The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood announced their TOADY Award, which stands for "Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children." It's given to the year's most exploitative and worst toy as determined by public vote.

Topping this year's shortlist of five nominees is the Lego Friends Butterfly Beauty Shop.

The toy is part of a range of girl-targeted Lego building toys that's already dealt with controversy. Some people think the toy "reinforces sexual stereotypes with its pink blocks, gendered minifigures, and explicitly girly themes."

The CCFC said: "The Butterfly Beauty Shop is so jam-packed with condescending stereotypes it would even make Barbie blush. Bye-bye square, androgynous figures; hello, curves 'n eyelashes! No building for your little princess. Instead, she can get primped and pretty and have some serious salon fun, shop for makeup and hair accessories, or gossip out on the bench by the scenic fountain."

Here are the four other nominees for this year's TOADY:

1. TheO ball--A plastic ball into which you are encouraged to place your expensive smartphone before handing it over to your child.

2. Laugh and Learn Apptivity Monkey--This stuffed animal pulls a similar stunt by embedding an iPhone in its belly. The CCFC says it's "marketed with bogus educational claims" and is really little more than a devious way to get your kids addicted to screen time.

3. 7-11 Slurpee Maker--How about a toy that crams sugar into your child's belly? The Slurpee Maker comes with a free Slurpee coupon, guaranteeing your kids will be nagging you for a trip to the store.

4. "Put Me in the Story" App--Not only does this app cost $30, but it turns classic books into stories starring guess-who. The CCFC has an issue with the fact that it replaces time-honored characters with your kid.

The "winner" will be announced December 6.

 I got this story and picture from yahoo.com