Shining Stars (www.shiningstars.com)
© 2007 Russ Berrie, Inc.
Like Webkinz, Shining Stars are plush toys that are packaged with a registration code that provides access to a website with games (www.shiningstars.com). Any Commercial Content? There was an alternating banner advertising a "Fall Spectacular" on the login screen. "Register a Black Cat or a Turkey for double glow points and a sneak peek of net week's Webisode!" If you click on the "donate your points" button, on any page, you can end up entered in a raffle to win a two night trip to New York City and to attend the 18th Annual Celebrity Sports Auction. Even though the rules page says parental permission is required, kids can enter simply by donating glow points. The Top 10 Donating Shining Stars graph shows your status in the contest. Top donator wins. Kids can easily monitor this and adjust standing without parents' knowledge. You can purchase a Star World from a choice of four for 10,000 glow points. However, there is the new Snow World -aptly added as winter is coming - that you can only purchase if you own a Christmas plush. Time and again you are exposed to new items. On the News page, the release of new pets is described while on the My Star Space page a collect them all link is present and just one click shows other available Shining Stars. You may also subscribe to a newsletter that will keep you up to date on Shining Star happenings. A nice feature is that e-mail confirmation is required for subscription. If a parent chooses not to subscribe, simply do not confirm the e-mail. The only personal information required for registration is an e-mail and zip code. The privacy policy states that these are used for password and registration retrieval if necessary. While the site does claim to protect your privacy, it is never stated outright that e-mails are not shared. It states that privacy practices are modified from time to time and your personal information is covered by the privacy notice in effect at the time of your registration. Our testers, who expected to find a virtual version of their toy, were disappointed by the sluggish loading time and lack of things to do. They also became frustrated with learning about how they could register in the International Star Registry or how many glow points they could earn (by purchasing more plush toys). Strengths/Weaknesses/Tester Comments: While the $15 plush toys are well-designed, the web site is not, compared to Webkinz. The plush toys—about twice the size of a Beanie Baby—seem well-designed, unlike the website. Stick with Webkinz.
$15, Internet Site
Teaches: a plush toy, with an associated web site
CTR Rating: 30%