Slow Toy Award Winner - Third Year in Row!

We were a proud team this morning as the results of the 2014 Slow Toy Awards were officially announced at the John Lewis Oxford Street store in London! This year it was our Shop Till with Scanner that was hailed a winning product, because it captures the essence of the inspiring Slow Toy Movement.

The colourful wooden Shop Till with Scanner comes complete with pretend wooden and paper money, credit card, receipt roll and barcode scanner. It is a toy that is sure to appeal to children who enjoy a creative role play session, playing on their own as shop keeper or serving their customer friends in group play. There's even a drawer to keep the takings safe and help the young shop keeper practise their basic numeracy skills. The Bigjigs Shop Till with Scanner is available to purchase from the Bigjigs website and from toy shops nationwide. It joins Bigjigs Toys Blossom Cottage and the Bigjigs Toys Triangular Activity Centre as Slow Toy Awards winners, from 2013 and 2012 respectively. Now in its third year, the Slow Toy Awards aim to recognise the "real toys" on the market that are well made, inspire the mind and provide children with far more than the noise and flashing lights commonly associated with the toys of today. A Slow Toy is a toy that ignites imagination, inspires creativity and gives children the freedom to develop at their own pace. It is a well-made, good quality toy that stands the test of time and rather than distracting children, a Slow Toy has true play value. Each toy was judged by the following criteria:

• Must inspire the mind
• Must not require batteries
• Must not be solely made from plastic
• It has to stand the test of time (not applicable for craft toys)
• It has to promise true play value
• It must be a well-made toy (for craft toys, the materials must be high quality)

This year's judges included Ian Ellis, Toys and Books Buyer at John Lewis; Kate Carter, the life and style editor at the Guardian online; Liat Hughes Joshi, parenting journalist and published author of "˜What to Buy Your Baby"; Alison Canavan, parenting specialist and international model (alisoncanavan.com); Sally J. Hall, Editor of B magazine and published author; Jennie Henley, top parenting blogger behind www.edspire.co.uk

All winning Slow Toys are now available from the John Lewis website (www.johnlewis.com). Visit the Slow Toy website to see the full list of this year's final Slow Seven www.slowtoymovement.com The Slow Toy Movement is the creation of Thierry Bourret, a man whose unfaltering passion to campaign for change has secured the success of this cultural movement, which began in 2011. Frustrated by the annual "Christmas wish lists" which included countless battery operated plastic toys that distract children with noises and lights, Thierry decided to alter the mind-set of those in the toy industry. The concept was met with great interest and with winners from USA and Germany this year the movement has undoubtedly captured the world. The disappearance of the more traditional, beautifully crafted wooden toys is at the heart of the movement and its award aim to highlight the real toys on the market that inspire children, will stand the test of time and offer true play value. Commenting on the exciting news announcement, Thierry Bourret said: The success of the Slow Toy Movement has been one of my greatest achievements and each year it continues to amaze me how much support we receive. The Slow Toy Movement and it's awards seemed to have taken on a life of their own, not only has it engaged industry experts, but our campaign has been mentioned in articles not only nationally but internationally too! It was my dream to have this level of appreciation for good quality, well-made toys that encourage traditional play and stimulate a child's imagination and I am just overwhelmed that this is now a reality.