Arafa & Aisha - Bububu, Zanzibar
Regardless of nationality or economic status, children cherish their toys. In his project Toy Stories, photographer Gabriele Galimberti spent 18 months documenting children around the world showcasing their prized possessions.
Norden - Rrahke, Marocco
What struck me most about these images was the similarities between the children, not their differences. I expected to feel a sense of lack and sadness from the children who have fewer toys to display and possibly live in poverty, but instead, those children seemed equally, if not more, happy and satisfied with their belongings.
Cun Zi Yi - Chongqing, China
In fact, Galimberti noticed that the richest children were more possessive with their toys and needed more time before letting him arrange them for the photo. In poorer families, even if they had only a few toys, they didn't seem to mind the imposition.
Enea - Boulder, Colorado
For me, these photos are more a celebration of childhood and the developing interests and personalities of each child than a statement about economic advantage. And those personalities have a lot to do with their role models. Galimberti says, "Doing this, I learnt more about the parents than I did about the kids." As the ones who buy the toys, parents, perhaps unconsciously, reveal their aspirations for their children. Like the farmer's daughter below and her collection of tools.
Alessia - Castiglion Fiorentino, Italy
Ultimately, kids are kids and, as much as we want to let them represent agendas or make statements, they're more concerned with having fun. I'd say it's a pretty good lesson for us all.
See them all at Gabriele Galimberti.
(Images: Gabriele Galimberti)
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Reminds me of this book Children Just Like Me (http://www.amazon.com/Children-Just-Like-Me-Celebration/dp/0789402017) and the companion book about celebrations. I love seeing this kind of thing and especially sharing it with children to see what their reactions are to people who have a lot more or a lot less than they do.
Thanks for the link tracey from makeandshowandtell!
This one also reminds me of both of the above - Where Children Sleep by James Mollison http://www.jamesmollison.com/project.php?project_id=6
This is awesome. It reminded me of Where Children Sleep that came out a couple of years ago (http://www.amazon.com/James-Mollison-Where-Children-Sleep/dp/1905712162).
I agree that children in general are incredible similar, no matter where they live. I've seen that first hand with my 3 year old who tags along with us on our travels. It never ceases to amaze me the ease with which he gets along with other kids that don't speak his language. They make flawlessly make up complex games without even stopping to think that they may not understand each other. As written above, there are no agendas and no preconceptions - only the kid need to have fun.
The little girl from Zambia with all of her sunglasses is my absolute favorite!
I love this! Nothing reveals "their aspirations for their children" more than the kid with all the drums and guitars, lol. All so cute.
This makes me think of all the kids I know with way too many toys. I wish (we) Americans would learn one day that less is more. I have worked with kids, and watched 25 or so of them play in an indoor space. TONS of toys, large and small, total chaos. During the last week of the program, staff removed toys a few at a time to be cleaned and put away. As the number of toys was gradually reduced, the room, the play, became calmer and calmer. The play was more intent, more satisfied and calm. It was astounding, a real eye-operner for me.
I was enchanted by the little angels from Zanzibar, thinking I'd never seen such adorable kids (besides my own!) and then I scrolled down only to be enchanted again and again. I love kids and how they project their personalities. So wonderful!
The faces on all these kids are the priceless, though for some reason, I am particularly captivated by the girls from Zanzibar and China. What an interesting photo essay.
"Brillant .......We are so blessed in this country"
By this country do you mean America? And why? Because we have more toys here? As someone who grew up in America but spent my summers as a child in Africa, I can tell you that the kids there play HARD...they have little need for toys. I always was so bored when I came back and all my friends wanted to play dress-up, boardgames or videogames.
As a kids I would have taken a group of imaginative playmates over toys in a millisecond.
The dour Ukrainian kid surrounded by toy guns kind of cracks me up.
I totally agree with this statement.
The observations about too many toys applies to adults too. When will we learn that more stuff doesn't bring more happiness? I have always been facinated by asking myself the following question: What is the very least amount of stuff I could possess and still live a meaningful and fairly comfortable life? This would make a great article or series on AT.
Not sure if its the effects of a gray day, but I am profoundly moved by these pictures! Thank you for including them in today's AT.
Uh, AT you spelled Morocco wrong.
"Norden - Rrahke, Marocco"
Morocco, not Marocco.
The boy from Thailand posing with his foot on a helmet and a fleet of motorcycles before him? That kid is a boss!
But the girls from Zanzibar stole my heart. I love how each one of their toys is matched to a buddy -- just like the two girls!
The little girls from Zanzibar stole my heart. Beautiful.
I think it's important to note that the children picked their favorite item or items, and the photographer simply posed them. I love what it reveals about the kids- the little girl with her board games, the little boy with his books, the little boy with his police helmet and guns,the little girl with her diverse collection of Barbies. But mostly what I love is that the kids are kids- from the poorest to the wealthiest, they all have favorite toys and they all love to play.
Beautiful essay, just beautiful
The misspelling was originally the photographer's from the website.
But good for you for noticing! Did you happen to notice there were really cool pictures there too?
You are right on. I'm afraid the American sense of materialism is fostered at a young age. I miss the good old days when us kids were pushed outside and told to "go play". We came up with some fantastic games, that involved no toys, no video games, no internet. Ahh it was great.
Loved them all,but that Cun Zi Yi had the most beautiful smile,she just stole my heart away!What a cutie!