Connecticut-based Melissa & Doug® began in 1988 when Doug Bernstein wanted to ask Melissa to marry him, but because he was too nervous, instead proposed she start a children’s business with him; she agreed, they married and had six kids and the rest is history. The privately held company creates educational toys offering tremendous value, quality and design and is especially well known for its range of wooden toys which were first launched in 1991; today it is a leading designer and manufacturer of children’s products and educational toys. The colorful product assortment includes soft toys, pull toys, blocks, shape sorters, activity cubes, push toys, baby toys, infant toys, plush toys, bath toys, beach toys, puzzles, mazes, stacking toys, play food, magnetic activities, musical toys, playsets, dolls, activity tables, dollhouses, toddler toys, toy cars and trucks, sturdy wooden toys and more.