Heard about toy library in Navi Mumbai?

Small Wonder Children’s Library in Vashi is one such place where kids can play and read too

Veda Ramaswamy, Vashi

May 11, 2011 - DNA Navi Mumbai

Tired of stashing your cupboard with expensive toys that don’t interest your kid after a few days of purchase? Toy libraries might just give you the desired respite. The concept of a toy library, albeit new, is similar to that of a book library. It lends out an array of toys, puzzles, games and CDs that can be rotated every week, thus providing ample variety and keeping children from getting bored.

Small Wonder Children’s Library is one such toy library located in the busy lanes of Sector 17, Vashi. Within a modest space, one can find a large range of puzzles and board games stacked up neatly in sections. “There are around 3,100 toys in our library. Our main aim is to harness the potential force of games to mould the character and temperaments of the young ones and at the same time prove to be a source of enjoyment for them,” said Nangai Sundar, the owner of the library established three years ago. Discover India, Backgammon, Stock Exchange, Dart, Housie, Timmy Turtle, Stitching Set, Jumping Cat and Ball, Juliet Swing, Rope Ladder are few of the many games found here. The library also caters to the needs of children with learning disabilities. “My five-year-old daughter is a slow learner. But these games help develop her mind and keep her active,” said Tanuja Patil, a resident of Vashi.

Apart from toys, the library also has more than 2000 books in English, Hindi and Marathi languages for children. There are several books on short stories, novels, comics, general knowledge, Maths and English. The library is open from 10 am to 8 pm on all days except Sunday, when it’s open from 5 pm to 7 pm. The library charges a monthly fee of Rs 250 along with a refundable deposit of Rs 1000, where in children can avail either five toys or five books or three toys and two books per week. “The charges are quite reasonable. It saves us from piling up the books and toys in our house,” said Leena Vanwari, a resident of Vashi and a member since the last one month.

Currently, the library has 150 active members. Parents living as far as Panvel, come with their children to the library to exercise its benefits and experience its uniqueness. “I love solving the different puzzle games here. It helps me utilize my time in vacations,” said Tanya Singh, a 10-year-old resident of Panvel, who was accompanied her parents. The library plans to open another branch in Nerul soon.