For more than three decades, Toy Story has been telling stories about friendship, growing up and the special connection children share with their toys. And while the world around Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their friends has continued to change, there has always been one thing at the center of the franchise.
The importance of imagination and the role that toys play in childhood.
But as technology continues to become an increasingly familiar part of everyday life, it looks like the toys are about to face a challenge unlike anything they’ve experienced before. And this time, it isn’t another toy threatening to take their place in a child’s heart.
It’s a screen.
With Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 exploring the changing relationship between children, toys and technology, Yoto is bringing the latest chapter of the beloved animated franchise into an entirely different format with the release of a new Toy Story 5 audio card.
And considering the themes being explored in the newest installment, the partnership feels particularly fitting.
The new Yoto Card retells the story of Toy Story 5 across ten short chapters, allowing young listeners to follow Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear and their friends through their latest adventure without needing to watch a screen.
This time, Jessie finds herself taking on a particularly important role as Bonnie’s favorite toy. However, things begin to change when Bonnie’s parents introduce a new smart tablet named Lilypad, which quickly captures the young girl’s attention.
And for Jessie, that creates a rather difficult situation.
As Bonnie becomes increasingly interested in her new tablet, Jessie finds herself struggling to compete for the attention that once belonged to her and the other toys. With the future of playtime seemingly changing around them, she turns to an old friend for help.
Woody.
But while Jessie and Woody are trying to figure out how toys can continue to have a place in a world increasingly dominated by screens, there is another rather unusual problem unfolding.
A group of 50 defective, high-tech Buzz Lightyear action figures is on a mission to march on Star Command, creating another challenge for the toys as they navigate a world where traditional play and modern technology are beginning to collide.
It’s an interesting direction for Toy Story, particularly when considering how much the franchise has always reflected the different experiences and emotions that come with childhood. From the fear of being replaced by a newer toy to the realization that children eventually grow up, the films have never been afraid to explore the changing relationship between children and the things they love.
And now, with Toy Story 5, that conversation is taking on a new meaning as the franchise looks at the growing role of technology in children’s lives.
Which makes the decision to bring this particular story to Yoto especially interesting.
Rather than presenting the adventure through animation, the new audio adaptation encourages children to experience the story through listening and their own imaginations. Featuring single-voice narration, original music and sound effects, the approximately one-hour experience offers a different way for younger audiences to connect with the characters while allowing them to imagine the action and environments for themselves.
The new release also continues Yoto’s growing relationship with the Toy Story franchise, bringing the total number of Toy Story titles available in its audio library to seven.
Designed for children ages three to eight, the Toy Story 5 Yoto Card is compatible with all Yoto players, including the Yoto Player 4th Generation and Yoto Mini 4th Generation, as well as the free Yoto App.
The card is available through Yoto’s UK store, giving families another opportunity to enjoy the latest adventure from Disney and Pixar.
And with a story that explores what happens when screens begin to take the place of traditional toys, there is something rather appropriate about bringing Toy Story 5 to children through an experience that encourages them to put those screens aside and simply listen.
After all, imagination has always been one of the most important parts of Toy Story. And now, Yoto is giving young fans another way to experience that message for themselves.