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'Tis the season when children create their lists in anticipation of gifts over the holidays.

In that spirit, we asked some locally prominent people about their favorite childhood toy.

Mim Fawcett, executive director

of the Attleboro Arts Museum

No. Really. Actually. Fawcett's favorite childhood toy was the board game "Masterpiece" by Parker Bros., now a brand of Hasbro.

The 47-year-old executive director of the Attleboro Arts Museum, fresh off this year's arts' auction, said images from the game, in which participants bid on works of art shown on game cards, she played at the age of 10 remain vivid.

"It really has stayed in my memory," she said. "I did see all these wonderful pieces of art."

She figures she played it with her brother, parents and friends.

Though the game is now out of print, Fawcett said she has tried to pass along the interest to her three young children through the board game "Where for Art Thou?"

Jean Benchimol, Capron Park Zoo Director

Her mother would allow her to help in the kitchen mixing things up, but never baking using the oven.

That's why Benchimol, Attleboro's zoo director, went wild when she received an "Easy Bake Oven" for Hanukkah when she was 8 years old.

"I loved it because it gave me a chance to do some baking that my mom would not let me do in her kitchen," Benchimol said.

What's more, "I had control over what I baked. My mom inspired me to be creative in my Easy Bake world." It's a passion that she's continued to pursue, now at age 50.

"I love kicking things up, changing recipes," Benchimol said. "The holidays are a good time to experiment and cook and bake."

Alas for the Easy Bake Oven of her youth, her brothers' G.I. Joes invaded "and they filled it up with their stuff. It's been war ever since," Benchimol joked.

U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, whose district includes Attleboro, North Attleboro, Plainville, Rehoboth and Seekonk:

"I used to hate getting clothes," the congressman said. But then, there was that first bike - green, with a banana seat.

"I remember riding it in the snow, slipping and falling and my mother yelling at me," McGovern, now 50, joked.

But at about age 6, it's the best, he said.

"It's kind of like getting your driver's license and being able to go out on the road and ride with all of the rest of the kids in the neighborhood," he said.

State Rep. Betty Poirier, R-North Attleboro

A large Cinderella storybook was this state legislator's favorite as a young girl.

The well-worn, bigger than life story kept her entertained for several years and eventually was passed along to her granddaughter,who though now past the age of that particular fantasy story, still likely has it amongst her own collection of childhood favorites, Poirier said.

She noted that Disney World was not around when she was growing up, but the now 60-year-old grandmother got to experience the fantasy world there through her granddaughter's eyes when they visited the theme park.

Attleboro Mayor Kevin Dumas

Perhaps it has helped him to be a safer driver out there on the roads today.

Dumas's favorite childhood toy, one that he still has tucked away in his basement, was a battery-operated race car driving game that he got when he was 6 or 7 years old.

"The game was a simple battery-operated race car driving game in which you had a small steering wheel and you were required to turn around the oncoming vehicles," said Dumas, now 33. "If you crashed into a vehicle, it made a sound with a flashing light. I recall loving the challenge not to hit any cars and see how long I could go without an accident."

"I brought that game with me every time I went on a long car ride," he said.