| I can't remember the first time I remember seeing a | | | | Henry. We bought Henry food and clothes and |
| Webkinz. Like everyone else I'd heard something about | | | | furniture for his room. Most of all, we had to play with |
| them on the media or is passing comments from | | | | him and give him attention so he knew he was loved. I |
| friends but it really was not something I ever thought I | | | | couldn't imagine that a toy like this would be able to |
| would be involved in. Imagine my surprise. I vaguely | | | | teach a child such responsibility. Furthermore, some of |
| remember hearing talk about them between my | | | | the games on the Webkinz website were very |
| daughter and a few of her friends. I recall not really | | | | educational. They were not typical Internet or video |
| paying attention to it until I heard one of Marisa's friends | | | | games, but actually made Marisa think and learn. I was |
| mention she had 12 out of the 18 Webkinz that were | | | | astonished at the sophistication and care that the |
| out. One of the other girls said she had 8, another 6 | | | | Webkinz people took to ensure a positive learning |
| and my daughter said she had one that she received | | | | experience for children. Two hours had passed and it |
| for a birthday gift. I thought to myself that this was | | | | seemed to fly by. We had only started on the |
| crazy and these girls must be a bit more then a little | | | | Webkinz journey but both of us found it amazingly |
| spoiled. As time went on, all I heard from Marisa was | | | | enriching. Webkinz had a new fan and he was well |
| talk about her Golden Retriever Webkinz that she | | | | into his thirties. I can now tell you my daughter is one of |
| named Barkley. She constantly carried "him" around or | | | | those kids who owns an extensive collection of |
| was constantly on the Webkinz web site. Finally I | | | | Webkinz. Each one of them has given Marisa much |
| figured that after hearing all the hype I would check | | | | joy and entertainment. Because of the Webkinz she |
| this out. I bought Marisa a new Spotted Frog and off | | | | has a much better understanding of responsibility and a |
| to Webkinz World I went. I wasn't expecting much | | | | better appreciation for education. Today, when I hear |
| from this journey, but I figured I would at least have | | | | Marisa and her friends talking about their Webkinz, I |
| some quality time with my daughter. In spite of my | | | | smile to myself. I know she is in a world that makes |
| skepticism, I was very happily surprised. I couldn't | | | | her feel good about herself. I also know the Webkinz |
| believe everything that was involved. You were not | | | | world teaches her responsibility in its own way while |
| just buying a plush toy, you got involved in a whole | | | | keeping her happy. What more could a parent what? |
| process. A process that I soon learned was a very | | | | Steve Cantellini is an executive moonlighting as a writer |
| positive learning experience. First we had to register | | | | on topics concerning family. |
| our new family member. We decided to name him | | | | |