Photographer captures children and their most precious toys around the world

Think of the time when you were a kid and had your favorite toys. Remember how happy you were to have them and proud to show them off? Italian photographer Gabriele Galimberti has traveled the world photographing kids and their most prized possessions: their favorite toys. In this photo series, he brings you stories of kids and their toys from more than 50 countries.

Gabriele’s project is titled Toy Stories and it took him two years of traveling, meeting children and their parents, and taking photos. The project took him all over the world: “From Texas to India, Malawi to China, Iceland, Morocco, and Fiji,” the artist writes.

The project shows children from different countries, cultural and social backgrounds. Some of them have an entire collection of favorite toys, while some only have a single stuffed animal. But what Gabriele found in common for all of them is the pride they have when showing off their most precious toys. As the photographer explains, this pride is a “moving, funny, and thought-provoking statement.”

Personally, looking at these photos and made me think of the times when a small blue stuffed bunny was my most valuable possession. I was so happy to have it and I was gladly showing it off. It reminded me that little is enough for happiness and that possessing many things won’t necessarily make us happy and proud. But I believe it’s just one way of looking at this project, and there certainly are different children with the different appreciation for what they have.

Gabriele also issued a book of photos titled Toy Stories: Photos of Children from Around the World and Their Favorite Things. Scroll down for more of these touching and charming Toy Stories, and check out more of Gabriele’s his work on his website and Instagram.