Hi, I'm Maria, a work at home mom of four young children and author of this website, Neat Wooden Toys, which has grown out of my interest in fun playthings and efforts to ensure that my children have quality, natural, safe toys to play with from the earliest age.

As I researched and collected things for my children, from Brio train track and wooden train sets to rattles and dollhouses, I decided to combine this hobby with my work at home job of freelance writing.

Know that I approach the writing of these pages both as an online writer and, more importantly, as a mom. I only showcase toys that I would welcome into my own home for my own children.

My oldest two children are enrolled in a Montessori Children's program several days a week, and I have completed a course of training for Montessori-based education. The toys on these pages will hopefully complement the Montessori philosophy of the child's absorbent mind.