La Boîte à joujoux (The Toy Shop) was one of Debussy's last orchestral compositions, following the great ballet Jeux. He saw its uncomplicated story (a typical ballet-company confection about toys coming to life) as an easy task after the difficulties of the earlier ballet. He completed the work in two-piano score, but when he had to leave on tour for Russia he left detailed instructions for orchestration in the hands of the trusted André Caplet, who achieved a truly Debussy-like sound. The work, primarily for children, is somewhat thin in inspiration compared with other mature Debussy compositions, but it is entertaining and does provide good ballet accompaniment.

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