Talking dolls that speak six languages, and a digital music player for infants and toddlers were among the top toys picked for the Canadian Toy Testing Council's 2009 Toy Report.

The toys were judged for design, function, safety, battery consumption, durability and play value. The Ottawa-based council, a non-profit group established 55 years ago, recruits families to test the toys over the course the year.

The Sweetpea3 MP3 music player, which was named the top battery-operated toy of the year, was praised for its versatility and usefulness.

"It can be put in the nursery to lull babies to sleep, toddlers can dance around to their favourite kid tunes, or it can even be brought in the car or clipped onto a stroller," the council said in its Toy Report.

"No need to worry about damaged ears as children grow: with the built-in speaker, there's no need to use headphones."

The council also recommended the Marie doll for children four years and older. The doll, which speaks six different languages, is also equipped with recording equipment.

"By holding her right hand, children can tell Marie their secret and then press her left hand, and Marie plays back what the child recorded," the report says.

Other top entries included Lego and playmobil building sets, art kits, a whimsical encyclopedia and a chihuahua puppet.

Jennifer Lloyd's Looking for Loons and Helaine Becker's Science on the Loose were among the top books selected by the council.

Last year, a series of recalls of made-in-China toys rattled consumer confidence heading into the holiday season.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says the number of recalls in 2008 of children's products for high lead levels has fallen from 112 in 2007 to 64 this year.