the pages of fantasy. GI Joe zooms into space on a copter. And Mickey Mouse rings you on the phone.

Christmas means toys, of course. Lots of toys.

And for hundreds of youngsters the anticipation of tearing the wrapping from that tantalisingly shaped object under the tree has already begun.

No matter parents sometimes disappoint. A child's thrill of getting the present he REALLY wants makes up for everything! This year -- as always -- a dazzling array of toys fill the shelves of Bermuda's stores, crying out to be stuffed in a Christmas stocking.

Enter Jack `N' Jill's Toy Shop in Park Road, Hamilton, and you get transported into a magical wonderland.

A new character this year is Baby Rollerblade -- a doll on battery-run skates.

Pick two, and youngsters are guaranteed hours of fun racing them.

Produced by Mattel, arguably the world's best toy company, these rollerblade dolls are currently all the rage in America.

"They are hot off the press, and we expect them to sell really well,'' exclaimed manager Meta Davidson.

Appealing to children aged three to 10, they are currently priced at $57.95.

Other Mattel products are also likely to be snapped up hurriedly by parents, including many Disney characters.

Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast -- the films have given birth to a host of lookalike models.

And, of course, Aladdin is no exception; the movie is set to become a moneyspinner this Christmas.

"It's amazing just how popular the characters from the films are,'' said Miss Davidson.

Several other traditional festive figures will be giving them a run for their money, however.

Barbie dolls, and My Little Pony (whose lipstick `magically' appears in cold water), will again, almost certainly, be topping many shopping lists this year.

"Every Christmas they do well. Their appeal never seems to fade,'' said Miss Davidson.

For boys, there are plenty of toys to feed their unrelenting taste for adventure.

GI Joe -- an old favourite -- is expected to capture the imaginations in scores of homes this Christmas.

And this year he seems to be more equipped than ever to take on the world.

He comes fitted with the electronic gadgetry to turn him, so the blurb boasts, into a super sonic fighter.

So much so, he can literally be rocketed into space, strapped to a copter.

GI Joe does have stern competition, however, for the Christmas stocking. For Batman and Captain Hook are also on the display shelves, vying for attention.

Parents of the very young have the customary embarrassment of riches to pick from.

Hotly tipped as a fast seller this year are the "See `N' Say'' educational toys aimed at pre-school tots.

Youngsters, using a dial, are treated to the distinctive sounds of their favourite animals, such as the roar of a tiger and the shriek of an owl.

They are also given some brief details about the creature.

Other "See `N' Say'' toys help youngsters with the alphabet, and how to count.

Children can also have plenty of fun using the telephone this Christmas.

But parents needn't worry. This is "Mickey's Call Back Phone'', priced at $58.

Users have the chance to dial and listen to a tape-recorded message from Mickey Mouse.

Similar, is Big Bird -- a 15-inch, furry yellow creature who promises to keep children enthralled throughout the holiday.

His talents include reading thirty-minute stories from a 24-page book, and even singing.

Produced by TYCO, Big Bird can be bagged for $135.

Older children need hardly fear missing out this year either; a wealth of fun creations are in store for them.

Among them are traditional craft toys -- pottery wheels and flower making kits, as well as innovative items to allow girls to create their own fashions.

Paint-by-number sets, Spirographs, model-makings kits, and foam sports balls are also in plentiful supply.

To Miss Davidson, children's basic attitudes to toys have remained remarkably unchanged over the years, and, interestingly, she notes board games are making a comeback.

But the influence of television, and advertising, has been marked.

"The basic traditional toys, the ones which have stood the test of time, are the ones children pick up the easiest,'' she explained.

"It's amazing, however, just how influential TV advertising is. People will buy things just because they saw them on television.'' MARCUS DAY WHO'S A CLEVER BIRD? -- Big Bird will be brightening up Christmas day for scores of youngsters with his reading and singing talents.

MODEL PRESENT -- Children will soon be revving into Christmas with model cars such as these (above).

HAVING A DOLLY TIME -- Two-year-old Colisha Pearman (right) cradles a baby rollerblade doll, expected to be a hit this Christmas.