REVIEWS OF MY SON’S TOYS: “FunBerry.”
Yes, this is a fake BlackBerry for children. Its screen is one of those decals that changes depending on how you hold it in the light; the home screen has various application icons plus a non sequitur “Enter Key to Chat with Selected Buddy.” And it is forever Tuesday, May 21, at 12:21pm. The alternate screen is a list of those alleged buddies, “Michael K., Susan R.” et cetera. Most of the keys are placebos, though the white ones in the center make tinny electronic tones when pressed. This is the apotheosis of the fake electronic device toy category, which includes fake toy cell phones and fake toy remote controls, both of which we also have. Our child is not particularly fooled by these shams, though he does fondle them in imitation of his parents’ use of their real counterparts. And really, that’s what this is about: imitation plus the appropriation of a perceived power object.
Bite It? Not necessary. The real thing is relatively easy to snatch away and bite on, and the reactions are much more satisfying.
