09 pm |
For now we’re sticking with the on-line format. It gives us more space to say what we want – instead of being limited to 20 words for each toy! We are exploring doing our Baby&Toddler Playbook again next year. We also recommend our play/literacy series Read It! Play It! and Read It! Play It! with Babies and Toddlers (this book is also available in Spanish).
November 14, 2009 at 6:56 pm |
Is there a trampoline for 3 year olds that you recommend?
November 14, 2009 at 7:14 pm |
Hi Laura,
I know they can be lots of fun, but there are too many trips to the ER from trompolines…so we have decided not to recommend any. Sorry we can’t be of more assistance.
November 16, 2009 at 4:02 pm |
Can you tell me what children’s wagon you would recommend? I was looking at the Step2 Wagon for Two.
Thanks!
November 16, 2009 at 4:14 pm |
Hi Cindy
We like both the Step2 Canopy Wagon (it has a hard plastic canopy–with a drink holder on top!) or the Radio Flyer Trailblazer Canopy Wagon –with a soft fabric top that you can pop on and off (a nice feature). This one also has a storage place on the outside. Both are pretty big and you’ll need plenty of space to store either. Just looked on-line…they’re both available at Target for $99. Both have seatbelts – an important feature with toddlers. We are in fact adding the Radio Flyer to the Platinum List for this year.