Online - May 25, 2006

Global Cooling

Sweatyfrog Toys

Confining yourself to predictable notions of cool? That’s never been your thing.

And if you have anything to say about it, it’s not going to be your kid’s thing, either.

You’ll both be happy with the unusual goods on Sweatyfrog.com, an online toy store that carries eclectic, design-conscious toys, gizmos, and stuffed animals from all over the globe.

Made by some of the world’s top (and soon-to-be top) artists and designers, the stash includes dolls from Takashi Murakami, plush critters by French artist James Lassey (a.k.a. Jamous), and brand new Nanospores (mythical spore-based, 3-D creatures) by Paul Hwang and Ben Lee.

The site also specializes in books by creative luminaries (a vivid collection of movie cells from Miyazaki’s Spirited Away) and wind-up toys, action figures, and clothing that are undeniably adorable (but not in the dime-a-dozen way).

Because you want your children to be every bit as individual as you are.

At least until they get old enough to decide everything you like is totally uncool.

Available online at sweatyfrog.com.